Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

Before the 108 wards of Chang'an City had fully awakened, several men dressed in coarse cloth and short jackets began spreading news at breakfast stalls and teahouses in various wards.

Inside the largest teahouse in the West Market.

The storyteller, his face flushed and neck red, pounded the table:

"Gentlemen and lads! The Crown Prince led a large army to conquer Liaodong to protect our homeland. But guess what?"

The Cui family of Qinghe, a prestigious and powerful clan, actually tampered with the military rations.

A pig butcher slammed his fist on the table in anger:

"Old Li, explain yourself clearly. What wicked thing has the Cui family done this time?"

The storyteller, heartbroken, pounded his chest and said:

"One hundred thousand dan of military rations. There was only a thin layer of rice on top, and underneath it was all yellow sand and moldy rotten grain husks."

What is the Cui family trying to do? They're trying to starve 100,000 of our Tang Dynasty's men to death!

These words stirred up a great deal of excitement among the people in the teahouse.

"Damn it! The soldiers on the front lines are fighting desperately, and they're feeding them sand from behind?"

"My eldest nephew is stationed in Zuowuwei. If he doesn't have enough to eat, how can he fight those Goguryeo barbarians?"

"Let's go! We'll go to the Cui family and demand an explanation."

The same scene played out in every corner of Chang'an.

Li Chengqian's men spread the news so widely that even beggars on the street were cursing the Cui family for having a son without an anus.

The people of the Tang Dynasty were inherently spirited, and they would not tolerate anyone who was slowing down the army.

In less than an hour, a large crowd of over a thousand people had gathered outside the gates of the Cui family mansion in Qinghe.

At this moment, Cui Mingan was preparing to leave.

He hadn't slept a wink all night because of the 200,000 dan of grain, and planned to go to Changsun Wuji today to discuss a solution.

The door was only opened a crack.

"The old dog is out."

"Smash this old beast who will die without having any descendants."

Before Cui Mingan could even see what was happening outside, an unidentified object flew towards him and landed squarely on his face.

Immediately afterwards, rotten eggs, rotten vegetable leaves, and broken straw sandals flew over in droves.

"Ouch!"

Cui Mingan clutched his head and screamed in pain.

"Close the door! Close the door now!"

Several servants risked their lives to close the gate.

The sound of banging on the door and all sorts of vulgar insults reached Cui Minqian's ears.

"They've rebelled... these unruly people have rebelled."

Cui Mingan leaned against a pillar, sniffing the unidentified substance on his face, and roared angrily.

"Go to the Prefect of the Capital and report to the authorities. Arrest all these troublemakers."

The butler said with a bitter face:

"Sir, the back door is blocked too. We can't get out now."

Cui Mingan was so angry that his vision blurred and he almost fainted.

Just then, a strong female voice came from outside the door.

"Get out of my way, all of you."

The people outside the door turned to look, and upon seeing the newcomers, they all scurried to the side.

Then, Cheng Yaojin's wife, Cui, led dozens of burly servants and stormed into the gate of the Cui residence.

Following behind Cui were Fang Xuanling's wife, Lady Lu, Yuchi Jingde's wife, and dozens of other mistresses from noble households.

These ladies, who are usually dignified and virtuous in front of outsiders, are now all red-eyed with anxiety.

The eldest sons of each family are now serving under the Crown Prince; they are the apple of their eye.

Now I hear that the Cui family is actually mixing sand into their grain?

This is practically cutting off their lineage.

Although Cui Shi also came from the Cui clan of Qinghe, she believed that a woman should follow her husband wherever he goes. Even if Cui Mingan was her elder brother, she would still demand an explanation.

"Cui Mingan! You old bastard, get out here right now!"

Cui grabbed a stick and slammed it on the gate of the Cui residence.

"If my son loses even a single hair in Liaodong, I will wipe out the entire Cui family."

Smash it! Smash the door open for me!

Dozens of servants from the noble household grabbed a battering ram and, shouting slogans, began to ram the gate.

"Bang!"

The gate of the Cui residence was knocked so hard it was on the verge of collapse.

Cui Mingan, who was inside the door, was startled.

He could even curse the common people outside as troublemakers.

But standing outside now is his sister, the mistress of the Duke of Lu's mansion.

If this crazy woman catches me, she'll beat me to death.

"Hold on. Hold on, even if it kills you."

After shouting at the servants, Cui Mingan turned around and ran to the backyard.

"Sir, where are you going?"

Seeing that things were not going well, the housekeeper followed Cui Mingan to the backyard.

"Don't follow me."

Cui Mingan, somewhat flustered, circled the backyard twice before finally disappearing into the outhouse in the corner.

The latrine reeked, and Cui Mingan squatted beside the chamber pot, not daring to make a sound.

A loud "boom" came from the front yard at that moment.

Cui rushed in first.

"Where is Cui Mingan? Tell him to get out here."

The servants of the Cui family dared not stop these young ladies, and they all ran away the moment the gate was smashed open.

Dozens of ladies, along with their entourage, smashed the Cui residence to pieces.

On the other side, at the Duke of Qi's residence.

"Idiot! Is Choi Mingan a pig?"

Upon hearing the news, Changsun Wuji was so angry that he smashed several teacups.

He originally thought that the Cui family would at most delay the speed of transporting grain later on, but who knew that Cui Mingan would dare to directly mix sand into the first batch of grain?

Isn't this just asking for trouble?

The butler cautiously asked from the side:

"Master, the Cui family is currently surrounded. Should we send someone to the Prefect of the Capital to put in a good word?"

"Greeting? Are you trying to hasten my death?"

Changsun Wuji slapped the steward across the face.

"Now anyone who gets involved with the Cui family is doomed. This fool has offended the entire court."

Besides, Chong'er is also in the army. If the food supply is cut off, Chong'er will be buried with them.

The Cui family has incurred the wrath of the masses.

Changsun Wuji was so anxious he almost jumped up in the study.

"Quickly! Send someone to hang a 'No Visitors' sign on the gate. Say that I am too ill to receive guests."

Burn all the invitations sent by the Cui family. From now on, neither the Cui family nor their dogs are allowed inside.

The butler covered his face and went out to run errands.

Changsun Wuji prayed silently.

My son must come back alive; I mustn't let him be dragged down by that incompetent Cui family.