Chapter 225:
Chapter 225
Cui Yi currently felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He pondered how things had escalated to this point. The initial cause of this predicament was simply the collapse of a factory owned by the Lu clan, which appeared inconsequential in the eyes of their esteemed families. Even the influential court officers held significant power and didn't view it as a major issue. To them, it was merely the unfortunate demise of some commoners, and if they perished in the factory, it was considered their fate. Even the workers accepted this as normal, believing such circumstances were commonplace throughout history.
For centuries, families like theirs, of high status and prestige, often recited the phrase, “The people are important, the ruler is lighter, and the state comes after.” However, these words were often used to deceive the common folk, as few truly took them seriously. Commoner was expected to accept their status and dedicate their lives to ensuring the prosperity of the noble families and the elite.
But Su Li was different. He challenged this established reality, treating the flattering words of others as noble causes and taking drastic actions. Initially, the Five Clans and Seven Aristocratic Families paid little attention to him. Su Li was undoubtedly impressive, the only king from a different surname in the Great Tang's history and the most powerful court officer ever. However, they questioned whether one person's strength could truly overpower the accumulated power of centuries held by all the clans and families.
Cui Yi had initially watched with indifference. When Su Li issued decrees, he dismissed them as the impulsive actions of youth. Even when Su Li resorted to violence, he saw it as reckless and shortsighted. And when Su Li targeted noble families under the pretext of investigating corruption and land issues, Cui Yi remained unfazed. These clans had thrived for centuries, and no matter how fierce Su Li seemed, how many people could he realistically eliminate?
Let him continue to eliminate his foes, Cui Yi thought. Eventually, public outrage would peak, leading to the clans and families mounting a counterattack. However, Cui Yi had vastly underestimated Su Li's ruthlessness. The destruction of the Lu clan of Fanyang, who had been comparable with the Cui clan of Qinghe, came as a shock. If Su Li could wipe out the Lu clan, what fate awaited the Cui clan, which was now slightly inferior to the Lu clan?
In Cui Yi's eyes, the matter concerning Cui Shu wasn't particularly significant. The Cui clan had six branches; if the Yanling branch were to disappear, so would it. However, the current crisis facing the Cui clan is threatened by the very existence of their entire family. Cui Shu's words sent a chill down Cui Yi's spine. As he had stated, any situation involving Su Li defied common reasoning. Su Li's methods were devious, and his cruelty knew no bounds. It was becoming increasingly clear that Su Li aimed to eradicate all the clans and families in the Great Tang.
In just half a month, nearly forty percent of the Cui clan members holding official positions in the court had been removed. The solid foundation the Cui clan had painstakingly built since the early Sui dynasty had been utterly disrupted.
While the Cui clan had relatively few members in high positions within the court, the term “Five Clans and Seven Aristocratic Families” referred to the regions' clans and families. Holding a high office undeniably had its advantages. However, the core strength of these prestigious families lies in their local connections. These families were able to dominate their respective local areas and gain great fame throughout the realm, not solely relying on prominent ministerial or high-ranking positions. Instead, they depend on their family descendants, who held various roles across states and counties. These individuals truly formed the backbone of these noble families.
Su Li's extensive investigation into corruption aimed to undermine the foundation of the “Five Clans and Seven Aristocratic Families” and potentially lead to their downfall. After witnessing the fate of the Lu clan, no one would dare to underestimate Su Li at this point. Without a strategy, these clans and families, sometimes mockingly referred to as “ancient turtles and enduring tortoises,” might face them demise.
A few days later, there was a flurry of discussions within the ancestral home of the Cui clan. Cui Yi had sent invitations to all the noble families he could reach, and their leaders represented almost all the families who received the invitations. This marked the first time in centuries that the noble families had convened on such a large scale. This gathering aims to discuss their collective fate, which hung in the balance.
As the assembly began, Cui Shu once again portrayed himself as a victim, lamenting past injustices. However, at this juncture, the various noble families were no longer interested in Cui Shu's previous grievances as a low-ranking member. The obliteration of the Lu clan had shifted their focus. Dwelling on past matters seemed pointless, especially when their survival was uncertain. They needed to address the immediate crisis first.
“Today, I appreciate everyone's presence. We are all well aware of the purpose of this gathering,” Cui Yi spoke slowly, surveying the room. Each person in attendance was a leader of a noble family, effectively a local ruler in their own right. However, at this moment, these individuals wore somber expressions. Cui Yi couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
They might have openly criticized Su Li in the past, but now, they lacked the spirit to do so. Su Li's power was overwhelming, and all these noble families combined couldn't challenge him. They wanted to resist, but they were unsure where to start. What options did they have?
Initially, many had thought Su Li was overestimating his capabilities. However, with time, they recognized his strength and the formidable challenge he presented. Nevertheless, the complete obliteration of the Lu clan had driven home the harsh reality. Fear became their dominant emotion when the gap between them and Su Li was insurmountable, and even their anger lost its significance. At this moment, the noble families had transformed into desperate and anxious individuals.
“Su Li is a formidable adversary, and in the short term, it's challenging to match his might,” Wang Zhao of the Taiyuan Wang clan remarked with a sigh, a sentiment that resonated with others. With this consensus established, they could address other matters more easily.
“Considering the current circumstances, perhaps only the Emperor can counterbalance Su Li's power. They say that to solve a problem, we must seek help from the source. Why don't we approach the Emperor to resolve our current crisis?” Cui Yi continued.
Initially shocked, the heads of many noble families began to express their doubts. One leader from a smaller family questioned, “Given Su Li’s audacity, could it be that the Emperor is intentionally tolerating him? Can we truly seek help from the Emperor?”
Cui Yi chuckled, “From my observations, the Emperor and Su Li may not be in complete alignment. When the Lu clan was eradicated, there were suspicions that Su Li might have coerced the Emperor into that decision. Furthermore, while the Emperor may not hold our noble families in high regard, it doesn’t necessarily mean he seeks our complete destruction. He may simply be waiting for us to yield. There’s no doubt about that.”
In Cui Yi’s view, Su Li was acting recklessly, but did Emperor Li Er truly have no intentions of his own? However, as the Emperor, Li Er had long been constrained by the Five Clans and Seven Aristocratic Families. He urgently required a potent instrument like Su Li to break this deadlock. Li Er’s objectives would be achieved if the noble families voluntarily submitted to him, and he would naturally ease his stance. While striking a deal with the Emperor might entail significant costs for the noble families, what cost could be greater than ensuring their survival?