The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

Inside the Zheng Family Ancestral Hall in Chang'an, the atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Almost all the key figures of the third branch of the Zheng family's northern lineage are gathered here, and they are also the core figures of the Zheng family now.

Starting from the Tang Dynasty, the Zheng family gradually abandoned their ancestral home in Xingyang and migrated as a whole clan to Chang'an and Luoyang. The family's wealth gradually shifted towards residences, salaries, in-law connections, and reputation for classical studies.

Who knew that they would encounter such a strange creature as Chen Huai'an as soon as they moved?

Zheng Yuanzong asked with a grave expression, "Is the information accurate? Do Chen Huai'an and Li Shimin really have a backup plan? Weren't papermaking and woodblock printing their main methods for reforming the imperial examination system?"

Zheng Yuanxun pondered for a moment and said, "The information should be accurate. Anyway... I felt something was off about Chen Huai'an and Li Shimin's attitudes toward papermaking and woodblock printing."

"Logically speaking, something like this should be given great importance, but the fact is that Chen Huai'an didn't care at all."

"Furthermore, woodblock printing was not invented by Chen Huai'an; it was something that already existed in the Tang Dynasty. It was just that it was mostly used by Buddhist sects to print scriptures in the past."

"Based on our understanding of Chen Huai'an, this strange thing is definitely not that simple."

Zheng Shanyuan, sitting in the head seat, slowly opened her eyes: "There's no need to discuss these things. Whether it's true or not, we'll know when Yuan Shu returns."

"Yuan Shu personally visited to test the waters and show his attitude. If the news is true, Chen Huai'an will most likely admit it."

"After all... the imperial examination system has already begun to be reformed."

"But they failed to solve the most important problem!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the ancestral hall fell silent and waited patiently.

Before long, Zheng Yuanzhu entered the ancestral hall and nodded to everyone in greeting.

Zheng Yuanzong asked impatiently, "Yuanzhu, is it confirmed? Is the news true? Does Chen Huai'an have a backup plan?"

"It's basically confirmed." Zheng Yuanzhu sat in his seat and said calmly, "Chen Huai'an didn't deny it. I proposed cooperation and showed him the sincerity we had agreed on beforehand. He said he needed two days to consider it."

"However, even if we can confirm the backup plan, we still don't know exactly what it is."

"As expected!" Zheng Yuanxun frowned, somewhat annoyed. "There's a reason why Chen Huai'an doesn't care about papermaking and printing techniques."

"We acted like fools, fighting tooth and nail over a bone someone threw at us, while he kept the meat hidden away!"

"That weird thing is probably laughing at us behind our backs!"

Zheng Yuancong seemed unconcerned: "That's normal. If I were Chen Huai'an, and I had something better than papermaking or woodblock printing, I would keep it hidden too."

"The appearance of these two items has indeed brought about significant changes, but the benefits that Chen Huai'an previously offered are enough for us to tolerate these impacts."

"If he had something better, something that could further lower book prices and completely reverse the situation where 95% of the world's population cannot afford to read, would he dare to offer it?"

"Once they bring it out, it won't just be them going against the Zheng family!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Yuanxun nodded: "That's a good point."

If the refined salt only affected the interests of the Cui family, other aristocratic families would not care much. Even if they also produced salt, their production would be very small, and they would not go so far as to oppose Chen Huai'an because of it.

However, things like the imperial examination system and land touched upon the common interests of all the five surnames and seven clans.

This is something they absolutely cannot tolerate.

In the past, everyone had a certain tacit understanding with Chen Huai'an, and together they maintained a balance.

If you've brought out something good that will benefit everyone, then great, no problem, let's cooperate. We'll give you money if you need money, and grain if you need grain. If you want to reform and cultivate some underprivileged children, we can tolerate that too.

But the premise is... you can't go too far!

Why are powerful families so influential?

Firstly, because after so many years of tradition, in the minds of scholars across the land, social status is determined by family lineage, not by official rank or title.

Even if the Zheng family members were just commoners, their prestige surpassed that of the newly rich in the court!

For example, Chen Huai'an, in their eyes, is just a nouveau riche, even if he's a bit strange, he's still a nouveau riche.

Secondly, it wields immense power.

For many years, they have monopolized access to the upper echelons of society, and their protégés are spread all over the country. Countless local officials are their people.

Even without representatives from the highest-ranking officials, and even if there were one or two officials of the third rank, most of them would remain neutral.

However, they monopolized almost all the middle and lower-level officials.

Sometimes, the system that Li Shimin wanted to implement was not something he could simply decide to implement; rather, it depended on whether it could be successfully implemented.

This is one of the reasons why powerful families are so difficult to deal with.

If Chen Huai'an truly has a backup plan to make education affordable for everyone and thoroughly reform the imperial examination system, how long can this status quo be maintained?

Will they allow it?

The answer is obvious.

Zheng Shanyuan sighed softly, "They're really something. In just one or two years, they've pushed us to this point."

After saying that, he shook his head and said in an unquestionable tone, "No matter what Chen Huai'an's backup plan is, cooperation is his only option!"

"The original stance remains unchanged: avoid a life-or-death struggle with him if possible, since what's his will eventually be ours anyway."

"For hundreds of years, countless kings, generals, heroes and valiant men have each had their moment in the spotlight, but only for a year at most."

"No matter how ruthless Li Shimin was, or how wicked Chen Huai'an was, could their sons and descendants possibly possess such abilities?"

Were Yang Jian's methods weak back then?

"Did he foresee the Sui Dynasty's demise after only two generations?"

"Let's wait a bit."

After saying that, Zheng Shanyuan closed his eyes again.

Zheng Yuanxun nodded slightly: "Then let's do it that way. Yuanzhu, continue to contact Chen Huai'an."

"Remember, if we can get the information, other families might too, so we need to act quickly and not let others succeed first."

"Even if we have to divide the profits in the end, if we reach a cooperation agreement first, we can still get the biggest share of the profits."

As soon as he said that, many people nodded in agreement.

No one thinks they can keep this achievement to themselves; in the end, it will definitely be shared.

It's like fine salt; the majority of it was indeed taken by the Cui family, but didn't the rest get a considerable share?

Otherwise, they might be attacked by the masses!

Zheng Yuancong pondered and said, "My opinion is the same as yours, brother. We should stick to the previously agreed-upon results."

"Chen Huai'an represents Li Shimin personally. He has no power behind him, so it's best not to fight him to the death."

"If all else fails..." Zheng Yuancong narrowed his eyes, "then let him suffer a bit, so he'll understand that Li Shimin, whom he relies on... might not be able to protect him!"

Zheng Yuanzhu opened his mouth, then hesitated and said, "Chen Huai'an is different now than before. He now has the Feng family behind him... The Feng family is no small family."

"Besides Li Shimin, Chen Huai'an is not without support..."

Upon hearing this, many people in the ancestral hall fell silent.

"..."