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

"The Zheng family..."

Chen Huai'an's expression turned strange: "Do you think I would believe such a thing?"

He has indeed divided the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families, but that's only because the interests involved are so great that this situation has arisen.

The Cui family of Boling and the Wang family of Taiyuan, these families, only promised him that they would help him maintain stability.

In other words, if the Lu and Zheng families were to cause trouble, they would help stop them, but that doesn't mean they would actively target the other three families.

If this is done, a family that is being targeted in all aspects could actually decline.

At that time, they really had to consider the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" (meaning that if one's lips are gone, the other will be cold).

Li Baiyao's smile remained unchanged: "I know Duke Anguo doesn't believe me, but it doesn't matter. We've come with sincerity this time as well."

Chen Huai'an's heart stirred.

Judging from Li Baiyao's appearance... he doesn't seem to be lying.

"Please speak, Minister Li." He intended to listen first to see what the other party was planning.

Li Baiyao didn't care about his thoughts and said to himself, "Duke Anguo should understand that among all the aristocratic families... I mean all the aristocratic families, the Zheng family and the Cui family have the greatest influence on the court."

"The Cui family, needless to say, is the most prestigious family in the land!"

"The Zheng family, relying on their teaching of Confucian classics, had students all over the country, from the imperial court to local officials and even minor clerks. Many of them were either members of the Zheng family or people trained by the Zheng family."

"Does the Duke of Anguo agree with this?"

Chen Huai'an seemed to understand what Li Baiyao was planning and became interested: "You want to take action against the Zheng family officials?"

"Why not?" Li Baiyao retorted. "There are only so many official positions in the world, you could say one for every radish, and the Zheng family has taken up quite a few. Doesn't the Duke of Anguo often feel constrained?"

Chen Huai'an's eyes were full of strangeness; now he was certain.

The Wang family was full of charisma, and the Li family of Zhao County was no less so.

Indeed, heroes are as numerous as carp crossing a river; one should never underestimate anyone, especially families with centuries of history.

Their hearts are all blacker than the next, and their methods are all ruthless.

They not only wanted to take the opportunity to become the rule-maker, but also wanted to expand their own power and influence.

Li Baiyao is right. There are only so many official positions in the world. One position is one slot. Once the Zheng family is kicked out, the vacant positions will naturally be divided equally among everyone.

This move can be described as extremely vicious.

Because sometimes, as long as someone dares to initiate a team fight, there will inevitably be equally matched teammates to follow suit.

Normally, the Zheng family was high and mighty, one of the five surnames and seven noble families, and the object of everyone's flattery.

But if someone were to initiate a group fight, then the Zheng family would be a huge piece of fat meat, and everyone would want to take a bite.

The key is...

The unification of Confucian classics and their interpretations already had a significant impact on the Zheng family; it would be even more devastating if their influence on the imperial court were also completely eliminated.

The Zheng family is truly going to suffer a major blow!

"The risk is very high." Chen Huai'an neither refused nor agreed.

Li Baiyao understood and then said, "Duke Anguo, I suggest you don't underestimate the remaining three families."

"If we unite, we can suppress the situation for a while, but not forever. No matter what system we have, there are always loopholes."

"If the balance can be broken once, it can be broken a second time!"

"I have already shown my sincerity, and I hope Duke Anguo will seriously consider it!"

Chen Huai'an stared at Li Baiyao, various thoughts flashing through his mind.

The other person's words sounded a bit chaotic, but upon closer examination, it became clear that they were trying to remind him.

Don't underestimate the remaining three companies...

That's true. Even the somewhat famous Wang family of Taiyuan has such audacity, taking all their books without a second thought. The Li family of Zhao County, who usually appears amiable and has a good reputation among the people, is actually so crazy.

It's easy to imagine that the remaining three companies wouldn't be any less capable.

Every system has loopholes...

This statement was likely a reminder to him not to place too much hope in the imperial examination system.

Chen Huai'an understood.

Even in later generations, there's a saying: "When there are policies from above, there are countermeasures from below."

Even a thousand years after its inception, the imperial examination system still had flaws, let alone now.

Li Baiyao's proposal... is indeed quite tempting.

A direct and powerful strike would weaken the Zheng family, force them out of the game, and leave behind enormous profits that would satisfy all parties involved.

If the Lu family and the Cui family of Qinghe get involved and obtain many positions, they can further expand their influence, which will keep them in line. At the same time, this move can also deter them.

However, the risk is simply too great.

What if the Li family of Zhao County has ulterior motives?

What if the remaining three join forces?

What if they don't want to see a situation where one party is left vulnerable to the other?

Today it's the Zheng family, tomorrow it might be the Lu family, the Cui family of Qinghe, and the day after tomorrow...

The issues involved are too complex to explain in a few words. If not handled properly, a promising situation could spiral out of control completely.

Chen Huai'an put down his teacup and pondered for a moment before asking, "Why do you have this idea?"

He was genuinely curious; he had never even considered it himself. Why would the Li family of Zhao County do such a thing?

"Duke Anguo, don't you understand?" Li Baiyao stood up and declared loudly, "History is a brutal battle!"

"If we look back at the time since Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms, setting aside dynasties and focusing solely on families, how many families were once extremely powerful and influential?"

"How glorious was the Langya Wang clan during the Wei and Jin dynasties? The saying 'Wang and Ma share the world' perfectly encapsulates the power of the Wang family at that time."

"But now? When people mention the Wang family, the first thing that comes to mind is the Wang family of Taiyuan."

Li Baiyao sighed, "At the end of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Huan family of Qiao Commandery..."

"Huan Wen destroyed Cheng Han, launched three northern expeditions, and monopolized the government for more than ten years, deposing and installing emperors as if it were child's play; his son Huan Xuan went even further, directly forcing Emperor An of Jin to abdicate and ascending the throne himself, establishing the state of 'Chu'!"

"And now?"

"The Yuan family of Runan during the late Eastern Han Dynasty!"

"Four generations held high-ranking positions, and their disciples and former officials were found throughout the land. Starting with Yuan An, four generations of his family held the position of one of the Three Dukes."

"In the end, didn't it completely collapse during the chaos of the late Han Dynasty?"

Chen Huai'an listened patiently without interrupting.

Li Baiyao turned around and said, "In this battle that transcends time, in this cannibalistic era... only the ruthless can avoid being eaten!"

"You ask me why the Li family did this?"

"I'd like to ask, isn't not wanting to be eaten the biggest reason?"

Chen Huai'an was quite surprised: "Are you that pessimistic?"

"This is not like your usual style."

"No, this is our style," Li Baiyao said calmly. "You're too young and you're oversimplifying things."

"I dare say, if we don't act now, we'll definitely be the ones who suffer later!"

"Let me be frank. If you nod now, His Majesty will receive dozens of impeachment memorials the very next day, and within three days, the number of impeachment memorials will immediately rise to several hundred!"

"..."