Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Seeing Wang Shan's unwilling expression, Wang Gui couldn't help but sigh softly and said:

"Do you dare say that what the Embroidered Uniform Guard said wasn't done by members of the Wang family?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shan's breath caught in his throat.

He couldn't refute this, because the charges the Embroidered Uniform Guard had leveled against them were all true.

Together with Zheng, they transported grain and weapons for the Xueyantuo, tampered with Li Chengqian's warhorses, formed cliques for personal gain, and oppressed the people, among other things.

These crimes are all true; the Embroidered Uniform Guard has not wronged them in any way.

Thinking of this, Wang Shan couldn't help but speak up:

"So what? The five surnames and seven clans are all of the same blood. The other aristocratic families can't just stand by and watch the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang perish, can they?"

Looking at Wang Shan's innocent expression, Wang Gui couldn't help but sigh slightly.

"Heh! Five surnames and seven clans are all of one mind? If it weren't the Wang clan that was wiped out this time, would you, as the head of the Wang clan, have helped them?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shan was speechless.

Will he help?

He knew he couldn't.

As long as the interests of the Taiyuan Wang family are not harmed, what do the lives and deaths of other families matter to him?

Thinking of this, Wang Shan couldn't help but feel a wave of dejection wash over him.

Seeing this, Wang Gui sighed helplessly and looked at the Imperial Guard beside him, saying:

"My lord! May I inform His Majesty and have an audience with him?"

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard pondered for a moment before nodding.

"Just wait!"

……

at the same time.

Inside the Liangyi Hall.

The heads of the Li family of Longxi, the Li family of Zhaojun, the Cui family of Boling, the Cui family of Qinghe, and the Lu family of Fanyang all came.

Looking at the people before him, Li Chengqian couldn't help but reveal a mocking expression and said:

"Gentlemen of the clan, have you come to me today to plead for the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang?"

Seeing Li Chengqian's mocking expression, the heads of the various aristocratic families couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.

Everyone here is a shrewd and intelligent person. How could they not understand that as long as one of them dares to speak up and ask for help today?

Tomorrow, their family's crimes will be exposed to the public.

Such a large and powerful family has too many things to hide.

None of them were truly clean.

Just then, the head of the Longxi Li family stepped forward, bowed slightly to Li Chengqian, and said:

"Your Majesty misunderstands. We have come here today to congratulate Your Majesty, not to plead for the rebels."

Upon hearing this answer, Li Chengqian looked at them with great interest and said:

"Oh? I see. That's good."

After all, the evidence of the Taiyuan Wang clan and the Xingyang Zheng clan's treason is conclusive. According to the law, the crime of treason warrants the execution of nine generations of their family. My decision to only execute the main branch is already an act of leniency!"

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, the head of the Longxi Li family quickly echoed:

"Your Majesty is right. Our noble families would never stoop to associating with rebels."

We have come today not only to congratulate Your Majesty, but also to apologize!

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

This surprised him somewhat, as everyone present was from a top-tier family in the Tang Dynasty.

They were all arrogant and disdainful of even the emperor.

There is a saying among the people: "I would rather marry a woman from a noble family than enter the imperial family." In the original history, Li Shimin wanted Li Chengqian to marry the daughter of the Zheng family of Xingyang as his principal wife, but the Zheng family of Xingyang refused and instead married her to a ninth-rank county magistrate.

This demonstrates the prestige of the five surnames and seven prominent families in that era.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian looked at the crowd before him with great interest and said:

"Oh? I wonder what crime you gentlemen have committed?"

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, the group exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and pulled out a booklet from their pockets.

"Your Majesty! It is an unfortunate event for our family. Our clans have a large number of members, and it is inevitable that a few bad apples will appear. The incidents involving the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang have served as a warning to us."

Therefore, we have conducted a thorough investigation within our clan, and this is the list of those who have committed offenses. We humbly request Your Majesty to punish them according to the law; we will have no complaints.

Good heavens, that's a tough stunt!

He truly deserves to be the head of a top-tier aristocratic family.

That's really ruthless.

He understood perfectly well that these old guys were making their stance clear to him.

However, Li Chengqian was naturally pleased with this outcome.

After all, not all aristocratic families are bad. Families like the Lu family of Fanyang have many members serving in the army, loyal to the Tang Dynasty, and aware of the greater good.

Li Chengqian would naturally not make things difficult for such a family.

As for the dirty dealings within these families, those are not major issues.

As the saying goes, "If the water is too clear, there will be no fish." Even he can only try to reduce it, but cannot completely eliminate it.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile and say:

"Hahaha! Good! I accept your gifts. Since the heads of the families are so sincere, I will naturally not be stingy."

"I can grant you the operating rights to Jubaoge's soaps, perfumes, and teas, and I'll give you the cost price! How about it?"

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, the family heads present were overjoyed.

Their trip was merely to show Li Chengqian their stance; to put it bluntly, they came to admit defeat.

The Imperial Guards under Li Chengqian were truly terrifying; these guys were practically everywhere.

With such a team around, if Li Chengqian wanted to take them seriously, none of them could escape.

But unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise.

Soap, perfume, tea—these are all treasure troves!

The sheer amount of profit involved is enough to make even top-tier families envious.

They immediately bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian and said:

"We thank Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian waved his hand dismissively and said:

"It's alright. Noble families are also citizens of the Tang Dynasty. As long as you abide by the Tang laws, I will treat you all equally."

……

Watching the departing figures of the group, Li Chengqian couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.

I didn't think much of it when I was in the Eastern Palace, but I only realized how troublesome it was to handle some things after I actually took the position.

He could make an example of the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang, but he couldn't wipe out all the powerful families in the world.

Not to mention that not everyone in the aristocratic families was unforgivable, and in fact, many of them had rendered meritorious service to the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian isn't someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people, so this kind of thing can't be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach.

As for granting these families the operating rights to tea and soap...

It's a classic case of giving a slap on the wrist followed by a sweet treat.

This method may be cliché, but it works well.

Just then, Xiao Xiangzi rushed in and said:

"Your Majesty! Prince Wei requests an audience!"