Chapter 88

Everyone was stunned on the spot, unable to recover their senses for a long time.

They didn't even notice when Li Er had left.

I do not know how much time had passed.

Finally, someone woke up.

Some wept bitterly, while others shook their heads and sighed.

But those who were truly awakened were, after all, in the minority.

Many aristocratic officials not only felt no shame, but instead believed that Li Er had been frightened into stupidity.

"This is truly outrageous! His Majesty is acting arbitrarily today; we absolutely cannot let him behave so recklessly!"

"Well said. As subjects of the Great Tang, it is our duty to point out His Majesty's errors and shortcomings!"

"Right! We must submit a formal memorial; we absolutely cannot let His Majesty continue to make mistake after mistake!"

These officials panted heavily, discussing the matter with fury.

In fact.

This was merely a superficial excuse.

What loyalty?

What subjects?

They were simply worried that the reforms would touch upon their own family interests!

A war between the aristocratic families and imperial power had finally, slowly, begun!

Within a few days.

Memorials from 29 departments of the imperial court drifted into the palace Wu Li Ke snowflakes.

"Your Majesty, Vice Minister of Works Cui Lin has submitted a memorial, earnestly requesting that Your Majesty rescind the reform decree and turn back from this misguided path, otherwise he will resign and return to his hometown!"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Director of the Ministry of Revenue Lu Bingcheng has submitted a memorial, stating that his parents are advanced in age and earnestly requesting that Your Majesty allow him to resign and return home to fulfill his filial duties."

"Your Majesty, Minister of Rites Wang Hao has submitted a memorial stating that the reform is ill-timed and requesting that Your Majesty think thrice, otherwise you will regret it too late!"

"Your Majesty, Assistant Minister of Justice Xiao Cu has submitted a memorial..."

"Your Majesty, Vice Minister of Personnel Li Fu has submitted a memorial..."

Heavy memorials were piled upon Li Er's imperial desk, nearly reaching his own height.

Every one of these people submitting memorials was a pillar of the state.

They held significant weight!

This time, he had truly kicked an iron plate.

These people joining together to submit memorials was nothing more than an attempt to force Li Er to abandon his decision to reform.

In this way.

They could continue to lie on their laurels, carefree and happy, without a worry in the world.

"Good! You have all come to make things difficult for me!"

"Scoundrels!!!"

"Do they not want to resign?"

"I grant it! I not only grant their resignations, but I will not let them return home to retire. They shall all finish their work for me, working for a lifetime before they can retire!" Watching the memorials pile higher and higher, Li Er was trembling with rage and directly swept all of them onto the floor.

The roar of Li Er echoed through the Ganlu Hall.

The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.

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

A troubled time indeed!

There is no telling how many people will die.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Duke Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji, Duke Fang Fang Xuanling, Duke Du Ru, Duke Cheng Cheng Yaojin, Duke Li Ji, and other Dukes are outside the hall requesting an audience." An attendant walked in respectfully.

"Heh! They still want to come over?"

"Tell them to enter!"

Li Er sneered and said with annoyance.

A moment later.

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

"Your humble subjects pay respects to Your Majesty!"

Everyone bowed in unison.

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

Li Er looked at these people before him with a mocking gaze.

Every single one of them standing here was a brother of life and death who had followed him through thick and thin to conquer the world.

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

But what about now?

Except for Fang Fang Xuanling, it seemed they had all changed.

Their waists had gradually thickened, their clothes were becoming increasingly ornate, their mansions were growing larger, and their retainers were becoming more numerous.

The flattery had increased.

The purity and hot-bloodedness of once building a peaceful and prosperous age seemed to have gradually disappeared along with it.

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? Whatever Your Majesty commands, even if it means going up to a mountain of blades or down into a sea of fire, I will 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 all the high positions and generous salaries are theirs."

Cheng Cheng Yaojin was the first to stand out, shouting loudly.

His voice was Wu Li Ke a great bell, buzzing throughout the entire Ganlu Hall.

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

It was heartening!

"Hmph!"

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

"In the capital, who 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."

Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji sneered, looking coldly at Cheng Cheng Yaojin.

A smart person could see it at a glance.

Reform would inevitably touch upon the interests of many.

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

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

The Cui clan would inevitably be the ones most affected by this reform!

Cheng Cheng Yaojin was famously afraid of his wife.

If the Cui clan heard that he, Cheng Cheng Yaojin, was supporting the reform and touching the interests of her maternal family, Cheng Cheng Yaojin's life would likely become difficult.

"I..."

Cheng Cheng Yaojin's old face turned red, and he was choked to the point of almost losing his breath by Empress Zhangsun Zhangsun Wuji's single sentence.

He had nothing to say!

Li Er also felt somewhat discouraged.

He had thought it would be difficult!

But he hadn't expected it to be this difficult!

Even Cheng Cheng Yaojin, that reckless fool who feared nothing, had so many unspeakable difficulties, let alone the others. For hundreds of years.

The aristocratic clans had intermarried, their relationships intertwined.

To reform meant to completely pull up these people's relationships by the roots.

That was a relationship network they had built over hundreds of years!

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

Du Ru, Li Ji, and the others all lowered their heads, not knowing what to say.

Sigh!

The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

Which one of these people in their homes didn't have marriage ties with the aristocratic families?

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

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

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

Not everyone could bear such consequences.

The Ganlu Hall 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 Fang Xuanling spoke up proactively.

"Fang Xuanling, what ideas do you have?"

Li Er looked up abruptly, his eyes full of anticipation.

Nowadays, only Fang Fang Xuanling could be of one mind with him.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"

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

Fang Fang Xuanling smiled meaningfully.

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

That's right!

I still have a trade alliance with Qin Mu!

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

In this way, the people can be enlightened.

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

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

Subtly and gradually, the reform can proceed smoothly!