A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

These words, once uttered in the imperial court, created an even more oppressive atmosphere.

Gongsun He is an important pillar of the Crown Prince's faction, especially now that Wei Qing has passed away. The Crown Prince's two pillars in the military are Gongsun He and Huo Qubing.

After all, Gongsun He married Wei Junru, who was the elder sister of Empress Wei and Wei Qing.

In other words, Gongsun Jingsheng was Empress Wei Zifu's maternal nephew and Crown Prince Liu Ju's cousin.

This relationship can be said to be the core of the princeling faction's power, no less than that of Li Ji.

But now Wei Lu is directly pointing the finger at Gongsun Jingsheng.

Does he not know the importance of Gongsun Jingsheng to the Crown Prince's faction?

Of course I know.

It was precisely because Gongsun Jingsheng and Li Ji were important enough and of high enough status that they were chosen by the Wei family to be the monkey used as a warning to others—no, to make an example of someone.

Gongsun Jingsheng quickly stepped out from the ranks, knelt down, and cried out that he was innocent.

How can you admit that?

"Are you implying that I've wronged you?"

Wei Zhong walked up to Gongsun Jingsheng and uttered one name after another.

At first, Gongsun Jingsheng didn't take it seriously because he didn't recognize any of these names. He assumed they were the names of the women he had forcibly taken, as well as their families.

They're just lowly people, what difference would it make if we killed them?

He is not like Li Ji. Behind him are the Empress, the Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister, while Li Ji was just Lady Li.

But upon hearing the rest, Gongsun Jingsheng's face turned deathly pale, because these names were either officials he had promoted or officials who had given him large bribes; they were all dependent on him.

This list is more detailed than his; how is that possible!

How did he know?!

Besides, isn't currying favor with officials something everyone does? Doesn't the Wei family have its own factions? How can such a thing be discussed openly?

The Wei family is breaking the unspoken rules!

He never knew that the reason the Wei family chose him as their target was because his actions crossed the Wei family's bottom line and persecuted too many ordinary people.

Do these names sound familiar to you?

Wei Lu asked with a cold face.

"Father?"

Gongsun Jingsheng turned his gaze to Gongsun He, who looked at his only son and sighed inwardly.

He knew that the Wei family's choice of Gongsun Jingsheng was partly due to his influence.

Because he reached into places he shouldn't have, actually interfering in the Wei family's core business.

Gongsun He removed his crown, placed it on the ground, and prostrated himself.

"I am willing to give up all my official titles and ranks to atone for my son's crime."

"allow!"

When Emperor Wu of Han's voice came down, he couldn't quite understand the Wei family's actions.

What is this going to do?

However, the Crown Prince's faction was too powerful, so weakening it would be a good thing. Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han went with the flow and granted Gongsun He's request, thus cutting off the Crown Prince's powerful arm.

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Gongsun He looked distressed, while Gongsun Jingsheng was pale.

His father lost all his official titles and ranks, and his status would also plummet.

But it's better than death, after all, his mother is the current empress's older sister.

Li Ji, who was kneeling to the side, seemed to have grasped at some lifeline and crawled to his brother Li Guangli's side.

"Brother, save me, save me!"

Li Guangli's face twitched, and he wished he could kick him.

He is the true core of the Fifth Prince's faction. If he loses all his official titles and ranks, the entire Fifth Prince's faction can be said to collapse directly.

They had no power to resist the princelings.

Is it possible that we shouldn't save them?

No!

Would the emperor allow that?!

We will not allow it!

After so much time, Li Guangli had come to understand some of Emperor Wu's thoughts. With Lady Li's guidance, Li Guangli knew that his very existence was of great use to Emperor Wu.

Therefore, Emperor Wu of Han would not allow him to lose power. After all, the crown prince is still a ruler and can pose a threat to the real monarch.

After figuring it out, Li Guangli knelt down.

"I am willing to give up all my official titles and ranks to atone for my brother's crime."

Li Ji looked at Emperor Wu of Han with hopeful eyes; he was going to survive.

"Not permitted."

Emperor Wu of Han rejected Li Guangli's request.

It wasn't just because of the reasons Li Guangli had mentioned; another reason was that he didn't have enough official rank or title.

Who is Gongsun He? Gongsun He is the Prime Minister and Marquis Che.

Gongsun He's title of Marquis Che was earned little by little through his military achievements, which was completely different from the title that Li Guangli received through favor.

As for official rank, it's far too low.

Therefore, Gongsun He's official rank and title could save his son's life, but Li Guangli's was not enough.

Li Ji's mood plummeted from the sky as he stared in disbelief at Emperor Wu of Han on the high platform.

His older sister was Emperor Wu of Han's most beloved concubine!

"The court session is over."

After the court session, Emperor Wu of Han went to a side hall.

Inside was actually a pill-making furnace.

There was another sorcerer here, none other than Li Shaojun.

"My Lord, when will this elixir of immortality be ready?"

Emperor Wu of Han is now over 50 years old and has entered the twilight of his life.

Naturally, they couldn't stand Liu Ju, the crown prince.

If he could live forever, he would not need a crown prince; he could rule over all his ministers on his own until a peaceful era was achieved, and then become the emperor of this empire forever.

Li Shaojun shook his head. "Your Majesty, you are still arrogant, extravagant, and licentious. You are greedy for beautiful women, indulge in lust without restraint, and send troops to conquer everywhere. Without enough merit, you cannot refine a true elixir of immortality."

"This is the prescription."

Li Shaojun handed over a piece of paper, saying, "Let me enter the palace only when His Majesty can get rid of these bad habits."

"This is the prescription for the elixir of immortality. Your Majesty may also try to find someone to refine the elixir yourself."

Emperor Wu of Han reached out and took the elixir formula. If even Li Shaojun couldn't refine it, then those other good-for-nothings were even less likely to succeed.

Frustrated, Emperor Wu of Han told Li Shaojun about what had happened in court that day.

He then asked, "What exactly is the Wei family planning?"

"It's very simple."

Li Shaojun, an observer with a clearer perspective, said, "Didn't they explain it very clearly?"

"For the sake of those persecuted common people!"

Li Shaojun exclaimed, "This is true dedication to the country and its people. The Wei family has always been practicing this path."

For the sake of the common people?

Emperor Wu of Han looked at Li Shaojun in shock. Could anyone actually believe such a thing?

If it was the Wei family, Emperor Wu of Han fell silent.

......

At the Marquis of Yan's residence, Wei Zhong, Wei Sheng, and Wei Zhen sat together.

"How many people do you think will be able to understand what we're trying to say?"

Wei Zhong said with a smile.

"Huo Qubing, Gongsun He, Zhang Tang, Dong Zhongshu, and Li Guangli, as victims, will also notice some clues once they calm down. Your Majesty will also figure it out after some time. As for whether you will believe it or not, that's hard to say."

Wei Sheng replied.

"After they discovered this, we will restrain our respective forces as long as we do not offend the Wei family."

"However, His Majesty is becoming increasingly suspicious. He's getting old, so he shouldn't occupy the position. He should give more opportunities to the younger generation!"

Wei Zhen shook his head and said.

"Speaking of which, when does Second Uncle plan to die?"

Wei Zhong asked.

"It will be soon, within the next two years."