In the main hall, Chen Qun made some tea and made a gesture of invitation.

"This is the Dahongpao tea tree produced in Wuyi Mountain. It is said that the tea tree has existed for hundreds of years and is extremely fragrant."

"As the saying goes, good tea goes with talented people, and only two of you can match such good tea."

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong smiled faintly, not dizzy by these compliments, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Master Chen, please don't say such compliments, if it were someone else, they might feel a little flattered."

"But we know our own worth. If the implementation of the imperial examination system did not require us, we might be nothing more than ants in your eyes. How could you possibly treat us with courtesy?"

Chen Qun smiled and said, "Heroes are made by the times. You two have already surpassed others by being able to encounter opportunities and seize them."

"It's just that this matter has offended too many people. Even if I don't take action, countless people will come forward one after another."

"So have you two thought it through? Do you really want to offend so many people?"

"Maybe in the future, your corpse will be whipped and your grave will be dug."

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong smiled, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Do you think the Chen family still has a future?"

"People who are enemies of the lord will usually be killed along with their entire family."

"Do you think no one knows about your activities in Luoyang City?"

"Do you think what you did was perfect?"

"Nine-Rank System."

"You've come up with a good idea."

Chen Qun smiled and said, "This is good for both of us."

“There’s no reason why wealth and prosperity should end with our generation.”

"The emperor can pass on his throne to every generation, forever, so why can't we, the noble families, share his wealth and honor?"

“Isn’t that unfair?”

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong looked at each other and said, "Master Chen, there is only one person in charge of a family of a thousand people."

"If such a huge country doesn't have a voice in charge, how can there be a prosperous era? How can there be a strong nation?"

"So there is no such thing as fairness or unfairness. If the next emperor is not as wise as you, or if the empire is rotten to the core, there will naturally be people like us who will overthrow the empire."

"Flowers bloom and fade, the tides rise and fall; it's all natural."

Chen Qun was stunned for a moment, then a hint of interest appeared in his eyes: "Aren't you afraid that someone will tell your master about this?"

"This is treasonous!"

Zhuge Liang laughed: "This is the difference between you and my lord."

"How could the lord not understand this truth? These words came from his mouth."

"So we are willing to work for him with our lives. Even if our graves are dug up and our bodies are whipped after death, we will not regret it."

"We are not here to beat around the bush with you today, but to give the Chen family a way out. Whether you are willing to take this path or not is up to you."

"Just to remind you, we have already been to Patriarch Zhen's place. He is willing to support the imperial examination system and has seen through your scheme."

"Even without the help of your Chen family, those people with ulterior motives will still be caught in one fell swoop." Pang Tong nodded in agreement: "Master Chen, you are a smart person. The decision is up to you."

Chen Qun said solemnly: "Aren't you afraid of being cursed for eternity?"

"Wang Mang also made many reforms back then, but what was the final result? He was still torn apart by five horses."

"I didn't have the opportunity to talk to your lord, otherwise I would definitely be able to convince him."

Zhuge Liang shook his head: "My lord, you are truly thinking about the nation, not yourself."

"He specifically said that the reason why the Chinese nation has been able to be passed down for so long is because every generation has been improving."

“There may be a short downturn, but sooner or later we will stand on top of the world.”

"How long has China been silent? How long has it endured the invasion of the peoples on the grasslands?"

"China today needs a wise ruler, a wise leader."

Chen Qun was silent for a while: "What do you need me for?"

Pang Tong laughed: "Master Chen really knows how to deal with the current situation. What you need to do is very simple. Lure out those people who share the same ideals as you and let us eliminate them one by one."

Chen Qun took a breath and said, "Do you know how many families are involved?"

"How many years have those families been passed down? Can you really do it?"

Pang Tong laughed: "As long as there is a good excuse, we can naturally eliminate them all."

"What's a good excuse?"

Pang Tong smiled and said, "This requires Patriarch Xu."

"You are the one who knows them best."

Chen Qun shook his head: "You should get rid of my Chen family as well!"

"If something like this were to happen, I'm afraid it would leave a bad name in history."

"The Chen family can be destroyed, but it cannot be criticized so much."

Zhuge Liang patted Chen Qun on the shoulder and said, "Master Chen, if someone else said this, I might believe it, but I don't believe it at all from you."

"You have always put the interests of your Chen family first. As long as you can protect the Chen family, you will do anything."

"Now you just lack a method."

"We can provide it for you."

Chen Qun smiled: "It's simple to talk to smart people."

"Appreciate further details."

Zhuge Liang said, "It's very simple. If you want to conquer the four directions, you will naturally need a lot of money and food. And you, the aristocratic families with hundreds of years of inheritance, are the richest. You can say that you want them to hand over 90% of their wealth and 90% of their land."

"No one is willing to agree to this condition, so they can only gather together to discuss a solution. This is when our chance comes."

(End of this chapter)