Without money, what is the point of being a traitor?

Chapter 129 Military Supervision Strategy
Pei Yuan has a clear understanding of the era he lives in and never fantasizes about unrealistic things.

According to the development of history.

Zhu Houzhao will devote all his energy to controlling military power in the future.

As for the Jinyiwei, this Daqing Dharma King played a joke on everyone.

Pei Yuan didn't want to be part of the joke.

For many people, power is a top-down, winner-takes-all game.

But for Pei Yuan, power comes from the bottom up.

The boss who has someone supporting him is the real boss.

It is for this reason that although Pei Yuan kept his distance from the ruling structure of the Zhengde Dynasty, he had to have a certain influence on it.

Because some of his younger brothers who he liked would start taking the imperial examinations and become official officials during this period.

If this foundation is not laid well, when the Jiajing era comes and he can make great strides, it will likely affect Captain Pei's layout of the cabinet and the personnel arrangements of the six ministries.

Therefore, Lu Ting who appeared before him was a good choice.

Pei Yuan didn't have to wait long before more than ten riders quickly approached this side.

Pei Yuan felt relieved when he saw that Lu Ting was among the dozen or so riders.

He took the initiative to ride out on his horse to meet Lu Ting.

When the two horses met, Lu Ting looked at Pei Yuan from his horse and sighed, "Things are not going well."

Pei Yuan said against his will, "That's a pity. I am still very optimistic about Eunuch Lu's future. I just regret that I can't follow him."

Pei Yuan tried to bring up the next topic, but Lu Ting didn't fall for it.

Lu Ting looked very calm. He stared at Pei Yuan and asked, "There are always winners and losers in a matter. Since my goal was not achieved, who won? You, or Han Qianhu?"

Pei Yuan didn't expect Lu Ting's reaction to be so sharp.

He hesitated for a moment, then chose to be honest, "It's me."

As he spoke, he took out his ivory badge and showed it to Lu Ting.

Lu Ting glanced at it and nodded without looking closely, "You won beautifully."

Seeing that Lu Ting had no intention of getting angry, Pei Yuan boldly asked what he was most concerned about, "Can I know what happened?"

Lu Ting said, "There's nothing wrong with it. Cheng Xing who came with me is the commander of the Northern Pacification Division. I asked him to write an official document and go to Nanjing Jinyiwei to withdraw your file."

Pei Yuan remembered that the Nanjing Jinyiwei and Beijing Jinyiwei were somewhat shady, so he asked, "Could it be that the Nanjing Jinyiwei refused?"

Lu Ting said, "The Nanjing Jinyiwei was sensible this time and took your file directly from the Experience Department. Unfortunately, the commander Cheng Xing and the dozens of guards who followed him were killed not long after they left the city."

"The people I sent to pick them up only found corpses all over the ground."

"Later, I asked someone to go to Nanjing Jinyiwei to ask, and they said that not long after your file was taken away, it was thrown in front of Jinyiwei Yamen by the White Lotus Sect."

Pei Yuan's face turned strange, and he asked something that even he himself didn't believe, "Are you from the White Lotus Sect?"

Lu Ting's expression was calm. "Since he hasn't been caught, I'll just believe it for now."

Well, Pei Yuan didn’t know how to respond.

Actually, this matter was deliberately instigated by Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan was a little embarrassed. "What is Eunuch Lu's plan next? He won't use my humble position to pay for his crime, right?"

Lu Ting smiled upon hearing this, and the gloom on his face disappeared. "I just wanted to see you before I leave. I can't even take your file away, let alone you as a person."

Seeing Pei Yuan was a little surprised, Lu Ting said calmly, "After all, you and I are just chess pieces fighting each other. In fact, after the first two assassination attempts failed and the matter was made public, I had already lost. It's just that I relied on my status as an inner eunuch and it's not easy for others to blame me, so I risked everything and fought with you."

Then he continued, "Things must be solved. If one way doesn't work, then try another. Since Captain Pei is so brave, this problem of the court will be handed over to Captain Pei."

After saying this, he deliberately gloated, "We all have high hopes for you!"

Pei Yuan understood immediately.

The strength he displayed exceeded the court's expectations.

Therefore, before I entered Suzhou, their position began to change.

From being hostile to Pei Yuan in the beginning, it became that since Pei Yuan is so powerful, wouldn't it be better to let him deal with those enemies in Jiangnan?

As his thinking changed, Pei Yuan's camp's reputation immediately soared.

We are all smart people, there is no need to give up until the last moment.

Pei Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that things had gone as he had planned.

Although we don't have to worry about being attacked from all sides, it will not be easy to face those interest groups in the future.

Pei Yuan was not polite and asked Lu Ting directly, "Based on my current strength, I am still a little insufficient. Doesn't the court have any response?"

Lu Ting said, "That has nothing to do with me. The court has promised you that you can recruit soldiers from the garrisons along the way and recruit young men from the yamen. If you still can't do it well with these help, then you are not the Pei Yuan I know."

Pei Yuan heard the warning in Lu Ting's words and knew that it was not the time to sit on the fence. He immediately stated, "I will definitely not let the court down."

Lu Ting nodded and said to Pei Yuan, "I came to see you this time because I wanted to tell you that if you are unhappy in the south, come to Beijing to find me. If I am punished by the emperor after I return, just pretend that I never said this."

Pei Yuan was immediately cheered up when he heard this. Wasn't it easier to respond?

He said quickly, "I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

Lu Ting listened and said indifferently, "Just say it."

Pei Yuan looked around Lu Ting.

Lu Ting glanced at the two guards closest to him and said to Pei Yuan casually, "They are not outsiders. One of them is Xiao Yan, the nephew of Eunuch Xiao Jing. The other is Xiao Tong, the great-nephew of Eunuch Xiao, who continued Eunuch Xiao's incense."

Pei Yuan lowered his head and thought for a while, then looked up at Lu Ting, "Well, we'll meet again."

After saying this, he turned the horse around and rode away in front of Lu Ting's astonished gaze.

Cheng Leixiang and the others had already mounted their horses and were ready. When they saw Pei Yuan and Lu Ting finish their conversation, they also rode their horses and hurriedly followed.

Seeing Pei Yuan and others going further and further away, Lu Ting's face looked a little unhappy.

His eyes swept over Xiao Yan and Xiao Tong.

Xiao Yan was slightly angry and said to Lu Ting, "Eunuch, this guy is so ungrateful. When you go back, you should order someone to punish him."

Xiao Tong asked, "Do you want me to go and get him back?" Lu Ting's mind flashed, and he said, "No need, you guys wait here for me."

Having said that, he rode his horse forward and followed the direction of Pei Yuan and the others.

Lu Ting followed the official road for several miles and just when he was wondering if he had guessed wrong, he saw a few horses parked in the distance. It was Pei Yuan and his party.

Seeing Lu Ting coming, Pei Yuan rode over alone.

When Pei Yuan and Lu Ting met, he first apologized, "I'm sorry."

Lu Ting's expression was a little more serious than before. "What do you want to say to our family?"

Pei Yuan did not bother to argue with Lu Ting, and went straight to the point, "I have a fortune that I want to give to Eunuch Lu."

Lu Ting was stunned for a moment, then he looked back and laughed.

Then he said to Pei Yuan, "If I didn't recognize you, I would have thought that this was said by some charlatan. I am an eunuch in the palace. Apart from the current emperor, who can give me wealth and honor?"

Pei Yuan did not argue, but smiled and said, "The wealth is there. It is up to Eunuch Lu to take it or not. I am just pointing it out to Eunuch Lu out of consideration for our friendship. What's wrong with Eunuch Lu listening?"

Lu Ting was moved by what he said, "Then tell me about it."

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Eunuch is knowledgeable about military affairs, so he must understand the situation in the north."

"Since the rebellion in Bazhou, the rebel army has been marching across the Central Plains, repeatedly threatening the capital, angering the emperor. Gu Dayu led an army of more than 100,000 to suppress the rebellion, but he wasted money and food, and his troops wereted their efforts to no avail."

"Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Bazhou rebels are at the end of their rope and could be destroyed at any time. Why don't you ask to be the military supervisor and make a great contribution to suppressing the rebellion?"

Lu Ting was slightly disappointed after hearing this. "So that's the reason. Your idea won't work."

Seeing Pei Yuan's doubts, Lu Ting explained, "Gu Dayong grew up watching the emperor, and the relationship between them is very close. But my family has been in the border town for a long time, and there is a layer of distance between us and the emperor."

"Besides, our family was transferred back to the palace by Eunuch Xiao Jing. Eunuch Xiao and I were both promoted during the Hongzhi period, and we have always been disliked by Zhang Yong, Gu Dayong and others."

"To alienate relatives is a way to death. How can I replace Gu Dayong and supervise the army?"

After listening to this, Pei Yuan roughly understood Lu Ting's concerns.

He suddenly thought of something and said with a smile, "This isn't difficult."

"Oh?" Lu Ting looked at Pei Yuan in surprise, and spoke politely, "Could it be that Captain Pei has a way to solve this problem?"

Pei Yuan had slowly sorted out his thoughts and said decisively, "That's right. If Eunuch Lu believes in me, then I have a 90% chance of getting Eunuch Lu to replace Gu Dayong and become the military supervisor of this rebellion."

Lu Ting said subconsciously, "Of course we believe you."

Pei Yuan stared at Lu Ting for a while, "Please think it over carefully before speaking. This matter requires careful planning, and every detail needs to be carefully linked. If Eunuch Lu has doubts in his mind, it will be easy to fail."

Lu Ting was stunned.

He was a decisive person. Thinking of his recognition of Pei Yuan, his tone immediately became firmer. "We are willing to trust you."

Pei Yuan then said, "I have a way to let you supervise the army while avoiding direct confrontation with Gu Dayong as much as possible."

Lu Ting was afraid that Pei Yuan didn't understand the situation in the palace, so he reminded Pei Yuan.

"The eunuchs who played with the emperor when he was young have now risen to power and are known as the Eight Tigers. Except for Liu Jin who is already dead, the other seven have their own internal conflicts, but when they meet us eunuchs who rose to power during the Hongzhi period, they are still very united."

"Although Gu Dayong has left Beijing, there are several other people guarding his retreat, so it is not easy to plot against him."

Pei Yuan was confident, "This is not difficult. Since it is not easy to directly plot against the military supervisor of the rebellion-suppressing army, then Eunuch Lu can just seek another military supervisor."

Lu Ting frowned, "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan said, "If I remember correctly, the governor of the rear palace, Bai Yu, has been imprisoned in the Jinyiwei prison because of his failure in suppressing the bandits."

Lu Ting thought for a while and said, "This person should have existed two months ago. You are well-informed."

Pei Yuan was of course concerned about Bai Yu.

When Pei Yuan won the first place in the military examination, Bai Yu, the deputy governor of the imperial court, was one of the recommenders.

When Pei Yuan occasionally stopped at the post station to check the official bulletin, he was very concerned about those guys who were dragged into trouble by Gu Dayong.

These are all the backers that I can use to get support.

Pei Yuan analyzed, "The emperor is furious about the Bazhou rebels and is desperate to find a cure. Bai Yu, the deputy governor of the rear government, has a wide network of contacts in the army. Although he is in prison now, it will not be difficult to rescue him as long as someone is willing to recommend him to make meritorious contributions while serving his sentence."

Lu Ting listened with a frown, but didn't say much.

Pei Yuan continued, "As the saying goes, 'It is better to use your power than to make merit'. The emperor will not release Bai Yu without giving him a chance. Bai Yu is eager to redeem himself and will certainly use his connections to gather an army as soon as possible."

Pei Yuan suggested, "In this way, wouldn't it be an extra force to encircle and suppress the rebels?"

When Lu Ting heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up.

He looked at Pei Yuan, and a thought in his mind gradually became clear. "Go on."

Pei Yuan said, "Since Bai Yu was recommended by Eunuch Lu, if Bai Yu fails again, should Eunuch Lu also be held responsible? Then, should Eunuch Lu also bear the responsibility of supervising Bai Yu?"

Lu Ting had now completely understood Pei Yuan's idea, and couldn't help but think to himself, what a great idea!

Pei Yuan's plan was to release Bai Yu to break the impasse. When Bai Yu appeared on the battlefield, it would mean that there would be one more army that was not under the command of Gu Dayong on the front line.

As Lu Ting was the person who recommended Bai Yu, if Bai Yu was defeated again, he would inevitably be implicated and held accountable. In this case, the court would inevitably choose Lu Ting, who was "on the same side" with Bai Yu, as the military supervisor.

This is equivalent to changing the nature of the matter from "actively seeking" to "being implicated."

As a result, people like Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju would naturally not be on guard.

Perhaps those people were too busy laughing at the joke to even think about the significance of Lu Ting's detachment appearing on the battlefield.

——No matter how weak this detachment led by Bai Yu was, it gave Lu Ting the qualification to participate, making Lu Ting the second eunuch supervising the army on the battlefield to suppress the rebellion.

Pei Yuan had completely aroused Lu Ting's thoughts.

Military exploits! These are military exploits!
Eunuchs who have no military achievements always feel that something is missing.

Lu Ting swallowed hard and asked, "From what I know, the governor-general Bai Yu is a complete idiot. What can he accomplish with just this small army? Don't let him end up not being able to replace Gu Dayong, but also being implicated by this useless Bai Yu."

When Pei Yuan heard this, he knew this was the key.

He looked at Lu Ting and said, "That's why I asked you, my father-in-law, whether you can trust me. Only if you can fully trust me and follow my plan, can we rely on our small army to deal a fatal blow to the Bazhou rebels at a critical moment."

"As long as you can win a small victory over the rebels in Bazhou, the emperor will certainly place his hopes on you, and you will easily get the position of Gu Dayong's military supervisor!"

Lu Ting was so excited when he heard it that he said directly, "Tell me about it!"

(End of this chapter)