Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

Just when Zhen Shao stood up.

"Who are you? How dare you mess with the Zhen and Cui families? Our family has been officials for generations, and the Zhen family has been wealthy for generations. How dare you mess with us? Aren't you afraid of death?!"

Cui Yan, who was pinned to the ground, yelled loudly.

Hearing this, Ye Chen's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a disdainful smile: "Zhen family and Cui family? Humph, in my eyes, they are nothing."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.

When these words were spoken, Cui Yan and Zhen Shao were both stunned.

Ye Chen raised his badge.

"I am a member of the Emperor's Imperial Guards, working for the Emperor. How dare you mention aristocratic families or nobles in front of me?"

Upon hearing this, everyone from the Cui and Zhen families finally showed expressions of shock on their faces.

Zhen Jiaoxue, who had already come out of the tent and was hiding behind several men from the Zhen family, had a pale face.

She had lowered her face before, not daring to let others see her appearance.

At this time, he raised his head and looked at Ye Chen in horror.

Ye Chen's eyes were like torches. He glanced at everyone and said to Zhen Shao who had stepped forward, "Are you the head of the Zhen family?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Shao's body trembled involuntarily, and he bowed and said, "Sir, what are your instructions?"

Ye Chen looked at Zhen Shao and said coldly, "Master Zhen, it's a little difficult to have a good chat with you. Didn't you see the letter I sent you?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Shao's forehead broke out in layers of sweat, and he quickly said, "Please calm down, my lord. I didn't know it was your letter, so I didn't read it."

He was quite nervous at this time and obviously not as tough as Cui Yan.

Ye Chen narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Come here, I have something to ask you."

Hearing this, Zhen Shao didn't dare to disobey and had to follow Ye Chen to the side.

At this moment, his heart was filled with anxiety, not knowing what Ye Chen was going to ask him.

Ye Chen brought Zhen Shao to an open area, turned around, looked at Zhen Shao, and said slowly: "Master Zhen, do you know why I am looking for you?"

Zhen Shao lowered his head and said cautiously, "I don't know, please tell me clearly, sir."

Ye Chen stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes deep.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Zhen Shao."

"Zhen Shao, why did your Zhen family suddenly move away? Do you have any objections to the new King of the North?"

Zhen Shao was silent for a moment, feeling that the person in front of him had an extraordinary aura, and finally did not dare to tell a lie.

He gritted his teeth and replied, "Sir, have I violated the law?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen shook his head and said, "Of course not, but you have to give me a reason."

Zhen Shao sighed softly and said, "The imperial court is cracking down on local powerful families. Prime Minister Yang Dechang is said to have died in the palace. The Cui family's head's sister was also murdered. My closest friends are urging me to leave. Furthermore, the Tatar envoy was killed. The Tatar army will surely march south soon. If my Zhen family doesn't move out, are we just going to die?"

A wry smile appeared on his face, and he told the truth at this time.

Hearing this, Ye Chen's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing an unfathomable smile.

He spoke gently, "The Cui family was killed because they colluded with the Tatars. The Tatar envoy was also killed. It's not that the court wants to crack down on local nobles like you."

"As for the Tatar army marching south, if your Zhen family leads the way and leaves, the King of the Northern Territory will lose the support of you noble families and will undoubtedly be unable to stop the Tatars. The Tatar army will march straight in, and Dayu's country will be destroyed. Where do you think you can escape to then?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Shao was stunned and a look of hesitation immediately appeared on his face.

He looked at Ye Chen and said, "Sir, although that is true, the current situation is unclear, and my Zhen family has to consider the future of the family."

Hearing this, Ye Chen curled the corner of his mouth.

Indeed, for these local nobles, asking them to take risks when the situation is unclear is pure wishful thinking.

Ye Chen finally slowed down his tone and said, "Zhen Shao, His Majesty has told me that the imperial court does not intend to crack down on local nobles and will exercise due caution. The imperial court will also treat well those noble families who are willing to cooperate with the imperial court."

"You must know that many of the officials trained by His Majesty in the imperial court are children of aristocratic families."

Hearing this, Zhen Shao's heart began to waver, but he still shook his head and said, "Sir, although your words make sense, I dare not believe them easily. I have the entire Zhen family behind me. Please understand."

Ye Chen frowned slightly, feeling a little unhappy.

But he knew that he couldn't force Zhen Shao at this time.

After all, he has to leave sooner or later.

Moreover, if the Zhen family is not allowed to stay voluntarily, other families in the northern border will still be in a state of panic.

He pondered for a moment and said, "How about this. You wait for seven days. I will show you some things. Then you can decide whether to leave or not."

Hearing this, Zhen Shao was slightly stunned and began to think in his mind.

He thought that the soldiers from the surrounding counties would arrive in a few days.

At that time, these imperial guards in front of him would probably have to let him go respectfully.

So he nodded and said, "Okay, sir, I will wait another seven days. But after seven days, if I still want to leave, please don't stop me."

Hearing this, Ye Chen nodded slightly and let Zhen Shao go.

Looking at Zhen Shao's receding back, Ye Chen narrowed his eyes.

He discovered that his past series of actions had frightened these wealthy families.

But he also understood that the land measurement was imperative and could not be stopped because of the opposition of these powerful families.

Therefore, he had to find a balance point that would both achieve the goal of land measurement and appease most of the aristocratic families.

You can't cut it all with one size fits all, you have to cut the meat with a soft knife.

Boil the frog in warm water.

Afterwards, Ye Chen arranged for the imperial guards to set up camp on the spot, while the Zhen family convoy arranged the carriages neatly around the camp, forming three circles.

Early the next morning, Ye Chen had just gotten up in the makeshift tent.

Shen Qiu quietly came to Ye Chen's side.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Guards have thoroughly investigated the contents of those carriages. Here is a detailed list of the items."

As he spoke, Shen Qiu handed a piece of paper to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen took the paper and looked down. Although he was mentally prepared, he was still quite surprised.

"How much silver is left in Dayu's treasury?"

Ye Chen suddenly asked.

Shen Qiu said calmly, "Your Majesty, there are still about four million taels in the national treasury."

After hearing this, Ye Chen couldn't help but shake his head.

The reason why there was such silver in the national treasury was because he had dealt with many corrupt officials, Yang Dechang's cronies and the wealthy families in the capital.

A lot of silver was seized.

But even this little amount of money is not worth the value of what the Zhen family has on display now.

"These powerful families have accumulated wealth over the past few hundred years, making them truly wealthy enough to rival a nation."

Ye Chen sighed.

Shen Qiu nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, it is said that the Zhen family is the richest family in Hebei, that's why they are so wealthy."

Ye Chen was silent for a moment, then said: "Qiu'er, come with me for a walk."

Ye Chen planned to observe the Zhen family carefully. After all, he still wanted to know what the local wealthy children were like.

He then left the tent and headed towards the Zhen family camp.