If you can catch up with the famous family, you will undoubtedly enter a fast lane.

Gu Qing understands this truth very well, but he also understands that the consequences will be even greater. If the important positions in the court are divided up by people from aristocratic families in the future, many of the court's decrees will not be implemented.

For a person who comes from an aristocratic family, the most important thing in his eyes is the interests of the family, not the interests of the people of the world. This is why Gaozong and Wu Zetian tried their best to eliminate the influence of aristocratic families in the court when they were in power.

People are idle and full of wings, and they are at odds with the power of the emperor. As the emperor, how can they endure it?

Therefore, during the Gaozong and Wu dynasties, the two emperors spent their entire lives reforming the court, weakening the influence of aristocratic families, and vigorously promoted imperial examinations, allowing children from poor families to replace the positions of aristocratic families in the court. These were all measures to eliminate aristocratic families.

In the era of Li Longji, the imperial court finally managed to get rid of its burdens and gradually squeezed out the influence of aristocratic families from the court. Only then did Li Longji make drastic changes in the administration of officials, clear the court, promote benevolent governance, and create the prosperous Kaiyuan era.

Everything has a cause and effect. The prosperity of the Kaiyuan Dynasty did not come out of thin air. The foundation of national power laid during the reign of Emperor Gaozong and Wu Zetian was one, and the influence of the aristocratic families on the court was weakened for the other. With these two important reasons, the prosperity of the Kaiyuan Dynasty did not come out of thin air.

Only then can we leave a glorious mark in the history books.

It is undeniable that Li Longji has his outstanding features. He did work hard in the first half of his rule, but the most fundamental reason is the trees planted by his predecessors.

Although it is a good thing for the Aristocratic Family to help Gu Qing, there are also many disadvantages, especially since Zhang Xie made it very clear that she needs the Aristocratic Family to regain an important position in the court.

Once this hole is opened, Gu Qing and his successors may have to spend hundreds of years to slowly weaken the family's power.

Perhaps in Zhang Xie's eyes, the family's help to Gu Qing would save him twenty years of struggle, but in Gu Qing's eyes, it would cost him an extra hundred years.

In the long run, this is a losing proposition.

"The price is too high, I can't afford it." Gu Qing shook his head categorically. If the court was divided again by various forces of the aristocratic families, the world would still be in chaos, and Gu Qing's ambition would not be realized at all.

Zhang Xie said calmly: "We can talk more. In fact, there are many children of aristocratic families in the court today. Your uncle Li Guangbi, Uncle Li, was born in the Li family of Liucheng. The original prime minister Li Linfu was closely related to the Tian family.

In the same clan, there are also Guo Ziyi, the general of the world's military forces, who was born in the Guo family of Taiyuan, and Gu Qing. Whether you admit it or not, in today's court, aristocratic families and poor families coexist, but aristocratic families still occupy many important positions."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Since I have occupied an important position, why do you need to talk to me? If I take charge of the power in the future, the family will still be careless and careless."

Zhang Xie sighed: "There was an emperor and a courtier. When Empress Wu was in power, the aristocratic family was severely damaged by her attack. Countless children of the aristocratic family were expelled from the court. The imperial examination promoted a large number of children from poor families. In the prosperous age of Kaiyuan, the aristocratic family

I have finally regained some strength. Although there are many children from aristocratic families in the court, they are still far from enough compared to the early Tang Dynasty..."

"So, what my aunt wants is to restore the glory of the aristocratic family in the early Tang Dynasty? The imperial court does not pass scientific examinations, but still recommends the members of the aristocratic family through investment bank papers?"

Zhang Xie nodded: "Yes, when it comes to governing the country, talking about reputation among the government and the public, even just talking about learning classics and history, children from aristocratic families are undoubtedly much better than children from poor families. Is there any reason to abandon beautiful jade for stubborn stones?"

Gu Qing said coldly: "Your aristocratic family has blocked the road to becoming an official. The children of poor families will never be successful for generations. They are born to be farmers and soldiers, but your aristocratic family has enjoyed glory and wealth for generations.

Is this what you want?"

Zhang Xie frowned and said: "Gu Qing, calm down, if you want to talk about the matter, what did I say wrong? The children from our aristocratic family are not idlers. In fact, they have been studying since they were young. They have studied very hard, and they have to practice the six arts of a gentleman.

When it comes to composing poems, composing essays, discussing politics and governing, compared with those unsophisticated and humble children, aristocratic families are undoubtedly much better. It can be said that most of the talents in the world are from aristocratic families, and the imperial court should give priority to aristocratic families when recruiting scholars."

Gu Qing's face turned colder: "Auntie, I, Gu Qing, also come from a poor family, not even a poor family. I am just a farmer who almost starved to death. You are belittling a poor family in front of me. Isn't it too rude?"

Zhang Xie suddenly realized that he had made a mistake, and hurriedly laughed and said: "My dear nephew, don't blame me, it was me who made the mistake. In fact, now you are no longer from a humble family, but a powerful person that even aristocratic families look up to. Why should my nephew still consider himself from a humble family?"

"How can I still be a human being if I have forgotten my roots? Even if I become the emperor, I am still from an upright and humble peasant family." Gu Qing shook his head and said: "Auntie, you and I don't share the same ideals, so I'm afraid we can't come to an agreement."

Zhang Xie stared into his eyes and said: "You have been fighting to the death with the Tian family. If you are not willing to cooperate with the family at this time, you will offend the family again. Looking at the world, everyone is the enemy. Could it be that you rely on your Anxi army to protect you?"

You?"

As soon as these words came out, the air in the room suddenly became condensed. Zhang Zheng looked nervous, but Zhang Huaiyu still looked cold and always looked calm.

Gu Qing quickly looked at Zhang Huaiyu's expression, and then smiled: "Auntie, you seem to be threatening me with these words?"

Obviously he said it with a smile, but Zhang Xie suddenly felt goosebumps rising on his back, and a strong murderous aura lingered around him.

At this time, she finally realized that the young man speaking in front of her was not only the son-in-law of the Zhang family, but also the commander-in-chief of the 100,000 Anxi Army. He was the God of Death who had waded over from the mountain of corpses and the sea of ​​blood.

He couldn't afford to offend the noble family, so why couldn't he offend the Xie family of Chen County? She was not Zhang Huaiyu's biological mother. If Gu Qing really wanted to fall out, why would he have any scruples? Zhang Huaiyu had never had a good impression of her, so he would definitely not help her.

Shocked by her own unwiseness, Zhang Xie decided to remedy the situation immediately.

"Oh, my dear nephew, what are you talking about? We are all a family. How could I threaten you? What I just said was for your own good." Zhang Xie's smile was as bright as a flower, but her aunt was still a fan: "My family should be more direct when speaking.

, otherwise, tell me, if the family helps you, what benefits can you bring to the family?"

He talks about "his own family", but in fact, the word "interest" is still inseparable. Zhang Xie's hypocrisy does not even need to be concealed.

Gu Qing thought for a while and said: "First of all, the land should be maintained at its current scale, and aristocratic families are strictly prohibited from occupying farmers' land. As compensation, I can allow the court to have more officials from aristocratic families, but generally speaking, the imperial examination will still be used to select scholars.

For the Lord…”

Zhang Xie's expression suddenly changed, and her voice became sharper: "Your conditions are harsher than those of the Li family emperor at that time, isn't it too much?"

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Auntie, listen to what I have to say. I have my own arrangements for the family. If the world wants to change and the people want to live a better life, they cannot rely entirely on land cultivation. The country is a pool of stagnant water and needs to be constantly injected with new resources.

Only the source, this stagnant water will be alive. I have other ways to ensure that the benefits obtained are greater, more abundant, and easier than land cultivation, so as to compensate for the loss of land by the family, what do you think, aunt?"

Not only Zhang Xie was puzzled, but Zhang Zheng and Zhang Huaiyu also cast puzzled looks.

Zhang Xie said suspiciously: "A greater benefit than land? Besides doing business, what else is there?"

Gu Qing said calmly: "If my aunt agrees, I will tell you this matter in detail later. I can guarantee that the family can get benefits that are ten times and a hundred times higher than the land. If possible, will the family be willing to give up the existing land?"

Zhang Xie's eyes suddenly shone: "If there is really a benefit of ten times or a hundred times, the existing land-rich families will certainly be willing to give up and return the land to the farmers."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Auntie, you have to be responsible for what you say. Can your words represent all aristocratic families?"

Zhang Xie also laughed: "What the aristocratic family wants is power and money. If there is a hundred or ten times the benefit, the word 'money' will be enough. The aristocratic family is not a fool, and naturally knows how to choose. But 'power'

Well..."

Gu Qing took her words with a smile and said: "'Quan' can maintain the status quo. From now on, no matter whether the family is aristocratic or a poor family, they will all be selected for their talents. My aunt just said that the children of the aristocratic family are far better than the children of the poor family. Since the talent is stronger than the children of the poor family, of course not

Don't be afraid of comparing yourself with a poor family. The new dynasty in the future will not distinguish between poor families and aristocratic families, but will only look at talents."

Zhang Xieshi snorted.

She could tell that Gu Qing didn't make many concessions regarding the distribution of power. He seemed to be wary of the family occupying too much position in the court.

"Things cannot be settled in one day. We can talk slowly in the future," Zhang Xie said with a smile: "My nephew is a responsible person. The family is very relieved to cooperate with you. Thanks to you, as the person in the middle,

I’m afraid that the Xie family in Chen County will soon become famous.”

Then Zhang Xie suddenly said: "Is my nephew planning to cause trouble?"

Gu Qing smiled: "This is not what my aunt should ask."

Zhang Xie was not upset even if she was scolded. She was a smart person after all. After she was shocked to realize that Gu Qing's identity was different now, she immediately kept her sense and said she was from her own family. In fact, everyone was sitting here at the moment.

They are all motivated by profit. Since there is no emotion involved, we cannot regard him as a junior.

Gu Qing said leisurely: "My aunt has been talking to me for a long time about the aristocratic family. She only talked about how the aristocratic family is. Shouldn't she also prove to me the weight of the aristocratic family? Since I will cooperate with the aristocratic family in the future, I will eventually know the worth of these collaborators. This

Isn’t that too much to ask for?”

Mrs. Zhang Xie secretly scolded the little fox, but smiled sweetly and said: "If my nephew wants to consider the family, just ask the question, I guarantee your satisfaction."

Gu Qing said slowly: "I just learned recently that after the Anxi Army regained Guanzhong, some people immediately took advantage of the unsolved chaos to occupy land in Guanzhong and Henan Province. This approach is a bit unscrupulous. The land that was left vacant due to the war

, I originally planned to use it to resettle the refugees outside Chang'an City, but someone took advantage of it, haha, I was kicked in the face, very humiliating."

Zhang Xie said with a smile: "My nephew will see the little things with his own eyes and I will arrange them clearly for him right away."

Gu Qing emphasized his tone and said: "I don't know who is behind this, but the occupied land must be returned to the court, and no one is allowed to occupy it again. If any aristocratic family is greedy and takes over again, don't blame me.

See you."

"My nephew is considering the family. Of course we have to handle it properly so that my nephew can be more confident in cooperating with the family."

Having said that, there is nothing more to talk about next.

After the business was done, chatting about family matters was omitted. Neither the father-in-law nor the mother-in-law in front of him looked like a kind person. Zhang Zheng kept staring at Gu Qing with a very unkind look. As for Zhang Xie, he was both realistic and cunning. He chatted about family matters with these two people.

Gu Qing was worried that he would reveal his mental illness.

So Gu Qing said goodbye to the two elders.

Zhang Huaiyu sent him out of the gate and walked side by side on the path of the mansion. Zhang Huaiyu whispered: "Did you not suffer from what you just said to your mother?"

Gu Qing smiled and said: "It's both a loss and a gain, it depends on how you understand it. If you want to change the world, you must make appropriate compromises with the powerful and aristocratic families, otherwise great things will happen."

"Is it your compromise to maintain the current power of the family in the court?"

"Yes, there may be some more children from aristocratic families who will join the court as officials. I have no choice but to give them visible benefits, and they won't help me."

"Will the status quo continue?"

Gu Qing laughed: "Of course it's impossible. After the world is settled, I will still slowly suppress these aristocratic families. Managing a big country is like cooking a small delicacy. It cannot be accomplished overnight. Some shortcomings must be slowly eliminated, and it may even take half a lifetime.

.”

…………

In the wing room of Zhang's residence, Zhang Zheng and Zhang Xie's husband and wife were still sitting quietly.

Zhang Zheng said with a painful expression: "I actually sat in front of you and listened to the treacherous words in the middle of the night... The Zhang family has been loyal to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty for generations, and now he will personally participate in the overthrow of Li Tang..."

Zhang Xie said calmly: "Husband, since Anlu Mountain rebelled, the world has changed a long time ago. The fate of the Tang Dynasty has been exhausted, and we should take advantage of the trend. Even if there is no Gu Qing in the world, there is still Gu Bai and Gu Hong, and the fate of the country is at an end."

At this time, it is the day when heroes from all sides compete for the throne. In this case, it is better to support Gu Qing and gain some relatives."

Zhang Zheng had a gloomy face and said nothing.

Zhang Xie continued: "What is the so-called 'loyal minister'? The king wants the minister to die, but the minister has to die? Do you still remember what happened to your husband's father? He ruled the Tang Dynasty for half his life, but in the end he was ignored and demoted.

Are you loyal to the emperor, or to the obsession in your heart?"

Zhang Zheng's face changed slightly.

Zhang Xie sighed: "Husband, it's time to open your eyes and see the world. Guanzhong has been recovered and the rebels have surrendered. Will the world be better? No, it will become more and more chaotic, because the foundation of the Tang Dynasty has begun.

Being shaken has nothing to do with An Lushan's rebellion. Before that, the chaos in the Tang Dynasty was already very serious. This is a sign that the country's fate is about to end. Gu Qing is just a hero who rose up against the trend."

Zhang Xie raised her head and said: "I must send someone to send a letter to Chen County immediately regarding the cooperation between the aristocratic family and Gu Qing. It is related to the rise and fall of the aristocratic family in the world. I, a married woman, can't make up my mind, so I have to ask the elders of the clan.

decision."

Zhang Zheng suddenly said coldly: "Do you think Gu Qing will give your family a lot of benefits? Can't you see that he is actually more wary of the family?"

Zhang Xie said sweetly: "It doesn't matter, everyone gets what they need. Gu Qing has the military power, and the family has the prestige. As for the big deal, let's look at each other's abilities. The imperial power and the family have always been in a relationship of both opposition and cooperation.
Chapter completed!