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

Chapter 233: A sneak attack on an old man

Pei Yuan called the top-level design of this idea debt-based bribery.

The principle behind this idea is that if you pay hundreds or thousands of taels of protection fees every year, you won’t even be able to get a county magistrate to help you do evil.

However, if a fictitious debt of 30,000 taels of silver is added to this, then the annual repayments of several hundred or thousands of taels of silver will be enough to motivate a vice-ministerial eunuch like Gu Dayong to take action.

Why is it a fictitious debt of thirty thousand taels?
Because this was realized simultaneously with Gu Dayong’s political risk.

If Gu Dayong were finished now, he would be finished.

Then, what is the thirty thousand taels of silver?

If Gu Dayong worked hard to live and maintain his political influence.

Even if Pei Yuan had to wait for several more decades, he would be happy with it.

The debt of thirty thousand taels of silver was like a bait, which kept Gu Dayong hooked with its huge attraction and small gains.

Therefore, the one who is wholeheartedly trying to make good use of Gu Dayong is not the other seven tigers in the palace, but Pei Qianhu.

Pei Yuan thought about it while sorting out his thoughts about the future.

Do my best to protect Gu Dayong, rebuild the West Factory, and help my eunuch Gu return to his throne!
Pei Yuan strode towards the City God Temple.

He is heroic and majestic, with the corners of his robe flying.

All that's missing is some German background music.

At this moment, someone in the depths of the City God Temple asked in surprise, "Pei Yuan?"

This voice is slightly hoarse and sharp.

Pei Yuan had already kept it in mind.

He immediately took a few quick steps forward and bowed, "I am Pei Yuan, and I am honored to meet you, Eunuch Gu."

Gu Dayong was very happy, "Okay, get up."

Pei Yuan took the opportunity to pretend to be prudent.

Then Gu Dayong asked with a little expectation, "Pei Yuan, are you here to pay back the money?"

?
When Pei Yuan heard this, he felt that it was right that there was no background music just now.

This valley is of great use.

It's so damn real!
Pei Yuan stood up expressionlessly, looked at Gu Dayong's expectant eyes, and said sincerely, "Silver, I am earning it now, and I was afraid that Eunuch Gu would need it urgently, so I asked someone to bring some over before."

When Gu Dayong heard that Pei Yuan was not here to repay the money, he looked a little disappointed.

But thinking of the five hundred taels I got some time ago...

It’s okay, it’s free money anyway.

He asked with some confusion, "So what are you doing here this time?"

Pei Yuan's face suddenly showed a sad and depressed look, "I came here this time because I heard that Eunuch Gu was wronged. If Eunuch Gu hadn't chosen me as the first in the martial arts examination, how could I be where I am today?"

"The court is now unfair and does not appreciate Eunuch Gu's hard work. Lu Ting is unjust and has robbed Eunuch Gu of his military achievements. I am indignant and am willing to come here to die for Eunuch Gu!"

Pei Qianhu's Black Tiger Heart-piercing Attack hit Gu Dayong's heart right away.

He didn't expect that this young man would be so unethical as to attack an old man, and tears suddenly flowed down his cheeks.

After so many days, someone finally realized that he had been wronged.

He was a pampered eunuch, and now he had been fighting for the emperor for almost a year.

Gu Dayong considers himself to be a useless person.

Therefore, apart from helping Lu Wan to reconcile the relationships among all parties and requesting soldiers and food, he did not provide in-depth command.

During the suppression of the rebellion this year, Eunuch Gu's overall idea was to listen to advice.

Therefore, if the imperial court uses the excuse of incompetence in commanding troops to dismiss itself, it is not a human being.

Because I didn’t do anything!
If the war is not going well, then shouldn't it be Lu Wan's responsibility?
As a result, the court kept Lu Wan, but the one who took the blame was Gu Dayong, the military commander he was in charge of.

At this point, only this young Jinyiwei was willing to stand up and speak out for him.

Gu Dayong was still in a state of excitement when Pei Yuan continued, "I wonder if Eunuch Gu believes in Buddhism?"

Gu Dayong calmed down and answered puzzledly, "Of course my family believes in Buddhism."

In fact, most eunuchs were Buddhists.

This is also the main driving force behind the rapid increase in temples of all sizes in the capital.

Because they have no hope in this life, they can only place their hopes on the next life.

After all, there are only a few people like Liu Lang who devote themselves to practicing Taoism and hope to grow back in this lifetime.

Pei Yuan couldn't help but sigh when he heard this, "It seems that this is the arrangement of the Buddha. There is indeed karma in this world. It was because Eunuch Gu chose me as the first place in the martial arts exam that I came here today to report to him and help him make a comeback."

Gu Dayong was more and more surprised, "Pei Yuan, why do you say that?"

The eunuch was naturally pleased that he was grateful, but how could a small Jinyiwei dare to speak so arrogantly?

Pei Yuan then replied, "You may not know yet, sir, that not long after I joined the Imperial Guard, I was transferred to the Zhenxie Qianhu Division in Nanjing to work. Later, because of my minor contributions, I was promoted to a hereditary position by the court, and was appreciated by Qianhu Han and became the deputy Qianhu of the Zhenxie Qianhu Division."

Is that all?

Gu Dayong had seen the world, and he didn't take a mere deputy captain of a thousand households seriously.

He was feeling slightly disappointed.

Then Pei Yuan said, "If it were an official position elsewhere, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to help you. But this evil suppression office can help you."

Gu Dayong thought about it.

After all, he was the head of the Western Factory, and he had some understanding of the Jinyiwei, who served as thugs.

He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Isn't the Suppression Office responsible for tracking down evil cult members? How can you help us?"

Pei Yuan's next words immediately made Gu Dayi alert.

"Replying to Eunuch Gu, I have the humble duty to help Eunuch Gu restore the West Factory!"

"What?!" Gu Dayong almost lost his composure and took a few steps forward, exposing himself to the sunlight coming through the City God Temple.

Pei Yuan looked up subconsciously.

Gu Dayong had a thin face, messy gray hair, and although the brocade clothes he wore were clean, they were a little worn and had many wrinkles. But Gu Dayong didn't seem to care.

He was of medium build, wearing the same cowhide boots as ordinary military officers, and had fur leggings wrapped around his calves to keep him warm, which was not very presentable.

It seems that his military career of more than a year has changed him a lot.

According to historical records, the eunuchs during the Zhengde period were ferocious and were known as the Eight Tigers, but in fact there was only one truly fierce man, and that was the old eunuch Liu Jin who was cut into pieces.

In the early years of Zhengde, when the ministers saw that Zhu Houzhao was not very old, they immediately thought of the "Three Yang Cabinet" that controlled the court when Zhu Qizhen succeeded to the throne at the age of nine.

How wonderful it was when the "Three Yangs" came. When the emperor was nine years old, his ministers could do whatever they wanted.

To what extent did they do whatever they wanted? In the first year of the emperor's reign, the "Three Yang Cabinet" abolished the appointment and dismissal procedures for officials and introduced a recommendation system.

The strict procedures for officials' recruitment, promotion and dismissal have been simplified into four words.

——I have the final say.

What's the point of taking the exam? I don't need to act anymore. I can just arrange all my relatives, friends and uncles to be officials. Even the stray dogs in my hometown will be given the status of corvées.

That beautiful era was truly a time of great righteousness.

“Therefore, when talking about wise ministers in the Ming Dynasty, the Three Yangs must be mentioned first.” - History of Ming Dynasty.

So the ministers couldn't help but think, "If the Three Yangs can do it, then so can I."

But scholars are good at learning from experience, and someone immediately asked, "The "Three Yangs" had such a good foundation in the beginning, so how come the political situation got out of control when Zhu Qizhen grew up?"
After some summary, everyone believed that it started with Wang Zhen’s military review.

Of course, the slightly embarrassing incident afterwards was also part of the reason.

For example, the great and wise minister Yang Shiqi indulged his family members and ran rampant in the village. His eldest son Yang Ji was "arrogant and cruel, and often violently assaulted and killed people" and committed "dozens of cruel acts."

After the emperor showed it to Yang Shiqi, Yang Shiqi had to retire and return home in embarrassment.

Grand Secretary Yang Rong was corrupt and, seeing that the emperor was young, he accepted bribes from other clan members with deep intentions. So when this matter was discovered, Yang Rong returned to his hometown to visit the emperor's grave and died of illness on the way.

Fortunately, the fact that his son and grandson were tyrannical and killing people indiscriminately was not discovered until the Chenghua period, and they ended up in a decent way.

As for Yang Pu, it is even simpler.

——Now that things have come to this, I can talk and I can be decent.

He accepted the transfer of power calmly.

After summarizing the historical lessons of the three wise ministers, some wise people took the initiative to suggest that, in this case, why don’t we kill all the capable eunuchs around the emperor in advance, wouldn’t that be safe?
So in the first year of the Zhengde reign, ministers of different ranks and identities began to frantically impeach the eunuchs around Zhu Houzhao and named them the "Eight Tigers."

First, the cabinet ministers Liu Jian, Xie Qian and Li Dongyang took action, and then the Minister of Rites Zhang Sheng took the lead in launching the second wave of offensive.

Later on, it became even more horrifying. Yang Yuan, the supervisor of the five sense organs, said that because of the evil deeds done by these eight tigers, the entire universe was in turmoil and even the stars in the sky were changing.

This scared Zhu Houzhao.

Is it so powerful?

Cabinet Grand Secretaries Liu Jian and Xie Qian, together with the six ministries and nine officials, once again advised the emperor to kill him quickly, as it was too late.

Unexpectedly, there was a traitor among these people.

——Jiao Fang.

Jiao Fang contacted Ba Hu overnight and told him what happened.

As a result, the others were all scared to death, and only Liu Jin, who was in charge of the bell and drum department, stood up and broke the impasse in one fell swoop.

Afterwards, Liu Jin directly took charge of the Imperial Household Department, Gu Dayong took charge of the Western Factory, and Ma Yongcheng took charge of the Eastern Factory. Under the preventive suppression of the civil officials, these eunuchs who played with others killed the eunuchs Wang Yue, Fan Heng, and Xu Zhi of the Hongzhi Dynasty, and completely took power!
It is now the seventh year of Zhengde. Although it is impossible for Gu Dayong to be reborn in an instant, the past year or so of fighting has changed him to some extent.

Pei Yuan thought about his previous impression of Gu Dayong, and through this observation, he slowly corrected his view of Gu Dayong.

He continued decisively, "I say that I have a way to help Eunuch Gu rebuild the West Factory."

Seeing Pei Yuan's confident words, Gu Dayong's hands hidden in his sleeves began to tremble slightly.

He wanted to go forward and help Pei Yuan up, but suddenly he became alert and asked in a sharp voice, "Where's Wu Qing? Come here."

After a while, a young eunuch came from the hall in a panic, "I'm here."

Gu Dayong said to the young eunuch, "Go guard the door. No one is allowed to approach. Be careful. Later, we will adopt you as our godson."

The young eunuch Wu Qing responded meekly, with no joy on his face, and hurried to guard the door.

He had been flattering and serving Gu Dayong for more than a year, wanting to become his godson. But who would have thought that when Gu Dayong was about to get into trouble, he would bring up the matter again.

Wu Qing could only sigh silently and guard the palace gate.

The expression on Gu Dayong's face became extremely serious. "There's no one here. You go."

Pei Yuan said in a deep voice, "I wonder if Eunuch Gu still remembers why the court set up this Western Factory?"

"This..." Gu Dayong hesitated, thinking for a long time before saying, "It seems that it is because the descendants of some unknown official killed people wantonly, and the officials protected each other, and the court could not stop it."

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "You remembered it wrong, eunuch. That happened after the establishment of the Western Factory. The court established the Western Factory because a black demon appeared in the palace, and the evil man Li Zilong used witchcraft to collude with the eunuch Wei She to enter the palace secretly. The emperor was horrified, so he established the Western Factory to secretly investigate the matter."

"Oh? Is that so?" Gu Dayong thought, and suddenly remembered something.

Monster? Monster? Isn't this exactly what the evil-suppressing thousand households are responsible for?

Gu Dayong's expression slightly changed, and he said, "Go on."

Pei Yuan didn't know whether Gu Dayong could understand, but he didn't dare to say it too bluntly.

"I'm afraid it wasn't the emperor's original intention to abolish the Western Factory. If there are monsters or evil people causing chaos again, with the precedent set by our ancestors, the emperor might be able to rebuild the Western Factory."

"I happen to be working for the Evil Suppression Thousand Households Office, and I also independently handle the affairs of the Thousand Households Office in the north. If I patrol patiently, I might be able to discover some monsters or demons."

When Gu Dayong heard this, his eyes flickered, and he clenched his fists in his sleeves, trying to suppress his emotions, "What if there are no monsters or demons?"

Pei Yuan probed with a hint of defensiveness, "I think so."

Gu Dayong pretended not to hear him and continued to ask, "What if there are no monsters or demons?"

Pei Yuan was then sure that Gu Dayong understood what he meant.

He immediately said in a deep voice, "There must be."

Gu Dayong then slowly exhaled and said as if talking to himself, "Yes, there must be."

Pei Yuan saw that Gu Dayong was not stupid and was able to communicate, so he immediately whispered, "Your humble servant, I have one more thing to say."

Gu Dayong came back to his senses happily, and he found Pei Yuan more and more pleasing to his eyes. Thinking of how Lu Wan handled military affairs, he said with great pride, "Tell me what you want! If you have any request, we will not hesitate to reward you."

Thinking of this, I felt that there was hope of regaining my previous power and status.

Gu Dayong decisively threw out the bait, "If you can help our family regain its former glory, then all the money you owe me will be written off!"

Pei Yuan was slightly displeased when he heard this.

I owed you the money with my own ability, why do you just say you don’t want it?

Then what's the point of me helping you up?
Pei Yuan immediately said sternly, "If I do this, what difference will there be between me and those villains who take advantage of others' misfortunes? Don't mention this again, eunuch!"

Gu Dayong was speechless for a moment, "You."

Even the old eunuch, who had a calm heart, felt warmed for a moment.

Pei Yuan said in a deep voice, "I want to tell you a little story about my trip south. I wonder if you are interested."

Gu Dayong was excited, and when he heard Pei Yuan say this, he urged, "What's next?"

(End of this chapter)