Eighteen Han families' attire and dignity cannot be abandoned

  PS: I've signed, feeling a little excited, but thinking that my work will soon be compared to the masterpieces of other big shots makes me feel a bit shy. So, just a light touch is the greatest support for me. Okay, no more chatter, let's get started!

  Riding on horseback, following Li Jing's side, holding a long spear in his hand, facing the cold wind without any shrinking feeling, Su Ning suddenly felt that he had changed a lot. In the past, as soon as it was cold, he would wear a scarf and mask and wouldn't come out unless he was wrapped up like a panda or some other auspicious creature. What about now? Although he was still wearing down jacket inside, and only wore the Great Tang military uniform outside, although he was the chief historian of the expeditionary force, when going to war, there were no civil officials, only generals and soldiers. Even if it was an old official with white hair, wouldn't they have to wear armor?

  Although the cold wind was blowing into his collar, and the cold air on his face felt like a knife scraping against his skin, making his face almost numb, Suning didn't have any thoughts of retreating or rubbing his face. Didn't he see that Li Jing, a sixty-year-old old man, was also enduring it with everyone else? If the general is like this, how can his subordinates retreat? Zhangsun Erxiao was shivering with cold, and his pale face had turned into one of Guan Yu's representative colors, but he still looked determined, without any intention of retreating.

  Last night when Su Ning fell asleep, he felt something was off. Out of nowhere, a young man about his age appeared as his subordinate, Chang Sun Chong, Chang Sun, Chang Sun? Ah, my god! It seemed that Empress Changsun's surname was indeed Changsun! Su Ning was shocked and immediately took out his divine device to investigate. As soon as he started searching, the device almost fell to the ground, but fortunately, Su Ning quickly regained his composure and grabbed hold of it. This guy was extremely favored by Emperor Li Er and also deeply loved by Empress Changsun, who even married her beloved daughter to him!

  Will he resent himself for treating him like that? Looking at his face, it seems that there is no feeling of resentment towards himself, and it feels like he has been successfully deceived. Well, well, well, I finally understand what kind of expression Li Jing had back then. Good you old fellow, how dare you deceive me like this!

  The Queen's own nephew, the son of Changsun Wuji. As for Changsun Wuji himself, haha, that person is obviously someone you shouldn't provoke, but his son works under me, so it seems like no matter what, I won't be able to avoid interacting with Changsun Wuji. Someone like him wouldn't come here without the permission of Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin, so it's not possible for him to become my subordinate without Li Jing's help. That is to say, Li Shimin, old fox Changsun, and Old Man Li, you guys are ruthless!

  Su Ning suddenly calmed down, so it seems that both Emperor Li and Changsun Wuji have already taken notice of himself? Is Changsun the one sent to make initial contact with him? A scout? An informant? A spy?

  In his mind, countless thoughts had changed, and even the idea of seduction had occurred to Su Ning. In the end, he still shook his head. A person like Changsun Cheon was not someone he looked up to, besides, seduction should be used on women, not men. However, it seemed that he had already entered Li Er's line of sight, and Changsun Wucheng also seemed to have some interest in him. In a sense, they were all from the same family, but Su Ning really wanted to keep his distance from this sinister person, Changsun Wucheng. It seemed, however, that this was no longer possible...

  "Do you know what kind of person Chang Sun-chung is?" Li Jing's old man still cared about himself, and was prepared to mention it, but don't worry, he had already taken care of it, showing kindness and appreciation to him, and successfully gave him the title of "second goods", making him willing to become a cheap labor force for free. This kind of thing, Su Ning is still handy, so this point doesn't need Li Jing's old man to worry about it, at least Chang Sun-chung is not a bad person, but he himself is a bad person, so Chang Sun-chung only has the fate of being led astray by a bad person...

  "Even if I don't know who he is, I do know who the current empress is, and I also know who Zhangsun Chongxun is. General, there's no need to worry, everything that needs to be settled has already been settled." Su Ning said calmly with a blank expression. Li Jing was taken aback: "I didn't mention anything about court affairs to you, how did you find out?"

  Su Ning looked at Li Jing with a silly expression: "Because it's not just the great general who can speak! The soldiers wouldn't be so ignorant as to not recognize the emperor and empress, would they?"

  Li Jing suddenly glared and made a gesture to hit, Su Ning immediately rode his horse away, ran to Chang Sun's side, walked alongside him, and even put his hand on Chang Sun's right shoulder. Chang Sun seemed very honored, while Li Jing looked somewhat depressed. But after thinking for a moment, he thought, "This kid really has some ability! His master is indeed not an ordinary person!" No wonder he can be friends with my brother, haha!

  "Second goods, do you know what we're going to do?" Su Ning said with great relish to Zhang Sun Chong, because every time Captain Sun Chong mentioned this title, and Zhang Sun Chong seemed to accept it with great honor, Su Ning would feel a sense of intellectual superiority. Old fox Zhang Sun, you've been clever all your life, scheming all your life, but in the end, your son can't escape my palm. Heh heh, you plot against me, I'll plot against your son, let's see who lives longer, you or your son! As for Li Er... his sons...

  Managing one's own family members in the same way as managing subordinate officials, except for children with a gentle temperament who will not resist, how can others bear it? Using Li Tai to threaten Li Chengqian's position as crown prince, wouldn't it be inevitable that Li Chengqian would rebel? Along with Li Tai, they staged a full-scale martial arts performance in the palace, turning against each other and killing each other, and then joined forces with Hou Junji to emulate Emperor Yang of Sui's parricide and regicide, seizing the highest power in the Tang Dynasty. After being asked about it later, Li Chengqian honestly said that he was afraid of losing his position.

  Other sons of Emperor Taizong, except for Li Zhi and the useless Li Yu, had no good ending; as a ruler, Emperor Taizong was very successful, but as a father, he was a thorough failure. He spent his whole life trying to prevent his descendants from following in the footsteps of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, but he failed to do so, setting a bad precedent for the Tang Dynasty. Throughout the Tang Dynasty, the struggle for the throne was filled with intrigue and bloodshed, with brothers fighting each other, husbands and wives fighting each other, and sons fighting their fathers. Rarely did peaceful transitions occur, all of which were caused by Emperor Taizong's misdeeds.

  But this way, it can be guaranteed that the emperor is a winner of political struggles, with enough strategy and power to control his ministers, obtain the highest power, and have children like wolves rather than sheep.

  Forget it, what does other people's family business have to do with me? Just live a good life and when the time comes, I can get close to that old guy Cheng Yaojin. That old guy is a freak in the officialdom, having gone through four emperors without falling, living freely all his life. Getting close to him and learning from him would be beneficial. This guy is absolutely not stupider than Changsun Wujin. The appearance of a worldly devil is just put on, he knows when to advance or retreat, knows honor and shame, has reached a new level in understanding people's hearts, seeing through them clearly, just like Liu Shan!

  As for Zhangsun Chong, sigh... seeing how much he admires and looks up to me, I'll see if I can help him out later. Anyway, he doesn't have any political ambitions, so if worst comes to worst, I can just beg the Empress Wu Zetian for mercy and spare his life.

  Wu Zetian, ah... if I live long enough, I might even make it to her era, who knows, maybe I'll even get to see Emperor Tang Ming. Sigh... living a long life has its advantages and disadvantages. Never mind, it's not worth living that long anyway, it's all good...

  But, after all, planning is in man's hands, success is in heaven's hands, everything cannot escape this destiny...

  Changsun Wuji's eyes gleamed with excitement as he said, "It's to go and fight against the great enemy of the Tang Dynasty! This time, we're going to make a name for ourselves and establish our achievements! Then, I'll be able to openly marry my cousin, and... well, I'll be famous in history!" Changsun Wuji suddenly changed his tone, but what he said had already been spoken. Indeed, not much thought was needed, it's just as well that he didn't want to harm him, or else why wait for Empress Wu Zetian to take action? His cousin? The princess? Ah, Princess Changle, one of Emperor Gaozong's daughters who was known for being gentle and kind-hearted. Changsun Wuji was quite a lucky man.

  "Second goods, your cousin, won't be a princess or something? That's quite an achievement!" Su Ning already knew, but still had to pretend not to understand, although he didn't know why Zhangsun Chong suddenly showed admiration for him, probably due to Zhangsun Wuji's influence, but still had to say it.

  Chang Sun Chong nodded slightly, looking a bit embarrassed: "My cousin admires those heroes who have expanded the country's borders and achieved great things. Although my father can also gain merit to plead with Your Majesty, it would still leave my cousin somewhat disappointed. I want to make my cousin happy and willing to marry me of her own accord, so as not to disappoint her good intentions. If that's what I want, then I must strive for great achievements! San Ming, help me!"

  Yesterday, Su Ning had a casual conversation with Zhang Sun Chong, and it seemed to have a good effect. After all, Zhang Sun Chong was also from a noble family for generations, so being able to interact with him on an equal footing already showed that he had some quality. However, Su Ning also held a title, which made them people of the same social class, only with a big difference in their background. Therefore, Su Ning used the excuse of not using formal titles when they were not in public, and since they were similar in age, they successfully drew closer to each other and became friends, addressing each other by their courtesy names. Of course, Su Ning would rather call Zhang Sun Chong "Er Huo".

  Suning's social skills are still pretty good, otherwise he wouldn't be so familiar with the internet cafe owner. Every time there is a search event at the internet cafe, he would give himself an alibi and inform others in advance; of course, that way, a large group of freedom fighters wouldn't gather to rush into the internet cafe...

  Perhaps Zhangsun Chong is not a very honest person, but among the children of the aristocratic families, as long as they are not stupid, they are considered to be somewhat capable. After all, the family background is there, and the Zhangsun family is simply a Hanized Xianbei people, prosperous for no more than two generations, belonging to the newly emerging nobility with insufficient foundation, and even looked down upon by the orthodox Han aristocratic families represented by the five surnames of the powerful clans. This includes most of the nobles who have been enfeoffed by military merit in the Tang Dynasty at present, all of whom belong to the new nobility.

  Actually, the comparison between Li Shimin and the five surnames of the aristocratic families is very obvious. It's like comparing a nouveau riche fishmonger from a Chinese rural village with an old European capitalist family. The two are worlds apart in terms of family background, connections, wealth, and methods. So it's reasonable that the five surnames of the aristocratic families look down on Li Shimin. On one hand, it's because of their background, and on the other hand, Han people have always looked down on those from other ethnic groups. For hundreds of years, the Five Barbarians' Rebellion, the bloodline of Emperor Taizong of Tang, is probably only 60% Han. As for Empress Zhangsun, haha...

  So when Empress Changsun asked the 90-year-old Yan Zhitui, a descendant of Yan Hui, to be the matchmaker for her and Emperor Gaozong's youngest daughter, Princess Yiyang, Yan Zhitui flatly refused: "The Han imperial bloodline is only three parts remaining, it cannot be confused!" Empress Changsun was so angry that she almost fainted, and Emperor Gaozong was also furious, but there was nothing they could do. After all, Yan's age, status, and reputation were there, what could the emperor do?

  In ancient China, the elderly were always respected. Those over 70 years old were almost national treasures, let alone someone like Yan Zhitui who was over 90 years old. He was also a very famous and prestigious Confucian scholar. What could an emperor do to him? A 30-year-old young man would still have to bow his head in defeat when facing a 90-year-old elder. In other words, even if Yan Zhitui wanted to rebel, Emperor Li wouldn't dare kill him. Instead, he should deeply reflect on himself and issue a "self-blame edict". The fact that someone almost 100 years old would want to rebel shows how much of a failure the emperor was...

  Furthermore, although the Li family of Longxi is Han Chinese, as a powerful landlord in the north, it's impossible for them not to have been noticed by the Hu people. In order to preserve themselves, intermarriage with the Hu nobility was inevitable. Naturally, Emperor Taizong of Tang wasn't purely Han either; tracing back a few generations, there would be a Hu person. Obviously, the Li-Tang dynasty wasn't an orthodox Han Chinese dynasty either. However, at least Emperor Taizong's bloodline was mostly Han, unlike Empress Zhangsun, who was a pure Xianbei, perhaps with a few drops of Han blood...

  From the perspective of national sentiment, the Five Surnames' aristocratic families are undoubtedly the most powerful supporters of Han Chinese culture. Suning is not eager to destroy them either, as their knowledge and culture are necessary for restoring the orthodoxy of Han Chinese culture. However, they remain a hereditary clan, and no matter how much the young men of the clan maintain the orthodoxy of Han Chinese culture, they are still a hereditary clan. In terms of historical progress, they are an obstacle. National sentiment and national progress should not be confused with each other.

  The struggle between the aristocracy and the common people, the aristocracy is undoubtedly doomed to fail, that is the course of history, even the strongest aristocracy will be crushed by the wheels of history, and the replacement of the sons of noble families by those of humble origin is inevitable. Therefore, the existence of the five surnames of the aristocratic families is not in line with the interests of the Tang Dynasty, but...

  Killing, killing foreigners is fine, but Han people should not be killed. The five surnames of the aristocratic families are basically orthodox pure-blooded Han people and the most staunch supporters of nationalism. They despise Li Er for one reason being interest and another being that they look down on Li Er as a mixed breed. For the remaining pure-blooded Han people, they need to be well protected. Even Suning himself is not a pure-blooded Han person anymore. The Five Barbarians' invasion of China, the calamity of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, the destruction by the Manchu Tartars... By the Republican era, pure-blooded Han people had almost disappeared.

  It is essential to ensure the continuation of the great Han nation's bloodline and not allow those inferior barbarians to cut off the Han family's inheritance! Of course, this is based on the premise that the five surnames' powerful families listen and obey. If they refuse to listen, become self-righteous, and hinder national development and state prosperity, then they can only be eliminated. Suning does not want to do this, but the five surnames' powerful families should also know what's good for them!

  If they recognized the times, the development of printing and papermaking would have taken them to a higher level, making them representatives and disseminators of Han culture, becoming masters of the world, with an even more revered status. Of course, their greatest advantage would no longer exist, and they would have to compete with scholars from all over the world. If they failed to recognize the times, they would wait until Empress Wu Zetian took action, and printing and papermaking would teach them a good lesson! By then, they would inevitably suffer a downfall in both reputation and fortune.

  The Zhangsun family is considered to be a rapidly growing family, with the support of an imperial sister-in-law, they naturally developed very quickly. Zhangsun Wuji himself was also the first of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion, and his ability cannot be said to be weak. Zhangsun Chong, no matter how uninterested in politics he is, has grown up under the influence of his family and has some abilities. However, compared to Su Ning, a seasoned old hand, the 14-year-old Zhangsun Chong is an extremely honest and simple-minded child...

  Then Suning patted Zhangsun Chong's shoulder: "Don't worry, Second Goods, from now on follow me! My merits will definitely be divided by half for you!" Zhangsun Chong was suddenly filled with hot tears and joy in his heart, and a picture of himself riding a high-headed horse, wearing bright armor, and being welcomed back with glory and prestige as he married his beloved cousin, with his cousin's eyes shining with adoring gaze...

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