Chen Xi and Jia Xu, along with a group of people, calmly drank tea, waiting for Liu Ye to roar, having already seen the official announcement, essentially all those listed were dead. Liu Bei, always known for his benevolence, did not make it to the list, neither did Cao Cao and Sun Ce, who also hold major positions in the world's affairs.

Although Xuu Zijiang said that the people on this list have commendable intentions, meaning their ideas are correct, there's no comment on what they've done. However, this list made many in the world ponder one question: Is this endless war in the Central Plains, this so-called peaceful Han Dynasty, truly benevolent?

More importantly, Xuu Shao directly pointed out a fact, which is that under the so-called prosperity, the peaceful Han Dynasty can only be said to be without fault, but throughout all the words, it revealed the current reality where being without fault is considered an achievement.

The fact was not explicitly stated, but are all the aristocratic clans and renowned scholars blind? Since when did being without fault become considered an achievement under Heaven? This is very much worth reflecting upon!

"Zichuan, aren't you going a bit too far?" Liu Ye looked at Chen Xi, who was sipping tea from his cup, his expression slightly cold, and said.

"Dong!" Chen Xi slowly put down the teacup, then suddenly accelerated as it was about to touch the table.

"Too far? I don't think so," Chen Xi calmly said, "Do you think there's something wrong with what Xuu Zijiang mentioned in the official announcement? Since when is having no merit considered wrong? Since when are those causing chaos in the world not punished?"

Liu Ye and the others weren't fools. For Xuu Zijiang to issue the List of Extraordinary Women was understandable, but to issue the Heroes Ranking, especially this kind of Heroes Ranking, if there wasn't something shady going on, it'd be strange—at least without someone's authorization or hint, Xuu Zijiang wouldn't have the courage to tear open the entire class's disguise.

"But if this continues, the people will start thinking about why they can't eat their fill, why they farm year after year but can only eat occasionally." Liu Ye stared at Chen Xi with some anger; the more he thought, the more he knew, and it became increasingly detrimental to the country's stability.

"That just means it's not good enough. Resorting to deception to erase one's mistakes, even turning one's mistakes into accomplishments, is that really good? Given the current state of the world, shouldn't I at least say something?" Chen Xi glanced at Liu Ye with a hint of mockery, though not targeted at Liu Ye.

"Indeed, why should we deceive them? If there's a mistake, we should correct it; it's better to ease than block," Fa Zheng interjected at this moment.

"I disagree with this approach. Clearly, we could move slowly, but why use such explosive means to forcefully tear away this layer of disguise?" Liu Ye evidently showed signs of anger.

Due to Liu Bei's widespread education efforts, at the very least, knowing over a thousand characters was normal, so the official announcement could generally be understood, and therefore some people had started asking questions Liu Ye had previously mentioned. Of course, it wasn't aimed at Liu Bei, just questioning why it was previously unsustainable but now it was sustainable.

"Because the issue among the people of Mount Tai will soon become an issue for all the people under Heaven. By putting this issue on the table, the aristocratic families will be forced to reflect, the officials under Heaven will reflect, and remember—people are like water; they can carry a boat or overturn it." Chen Xi calmly looked at Liu Ye, understanding Liu Ye's anger, but some issues must be brought to the surface to be truly resolved.

"Zichuan is quite right. Earlier, I thought Xuu Zijiang and Zichuan had similar ideas, but didn't realize it was Zichuan's suggestion." Liu Bei came in with Li Youu in big strides, said his expression gleaming with confidence.

"Greetings, Lord." "Greetings, Lord Xuande." The few casually paid their respects, being quite informal in private.

"Everything internal is our responsibility. The state of the world is simply because the Han Court hasn't fulfilled its duties; our so-called peaceful Han Dynasty only settles the troubles left by predecessors; the so-called great victories only topple our Han people, resulting in negligible accomplishments!" Liu Bei's expression showed slight emotion; he too realized, no matter how many victories are won in the Central Plains, it's ultimately just diminishing the foundation.

"Simply ripping away the disguise of the aristocratic nobility like this, we might become targets of public criticism." Liu Ye said helplessly, then glanced fiercely at Chen Xi. Clearly, it could have been approached gradually, but this was chosen instead.

"If we become targets of public criticism, then so be it; are we afraid of these?" Chen Xi said indifferently. He had wanted to do this for a long time, standing right before history and bringing history to its knees.

"This will slow down our unified advance into the city; as per what you've said, acting such internally damages the foundation more." Liu Ye said in exasperation.

"Ziyang, you're mistaken." Jia Xu, who had been observing, suddenly spoke up, "Don't underestimate the families; although they haven't realized the core ideas in the official announcement yet, it won't be long before they understand, and then you'll see that the aristocratic families aren't without reason for suppressing the commoners for a thousand years."

"The families will ponder, reflect, seek new ways to see if they can maintain their luxurious lifestyle; what Zichuan will do next is likely to be finding a path for the families as they curse and seek methods." Guo Jia followed Jia Xu in speaking.

Guo Jia and Jia Xu both enjoy tracing people's hearts, and this impending emotional upheaval is extremely alluring to them, allowing them to see different colors through people's hearts.

Fa Zheng was also stunned hearing Jia Xu and Guo Jia, realizing suddenly; after the disguise of the families and local tyrants had been torn apart, it would either lead to fierce conflict directly with the impoverished commoners, or compromise. Yet, compromise would mean making maintaining luxury living for the families would become very difficult.

As the saying goes, It's easy to go from frugal to lavish, but from lavish back to frugal is hard, especially as the families' habits span several generations, even dozens of generations. Changing them is extremely hard, leaving only two paths for them forward in their eyes.

One path leads to direct class conflict with the commoners, although, in this case, those standing behind the families won't have been fooled for dozens of generations anymore; it'll be an honest, hard-headed clash.

This path essentially offers no survival, leaving only the option to find new ways to maintain their current lifestyle. The families need a reasonable way, a way aligned with the Han people's hearts, to acquire the power and luxury they depend upon.

Naturally, the path the families developed over dozens of generations is suddenly destroyed; walking out a new path in short time isn't easy. Certainly, if such a path is presented before them, would the families refuse?

This is Chen Xi's strategy; he didn't want to have a death struggle with the families, as collectively, the families of Qin and Han were still regarded as virtuous and talented; although not entirely satisfactory, comparing to the aristocratic nobility and Confucian scholars after Qin and Han, they truly could be considered extremely outstanding, limited only by their epoch's vision. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you're welcome to visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)