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

Chapter 290 People under the eaves have to bow their heads

Pei Yuan looked at Zhu Houzhao and asked in a low voice, "Then I wonder what kind of files Your Majesty wants to see?"

Zhu Houzhao frowned and looked at Pei Yuan in confusion.

Hasn't he answered this question before?

Seeing Pei Yuan's serious expression, Zhu Houzhao's expression moved slightly. His excellent memory allowed him to immediately discover the difference between Pei Yuan's two questions.

The first time, Pei Yuan asked, "What files does Your Majesty want to see?"

The second time, Pei Yuan asked, "What kind of files does Your Majesty want to see?"

Subtle changes, but with completely different meanings.

Zhu Houzhao suddenly felt that this deputy captain was really a wonderful person.

He asked calmly, "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan raised his head and looked around, and saw that the courtyard was empty except for him and Zhu Houzhao.

It seems that Zhu Houzhao didn't want people around him to know his plan, so he dismissed everyone and then asked the old monk.

If Pei Yuan was tired of living, he could add a line to future history textbooks now.

Well, it’s hard to say whether we can win.

After all, the man in front of him had actually fought with a tiger (not beaten).

Seeing that there was indeed no one around, Pei Yuan said to Zhu Houzhao, "Your Majesty is the emperor, and I am the emperor's personal soldier. Although I don't know what Your Majesty wants to see, as long as Your Majesty tells me, I will naturally find the files you want to see for you."

Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but laugh.

He said, "Very good."

He added, "That's right, the Evil Suppression Thousand Households Unit is also the Jinyiwei."

Pei Yuan did not respond this time, but bowed respectfully, waiting for the monarch's orders honestly and reliably.

Zhu Houzhao looked at the ground, his hands unconsciously patting the futon. After a long while, he slowly said, "Everyone in the world says that Wang Zhen is a treacherous minister. It was because of Wang Zhen's reckless behavior that Emperor Yingzong was exiled to the north and then imprisoned in the Nangong for seven years."

"But what puzzles me is that, judging from what Yingzong has done, he is a smart and decisive person. Seven years of imprisonment should be enough for him to see a person clearly."

"According to common sense, Emperor Yingzong should hate Wang Zhen very much."

Zhu Houzhao glanced at the statue of Wang Zhen in the hall and said calmly, "But after Emperor Yingzong was restored to the throne, he not only did not resent Wang Zhen, but instead built a temple to commemorate his loyalty in Zhihua Temple. Why is that?"

"Could it be that Emperor Yingzong was a saint who forgave past grudges? Haha, my ancestor doesn't look like that."

Pei Yuan listened silently, and understood in his heart.

My guess was absolutely correct.

Zhu Houzhao was determined to reverse the verdict on Emperor Yingzong. His approach was very roundabout. He did not directly investigate what happened back then, but chose to start from Wang Zhen.

Pei Yuan thought about it and decided to boldly test Zhu Houzhao's intentions.

"Since Your Majesty has this idea, why not check the daily records of that year and other related records?"

Zhu Houzhao glanced at Pei Yuan and said calmly, "I don't trust those things."

What Zhu Houzhao wanted to challenge was the civil service order after the Battle of Tumu, and of course he did not believe the records of the civil servants.

Pei Yuan, a greedy profiteer, was thinking about the possibility of gaining benefits from this fierce collision.

Pei Yuan pondered for a while, and seeing that Zhu Houzhao looked a little impatient, he quickly said, "I will do my best."

Zhu Houzhao then relaxed his expression and reminded, "I am just curious about this matter, please don't make it public."

Pei Yuan decisively pulled the banner of the Jinyiwei to take the blame, "Your Majesty, don't worry about our Jinyiwei doing our job."

Zhu Houzhao looked at Pei Yuan with satisfaction, and couldn't help but take the initiative to suggest, "You are just a deputy captain now, wouldn't it be inconvenient for you to do things? Do you want me to promote you to a higher position?"

Pei Yuan shuddered.

Although he now had to show up in front of Zhu Houzhao, Pei Yuan had a clear understanding of the future power structure.

The most important thing now is to build strength rather than just having a false reputation and then get involved in internal competition with Zhu Houzhao's dozens of adopted sons.

Pei Yuan had no choice but to continue, "I have some difficulties."

Zhu Houzhao immediately remembered what happened before and laughed, "I understand, I understand."

Among all the civil and military officials in the court, this guy is probably the only one who dares to admit that he is a lustful person and openly covets his superior.

"Do you really not need my permission to marry you?" Zhu Houzhao asked curiously.

Pei Yuan was about to say "OK" when he heard Zhu Houzhao say, "Captain Han shoulders the heavy responsibility of protecting the royal family. This matter cannot be taken lightly. I will issue an order to ask her opinion first."

Pei Yuan was shocked, "Don't!"

Pei Yuan now only dared to use the two centurions who liked to inform on others to spread rumors and launch a long-range attack on Captain Han.

If Zhu Houzhao issued this order, and Han Qianhu got furious, wouldn't he come and beat him to death?

It's not time to launch an attack yet.

Seeing Pei Yuan's reaction, Zhu Houzhao asked in surprise, "Can't you tell me?"

Pei Yuan hesitated and didn't know how to explain.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes moved slightly, but he did not ask any more questions. He said calmly, "Don't worry about your work. I will keep it a secret."

Pei Yuan was really touched.

He secretly swore in his heart that before his brother passed away, he would ask the Imperial Household Department to bring a few more sons over so that his brother could choose carefully.

Zhu Houzhao gained more this time than last time, and looked very satisfied.

He also warned, "If there is any progress, don't let others know first."

Pei Yuan knew that the "others" he was referring to were other superiors in the Jinyiwei system, so he said, "Although I am the deputy commander of the evil-suppressing commander, I also have the authority to exorcise evil spirits and protect the imperial family. The ivory waist badge I hold allows me to enter the palace directly and request an audience with the emperor."

Zhu Houzhao was very satisfied after hearing this, "That's good."

Then he asked, "Then how can I find you? Your evil-suppressing Thousand Households Unit seems to be in Nanjing."

Pei Yuan hurriedly reported to Zhu Houzhao.

"Reporting to your majesty, the Qianhu has noticed some clues that the north is not peaceful. In order to prevent evil spirits from causing chaos, Qianhu Han plans to strengthen the control over the northern temples and palaces, and let me take charge of the affairs north of Huai'an. Also..., some Jinyiwei were transferred from the south. Now I will use Zhihua Temple as my office for the time being. If your majesty has any business, you can send someone to summon me at any time."

Pei Yuan's words were first intended to absolve the evil-suppressing Thousand Households from responsibility for subsequent operations.

After all, if they wanted to help Gu Dayong restore the West Factory and increase the presence of the Suppressing Evil Thousand Households Office, they would have to do something. But if any evil creatures appeared, the Suppressing Evil Thousand Households Office would inevitably be implicated.

Now the Suppression of Evils Thousand Households Office was the first to notice it and took the lead in strengthening the defense.

If anything goes wrong, it's not war's fault.

Secondly, Pei Yuan also had to put some of his people on the map.

After all, those soldiers were really raised by their Zhu family, but some of them appeared in places where they shouldn't be. Zhu Houzhao's expression also became more serious, "Is there anything else?"

Pei Yuan thought to himself, that’s not the case.

After all, it was Zhao Jinglong who asked Gu Dayong to promote the White Lotus Rebellion in Henan.

Although the intention at that time was to force the Bazhou army to move south, the original intention was good.

Pei Yuan pretended to hesitate and said, "Now that peace has lasted for a long time, the strength of the Qianhu Suo has shrunk greatly. There are thousands of temples in the capital, but there are less than a hundred that still have Taoist priests visiting them."

"Many temples and palaces have become places where filth and dirt are hidden."

"Although I have been ordered to strengthen the defense of the north, I have only just entered the city today. If a demon suddenly attacks, I am afraid I will not be able to deal with it."

"If it is not necessary, Your Majesty should return to the palace earlier."

Zhu Houzhao's intention had been achieved, so there was no need for him to stay any longer.

After hearing Pei Yuan's advice, he didn't want to attract too much attention to Zhihua Temple, so he immediately decided to leave.

When Pei Yuan saw Zhu Houzhao stand up, he also stood up quickly and spoke to Zhu Houzhao's side, trying his best to attract his attention.

Pei Yuan had been accompanying Zhu Houzhao out of the yard in fear, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Zhu Houzhao didn't pay attention to anything unusual in the yard.

Sun Bo, who was waiting outside, saw Pei Yuan and Zhu Houzhao come out together, and looked at Pei Yuan calmly.

Zhang Rong, who was on patrol duty in the temple, also rushed over with a team of Jinyiwei.

Zhang Rong also noticed Pei Yuan, but a year had passed and his impression of Pei Yuan had become vague, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

When Pei Yuan saw a large group of Jinyiwei officers and soldiers coming up, he tactfully retreated behind the crowd and just followed slowly.

Zhu Houzhao led a group of people out of Zhihua Temple. Before getting on the dragon chariot, he turned back and said to Pei Yuan, "Do your work well. If there is any progress, you can come to the palace to report."

Zhu Houzhao did this on purpose.

He and Pei Yuan had a secret agreement. If Pei Yuan had any progress and wanted to go to the palace to report, but was stopped by someone with ulterior motives, it would delay his important plan.

Pei Yuan immediately said respectfully, "I understand."

Zhang Rong looked back at Pei Yuan in surprise, then glanced at Sun Bo beside him.

Sun Bo obviously realized that something unexpected had happened that was beyond his control, and he became suspicious.

When the dragon chariot started moving, Zhang Rong gave a signal, and immediately a large group of Jinyiwei poured out from the surrounding alleys and escorted the emperor away.

However, Sun Bo did not follow Zhang Rong. He watched the dragon chariot go away, then looked at Pei Yuan sternly.

Pei Yuan had a calm expression on his face and threw the silver coin he had in his hand to Sun Bo.

Sun Bo took it and said angrily, "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan said calmly, "The emperor spared my life in advance and told me a secret. What you gave me is not enough."

The expression on Sun Bo's face changed, but he was somewhat shocked by what Pei Yuan said.

What kind of secret is it that requires one to be forgiven of a death sentence in advance in order to hear it?

Besides, what did the emperor ask this guy to do?

Sun Bo thought about it and immediately started groping in his sleeves.

He quickly took out two small gold cakes, two large silver ingots, and a jade handle. Then he put the silver that Pei Yuan returned together and asked Pei Yuan, "I only want to ask one question about these things. Does the emperor's visit here involve Mr. Zhang and Eunuch Zhang, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department?"

Pei Yuan couldn't help but look at Sun Bo differently.

Pei Yuan didn't want to offend Zhang Rong and Zhang Yong because of this irrelevant matter, so he said frankly, "This matter has nothing to do with your uncle and the eunuch Zhang who holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department."

After hearing this, Sun Bo breathed a sigh of relief.

The fact that the emperor came to Zhihua Temple again after a year made all those who had attached themselves to Zhang Yong in the officialdom a little nervous.

Even some of Zhang Rongyang's followers thought that this move was an allusion to Eunuch Zhang being Wang Zhen.

If this matter is confirmed later, it will be fatal.

Even if the alliance between Zhang Yong and Yang Yiqing is as solid as a rock, there will be people from other civil service groups who will decisively choose to deal with Zhang Yong with the idea of ​​solving the problem once and for all.

The incident of Liu Jin being executed by slow slicing was still fresh in their minds. Zhang Yong and Zhang Rong were both wary of the emperor's unusual behavior.

Now I finally got some information from Pei Yuan. Although the information still has a lot of uncertainty, it is at least good news for now.

Sun Bo asked tentatively, "Nothing else?"

Pei Yuan shook his head.

Sun Bo didn't worry about it. With the Zhang family's current tremendous power, if there was no bad news, it would be good news.

Sun Bo handed the thing in his hand to Pei Yuan, who didn't bother to be polite and just grabbed it in his hand.

Sun Bo watched Pei Yuan take the things away, then he said slowly with a fake smile, "Although Captain Pei is now in Nanjing Jinyiwei, we in the Northern Pacification Division have no control over him, but there is an old saying that I still hope Captain Pei can remember."

Pei Yuan looked at Sun Bo.

Sun Bo looked at Pei Yuan and said slowly, "When you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head."

After Sun Bo finished speaking, he turned around and left.

Cheng Leixiang and others were stopped outside Zhihua Temple until the Jinyiwei guards gradually evacuated, and then they surrounded them.

Cheng Leixiang also heard Sun Bo's last words. He stared at Sun Bo for a while and asked Pei Yuan in a low voice, "Captain, do you want to kill him?"

Pei Yuan glared at Cheng Leixiang and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? This is the capital."

After Pei Yuan scolded Cheng Leixiang, he looked at Sun Bo's back and said in agreement, "He is right."

When they were in Nanzhili, Pei Yuan and his silver transport team suffered a slight setback. Captain Han, who was unwilling to suffer any loss, had the Portuguese cannon sent over.

This is home field advantage.

Now in the capital, it’s someone else’s territory.

Even if Sun Bo didn't dare to pull out the cannon to attack him, he had too many tricks to use.

Pei Yuan threw the bag of money in his hand to Cheng Leixiang and praised him, "You handled it well today. Here's a reward for you."

Pei Yuan had just witnessed the scene of the Jinyiwei deploying defenses inside and outside the Zhihua Temple. If Cheng Leixiang had not acted efficiently and buried the silver in time, Pei Yuan would have lost his 60,000 taels of silver forever.

Pei Yuan could still hold on if he just threw away the silver, but if the more than 600 Xuzhou guards were really blocked in Zhihua Temple, Pei Yuan would be dead.

This time, the Yun family father and son were close by, so Cheng Leixiang didn't say much and thanked Pei Yuan for the reward with a smile.

Pei Yuan reminded him, "The emperor's two visits to Zhihua Temple will definitely attract a lot of attention. That place is not safe anymore, you have to pay more attention to it."

Cheng Leixiang knew that Pei Yuan was reminding him to change the place where the silver was buried, and he nodded in understanding.

(End of this chapter)