Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 347 Overt Scheme (Part 1)

It must be said that Zhang Yun really understood Emperor Jian'an.

These words struck a chord with Emperor Jian'an.

Despite knowing that Zhang Yun harbored ill intentions and wanted to take advantage of Pei Qinghe, Emperor Jian'an still shamefully succumbed to temptation.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Meng Liulang stepped forward again: "With General Pei stationed in Youzhou, the Xiongnu barbarians dare not act rashly. How can such a loyal and capable minister be summoned so easily?"

Zhang Yun sneered and retorted, "Isn't your brother still in Youzhou? With General Pei coming to Bohai County, Meng Bing is enough to stay and guard it."

Meng Bing married into the Pei family and naturally stayed in Youzhou, along with eight hundred elite cavalrymen. Strictly speaking, the Meng brothers were indeed not loyal enough.

Zhang Yun's mention of Meng Bing at this moment was a reminder to Emperor Jian'an that the Meng brothers were not actually that loyal and could not be completely trusted.

Meng Liulang was an unparalleled warrior who charged into battle, but he was no match for Zhang Yun in a war of words and quickly fell into a disadvantage.

Just as Prime Minister Pang was about to speak, General Zhang stepped forward: "Madam Li is old and frail and should not travel. We request His Majesty to issue an edict summoning General Pei so that the family can reunite. This would not only fulfill Madam Li's wishes but also enhance General Pei's reputation for being both loyal and filial."

The wavering Emperor Jian'an finally made up his mind: "The General's words are reasonable. I will issue the decree immediately."

A flame ignited in Meng Liulang's eyes.

In the past, Meng Liulang would have already lost his temper and argued endlessly with Zhang and his son. Now that his elder brother was not around, he could not act impulsively and had to swallow his anger.

After the court session, Meng Liulang left the palace with Prime Minister Pang, his face cold, and offered to escort Prime Minister Pang back to his residence.

"Your Majesty is confused!" The father-in-law and son-in-law entered the study, dismissed the servants, and Prime Minister Pang looked worried: "The Pei family army has grown strong and is not to be trifled with. Originally, we could have kept our eyes closed and lived in peace. But this imperial edict is going to stir up countless waves."

Meng Liulang sneered and bluntly said, "His Majesty is using the fact that he has a hostage to force General Pei to submit."

"The Zhang father and son are even more ill-intentioned. Once General Pei arrives, they won't be able to leave peacefully."

"If I were Pei Qinghe, I would simply tear off the mask and establish my own independent position."

Prime Minister Pang twitched his lips and glanced at Meng Liulang: "Think of something good, don't jinx it."

Meng Liulang let out another cold laugh: "The Pei family army fought desperately, and in order to fight the Xiongnu barbarians, they lost most of their savings accumulated over the years. The Liaoxi army was decimated, and the Guangning and Fanyang armies also suffered casualties."

"Whether General Pei is loyal or not is for the people to judge in their own hearts. Even if he disobeys the imperial edict, so what?"

Prime Minister Pang looked at the unruly Meng Liulang, feeling a headache coming on. He sighed and said, "Let's think about how to make amends now! What's the use of saying these angry words?"

"Write a letter to Youzhou immediately, and deliver the message to General Pei in advance so that she can come up with a countermeasure."

Meng Liulang nodded in agreement.

Prime Minister Pang then said, "Go to the Pei residence again and tell Madam Li about what happened in court today... Never mind, I'll go myself!"

Knowing Meng Liulang's temperament, who knows what he might say if he goes. It's safer for him to handle it himself.

...An hour later, at the Pei residence.

Prime Minister Pang tried his best to recount the changes in the court in a calm and gentle tone.

Before she could finish speaking, the hot-tempered Madam Lu erupted in fury: "We came to Bohai County voluntarily back then to demonstrate the Pei family's loyalty to the Emperor. We stayed in Bohai County for five years. Now we want to return home, but the Emperor won't allow it. Is he taking us hostage?"

Prime Minister Pang thought to himself, "If you hadn't come, how could Pei Qinghe have survived the most difficult time? You all willingly came as hostages. Why are you so angry now?"
Li coughed and gave Fang a wink. Fang immediately reached out to help Lu, and the other two old women from the Pei family also reached out to "help" Lu back.

Lu was half-supported and half-dragged away, her angry shouts echoing for a long time: "We're leaving, we'll set off tomorrow. I want to see who dares to stop us!"

Prime Minister Pang sighed deeply, stood up, and bowed to Madam Li in apology: "I am truly sorry to the Dowager Madam."

Madam Li sighed, rose and returned the greeting: "This matter is not the Prime Minister's fault. It was the Zhang family father and son who acted inhumanely, instigating the Emperor to issue an imperial edict. Over the years, we have received much help from General Meng and the Prime Minister. Today, the Prime Minister personally came to deliver a message, for which I am deeply grateful."

Prime Minister Pang said, "I am ashamed. I could not persuade His Majesty. His Majesty has already issued an imperial edict, and Commander Gao has already left the city with the edict."

With the precedents of Vice Minister Han and Physician Ma, no one was willing to be an imperial envoy. Emperor Jian'an was clearly well aware of this, and directly dispatched Gao Yong.

Based on the bond of friendship formed seven years ago when she escorted him, Pei Qinghe would never kill Gao Yong.

Lady Li thanked Prime Minister Pang again.

Prime Minister Pang whispered a reminder: "The Zhang family has been plagued by rumors and suspects that General Pei is behind it all. General Pei must not come to Bohai County. Madam, you should immediately send someone back with a letter to remind General Pei."

Li replied, "I have remembered what the Prime Minister said."

Madam Li's reaction was remarkably calm.

Looking at that calm face covered with wrinkles, Prime Minister Pang suddenly felt a vague unease. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Madam, please rest assured. With me here, I will definitely ensure the safety of the Pei family."

Madam Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

After seeing Prime Minister Pang off, Madam Li returned to her inner room.

Madam Lu was being watched closely by Madam Fang and the others, her face sour. Seeing that Madam Li had returned, Madam Lu suddenly stood up: "Aunt, the Zhang father and son have gone too far! They actually came up with such a shameless trick to force Qinghe to submit."

"And that incompetent emperor! He knows perfectly well that the Zhang family father and son are no good, yet he relies on them in everything he does, and now he's even going along with their wishes, forcing Qinghe to come to Bohai County."

"Pah! They're all heartless bastards! We don't need to pay them any mind. We'll pack our bags tonight and leave tomorrow morning. I don't believe they'd dare lay a hand on us in broad daylight!"

Lu's illness was usually unnoticed, but once she became agitated, she was completely out of control. Like a firecracker, it exploded incessantly. Even several people couldn't hold her down.

Fang was also anxious: "Sister-in-law, just calm down! When we came here back then, you should have known that we were here to be hostages. Now you want to leave? It's not that easy. The more powerful the Pei family army is, the more popular they are, the more the Emperor and the Zhang family father and son will be wary of Qinghe."

“The Zhang family father and son control the government, and the emperor listens to them in everything. This is a perfect opportunity to push Qinghe to submit.”

"I don't know how Qinghe will handle this. Don't make things worse!"

(End of this chapter)