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

Chapter 608 Keep it in the middle and don't send it
Thinking about this, Pei Yuan also felt somewhat resigned to his fate.

Such an act of forcibly taking possession of something definitely qualifies as villainy.

If a man of virtue were to one day become a ruler, then Tang Gao and his colleagues should properly revise this history to prevent future novelists from making up stories.

After visiting the residence in Chengqingfang, Dou Yu invited Pei Yuan to have a drink together.

Pei Yuan, unsure of where to go at the moment, reluctantly agreed.

Dou Yu poured wine for Pei Yuan with great enthusiasm, praising, "Commander, you're amazing! I've heard that all three of the top three in this competition were arranged by you."

Dou Yu gave a thumbs up, "Impressive!"

Pei Yuan saw that the topic was the imperial examination, so he wasn't very emotional.

As the controversy surrounding the imperial examination scandal intensifies, it will inevitably implicate Yang Tinghe, who made arbitrary decisions regarding the top three candidates.

Perhaps someone will take advantage of this promising opportunity to try and challenge the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

It can be said that, in the eyes of the world, the fierce struggle surrounding Nko has only just begun.

But Pei Yuan was different.

He had been planning this special imperial examination for a long time, and the process of bringing this event to fruition was even intertwined with the previous "grand discussion of merits".

Considering all the gains and losses, this simple idea was already worth the price of admission before the exam even started.

Now, with the addition of a group of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) followers, Commander Pei has made a fortune.

Pei Yuan has outsourced Enke's future development to Second-hand Coins.

How much more he can earn after that depends entirely on Zhao Zi Ge's own actions.

Seeing Pei Yuan's lukewarm reaction, Dou Yu knew that his flattery had gone wrong.

He quickly changed the subject, and since he couldn't think of anything else interesting for the moment, he brought up something he had heard at the yamen that morning.

"By the way, does the commander know? News has come from Shandong that the case of Zhang Yong, the former head of the Directorate of Ceremonial, has been closed."

"Oh?" This was indeed a topic that interested Pei Yuan, so he asked, "How was it resolved?"

Dou Yu perked up and said, "Song Yu, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Wang Chun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Chen Min, the Principal of the Ministry of Justice, jointly reported that they had verified that the matter was indeed the work of the Luo sect."

Pei Yuan was impressed; he was truly amazing!
He asked, "Is there any concrete evidence? Have they caught anyone?"

Dou Yu said, "I heard that they captured a key figure involved in this matter and also captured a large number of Luo followers. However, the leader couldn't withstand the torture and died before being formally executed."

Pei Yuan chuckled.

This must be because the investigation has reached Zhang Xiong, and the officials from the three departments, under pressure from Zhang Rui, simply cannot continue the investigation.

However, since the three departments were working together outside the capital to investigate a major case like the assassination of the former Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial, they couldn't just leave it unresolved.

Such a huge blunder needs to be shouldered by someone resilient.

So the officials took a tour of Shandong, which is where Luo Jiao came from.

With the flourishing development of the Luo sect, the White Lotus sect and the Maitreya sect have been completely squeezed out of Shandong by the Luo sect, which can collect relics every ten days.

If Luo Jiao doesn't take the blame, who will?

Moreover, the fact that the Luo Cult is resisting has another advantage: unless the Luo Cult is completely wiped out and thoroughly investigated, this is simply an unsolved mystery.

What a pity. What a pity.

Pei Yuan had told Zhu Houzhao long ago that Chen Tou Tie had secretly taken control of the Luo Sect.

Moreover, in Zhu Houzhao's mind, the matter of the Luo Sect was being secretly watched by Chen Tou Tie, the emperor's personal guard, the eunuch in charge of Shandong, and the governor of Shandong.

There's no way Zhu Houzhao would believe the results when the three departments reported them.

However, this was not what interested Pei Yuan.

When the results of the special imperial examination were announced, twelve Shandong scholars under Pei Yuan's command obtained official titles, marking the first step in another plan.

The three departments reported on Zhang Yong's assassination case, listing Luo Jiao as a suspect, which was the second part of another plan.

Now we're just waiting for the result of the crucial third step.

Once the results of the third round are in, Pei Yuan can immediately unleash all the hidden forces he has planted around Shandong, sweeping away the De Fan and the Shandong officialdom in one fell swoop.

Pei Yuan asked Dou Yu, "Has the Emperor given a reply on this matter?"

Dou Yu said, "The emperor keeps the memorials in the palace without issuing them. I don't know what he means by that."

Pei Yuan frowned and thought for a moment.

It shouldn't be.

Once it is revealed that Chen Tou Tie is the leader of the Luo Cult, the fact that the three officials colluded to deceive the emperor can be confirmed.

Given Zhu Houzhao's temperament, he would surely take this opportunity to beat the Three Departments like dogs.

Could it be that he is currently focused on the affairs of Mingyu Workshop and Jiqing Workshop and does not want to cause any unforeseen complications, so he plans to hold back for now?
Pei Yuan kept this in mind and planned to ask someone else about it later.

After leaving Chengqingfang, Xiao Tong noticed that Commander Pei was hesitant and asked, "Commander, are you going back to Zhihua Temple?"

Pei Yuan sighed and shook his head.

Back then, Commander Han knew that Pei Yuan was deceiving her, but after seeing the profits from the Huai'an roasted goods business, she still decisively participated.

This shows that he is a smart but arrogant person.

During their last encounter, Han Qianhu deliberately allowed Mei Qiniang to appear, which was a deliberate display that she wasn't afraid of Pei Yuan knowing the truth.

Beyond the confidence in having Pei Yuan completely under his control, the underlying warning and intimidation were self-evident.

As a result, this clever person, who was so confident in her methods, was caught off guard when her henchmen, who were lusting after her body, stole her house and even changed her household registration.

Who can accept this?
Perhaps Commander Han is already planning how to retaliate.

Pei Yuan knew that as long as there was still a sliver of hope that this matter would succeed, he could not continue to provoke Commander Han.

The best way now is naturally to gradually wear down Han Qianhu's spirit until she is willing to submit to him.

Pei Yuan stroked his chin, pondering.

If it were dealing with an ordinary woman, then it would be time to mobilize all the relatives and friends to take turns.

However, Han Qianhu was clearly no ordinary woman.

The most suitable person for this role right now is none other than Sikong Sui, who knows everything about the affairs of the Thousand Households and has been actively promoting good things between the two Thousand Households.

Thinking of this, Pei Yuan immediately instructed his two underlings, "Send someone to Shandong to recall the Commander of the Ministry of Works."

"Furthermore, send another person to Bi Zhen, the eunuch in charge of Shandong, to obtain the document that the ship can be released upon arrival. Order Sikong Suibai to ride a horse during the day and sail at night to return as quickly as possible." Lu Yong volunteered, "I will make the arrangements."

Then, Pei Yuan began to ponder again.

Since Yun Weilin had already mentioned this matter to Han Qianhu earlier that morning, why did she deliberately pretend that nothing had happened?
Could it be that even Commander Han doesn't know how to face himself?

Was it a momentary impulse that caused me to miss this opportunity to test and get to know each other?

Pei Yuan was lost in thought, feeling a mix of anxiety and uncertainty.

He said to Xiao Tong, "Have Yun Weilin come to see me."

Xiao Tong hurriedly asked, "Then where should this subordinate, Commander Yun, go to see Commander Qian?"

The implication is clear: with so many people, they can't just wait on the street.

Pei Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's go with Puxian Academy."

Upon arriving at Puxian Temple, Pei Yuan unexpectedly encountered Yun Buxian.

After asking him a couple of questions, I learned that this guy was running a money exchange business. He had finalized agreements for two shops today and had come to Bi Jun specifically to collect the silver for the transaction.

Pei Yuan offered a few words of encouragement and then went to the courtyard where Jiao Yan'er was.

Jiao Yan'er was pleasantly surprised to hear that Pei Yuan had come. She asked Pei Yuan excitedly, "Don't you have to sit in court today? Why did you come back during the day?"

Pei Yuan said, "I have some things to take care of. I'll pick you up and take you back to the manor when I'm done."

Pei Yuan had mentioned to Jiao Yan'er last time that the situation in the capital had eased considerably, and his grudges with the four outer armies had faded.

It's not right for me to stay at Puxian Temple indefinitely.

Jiao Yan'er was quite happy, but seeing that Pei Yuan looked worried and tired, she couldn't help but ask him a few questions.

Pei Yuan had nothing to say and could only vaguely say that he was involved in a corruption case related to the imperial examinations.

Then, he gave a brief account of what had happened.

Jiao Yan'er listened casually for a while before asking, "Does my husband think highly of those scholars who passed the imperial examinations?"

Pei Yuan hummed in agreement and casually remarked, "Who knows, one of them might be able to take on a major responsibility for me in the future."

Jiao Yan'er replied, "Serving as an official in the court inevitably requires having one's own network of connections. Has my husband ever considered this for them? Or are you suggesting that their backgrounds directly bear my husband's mark?"

Pei Yuan was taken aback for a moment before realizing that the Great Ming Dynasty had its own unique national conditions.

Ming Dynasty officials always openly displayed their powerful backers to others.

Once these successful candidates entered officialdom, they had to make their credentials clear: who their mentor was, who their advisor was, whether they had powerful relatives or fellow townsmen who could help them.

Only when others weigh their labels will they take an appropriate stance on a series of matters.

Just like in some companies, on your first day, a colleague will ask you, "What's your relationship with us?"

The nominal chief examiner for this imperial examination was Liang Chu, whose reputation had already crumbled, while the deputy chief examiner was Mao Cheng, a Hanlin scholar whose future was uncertain after his failed attempt to assassinate the chief examiner. As for the other examiners, they were either newly promoted after long periods of inactivity or had absolutely no political influence whatsoever.

If these successful candidates in the imperial examinations didn't have a label that determined their position or a banner to wave, they would be relegated to the sidelines in officialdom.

But we can't exactly ask them to reveal their powerful backers, like a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Guard who's making waves in the imperial examination scandal.

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and quickly came up with a candidate.

So he said, “These Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) are all from Liaodong, Shandong. They can raise the banner of Mao Ji, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”

This was the first time Jiao Yan'er had heard the name Mao Ji from Pei Yuan, and she asked curiously, "Mao Ji?"

Pei Yuan nodded and said, "Mao Ji is from Shandong, and we get along fairly well."

Jiao Yan'er gave Pei Yuan a reproachful look, "Are you on good terms? If you're only on good terms, how dare you hand over your subordinates?"

Pei Yuan could already guess what Jiao Yan'er wanted to say.

The best choice to protect Pei Yuan's emerging force is naturally Jiao Fang.

If Jiao Fang could return, their close relationship would naturally surpass that of Mao and Ji by many times.

Pei Yuan chuckled and said, "You probably don't know, but Mao Ji is about to go through the mourning period. He will be away from the court for more than two years. It's just an empty title and a show of force."

"Mao Ji has a good reputation and is a former Hanlin scholar who was transferred to the Ministry of Rites. He belongs to the elite and respectable lineage. I don't expect to rise to prominence through this. I just hope he won't cause any unnecessary trouble."

After Pei Yuan finished speaking, he had made up his mind to take those people to Mao Ji's place as soon as possible to pay a visit to his fellow townsman.

Jiao Yan'er glanced at Pei Yuan and said only, "It's good that my husband knows what's going on."

Pei Yuan responded half-heartedly, but a thought popped into his mind: perhaps bringing Jiao Fang back now would be a good option.

Soon, a member of the Imperial Guard reported that Commander Yun was outside requesting an audience.

Pei Yuan stood up, touched Jiao Yan'er's face, and said, "You pack your things first. I'll pick you up after I've finished dealing with things here."

Jiao Yan'er gently stroked Pei Yuan's palm and softly responded.

Pei Yuan used to be very disgusted by Jiao Yan'er's constant efforts to bring Jiao Fang back, but now he couldn't help but express his feelings.

Jiao Yan'er encountered her most spirited self during her most miserable time, but in the end, she could only become a concubine who was treated like a plaything.

Given her background and education, one can easily imagine the resentment she felt.

Pei Yuan looked at the beauty in his palm who had completely lost her childishness and thought to himself, "So what if I let you have your wish?"

As Pei Yuan was leaving to see Yun Weilin, he deliberately patted his head as if he had just remembered something and said, "Oh, right, Yan'er, please write a letter for me to Prime Minister Jiao and inquire about his well-being."

Jiao Yan'er said to Pei Yuanzhen, "Why don't you write this yourself? It would show much more sincerity."

Pei Yuan laughed and said, "What can I write with my limited skills? Can I even make a living?"

Upon hearing this, Jiao Yan'er's eyes lit up immediately.

If history had unfolded as before, and Yang Tinghe had continued his mourning period in the tenth year of the Zhengde reign, and Yang Yiqing, who was no longer Yang Tinghe's rival, had lost his value and was also driven away by Zhu Houzhao in the same year, then...

Starting from the tenth year of Zhengde's reign, the Ming Dynasty court will have a weak cabinet that will govern for nearly three years.

It was precisely during this precious respite that Zhu Houzhao began to strengthen his military forces in Xuanfu, making all-out preparations for war against the northern barbarians, and successfully defeated the invading enemy.

How precious is this window of opportunity?
The Grand Secretary who rose to power at this time did not need to face Yang Tinghe, Yang Yiqing, or even the Emperor.

After those two powerful men were dismissed, the emperor also went to Xuanfu.

The tenth year of the Zhengde reign had always been a target that Pei Yuan coveted.

Whether Pei Yuan can launch a crucial offensive against the cabinet and form a sufficiently strong alliance to prevent Yang Tinghe and Yang Yiqing's return depends on how much preparation he can make in the next two years.

(End of this chapter)