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

Chapter 507 Childish Ghost

Han Qianhu obviously didn't like Pei Yuan very much. After a while, he frowned and asked, "Don't you have anything else to do?"

Pei Yuan saw Han Qianhu was about to drive him away, so he smiled and said, "I have another favor to ask of you."

Han Qianhu said briefly, "Speak!"

Seeing that Captain Han was not in a good mood, Pei Yuan could only briefly tell him that he wanted to take the three candidates with him.

Han Qianhu didn't take it seriously and said calmly, "The imperial examination is a major event for selecting talents for the country. Since it's just a matter of convenience, I'll help if I can."

Pei Yuan said "hmm" before telling his real purpose, "Once we're on board, I'll play a little game with them. I wonder if Qian Hu can help me cheat?"

Han Qianhu frowned in confusion and asked, "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan said, "That's right. I will give the three scholars three lots to draw later. Captain Han, can you let them draw lots A, B, and C according to their ages?"

Han Qianhu looked at Pei Yuan, still not understanding, "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan could only roughly explain, "I have a feeling that the top three winners of this year's special examination will be among these three people."

"I brought the three top scorers to the capital on a boat, which may become a story that will be passed down through the ages."

"How can something like this be possible without leaving a legend behind?"

Han Qianhu looked at Pei Yuan in disbelief, as if he was looking at a patient with a mental problem, "Pei Yuan, has the rain over the past two days confused your brain?"

"You mean, three people just happened to ask you for help, and they just happened to be the first, second, and third place winners of this year's imperial examination?"

Pei Yuan said confidently, "I think so."

How does the saying go? Everyone has his own Hamlet in his heart.

Things like liberal arts exams all depend on whether you are attracted to each other.

It would be fine if these three people didn't show up, but as long as they appeared, they would be the top three in Zhu Houzhao's mind.

"Ha, you childish boy." Han Qianhu looked at Pei Yuan with contempt.

As he spoke, his mind also flashed back to the time when this guy's childish behavior in the past emerged, such as the time when he was caught sniffing the scent secretly, the time when he rashly wrote a letter and almost broke his defense, the time when he looked around like a thief from time to time, and the time when he deceived himself...

Han Qianhu said with a cold face, "No, I will not accompany you to embarrass yourself."

Pei Yuan couldn't help but feel disappointed.

This is a great opportunity to build a great reputation among scholars.

Pei Yuan's move this time was not just for the gratitude of these three people.

When these three people pass the imperial examination and become the most outstanding imperial scholars, even if I have done them some favors before, I am afraid they will be kept secret and try to conceal the matter as much as possible.

After all, who would want to be looked at strangely just after entering the official career?

If the civil servants think that these three people can compromise on principles for the sake of interests, they will certainly be excluded from the circle.

But Mr. Pei is not the kind of person who is willing to do good things for free.

In addition to deliberately sowing discord and producing a few witnesses, Pei Yuan came up with another excellent plan.

If he wanted these three people to remember him willingly and acknowledge this friendship, the best way was to tie them together with another more legendary story that was destined to go down in history.

By then, not only will no one criticize this matter, but it will be regarded as an auspicious sign of the prosperity of literature and will be passed down as a good story.

As the one who brought the top three honors to the capital, Pei Yuan could not only gain great reputation and completely get rid of the reputation of being a treacherous member of the Imperial Guard, but he might even be given some metaphysical value by scholars all over the world.

By the way, it can also consolidate Pei Yuan's own base, so that those candidates from Shandong and Liaodong will not have any extra thoughts after their names are on the list of successful candidates.

There are so many benefits, but the cost is so small.

Pei Yuan certainly didn't want to give up.

"Try it, try it." Pei Yuan urged relentlessly.

Han Qianhu snorted and glanced at Pei Yuan. "If you have so much free time, go check if the gunpowder you are carrying is damp."

Seeing that Han Qianhu completely ignored him, Pei Yuan was at a loss for a moment and had to go to Ji Xin to ask him about the gunpowder.

Firearms are quite sensitive and are no less important than elite cavalry.

When the army was on a campaign, the imperial court would send out eunuchs to be in charge of managing military supplies, and firearms were always under close surveillance.

For example, Yin Sheng, Zhang Zhong and others among Hongzhi's old men had served as gun supervisors for Gu Dayong and Lu Ting.

Yin Sheng and Zhang Zhong took advantage of this opportunity to join the promising Lu Ting.

However, Captain Han even imitated the sub-guns of the Portuguese cannon, so these firearms were nothing.

Pei Yuan lingered with Ji Xin for a while, then asked someone to notify Tang Gao and the other three to pack up in advance and prepare to board the ship in the afternoon.

After Tang Gao and his two companions received the news, they went straight to the dock with their bags and servants.

Pei Yuan heard the report and came out of Ji Xin's boat with some curiosity. He asked Tang Gao, "Didn't they say that the boat will sail in the afternoon? Didn't the people below explain it clearly?"

The three of them looked a little embarrassed. In the end, Tang Gao, who was the most resolute, said, "There's nothing to be ashamed of. People with different ideals cannot work together. It's better to come out earlier than to get tired of each other."

Pei Yuan changed his mind and smiled secretly, thinking that his plan to sow discord must have worked.

He was just thinking about how to take on his responsibility when he saw several scholars coming out of the post station with their servants. They didn't even look here and went straight north.

Pei Yuan looked at Tang Gao.

Tang Gao explained, "It has been raining for two days, and everyone in the post station is anxious to leave. All the boats in Chongwushui Post Station are occupied, and no one is willing to help. They can only move forward as quickly as possible."

Pei Yuan looked at the backs of those people leaving and thought to himself, it would be fine if these people could make it to the exam.

If they fail to catch up, I'm afraid they will hate Tang Gao and the other two to death.

Pei Yuan retracted his gaze and asked Chen Xinjian, "Have we arranged all our people? Which boat should I take?"

Chen Xinjian pointed out several boats to Pei Yuan, and also pointed out his own boat.

Pei Yuan said "hmm", turned around and said to Tang Gao and the other two, "You three, go to my boat. It's more spacious there, and it will be good for you to rest and refresh yourself."

The three of them were a little flattered and quickly said they didn't dare, saying that they were grateful enough that Pei Yuan was willing to let them take the boat.

Pei Yuan didn't bother to exchange pleasantries with them and simply ordered his men to move their luggage to his boat.

The logistics of this era were very developed, and even the mode of direct delivery of fresh frozen food was already available. The post boats responsible for entertaining officials were naturally well prepared. This was just like the wine and food provided in the post station, which was a value-added service beyond the court standards.

Officials who come and go can get a favor, and those who handle the matter can also make a small profit.

Although Pei Yuan’s boat is not big, it can accommodate about ten people.

Pei Yuan first went on board and took a look around, then arranged accommodation for the three of them one by one.

As a result, there were four rooms in total, and the three of them alone occupied three rooms.

Pei Yuan picked Chen Xinjian and Cen Meng as the two generals to be his personal guards, and drove everyone else onto other boats.

When Tang Gao, Huang Chu and Cai Ang heard that this seemingly unreasonable captain was willing to squeeze together with his military officers so that they could have a room to themselves, they were deeply moved and hurried to give way to him.

Pei Yuan thought that this story might be passed down through the ages, so he acted it out on the spot.

Not only did he express his respect for scholars word by word, but he also generously stated that Tang Gao and others went to Beijing to take the imperial examination in order to serve the Ming Dynasty. He did this not only for Tang Gao and the other three, but also to protect the pillars of the country.

For a moment, Tang Gao, Huang Chu, Cai Ang and the other three were all moved to tears.

When the three men understood the good intention, they each returned to their rooms with their servants.

Pei Yuan felt that he had not performed well just now, and there were a few things he could say that might get him more points.

If he hadn't been afraid that people in the future would say he was despicable, Pei Yuan would have wanted to write some of his thoughts in a diary and post it on the door.

Pei Yuan didn't have much of his own stuff, and Chen Xinjian and Cen Meng were sensible enough to just hang around on the deck and didn't come over to disturb him.

At noon, everyone had a simple meal.

The post station has also confirmed that there were no problems with the nearby sluice gates during the rainstorm, so the ships can be directly released to head north.

The terrain of Shandong is relatively high, and if ships want to go upstream, there are more than 30 locks in the Shandong section of the Grand Canal alone.

Pei Yuan had a lot of blank warrants in his hand that he had obtained from Bi Zhen, the eunuch in charge of Shandong. He simply filled them out and they were his credentials for unimpeded passage.

Other ships, whether official ships, grain ships or merchant ships, had to accumulate a sufficient number at the lock before the lock could be opened for passage.

But it's different with this warrant.

The imperial court stipulated that envoys from eunuch garrisons in various places could travel at any time without having to wait.

Because the eunuchs on duty had an important mission, which was to collect all kinds of rare and interesting toys for the emperor. If there were any interesting toys, of course they had to be seen by the emperor first.

This is also the reason why many officials and powerful people like to find eunuchs who are in charge of the garrison to participate in their business.

If something goes wrong, not only will there be a bigger backstage to protect you, but you can also enjoy a green channel in logistics.

This benefit was slightly affected in the first two years, but fortunately, with the united resistance of the government and the people, Liu Jin's chaotic politics was completely abolished.

These privileges were restored.

Even Pei enjoyed this convenience happily.

As a result, Tang Gao and his two companions, who had been worried that they would be delayed for a long time, were surprised to find that the fleet arrived at Qingyuan Water Station quickly and unimpeded.

Qingyuan Water Posthouse is adjacent to the big city of Linqing. When they were staying overnight, Chen Xinjian came to ask Pei Yuan, saying that he had been stuck in the boat for a long time and wanted to go for a walk in the city.

By the way, he also gave Pei Yuan some ambiguous hints.

This made Pei Yuan think of Cao Anmin immediately.

Pei Yuan immediately said seriously, "No, don't delay tomorrow's trip. If I indulge in pleasure and cause the country to lose talented people, how can I, Pei Yuan, face the world?"

After hearing this, Tang Gao and others were so flattered that they became a little restless.

At night, everyone stayed at Qingyuan Water Station.

Because Linqing City is large and prosperous, many officials and scholars traveling north and south would stop here for a while to experience the local scenery when passing by, so rooms in the post station are in short supply.

Captain Han brought a lot of people this time. Even if he left Cui Bohou and the cavalry to travel slowly, the remaining people plus Pei Yuan's side would have nearly two hundred people.

Chen Xinjian went out to inquire and found out that there were only three or five empty rooms. Pei Yuan gave up the idea of ​​going ashore and simply asked someone to buy some wine and food and spent the night on the boat.

Pei Yuan prepared a table full of wine and meat, and then invited Tang Gao, Huang Chu and Cai Ang to come, as a way of hosting the event.

Before boarding the ship, the three of them, taking into account their future reputation, secretly agreed with each other to keep an appropriate distance from the captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

However, Pei Qianhu's behavior along the way and his attitude really made them feel ashamed of themselves and felt that they had been judging the emperor by their own standards.

Hearing Pei Yuan's invitation, the three of them felt embarrassed to refuse and went to Pei Yuan's room for a banquet.

Chen Xinjian and Cen Meng were still very pretentious and hid away with a strong sense of performance.

Pei Yuan personally poured wine for the three people and chatted with them briefly.

The three originally thought that as a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Pei Yuan must be known for his ruthlessness and bravery, and he must have said something like "frightening the court and the people" or "making children stop crying". Facts have proved that this was completely in line with their previous stereotype.

Qianhu Pei Yuan, under the influence of alcohol, first mentioned his most proud work, and recounted the story of how he defeated Liang Ci'an twice in the Da Ci'en Temple in order to redress the grievances of more than 200 innocent people who died tragically.

It also specifically pointed out that the scholars who stayed in the capital were persecuted by Liang Ciwu, who took advantage of his power and was once provoked, but dared not speak out.

However, Pei Yuan was not afraid of tyranny or treacherous ministers in the court. He resolutely stood up to support many candidates, boosted people's morale, and eventually made the emperor change his mind and punish the evildoers.

His reputation as a righteous man, Pei Yuan, was also praised by all scholars.

Although Tang Gao and the other three were not in the capital, they had all heard of Liang Ci's case. When they heard that this upright Jinyiwei in front of them had been extremely active in this matter and had won praise from the literati, they had a very good impression of Pei Yuan for a while.

The most realistic reason is that if there are more than three candidates who have received the favor of this Jinyi Captain, they will not have to worry about what others say in the future.

Pei Yuan also briefly mentioned that he and Wang Qiong had jointly advised the court that in the future, beheadings should no longer be awarded as merit in suppressing rebellions.

When they heard that this person was involved in this great deed that saved countless lives, Tang Gao and his companions no longer dared to regard him as an ordinary evildoer.

Following Pei Yuan's lead, several people also talked about their own stories.

After listening to Tang Gao's sad past, Pei Qianhu not only empathized with him, but also spoke from his own experience, saying with great pride, "My fate is determined by myself, and what is right and wrong is up to me to decide!"

This made Tang Gao, an old scholar who was almost fifty and had not yet passed the imperial examination, feel extremely warm.

The four of them clinked glasses and the atmosphere at the banquet became more harmonious.

(End of this chapter)