"Since the founding of the dynasty by the Grand Progenitor, the Emperor and scholar-officials had governed the realm together. Our great clans were the roots of those scholar-officials, handed down from antiquity. We understood rites and propriety, valued practical affairs, and formed the main body of the Human Path. The legends of the sage emperors governing the world in ancient times, the contention of the Hundred Schools in the medieval era, and even Great Yan's later sole reverence for Confucianism—countless precious records had all been borne by us great clans, so that later generations could know of them! And you wanted to move against the great clans?"
Noticing Qiu Yan's expression, Xu Yingyi instead stopped struggling and sneered as he spoke.
But Qiu Yan shook his head. "You bore them, but you did not create them. What you need to understand is that the Human Path did not exist because great clans could pass things down. Rather, because you inherited the essence of the Human Path, you became great clans. The Historical River also had the waxing and waning of Fortune, the cycles of Karma. The merit of passing down the essence of the Human Path allowed you to stand out and attain the status of great clans. Every peck and every drink had its cause. But all things had their time. When the inheritance of great clans began to obstruct the development of the Human Path, you ought to show some restraint."
"Obstruct the development of the Human Path?" Xu Yingyi's face filled with mockery. "Your words are far too presumptuous. Our great clans are spread throughout the realm, each holding sway over its own region and each possessing its own family law. The court and local offices shepherded every region, and the realm could remain peaceful only because