Dongye Xuanji was a little surprised.
Liang Xiao's proposal was undoubtedly a huge temptation.
All the well-informed forces knew that he, the governor of Yanzhou, was only temporary, and in the future he would be the emperor's right-hand man and Zhuge Hui's successor.
But the sense of oppression from those big aristocratic families has always been too strong.
Even if one Tuoba clan falls, the family will still be arrogant.
Without him, the Tuoba clan is a clan from the grassland after all, and if it falls, it will fall.
So what if we bring down a Tuoba family today and a Duanmu family tomorrow?
There will always be new great families born, because the emperor always needs to appoint people.
The imperial examination is a new system, but it has not broken the monopoly of the big families. Instead, these big families have used it to form "academic cliques", such as Yanzhou Academy.
The Higashino clan can also become a great family. Higashi Ye Xuanji has no doubt about this. After all, the Higashino clan has a rich background.
Moreover, Dongye Luoyue's willfulness brought a lot of trouble to Liang Xiao, and the Dongye family urgently needed to repair their relationship with him.
But he couldn't guarantee that Liang Xiao didn't want to use the Dongye family to use his family as a human shield.
After a while, Higashino Hongji will be able to go to Beijing and accept the appointment as a Beijing official. This is the first step for the Higashino family to return to the capital.
"How can Marquis Lanling be sure that our Dongye clan can replace those aristocratic families?"
Higashikata asked tentatively, but this time his tone was extremely respectful.
Liang Xiao replied: "Among those disciples and former officials of the Tuoba clan, were they once members of the Dongye clan?"
Dongye Xuanji's breath stagnated, and he immediately smiled bitterly and nodded: "Marquis Lanling made it clear!"
"The so-called disciples and old officials are often just for the sake of kinship. It is human nature to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Compared with ordinary people, these scholars are very clever. When the tree falls, the hozens will scatter. Whoever wins is the one who takes refuge. A family falls. , the personnel and power will naturally be absorbed by other companies."
"As long as the emperor gives an order and someone from your Dongye clan comes to power, your former disciples, former officials, and scholars with no backers will naturally flock to you. As for the Duanmu family, Gongyang family, and Dugu family... they are just doing the same thing."
Dongye Xuanji felt sad after listening to Liang Xiao's analysis.
After the Dongye family was driven out of the center of power by the Duanmu family, almost all of their former disciples and former officials were absorbed by the big families, and their contacts with the Dongye family were reduced. The iron rods were severely suppressed by the Duanmu family. It would be good if they could save their lives. .
This is the consequence of the failure of party struggle, and the reality has always been cruel.
Not long after the Tuoba clan fell, there were indeed many scholars and officials from various places who had relied on them in the past. It was impossible for those big families to absorb them all in a short period of time.
This is Higashino's opportunity.
But if Liang Xiao can't compete with those big families...
Dongye Xuanji thought of his father and brother, and said quickly: "Marquis Lanling, can you give us some time to think about it?"
Liang Xiao solemnly said: "The best opportunity is only tonight."
Dongye Xuanji was puzzled: "What does Marquis Lanling mean by this?"
"Tonight is a timely help. Tomorrow, after I take care of those corrupt people, it will be just the icing on the cake."
Dongye Xuanji's breath was stagnant.
How did he manage those academy students?
Do we want to kill him like Gongyang Lei to serve as a warning to others?
"Master Dongye can go back and discuss it with his family. It's best to come back to me tonight. This is the perfect time." Liang Xiao warned.
Dongye Xuanji solemnly agreed and left at night.
Qin Baili on the side asked: "Does Marquis Lanling think he will agree?"
"I'm not sure." Liang Xiao said frankly.
Everyone was puzzled: "Then Marquis Lanling is so eager to let him make a decision..."
"It's precisely because I'm not sure that I need to do this!" Liang Xiao said decisively.
"Can you please tell me something?" Qin Xun said with an open mind.
Liang Xiao explained with a smile.
"This night is a critical moment to test the ability of the Higashino clan. If the Higashino clan is capable, he will naturally be able to see the situation clearly and make up his mind. If he cannot see the situation clearly, then let him be neutral, even if they decide according to the wind in the future. , and there won’t be too many political resources tilted towards them.”
"Actually, whether or not I, Liang Xiao, exists is not the key. Even if the Prime Minister and Marquis Dingguo are old, and even if I, Liang Xiao, die young, so what? Since my emperor has made up his mind to fight Beihu, this is Bottom line. There are only two women left in the royal family, but they are protected by forces like Xuanwei who are absolutely loyal to the imperial power. When absolutely necessary, those aristocratic families..."
Liang Xiao said and made a gesture of wiping his neck.
Everyone's hearts were shocked.
The initiative to win or die is indeed in the hands of the empress.
This is also the reason why those aristocratic families maintain their superficial surrender. No one dares to test their own inheritance.
The existence of Xuanwei can at least keep the capital safe, and he can take action against the blind aristocratic families at any time!
The empress is twenty years old and has not chosen a husband yet.
In the past, scholars all over the country believed that the emperors of the Great Zhou Dynasty would come from those big families, and marriage was a means of winning over them.
But, no.
"Wait, I have to find time to meet with the old man Dongye." Liang Xiao looked calm and invited everyone to drink tea.
Dongye Xuanji returned home and urgently called Dongye Hongji, and they went to Dongye Canghai's room to explain the situation.
There was a long silence in the room, but the brothers could hear Higashi Ye Canghai's deep breathing.
"Dad, once we choose to take sides, we must show enough sincerity, otherwise he will not believe it. But we will also draw a clear line with those big families, which is equivalent to being completely tied to the same boat as Liang Xiao... …”
Dongye Xuanji’s analysis did not receive a response from Dongye Canghai.
Higashikata pulled his brother's sleeve, Higashikata was interested and didn't dare to say anything more.
It wasn't until the charcoal in the nearby brazier was finished burning that Higashino Canghai's serious voice came from across the screen.
"Show him your stance, and the Higashino clan will support the imperial power to the death."
The brothers almost suffocated.
"Dad, this is an unknown future. Once it fails, our Higashiye clan will be doomed!" Even Higashiye Hongji was a little worried this time.
"The future of the Great Zhou Dynasty depends on this son. In fact, the Dongye family has no choice but to cling to this son and the emperor to protect themselves. If Yanzhou can be defended, it will prove the talent of this son. If Yanzhou is lost, The Higashino clan has the protection of the imperial power, so they won’t have no way out.”
Dongye Canghai sighed helplessly, but the brothers suddenly became enlightened.
Dongye Xuanji said excitedly: "Father is still wise! Moreover, we can use this to grow stronger and return to the capital."
"There's only one thing. After expressing my stance, I will do my best to make him feel the sincerity of the Dongye family. Find Luoyue as soon as possible, and don't let her slander Liang Xiao in the future. If she persists, expel her from the house."
Hearing this, Dongye Xuanji looked full of reluctance: "Dad, I only have one daughter..."
"Then I'll kick you out of the house as well."
Dongye Canghai's rare sharp response made Dongye Xuanji tremble, gritted his teeth, and finally made up his mind.
"This time, even if the child keeps her at home for the rest of her life, she will definitely keep an eye on her!"
