It's just a simulation game, how did the fairy become real?

Giving money and food can only sustain things temporarily; in the long run, it will only cultivate a group of lazy and gluttonous people.

Only by enabling them to become self-reliant will beggars disappear.

Jiang Li seemed to be deep in thought. Under the control of powerful families, she had very little access to books on governance and administration.

When educating their own teachers, they rarely delve into this aspect.

No one had ever told her that it could be done this way.

"However, these are all superficial phenomena. If the real cancer is not eradicated, there will only be more and more beggars."

Without the exploitation of powerful families and without natural disasters, it is impossible for ordinary people to go hungry.

There is a growing trend that things are escalating, and the next step may be for the people to rise up in rebellion.

When the time comes, the first to be affected will not be the aristocratic families, but the emperor who is only ten years old.

"I just hope the little empress can grow up soon."

Otherwise, the state of affairs might force a popular uprising.

Pei Yichen sighed softly.

"Aren't you afraid that discussing these things in the capital will reach the emperor's ears and lead to your punishment?"

"Haha, so be it."

If they don't want me here, there are plenty of other places that will.

It's alright.

Pei Yichen laughed heartily, casually bought a pastry, and handed it to Jiang Li.

Pei Yichen's carefree attitude stirred something within Jiang Li.

Yes, I heard it.

But she didn't think there was anything wrong with what the other person said; in fact, she agreed with it.

If it weren't for the constraints of powerful families, could I be just as carefree?

"Eat it? Don't you like it?"

Pei Yichen already had a piece of rice cake in his mouth, and now he was staring at Jiang Li with his mouth open.

Jiang Li gently picked up a piece of rice cake and put it in her mouth, savoring it carefully.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

“Not sweet.”

Jiang Li stood in front of the tile-roofed house disguised as a home, watching Pei Yichen leave, and carefully put away the last piece of rice cake.

"Observe him secretly, don't disturb him, just record his daily whereabouts."

"Buy me another serving of rice cake."

.........

Chapter 3 You...became a Grandmaster?

Zhou family.

Over the course of five years, the original Right Chancellor retired gracefully, and the Zhou family, through their connections, took over the position.

In the current dynasty, the Zhou family wields immense power.

All the prominent families followed the Zhou family's lead.

There was one exception, who, while not always opposing, caused considerable trouble for the aristocratic families in important matters.

"Are you all ready?"

"Don't worry, Prime Minister Zhou, everything is ready."

“Pei Hanming’s fate is sealed. Even if he has extraordinary abilities, he will not be able to escape from the trap we have set this time.”

"He's dead!"

"This time, I will ensure that the Pei family has no chance of recovery."

Zhou Chongguang's eyes gleamed with a hint of murderous intent. As the Right Chancellor of the dynasty, he was second only to the emperor.

The little empress was like an infant, posing no threat whatsoever.

If it weren't for Pei Hanming, the world would have already fallen into his hands.

Currently, the emperor still has a small portion of power at his disposal. As long as this portion is eliminated, the little thing will forever remain a puppet of the Zhou family!

In the past five years, the Zhou family has eliminated many members of the Pei and Wang families, as well as other ministers from the royalist faction.

If we can successfully eliminate Pei Zhongshu, the Pei family will naturally fall into ruin, and no one in the court will be able to rival the Zhou family!

.....

"Huichunlou, Mingyuefang, Tianxiangge..."

"What kinds of places did he go to?"

Jiang Li frowned slightly as she looked at these names.

She always felt that these were not good places.

"...entertainment venues and theaters."

His subordinate hesitated for a moment, not daring to say it was a brothel.

If Jiang Liwan presses for answers, I'll have to continue explaining.

"Forget it, let's bring them back."

He could be a carefree playboy, that would be fine too.

Jiang Li casually burned the note. The Zhou family had been eyeing them covetously, and recently they seemed to be making another move.

If Pei Yichen had no great ambitions, he wouldn't need to confront the Zhou family.

Good.

The unidentified person who was following you has finally disappeared.

After several days of surveillance, you have roughly compiled a list of disloyal members within the Pei family.

You didn't realize that the seemingly united Pei family had already developed cracks.

The booklet my father gave me contained a list of our enemies, as well as a very small number of people we could trust.

You've tried to make contact these past few days, but unsurprisingly, you've been turned away every time.

The Zhou family wields too much power. Those who were once close to the Pei family are now all in dire straits, and no one is willing to continue helping the Pei family under these circumstances.

[You overheard a conversation between a traitor from the Pei family and the Zhou family's forces through the wall. They would use the pretext of repairing the river to lure Pei Zhongshu into their scheme, and then attack the Pei family's businesses one by one.]

At that time, the Zhou family will launch an attack in the imperial court, dismissing the officials of the Secretariat and throwing them into prison.

[Then they took action against the Pei family.]

You choose.....

1. Infiltrate the neighboring village and launch an attack ahead of time.

2. Continue to lie low and investigate covertly.

3. Conceal your identity and take them down one by one.

4. Use their strategy against them and make arrangements in advance.

[5. Personal intervention, remaining attempts: 3]

"That's ruthless."

Su Chen licked his lips. This time, the Zhou family's plan was almost comprehensive.

Even if one or two of the steps fail, it can still deal a huge blow to the Pei family.

Under the siege of powerful families, once a power is lost, it will be swallowed up completely.

"No matter which option you choose, there's no perfect solution."

Given his current position, it would be difficult for him to make perfect arrangements in advance.

Moreover, he can only target the layout within the capital city.

The Zhou family's true trump cards were all laid out beforehand, just waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.

Su Chen pondered for a long time.

Choose 4!

You plan to use a counter-strategy and make preparations in advance to deal with the Zhou family's attack.

[Due to your status and the need for secrecy, you ultimately decide to seek help from your father. Now, perhaps only Pei Zhongshu can perfectly counter the Zhou family's plan.]

[Father's expression showed slight surprise at what you said. His surprise wasn't at the Zhou family's plans against the Pei family, but rather at how, in his eyes, that still-growing boy seemed capable of standing on his own.]

[After thinking for a moment, Father instructed a servant to summon your second uncle to the study. He then took a folded sheet of paper from his bookshelf.]

Upon closer inspection, you discover that the record is densely packed with details of numerous interpersonal relationships. The traitor you discovered within the Pei family is prominently listed, and even those you hadn't previously noticed are included in your father's records.

[The father had long been aware of the Zhou family's targeted arrangements, but given the current situation, how easy was it to extricate himself safely?]

As long as the Pei family stands, the Zhou family will never rest.

Pei Hanming originally intended to use this opportunity to escape unscathed and gradually weaken the Pei family, but now it seems that this plan may no longer be feasible.

"Child, the Pei family needs you."

Upon hearing his father's words, Second Uncle Pei Hanliang suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Big brother, he's still too young, he can't."

Pei Yichen was completely confused by his second uncle's words.

"Letting him be the head of the family will be much more effective than you doing this; the Pei family will be safe and sound."

“But once Yichen becomes the head of the family, he will face attacks from aristocratic families. He is only fifteen years old,” Pei Hanliang said anxiously.