A family of loyal martyrs, starting with nine wives to continue the family line.

When Liu Ruhui locked the door, the three people inside simultaneously stopped drinking.

The former Minister of Rites.

The year Lu Song usurped the throne, he submitted a medical report and left the capital overnight, returning to his ancestral home in Jingzhou.

Outsiders say that Minister Liu is old, afraid of death, and dares not get involved in court battles.

But anyone actually sitting in this study knows that their fear of death is a pretense; their real intention is to avoid giving their heads to Lu Song as a stepping stone.

Liu Ruhui turned around, took out a secret letter from his sleeve, and placed it on the table.

"From Bianzhou."

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of the three former officials changed.

Bianzhou.

Han Dashan is dead, the Black Mountain Army has surrendered, and the Eight Kings Alliance is gone.

A letter sent from Bianzhou at this time could not possibly be innocent.

Liu Ruhui opened the letter as he spoke.

The letter paper was thin, and there weren't many words.

Liu Ruhui lowered his head, glanced at it, and his eyelids twitched slightly.

That person is ruthless.

There were no pleasantries, no platitudes, not a single wasted word.

Only four sentences.

"The new military examination system is severing the very foundation of your lives."

"The newly rich military officers will be sharing the spoils with you all."

"If they consolidate their power, will any of you still have a chance to survive?"

"Ten days later, at the old teahouse in the west of Jingzhou City, we will meet in person."

No one spoke inside the room.

The candlelight burned steadily, yet the sound of the cup hitting the table was clearly audible.

After reading the letter, Du Ping's face darkened considerably.

"Is it credible that this person once served as an advisor under Lu Song?"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the group shifted.

Lu Song.

That name is now tainted.

He murdered the emperor and usurped the throne, colluded with foreign tribes, and oppressed border troops. In the end, he was defeated by Wei Zhao, resulting in the destruction of his country and his own death.

Anyone who gets involved with Lu Song has to wash their hands three times.

If Liu Suan really served under Lu Song, then it's even less believable.

Yan He sneered.

"Lu Song's men, having suffered a crushing defeat at Black Wind Ridge, fled faster than rabbits. How many truths can such a man utter?"

Zhou Shen, however, did not join in the cursing.

He held the cup for a long while before saying, "Let's put aside the truth for now. Of what he said, which one is a lie?"

Yan He choked.

The room fell silent again.

Looking at the three of them, Liu Ruhui felt somewhat more at ease.

Just be afraid.

If they still act like former ministers and vice ministers, thinking that Wei Zhao is just young and that the new policies won't last more than three years, then there's no need for this secret meeting to continue.

But they were afraid.

They feared the imperial examinations, military merit lands, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the clearing out of their ancestral lands, and the fact that their sons and nephews couldn't even pass the examinations of a poor scholar from a humble background.

Only when people are this afraid can there be room for discussion.

Liu Ruhui took the letter back into his hand.

Believe it or not, it doesn't matter.

Du Ping looked up.

Liu Ruhui stared at those few lines of text, his voice very low.

"The important thing is that he was telling the truth."

Yan He frowned.

"Master Liu, do you really want to see him?"

"Why aren't you here?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is keeping a close eye on things."

Liu Ruhui glanced at him.

"No matter how closely the Embroidered Uniform Guard keeps watch, they can't keep an eye on all the teahouses, academies, ancestral halls, and clan farms in the world."

Even he himself found those words somewhat harsh when he said them.

Previously, they despised underworld agents, corrupt officials' henchmen, and secret agents who bypassed government officials to investigate people.

But now that it's my turn to be investigated, I realize this thing is really deadly.

Wei Zhao had the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the military merit system, the imperial examination system, and a million-strong army that had just surrendered.

What do they have?

Old reputation.

Students and former subordinates.

Clan field.

Village Covenant.

ancestral hall.

Scholarly Discussions.

These things, if left in times of peace, could crush people to death.

But if it's placed under Wei Zhao's blade, can it still be suppressed?

Liu Ruhui did not know.

It's more annoying when you don't know.

Zhou Shen said in a low voice, "I think it would be good to meet him. If Liu Suan only wants to use our reputation to make a comeback, then kick him out. But if he really has a way..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

But everyone understood.

If there is a way, then use it.

Yan He's face was grim.

"Think carefully. Wei Zhao is neither Emperor Yuanxi nor Lu Song. That kid fought his way up, and the Northern Rong, Western Qiang, Southern Man, Eastern Hu, and Xianyuan all knelt down. Even the Eighth Prince knelt. Han Dashan's head was even displayed in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

His throat became a little dry as he spoke.

"Are we old bones really going to go against him?"

Liu Ruhui did not answer immediately.

This is precisely what he fears most.

Emperor Wei Zhao was not an emperor who could be easily fooled.

He was neither as suspicious and weak as Emperor Yuanxi, nor as adept at using court politics to intimidate others as Lu Song.

Wei Zhao is more like a knife wrapped in white cloth; it looks gentle, but once drawn, it kills.

The problem is, if you don't fight back, you'll just get scraped clean bit by bit.

Today we clear Zhang’s hidden field.

The imperial examinations will be held tomorrow.

The day after tomorrow, a man from a humble background will enter the imperial court.

In a few years, once the newly rich military elites have secured their positions with land deeds, titles, and military power, what will be left of the old Liu family?

plaque?

Ancestral graves?

A few yellowed old memorials?

I fucking thank you.

Liu Ruhui cursed inwardly, but remained calm on the surface.

He must not panic.

The three men in the room were watching him. If he lost his composure, he wouldn't be able to drink this cup of wine tonight.

"It's not about going against Wei Zhao."

Liu Ruhui slowly said, "It's about leaving yourself a way out."

Yan He looked at him.

"Do you even believe that yourself?"

Liu Ruhui smiled.

"I don't believe it."

Yan He was taken aback.

Liu Ruhui held the letter up to the candlelight, and the corner of the paper quickly curled up.

"But we have no other way to say it."

The flames climbed onto the letter, and the four sentences gradually turned black.

The new military examination system is severing the very foundation of your lives.

The newly appointed military elites will be sharing the spoils with you all.

As Liu Ruhui watched the writing turn to gray, his eyes finally turned cold.

He recalled the day he left the capital, when all his old friends at court advised him to be patient.

When Lu Song killed the emperor and usurped the throne, some people advised him to be patient.

Wei Zhao established new military institutions, cleared out old titles, and investigated land ownership. Some people advised him to be patient.

Having endured until now, Wei Zhao is even about to hold the imperial examinations.

If we continue to endure this, the Liu family will truly be wiped out.

"Master Liu".

Du Ping's voice was strained.

"If you see Liu Suan, you'll be on board. Once you're on this ship, it won't be easy to get off."

Liu Ruhui shoveled the ashes of the burned letter into the brazier.

"Are you going to stand on the shore and wait for people to dismantle the bridge if you don't get on board?"

Du Ping shut up.

Zhou Shen picked up the wine glass, his fingers trembling slightly, but he still raised it.

"Ten days later, at the old teahouse in the west of the city?"

Liu Ruhui nodded.

"go."

Yan He stared at the brazier, his expression changing several times, before finally picking up his cup as well.

"If Liu dares to play us, I'll be the first to sell him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Liu Ruhui glanced at him.

"Can."

These words actually made Yan He feel a little more at ease.

They are not fools.

Liu is not one of us, at least not now.

But how many of our own people are there in this world?

If it works, use it. If it doesn't, sell it.

That's how Lu Song was back then.

Wei Zhao is in the same situation now.

However, Wei Zhao used military merits, land deeds, and the imperial examination, making his methods cleaner and more ruthless.

Liu Ruhui raised his cup.

"Gentlemen."

The three of them looked at him.

Liu Ruhui's voice was soft, yet each word was spoken clearly.

"No matter whose side Liu is on, as long as he is willing to help us get back what we have lost, he is one of our own."

The four wine glasses clinked together.

The crisp sound was very short.