Chapter 360: Ruin It!

At this moment, Du Gou and Fang Yizhi, who were just bragging about giving it a try, have both calmed down.

How should I put it, the phrase "Wei and Du of the southern city, reach five chi to the heavens" actually contains some exaggeration.

The exaggeration lies not with the Wei family, but with the Du family.

The Du family rose to dazzling glory because of Du Ruhui alone, but even then they could only barely stand shoulder to shoulder with the Wei clan.

Don't think that the Wei clan lacks the highest decision‑making post of Chancellor; their mid‑ and high‑level officials are spread throughout the Court, and their foundation is far deeper than the Du's.

Of course, they actually don't care about any of that.

The only thing they care about is the Wei Noble Consort who bore Prince Ji Li Shen and Princess Linchuan.

That is the Wei clan's biggest trump card; as long as the Wei Noble Consort's status remains unchanged, no one can ignore the Wei clan.

"Brother Chen?"

Du Gou looked up, staring straight at Chen Yan above, his eyes slightly reddened.

The matter is of great importance; he has already hesitated, so he earnestly hopes Chen Yan can decide quickly.

Because all along, Chen Yan has been the source of their confidence.

If Chen Yan says "go", he will immediately raise the battle flag!

"Brother Fang!"

Chen Yan didn't reply immediately; he turned his head toward Fang Yizhi, "That day I sent you to handle the aftermath of two guards burned to death. Did you ever go to their homes?"

Mentioning it, Fang Yizhi looked a bit dazed and nodded gloomily.

"I have. One family had elderly parents and a son and a daughter, the children not yet ten years old. The other had lost both parents; he and his wife had been married many years without daring to have children, because he still had three younger brothers and sisters to support."

"Did they ever blame you, or blame us?" Chen Yan asked again.

Fang Yizhi felt a tightness in his chest, as if something was stuck, "No, they only said they wanted the bodies retrieved quickly, and said nothing else."

"Perhaps they've long become accustomed to losing loved ones!" Chen Yan's tone carried an indescribable complexity, "That's why they say nothing, simply accepting it calmly."

"The first people we sought were all those in difficult livelihoods; they toil daily, striving to support the elderly, care for children, and exhaust themselves just to keep their families alive."

"Our arrival gave them brand‑new hope."

"I'll never forget the hopeful faces they had when we first gave them generous wages."

Chen Yan's voice was soft as he spoke to himself, "I know I cannot care for everyone equally, but at least I'm striving to pull those mired in the mire out."

"I can accept that they die from accidents, since birth, aging, illness, and death are the natural course of life!"

"But I will never accept that when I work to give others hope, someone comes and destroys it all, shatters their hope!"

He rose slowly, his posture as upright as a pine, like a soldier about to set out on campaign.

"His Majesty gave us no indication, only telling us who the mastermind was; Wushe also revealed nothing!"

"No statement— isn't that the best statement?"

"What to do!" Du Gou couldn't help but get excited, his blood coursing rapidly, that heart soaked in books and literary aura beating fast, feeling the heat of blood for the first time.

"Kindness is exploited—that's an eternal truth!" Fang Yizhi also stood, first sighing, then smiling, "I think it's time to let everyone see what we young people can do!"

"Very well!" Chen Yan grew more resolute, "Proceed as prearranged: contact each household, inform the department to have them help!"

"The petty Wei clan, crush it!!!"

"......"

After Li Shimin passed the news to Chen Yan, he kept waiting, wanting to see what Chen Yan would actually do.

Whether to endure a moment of calm or defy the power and cause a complete upheaval.

But three days passed with no movement in Weinan County; aside from rumors that Chen Yan recruited many temporary workers, there was nothing else.

Li Shimin, after finishing state affairs, stepped out of Ganlu Hall, standing with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.

He thought Chen Yan had chosen a moment of calm; he felt a bit disappointed, yet could understand Chen Yan's approach.

"Fine, after all he's just a youth; if it fails, I will take action myself..."

"His Majesty!"

Wushe looked extremely panicked, clutching a massive sheet of paper densely covered with writing.

"Something's happened! Something huge has happened!"

Chang'an City, every street and alley.

Sheets of paper drifted slowly from the sky, like a peculiar rain, covering the whole of Chang'an City.

This strange commotion instantly attracted everyone's attention, including the Ministerial Attendant of the Ministry of Personnel.

Wei Ting, curious, picked up a sheet, and the glaring big characters that met his eye read: Shock! The centuries‑old Wei clan actually rose because of this!

I have to admit, the topic is very enticing; anyone who can read will be drawn to keep looking.

After all, who wouldn't want to know the so‑called secret behind the centuries‑old family's rise?

Wei Ting felt something was odd, a slight foreboding in his heart.

When he read the text below—the so‑called secret of the rise—his eyes widened to the point of tearing, his whole body trembling with anger.

"Scoundrel, scoundrel!"

"How dare you insult my Wei clan!!!"

His roar instantly drew others' attention.

"Wei clan, is he a member of the Wei clan?"

"Huh? He's the one who rose by plundering, using corruption and fraud, then seizing others' lands, the Wei clan?"

"Yes, that's the Wei clan; see how clearly it's written? A few days ago they seized a workshop in Weinan County, emptying hundreds of bolts of silk from the warehouse, and even after that they weren't satisfied—they burned the owners' workshop as well."

"Huh, how is this different from bandits on horseback?"

"Your information is outdated; look at the back, it's all clear— the Wei clan despises outsiders, only intermarrying within their own… sigh, honestly I'm embarrassed to say, they even disregard humanity."

"Disgusting, how can such a family exist in the world? And that damn Wei tune, damn it, I can't stand it."

Wei Ting was so angry smoke seemed to rise from his seven orifices, but before he could speak, a rotten egg smashed straight into his face.

He wasn't given a chance to get angry; he was kicked hard from behind and fell to the ground, lying there like a dead dog, wailing.

Chang'an City, including the surrounding several county towns, rumors sprang up everywhere, and everywhere was filled with discussion about the Wei family.

Wei Ting, beaten until he had no fight left, clutched his waist, his nose bruised and face swollen, ran home.

At this moment, inside the manor acclaimed as Weiqu, the Wei family residence, many Wei family members had received the news, each filled with righteous indignation, unable to contain their anger, seeking to settle accounts with those who spread the rumors.

But before they could head out, one person led a group of men and sealed off all the entrances and exits of the manor.

"Gentlemen, give me some face—how about a cup of tea?"

"........."