"Are we just going to watch helplessly and let those muddy legs crawl over our heads?"

Hearing everyone's discussion, Cui Yonghui's triangular eyes became even more gloomy, and he asked with a cold light in his eyes.

At this time, the middle-aged man who had been concentrating with his eyes closed spoke.

This person's name is Zheng Kai, one of the representatives of the Zheng family in Xingyang in Chang'an City.

He caressed the short beard under his chin and said leisurely: "Haha, if you want to prevent those mud-legged people from ever getting ahead, there is actually no way."

"Oh? Is there any way?"

Seeing everyone's shocked expressions, Zheng Kai achieved his goal of showing off, so he cleared his throat and explained:

"The contents of the Four Books and Five Classics are obscure and difficult to understand. Without the guidance of a famous teacher, those mud-legged people will not even know a few words. Self-study will definitely not be able to understand the meaning of the scriptures."

"In addition, whether it is the ancient classics or the various pens, inks, papers and inkstones we have learned, they are all in our hands. As long as we block this aspect, even if the children from poor families have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examination, how good will their knowledge be?"

"Of course, the premise is that we must unite as one and strictly control the export of knowledge and culture."

Cui Yonghui was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and felt that it was indeed feasible, so he expressed his position first.

"Brother Zheng is right. Since the emperor wants to suppress us, let him see the power of our family. The pens, inks, paper and inkstones that my Cui family is responsible for selling will start to increase in price from today..."

Lu Benwei was not far behind: "My Lu family's printed books account for about 50% of the entire Chang'an City. I will also strictly control the prices. If Brother Cui controls pens, inks, paper and inkstones, they will have no paper or pens, and even I, Lu, will not be far behind."

My family can’t even afford books, so how can they survive?”

Wang Lun also smiled and said: "This is a wonderful plan. It can not only control the rise of the poor children, but also increase our income. Why not do it?"

"In addition, each of our families can also think of other ways, such as attracting other aristocratic families to join us..."

"Well, there is also the Marquis of Zhongyi. That boy doesn't know how great the world is. He dares to publish a book at such a young age. Do you really think he is just playing tricks? We can find some great scholars in the scholarly community to criticize him and discredit him..."

As a result, several people started to add up their words again.

As long as the children from poor families can't get ahead, they will be controlled by the children of their aristocratic families, whether in the court or at the local level.

What's more, there are more than just these aristocratic families in Datang, they are just the largest aristocratic families.

As long as they are willing to take the lead, they will surely be able to unite with all other aristocratic families to form an airtight blockade to curb the advancement of the poor children.

…

In the following days, the number of pens, inks, paper, inkstones, and various imperial examination books in Chang'an City increased steadily, more than five times.

Even some wealthy gentrymen think this price is a bit expensive.

After all, pens, inks, paper and inkstones are essential if you want to study, and they are continuous consumables.

In this way, several aristocratic families made a lot of money.

But for the imperial court and the children of poor families, it was an unbearable burden, and there were even some complaints.

It's natural to think about it. The original price has already made it very difficult for ordinary people, not to mention that now the price has increased by more than five times, and there is still a feeling that supply exceeds demand.

After Li Shimin heard the report, he became furious.

The imperial examination reform policy had just been implemented, and the price of pens, ink, paper, inkstones, and books was about to increase.

If Li Shimin said that no one was causing trouble, he would not believe it.

Although he had foreseen many obstacles to the imperial examination reform, His Majesty Li Er was still extremely angry.

These aristocratic families who only know how to drink human blood are too abominable. They are simply plundering the people's fat and their anointing.

In anger, His Majesty Li Er immediately sent someone to summon the principals of the Cui family and the Lu family in Chang'an City.

Because in Chang'an City, the Cui family controls the largest shop selling pens, inks, paper and inkstones, while the Lu family owns the largest book printing workshop.

Faced with His Majesty Li Er's question, the two families did not panic at all, but responded plausibly - now the people in the world are grateful for the great grace of God, and more and more people are studying.

However, their production capacity and inventory of pens, inks, paper, inkstones, and books are seriously insufficient, resulting in a significant increase in costs.

Therefore, the two companies had no choice but to raise prices.

Such an explanation was so perfunctory that it made His Majesty Li Er furious, but he was helpless.

The reform of the imperial examination is a good thing for children from poor families, and it is also a way for ordinary people to climb up.

After the reform of the imperial examination, children from poorer families became more enthusiastic about studying, and it is certain that the number of people will increase sharply.

However, such a situation must take a while, at least several months.

Nowadays, pens, ink, paper, inkstones and books are all sold out in just a few days. This is just a fool.

Although everyone knew what was going on, their explanations were so reasonable.

Even though he is the emperor, His Majesty Li Er cannot do whatever he wants, not to mention the unprecedented unity of the family this time.

In this matter, Li Shimin had no way to deal with these aristocratic families, but he would not let it go.

Because these aristocratic families will most likely increase their prices again until most people cannot afford them.

By then, it will be almost impossible for children from poor families to get ahead through the imperial examination, and the reform of the imperial examination that they introduced can only be a joke.

Therefore, His Majesty Li Er immediately summoned several ministers from the DPRK and China to discuss countermeasures, but none of them could think of a good countermeasure.

The power of the aristocratic families is really too huge. Now that several major aristocratic families are united, it is really difficult to deal with them.

After the meeting ended, Li Shimin couldn't help but shook his head, feeling increasingly disappointed with the ministers in the DPRK.

No wonder Yang Fan had already prepared himself before issuing the edict. He had obviously anticipated today's scene.

At first, Yang Fan secretly asked him to increase the production of paper, but he was rejected by Duan Ran.

Because His Majesty Li Er proudly believes that as long as he has papermaking technology and movable type printing, he can deal with the aristocratic family. It seems that he still takes it for granted!

Yang Fan knew how powerful the family was, so he was really foresighted!

No wonder that boy always makes excuses and is unwilling to confront the aristocratic family.

Fortunately, he made good friends with that boy first. If Yang Fan and the aristocratic family were to unite, the Tang Dynasty would probably be in big trouble.

Thinking of this, Li Er couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed that he had to go to Yang Fan to discuss it.

As expected of a resolute emperor, Li Er did whatever he thought of.

After going to court, His Majesty Li Er took Fang Xuanling and Cheng Yaojin to Yang Fan's mansion.

Although he is the emperor, Li Er is still a little timid. A ban was issued a year ago that banned the boy. He was really afraid that Yang Fan would not accept his decision.

Although His Majesty Li Er has not been to the Zhongyi Marquis Mansion for more than a year, they are all regular guests, so there is no need to notify them when entering the manor.

When His Majesty Li Er and others stepped into the yard, they found that Yang Fan was making a snowman with several beautiful women and cute children, and Princess Gaoyang was among them.

At this time, the snowman has obviously been piled up. Princess Gao Yang ran to Yang Fan lightly and said in her mouth: "The snowman you made is so ugly! Who is this?"

Yang Fan glanced at Princess Gaoyang, then at the snowman, and said: "Of course it's you, I made it just like you!"

"But how can you blame me for being ugly? You are already ugly."

The women next to them even laughed like silver bells.

Princess Gaoyang was not angry when she heard everyone making fun of her. Instead, she said coquettishly: "You are so ugly, so annoying!"

As he said that, he raised his pink fist and hit Yang Fan's chest with a bang, making his face turn red with embarrassment.

His Majesty Li Er, who was in the distance, saw it so clearly that he couldn't help feeling depressed. His little white rabbit was completely lost.

That weak pink fist, which has to be held back when thrown out, is not a real hammer at all, it is obviously coquettish to its man!

This made Li Shimin frown and feel jealous. If he hadn't come to Yang Fan for something, he would have really wanted to turn around and leave.

"Ahem!" Cheng Yaojin coughed twice, indicating that someone was coming, and Li Er's face was so dark that he could almost compete with him!

Princess Gao Yang blushed immediately when she saw Li Er's gloomy face. After saluting, she and Wu Meiniang and others walked towards the backyard.

Seeing Li Er and others coming over, Yang Fan saluted Fang Xuanling and Cheng Yaojin: "Uncle Cheng, why are you here free?" But he deliberately turned a blind eye to Li Er.

This made Li Er depressed, and at the same time he couldn't help but scolded: "I'm going to shut you down and think about your mistakes, but you're living a very comfortable life."

This bastard is obviously still angry with himself!

"Oh, it's Lao Li! I didn't see him just now. Don't be offended. It's really great that you can come to my humble home in person." Yang Fan raised his eyelids and replied in a strange way, not treating this man as an emperor at all.

Li Er said angrily: "Others' prime ministers can hold a boat in their belly, but you are so stingy that you keep worrying about everything."

Yang Fan clicked his tongue and said in vain, "Old Li, are you mistaken? Where is your prime minister?"

As he said that, he raised his hand and pointed at Fang Xuanling who was standing aside.

Watching a play can also be a disaster. Fang Xuanling could only come to the rescue and said: "Good nephew! We are here today to discuss business with you. Look..."

Of course, Yang Fan knew when enough was enough and led a few people to the study.

As soon as he sat down, Li Er asked impatiently: "Now the price of pens, ink, paper, inkstones and books has increased more than five times. Do you know?"

"Should we sell the paper we hoarded some time ago to lower the price of Chang'an paper?"

Yang Fan was not in a hurry at all. Instead, he looked at Li Er as if he were an idiot: "Didn't I tell you before? You need to know how to use strategies. Now that you are pushing it out in a hurry, it will make those aristocratic families doubtful. We have to do something

It's going to seriously injure the vitality of those aristocratic families. If it's just a scratch without pain or itch, why prepare so much?"

Seeing Yang Fan and the two playing riddles, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but asked curiously: "Your Majesty, have you already guessed that the price of paper will skyrocket?"
To be continued...