A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"But if we can't produce it, we'll be forced to surrender and be ruthlessly slaughtered by the powerful families."

"If we can hold on, the power of the entire aristocratic family will be severely damaged, and we will be the ones who profit immensely."

"With one increase and one decrease, I really don't want to let this opportunity slip by."

Li Heng said unwillingly.

The others looked at each other, silently pondering the matter.

"There is indeed a way."

Cen Shen suddenly spoke up.

"A three-pronged approach."

"On the one hand, military personnel are being transferred to political positions!"

"The practice of transferring high-ranking military officers to civilian positions has existed since ancient times. From the pre-Qin period to the Han Dynasty, there are precedents of military generals who have made meritorious contributions and then served as prime ministers and central government officials."

"It can supplement some of the demand."

"Not all aristocratic families are monolithic. The Five Clans and Seven Noble Families hold a prestigious position; don't others want to replace them?"

"Don't the Yuan clan of Runan, the Yang clan of Hongnong, the Wei clan of Hedong, and the Sima clan of Henan want to replace these five surnames with their own?"

"If they can fill these positions and help His Majesty eliminate some of the five noble families and seven powerful clans, they will have a chance to rise to power."

"I think there will definitely be some powerful families who can't resist."

"On the other hand, most of the students of Yanzhou Academy were scattered to serve as officials in various localities. We tried every means to persuade them to serve as officials in the central government."

"The students of Yanzhou receive the most orthodox education, which also includes a complete system of officials. Among them are some outstanding students who, although slightly unfamiliar with the system, can still manage to keep it running."

"Students from Yanzhou are found all over the world, and there are countless outstanding students. If we can successfully win them over, and given that the current reserve of officials in the court is still insufficient, it will not affect the operation of the court."

"At most, everyone will work overtime for two years to wait until a new batch of reserve officials grows up."

"These next two years will be tough, but the future is bright."

Cen Shen's words brightened everyone's eyes, but Li Heng did not show any joy.

"It is indeed feasible for military personnel to transfer to government positions, but in the military, there are not many people who are qualified to do so and who can take on the new positions well."

"Da Tou is still at Yanzhou Academy."

"But I have dealt with the students of Yanzhou Academy before. They are devoted to the people and are quite resistant to entering the central government. It will be very difficult to persuade them."

"I have already sent Li Bi to Yanzhou Academy, but to be honest, I don't have high expectations. It would be the best outcome if he could bring over some students."

"Your Majesty is right, but what if we don't start with these students?"

Cen Shen said with a smile.

"What do you mean by not starting with these students? Aren't you going to recruit them into the central government as officials?"

Li Heng asked in confusion.

"Cen Shen, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly."

Du Fu urged anxiously.

"Every teacher at Yanzhou Academy has students all over the world."

"Moreover, these people are more talented, see further, and have a broader perspective."

"We only need to tell them about the current situation of the court and His Majesty's vision and goals, appealing to their emotions and reasoning with them, and we will surely be able to persuade some people to join the court as officials."

"If every teacher at Yanzhou Academy represents more than just themselves, their friends and their students scattered throughout the land will all be at His Majesty's disposal."

"A person is a group of people, and no one knows better than the teachers who have taught them which positions their students are suited for."

Cen Shen's words made Li Heng's eyes light up. Yes, the teachers of Yanzhou Academy were indeed highly qualified, but these teachers were also ambitious, and there were many among them who were determined to cultivate themselves, manage their families, govern the country, and bring peace to the world.

For these people, isn't the current regime a great opportunity for them to show their talents?

Thinking of this, Li Heng couldn't help but clap his hands in praise, "This strategy is comparable to the 'Hanzhong Plan' and the 'Decree of Grace,' and is a national policy that truly influences the world."

"Minister Du, do you have any news about Master Li?"

Li Heng turned to Du Fu and asked, "If you want to persuade those teachers at Yanzhou Academy, there is no one more suitable than Li Bai."

In terms of status, Li Bai was a disciple personally taught by the Prince of Yan and had studied at Yanzhou Academy, where he was recognized by many prominent figures.

On the imperial court side, he was still Li Heng's teacher, a former prime minister, and a close friend of several high-ranking officials in the court.

In terms of status, even though he had resigned from his official post, he remained a leader in the literary world and one of the bellwethers of the Wei family's power.

Li Bai: Though I am no longer in the martial world, my legend still lives on.

"Some time ago, news came that Li Bai wrote a poem called 'Departing from Baidi City at Dawn' while he was traveling in Baidi City. He should be in that area now."

Du Fu replied.

"Then I would like to ask you all to write a letter to persuade the teacher so that he can go to Yanzhou Academy on behalf of the court to convince those teachers."

"At the same time, we also need people to go to Yanzhou. Time is of the essence and there is no time to lose."

"Who among you would like to go?"

The group exchanged glances and began to discuss their plan.

Ultimately, everyone decided to let Wang Wei and Du Fu go together, because Du Fu and Wang Wei had the highest literary attainments among them, and had previously accompanied Li Bai to the Yanzhou Academy, where they had contact and exchanged ideas with some of the teachers.

Even now, they continue to correspond with some people they get along with.

As Li Heng had predicted, another group of officials chose to take sick leave at the court assembly the following day.

Li Heng readily granted them leave and promoted reserve officials of the court and those he intended to promote to these positions as temporary replacements.

On the third day, another group of officials took sick leave, which Li Heng granted as usual.

He still readily assigned his personnel.

The noble families did not panic. They were well aware of how many reserve officials the court had. They knew that the court could hold on for now, but it wouldn't last much longer.

They estimate it will be within the next day or two.

On the fourth day, the imperial court's reserve of officials was exhausted, and the powerful families showed smug smiles.

On the fifth day, a number of officials were still on sick leave, including many core members of the six ministries.

Just when they thought Li Heng was at his wit's end, Li Heng directly selected a group of military generals and ordered them to take over.

These people had military merits, especially the great achievement of suppressing the rebellion not long ago, and even many court officials could not say a word against it.

If anyone dared to utter a single word of dissent, these generals could put on a full-blown brawl right there in the imperial court.

They have no idea about literary elegance, etiquette, or the gentleman's principle of using words rather than fists.

All they know is, if you dare to make a sound, they'll beat you up!

Seeing Li Heng's move, some people began to have doubts.

If he has this trick up his sleeve today, will he have other trump cards up his sleeve tomorrow?