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

Chapter 172 Tradition
Pei Yuan organized his words and told Han Qianhu the general situation with a shy look on his face.

Perhaps it was because their first meeting at the Northern Pacification Office revolved around this topic, so Pei Yuan did not have too much psychological burden.

This incident is really embarrassing, but in the context of the attack, it can be considered a blessing in disguise.

If it weren't for Mei Qinnan's obsession and her insistence on having that damn sense of ritual, Pei Yuan would have been nailed to death on the bed by the giant arrow.

After Pei Yuan finished telling the story shyly, even Han Qianhu, who was knowledgeable and experienced, couldn't help but hold his forehead with his hand.

"Why are you being ..."

Han Qianhu looked at his number one thug with a look of disappointment.

After a long while, he said angrily, "Call the people over."

Pei Yuan also felt a little embarrassed. What the hell was this?

When I arrived at Song Chunniang's courtyard, I met Qin Lingbo.

Pei Yuan faced Qin Lingbo's resentful eyes and said to her with a hard heart, "Captain Han wants to see you. Tell him about what happened after you went to Baiyu Temple."

"I think you also understand that if you can deal with Mei Qiniang, it will be a good thing for you."

Qin Lingbo bit his lip and said softly after a while, "Now Lingbo is entrusted to you. Since you want me to meet you, I can only obey your order."

Pei Yuan felt a little puzzled as he listened to Qin Lingbo's slightly sad voice.

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Captain Han is a woman."

"Female?" Qin Lingbo was stunned at first.

Then I thought, since Song Chunniang, the general flag bearer, is a woman, it is normal for Han Qianhu to be a woman.

Then, Qin Lingbo's eyes became bright again.

Pei Yuan watched silently, somewhat suspicious that Qin Lingbo was playing him.

There is no relationship between the two of them at all.

The first time Pei Yuan met Qin Lingbo was on Sun Keding's pleasure boat.

At that time, I thought that such a good thing would not happen many times in this lifetime, so I should stand up and try to get this limited-time experience card, right?
Besides not being able to be truly ecstatic, the hands were also a little too heavy-handed.

Even though Qin Lingbo was influenced by Mei Qinnan and had some favorable impression towards Pei Yuan, favorable impression was just favorable impression. To these women in the romantic world, Pei Yuan was nothing more than a special passer-by.

Even if there is a bonus of one blood, the thinking of the prostitute cannot be changed overnight.

However, even if it was really acting, Qin Lingbo acted very attentively.

This kind of tailor-made gentleness and catering really makes people feel psychologically happy.

She is truly a professional courtesan.

Pei Yuan looked at Qin Lingbo, and took the opportunity to turn his head to swallow politely.

If Captain Han didn't think the problem was serious, Pei Yuan planned to wait until the matter in Huai'an was settled and then let Captain Han take her back to Nanjing.

After all, the world of martial arts is not just about fighting and killing, it also involves love stories.

Pei Yuan brought Qin Lingbo to Han Qianhu. After the greetings, both Pei Yuan and Han Qianhu didn't know where to start.

After all, this kind of thing...

As a result, Qin Lingbo had a good psychological quality. He noticed the awkward and depressing atmosphere, and very obediently poured tea and served it to Han Qianhu, "Qianhu, please have some tea."

Han Qianhu took the wine and took two sips. Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere, he asked Qin Lingbo about Mei Qinniang.

As a result, Qin Lingbo didn't know much about Mei Qinniang's affairs.

Ever since that day when she was taken to Baiyu Temple because of the evil spirit, she and Bai Yujing had been reading Taoist books and strolling around the temple every day.

Except for the fact that Bai Yujing would act strange sometimes, there was nothing wrong with him.

Han Qianhu looked at Qin Lingbo carefully for a while with clear eyes, and then said to Pei Yuan, "Mei Qiniang left a little trick on her, it's not difficult to get rid of it. But I plan to keep it for a while and see if I can find Mei Qiniang's location."

Pei Yuan remembered that Han Qianhu originally called him here to deal with the witch behind Mei Qinnan, but it seemed that he had failed.

Pei Yuan immediately stepped up to share his worries and asked, "Who is that witch? I can help keep an eye on her on weekdays."

Han Qianhu asked, "Do you remember when you went to Suzhou, there was a Taoist priest who helped Lu Ting to embarrass you?"

How could Pei Yuan forget? He blurted out, "Is it those strange winds?"

At that time, those strange winds were wrapped in dust and sand, which made it impossible for Pei Yuan's team to open their eyes and shoot arrows, and they were almost in a desperate situation.

Of course Pei Yuan remembered!

Han Qianhu said, "Later, I asked someone to investigate and found a Taoist priest named Lingzhu. He was the one who did this with the support of the imperial court. I wanted to kill him, but someone pleaded for him and saved him."

"I was still furious, so I went to look up the lineage of this Taoist Lingzhu."

"It was discovered that he was a descendant of Yu Zhenren from the Han Dynasty. I don't know where he learned some minor skills, but he dared to show up and stir up trouble."

"So I ordered all Taoist temples in the world to stop offering sacrifices to Master Yu's lineage and end his Taoist incense."

"It was at this time that I unexpectedly discovered that this lineage had some unclear connection with the witchcraft and ghost arts in Sichuan, and could even be linked to the famous Linqiong Taoist inheritance."

When Pei Yuan heard what Han Qianhu said, he had some guesses in his mind.

"In other words, this witch lady and Taoist Lingzhu are very likely related?"

Han Qianhu said, "It's not clear yet. I plan to observe it for a while. Maybe Mei Qiniang is a good breakthrough point."

After Han Qianhu finished speaking, he had no intention of communicating further with Pei Yuan and signaled that he could leave.

Pei Yuan had no choice but to say, "Then I will let Miss Qin stay here first. I will go to Jiangdu to find Sun Keding and pass on the matter."

"Well, go ahead." Han Qianhu said calmly, "Don't forget to take your cassock."

Pei Yuan left the yard, asked a few questions, and found the warhorse that Han Qianhu was riding.

There was a bundle with a strong smell of blood hanging on the warhorse. Pei Yuan flipped it over and found it was the Heart Demon cassock.

Pei Yuan took off the bag, put it on his back, and went to find the three general flags, asking them to accompany him to Jiangdu City.

At this time, the defense of Jiangdu City was much stronger than in the previous few days.

In addition to the large number of county runners appearing at various checkpoints, there were also many soldiers from the garrisons walking on the streets from time to time.

Pei Yuan was more concerned, fearing that it was an ambush against him, so he quickly asked Cheng Leixiang to find out.

When Cheng Leixiang came back and told him, Pei Yuan realized that it was his revenge on Huben Zuowei that caused the other guards to be highly vigilant.

Having been deeply involved in the finalization of the "Hu Ben Zuo Wei Incident", these military leaders also realized a terrible thing.

If someone were to take advantage of them, they might end up in the same predicament.

These military leaders usually have some frictions with each other. If a mad dog sees this successful case and imitates it at all costs, who can withstand it?
So the military leaders who entered Jiangdu all brought their own armed forces, pretending that they were not easy to mess with. Fortunately, this matter had nothing to do with Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and took the three of them to look for Sun Keding directly.

Sun Keding had been staying in the inn without going out for the past few days. When he heard that Pei Yuan was coming, he hurriedly took the initiative to greet him.

Seeing Pei Yuan from afar, Sun Keding said with a big smile on his face, "My dear brother, you are finally here. I heard rumors that something happened at the post station. I am afraid that my dear brother has run into trouble."

"It's a pity that I am powerless. I finally got an official position, but because of Liu Jin's influence, I was replaced by someone else. I want to help, but I don't know how to start."

Pei Yuan naturally would not take Sun Keding's polite words seriously.

After the surprise attack on Huben Zuowei, Pei Yuan specially asked someone to call this guy over to experience the baptism of the crime scene.

Sun Keding was greatly shocked, but he was also unsure whether Pei Yuan would be implicated in this incident, so he could only wait for the result with some distance.

Now, the matter of Huben Zuowei has not yet reached a final consensus.

However, the rumors in the market have changed direction, saying that Japanese pirates rushed here and launched a surprise attack on Huben Zuowei.

As the rumors from various sources gradually converged, Sun Keding, who was very familiar with the operation of government affairs, quickly made a judgment.

Pei Yuan managed to escape safely.

When the anxiety is gone, re-examine the whole incident.

Sun Keding became more and more optimistic about Pei Yuan.

This is an entire guard post.

Just say revenge, and kill hundreds of people outside Jiangdu city!

Pei Yuan's decisiveness and ferocity really shocked him.

What made Sun Keding feel even more incredible was that after committing such a big crime, Pei Yuan was able to emerge unscathed in the end and swagger into the city to find him.

Whether it was Pei Yuan's careful planning for the matter or his strong execution in executing the plan, it was enough to make Sun Keding redefine the relationship between him and Pei Yuan.

Wasn’t it for this that Pei Yuan asked someone to bring Sun Keding there?
Seeing Sun Keding's attitude change drastically, Pei Yuan couldn't help but smile and said, "Brother Sun, you worry too much. It's just a small matter. I can handle it."

"Your side is the big deal, and I'm counting on making a fortune."

Seeing Pei Yuan's easy-to-understand statement, Sun Keding felt more at ease.

He said quickly, "Brother, there has been no news since that day. Many merchants are hesitant, and some have even come to ask indirectly, wanting to return the silver."

"Fortunately, I have built up some friendship with them these days, and I was able to keep him stable."

"Brother, if you are okay here, I can notify them and ask them to prepare the goods as soon as possible."

"Well." Pei Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I can tell them a little bit about what I did. Let them know that my backstage support is not paid for nothing. If anything really happens, I can still cover it up."

Sun Keding hesitated after hearing this. He reminded him in a low voice, "This matter is very serious after all. If it gets out, it will be bad. If someone interferes and deliberately makes a false accusation to the court, then I will be in trouble."

Sun Keding was afraid that Pei Yuan would become too arrogant, so he deliberately reminded him.

"I told you about these things in Jiangnan at the beginning."

"My foolish brother came to Yangzhou in advance to recruit merchants to travel with him. Although he has temporarily avoided the eyes and ears of those people, it is very likely that the people I recruited are just pure merchants."

"But the power of the Jiangnan gentry is so great that even if they can't plant a spies, they can easily turn the merchants who were originally just running for money into their own hands by threatening and luring them."

"If we reveal too much to them, and those merchants are not careful with their words, I'm afraid they will hand the evidence to the enemy."

Pei Yuan thought to himself that this was a matter that all the major military leaders and the Yangzhou government had jointly decided to suppress.

As long as the Jiangnan gentry are not stupid, there is no way they would lift the lid.

If they lose their dignity, they may not be able to get any benefits from those military leaders.

Pei Yuan immediately pretended to be calm and said, "Don't worry, who can do anything to me?"

Sun Keding managed to calm down and returned to the topic of the caravan. "Then I wonder when we will go north so I can communicate with them."

Pei Yuan thought to himself that it all depended on Captain Han's progress in exchanging silver.

Besides, I have to go to Huai'an to explore the way first.

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I came here this time because I have another thing for you to do."

Sun Keding felt strange after hearing this.

Although he had witnessed Pei Yuan's power, he was, after all, a Jinshi and a civil servant in the imperial court.

Just as Pei Yuan knew.

When the emperor and civil officials handled state affairs, the military officers stood and served them.

When Sun Keding first got along with Pei Yuan, he was humble and courteous to him for the sake of their common backer Gu Dayong.

Later, after seeing Pei Yuan's ability, Sun Keding deliberately lowered his posture, but he was still superior psychologically.

Pei Yuan's tone now sounded quite bossy.

Sun Keding thought for a moment and said calmly, "Then I wonder if my dear brother has anything else to say?"

Pei Yuan observed Sun Keding and asked him, "Brother Sun, how long has it been since you left the post of Jingjiang County Magistrate?"

Sun Keding sighed and said, "It's been more than a year."

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "I have a method that can help you level up several levels. Do you dare to use it?"

Sun Keding was shocked when he heard this, "Brother, what do you mean by this?"

Before Sun Keding was dismissed from his post, he was a county magistrate of the seventh rank. According to Pei Yuan, he should be promoted to the fifth rank at least to justify the saying "promoted several levels in a row".

Fifth rank...

Sun Keding couldn't help but feel his heart beating fast.

He softened his posture unconsciously, "Please give me some advice, dear brother."

Pei Yuan said solemnly, "This matter still has to fall on Eunuch Gu. Now the rebels in Bazhou are at the end of their strength. We only need one breath to annihilate them all."

"Eunuch Gu mobilized more than 100,000 soldiers and spent countless imperial money and grain before finally reaching this most critical moment."

"But the rebels in Bazhou seemed to have sensed something and refused to fall into the trap that Eunuch Gu had prepared."

"Eunuch Gu is now in a difficult situation and is in a state of panic."

Pei Yuan looked at Sun Keding and said, "That's right. I have a way to help Eunuch Gu and make the rebels in Bazhou go south. But I am a member of the Imperial Guard. It is my job to report the intelligence. Even if I get a reward, it will only be a small amount."

"If Brother Sun were to offer advice to Eunuch Gu, it would probably be much more cost-effective than for me to do it myself."

(End of this chapter)