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

Chapter 585 CEO, you're amazing!
Perhaps it was his detached perspective that made Yan Song somewhat dismissive of Pei Yuan's words.

After all, the two sides are now on different levels.

Yan Song didn't know how to explain these things to a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

So Yan Song could only sigh and say, "I also have my reasons."

Pei Yuan smiled, didn't ask any further questions, and turned to look at Ouyang Bijin, "Have I been staying with Brother Weizhong these days?"

Ouyang Bijin also knew that he had to give an explanation for deliberately avoiding Pei Yuan for some time.

He had no choice but to explain, “While Brother Huo’s situation is good, there are still some inconveniences, and I don’t want to keep causing him trouble. Besides, my brother-in-law is alone in the capital and needs someone to look after him.”

Pei Yuan magnanimously let the matter drop, only saying, "The capital is a mixed bag, unlike the peaceful Jiangnan region. If you encounter any trouble, just report it..."

Pei Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "Let's use the name of Song, the Chief Executioner of the Western Depot."

After saying that, he gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Mentioning my name might not be that effective."

"Commander Song?" Ouyang asked instinctively, puzzled.

Pei Yuan then remembered that because the West Depot had such a bad reputation, he had avoided having Song Chunniang come to see him during the recent times he entertained the scholars.

Ouyang Bijin was unaware of Song Chunniang's situation.

Pei Yuan then smiled and said, "The Song commander of the West Depot is the same Song captain you led to silence that day. She is a very loyal person. Even if it weren't for my sake, she would help you because of our past friendship."

Ouyang Bijin thought that the past was truly over.

Pei Yuan's mention of it made him vaguely remember that in order to make that case airtight and avoid implicating himself, he had also gone to great lengths to help interrogate the confessions.

Even some of the guys who spoke vaguely and evasively were identified by Ouyang Bijin leading the Imperial Guards.

Hearing this, he had a deeper impression of that Commander Song from back then.

I remember she was soaked in freezing rain and had a high fever. With just a roll of rope in her hand, she cruelly strangled those who might have noticed something suspicious, one by one.

Ouyang Bijin then finally realized what was happening.

He was not only a witness to the tragedy that occurred in Southern Zhili, but also a participant.

Previously, he had worried that discovering the truth about that tragedy would make Pei Yuan wary of him.

Looking at it now, what is there to be wary of?

So the murderer was actually myself?!

After hesitating for a while, Ouyang Bijin finally said, "I understand."

Yan Song, who was standing to the side, became somewhat unsettled after hearing their conversation.

Ouyang Bijin had mentioned to him before that he had been involved in an incident in Southern Zhili, and even mentioned the things that Pei Yuan had threatened him with.

But this kid didn't mention that he went along to silence them!

In this way, their relationship becomes quite complicated.

Yan Song was staring at Ouyang Bijin with murderous intent when Pei Yuan started talking to him again.

"By the way, I still don't know how long you plan to stay in the capital this time?"

Yan Song originally planned to stay in the capital for three to five months, firstly to learn about the situation in the court, and secondly to rebuild his old social network and gradually reconnect with his former colleagues.

However, knowing that Ouyang Bijin was so deeply involved in that incident, Yan Song dared not keep him any longer.

He quickly replied, "After I finish the imperial examination and the results are announced, before officially taking office, I should at least go back to my hometown to visit my family. At that time, we will return to Jiangxi."

Yan Song's plan was to have Ouyang Bijin follow his example, and after returning to his hometown, he would simply feign illness and not come back.

Once the storm has passed, we can slowly plan our return to the capital.

After listening, Commander Pei seemed lost in thought for a long while before muttering, "Then it's a bit rushed."

But he quickly regained his composure and looked at Yan Song again. "That's not very convenient. I still have some influence with the current emperor. I originally planned to recommend you to the emperor so that he could have a face-to-face talk with you and see what your character is like. But if you're so busy, it might be difficult to arrange a time."

Yan Song was taken aback upon hearing this, and subconsciously asked, "The Emperor?"

Pei Yuan said, “Yes, the Emperor and I have a good relationship, and he has asked me to recommend talented people to him many times. I heard about Brother Weizhong from Wang Bo’an a long time ago. If he is buried here, it will be a loss to the country.”

I rely on!

Yan Song held his breath.

I was still racking my brains trying to decide between the two options, and it turns out I can talk to the boss directly?
Then Yan Song hesitated subconsciously, wondering if Pei Yuan could really have such great power.

Could it be that he deliberately lied to himself?

However, recalling what Pei Yuan had said before, all doubts vanished in an instant.

Yan Song asked somewhat excitedly, "Could Commander Pei really put in a good word for me before the Emperor?"

Pei Yuan said nonchalantly, "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

Yan Song disregarded what he had just said and said directly, "Then I will stay in the capital for a few more days and await the Emperor's summons at any time."

Then, remembering Pei Yuan who had made the connection, he painted a rosy picture for him as well, saying, "If I, Yan, am fortunate enough to gain the Emperor's favor, I will certainly not forget the recommendation of the commander. If I achieve anything in the future, I will definitely repay him handsomely."

Pei Yuan smiled and waved his hand, "There's no need for that. I only admire talent, not what you have to offer."

After saying that, he casually asked, "By the way, this was a spur-of-the-moment idea of ​​mine, and you weren't prepared either. If the Emperor were to suddenly summon you, I wonder how you plan to demonstrate your talents to the Emperor, and what you would say to him?"

"This..." Yan Song was truly stumped by Pei Yuan's question.

If the emperor asked a question, even if it was an impromptu response, Yan Song was confident he could give a good answer.

But if one were to proactively express their views to the emperor, what should they say?

When Yi Yin met Tang of Shang, he was praised by Tang immediately after only one meeting and was appointed as prime minister.

Jia Yi also had the opportunity to meet the emperor, but "it's pitiful that he sat before the emperor in the middle of the night, asking about ghosts and gods instead of the common people." Emperor Wen paid no attention to Jia Yi's ambition and was so engrossed in listening to stories about ghosts and gods that he only wanted to hear about them.

When Shang Yang met with Duke Xiao of Qin, he spoke three times in succession about the way of the emperor, the way of the king, and the way of the hegemon, which finally moved Duke Xiao and earned him a high position.

Given the current emperor's personality, he doesn't have the patience to see me three times in a row.

Moreover, His Majesty is not a wise ruler like Tang of Shang. Perhaps I should take a different approach, like Jia Yi, and cater to his preferences.
What should I say?

Yan Song hesitated and struggled for a moment.

Pei Yuan observed him for a while before slowly saying, "I have a few words to say, but I don't know if I should."

Yan Song no longer dared to underestimate the commander in front of him.

He quickly and earnestly replied, "Please speak, Commander."

Pei Yuan said, "The current emperor is fond of military affairs. He not only enjoys discussing military strategy and pointing out the flaws in the country, but he is also willing to endure hardship and personally shed sweat and blood alongside the soldiers." "Many of the people promoted by the emperor today are skilled in military strategy. I wonder if Brother Weizhong is knowledgeable in military matters?"

Yan Song opened his mouth, but was speechless.

Yan Song's military skills were utterly incompetent.

During his reign, not only did the Mongols in the north launch large-scale attacks on the Central Plains, but Japanese pirates also frequently wreaked havoc.

When Altan Khan of the Mongols led his army to break through the Great Wall defenses and besieged Beijing, looting the capital region, Ding Rukui, the Minister of War, consulted Yan Song on how to repel the enemy.

Yan Song gave his infamous instruction: "A defeat on the frontier may be covered up, but a loss in the capital is known to the emperor. Who will take the blame? The enemy will simply splurge and run away."

It means that if you lose a battle on the frontier, your brothers can cover for you. But if you lose a battle outside Beijing, that's right under the emperor's nose. Think about it carefully. In my opinion, if this matter doesn't work out, just let it go. Once those bandits have looted enough, they'll leave naturally, and you can take the opportunity to pursue them and recover the lost territory.

Ding Rukui: Chief, you're amazing!
Then, the Mongol army looted outside the capital for eight days. After Altan Khan withdrew his troops, Zhu Houcong, who had looked down on Zhu Houzhao all his life, couldn't sleep for half the night.

Think back to more than 30 years ago, where did Zhu Houzhao fight his great victory at Yingzhou?

It's at the foot of the Great Wall!
It involved six battles, and the emperor's carriage was captured several times!
Zhu Houzhao even personally took to the battlefield and killed an enemy that had invaded the Ming Dynasty!

Where did Zhu Houcong's "Gengxu Incident" take place?
The Fifth Ring Road!

Moreover, with all the civil and military officials present and troops gathered from all over the country, they could only watch helplessly as others looted and ran away.

Zhu Houcong spent his entire life manipulating power, yet he stood helplessly on the city walls of Beijing, watching the power struggle unfold.

Zhu Houzhao, whom he looked down upon his entire life, was able to stand guard at the Great Wall with his sword, forcefully cutting back the barbarian invaders who wanted to storm into the Ming Dynasty.

Feeling deeply humiliated, Zhu Houcong relentlessly pursued the responsibility for the failure of the "Gengxu Incident".

Ultimately, Ding Rukui, the Minister of War, was found guilty of heinous crimes and was irresponsibly executed. He was immediately captured and dissolved.

As for Yan Song, he did indeed make two preparations at the time.

On the one hand, he told Ding Rukui not to fight, and on the other hand, he and his son Yan Shifan actively prepared countermeasures.

Yan Shifan was also a legendary figure of his time.

He had studied military texts for two and a half years and was thoroughly familiar with all kinds of battles where the weak defeated the strong and turned defeat into victory.

Therefore, he boldly suggested that a water attack could be used.

—Outside Beijing, use water attacks to deal with the Mongol cavalry!
After learning in detail about Grand Secretary Yan's two-pronged plan, even the most demanding censors and supervising officials fell silent.

It was truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty that Yan Song didn't intervene when he was inactive.

If someone has no real ability but still boasts wildly, then the Ming Dynasty might really be doomed ahead of schedule.

Therefore, Pei Yuan's words just now hit Yan Song's weak spot.

Yan Song was just basking in the joy of soon meeting the emperor when the cold reality suddenly brought him back to his senses.

He knew nothing about military strategy and had absolutely no interest in it.

Even if you study intensively for a few days now, it probably won't have any effect.

In front of a semi-expert like Zhu Houzhao, they might even show their incompetence and perform even worse.

Previously, Yan Song was recalling historical precedents of emperors expounding their ideas in private audiences, but now it seems that no matter what Jia Yi said, he at least managed to captivate Emperor Wen.

But what about yourself?

If you were to explain to the emperor the principles of governing the world and benefiting the people, he would not be suited for it.

He wanted to flatter the king and recount military strategies and battle examples, but he wasn't cut out for it.

Yan Song was in a state of confusion when Pei Yuan, oblivious to the situation, pressed him further, "How is your understanding of military strategy, Brother Weizhong?"

Yan Song replied somewhat awkwardly, "Well, I still need to go back and consider it."

Seeing that Yan Song's expression was somewhat unpleasant, Pei Yuan calmly said, "I'm not trying to be nosy, but since I recommended you to the Emperor, I still need to know what you intend to say and how you intend to say it."

"It's not that I don't trust Brother Weizhong, but I'm afraid that Brother Weizhong doesn't know much about the Emperor and might unintentionally commit some taboo."

Generally speaking, if someone says "it's not that I don't trust you," then they really don't trust you.

Pei Yuan had made his point so clear that Yan Song had no room for maneuver.

He had no choice but to say, "I am indeed not well-versed in military strategy. I originally planned to go back and study it carefully, and then come back to discuss it with the commander once I had a better understanding."

"It wasn't intentional, but rather I didn't mean to deceive you."

Pei Yuan laughed heartily upon hearing this, "It's alright."

“There are not many people in this world as talented as Wang Bo’an, who is skilled in both literature and martial arts. It’s good that you’ve spoken frankly, Brother Zhong.”

"It's fortunate that you told me the truth, so we have time to prepare other plans."

Yan Song sensed a glimmer of hope in Pei Yuan's words and immediately asked, "Then how can you teach me, Commander?"

Pei Yuan quickly waved his hand, "I dare not accept such praise. It is only because my brother's talent is unparalleled that he is not good at military strategy. However, I happen to be a martial artist, so I can be of some help."

As he spoke, Pei Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Given the Emperor's temperament, as long as Brother Weizhong has the opportunity to speak with him alone, I'm afraid the topic of military strategy and tactics will be unavoidable."

"Fortunately, war is not just about swords and arrows, there is also a crucial element."

Pei Yuan looked at Yan Song and reminded him, "That's the supplies and logistics."

"You should know that when Emperor Gaozu was evaluating merits, the one ranked first was not Zhang Liang, who was resourceful and shrewd in planning, but Xiao He, who provided Emperor Gaozu with sufficient food and troops."

"What is logistics and supplies? It's just another way of managing the world and benefiting the people."

After being reminded by Pei Yuan, Yan Song immediately understood.

That’s the truth!

No matter how skilled a commander is in leading troops and fighting battles, he still cannot do without supplies and logistics. Given Zhu Houzhao's understanding of military affairs, he could not possibly overlook this aspect.

Isn't this a field that allows him to utilize his strengths while also belonging to the military domain?

In this way, when meeting the emperor, one can simply use this as a starting point to explain one's way of governing the country and benefiting the people, and naturally there is no need to worry that the emperor will not take it seriously.

Pei Yuan hadn't finished speaking when he spread his hands and pressed down on a few fingers, saying, "What does logistics include? Soldiers! Money and provisions! Weapons! Laborers!"

"Then do you know which issue is causing the Emperor the most headache right now?"

Yan Song completely straightened his attitude at this moment and said respectfully, "Please speak, Commander."

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "Money and provisions!"

(End of this chapter)