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

Wei Zheng's words brought a moment of silence to the Xiande Hall.

Dai Zhou shook his head and retorted, "That's true, but don't you think you're being a bit too idealistic? The Zheng family has been operating for so many years, and they've already moved a large number of their forces and clansmen from their ancestral homeland to Luoyang and Chang'an."

"They're not that easy to bring down!"

"It's different!" Changsun Wuji offered a different perspective. "We're not trying to exterminate the Zheng family, but rather to uproot their connections in the court. Have we touched their fundamental interests? No!"

"I admit this move is indeed risky, but the potential rewards are also substantial, aren't they?"

"What in this world doesn't involve taking risks?"

"Just like in the ninth year of the Wude era, when the Eastern Turks almost reached Chang'an, weren't we taking a gamble? In the first year of the Zhenguan era, the Duke of Anguo set up a scheme to raise grain prices and attract grain merchants from all over the country. Wasn't there any risk involved?"

"We still have a choice now, but what if we miss this opportunity and then have no choice at all?"

Fang Xuanling couldn't help but say, "Brother Fuji, we're already trying to unify the interpretation of the classics, and we're even planning to eliminate all of Zheng's people in the court. This is practically the same as exterminating them all."

Changsun Wuji: "..."

He paused for a moment, then said helplessly, "Gentlemen, I'll just say this: a locust plague is coming, and no one knows how many more natural and man-made disasters will follow."

"The current national treasury is entirely supported by the income from the Duke of Anguo's refined salt, ironware, and papermaking technology. With this year's locust plague, tax revenue will probably still be low, which means this situation will continue into next year."

"Who knows what it will be like next year?"

"Therefore, we must not let go of any opportunity to replenish the national treasury."

"The Zheng family has been in power for so many years, and they possess countless riches and resources. Even for these things, I believe some risks should be taken!"

"This..." Du Ruhui and the others hesitated.

Now that Du Ruhui is the prime minister, he can naturally see the Ministry of Revenue's account books.

He was certainly aware of the situation at the Ministry of Revenue.

Therefore, it is clear that what Changsun Wuji said is true.

That's why he hesitated.

Fang Xuanling did not speak, which clearly indicated that he was aware of these things.

Changsun Wuji continued, "Moreover, by removing the Zheng family members, so many official positions will be vacant. Even if many people want to divide them up, His Majesty will be able to get the largest share."

"Do I need to elaborate on the significance?"

"I agree," Wei Zheng said succinctly, but with a firm attitude.

Seeing this, everyone had no choice but to turn their attention to Li Shimin.

After all, they were only offering suggestions; the final decision rested with Li Shimin.

"I understand your thoughts."

Li Shimin pondered, "This is what I think: At present, even though natural disasters and man-made calamities are constant, because everyone is working together and the work-for-relief program in Huai'an is constantly proving effective, the country is actually not doing too badly."

"I already have considerable prestige among the people."

"Now that the finances and military are back in my hands, even in the worst-case scenario, I still have the ability to keep the country from falling into chaos."

"The worst outcome would be nothing more than a delay in the attack on the Eastern Turks."

"Anyway, they're fighting amongst themselves right now, so there's no rush."

"The influence of the Five Clans and Seven Clans is truly too great. Everyone present is my confidant, and I won't keep you in suspense. I will absolutely not allow this situation to continue!"

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Eliminating a member of the Zheng family is exactly what I wanted!"

Seeing his words, Dai Zhou and the others had no choice. They stopped focusing on whether or not to take action against the Zheng family, and instead considered how to minimize the impact of such an action.

As he pondered this, Dai Zhou's gaze fell upon Chen Huai'an, who had remained silent and focused solely on eating and drinking.

He was speechless: "Duke Anguo, you were the one who first contacted the Li family of Zhao County, how can you still eat?"

"Then what can we do?" Chen Huai'an chuckled. "If you ask me, just eat when you're hungry. The sky isn't going to fall, and even if it does, there are always tall people to hold it up, right?"

Dai Zhou's eyes widened in surprise, and Li Shimin's face immediately darkened.

Chen Huai'an is already a minister of two departments. Who in the world is taller than him?

Du Ruhui and other prime ministers?

Almost!

So it can only be Li Shimin!

Doesn't it mean that even if the sky falls, Li Shimin will hold it up?

Wei Zheng immediately recognized his expertise.

that is!

Who cares? Let's just do it.

At worst, Your Majesty will suffer!

"Chen Huai'an!!!" Li Shimin roared in anger.

"Yes, I'm here, I'm here," Chen Huai'an replied with a smile.

Li Shimin slapped his forehead, both amused and annoyed: "Stop eating! You're like a starving ghost reincarnated every day. Did you never have a full meal in your past life?"

"You submitted this matter first, so tell us your thoughts!"

Upon hearing this, many people became serious.

Based on past experience, Chen Huai'an either doesn't speak at all, or when he does, he makes the final decision.

This strange thing always manages to come up with suggestions that are both quite novel and convincing.

"My opinion..." Chen Huai'an clicked his tongue. "My opinion is actually very simple: if you're going to do something, don't do it on a small scale; why not go big?"

"How do we expand?" Fang Xuanling asked.

"Hmm..." Chen Huai'an thought, "I think you've all fallen into a misconception. This matter is indeed risky, for everyone involved."

"But most of the risks are actually borne by the powerful families who act first, aren't they?"

"If the Li family of Zhao County proposes to take action against the Zheng family, then let them do it!"

"If they make the first move, and others follow, it will inevitably cause a huge upheaval. No one will be able to escape; everyone will only have two choices!"

"The first is to jointly suppress the Zheng family, and then we can all share the spoils, which will make everyone happy."

"Secondly, we should resist alongside the Zheng family and vow to never submit."

Which one do you think they will choose?

Dai Zhou pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard to say; both are possible."

"No!" Li Shimin was the first to object, "They can only choose the first one!"

"Your Majesty is right!" Chen Huai'an wiped his mouth. "They can only choose the first one."

"Since the Li family of Zhao County made the first move, the Wang family of Taiyuan will definitely follow suit. Once the Wang family of Taiyuan follows, the Cui family of Boling, who were the first to form an alliance with us, will not be able to stand idly by!"

"And the northern and southern clans that were previously won over will definitely follow suit immediately."

"Why?" Dai Zhou asked, puzzled. "Why are you so sure they will participate in the siege of the Zheng family?"

"Because they need a pledge of loyalty!" Chen Huai'an's gaze was profound. "Once they've stained their skin with the blood of the five surnames, there's no turning back!"

"So, these powerful families are even more ruthless than we imagined!"

"..."