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

Chapter 165 Jiannan Teaches You How to Plant the Flower of Morality

In this Ming universe where one has to cover up for the murderer because the victim is at fault, all the commanders and capital commanders fell into deep confusion.

If this logic is valid, they will even be kidnapped by interests and forced to become accomplices.

Does that mean that they will become that victim one day?
?

When this big question mark appeared in everyone's mind,
Everyone felt very bad.

Someone muttered quietly, "We need to settle the shortfall in the account quickly."

No one went to see it, but they all had the answer in their hearts.

With Wang Chang, the traitor, mediating, many military leaders in Jiangnan unanimously agreed that things that were not conducive to unity should not be discussed anymore, and the Nanjing Jinyiwei should also put the overall situation first.

We must work together to deal with this sudden vicious incident of the White Lotus Sect's sneak attack on Huben Zuowei.

Unfortunately, the military leaders wanted to keep the peace, and the Yangzhou prefect refused to do so.

In Yangzhou Prefecture, there appeared White Lotus rebels who were powerful enough to wipe out an entire Wei. What does that mean?
So how did he govern as the prefect of Yangzhou? Does he still want to live?
Faced with strong backlash from the local area, the military leaders were helpless and could only go to Wang Chang to mediate.

After all, although Wang Chang was the Southern Grand Marshal, the highest military officer in the Jiangnan area, he was a scholar after all, and it was much easier for him to deal with local people than for these military leaders.

Fortunately, the local authorities in Yangzhou did not completely ignore the interests of those military leaders and opened up new ideas for them.

As a result, the tone of discussion on the case in Yangzhou City was readjusted, and a new version of the story began to be promoted in the market.

The Huben Zuowei was attacked by the Japanese pirates who suddenly appeared, so the entire army was wiped out.

In this way, the responsibility of Yangzhou local government was completely relieved.

Correspondingly, the three headquarters of the Defense Against Japanese Pirates in Zhejiang, Nanzhili and Fujian, as well as the Jinshan Defense Against Japanese Pirates headquarters, which was responsible for the special task, suffered heavy losses and large numbers of casualties when they besieged this elite force of Japanese pirates.

The four commanders decided to submit a petition together to apologize, and stated that the few warships they had in the early years had already rotted away and were unable to cope with the increasingly serious Japanese invasion. They hoped that the court could allocate a sum of money specifically for shipbuilding and repairing weapons and armor.

Wang Chang secretly submitted a letter on behalf of the Nanjing Ministry of War.

He said that the situation in the southern garrisons was complicated, and they had to rely on various dusi and garrisons to contain the Bazhou rebels to prevent them from harming the tax-intensive area of ​​Jiangnan. He hoped that the few people who made mistakes could be given light punishments and retained in their posts for the time being.

The Yangzhou prefect had no desires or requests in this mess, he just wanted the mud not to be thrown on him.

For a time, everyone was happy.

Pei Yuan, who was originally at the post station and was worried about his money every day, also heard that there was a new interpretation of the tragedy in Yangzhou City.

After figuring out what was going on.

Captain Pei was immediately furious and regarded this as a great shame and humiliation.

It would be fine if I were just a White Lotus bandit, I have pretended to be one more time than once, but they actually labeled me a Japanese pirate.

The more Pei Yuan thought about it, the angrier he became. He even took time out of his job and risked his life to go to Jiangdu City to set things right.

However, a small fifth-rank captain was completely outnumbered and could not make any move alone in the Jiangdu City, which was now full of second-rank and third-rank commanders.

Although Pei Yuan repeatedly emphasized that he killed all the Huben Zuowei out of revenge, Pei Qianhu was soon expelled from Jiangdu City on charges of disrupting the investigation and causing trouble.

The Yangzhou prefect said that he did not welcome Pei Yuan to disturb the local peace again.

The inspector who rushed from Nanjing to investigate also thought that Pei Yuan was taking the opportunity to show off.

As a result, this bloody revenge led by Pei Qianhu was out of his control and failed to achieve his goal of "intimidate southern Zhili, Zhejiang and parts of Shandong."

Fortunately, those military leaders should know that Pei Yuan is not someone to be trifled with, and they will not try to trip him up in the future.

In addition, there is an invisible benefit.

That is, it will not attract the attention of Zhu Houzhao, the Dharma King of Daqing.

After Zhu Houzhao's political reforms failed completely, he changed track without hesitation and began to seize military power.

If he noticed this little captain, he would send an imperial decree, "You are so handsome, be my godson."

Then Pei Yuan would jump into the fire pit.

Pei Yuan could not influence the affairs in Jiangdu for the time being, so he could only focus all his attention on this greedy monk.

Fortunately, a few days later, Yun Buxian, exhausted from his journey, finally arrived from the capital.

Pei Yuan looked at Yun Buxian for a few seconds.

This guy has a good appearance and is pleasing to the eye. Although he seems to be unrestrained and uninhibited when they first meet, he immediately starts to show respect and fawn on him after learning that Pei Yuan is the deputy commander of the Evil Suppression Thousand Households Unit who recruited him.

"I have heard of your great reputation from Cheng Leixiang a long time ago, and I have admired you for a long time. It is a great honor to be able to serve you."

Pei Yuan nodded.

I heard from Cheng Leixiang before that this guy was keen on practicing Taoism, but I didn’t expect that he was also keen on being an official.

Being able to connect these two pursuits together without any conflict.

Pei Yuan could only think of that sentence, "Jiannan teaches you how to grow the flower of morality."

Pei Yuan had a bad impression of Yun Weilin, and his attitude towards Yun Buxian was also average.

He first asked, "Where are my things?"

Yun Buxian quickly took out a brocade box from his luggage and handed it over respectfully.

Pei Yuan opened it and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his celadon porcelain bottle was intact.

Yun Buxian was standing nearby, showing a clean and refreshing smile, "When I was taking this brocade box, I accidentally dug up Qianhu's yard. Before I came, I had someone take good care of it. By next spring, I believe those flowers and trees will be able to decorate Qianhu's window view."

Pei Yuan was speechless.

You really planted the flower of morality in me.

Perhaps it was because he had been left out and no one was willing to take him in, Yun Buxian showed no dignity at all when facing the person who could decide his future and destiny.

Seeing that Pei Yuan did not respond, he quickly boasted, "The Da Ci'en Temple has many imperially bestowed precious candles, yellow paper and other items, some of which are left over from the Dharma Kings in the temple. I thought that Qian Hu might need them, so I took some of them as well."

Pei Yuan's expression finally softened a little.

Pei Yuan handed the brocade box with the celadon porcelain vase to Song Chunniang and asked her to keep it first. Then he said to Yun Buxian, "It took you thirteen days to get here. According to the agreement, you can only make a small flag in front of me. Are you willing?"

This was something that had been made clear long before, and Yun Buxian already had psychological expectations.

His expression did not change at all. "Your Excellency's willingness to help me is already a great favor to me. I will definitely serve you at your service and do my best to serve you."

Pei Yuan listened to these words and looked at Cheng Leixiang meaningfully.

Cheng Leixiang said nothing and just stood there obediently.

To be honest, since Cheng Leixiang followed me, we can be said to have accomplished each other.

Pei Yuan also went from being a bluffing loser at the beginning to officially becoming the deputy commander of the Evil Suppression Thousand Households Office.

Cheng Leixiang not only got a real job, but also, thanks to Liu Qi's merits, he was promoted from a trial centurion to a centurion, and his original position was also promoted from a small flag officer to a chief flag officer.

Feeling emotional, Pei Yuanduo added, "Cheng Leixiang has always praised you highly. I hope you can live up to my expectations."

Yun Buxian glanced at Cheng Leixiang standing beside him, his face stern, "I will do my best."

Pei Yuan knew that this guy had come all the way here exhausted and must have had a hard time. Anyway, since he had been able to get the celadon porcelain vase, this guy had already made the most of his value, so he let him go down and rest first.

Cheng Leixiang was standing beside him, smiling and saying slowly, "Your humble servant..."

Before he could finish, Pei Yuan said, "Take care of him for a few days first, so that he can get used to it."

After hearing this, Cheng Leixiang quickly agreed with a smile and went to greet Yun Buxian.

When Pei Yuan got the celadon porcelain vase, all the anticipation he had accumulated over the past few days burst out.

He couldn't wait to verify it, but he had to restrain himself.

Firstly, the time is wrong. According to what Cheng Zhihu said at the beginning, this treasure can only respond to people at midnight.

There is still some time before nightfall, and Pei Yuan is unwilling to take any risks.

Secondly, if this thing can really take out the money, Pei Yuan will have to consider how to keep it secret.

After all, he wanted more.

With such worries and concerns, Pei Yuan was a little absent-minded until the evening.

While eating dinner, Pei Yuan glanced at Chen Toutie a few times.

When everyone dispersed, Chen Toutie found an excuse to stay.

Pei Yuan said to him, "Come with me to see the mural again tonight. I have an idea that I want to try."

There was no need to leave him alone for this kind of thing, so Chen Toutie asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Pei Yuan asked him, "Who is on duty there tonight?"

As Pei Yuan's confidant, Chen Toutie had been secretly paying attention to the entire team's every move and was already well aware of these basic defense changes.

"It is the Tantai Hundred Households who are on duty tonight."

Pei Yuan said directly, "You and Cheng Leixiang find an excuse to replace him. Then take your personal soldiers and guard the place well."

It wouldn't be a problem for Pei Yuan to give the order himself, but doing so would inevitably make Tan Tai Fang Tu feel that he didn't trust him.

It is better to have less trouble if possible.

Not long after Chen Toutie left, Tan Tai Fang Tu came running to complain angrily, "Captain, if you don't trust me to guard the place, why don't you just let someone else take charge? Why do you have to send people to keep an eye on us?"

Pei Yuan was stunned and innocent, "What's going on?"

Tan Tai Fang Tu said angrily, "That bastard Chen Toutie came to check on me three times in the time it took him to pee. He also repeatedly told the Jinyiwei on duty not to sleep."

"Although I am old, I have never made any mistakes in doing what I should do."

After saying this, he stood up for Sikong Sui.

"Although Sikong Sui dozed off during his last shift, it was because there was a night raid in Jiangdu and many people didn't get enough rest. The next day they were busy moving camp and they were very tired. That's why he made some mistakes."

"There's no need for Qianhu to repeatedly hit us with this matter, right?"

Pei Yuan could roughly guess what Chen Toutie was up to.

This method is particularly effective for the hot-tempered Tan Tai Fang Tu.

He immediately slammed the table in feigned anger and yelled, "Chen Tou Tie is so ignorant, how can you do your job like this?!"

Then, he said politely to Tan Tai Fang Tu, "Captain Tan Tai, go back and have a good rest first. It's been very hard for everyone to be on duty these days, so let Chen Toutie and Cheng Leixiang go and experience it. Let them also be on duty for a few days, so that they won't get sick from idleness."

Tan Tai Fang Tu felt honored to see that Pei Yuan did not cover up for her.

His expression immediately relaxed, "That's not necessary, I just ask Qian Hu to take good care of the people around him."

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "Captain Tantai should just go and have a rest. Shouldn't Chen Toutie be taught a lesson?"

After thinking about it, Tantai Fangtu felt that Pei Qianhu was right. He could give Pei Qianhu face, but why didn't he punish Chen Toutie?

Since Chen Toutie likes to find fault, let him do it himself!
Tan Tai Fang Tu left immediately with satisfaction.

Seeing that Chen Toudei had handled the matter, Pei Yuan went to look for Song Chunniang for help.

What happened tonight was neither big nor small.

If the little money-moving ghost in the green-glazed porcelain vase could really steal the silver back, then there would be no need to hide this matter from everyone.

Pei Yuan was the direct person in charge of the tax and silver issue, and he had to give an explanation to the court.

You can't pretend nothing happened if you want to make a fortune in silence.

Pei Yuan was mainly worried about other things.

——What if this money-carrying kid not only brought back the lost tax silver from the imperial court, but also brought back the other money in the murals?
Even more.

Not only the money in the painting, but even the sack containing the rat was taken out?
How should Pei Yuan respond?

Therefore, Pei Yuan only intended to let a small circle of people know about it for the first time.

The only people he can rely on now are three general flag officers.

Previously, Pei Yuan arranged for Song Chunniang to be in charge of guarding the silver. After the Jinyiwei's forces were withdrawn back to the post station, someone also helped to take over this task with heavy responsibilities.

Pei Yuan did not find Song Chunniang in the yard where the silver box was placed. After asking Hou Qing who was on duty, he went to her yard to look for her again.

The news that there was a monster haunting the post station had already spread widely.

Confucian officials believed in "not speaking of strange things" and also believed in "respecting ghosts and gods but keeping a distance from them". After hearing that evil things appeared here, many of them avoided this place and went directly to the next post station.

This also allows people who live in cramped conditions to enjoy some hidden benefits of having fewer people.

Song Chunniang's current position is the chief flag officer, and she can have her own courtyard.

She has no subordinates, which makes her seem even more peaceful.

Pei Yuan knocked for a while before he heard an angry voice coming from a distant room, "Who is blind?"

Pei Yuan was surprised. Why was he so angry?

When Song Chunniang came over aggressively and opened the gate, Pei Yuan couldn't help but look at her a few more times.

Song Chunniang had obviously just taken a bath, her hair was half dry, and she was wrapped in loose, thick clothes.

This piece of clothing was obviously put on temporarily, and was taken off as he was about to go back, so it was not put on neatly.

Pei Yuan said, "If you have something to say, come with me to the mural later."

Song Chunniang couldn't help showing disappointment on her face, "Tonight?"

Pei Yuan was puzzled, "Is there a problem?"

"Okay, okay." Song Chunniang said lazily, and then turned around and said, "Wait for me to change clothes."

Pei Yuan became suspicious when he saw Song Chunniang's mood changes.

Then he suddenly asked behind her, "Is Qin Lingbo in your room?"

Song Chunniang looked back with disdain, "You have such dirty thoughts."

Pei Yuan chuckled and said indifferently, "I have to warn you, Han Qianhu's methods are not simple, she will definitely investigate Qin Lingbo's affairs. I have endured it and didn't touch it again, so don't commit suicide."

Song Chunniang said confidently, "I knew you had dirty thoughts. What's wrong with us two women sleeping together properly?"

Pei Yuan recalled the scene he had seen in the riverside house by the Qinhuai River, and thought to himself that it seemed that Tiezi had not yet caught Qin Lingbo and started biting him, no wonder he could act in such a calm and composed manner.

Both of them were ambitiously targeting Han Qianhu, and of course they did not want to reveal their true colors in front of Han Qianhu before they succeeded.

Pei Yuan wanted to sort out the relationship between himself, Song Chunniang and Qin Lingbo, but unfortunately today was not the time.

Pei Yuan and others were waiting outside the yard. After a while, Song Chunniang came out wearing cotton armor and carrying weapons.

She glanced at Pei Yuan and said teasingly, "I thought you would peek."

These words made Pei Yuan involuntarily recall the scene of Song Chunniang secretly changing clothes in her room late at night on a cold day.

Pei Yuan remembered that Song Chunniang seemed to shiver from the cold at that time.

Then remember the trembling softness.

"Is it okay?" Pei Yuan asked for advice with a smile as he walked.

"late."

Song Chunniang took the Xiuchun Knife and followed him out with her arms folded.

"Next time, say hello in advance." Pei Yuan flirted with her from time to time.

Song Chunniang did not answer, and seemed a little unhappy with Pei Yuan's indifferent attitude.

The two of them arrived outside the courtyard where the greedy monk was, and they found that the personal guards under Chen Toutie and Cheng Leixiang had indeed been stationed there.

These people had all gone to the Suzhou prefectural government office with Pei Yuan to handle business, and Pei Yuan had a very good impression of them.

After completing this mission and returning to Nanjing, Pei Yuan will carefully check the files of these people.

If there are no problems, Pei Yuan plans to promote some of these people as his base in the Zhenxie Thousand Households Office.

These guards had obviously received instructions. When they saw Pei Yuan coming, they opened the gate without saying a word.

Pei Yuan took Song Chunniang in and saw Cheng Leixiang and Chen Toutie were already waiting in the yard.

On the temporarily compacted ground nearby, there were some yellow paper, incense sticks, and other things.

Pei Yuan asked Cheng Leixiang, "What time is it now?"

They both looked at each other.

This is not a city, and there are no night watchmen to tell the time, so we can only make a rough estimate based on experience.

Cheng Leixiang and Chen Toutie exchanged a few words in a low voice, then replied, "It should be almost midnight."

After hearing this, Pei Yuan did not waste any time. He took out the green-glazed porcelain bottle from his sleeve pocket and carefully placed it on a square stone.

Then people would light the expensive incense, candles and paper money.

Wait until the paper money is almost burned before taking out the incense sticks and lighting them.

Pei Yuan had other purposes this time, and he didn't know whether his directional prayer would work, so he asked everyone to stay a little further away and chant quietly aloud.

The general meaning, of course, is that he hopes this little money-moving kid can help him get some silver out of the mural.

Pei Yuan prayed repeatedly several times, but he didn't know whether the little devil could understand him.

I can only wait anxiously for the result.

Cheng Leixiang, Chen Toutie and Song Chunniang all felt strange when they saw Pei Yuan talking mysteriously to the green-glazed porcelain vase.

But since Pei Yuan went to so much trouble to get this bottle from the capital, and acted alone away from everyone, it is obvious that this thing must be a bit weird.

The three of them remained silent, looking around vigilantly.

Pei Yuan prayed several times, not knowing if it was effective. He stared at the bright red flame of the incense stick in a daze, a little scared to hear the light sound of the copper coin hitting the bottle.

If this is the case, it means that Pei Yuan’s previous guesses were all wrong.

This money-moving kid's target can only be copper coins.

But if the money-moving kid is really like what he thought, and is only unable to move heavier things in the three-dimensional world because of his limited strength, then Pei Yuan's idea is very likely to be realized.

Pei Yuan was distracted when he heard Cheng Leixiang remind him, "Captain, something is wrong."

Pei Yuan's heart tightened, and he turned back quickly, "What's wrong?"

Cheng Leixiang stared at the mural on the wall carefully, "Qian Hu, look, there seems to be something wrong here."

Pei Yuan's heart immediately began to tighten. Could it be...

He quickly took the torch handed to him by Chen Toutie and looked towards the place where Cheng Lei snapped his fingers.

That place was behind the portrait of the greedy monk. At first glance, it looked like a damp area wet by rain.

The area is not very big, only the size of a plate.

This shallow patch of dampness seemed normal no matter how you looked at it.

However, what makes it unusual is something else.

The greedy monk, who was originally making a seal with one hand and holding out a bowl with the other, looking at everyone with a sly smile, now had a smile disappear on his face.

Moreover, his eyes were trying hard to turn backwards, as if he wanted to see clearly what was behind him.

Just such a small damp of darkness could make the greedy monk feel like he was facing a formidable enemy.

This discovery immediately made Pei Yuan's heart beat faster.

Everyone looked at the mural cautiously, not daring to make a sound of nervousness.

The scope of the dark tide slowly began to expand.

It is also like a smudge of color, which is spread little by little, and finally penetrates the bottom layer and falls into another canvas.

In this tense atmosphere, the image of the gloomy tide moved blurryly at an extremely slow speed.

Just like ordinary humid water vapor, it slowly moved towards the places on the ground where silver and copper coins were painted.

Pei Yuan was watching with bated breath, when he saw the dark moisture on the wall finally seep into the picture of the silver coin.

Immediately afterwards, Pei Yuan heard a jingling sound.

Pei Yuan was happy at first, then shocked.

As soon as the dark moisture on the wall touched the money on the mural, the sound of coins falling into the green-glazed porcelain vase was heard.

In other words, there is a high probability that this coin was stolen from the mural by the money-moving kid.

But why is it still copper coins?
Could it be that my previous guess was completely wrong, and this little kid's rule is anchored on copper coins?

Just as I was thinking about it, I heard another crisp tinkling sound coming from the green-glazed porcelain bottle.

Pei Yuan was startled and his eyes quickly turned to the green-glazed porcelain bottle.

This is the second copper coin?

If a second coin appears, does it also mean a break from the previous rules?

So, is there still hope?
(End of this chapter)