Chapter 194

These people who submitted the memorials were all important ministers of the state.

Pivotal figures!

This time, they had truly kicked an iron plate.

These people submitting a joint memorial was nothing more than trying to force Li Er to abandon his decision to reform.

In this way.

They could continue to lie on their laurels and live carefree lives without a worry.

"Good! They've all come to embarrass me!"

"Bastards!!!"

"Don't they want to resign?"

"I grant it! I not only grant their resignation, but I won't let them return to their hometowns either. They will all finish their work for me, work for a lifetime, before they can return home!" Looking at the memorials piled higher and higher, Li Er was trembling with rage and directly flipped all those memorials onto the floor.

The roar of Li Er echoed within the Ganlu Palace.

The atmosphere suddenly became grave.

All the eunuchs and palace maids threw themselves onto the ground, trembling with fear.

A troubled time indeed!

Who knows how many people will die.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Cheng Yaojin, Li Ji, and other dukes are outside the hall requesting an audience." A eunuch walked in respectfully.

"Heh! They are still coming over?"

"Tell them to come in!"

Li Er sneered and said with annoyance.

A moment later.

Zhangsun Wuji and the others entered the hall one after another.

"Your humble subjects pay respects to Your Majesty!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

"My lords, what a rarity! You still remember to come see me; I thought I had already become a lonely man."

Li Er looked at these people before him with sarcasm.

Every single one standing here was a brother of life and death who had followed him through thick and thin to build this empire.

Whether it was Du Ruhui or Zhangsun Wuji, they had once entrusted their lives to him.

But what about now?

Except for Fang Xuanling, it seems they have all changed.

Their waists have gradually thickened, their clothes have become more and more gorgeous, their mansions have grown larger, and their retainers have become more numerous.

Flattery has increased.

The purity and hot-bloodedness of once building a peaceful and prosperous age seem to have gradually disappeared.

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? Whatever orders Your Majesty has, even if you ask me to climb a mountain of blades or descend into a sea of fire, I would not hesitate. Isn't it just reform? Let's reform the damn thing! I have long been unable to stand those aristocratic families in the capital showing off their power! They have no real ability, yet they hold all the high positions and fat salaries."

Cheng Yaojin was the first to stand out and shout loudly.

His voice was like a great bell, buzzing throughout the entire Ganlu Palace.

Cheng Yaojin's words did indeed sweep away the gloom in Li Er's heart.

Inspiring!

"Hmph!"

"Duke of Su, don't let your head get hot and say whatever comes to mind."

"Who in the capital doesn't know that you are famously henpecked! If I remember correctly, Lady Cheng is from the Cui clan, the most prestigious of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans."

Zhangsun Wuji sneered and looked coldly at Cheng Yaojin.

A smart person knows at a glance.

Reform will inevitably touch the interests of many people.

The aristocratic clans represented by the Five Surnames and Seven Clans are the first to bear the brunt.

And among the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, the most powerful is the Cui clan.

The one whose interests are most affected by this reform will inevitably be the Cui clan!

Cheng Yaojin is famously afraid of his wife.

If the Cui clan hears that he, Cheng Yaojin, is supporting the reform and touching the interests of her family, Cheng Yaojin's days will likely be difficult.

"I..."

Cheng Yaojin's old face turned red, and he was almost choked to death by Zhangsun Wuji's words.

Nothing to say!

Li Er was also somewhat discouraged.

He had thought it would be difficult!

But he didn't expect it to be this difficult!

Even a reckless man like Cheng Yaojin has so many unspeakable difficulties, let alone others. For hundreds of years.

Aristocratic clans have intermarried, and their relationships are intertwined.

To reform is to completely pull out the roots of these people's relationships.

That is a network of relationships they have built over hundreds of years!

How could they let you change it just because you say so?

Du Ruhui, Li Ji, and others also lowered their heads, not knowing what to say.

Sigh!

Willing but unable!

Which one of these people in their homes hasn't intermarried with aristocratic families?

Some have daughters-in-law from the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, and others have wives or concubines from aristocratic families.

Some have even formed life-and-death relationships with aristocratic families, sharing honor and disgrace.

If they publicly support Li Er's reform today, their homes will be in chaos tomorrow, and they might even be separated from their wives and children.

Not everyone can bear such consequences.

The Ganlu Palace fell into a deathly silence once again.

It was so quiet that even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

"Your Majesty, things must be done step by step; we still need to think of other ways."

Fang Xuanling took the initiative to speak.

"Xuanling, what ideas do you have?"

Li Er suddenly looked up, his eyes full of expectation.

Nowadays, only Fang Xuanling can be of one heart with him.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"

"We still have the trade alliance with Great Qin!"

Fang Xuanling smiled meaningfully.

Hearing this, Li Er's eyes suddenly lit up.

That's right!

I still have a trade alliance with Qin Mu!

This means that books produced by Great Qin can be continuously introduced into the Great Tang.

In this way, the common people can be enlightened.

By then, there will be more and more people reading among the populace.

The imperial examinations can also select more scholars from humble backgrounds, gradually replacing the aristocratic atmosphere currently in the court.

Through subtle influence, the reform can proceed smoothly!