Qinghe
"Father, the Cui family cannot continue to make one mistake after another. The Wang family's downfall this time was their own doing. Do you want the Cui family to follow in their footsteps?" Cui Jiu questioned repeatedly.
"How dare you speak to your father like that? If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If the Wang family falls, the Cui family will also be in peril. As a descendant of the Cui clan, you do not consider the family's interests. I have been too lenient with you all these years," Cui Fu said angrily, flicking his sleeve.
"Father, as a descendant of the Cui clan, I naturally have the responsibility to prosper the family. However, the Cui family should cut its losses now, at the very least to preserve the lives of the entire clan. Father, do not repeat the same mistakes," Cui Jiulang's eyes showed deep sorrow.
Sixth Lady's words had completely enlightened him. In the eyes of the Sage, the Five Great Clans were like tumors, destined to be removed sooner or later. Rather than wait for disaster to strike, it would be better to subtly disperse the family like scattered stars.
Now that the Wang family was in trouble, it made him even more anxious. How could he not understand the principle of "lips and teeth"? But if the Five Great Clans and the Sage continued to fight, both sides would be injured, and the common people would suffer.
"Do you think I don't know how to preserve the family? But the Xiao family has gone too far. Without the support of the Five Great Clans, how could the Xiao family have this empire? This was promised to the Five Great Clans by him, earned by our ancestors through great risk for their descendants. For him to take it back now, what does that mean?"
"The era of aristocratic families usurping power is over. The Wang family is just the beginning," Cui Jiulang said, having seen things more clearly from his travels.
Cui Fu's expression changed, and he immediately said, "It is the Xiao family that is treacherous and unrighteous, and it is the Xiao family that has harmed the common people of the world."
Back then, if the late Emperor had not married a woman from the Wang family, how would a mere Xiao family have been worthy of the support of the Five Great Clans?
Now that they had gained the throne, they wanted to reclaim the glory of the Five Great Clans. He was not qualified to do so.
"Father, Qin Wang unified the world, but where is Great Qin now? Emperor Gaozu established the Han Dynasty, but where is the Han Dynasty now? Where are the aristocratic families of that time?"
Cui Fu's expression changed. How could he not know these things? But the Xiao family's actions were undoubtedly like discarding the millstone after grinding the flour, forgetting how they had gained the empire.
Seeing his father's silence, Cui Jiulang continued, "The extermination of the Wang family's clan has finally severed your intention to send Sixth Lady to the palace. The palace is already preparing for the wedding of the Seventh Prince and Princess Qingping. Whether it is Sixth Lady or any other lady of the Cui family, none of them will be a concubine."
Cui Fu sat on his chair, holding his teacup for a long time. "Therefore, the Wang family cannot be in trouble, and they cannot be accused of rebellion. If Xiao Che wishes to ascend the throne, he must be adopted under Empress Wang. The accumulation of hundreds of years of effort cannot be ruined by this young brat Xiao Che."
He had not had a good rest for days. He could not bear the burden of being a sinner of his family.
"Father, sometimes taking a step back does not mean losing. This time, it was the Northern Army that raided the households. The Four Great Clans gathered their elite guards and blocked the Northern Army. This is what truly solidifies the charge of rebellion."
Cui Fu looked at his son for a long time before withdrawing his gaze. After a while, he murmured, "Let me think, let me think carefully about how to..."
How could aristocratic families be reduced to competing with commoners for lineage? They had always been superior. Those official positions were for them to recommend and reward those who served the Five Great Clans...
Although they were not in the imperial court, they held political power. Official appointments and transfers were controlled by them. More than half of the officials in Jiangnan were disciples of the Cui family, and the officials in Hexi were mostly disciples of the Wang family...
When the Five Great Clans were glorious, the Xiao family members were still digging in the mud. Now that these country bumpkins had gained power, they wanted to bite their masters. What kind of logic was this?