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

Chapter 462 How to Win

Pei Yuan immediately reminded him, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that when Eunuch Gu reviewed this war, he mentioned those southern guards? Aren't these people just southern warriors who have the merit of suppressing rebellions?"

Zhu Houzhao suddenly came to his senses and immediately agreed, "Well, Gu Dayong is still knowledgeable, and He Huan is brave and resourceful."

"It seems that the others should be no less capable."

"I'll have someone add their names later."

Pei Yuan was delighted to hear this. This was the best news he had heard in recent days.

Captain Pei has always attached great importance to his reputation. If he can get this matter done, he will feel more at ease with the 170,000 taels of silver.

Then Zhu Houzhao sighed again, "Every time Pei Qing comes to the palace, I gain something. Why not..."

Pei Yuan was a little frightened when he heard this, "Don't be so straightforward."

He didn't even care about etiquette, and hurriedly interrupted, "I dare not, I am also a bystander, so I occasionally get it."

Zhu Houzhao was indeed influenced by Pei Yuan's words and nodded in praise, "That's right. But..."

Pei Yuan panicked again, please don't worry.

He then hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and has a keen eye. Can you see my eyelashes clearly from this distance?"

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "We are not far away, and it is not a difficult task."

Pei Yuan quickly asked again, "Then Your Majesty, can you see your eyelashes clearly?"

"Hmm?" Zhu Houzhao became interested and moved his eyes a few times, but didn't see anything.

Pei Yuan said softly, "But I can see your majesty's eyelashes."

Zhu Houzhao stood there and thought for a while, then looked around and asked the eunuchs around him to leave.

After the people left, Zhu Houzhao said to Pei Yuan, "You mean, there are invisible villains around me."

Pei Yuan sighed, he really is a master of stress relief with perfect comprehension ability.

Pei Yuan said, "Since Your Majesty asked about the visit to the Queen's bedroom that day, I wonder if Your Majesty knows that it was Zhang Rui, the governor of the East Factory, who went to check it out with me that day."

Zhu Houzhao listened without much change in expression.

Then he asked, "Anything else you want to say?"

Pei Yuan said, "No more. I will be on guard outside at any time to prevent your Majesty from being deceived by villains. If there is any rumor, I will report it in time."

Zhu Houzhao didn't say anything after listening for a while, and then said, "You can leave now."

After Pei Yuan respectfully left, Zhu Houzhao called the waiter and ordered, "Go, call Zhang Rui."

The eunuch who was serving on the side immediately sent someone to pass the message and find Zhang Rui.

When Zhang Rui heard that the emperor summoned him, he did not dare to be negligent and hurried to see him.

When he met the emperor and bowed respectfully, Zhu Houzhao asked him, "Zhang Rui, do you know why I chose you over Gu Dayong, Qiu Ju and others?"

Zhang Rui quickly responded respectfully, "I don't know."

Zhu Houzhao's expression was very friendly, "Guess what."

Zhang Rui had some doubts in his mind, not knowing why Zhu Houzhao was looking for him. He was also a little suspicious that Pei Yuan might have just reported something bad to him.

He answered carefully, "If there is any merit in me, it is that I am more diligent than others."

When Zhu Houzhao heard the answer, he did not keep the secret and said with a smile, "It is also because you have experienced a lot of things, and are more useful than my several companions."

Zhang Rui was overjoyed, but he bowed down again, "This old slave is terrified."

Zhu Houzhao chuckled and said, "Why are you so scared? You guys understand my thoughts best."

"Otherwise, why would Qiu Ju be so sensible as to make room for you?"

However, Zhang Rui didn't dare to respond.

Zhu Houzhao pondered for a moment and said to Zhang Rui, "Zhang Yong is not suitable to be the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department anymore. We are just the emperor and his subjects, and I cannot be too heartless. Why don't you think of a solution for me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rui immediately bowed down and accepted the order.

Some calculations flashed through his mind quickly.

Zhang Yong's downfall meant that the position of the first person in the inner court would be vacant, and the emperor wanted to vigorously promote "old people from Hongzhi's past", so this was a good thing no matter how you looked at it.

As for how to face Zhang Yong, whom I just met...

Humph! Sorry, I am the governor of the East Factory!
When Pei Yuan left the imperial city, he saw Chen Xinjian and his men waiting outside.

Seeing that Pei Yuan was fine, Chen Xinjian stepped forward and said, "Captain, there's news from Shandong!"

"Oh?" Pei Yuan looked around quickly, then said to Chen Xinjian, "Let's talk while we walk."

The two men walked back slowly, while several Jinyiwei soldiers who followed them were guarding cautiously everywhere.

Chen Xinjian whispered, "Governor Wang has already gathered a dozen or so scholars who are close to him. After observing them privately, Huo Tao also felt that these people have good character and no background, so they are worth winning over."

"Governor Wang heard that the special examination has been approved at the court meeting and plans to organize those candidates to come to the capital in the near future. I would like to ask Qianhu what plans you have."

Pei Yuan was also scratching his head after hearing this.

Now, there are no respectable civil servants under Pei Yuan's command.

Pei Yuan himself didn’t know how to let those “newbies” know his own strength.

You can't just V them 50.

That's the kind of rough work that only guys like Lu Dahua would do.

Pei Yuan said helplessly, "What can I plan?"

He added, "Let's get the people here first. I heard that Wang Hua will be able to enter the capital in the next two days. I think the Enke matter will be finalized soon. Let's leave early so as not to be in a hurry."

"As for how many people are willing to work for us, it depends on the abilities of Wang Chang and Huo Tao."

Chen Xinjian heard this and said, "Then I will send a letter to Shandong, asking them to send those candidates to Beijing as soon as possible."

After listening to this, Pei Yuan thought of something else, "By the way, how is Zhang Song's matter going?"

Chen Xinjian said, "After Li Shishi launched the Beijing inspection, the first thing he investigated was Zhang Song's case. He was demoted to the Nanjing Jinyiwei because he was found incompetent in the Dali Temple."

"My official rank was also downgraded from the seventh-rank Dali Temple judge to the seventh-rank Jinyiwei experience department experience. I have already asked Han Qianhu in the name of the Lord to help arrange for the person to be placed with us."

"Captain Han usually works at the Nanjing Jinyiwei Yamen. For such a small matter, the Nanjing Jinyiwei will not ignore him."

Pei Yuan thought about it for a while and said to Chen Xinjian, "Although this guy is not doing very well, he is at least the only Jinshi in our Qianhu Division. Let him receive those candidates from Shandong." Chen Xinjian said, "I will remember this."

Pei Yuan immediately thought of Sun Keding, who was serving as Gu Dayong's aide.

Although this guy is also a Jinshi, his character is so despicable that we can't find a suitable place to employ him now.

Gu Dayong was a weak official, and there was no important official in the court who was willing to help and support him.

Even if he wanted to arrange a future for Sun Keding, he couldn't find an opportunity.

Perhaps after Lu Wan becomes the leader of the eunuch party again, Sun Keding will have a chance to live a second life there, but there is not much hope for anything else.

When Pei Yuan returned to Zhihua Temple, a soldier guarding the gate came forward to report, "Captain, the young master of Qingyang is here again, and this time he is accompanied by an older man."

Pei Yuan's heart moved and he looked at Chen Xinjian.

Chen Xinjian whispered, "Could it be that Qingyang Bo Xiaru himself has come?"

Pei Yuan said, "It's possible."

Having said that, he asked someone to lead him to see her.

Still in the reception room, Pei Yuan met Xia Zhu, the eldest son of the Earl of Qingyang. Then, sitting above Xia Zhu, he met a pampered elder who was about fifty years old.

When Pei Yuan saw the seats the two people were sitting in, he thought, this must be the Earl of Qingyang himself.

Pei Yuan calmly stepped forward and bowed to Xia Zhu, saying, "I am Pei Yuan, the captain of the Jinyiwei. I am honored to meet Commander Xia."

After hearing what Pei Yuan said, Xia Zhu suddenly remembered what happened last time. His face flushed and he angrily said, "How dare you challenge this commander?!"

Seeing this, the Earl of Qingyang scolded, "How dare you! I am here to talk to Captain Pei, so stop talking."

Pei Yuan smiled in his heart when he heard this.

It must have been what happened last time, and Xia Zhu told him everything when he went back.

Then this incident just happened to happen, which made Xia Ru suspect that Xia Zhu was too arrogant and offended Pei Yuan, which led to his revenge.

The Queen is in the middle of a storm right now, so it's not good for any more news to spread.

In panic, the two could only come to Pei Yuan to test the waters.

Pei Yuan did not give Qingyang Bo Xiaru a chance to speak, and directly spoke first, "I think you two are here for the Queen's matter, right? To be honest, just now, His Majesty also summoned me to the palace to inquire about this matter."

Xia Ru's expression could no longer be calm. He quickly asked, "What did His Majesty ask you? What did you say?"

Pei Yuan looked at the two of them and said calmly, "Lord Qingyang, please be careful with your words."

Seeing that Pei Yuan had revealed his identity, Xia Ru did not try to hide anything. He simply asked directly, "The Queen Mother's decree was vague this time. I want to know what kind of trouble the Queen has encountered. Is Captain Pei willing to make a good relationship with our Xia family?"

When Pei Yuan heard Xia Ru say this, he glanced around and sat down opposite the two of them.

Upon seeing this, Chen Xinjian immediately asked someone to bring tea to Pei Yuan.

Xia Ru and Xia Zhu subconsciously looked at the empty desks beside them, their faces not looking very good.

Pei Yuan sorted out his thoughts and asked Xia Ru, "Then can I ask Lord Qingyang to answer a question for you first?"

Xia Ru did not care about the man's rudeness and said without hesitation, "Captain Pei, please speak."

Pei Yuan pretended to be confused and said, "I was a little confused last time, why Commander Xia came to me, I wonder if Lord Qingyang can explain it to me?"

Xia Ru didn't have so many thoughts. Seeing the disaster coming, he didn't care to cover it up. "The Queen sent someone to tell me that someone might plot against her. The people who did it were Zhang Rui, the governor of the East Factory, and a captain named Pei."

"She also had someone look up the records of people entering and leaving the palace, and found out your identity. That's why my child came to look for you."

Pei Yuan still asked in confusion, "Why did the Queen ask Commander Xia to look for me?"

Xia Ru said earnestly, "The Queen thinks you may have some loyalty and righteousness in your heart, and maybe you can turn back from your mistakes."

After hearing this, Pei Yuan said slowly, "The Queen is naturally good at judging people."

Then he looked at Xia Zhu and said with a hint of sarcasm, "It's just that Commander Xia is so majestic that it reminds me of the majestic Shouning Marquis Zhang Heling."

"I've thought about it. I can't afford to offend Commander Xia, let alone Shouning Marquis Zhang Heling."

"Since the Xia family is so ignorant, why should I offend the Zhang family for the Xia family?"

Xia Zhu was immediately annoyed when he saw Pei Yuan putting the blame on him, "Zhang Heling can deal with you, so can't I, the commander, deal with you?"

Pei Yuan listened and said calmly, "I'm sorry, you can't handle it."

"Not to mention that you, the commander of the Jinyiwei, don't hold the seal, you can't even be called a real position. Even if you are a real position, and hold the seal in the Jinyiwei, haha, it's a pity that I am an official of the Nanjing Jinyiwei, and you still can't control me."

"Besides, I have received the Emperor's order and have the important task of exterminating the Luo Sect. Who in the court dares to touch me?"

The Xia family's father and son looked at each other.

One of these two men was an idle earl and deputy governor, and the other was an idle commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

They were only relatives by marriage and were raised by the royal family. How could they have any knowledge of such important affairs of the court?

Now they can no longer threaten him, and their family's power is not as great as that of Zhang Heling, Marquis of Shouning. For a moment, they don't know how to make a breakthrough from Pei Yuan.

Xia Zhu couldn't help but say to Pei Yuan, "Marquis Shouning is so powerful now, and it's only because of the Queen Mother. Doesn't Captain Pei think about the future?"

Pei Yuan felt a little regretful after hearing this. He didn't expect that the queen would have such a stupid brother.

He said indifferently, "The current emperor only has one mother, but who knows how many queens he will have. How are you going to win, Xia family?"

"You!" Xia Zhu stood up angrily with an ugly look on his face.

Pei Yuan ignored him and looked at Qingyang Bo Xia Ru and said, "The Queen can see through everything. She must be a smart person. If there is a chance, you might as well tell the Queen what I said. I believe the Queen will make a decision."

Xia Ru heard that there seemed to be something strange in Pei Yuan's words, but he was also a little confused, so he could only write it down for the time being.

Pei Yuan's attitude did not seem as resolute as he had shown before, which gave Xia Ru some hope, so he asked, "Then what does the Queen Mother's decree involve..."

Pei Yuan kept silent and just drank tea.

Xia Ru thought for a moment and said, "The Queen said that Captain Pei still has a loyal heart, so she must not have made a mistake. My son is ignorant and has provoked Captain Pei. I will punish him when I return."

"It's just that there is no news from the Queen right now. The last message she sent was about Qianhu. If Qianhu can help the Xia family, the Queen will definitely be pleased when she finds out about it in the future."

Pei Yuan listened to this and pondered for a while, then said to Xia Ru, "The Earl of Qingyang is simply worried that the emperor will alienate the Xia family, and is also afraid that those who are lucky enough to take advantage of the opportunity to embarrass the Xia family in order to get promoted."

Pei Yuan finished speaking and glanced at Xia Ru, "Is that so?"

Xia Ru saw that Pei Yuan had made it clear, so there was no need to cover up. He nodded and said sincerely, "What the commander said is right. I wonder if the commander has anything to teach me?"

(End of this chapter)