Lin Xuan suddenly asked: "Miss Cui, as far as I know, the most important industry of the Cui family is salt and sugar, right?"
Cui Yuxiu was startled, frowned and asked, "Why are you talking about this?"
For some reason, she always had a bad premonition.
Lin Xuan said to himself: "Although my method of making salt has increased the production of mineral salt, it will not have a great impact on the Cui family. After all, you can still sell it to other countries."
"Master Hou, if there is no evidence, don't talk nonsense." Cui Yuxiu said quickly.
The export of salt and iron is prohibited. Although they did it, they absolutely cannot admit it.
Lin Xuan ignored her and continued: "Since I have a way to increase the production of mineral salt, I also have a way to increase the production of sea salt. Not only that, I also know how to make sugar, and the sugar made by my sugar making method,
It’s better than yours. If you push me too hard, I will reveal to the world the methods of making salt and sugar.”
The only way to face threats is to be tough. If you make the other party think they have a hold on you, they will often use this method to threaten you in the future.
Cui Yuxiu wanted to say that she didn't believe it, but thinking about the things Lin Xuan had created, she felt that what Lin Xuan said was probably true.
Salt and sugar account for more than half of the Cui family's income, and she dare not take the risk.
Cui Zhifeng said in surprise: "You actually have a better way to make sugar? As long as you are willing to give it to me, I won't care about what happened before."
Lin Xuan was shocked speechless by Cui Zhifeng. Why would the Cui family let an idiot come over?
"Miss Cui, is there no one in your Cui family? Did you send a fool here to disgust me?" Lin Xuan pointed at Cui Zhifeng and said.
Cui Zhifeng was furious: "Lin Xuan, who are you calling a fool? Believe it or not..."
"Cui Zhifeng, shut up!" Cui Yuxiu scolded.
Cui Zhifeng was a little reluctant, but seeing the anger in Cui Yuxiu's eyes, he did not dare to say anything.
"Master Hou, are you sure you want to break up with the Cui family?" Cui Yuxiu said coldly.
Lin Xuan shrugged and said: "The Cui family is the best family in the world, how can I provoke it? Last time they sent someone to assassinate me. I only said this to protect myself."
"Assassination? When did our Cui family send someone to assassinate you? Lord Marquis, there are some things you should not say nonsense." Cui Yuxiu exclaimed.
Although she didn't know everything about the Cui family, if she had done something like assassinating Lin Xuan, she would definitely have told her before coming here.
Lin Xuan sneered and said: "Then you have to ask Cui Xu of the Cui family."
"Master Hou, is there any evidence?" Cui Yuxiu asked.
"If I had evidence, do you think Cui Xu could still be alive today?" Lin Xuan said.
If there was evidence, Li Shimin would have taken action long ago.
Cui Yuxiu smiled and said: "I think there must be some misunderstanding here."
Lin Xuan was noncommittal and said: "Miss Cui, how long do you think the family can survive?"
"Why did the Marquis say this?" Cui Yuxiu was a little shocked.
Could it be that Lin Xuan knew something?
Lin Xuan smiled and said: "I don't mean anything, I just want to talk to Miss Cui about the future of the family."
"Oh, what do you think the future will be like for the noble family?" Cui Yuxiu asked with great interest.
"The rise of aristocratic families began in the Eastern Han Dynasty, but it really reached its peak with the implementation of the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, right?" Lin Xuan asked.
It is basically a conclusion that clan politics began in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Although the landlords and aristocrats in the Han Dynasty had served as ministers for many generations, and their disciples and former officials were all over the world, and even relatives in the late Han Dynasty had to deal with them; but only at the central political level of the country, they did not dominate
In terms of status, each large clan has a monopoly on its power in its own state and county. It can be said that it actually only constitutes effective rule over these states and counties.
Many people blame the origin of the clan on Chen Qun's nine-level Zhongzheng system. However, the original intention of implementing the nine-level Zhongzheng system was to make up for the failure of the inspection system, and the subsequent evolution of this system was not something Chen Qun could have predicted, so he believes that
It is extremely unreasonable that Chen Qun was responsible for the clan politics brought about by the Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System.
At that time, the imperial examination had not yet been invented. Reputable people from various states and counties were appointed as "Zhongzheng" officials, who were responsible for evaluating people in the region and selecting officials. People were divided into nine grades, called nine grades, and officials were selected according to grade.
This can be said to be the earliest election, and it can be said to be a very good way.
However, the aristocratic family had a very high prestige and reputation in the local area, and gradually occupied a large number of official positions.
Finally, it was formed that the grades were divided into upper and lower grades according to the family status, and the official rank was determined according to the grade. From then on, "there are no poor families in the upper grades, and no noble families in the lower grades."
The Nine-Rank Zhongzheng System has also become a tool for aristocratic families to control political power and develop their power.
"I didn't expect that the Marquis knew the history of our family quite well." Cui Yuxiu praised.
Lin Xuan continued: "But in the Sui Dynasty, the nine-level Zhongzheng system was abolished and changed to three provinces and six bureaus. In the Tang Dynasty and the Sui Dynasty, the three provinces and six bureaus were still used. Miss Cui did not realize that the power of the family has been reduced over the years.
Is it a lot?”
The aristocratic families in the Tang Dynasty were much different from those in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
Economically, they occupy large areas of land and monopolize local agricultural production, which naturally monopolizes most of the local government's taxes. Once something happens, they can take the taxes as their own or refuse to hand over the taxes; at the same time, the local handicraft industry
, commerce and other industries dependent on agriculture are also monopolized by them.
In politics, money brings power, and local governments will also be manipulated and controlled by powerful factions.
Culturally, during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, when the selection system was based on the examination and examination system and the nine-rank Zhongzheng system, local talent selection was controlled by clans and became the basis for controlling central administration.
From this point of view, clans control local politics, economy and culture, thus forming local separatist forces and seriously undermining centralization of power.
The Tang Dynasty allowed people from aristocratic families to serve as officials because there were too few scholars from poor families in the world and no one could use them.
That's why aristocratic families had to occupy most of the official positions.
In the past, they controlled the official channels themselves, but now they are just needed.
But as the number of poor people increases, this need will gradually decrease.
"Master Hou is joking." A trace of uneasiness flashed across Cui Yuxiu's face.
Can these aristocratic families not understand what Lin Xuan is talking about?
But so what if you understand?
The aristocratic family has become accustomed to being aloof, and it is simply impossible for them to give up this kind of power.
Since you can't give up, you can only find a way.
Back then, they gave up Li Jiancheng and supported Li Shimin because for Li Shimin, they were a timely help.
They thought that after Li Shimin succeeded to the throne, they would have greater say.
Who would have thought that after Li Shimin ascended the throne, he immediately turned his back on Li Shimin and disowned him.
Not only did they fail to do what they promised them, but they intensified their suppression of the family.
Now they support Li Tai, including wanting to obtain higher wealth, in fact, all to increase their own strength.
"Then Miss Cui, just think I'm joking." Lin Xuan said nonchalantly.
He said this just to tell the Cui family that you are already in trouble, so don't mess with me.
In history, the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes declined during the period of Wu Zetian.
Calculating the time, it will only be a few decades later.
But Wu Zetian's courage to deal with the aristocratic family with iron-blooded tactics was inseparable from the suppression of Li Shimin and Li Zhi.
"I wonder where the Marquis thinks the family will go from here?" Cui Yuxiu asked.
Lin Xuan could see the current situation of the family so clearly, she wanted to see if Lin Xuan had any wise ideas.
Lin Xuan smiled and said: "It's very simple. Think more about the court and don't always think about your own interests."
In fact, the earliest aristocratic families were not as selfish as they are now.
For example, Wang Yun in the late Eastern Han Dynasty was a member of the Wang family in Taiyuan.
Wang Yun was upright throughout his life. When he was a local official, he was very popular among the people.
In the end, he even designed to get rid of Dong Zhuo.
But after getting rid of Dong Zhuo, he became a little arrogant and refused to accept the surrender of the Xiliang army, and was finally forced to death.
Although he made a bad move in the end, which cost the big man his last chance to save himself, it cannot be denied that he was a loyal minister.
There were many such loyal ministers at that time, and most of them belonged to aristocratic families.
Cui Yuxiu didn't say anything when she heard Lin Xuan's words.
Lin Xuan shook his head, he knew that it was impossible for the family to do this.
Not to mention that they are used to being aloof and are reluctant to give up.
Even if they are willing to give up, they will still worry about Li Shimin settling the score later.
In fact, if the aristocratic family knew how to choose, Li Shimin would not necessarily attack them.
"Miss Cui, I have said everything that needs to be said. If nothing happens, I will see you off," Lin Xuan said.
"My little lady, I'll take my leave first. The Marquis may wish to consider the method of making colored glaze." After Cui Yuxiu finished speaking, he said a Wanfu gift and left with Cui Zhifeng.