From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

A large manor in Yuhangfang covers an area of ​​more than a thousand acres. The rockery in the inner courtyard and the ancient pine trees in the pond can be said to have brought the gardening attainments to the extreme.

It is hidden and secluded, secret and interesting, showing both elegant sentiments and warm interest, just like the handwriting of a master.

In the reception hall, a plaque is hung high, which is written by a famous contemporary master - "Long history".

At this moment, more than ten people are sitting in the hall, surrounded by bright candlelight, but everyone's face is unusually heavy.

"Although the Xu family is not a big family, it has been thriving in Lin'an for a hundred years. Four generations of the family have outstanding talents, but in one night, the family wealth was lost and dozens of people were arrested and thrown into prison."

"Mr. Cui, Han Tuo is a greedy thief. He has not completely occupied the two rivers, but he has turned his butcher knife to kill us. If he confronts the court in the future and uses troops to lack food, won't we follow the footsteps of the Xu family?"

Another old man stood up and said in a deep voice: "Han the thief is really hateful. Since ancient times, major dynasties have never had such an attitude towards the aristocratic families."

"If this thief really becomes powerful, it will be terrible."

"Mr. Cui, we must think of a way. You are a great man. Please solve it."

The old man sitting in the first place had white hair and beard, and his face was full of wrinkles. He was indeed calm and his eyes were like torches.

He looked at the people around him, sighed, and then slowly said: "You masters of the noble families have also seen the world. Are you scared by such a scene now?"

"Since the previous dynasty, the royal family has suppressed the noble families to the extreme. Which family of ours has not suffered a devastating disaster? Now that we have moved to Lin'an, we have established a firm foothold for hundreds of years."

The head of the Lu family sighed: "Mr. Cui, the royal family's suppression also follows rules. At least they will collect charges and deal with them according to the law, right? This Han thief is completely reckless. We have to fight back!"

Grandpa Cui is also eighty years old. He has seen a lot in his life. He waved his hand and said: "Han thief is brave but not wise. He can't accomplish anything great. Let's just see how he is executed with all his clans."

The head of the Wang family hurriedly said: "Don't However, once this thief fails, he will certainly plunder Lin'an's money and flee. The southern barbarians are vast, and he has plenty of ways to go. "

"The key is that the current emperor is not very tolerant of our noble families. If he arranges a crime of aiding the enemy, it will be difficult for us to deal with it."

Old Master Cui snorted: "How can it be difficult to deal with it? Don't you have anyone in the court? Don't forget that the Minister of Industry is from your Wang family. The emperor must always consider the stability of the court."

Speaking of this, he stood up and said slowly: "Han the thief is not stupid, but he is good at small tricks and does not understand the truth of heaven and earth. Such a stupid thing as waving a knife at a noble family may not be done by him. It may be a plan of the court to borrow power."

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the people around changed slightly and fell silent.

However, at this moment, a hearty voice sounded: "Yes, this is a plan for the court to borrow strength, but is Mr. Cui going to rebel against the court?"

Everyone looked at the door and saw that the courtyard door had been opened. Many servants fell to the ground, and two women and one man were walking slowly.

In the hall, everyone stood up, frowning.

Zhou Yuan came to the middle and said with a smile: "Mr. Cui, I have heard of your name for a long time."

"Who are you! How dare you break into the Cui family mansion!"

"Lawless, come, drive them out!"

Other family heads around shouted angrily.

Zhuang Xuansu took a step forward, took out a golden token, and said coldly: "The head of the inner court department, leading the imperial guards, Zhuang Xuansu."

The whole hall was silent, and all the old men looked solemn.

The head of the inner court department, that's enough, although he is only a third-rank bureaucrat, he is the closest person to the empress.

As for the imperial relative who led the imperial guards, it was just a bonus.

Mr. Cui took a glance and then smiled, "It's a pleasure to have friends coming from afar. I'm sorry for not welcoming you three friends so late at night. Please sit down."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Mr. Cui has seen big scenes after all."

When the late emperor went to the south of the Yangtze River several times, it was Mr. Cui who received him. He was also someone who had seen the emperor.

Zhou Yuan, Qu Ling, and Zhuang Xuansu sat down, and tea was served quickly.

Mr. Cui saw at a glance that the three were led by Zhou Yuan, so he was more cautious in his heart. After all, he didn't know whether this person's background was greater than that of the head of the inner court.

Zhou Yuan said: "Let's continue chatting. I'm not here to cause trouble. The court wants to borrow strength. Does Mr. Cui support it?"

Mr. Cui smiled and said: "As the people of the Great Jin Dynasty, we naturally have no choice but to do it. However, since the previous dynasty, the noble families have been prohibited from recruiting soldiers. There are only old servants in the mansion. How can we support it!"

These old guys are good at Tai Chi, but it's a pity that it's not appropriate.

Zhou Yuan didn't say anything, but just glanced at Zhuang Xuansu.

Zhuang Xuansu said in a deep voice: "I'll go in.When he came, he knocked down more than 20 people. These people were not only young and strong, but also had martial arts skills. They were more than enough to go out on their own. "

Mr. Cui said: "Those are scattered soldiers and can't help."

Zhou Yuan knocked on the table lightly and said with a smile: "Mr. Cui, have you ever met beggars asking for food when you go out every day?"

This sentence made everyone slightly stunned.

Mr. Cui also frowned and answered very cautiously: "Your Majesty is wise, and the people of Lin'an Prefecture live and work in peace and contentment. I have never met beggars."

Zhou Yuan laughed and said softly: "But the truth should still make sense. A beggar is hungry and has no other choice but to beg."

"But if he is about to starve to death and has no other choice, he will kill people."

"In order to survive, a person can do everything and can do whatever it takes."

Mr. Cui said in a deep voice: "What do you want to say, Excellency? ”

Zhou Yuan: "Today's Jin is about to starve to death. In this case, the court will not allow anyone to stand in the way of survival."

Mr. Cui did not speak, but his face was extremely ugly.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "How can I not know what the noble families think? For long-term considerations, I don't want to take sides, but now I can't let you sit on the dry shore and watch the wind and clouds."

"Based on the current situation in Lin'an Prefecture, I deeply believe that in this competition of life and death, there are only enemies and allies, and no other positions."

Mr. Cui narrowed his eyes and said, "The Cui family has not violated the law, but it is really unable to help."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said, "The country is about to be lost, what law can we talk about? Once your majesty finds that Lin'an Prefecture cannot be controlled, he will send troops."

"Sending troops requires money. At that point, I will help your majesty raise money."

"But I hope that there will be no day. It is enough for the Xu family to be the unlucky ghost. There is no need to destroy all the noble families. "

Mr. Cui's face condensed, and he said coldly: "Your Excellency is threatening us like this, aren't you afraid that we will turn against the enemy?"

"Do you dare?"

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said: "Once you do this, the next moment will be a catastrophe. Even if you survive this disaster, any emperor in the future will think of the current turn and will destroy your family in advance."

"Mr. Cui will not do such a stupid thing as burying disaster for his descendants."

He knocked on the table again and said: "Please understand that I am not here to persuade you today, I just come to... express my attitude."

"You know what to do specifically."

"Finally, I emphasize that there is no way out, either rebel or resist the enemy!"