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

Chapter 377 We are different

Pei Yuan does not have such a high level of moral consciousness.

I don't want this to be right.

After all, Pei Yuan didn't want someone to use someone else's head to judge whether he deserved to die.

Therefore, at this time, it is necessary to indulge in women and be a little tactically stupid.

Zang Xian asked casually, "Brother Pei Xian, since you want to do business in silk and cotton cloth, do you have any familiar merchants? I can introduce you to a few."

Then he added, "It's free."

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "No need. Now I'm just testing the waters. I know some merchants in Nanzhi, and I can ask them to help with the purchase. I plan to try more in the early stage, so as to accumulate some experience."

Now is the time to win the broad favor of southern officials, and it is better to treat them equally.

Pei Yuan doesn't seek to be Party A's father, it would be great if he could be Party A's younger brother.

Zang Xian felt a little regretful, but did not force it.

Pei Yuan asked Song Chunniang to take people with him, and went to Wang Qiong's house with Zang Xian.

Zhang Song, the judge of the Dali Temple, sighed slightly, but did not dwell on the decision for too long. He had to go in first and recommend Pei Yuan to Wang Qiong.

Officials of the Ming Dynasty went to court early and left office early.

The three of them arrived at the right time, as Wang Qiong happened to be at home.

Not long after Zhang Song entered, a servant came to the door and asked, "Who is Captain Pei Yuan? The master of the house wants to see you."

Pei Yuan glanced at Zang Xian, who smiled and said, "I have finished my work, so I will not accompany you in."

Pei Yuan first said goodbye to Zang Xian, then followed the servant into the courtyard and went straight into the main hall, where he saw Wang Qiong waiting there with an impatient look on his face.

Seeing Pei Yuan enter the room, Wang Qiong looked at him carefully, and without waiting for Pei Yuan to speak, he asked bluntly, "What do you want from me?"

Pei Yuan glanced at Zhang Song, who was sitting a little restless.

Zhang Song felt slightly embarrassed, and thinking of the money he had received, he wanted to bite the bullet and come out to smooth things over.

But Wang Qiong was a meticulous person and he could tell something just from the two people's small movements.

He frowned and said to Pei Yuan unhappily, "Please put away your tricks in front of me."

After saying that, Wang Qiong looked at Zhang Song and softened his tone a little, "You go first, I will go find Yang Yiqing another day. With your talent, how could you be labeled as 'not diligent, not capable' every time you take the imperial examination and even be demoted?"

Zhang Song smiled bitterly and said, "There's no need to dwell on the past. If you keep dwelling on this matter, I'm afraid you'll only offend the Ministry of Personnel. Now that I can find a good opportunity to serve outside the government, I'll be satisfied."

After hearing this, Wang Qiong stroked his beard and did not respond.

Zhang Song had no choice but to stand up and say, "Then I'll take my leave."

Wang Qiong stood up to see him off, but ignored Pei Yuan when they passed by.

Pei Yuan inexplicably empathized with Song Chunniang's followers whom he had just ignored.

I also have a deeper understanding of Zang Xian's words, "Sometimes a big shot's momentary true nature can ruin someone else's life."

However, Pei Yuan is not the kind of small person who can be manipulated.

Without waiting for Wang Qiong to send the person back, he found a chair and sat down.

When Wang Qiong returned to the house, he couldn't help but frowned when he saw Pei Yuan like this.

It's just that he was somewhat in the wrong in this matter. Although he tried to be polite, it was not the right way to treat guests.

Wang Qiong once again took the initiative and said calmly without waiting for Pei Yuan to speak, "You heard it just now. Although my friend has suffered injustice, it is well known to everyone. I can shamelessly speak up for him, but I cannot bend the law for personal gain."

"He wants to seek an external post just to make money. How can I abandon my official duties just because of my own selfish desires?"

"You got his recommendation, so you must have done him some favors. But the Ministry of Revenue that I manage is the treasury of the people of the world, so I won't give you the opportunity to make a profit."

What Wang Qiong said hit the nail on the head.

Pei Yuan was a Jinyiwei, and he went through roundabout ways to ask Wang Qiong for help. It must be related to Wang Qiong's authority.

Wang Qiong knew that it was not easy for Zhang Song to meet him, so he gave him this face to meet him, but he did not want Pei Yuan to have any improper thoughts at all.

Pei Yuan listened, sorted out his thoughts, and then said with a smile, "Minister Wang said that because you don't understand me. If you understood me, you would not only treat me as a close friend, but also ask someone to bring some fine wine for me to drink with you."

After hearing this, Wang Qiong stroked his beard, with a hint of sarcasm on his face.

He is over fifty years old and is no longer as passionate as he used to be, but he does not hide his likes and dislikes, and it is all on his face.

Pei Yuan secretly rejoiced that the reputation he had gained in the early stages was finally put to good use.

Otherwise, with his identity as a Jinyiwei, the civil servants would not even look at him.

Pei Yuan then said to Wang Qiong, "There was a case a few days ago. I wonder if you have any impression of it, Lord Wang?"

Wang Qiong frowned, not knowing what Pei Yuan wanted to say.

Pei Yuan said, "Back then, Liang Ciyu relied on the protection of his father Liang Chu to commit all kinds of evil in his hometown, killing people and seizing land. As a result, the official in charge of the case was afraid of the power of the cabinet minister and gave the final review opinion of 'the law is lenient over emotion'. Your Excellency should remember this."

Wang Qiong said calmly, "Everyone in the court knows about this matter."

Pei Yuan nodded and continued, "After learning the result, Liang Ci'an became even more unscrupulous and arrogant. He even went to Da Ci'en Temple and repeatedly humiliated those candidates who spoke out for justice."

Wang Qiong had also heard about this matter.

Seeing that Wang Qiong had no objection to the angle he described, Pei Yuan knew that this guy also supported the prosecution of Liang Cichu, so he said, "At that time, everyone was afraid and fled, and justice could not be upheld. It was Pei who stepped forward in anger and accused him of righteousness. Liang Cichu wanted to commit more brutal crimes, and it was Pei who beat him up so that people in the world would not be disheartened."

Wang Qiong was stunned when he heard this, and subconsciously asked, "Are you the righteous man in brocade clothes who beat Liang Ci'an?"

Pei Yuan nodded, "Not bad."

Wang Qiong's expression visibly eased a bit, and the atmosphere in the hall was no longer as tense as before.

Wang Qiong looked at Pei Yuan again and said, "He is indeed a unique person."

When Pei Yuan beat Liang Ci'ao last time, he deliberately left some space for the candidates to join in.

Having personally participated in the event, those who participated were very excited and really spread the news widely.

Pei Yuan's image was also beautified during the spread of the story and he gained the reputation of a righteous man.

Pei Yuan brought out the words he had used to deceive Huo Tao and said to Wang Qiong, "Because I am not an ordinary Jinyiwei. I am in the Suppression of Evils Unit, which is responsible for investigating temples and tracking down those evil cults that deceive foolish men and women. I rarely get involved in disputes in the court."

"So we are different. Pei is a peaceful person by nature. He is different from those Jinyiwei who are accomplices to the evildoers."

"Oh?" Wang Qiong didn't expect there was such a secret. Wang Qiong thought about it and was about to ask something when he heard Pei Yuan say, "Besides, I came to see Minister Wang this time not to ask for anything. On the contrary, I came to question Minister Wang."

Wang Qiong's face turned ugly again. "You come to question me? How can this be absurd? Who are you to question me?"

Pei Yuan said solemnly, "Every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. The Ministry of Revenue abused the people's hard-earned money. Even though I am just an ordinary person, can't I ask for an explanation?"

Wang Qiong was stunned.

Every man has his share of responsibility for the fate of his country. This person's words are quite bold.

Then he realized something was wrong and said calmly, "You are just talking nonsense. You are so shameless. The money and grain of the Ministry of Revenue have their own place to be checked. How can you abuse the people's money?"

Pei Yuan then explained his intention, "A few days ago, I went to the front of the army to investigate the evil deeds of the monks. Who would have thought that along the way, I saw that the food and grass in the army were piled up like mountains. A large amount of food was left to rot, and many of the grass that could not be placed were directly ignited and burned."

"I would like to ask Minister Wang, aren't those things that turned into ashes the blood and sweat of the poor people?"

Wang Qiong was shocked and furious when he heard this. "What? Is this true?"

Pei Yuan emphasized, "Minister Wang may not know that the imperial court is about to put down the rebellion in Bazhou. However, the food and fodder shipped to the front line is still flowing in."

"I heard that some military officers have threatened to divide up the food and beans among themselves after the war, and then burn all the hay that was transported to the front of the army."

"What am I?"

"I'm just a Jinyiwei passing by, and I feel indignant when I see this."

"Minister Wang, do you still remember who you are?"

"Why can you turn a blind eye and blame others for your brazenness?"

After hearing this, Wang Qiong blushed.

He quickly rejected the question, "The military affairs are handled by Governor Yang Tan, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. It has nothing to do with me."

"It has nothing to do with you?" Pei Yuan looked at Wang Qiong aggressively. "I am just a Jinyiwei passing by. I felt obliged to do so. How could you, as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, say something like 'It has nothing to do with you'?"

Wang Qiong was speechless. He explained, "I didn't say it had nothing to do with me. What I meant was..."

Wang Qiong felt that his mind was a little confused, so he said directly, "The Minister of Revenue Sun Jiao is involved in this matter, and the Left Vice Minister Yang Tan is directly responsible for managing this matter. What are you looking for me for?"

Pei Yuan did not give in at all. "Sun Jiao is just a scholar. How can he have the ability to govern the country and benefit the people?"

"He and Grand Secretary Li Dongyang are from the same hometown, and he and Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe's father Yang Chun were both Jinshi in the same class, so they have a good relationship. With the help of these two people, he was able to take the position of Minister of Revenue. If it weren't for Sun Jiao's stupidity and incompetence, how could the situation today be possible?"

Wang Qiong felt secretly happy after hearing this.

That's how it is.

However, he couldn't say it clearly, so he could only say, "There is also the Left Assistant Minister Yang Tan."

Pei Yuan said bluntly, "I don't know anything about Yang Tan, I only know that the prince is in the Ministry of Revenue. Only the prince can pay attention to this matter and cherish the people's hard work."

Wang Qiong coughed lightly, not knowing how to respond.

No wonder this person's words were so offensive, it turns out he is a very straightforward person.

Seeing Wang Qiong touching his beard without saying anything, Pei Yuan asked again, "Does your Excellency know why I chose you?"

"Oh, why is that?" Wang Qiong was curious and wanted to know how she got blamed for this.

Wang Qiong felt that she was really wronged.

Whether we ask Sun Jiao or Yang Tan for help in this matter, it would make sense. It would be totally unreasonable to ask him.

Then I heard the Jinyiwei military officer in front of me say, "That's because I have heard about the prince's early years and have long admired what he did. I think only the prince can be stingy with money and grain for the world."

Having said that, he continued without waiting for Wang Qiong to speak.

"At the beginning, the amount of grass-sweeping fees collected by the Caohe River Administration from the public every year was very huge, and the relevant personnel used the money to embezzle a lot of money."

"The grass collected was mowed, and much of it was new grass that was mixed with old grass, and there was no way to check for rotten grass. The burden on the people was heavy, and the river management wasted endlessly."

"Later, when Wang Gong was the director of the Ministry of Works, he made every effort to audit the finances and put an end to corruption. Through detailed inspections, he cleared the accumulated scavenging and reduced the amount of levies to reduce the burden on the people. After that, he even converted part of the scavenging into cash and formulated the policy of 'collecting three tenths of the annual levy and saving it in silver'. As a result, in just two years, not only did the scavenging not accumulate and the people were not burdened with taxes, but the treasury actually accumulated more than 30,000 taels of silver."

Pei Yuan looked at Wang Qiong and said, "With such a good example as yours, shouldn't I think of yours first when I see the mountains of food and fodder on the front line?"

Wang Qiong was overjoyed when he heard this, and couldn't help but ask, "Have you, a Jinyiwei, heard about these things?"

Pei Yuan shook his head. Wang Qiong was just feeling a little disappointed when he heard Pei Yuan say, "I was at the front and witnessed the huge waste in front of the army. Many old officials who went to Huguang to supervise grain sighed and said that if you were here, you would definitely not let the people's money go to waste."

"Pei asked further questions and only then did he learn about the prince's deeds from those people."

Wang Qiong was even happier because his masterpiece had spread so widely.

Immediately, Wang Qiong felt a little ashamed again.

Did I just say something I shouldn’t have said?

What if this gets out to the Jinyiwei and those who admire me are disappointed?
Wang Qiong thought about Pei Yuan's purpose and asked him, "You came to me just to ask me to intervene in this matter?"

Pei Yuan answered the question irrelevantly, "I came here for the sake of the country and the nation, but the prince blamed me for profit. I am also confused now."

Wang Qiong became more and more embarrassed.

He had no choice but to save face, "Just now, I was just joking."

Wang Qiong finished speaking, and said with some embarrassment, "It's just that my identity is a bit awkward. I just made it very clear that the person directly responsible for this matter is the Left Vice Minister Yang Tan, and the one who arranged for him to be the governor of the grain and salaries this time is the Minister of Revenue Sun Jiao. I have no reason to be a master, so how can I bypass these two people and interfere in the money and grain affairs of the front line?"

Pei Yuan immediately understood what Wang Qiong meant.

If he wanted to have a legitimate reason, he naturally needed external help to break the impasse and expose the matter.

Otherwise, if Wang Qiong turned against her colleagues and stabbed them in the back, it would probably cause huge controversy.

Pei Yuan thought about it and realized that all the money wasted on the front line was the money that Liu Jin had saved for Zhu Houzhao. If Zhu Houzhao knew about this, he would definitely be furious. It should not be a problem to report this to Zhu Houzhao.

Furthermore, Zhang Lian hated evil and had a straight-forward character. Although he had returned to Beijing to take up the post of Shanxi Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, he had not yet taken up the post.

The Censor was originally under the jurisdiction of the Censorate and belonged to the system of the Ministry of Rites. He could report things upon hearing rumors, and it was just the right time for him to report it to Zhang Lian and let him expose the matter.

Pei Yuan then said to Wang Qiong confidently, "I'll take care of this matter. Do you want to directly request an imperial edict, or let the Censorate go through the normal process?"

Wang Qiong almost pulled his beard out after hearing this.

Good guy.

Is this the Jinyiwei who is naturally peaceful and rarely gets involved in court disputes?
You are really different.

(End of this chapter)