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

Chapter 482 Resonance
When Song Chunniang heard that she really had a chance to marry the daughter of a Jinshi, she became excited.

She stopped lying there lazily and asked nervously, "Is it really possible?"

Pei Yuan continued to give her motivation.

"Zhang Lian is now a third-rank provincial governor. When the empress dowager is no longer able to ask the court for help, he may have a chance to slowly work his way up and enter the cabinet."

"By then, Zhang Yunjun will be the daughter of a university scholar. I dare not even imagine how lucky you will be."

Song Chunniang smiled foolishly for a while, then asked unconfidently, "Can it really work?"

Pei Yuan suggested to her, "If you go directly to Zhang Lian, there will be no hope. You might as well start with Zhang Yunjun's mother."

"Her mother doesn't have so many scruples. If she had sympathized with her daughter, perhaps this matter would have been accomplished."

Pei Yuan is confident and handsome. In the eyes of the Zhang family, he is a close minister of the emperor and can protect Zhang Yunjun.

Rather than leaving her at home and letting her be lonely and helpless when she is old, it is better for her to marry him off as a concubine and enjoy her youth.

Moreover, Song Chunniang will be the one taking the blame, and the future child will also have a decent family background and status.

Song Chunniang was immediately moved and wanted to get up immediately, "Okay, I'll go ask now."

As for the name, of course, it was to help Pei Yuan take a concubine.

Pei Yuan looked at her clothes and was glad that he had only slightly manipulated her clothes with his index finger, so the official uniform was not particularly wrinkled.

He helped her tidy up a bit before saying, "There is no time to lose. It will take some time to send letters from here to Shanxi. If we delay for too long, it will be difficult to handle."

Pei Yuan helped Song Chunniang sort out the details and increase the chances of success of this trip. "Zhang Lian is from Yaozhou, and his hometown is far away in Shaanxi. People over there don't have much information, let alone know about people like us."

"Then I can pretend to be you and marry Zhang Yunjun off in a formal ceremony in my hometown."

"The Zhang family must have been troubled by this matter for a long time. It would be great if they could have an ending that wasn't too embarrassing and explain the past."

"Otherwise, as long as Zhang Yunjun is still in the Zhang family, she will inevitably become a topic of conversation."

"You know, the Zhang family has more than one daughter, and four sons. Don't you have any concerns about future marriages?"

Song Chunniang stared at Pei Yuan and took notes carefully.

After Pei Yuan finished speaking, he asked her to repeat it again, and then he nodded with satisfaction.

With excitement in her heart, Song Chunniang left the Western Factory and headed towards Zhang Lian's house in Beijing.

She had frequent dealings with the Zhang family before, but because of her identity as a woman, she did not arouse much suspicion.

Moreover, Mrs. Zhang saw that her daughter had a good relationship with this female official of the Jinyiwei, so every time Song Chunniang left, she would earnestly remind her to come over as a visit often.

After Zhang Lian went to Shanxi to take office, the Zhang family was concerned about the power of Shouning Marquis and kept the front door closed on weekdays. Even if they needed to make purchases, they would go in and out through the side door or the backyard.

Song Chunniang opened the door to the backyard with familiarity.

When the servants guarding the gate saw that it was her, they opened the door happily.

The joy here was not only because she was relieved that there was someone to accompany the unfortunate Zhang Yunjun, but also because Song Chunniang had proudly boasted about her identity as the chief criminal officer of the Western Factory.

For the Zhang family, who have suffered a great humiliation, this sense of security is very necessary.

This time, Song Chunniang strolled into Zhang's house, but did not go to see Zhang Yunjun as usual. Instead, she rarely asked to see Zhang Lian's wife.

When Mrs. Zhang heard the servant say that Song Chunniang wanted to see her, she quickly asked someone to invite her over.

When Song Chunniang saw Madam Zhang, she smiled and said, "Congratulations, old lady?"

Mrs. Zhang was a little surprised when she heard this. "Why did General Song say that? Where does he get so happy?"

Song Chunniang then repeated Pei Yuan's words.

When Mrs. Zhang heard that the handsome captain she had met last time wanted to take her daughter as a concubine, she undoubtedly had complicated feelings.

She also came from a scholarly family, so she naturally understood that being a concubine was not the right thing to do.

But what Song Chunniang said hit the nail on the head in every aspect.

No matter how much the couple loved Zhang Yunjun and raised her in their arms, they would eventually grow old.

Even if the brothers said nothing and married virtuous wives, what about the future? They couldn't let their nephews and grandchildren take care of her in her old age.

Moreover, if life is without the joy of couples painting eyebrows and raising children, what difference is there between it and dead branches and withered wood?

The couple wanted to marry their daughter off in a grand manner, but after what had happened to her, how easy would it be to find a good husband?

Just as Song Chunniang said, those from inferior families could not afford to offend the Marquis of Shouning, and those who could afford to offend the Marquis of Shouning were unwilling to marry a woman with such a tarnished reputation, thus making her a laughing stock.

Although Pei Yuan was taking a concubine, he could use the etiquette of marrying a wife and welcome Zhang Yunjun away from the Zhang family in a grand manner.

In name, Zhang Yunjun was also the wife of this "Song Tie".

To some extent, this even far exceeded Mrs. Zhang's expectations.

Seeing that Madam Zhang was still hesitating, Song Chunniang advised, "Even the daughter of the Prime Minister can be given as a concubine, so why should you hesitate, Madam?"

Song Chunniang couldn't help laughing when she said this, "Besides, she is still nominally married to me as my legal wife."

Mrs. Zhang was even more moved when she heard this, but it was not something she could decide, so she could only smile and change the subject, "The court is ridiculous. How could they let a woman like you become an official?"

Song Chunniang said disapprovingly, "What's the big deal?"

He showed off the bear patch on his chest and said, "Now I am the chief criminal officer of the Western Factory. I may have the opportunity to be promoted in the future. Song Tie's name is on the court's files, and he will also be required to receive an imperial edict. I can't be an official and receive an imperial edict at the same time."

"It's useless for me to keep it anyway, so I might as well give it to Yunjun."

Mrs. Zhang was immediately moved. "How can this be so embarrassing?"

Song Chunniang rolled her eyes but said nothing. Even if Zhang Yunjun received the imperial decree in the future, she would have deserved it.

Then Mrs. Zhang finally couldn't help but said, "I'll write to her father and ask what he thinks."

After taking care of Mrs. Zhang, Song Chunniang quickly said goodbye and went to Zhang Yunjun's courtyard to share the good news with her.

After leaving Xichang, Pei Yuan never returned to Zhihua Temple.

Those scholars are now temporarily staying in Zhihua Temple. Pei Yuan has no plans to meet with them until they come to their senses and make a decision.

If we continue to be brothers like this every day, it would be so sad if Chen Xinjian suddenly gave me a head of his own one day.

Captain Pei is also a kind-hearted person.

For several days, Pei Yuan did not go to Zhihua Temple to handle official business, but spent his time leisurely at home.

Of course, most of the official business was not handled, but some important information was still passed on truthfully.

For example, news from the Ministry of Rites.

After receiving Pei Yuan's comments, Mao Ji, the Minister of Rites, helped to cross out many of them in a very uneasy manner.

After all, Pei Yuan's comment was in the direction of "evil intentions". Once it was really defined as such, the careers of those officials would basically be ruined. Those local officials just wanted to flatter the emperor, and they would not stab him in the heart with a knife.

What's more, many county and state officials are new to the political arena, so it's normal for them to be surprised by what they're seeing. Just simply send them off.

When Mao Ji saw Pei Yuan praising the three officials who presented the "Jiahe" gift, he almost thought he had seen it wrong.

——"The good harvest is growing, heralding the beginning of prosperity. The sign of peace is here."

These few numbers almost bring the significance of this auspicious sign to the sky.

Then, he gave a very worldly-wise comment: "Not only is Your Majesty's virtue known to the gods, but you also nurture all living beings in the prefectures and counties."

The meaning is very clear. The auspicious significance of Jiahe is highly recognized. Report it to the emperor immediately and reward the local area.

Mao Ji was very confused after reading it.

You know, in this era, auspicious signs are also divided into different levels.

Great auspicious signs include auspicious stars, auspicious clouds, strange phenomena in the mountains and rivers, dragons, phoenixes, and unicorns.

Shangrui refers to rare spiritual beasts such as white wolves and white deer. Basically, all colorful beasts with white, red, and gray hair are included.

The Zhongrui birds are slightly inferior, such as the gray bird, red goose, colorful bird, and white pheasant.

The worst ones are Jiahe, Lingzhi and Mulianli.

In short, great auspicious signs are mostly celestial phenomena, upper auspicious signs are mostly animals, middle auspicious signs are mostly birds, and lower auspicious signs are mostly plants.

Pei Yuan disdained flying birds and rare animals, sneered at beasts and spiritual creatures, and called for the killing of strange phenomena in the sky and earth, but when he saw the worst Jiahe, he started to praise it.

Mao Ji didn't really want to pay attention to Pei Yuan's request.

However, after hearing what Zhang Song, the experience officer of the Experience Department, was furious, but after thinking for a moment, he decided to endure the matter.

Mao Ji knew one thing since the first time he forwarded these memorials to the Zhenxie Qianhu Office, Pei Yuan immediately rejected them on the grounds that "the memorials were untrue."

Captain Pei is a smart man and can take responsibility at critical moments.

Captain Pei knew that he did not want the court to make a fuss about these unnecessary auspicious signs, nor did he want officials from all over the country to see a precedent of being promoted because of this. Therefore, after receiving the memorial, he immediately gave a verdict of "untrue" without hesitation.

In a sense, it was equivalent to the Ministry of Rites transferring the risk to the Suppression of Evils Thousand Households Office.

Pei Yuan is a smart man. He can do this thing so responsibly. How could he not know the importance of it?

"Jiahe, Jiahe."

Mao Ji recited two sentences softly, then looked at the comment "The good crops are growing, and the prosperous period is coming. The sign of peace is here", and gradually became absent-minded.

Isn't it the best auspicious sign that the people can have enough food to eat and the world can enjoy peace?
This seems to be more meaningful than those magical birds and beasts and strange celestial phenomena.

Pei Yuan is a person who... doesn't stick to common sense.

Mao Ji pondered for a moment, then turned his anger into laughter. After agreeing to this, he asked Zhang Song to reply to Pei Yuan.

He also gave Pei Yuan a list of various gods, big and small, that needed to be worshipped, as compiled by the Ministry of Rites, and asked him to consider it in detail.

Pei Yuan didn't expect that Mao Ji could resonate with him in this way.

If this guy wasn't about to return to his hometown to observe mourning for his father, Pei Yuan would have gone to the Ministry of Rites to have a good talk with him.

In history, Mao Ji had a rather tragic life.

Not long after he returned home to mourn, the position of Minister of Rites became vacant. As a result, he, who could have directly moved up a small step, missed the opportunity to advance.

When he returned from mourning in his hometown in Shandong, he happened to be appointed Minister of Rites and then successfully entered the cabinet and became prime minister.

As a result, before he had the chance to display his ability to govern the country, Zhengde died suddenly, and he was then forced to participate in the "Great Ceremony Debate".

Mao Ji was promoted to the position of Prime Minister and briefly served as the Prime Minister. However, he could not bear the moral pressure from the Qingliu and had to retire regretfully.

Mao Ji was only in his fifties at that time, and it was not an exaggeration to call him a young man for the position of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

As a result, when he was in his prime and politically mature, he could only read books and plant flowers at home.

Mao Ji retired in the third year of Jiajing and died in the twenty-fourth year of Jiajing.

To waste twenty-one years of time is a huge regret for a cabinet chief.

Pei Yuan was thinking about Mao Ji's matter and his previous advice to Xiao Yan, and his heart couldn't help but move slightly.

Shouldn't I also consider my future?
With Mao Ji's loyalty and integrity, even if he cannot be used by himself, he will be an excellent candidate to assist the young master in the future.

During the last court meeting, the one who took the lead in rushing to the high ground and demanding that Zhu Houzhao get his son out as soon as possible was not Yang Tinghe, the chief minister of the cabinet, nor Yang Yiqing, the official of the outer court, but Mao Ji, the vice minister of rites.

Mao Ji took the risk of offending Zhu Houzhao and took the initiative to ask Zhu Houzhao to adopt a son from his clan. This was because he didn't care whether the future emperor was Zhu Houzhao's son or not. What he cared about was orderly succession and that the world should not be in chaos because of the handover of the throne.

In Mao Ji's mind, it is still unclear whether the people are the most important.

However, the idea that "the country and the people are second, and the king is the least important" is vividly reflected.

From this perspective, it’s worth making friends with him.

After some calculations, according to the current timeline, Mao Ji, who is a third-rank official, can still shine for another 30 years. With such a long standby time in the late stage, it would be great for him to take care of children.

And to be honest, if Lu Ting hadn't used the super boss Xie Qian to take the lead and suppress the voices of other proposals.

Mao Ji already has the opportunity to be promoted to the Minister of Rites and become one of the Seven Great Ministers.

Pei Yuan looked at the lists of sacrifices to ancestral temples in various places, pondered for a while, and roughly guessed Mao Ji's thoughts.

It is estimated that he felt that the burden on the court was too heavy and wanted to reduce some of the main shrines where officials held sacrifices.

In this way, not only can a lot of expenses be reduced, but some of the allocated sacrificial land can also be recovered.

Pei Yuan looked at the list but didn't dare to act rashly.

This is a fucking list of gods.

There are many grass-roots gods who seem to have no origins, but their roots can reach the sky.

For example, the Lingji Palace in front of the West Factory Gate is dedicated to the two brothers Xu Zhizheng and Xu Zhiye.

Who are these two brothers?
He is the son of Xu Wen, a general of Southern Wu during the Five Dynasties. He is a grass-headed god worshipped by the local people of Fujian, and his status is even lower than that of the local City God.

The reason they were worshipped was simply because they did not harm anyone when they led the army into Fujian, so the people were very grateful.

Such an ordinary background, such a simple and kind thought.

As time went by, by the time of the Ming Dynasty, these two grass-headed gods had fallen into such poverty that they lived in a dilapidated ancestral hall in a vegetable garden at the foot of the Jin'ao Peak.

There was a Taoist priest named Zeng Jia who once stayed in the vegetable garden, and learned the skills of praying to gods, making elixirs and talismans.

Later, when Zhu Di was on a northern expedition, he fell ill. Seeing that medicine was no longer effective, the imperial doctors suggested that they find someone to call for him.

(End of this chapter)