Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

"I then read aloud your words in front of everyone in the Ministry of War."

Lu Zheng cleared his throat.

"My commander said that scholars are all talk and no action, while the soldiers on the frontier have to endure the freezing cold. The commander has set aside one million taels of silver from the tea money on this table, specifically for the repair and maintenance of the nine border regions."

"Don't let outsiders say that our Embroidered Uniform Guard only knows how to be greedy for money and doesn't care about the border troops."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan chuckled and placed the silver fire tongs beside the charcoal brazier.

"Has Bai Gui been accepted?"

"We'll accept it! How could we not?"

Lu Zheng slapped his thigh.

"Minister Bai's old face turned from blue to purple with suppressed anger. He wanted to scold you, Your Excellency, but that million taels of silver was too hot to handle. He wanted to express his gratitude, but he couldn't refuse because he was a renowned official of the Qing Dynasty."

Finally, with red-rimmed eyes, Minister Bai gritted his teeth and uttered, "Even if I use this corrupt official's dirty money to buy cotton-padded clothes, it will still be putting the best use to its potential!"

"Then he hurriedly directed the officials in charge of the Ministry of War to personally move the boxes, fearing that the people from the Ministry of Revenue would smell them and come to snatch them away."

Pei Yuan shook his head, picked up his teacup and took a small sip, his eyes revealing a profound understanding of the ways of the world.

This is the effect he wanted.

Bai Gui was a good official and a capable minister, with the Ming Dynasty's border defenses at heart.

That's why Bai Gui couldn't resist the temptation of one million taels of silver.

All the officials in the court regarded Pei Yuan as a great monster who only knew how to exploit the people.

They could deliver impassioned speeches in court, denouncing Pei Yuan's crimes.

But when Pei Yuan threw a huge sum of money—enough to change the landscape of border defense—in their faces.

Their proud aloofness had to bow to reality.

By accepting this money, the entire Ministry of War would owe Pei Yuan an enormous favor.

In the future, if any censor or official in the imperial court impeached Pei Yuan for embezzling funds, the people in the Ministry of War would be unwilling to do so.

They also had to weigh the weight of that one million taels of silver.

The mouth naturally shut.

Moreover, this money was actually used for the soldiers stationed on the border.

The Great Wall was repaired, and firearms were updated.

The Ming Dynasty's national defense was quietly built up through these "ill-gotten gains" that were despised by civil officials.

As for infamy? This immortal being has never cared about fame before or after his death.

"Alright, it's good that you've taken it. With the Ministry of War having money, the northern border can be more stable for a few more years."

Pei Yuan stood up and stretched.

"On this snowy day, instruct the kitchen to set up a copper pot in the warm pavilion at noon. I want to have hot pot with mutton in my residence. Go to the Garrison Command and tell Wantong to come and join in the fun."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Around noon, the snow fell even more heavily.

The snowflakes, as big as goose feathers, completely covered the ice surface of Shichahai Lake.

The world was a vast expanse of white, serene and desolate.

Inside the warm pavilion of the Right Vice-Governor's Mansion, the aroma of meat filled the air, and steam rose from the pot.

An eight-immortal table was placed in the center of the room, with a brass hot pot on it, the bottom of which was burning with bright red silver charcoal.

The pot was filled with a milky white broth.

A few red dates, goji berries, and scallion segments floated in the soup, bubbling and releasing an enticing aroma.

The table was surrounded by thinly sliced ​​lamb rolls.

This mutton is made from top-quality Tan sheep, specially transported from outside the Great Wall by Shanxi merchant Qiao Shouye.

The meat is tender and has no gamey smell.

It is served with several plates of bright green cabbage, frozen tofu, and a bowl of dipping sauce made with sesame paste, chive blossoms, and fermented bean curd.

This is a winter delicacy that even the gods wouldn't trade.

Pei Yuan changed into a loose-fitting blue silk casual robe.

Holding a pot of warm Shaoxing rice wine in his hand, he was leisurely pouring and drinking it by himself.

Wan Tong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was sitting opposite Pei Yuan without any regard for his image.

Holding a pair of long chopsticks, he picked up a piece of mutton and dipped it in the boiling broth several times.

Once the meat turns white, I can't wait to coat it with sesame paste and stuff it into my mouth.

"Ouch, so hot! Ah...that feels so good!"

Wantong was scalded and kept sucking in air, but he still looked completely blissful.

He picked up the wine cup, took a big gulp of yellow wine, and let out a long, satisfied sigh.

"My dear brother, what I admire most about you in this life is your composure. Those civil officials outside are practically calling you the greatest villain of all time."

"You, on the other hand, are hiding in your mansion, eating lamb from the Bund and drinking fine vintage wine. Even the gods wouldn't trade this life!"

While chewing on his mutton, Wantong sighed sincerely.

During his stay at the Zhenfu Division these past few days, he has heard many reports from his subordinates about the happenings in the imperial court.

Ever since Pei Yuan extorted money from the officials in Tianjin, forcibly lifted the maritime ban, and established the Royal Trading Bureau...

The memorials from the upright censors flew to the Qianqing Palace like snowflakes, impeaching Pei Yuan for crimes that, if laid end to end, could circle the Forbidden City three times.

But His Majesty deliberately withheld all the gifts and instead showered Pei Yuan with rewards.

Pei Yuan picked up a piece of frozen tofu and put it into the pot, saying unhurriedly:

"Brother Wan, you are mistaken. It is the duty of those civil officials to criticize me. If they were to stop criticizing me one day, His Majesty would not be able to sleep soundly."

Wantong was taken aback, put down his chopsticks, and wiped the grease from his mouth.

"Brother, what you're saying is completely incomprehensible to me."

Pei Yuan picked up his wine cup, his gaze passing over the window.

Looking at the swirling snow outside, a meaningful smile curved his lips.

"This imperial court is like this boiling copper pot. The upright civil officials are the clear soup, while we, the sycophants who hold knives and silver, are the charcoal fire."

"The brighter the charcoal fire burns, the more vigorously the broth boils. The Emperor sits above, watching us fight, watching us restrain each other."

"Only then can the power of the world be firmly held in his hands."

Pei Yuan downed the warm wine in one gulp, his voice calm and clear.

"If I were to reason with those civil officials and feign righteousness, I would be overstepping my bounds. I would be behaving as a greedy, lustful, arrogant, and domineering eunuch."

"To bear the infamy yourself and send money and real power into the Emperor's private treasury. This is the way of a minister."

Wantong was stunned and it took him a long time to come to his senses.

He gave Pei Yuan a thumbs up.

"Brother, I used to think you were just ruthless and adept at amassing wealth. But after hearing your words today, I realize your mind is a hundred times clearer than those old fogies in the cabinet!"

Wantong chuckled and picked up another piece of mutton to cook in the broth.

"By the way, brother, I heard that something strange happened at the Ministry of War this morning during the court session."

While eating, Wantong started gossiping.

"What is it?"

Wantong swallowed the mutton in his mouth and leaned closer mysteriously.

"This morning at court, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate led the impeachment against you, saying that you established the Royal Commerce Bureau, competing with the people for profits and disrupting the court."

"Chief Minister Li also chimed in, pleading with the Emperor to rescind his decree."

"At this time in the past, the six ministers would have certainly launched a concerted attack. But guess what?"

"Minister of War Bai Gui remained completely silent, his eyes downcast, like a clay or wooden statue!"