Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 277 The Cui Clan Has Not Yet Reached the Point of Extinction
"Husband, someone is looking for you outside." The woman, still wearing her apron and with flour on her fingertips, gently knocked on the study door.

Her voice was filled with barely suppressed joy, and her eyes and brows shone with excitement.

The people who came were from the Cui family, the Cui family of Boling.

The door creaked open, and a middle-aged official, who was copying documents with a wolf-hair brush, looked up upon hearing the question: "Who is it?"

"It's the steward from the Cui family!"

The woman rubbed the flour in her hands, her voice full of anticipation.

"My lord, it seems our luck is about to change!"

Looking at her husband's gray-blue robe, she felt that the material was not worthy of his future high-ranking status.

Before she could finish speaking, she saw her husband's face suddenly turn deathly pale, his hand tremble, and the brush on the table rolled onto the rice paper, spreading a blot of ink.

"Quickly, go and tell him that I have caught a cold and am unable to receive guests."

The middle-aged official's voice was strained, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Okay...what?"

The woman's smile froze, and her turning motion stopped in mid-air. "My husband wants to refuse to see her? That's Lady Cui!"

"The Cui family?"

The middle-aged official grabbed her wrist, his voice barely audible, almost squeezed out between his teeth.

"You foolish woman, do you know why they've come? They must be here to drag me into impeaching Wen He, the magistrate of Gaoyang County!"

He pointed out the window, his tone urgent: "Have you forgotten how I rose from Palace Attendant Censor to Attendant Censor? The first four Attendant Censors were all dismissed for impeaching Wen He. Huang Yunqi, do you remember?"

The woman's eyes widened in astonishment, and she nodded repeatedly: "I remember, that Imperial Censor Huang was promoted to Vice Imperial Censor just half a month ago, a few days before my husband..."

At the time, she wondered why the position of Imperial Censor had changed five times in just one month.

"Do you know his current situation?" The middle-aged official sneered and brushed her hand away.

"Because of his impeachment of Wen He, he was flogged forty times in front of the entire Censorate by Wen He, leaving his skin torn and bleeding."

"Now that you've been demoted to a low-ranking clerk, a ninth-grade official, spending your days copying documents in the Censorate, you've become the laughingstock of the entire court. Do you want me to follow in his footsteps?"

The woman covered her mouth in fright, almost screaming, her fingertips digging deeply into her palms: "But...but that's Cui Shi..."

"And what about the Cui family?"

The middle-aged official paced back and forth impatiently.

"The Zheng family of Xingyang just got into trouble, and the Cui family hastily found someone to impeach Wen He. This is clearly using people as pawns. Didn't Huang Yunqi get promoted because of the Zheng family? And what happened to him?"

He suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Go, have the servant go to the Censorate to ask for leave, saying that I have caught a cold and need to rest for a few days."

He clearly remembered Wen He's ruthlessness in investigating the embezzlement of military funds; he even dared to bring down the Minister of War, let alone a mere censor like himself.

Isn't it better to live a peaceful life?
Why wade into these muddy waters?

The woman stood there, stunned, until the morning breeze dispersed the heat from the kitchen, before she turned around hesitantly to reply.

Outside the courtyard gate, the brocade robe of Steward Cui gleamed in the morning light, standing out starkly against the simplicity of the small courtyard.

Almost at the same time, similar conversations were heard in the residences of several officials of the Censorate.

Some claimed to be bedridden due to illness, while others said they were visiting relatives. Even the two palace attendants who usually interacted most frequently with Cui were evaded by their servants.

In the main hall of the Cui family mansion in Boling, half a censer of sandalwood incense had burned, but it could not dispel the oppressive atmosphere that filled the room.

"What about people?"

The old man from the Cui family of Boling, leaning on his jade cane, slammed it heavily on the gold brick ground, and the Pixiu carving on the cane seemed to be tinged with anger.

He stared at the empty main hall, where only a handful of people stood with their hands at their sides, and his white beard trembled with anger.

The old servant bowed and replied, his forehead beaded with sweat: "Your Excellency, the several Imperial Censors and Palace Censors we went to invite either said they were unwell or that they were on an imperial tour. These few... were the Imperial Censors who came of their own volition."

"A bunch of cowards who are afraid of death!"

The old man from the Cui family of Boling roared, his voice echoing in the spacious hall. He knew perfectly well that these people were afraid of repeating Huang Yunqi's fate.

That brat Wen He has made the people of the Censorate tremble with fear in just a few months. He is truly hateful!

Upon hearing this, the several censors in the main hall showed a hint of embarrassment on their faces, but dared not utter a word.

They were merely officials of the lower eighth rank, and in front of this highly respected elder, Mr. Cui, they didn't even have the right to argue.

"The fact that you all came is a testament to your integrity."

The elder from the Cui family of Boling softened his tone, his gaze sweeping over the group with a condescending scrutiny.

"Wen He, a young and arrogant man from Gaoyang County, has no regard for the law and dared to trespass into the Zheng family's residence and slaughter people. As censors, you should be upright officials of the court and speak out for justice. I need not say more about this matter, do I?"

The censors exchanged glances, all seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

They originally wanted to curry favor with the Cui family, but they never expected to become such a hot potato.

“What Lord Cui said is absolutely right.”

The head censor bowed and replied, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"In that case, let's go."

The old man from the Cui family of Boling waved his hand, not even bothering to offer tea, as if dismissing a few servants.

The censors bowed and took their leave, only daring to breathe a sigh of relief when they reached the porch.

"Go, take this letter from me, and hurry to the Cui family in Qinghe to ask for your elder brother's help."

After the elder of the Cui family of Boling had gone some distance, he gave instructions to his old servant.

A few low-ranking censors can't cause much trouble. To bring down Wen He, the entire Cui family needs to join forces.

"No!"

A deep, resonant voice boomed like thunder outside the hall, abruptly cutting off the old man's words.

The old man from the Cui family of Boling suddenly turned around and saw two middle-aged men dressed in scarlet official robes striding into the main hall, their robes sweeping across the threshold and creating a gust of wind.

He was taken aback at first, then the anger on his face melted away instantly, and even a hint of warmth appeared: "Anshang, Renshi, what brings you here?"

The visitor was none other than the most outstanding member of the Cui family in this generation.

Cui Dunli and Cui Renshi.

Both were important officials in the court. Cui Dunli served as a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat and was the mainstay of the Cui family in the court.

Cui Renshi served as the Registrar of the Right Guard and was also responsible for compiling the histories of Liang and Wei. He was renowned for his talent and learning.

Cui Dunli stepped forward, the gold thread on his official robe flowing in the morning light. He cupped his hands in greeting and said in a calm tone, "I heard that my uncle was going to contact the clansmen to impeach Wen He, so I came to dissuade him."

"dissuade?"

The old man from the Cui family of Boling frowned instantly, his jade staff slamming heavily on the gold bricks, the pixiu on the staff's tip seeming about to pounce.

“That scoundrel arrested you brothers, destroyed the Zheng family’s foundation, and insulted our gentry. Shouldn’t he be impeached?” Cui Renshi stepped forward quickly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze: “Uncle, please calm down. Wen He has the discretionary power personally granted by His Majesty, and he is also involved in the matter of winter clothing in the northern border. To impeach him now would be to go against His Majesty. The example of the Zheng family is right before our eyes. How can we repeat the same mistake?”

He looked at the old man, his tone heavy as lead.

"The Zheng family has just encountered trouble, so the Cui family should be even more careful with its words and actions."

Wen He is at the height of his power; rather than confronting him head-on, it's better to temporarily avoid his sharp edge.

The elder of the Cui family of Boling turned his gaze to Cui Dunli with a "whoosh," his voice heavy as a falling stone: "Is this also Anshang's intention?"

"No."

Cui Dunli slowly shook his head.

The old man from the Cui family of Boling immediately smiled with satisfaction, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

But before the smile could reach his eyes, it was frozen solid by Cui Dunli's next words.

“My Cui family of Boling should not be enemies with the Count of Gaoyang and His Majesty.”

"You bastard, do you know what you're saying?!"

The old man from the Cui family of Boling trembled violently, staring at Cui Dunli in disbelief, his white beard bristling with rage.

"We are a noble family, with a thousand-year-old tradition. Where is your integrity? Where is your pride!"

His trembling fingers almost poked Cui Dunli's face.

Cui Dunli remained calm and asked in return, his voice low but each word clear: "May I ask, Grand Uncle, where is the integrity and pride of the Zheng family now?"

The hall fell into a deathly silence; even the smoke from the sandalwood incense seemed to freeze.

Zheng's gate was breached by a hundred cavalrymen, and more than a hundred guards were killed.

Now Jung Yunho is imprisoned in the Dali Temple, and Jung Won-soo is in dire straits.

This whole thing was originally proposed by the Cui family of Qinghe, but now they are hiding behind the scenes, letting the Cui family of Boling take the lead.

Cui Dunli knew that this was clearly his uncle being blinded by self-interest. Did he really think that the five surnames and seven clans were still the same as in the previous dynasty?

"This dynasty is not the same as the previous one; the gentry are now like meat on a chopping block."

Cui Dunli stood with his hands behind his back, calmly meeting the old man's furious gaze, his tone showing no sign of backing down.

"Although I am merely a lowly secretary, I am still capable of assessing the situation."

Cui Renshi, standing to the side, secretly broke out in a cold sweat and quietly tugged at Cui Dunli's sleeve, signaling him to soften his tone.

He knew his cousin too well. Outsiders called him a gentleman, and he truly adhered to the principle of "doing what should be done and not doing what should not be done."

He had previously expressed his opposition to the clan's plan to deal with Wen He, but the matter was eventually dropped after the two sides made peace.

Not to mention, when Li Yuan rebelled not long ago, Cui Dunli was imprisoned in Youzhou. If it weren't for the timely arrival of the 100 cavalry, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

This life-saving grace made him feel more favorably toward Wen He.

Now that his clan was going to treat a young man so disregarded his dignity, he naturally couldn't stand idly by.

Cui Renshi was worried that his stubbornness would escalate the conflict, so he specially accompanied him.

Unexpectedly, he guessed right after all.

"presumptuous!"

The old man was so angry that his chest heaved violently, his eyes widened, and his hand holding the cane trembled uncontrollably.

"You mean you're unwilling to live and die with the Cui family?"

"The Cui family is not yet at the point of extinction."

Cui Dunli refused to budge an inch, his voice suddenly turning stern.

"However, my uncle's extreme views will only push the Cui family into an abyss of no return!"

"How dare you! Just because you've become a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, you think I'll give you some leeway!"

The old man roared angrily and slammed his jade staff heavily onto the ground.

Cui Dunli simply said, "Uncle may refuse, but I have already sent a letter to Boling. Before receiving a reply, it would be best if Uncle did not act rashly."

The old man was struck dumb, as if by lightning.

Although he was the representative of the Cui family of Boling in Chang'an, he was ultimately subject to the control of the main family of Boling.

If the clan leader disagrees, his strong conviction will be of no use.

It's even quite possible that he will be transferred away from Chang'an.

Looking at Cui Dunli's tall and imposing figure, he felt a sudden dizziness, clutched his chest, and shouted angrily, "Well... you're very good. I really underestimated you!"

"Don't dare."

Cui Dunli bowed, his movements were standard but lacked any respect.

The old man was furious and was about to storm off with a flick of his sleeve.

Cui Renshi shook his head helplessly and quickly bowed with Cui Dunli, saying, "Respectfully seeing off our great-uncle."

The two stood up, looked at his back, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Cui Renshi smiled helplessly and looked at Cui Dunli, saying, "With your temperament, it's no wonder you can become a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, while I can only compile history."

This wasn't just sour grapes; it was the truth.

Cui Dunli quickly said he dared not.

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from the entrance.

A servant stumbled in, his hair disheveled, and knelt down, panting heavily: "Reporting to Master, someone just came through the side door with a message, saying... saying that news came from the Hundred Cavalry, that the young master..."

The old man stopped abruptly as he was about to step out the door, his heart leaping: "What happened to my grandson?"

"That man said that Zheng's young master implicated many people in prison..."

The servant lowered his head, his voice trembling.

"He only said that much before leaving in a hurry."

"puff--"

The old man felt a buzzing sound in his head, his vision went black, and a mouthful of blood rushed to the top of his head.

He stumbled and fell straight backward.

"granduncle!"

Cui Dunli and Cui Renshi were shocked and rushed forward to support his limp body.

The old servants and attendants inside the hall were also in a panic, shouting in disarray, "Quickly, fetch a doctor! Quickly, fetch a doctor!"

(End of this chapter)