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

The five surnames and seven clans joined forces to launch a counterattack against these families who dared to betray them.

However, Li Heng continued to provide support and take sides, allowing these families to survive the attacks from the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families.

With this opening, several top aristocratic families, such as the Pei family of Hedong and the Xie family of Chenjun, began to flirt with Li Heng.

They didn't openly offer their support, but they had already begun secretly communicating with Li Heng.

Li Heng then gained a foothold and managed to withstand the constant attacks from the five clans and seven powerful families.

The Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families truly deserve to be called the most prestigious families after the Wei family; their power far surpasses that of other families.

Even the Pei family of Hedong, the Xie family of Chenjun, and the Wang family of Langya, as well as the once-prominent Yang family of Hongnong and the Yuan family of Runan, were only a hair's breadth away from the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families, but that hair's breadth was as vast as heaven and earth.

Six of the five prominent families and seven powerful clans went all out, utilizing their family resources and employing numerous undercover agents. They managed to suppress Li Heng, who had allied with other powerful families.

"As expected of the five prominent families and seven noble clans that have been illustrious since the previous dynasty, the dynasty fell but we did not, their foundation is profound, truly terrifying."

Li Heng summoned Du Fu and the others again to inquire about the progress of the plan. Now that those powerful clans had used their resources, they were becoming increasingly aggressive, and he was finding it difficult to withstand their pressure.

"Your Majesty, we have contacted Taibai. He has calculated the distance and is now in Yanzhou."

Du Fu's words reassured Li Heng, who believed that as long as Li Bai took action, he could at least persuade many teachers to join the court.

With the added connections of these teachers, the time is ripe to deliver a fatal blow to the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families.

"However, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. The court's operation is already in trouble. We must come up with a solution as soon as possible, otherwise, if a crisis occurs in the court, it will lead to unrest among the people."

Li Heng's words made the atmosphere somewhat heavy, but all the tricks that could be used had already been exhausted, even the tactic of using the maternal relatives as collateral had been employed, and there was truly no other way.

Just then, Li Bi, on whom Li Heng had placed high hopes, finally returned from Yanzhou, bringing Li Heng good news.

"Your Majesty, Venus has instructed me to bring the five teachers and their students whom I have persuaded to help you in your time of need."

Li Bi led five refined middle-aged men to the palace and introduced them to Li Heng.

"These five are all teachers at Yanzhou Academy, and they come from the Xuanmen, Confucian, Mohist, Legalist, and Zongheng schools respectively."

"Hahahaha, just in time! You five are truly a lifesaver for me!"

Li Heng was overjoyed and immediately got up to greet them. These five people came from different sects, which was enough for him to place them in various government offices. In addition, their disciples in different fields were also very timely!

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The five men bowed to Li Heng.

Li Heng helped them up one by one. "Gentlemen, there is no need for such formalities. You gentlemen have given up your noble status as teachers at Yanzhou Academy to enter this corrupt place of the court and devote yourselves to the people of the world. On behalf of the people, I express my gratitude to you."

"Your Majesty flatters me. I dare not accept such praise."

"This is what we should do."

The five of them followed Li Heng's polite greeting.

"Without further ado, the court is in dire need of personnel right now. Gentlemen, you have had a long journey, but you may still need to head to the government offices tomorrow to begin your work."

"This is my fault, and I apologize to you all here."

"But government affairs cannot wait, nor can the people. If we delay for even one more day, the people will suffer even more. Please forgive us."

Li Heng's words always revolved around the common people. He knew that teachers like the five men, who came from Yanzhou Academy, were most receptive to this approach.

Upon hearing Li Heng's words, the five men didn't even bother to rest. "Your Majesty, why wait until tomorrow?"

"We'll start our shifts now. This is Luoyang, the imperial court, the central government."

"Every second we spend here affects the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people. How can we let the exhaustion of the five of us negatively impact their lives?!"

"Your Majesty, the affairs of the people are the most important matters; our health is not a concern."

"Isn't this inappropriate?"

"Having traveled so far to Luoyang and endured such hardship, am I now expected to face so much official business? If word gets out, won't the world laugh at me for mistreating talented people?"

Li Heng said, "I'm in a difficult position."

"No need. We need to familiarize ourselves with government affairs, and time is of the essence."

"I believe the people of the world can understand Your Majesty's concern for them."

The five of them quickly said.

"But I am worried that it will affect your reputations."

"You are all willing to come to the capital to serve as officials for the sake of the people's livelihood."

"Now you all arrive and immediately begin your official duties on the same day, showing such eagerness."

"If the world were to believe that you all came to the capital for fame and fortune, wouldn't that be a betrayal of your good intentions?"

Li Heng said again, "It's difficult."

"Hahahaha, Your Majesty, you worry too much. What good is fame to me?"

"Yanzhou Academy is the school motto. We have been taught this since the first day of our enrollment. What we pursue is to have a clear conscience."

"Looking up, I have no shame before Heaven; looking down, I have no shame before Earth; and in my heart, I have no shame before the people of the world."

"Your Majesty need not say more. Let's discuss everything after this matter has settled down."

Moved by the five men's loyalty, Li Heng said, "Heng, I will humbly accept your instruction!"

"I will have someone escort you all to your respective government offices."

Five groups of people suddenly appeared in the core government offices, and the news quickly spread throughout Luoyang.

Their identities were not concealed, and anyone with a keen eye could easily find out.

These five groups are each centered around five teachers from Yanzhou Academy, with their disciples forming the backbone.

Upon entering the government office, they quickly got to work, and within just one day, they were able to handle government affairs in an orderly manner.

This demonstrates the strength of the teachers at Yanzhou Academy.

Li Heng also used this opportunity to send a signal that he had gained the approval of the teachers at Yanzhou Academy, which indirectly meant he had gained the approval of the Wei family.

No matter how many official positions these aristocratic families offer, he can fill them all through Yanzhou Academy, a huge talent training base.

The conspiracy of the five surnames and seven clans has completely failed and has been severely weakened.

Li Heng pressed his advantage, directly causing some officials to retire due to illness and live out their remaining years in peace.

In order to extricate themselves, the five clans and seven powerful families had no choice but to cut their losses and give up some official positions and benefits as an apology to Li Heng in exchange for his release.

Li Heng didn't want to break ties with the Five Clans and Seven Families at this time, so after taking a big bite out of the fat, he let go.

However, just because he let go doesn't mean others will.

Those aristocratic families who had pledged allegiance to Li Heng in advance had already offended the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, and they did not want the Five Clans to recover and then deal with them again.

They decided to go all in and relentlessly pursue the Five Surnames and Seven Aspirations.