Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

After Qian Xu sent Dou Qing back to his residence, he immediately ordered people to secretly investigate the strange things that had happened recently. Over the past few days, tips came in like snowflakes, and were summarized on Qian Xu's desk. The answers gradually became clear: the burning of military rations was caused by someone deliberately leaking the news, the theft of the armory was caused by someone colluding with others, and even the defeat on the front line was caused by someone secretly obstructing... And all of these pointed to the same direction - the seven families and five surnames!

"It seems that some people won't cry until they see the coffin!" Qian Xu crumpled the information in his hand into a ball, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. He knew the consequences of a head-on conflict with the Seven Families and Five Surnames, but for the sake of the Tang Dynasty, he had no choice. He decided to disintegrate them from within, and Dou Qing, who was in the palace, was undoubtedly the best candidate.

One day, Dou Qing went to the Queen's palace to serve as usual, but behind the rockery in the Imperial Garden, he accidentally heard two palace maids whispering.

"I heard that the Cui family spent a lot of money this time, even sending heirlooms..."

"That's right! As long as Huang Chao can capture Chang'an, they can support the new emperor. Then they can get whatever they want!"

Dou Qing was shocked. The Cui family mentioned by the two maids was the head of the Seven Families and Five Surnames. Could it be that they really colluded with Huang Chao? Dou Qing walked away calmly, pretending that she had not heard anything. After returning to the palace, she immediately wrote a secret letter about the matter, stuffed it into a sachet prepared in advance, and asked someone to secretly send it to Qian's house. After receiving the secret letter, Qian Xu's mouth curled up with a sneer. He knew that the maids' words alone could not bring down the Seven Families and Five Surnames. He needed more direct evidence.

The opportunity came soon. Three days later, the emperor held a banquet in the palace to entertain the soldiers who had returned from suppressing the rebellion. During the banquet, there was a lot of singing and dancing, and representatives of the seven families and five surnames were also present. After three rounds of wine, Qian Xu suddenly stood up, raised his glass high, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it or not?"

The emperor looked at him with interest and said, "My dear minister, if you have anything to say, please feel free to speak."

Qian Xu looked around with a sharp gaze, and finally landed on the representatives of the seven families and five surnames. He said in a deep voice: "I have recently found that the army has repeatedly seen the burning of food and grass, the theft of weapons, and even the defeat on the front line, which is related to the secret obstruction of certain people. And these people are actually colluding with the rebels and intending to rebellion!"

As soon as these words came out, the whole room was in an uproar. The representatives of the seven families and five surnames changed their expressions and stood up to defend themselves: "General Qian, be careful with your words! Do you have any evidence? Don't slander me!"

Qian Xu sneered, took out a bunch of secret letters from his pocket and threw them on the ground: "These are all what I found out through my investigation, and the evidence is as solid as a mountain! You colluded with the rebels and intended to overthrow the Tang Dynasty. Your crime is unforgivable!"

The emperor looked uglier as he listened. He picked up the wine glass on the table and slammed it to the ground, shouting, "Come here! Investigate this thoroughly! Anyone who colluded with the rebels will be severely punished!"

Qian Xu took the opportunity to ask the emperor: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops to rectify military discipline and clean up the government!"

The emperor was delighted and agreed immediately. Qian Xu took the order and left. He knew that the real battle had just begun...

Dou Qing knew that it was far from enough to overthrow the entrenched aristocratic families with just a secret letter, and she had to strike while the iron was hot and completely cut off their tentacles in the palace. She quietly observed the movements in the palace and found that a female official named Zhao Mama had a close relationship with several wives of aristocratic families and often exchanged letters.

Nanny Zhao has served in the palace for many years and is deeply trusted by the Queen. She is responsible for managing the harem affairs on weekdays. Although she seems insignificant, she knows a lot of palace secrets. Dou Qing came up with a plan. She deliberately approached Nanny Zhao and pretended to be friends with her in order to get information.

One day, Zhao Mama received a secret letter from Mrs. Cui, which cryptically mentioned "the time has come, act quickly". After reading the letter, Zhao Mama panicked and burned it. Dou Qing, who was hiding in the dark, saw all this clearly.

Dou Qing knew that her chance had come. She waited until the dead of night and sneaked into Madam Zhao's room, replacing the real secret letter with a fake letter she had prepared in advance. The fake letter was written by Dou Qing in the handwriting of Madam Cui, and detailed the names of the spies of the aristocratic families in the palace, as well as the evidence of their collusion with Huang Chao.

The next morning, Dou Qing deliberately created an "accident" and told the Queen about Zhao Ma's secret letter. The Queen was shocked and immediately sent someone to search Zhao Ma's room, and indeed found the "secret letter".

After reading the letter, the queen was so angry that she trembled all over. She immediately ordered the arrest of Madam Zhao and all the palace spies mentioned in the letter.

The palace was in a state of panic and everyone was worried. The power of the seven families and five surnames in the palace was uprooted and they dared not act rashly anymore. After Qian Xu learned about this, he greatly appreciated Dou Qing's wit and courage. He took the opportunity to dismiss those officials who were involved with the aristocratic families and exiled them, further consolidating his power.

However, before Qian Xu could breathe a sigh of relief, a piece of news came that made him feel like he was falling into an ice cave. Huang Chao learned that the aristocratic families were suppressed and realized that the Tang Dynasty was empty. He decided to revolt in advance and the army marched straight to Chang'an! A bigger storm is coming...