12dz Chapter 1930 Inviting the Aristocratic Family
Chapter 1930 Inviting the Aristocratic Family
Chu Ning's voice was cold.
Ran Ming blinked, somewhat bewildered. "Your Majesty, our army is here, and the government at all levels is taking over. The civilians are terrified. Who dares to disobey?"
"Of course I wouldn't dare to face an open enemy."
Chu Ning sneered, "But some forces hide in the dark, take root in the local area, and have complex connections. Their influence even penetrates the countryside, and sometimes they are more difficult to deal with than the imperial power."
He paused and said the word: "Aristocratic family."
Ran Ming suddenly realized that although he did not directly handle government affairs, he also knew the importance of these local tyrants.
Chu Ning continued, "Since I took control of Chang'an, apart from a few like Li Bi and Wang Yu who voluntarily surrendered, have you ever seen those Han aristocratic families with centuries of heritage and deep roots, such as the Qinghe Cui family, the Longxi Li family, and the Taiyuan Wang family, send their core members to meet with me and express their submission?"
Ran Ming thought about it and shook his head: "It seems not, only some small fish and shrimps sent some congratulatory gifts."
"This is it."
A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "They are watching and hesitating, and they may even have other thoughts in mind."
"They controlled a large amount of land, population, wealth, and even private armies, and they had great influence in the local area."
"If we don't completely subdue or subdue them, even if I conquer the Tang Dynasty, the Han territory behind us will not be stable."
"They are like deep roots in the ground. If you don't dig them out, new branches will emerge sooner or later."
He looked at Ran Ming and issued a new order: "These noble families have not taken the initiative to come to the audience until now, which shows that their hearts are not attached and their intentions are hard to predict."
"Since they won't come, then I will invite them."
"What does Your Majesty mean?" Ran Ming seemed to understand something.
Chu Ning's lips curled up into a cold arc, the calmness of a hunter setting a trap:
"Today, in my name, you will personally distribute invitations to all the influential family heads in and around Chang'an City."
He specifically emphasized the word "personally" to show his importance and also to imply deterrence.
"Just tell them that I will host a banquet for them tomorrow in the imperial palace's back garden to discuss the stability of the Han region and the future of our partnership."
His tone was flat, but words like hospitality and consultation seemed particularly meaningful in the context of a bloody purge that had just taken place.
Ran Ming immediately understood the essence of this banquet. A knowing smile with a hint of cruel anticipation appeared on his face. He bowed, clasped his fists, and said in a loud voice:
"I understand! I'll do it right away! I'll personally deliver these invitations to every family head, without missing a single one!"
He deliberately emphasized the tone of "personally" and "invitation".
Chu Ning waved his hand.
Ran Ming said no more, turned around and strode away, his armor clanging.
He knew that after His Majesty had chopped off the heads of the royal family of the previous dynasty, his majesty's sword would finally be swung towards those aristocratic families who occupied the local areas and thought they were above the world.
I am afraid that there will not be much romance at tomorrow's back garden banquet. Instead, it will be another bloody battle without the smoke of gunpowder, which will also determine the fate of countless people.
The night scene in Chang'an City therefore appears even more treacherous and unfathomable.
As dusk deepened, lights began to light up in various districts of Chang'an City, but the air was still filled with an elusive smell of blood and murderous intent.
The tragic scene at Xishikou during the day lingered in everyone's mind like a nightmare, especially in the mansions of the wealthy families.
Ran Ming assembled a team of his most powerful personal soldiers. Each of them wore black armor and carried a sword. They had stern expressions, like a group of evil spirits who had just returned from hell.
He did not ride in the carriage, but instead turned over and rode on a war horse.
He personally held the stack of gold-stamped invitations issued in the name of Chu Ning, which were made of exquisite materials but exuded invisible pressure, and began his journey of delivering invitations.
The horseshoes struck the bluestone slabs, making a crisp and heart-pounding sound that could be heard far away in the silent night.
The first stop is the Cui family mansion in Qinghe.
The gate tower of Cui Mansion is tall and the stone lions are majestic, reflecting the extraordinary bearing of a century-old family.
However, when the doorman saw Ran Ming and his group of murderous soldiers riding their horses straight to the gate of the mansion, he was so scared that he crawled in to report.
Not long after, Cui Yan, the head of the Cui family, came out to greet them personally.
He was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with a thin and elegant face, but at this moment his face could not hide his panic and solemnity.
He had already heard about the bloody events at Wumen and Xishikou, and knew even more clearly what kind of person this bald evil spirit was.
"General Ran... General Ran, I'm sorry for not welcoming you in person. Please forgive me!"
Cui Yan hurriedly bowed, his tone filled with unprecedented humility.
Ran Ming sat high on his horse, with no intention of even getting off.
He just glanced at Cui Yan and the frightened tribesmen behind him with his leopard eyes, and casually pulled out an invitation.
With a flick of his wrist, the post shot towards Cui Yan like a sharp arrow, with such force that Cui Yan had to use all his strength to catch it, and his arm felt numb.
"Master Cui,"
Ran Ming's voice was gruff, carrying an unquestionable tone: "His Majesty has decreed a banquet to be held in the imperial palace's back garden tomorrow. Patriarch Cui has been specially invited to discuss important matters."
"Here's the post, tomorrow at noon, don't miss the time."
His words were brief and direct, without any courtesy, as if he was not inviting but giving a military order.
The four words "discuss important matters together" made Cui Yan's heart beat wildly.
Cui Yan held the heavy invitation and felt that it was weighing a thousand pounds.
Beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. He didn't dare to hesitate for a moment and immediately bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly.
"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your grace! Please ask General Ran to report to Your Majesty that I will attend the banquet on time tomorrow and will not be late!"
"very good!"
Ran Ming hummed with satisfaction, without looking at him again, turned his horse's head, and rode away with his personal soldiers, leaving behind a group of pale-faced and frightened clansmen in front of Cui's mansion.
The second stop is the Wang family mansion in Taiyuan.
The situation was similar to that of the Cui family. When the head of the family, Wang Jing, heard that Ran Ming had arrived in person, he almost stumbled out of the house.
When he saw Ran Ming's bald head and the armor reflecting the dim light in the fire, his calves felt weak.
Wang Jing accepted the invitation that seemed to carry the scent of blood, and nodded his head like a chicken pecking at rice:
"Thank you, General Ran, for personally delivering the invitation! Wang Jing has received the order! Tomorrow, I must bathe and change clothes, and enter the palace on time to meet His Majesty! Your Majesty and the General, please rest assured!"
His tone was full of fear and flattery, fearing that being even a little slower would bring disaster.
The third stop is the Li family mansion.
Li You, the head of the Li family, was even more worldly-wise. Not only did he go out to greet them personally, he even tried to get the housekeeper to present the hard work fee that had been prepared long ago, but he was glared back by Ran Ming with a cold look.
Ran Ming threw the invitation to him and said coldly, "Your Majesty is treating us, Patriarch Li must give us enough respect."
Li You was so frightened that he was sweating profusely. He promised repeatedly: "I will! I will! I will never dare to disappoint Your Majesty!"