Chapter 160: The Aristocratic Families Are the Real Professional Rebellionists

It was not difficult for Wang Jing to guess who did these things. After all, in the whole world, the only force that had the ability to plan and execute and had enough motivation to do so was the Yuan family of Runan.

It is even very likely that the two Yuans joined forces, otherwise Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu alone would probably not be able to achieve this.

"What about the results of the investigation into the secret letter?"

Wang Jing turned his attention to Xun You. After Li Ru left, he once again took control of the secret guards' intelligence system.

"According to the investigation, it is true that the noble families secretly formed an offensive and defensive alliance, but the purpose of the alliance was only to oppose Qingtian and did not involve an ambush or assassination. This should be false news secretly spread by Xu You and Yang Hong."

"What should I do now? I don't need to tell you more, right?"

"Yes, I understand."

After Xun You left the General Wei's Mansion, he immediately announced a thorough investigation into the shocking case of Li Wei and the entire Yanshi Li family's involvement in the assassination of Wang Jing. He also publicly declared that anyone involved in the case, regardless of their identity, would be severely punished.

As the news spread, the already uneasy nobles in the four counties became even more panicked and frightened.

Especially those local nobles who secretly formed alliances and planned to fight against the policy of clearing land. They originally just wanted to unite to put pressure on the court and force Wang Jing to compromise.

However, once the assassination happened, their already sensitive nerves were greatly irritated. Some even began to clamor for launching a large-scale armed rebellion, and many aristocratic families and powerful families also responded to the call.

The Sili region, which had originally restored peace due to the killing of Dong Zhuo, was once again shrouded in the shadow of war.

In a tavern next to the Imperial College in the south of Luoyang City.

Wang Fu and Zhong Ji reunited, but this time, Dong Cheng and Wu Qiong, their former companions who shared the same aspirations and goals, were no longer there.

Zhong Ji was anxious. Looking at Wang Fu who was still calm, he couldn't help asking, "What should we do now? If Wang Yuanxu really wants to investigate, you and I will be implicated. We might even be implicated by the family."

Compared to the anxious and excited Zhong Ji, Wang Fu, who was taking a sip from his wine glass, seemed much calmer. He put down his wine glass calmly and said, "It's useless to think too much now. It's better to wait patiently. I have already invited a helper."

"Help? Who?"

"Someone that even Marquis Qi cannot refuse."

At the same time, in General Wei's mansion, Wang Jing was taking care of Jueying who had been poisoned before. After treatment, Jueying was out of danger, but his body was still very weak.

The servant suddenly came to report: "Master, there is a guest outside the door who wants to see you."

"Who is coming?"

"It's Lu Zhonglang."

"It turned out to be him..."

Upon learning that the visitor was Lu Zhi, one of the Three Great Masters of Confucianism, Wang Jing was also surprised. After all, the person who came today was Lu Zhi, a famous official of the Eastern Han Dynasty!

He was one of the three heroes of the late Han Dynasty who quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion. He was also a member of the Confucian clan who was famous all over the world. Not only did he have a high level of spiritual cultivation, he also studied the art of war. He was a man of both civil and military talents. He was the teacher of Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan, and even Cao Cao regarded him as an idol.

Such a distinguished guest should not be neglected.

Wang Jing went to the lobby in person to greet him, and indeed he met Lu Zhi.

Standing in front of Wang Jing was an elderly man. He was tall but not strong, his voice was like a bell but gentle, and he was dressed like a scholar, but he exuded the courage and strength of a military general.

With just one glance, Wang Jing sensed Lu Zhi's spiritual cultivation and felt that his consciousness and soul were thick and powerful, far beyond the ordinary world!

He is worthy of being the most famous minister in the late Han Dynasty!

"I didn't know that Mr. Lu Zhonglang would come to visit. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you."

Wang Jing was still willing to give some face to Lu Zhi, a famous scholar. The man in front of him was an absolutely loyal minister of the Han Empire. He lived an upright life and devoted himself to the Han Dynasty and fulfilled his duties as a minister.

"I'm sorry to bother you so much, I hope you will forgive me."

Lu Zhi was also secretly observing Wang Jing. Although the two had met before, Wang Jing was then considered a follower of He Jin, whose fame was merely rising.

However, two years later, Lu Zhi had to flee Luoyang in embarrassment because of Dong Zhuo's persecution. Instead, the inconspicuous young general in He Jin's camp now killed the rebels on his own and led the Northern Army to suppress the eighteen princes. After returning with a great victory, he became the most powerful official in the imperial dynasty.

After the two of them sat down separately, Lu Zhi stated his purpose bluntly: "I came here today for only one thing. I beg Lord Qi to show some leniency and burn the list."

There is no doubt that Lu Zhi was a good man and even more of a good official.

But many times, the evaluation criteria of good and bad will be distorted as long as the standpoint and angle are different.

Wang Jing respected Lu Zhi's character and moral integrity, but what the people of the Central Plains needed right now was not a good official or a good person, but a reformer who dared to take action against the aristocratic families and powerful clans and was determined to make progress.

But it is obvious that Lu Zhi cannot be such a person, and he even tries to stop Wang Jing from doing such a thing.

Since they all have different standpoints, it is meaningless to talk about whether they are good or bad people. Therefore, Wang Jing did not answer Lu Zhi's request but asked: "Lu Zhonglang, are you here today just to act as a lobbyist? Then, do you represent the aristocratic families and powerful clans, or the Confucian school? Or both?"

As the old saying goes, those who share different ideals cannot work together.

From the very beginning, Wang Jing decided to reform the system and break the monopoly of aristocratic families, so he never tried to win over Confucian celebrities such as Lu Zhi.

Unexpectedly, instead of him going to find the celebrity, the celebrity came to him on his own initiative.

Lu Zhi's eyes were complicated. He knew that they had different positions, but for the sake of his responsibility and mission, he still tried to persuade him: "Marquis Qi, you have already gained power, so why do you have to be so aggressive? In the past, at the Jueying Banquet, a military official was rude to Xu Ji, but King Zhuang of Chu let it go. Three years later, Jin and Chu fought a great war. This military official fought five times and led the way in repelling the enemy without fear of life and death. In the end, he won the victory and helped Chu dominate the Central Plains."

"Lu Zhonglang is really well-educated and uses allusions well."

Wang Jing smiled, but his words began to reveal his sharpness: "But does Lu Zhonglang really want me to compare myself to King Zhuang of Chu? He was the ruler of a country. I don't dare to do such a treasonous thing now."

"You don't dare now, so what does that mean you will dare in the future? Lord Qi, you must be loyal as a minister and righteous as a scholar. Otherwise, even if you gain temporary benefits, you will be infamous for eternity."

Although Lu Zhi was a famous scholar and gentle and elegant, he was also a general who led troops. He was born in Youzhou, so his words were naturally fierce and sharp.

The two were tit for tat and refused to give in to each other.

It is no secret that Wang Jing has rebellious intentions, and anyone with a keen eye can see it.

Lu Zhi was the mainstay of Confucianism and a representative figure among the aristocratic families, and Wang Jing was aware of this.

The conflicting positions made both sides realize that there was no possibility of cooperation, but Lu Zhi came anyway. Persuasion was just a means, and what he really wanted to test was Wang Jing's bottom line.

Through the conversation just now, Lu Zhi at least knew that Wang Jing would not rebel for the time being.

But Wang Jing also made his attitude clear, he would not be tolerant when dealing with the aristocratic families.

Among the aristocratic families, the more open-minded ones, such as the Hongnong Yang family and the Anlu Huang family represented by Taiwei Huang Wan, have chosen to cooperate with Wang Jing, and they are all willing to accept change.

But the enlightened families only accounted for one-third of the total. Of the remaining two-thirds, half were waiting and watching, and the other half were the diehards among the families. Led by the Yuan family of Runan, they were determined not to give up the interests and power in their hands and chose to fight Wang Jing to the end.

The destruction of the Li family greatly shocked the diehards among these aristocratic families. So uneasy that they specially invited Lu Zhi, who had announced his retirement, from Yuan Shao to negotiate peace.

Lu Zhi was the representative of Confucianism, and the interests of the family were closely related to those of Confucianism. Therefore, he had to come because of his duty, which led to today's meeting. After the confrontation and probing, Lu Zhi looked solemnly: "Qi Hou, I know you have great ambitions, but whether you are a person or do things, the most important thing is to pay attention to the timing. If you are too impatient, not only will your great cause be difficult to achieve, but it will also ruin the overall situation and bring disaster to the country and the people."

"Oh, so according to Lu Zhonglang, if I burn the letter, the remaining noble families will be reconciled, and everyone will be in harmony, supporting the aging dynasty and continuing to move forward in the stinking swamp?"

Wang Jing raised his lips with a hint of sarcasm and disdain: "If I compromise, then what's the difference between now and before? I have no interest in being a paperhanger. If the system restricts my hands and feet and prevents me from leading the country and the people to prosperity, then I will break this system, even if it means getting blood on my hands."

Having said this, Wang Jing's probing finally ended, and he began to show his murderous intent and determination without any concealment.

"Lu Zhonglang, there is no best of both worlds in this world, and there is no reform without bloodshed. You desire a better world, but you don't want to change the current situation. Aren't you afraid that in the end, you will not be able to protect the empire or the family?"

The aristocratic families in history supported the Sima family's seizure of power. Although the Three Kingdoms were eventually unified, the roots of disaster had already been deeply planted.

After the three horses were fed in the trough, the aristocratic families gradually evolved into powerful families, began to act tyrannically and cruelly exploit the people.

As a result, in less than a hundred years, China's Han civilization completely collapsed, society became like a stagnant pool of water, and was eventually invaded by the Five Barbarians, and was almost wiped out in blood, tears, and humiliation.

Lu Zhi was a good man, but his ideals and beliefs, in the end, could not bring a happy ending to the entire Central Plains and all the Han people.

Because he had never thought about, and had no way to solve, the various problems brought about by the aristocratic families.

Now, not only does he not solve the problem, he also opposes Wang Jing who is trying to reform and prevents Wang Jing from solving the problem. In this case, not to mention that he is just a famous minister, even if Confucius came, Wang Jing would not give him face.

Lu Zhi failed to foresee the outcome of the Five Barbarians' Rebellion. He thought Wang Jing was just worrying too much, or was just using it to cover up his own ambitions. So Lu Zhi was still tough with Wang Jing: "Marquis Qi, if you insist on doing it, do you know what the consequences will be? Do you really want the whole world to be in chaos and there will be constant killing?"

Faced with Lu Zhi's strenuous dissuasion, Wang Jing remained unmoved.

In essence, both of them are stubborn people who insist on their own different ideas and paths, so neither of them can convince the other.

Wang Jing's eyes were calm, and his tone was even, but it revealed an unyielding and unwavering will: "Lu Zhonglang, it is too difficult to convince others to give up their interests with words, so I chose a more effective way. I believe that no matter how stubborn a person is, in front of a sword, they will put down their proud heads, listen carefully to my principles, and abide by the rules I set."

Although Wang Jing's tone was calm, his murderous intent was so chilling that it made people feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave and their backs went cold.

Lu Zhi was greatly shocked, and his emotions became even more intense: "Lord Qi, your idea is really too dangerous!"

But Wang Jing shook his head and sighed: "If I don't do this, the future of the Han people will only be more dangerous."

Although Lu Zhi had expected this murderous intention and determination, he could not bear to see the world start a war again because of this, so he shouted angrily: "Qi Hou, what exactly do you want to do? What benefit will it bring to you by provoking war and killing?"

Facing doubts and questions, Wang Jing remained calm: "The original idea of ​​Confucianism was to save the troubled times and rebuild laws and order with benevolence and propriety. But unfortunately, you have failed. After Confucianism became the only doctrine, most of the so-called Confucian scholars within the Confucian school have forgotten their original intentions, and the aristocratic families have become a cancer to the imperial dynasty."

"And I am just doing what you scholars and officials should have done but didn't do."

Thinking of the cause of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the unlimited annexation of land by the noble families, Lu Zhi sighed helplessly, but still wanted to persuade: "Reform is a good thing, but it should be done step by step. You are too radical. This is not a good thing for everyone."

This was a good intention, but Wang Jing did not accept it because not every good intention can bring good results.

Procrastination will only create new problems instead of solving existing ones.

Wang Jing's attitude remained unchanged. Despite Lu Zhi's persuasion, he still insisted on his original choice.

The final result is still no result.

Lu Zhi had no choice but to get up and say goodbye.

Before he left, Wang Jing spoke again: "In fact, I have already given them a choice. I have established a guild system and allowed everyone to join. As long as they accept the change, they will not become my enemies. The Hongnong Yang family and the Runan Yuan family are good examples. So today you should not come to persuade me, but to persuade those who choose to be my enemy."

Lu Zhi was speechless. He sighed deeply, and left General Wei's mansion with a desolate back.

Soon, Xun You came to see Wang Jing and asked, "My Lord, how did the conversation with Lu Zhonglang go?"

Wang Jing's face showed no joy or sadness. "Parting on bad terms, isn't this the result we expected? Get ready for war. In order to implement reforms, bloodshed and killing are inevitable."

"Yes."

When Xun You lowered his head, his expression was complicated.

He also came from a noble family among noble families, but this time, he stood on the side of Wang Jing. What choice would the Xun family of Yingchuan make?
Xun You didn’t know, he just hoped that the Xun family didn’t stand on the wrong side this time, otherwise there would be no recovery.

Outside Luoyang City, the Luo River is surging.

At the ferry, a tall figure stood by the long river, accompanied by the water flowing eastward, and his back looked indescribably desolate and melancholy.

After a while, two horses came galloping.

The visitor was young and handsome, dressed in Confucian clothes, with a long sword on his waist. His posture was elegant and respectful. He was none other than Zhong Ji and Wang Fu, a Confucian scholar in the school.

When the two men came before Lu Zhi, they immediately dismounted and saluted, looking respectful: "Greetings, Lu Zhonglang."

"No need to be so polite. I resigned from my position a long time ago. If you don't mind, you can just call me Sir."

Zhong Ji and Wang Fu were delighted when they heard this and bowed respectfully: "Yes, we will follow your instructions."

Although he could not become Lu Zhi's closed disciple, the status of teacher and student was not something that could be easily obtained. If he told others about it, many people would be envious.

But after the joy, the atmosphere of the conversation became solemn and serious again.

Zhong Ji couldn't help but ask Lu Zhi, "Sir, how did the discussion go?"

Lu Zhi sighed, "I failed to live up to your trust. I couldn't convince Marquis Qi. He is determined to pursue the people on the list. I'm afraid I can't do anything about this matter. Please wish yourselves the best."

After saying this, Lu Zhi drove away without waiting for Zhong Ji and Wang Fu to react. Today's confrontation with Wang Jing had exhausted him and he almost couldn't stand it.

He didn't want to care about what was happening in Luoyang, nor could he. Now he just wanted to return to his hometown in Youzhou, live a few days of peace, and end the rest of his life.

However, Zhong Ji and Wang Fu were troubled by the current situation.

"What should we do now? Are we really going to rebel?"

Zhong Ji was very upset. He thought that Wang Fu had gone to great lengths to invite Lu Zhi to make Wang Jing change his mind, but he did not expect this to be the result.

Wang Fu also didn't expect that at this moment, his expression could no longer remain calm, revealing a bit of anxiety and uneasiness: "For now, the only plan is to prepare for the worst."

The two looked at each other and nodded silently.

The aristocratic families, or the aristocratic families that have been transformed by Confucianism, are the vested interests under the existing system and they will never easily give up the benefits they have obtained.

Wang Jing may be able to persuade some aristocratic families to change their allegiance by using new technology as bait, but obviously not everyone is willing to accept this change and give up the fat meat they have already eaten.

For example, the family forces behind Zhong Ji and Wang Fu are the diehards among the aristocratic families. They have the most stubborn ideas and insist that "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed". They reject all reforms and changes and only think about maintaining the advantages of their current aristocratic families and continuing to monopolize the power, resources and even control of the imperial dynasty.

Good and evil, right and wrong, are all defined by them!
As for the little bit of commercial benefits thrown out by Wang Jing, many heads of aristocratic families sneered. What is a little money compared to the supreme power and status?

Having power, but afraid of not being able to make money?
Don't think that the Confucian scholars are loyal and righteous just because they talk about the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues every day. In fact, once the fundamental interests of the aristocratic families are touched, they dare to rebel even against the emperor.

(End of this chapter)