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

Chapter 614: Fishing for people
As Pei Yuan spoke, he picked up the remaining half of the bamboo from the ground and continued to make bamboo skewers with the sharp blade of his embroidered spring knife.

A short while later, a bamboo skewer of about the same size as the previous one appeared in Pei Yuan's hand.

Xiao Tong and Lu Yong couldn't contain their curiosity and both asked, "What is the commander doing now?"

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "Of course, we'll teach that bastard Mao Cheng what it means to regret it."

Pei Yuan was doing handicrafts when he suddenly heard someone approach and ask in a puzzled tone, "What are you doing, my brother?"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan quickly looked up and saw that Zang Xian had arrived.

Pei Yuan looked at the green bamboo slip in his hand, then at Zang Xian.

He quickly forced a smile and said half-jokingly, "Look, do you see this? This is the green bamboo slip that's been causing such a stir in the court and among the people."

Zang Xian reached out to take it, but Pei Yuan handed it to him.

Zang Xian looked at it over and over again, and said to Pei Yuan with some puzzlement, "Brother Xian, are you really in cahoots with Yang Tinghe?"

Thinking of Zang Xian, a political broker who would sell anything, Pei Yuan cleverly avoided answering.

Instead, he asked, "Brother Zang, why do you ask that?"

Zang Xian had nothing to hide.

"Before, there were always people cursing the Embroidered Uniform Guard for being treacherous, but later, when those failed candidates learned that you, my worthy brother, were only a mere commander of a thousand..."

Zang Xian paused for a moment, then smiled at Pei Yuan and said, "Of course, as your older brother, I certainly know your abilities, my brother."

Pei Yuan smiled, not caring at all.

After all, there are living examples right in front of us.

Zang Xian, a mere ninth-rank official, was able to cause a scene with Fu Gui, the Minister of Rites, simply because he disliked the shape of the seal as beneath him.

He was also able to seize the right opportunity to join forces with his cronies to drive Fu Gui away; he's no ordinary person.

Getting rid of one of the "Nine Constants," and a relatively powerful minister among the "Upper Seven Constants," was something Pei Yuan had to rack his brains over.

Although this process benefited somewhat from the momentum of the "Great Victory of Huguang", profiting from chaos was Zang Xian's forte.

Furthermore, given Zang Xian's astute methods in manipulating the "three passes" to grant Prince Ning military power, Pei Yuan dared not regard him merely as one of Zhu Houzhao's male favorites.

Pei Yuan decided to continue asking, "What else did they say?"

Zang Xiandao said, "Those people felt that this imperial examination corruption case must have another backer, and they pointed the finger at Yang Tinghe."

"Because someone leaked the news to the outside world, this palace examination was decided unilaterally by Yang Tinghe. In order for him to make selections in advance, the other examiners received their papers an hour later than usual."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan knew that someone was plotting against Yang Tinghe.

Even he, who went to ask Mao Ji specifically, didn't know the details of receiving the exam paper an hour later than usual. How could outsiders possibly know?

It must be one of those seventeen examiners who made a mistake.

If you ask Pei Yuan what he thinks about this, he will naturally laugh it off.

Zang Xian sat down and asked, half-jokingly, "Is it true?"

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and replied, "How the Grand Scholar reads the papers is his business, we won't mention it."

"Regarding my case, it mainly involves the rankings of these three people, right? These rankings were ultimately decided by His Majesty."

Pei Yuan said some useful nonsense; how Zang Xian interprets it is up to him.

Zang Xian clearly knew his limits, smiled, and didn't press the matter further.

He handed the green bamboo stick back to him.

Pei Yuan accepted it.

While carefully scraping off the burrs with his embroidered spring knife, he smiled and said to Zang Xian, "Brother Zang, you must have some good news to tell me this time."

When Zang Xian got down to business, he became much more serious.

"The situation in the south has been largely settled, but the price might not be that attractive."

Pei Yuan certainly wouldn't believe in the integrity of a middleman.

These kinds of guys usually eat from both their upstream and downstream partners.

It’s impossible to believe him.

Pei Yuan has already taken the initiative to send a peace signal on behalf of the Luo Sect and has been secretly finding someone to sell off the stock. Therefore, the rise in soybean oil prices in the south is likely to be the last wave.

If it were Pei Yuan himself, he would also try to make a fortune from this one-off deal.

Pei Yuan was the biggest manipulator behind the Luo Cult, so of course he wouldn't let himself suffer this loss.

Fortunately, he had planned ahead and had Zhu Houzhao, the mastermind behind it all, to take the blame.

Pei Yuan met Zang Xian's expectant gaze, sighed, and said half-jokingly, "This matter may have changed."

Zang Xian frowned upon hearing this, his expression no longer as pleasant as before. "What do you mean?"

Pei Yuan looked around and gestured for his men to leave.

Seeing Pei Yuan's serious demeanor, Zang Xian could only frown and watch.

Pei Yuan lowered his voice and said, "Brother Zang may not know this, but the Luo Sect has now fallen into His Majesty's hands. Currently, the Luo Sect is under the control of the Shandong Military Command, the Shandong Garrison Eunuch, and the Shandong Governor. It is still unknown what changes may occur in the future."

Upon hearing this, Zang Xian's face instantly turned ugly. He swept his hand across the table, knocking everything over with a crash, and got up to leave.

Pei Yuan quickly said, "Wait a minute."

Zang Xian stopped in his tracks, his usually stern face tightening slightly before he spoke gently, "What does Brother Xian say?"

Pei Yuan said, "His Majesty is unaware of the matter concerning these beans and soybean oil."

“I have connections with the Shandong Military Commander and the Shandong Governor. It’s not so easy to get through to the garrison eunuch, but I can still give it a try.”

"Brother Zang, could you find a pretext to temporarily summon the eunuch in charge of Shandong back to the capital? I can discuss this matter."

Seeing that there was still hope, Zang Xian's anger subsided temporarily. He couldn't recall who the eunuch guarding Shandong was, so he asked directly, "Who is the guarding eunuch of Shandong?"

Pei Yuan said, "It is Bi Zhen."

Zang Xian muttered the name twice and said, "Alright, in a few days the Imperial Household Department will request some tribute items from Shandong for the New Year. Bi Zhen will personally deliver them then."

After saying that, he glanced sideways at Pei Yuan and said coldly, "Once the others arrive, you take care of this matter."

Pei Yuan patted his chest and assured him, "No problem, no problem."

Zang Xian breathed a sigh of relief.

His gaze swept over the broken cups and plates, and he called out, "Wu Wei."

A moment later, the junior official who had been attending to Pei Yuan entered, bowing and scraping, and asked, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"

Zang Xian gestured to Pei Yuan and said, "This is my good brother. I'll show him around later. Except for the families of officials involved in treason, let him have his way with the others."

I rely on!

Pei Yuan's slight dissatisfaction vanished completely.

Zang Fengluan is so magnanimous!

However, Pei Yuan was busy most of the night yesterday, but he actually had a pretty good time.

Besides, Jiao Yan'er's beauty was striking, far surpassing that of ordinary women. Pei Yuan immediately and decisively refused, "This... isn't that inappropriate..."

Zang Xian smiled, then waved and left.

The reason why the Jiaofangsi was placed under the Ministry of Rites was that its main business was to undertake the music and dance work for various court celebrations and banquets.

The official brothels that sold their services were initially located in places like Fuleyuan and Shiliulou, and later in government-run Goulan Washe.

These courtesans were completely different from prostitutes who sold their bodies. After all, you couldn't have a bunch of women who had been corrupted by all sorts of people posing and behaving provocatively during a court celebration.

What if some girl hadn't cleaned up the lingering scent of the previous night's debauchery, and then got a taste of it from some prince, grandson, minister, or vice minister? What kind of decorum would that be?
Therefore, the officials' wives and concubines who worked in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution) were considered more sophisticated and elegant than prostitutes in the traditional sense.

However, Zang Xian used these resources, which should have belonged to the imperial court, to cultivate relationships with various figures without any hesitation.

After Zang Xian left, Wu Wei quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Commander Pei, please. You may choose any of the girls here."

Pei Yuan hesitated, "Isn't this inappropriate?"

Wu Wei laughed and said, "These kinds of things depend on whether you feel a connection or not. If you don't feel a connection, can you force it? It's lunch break right now, and everyone's in the back. It's no big deal to just take a look."

Pei Yuan asked himself honestly, and he knew he truly had no such intention.

But the thought of the women in this building being able to pick and choose whatever they want is a bit exciting.

He hesitated and said, "How about we just take a look? It'll broaden our horizons."

Wu Wei smiled and led Pei Yuan to the back courtyard.

Xiao Tong and Lu Yong hurriedly came forward, "Chief."

Pei Yuan waved his hand, and the two immediately knew better than to ask any questions and obediently stood guard in the distance.

The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) had a three-courtyard complex behind its premises, with the main hall in the center serving as the official government office. The side rooms were where the young women lived.

Wu Wei led Pei Yuan to the door of a side room, knocked on the door, and then said coldly, "Open the door, we have a distinguished guest."

The rustling sounds inside stopped, and then a dancer timidly opened the door.

Wu Wei put on a smile again and gestured to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan glanced around curiously and saw that the room was crowded with several women. When they saw Pei Yuan, they instinctively and fearfully curtsied.

Pei Yuan didn't have that kind of picky attitude towards goods. His gaze swept over them, and then he looked away with a sense of unease.

Wu Wei then gestured for Pei Yuan to go to the next room to take a look.

Pei Yuan's gaze swept across the side room and then around the backyard.

Thinking about all the women in these rooms, whom he could choose and play with at will, Pei Yuan finally understood what the pleasure of lawlessness was.

Pei Yuan didn't even look, and said with a smile to Wu Wei, "I've seen enough, I'm leaving."

Wu Wei was taken aback. "Aren't you going to continue watching, Qianhu?"

Pei Yuan was too lazy to say anything more and slowly left the courtyard.

It's almost October now, and the New Year is just around the corner, which means that Commander Pei will soon be twenty.

Listen to this, she's twenty years old and still doesn't have a son!
If this continues for a few more years, Pei Yuan will start to panic.

As a responsible leader, he should ensure that his precious seeds are sown in his own good fields.

Pei Yuan returned to the table where he had been sitting, took the green bamboo stick from the table, and casually held it in his palm.

Wang Chang has been recalled by the Censorate and is currently on his way back to the capital.

Because of Zang Xian's methods, Bi Zhen will have to openly escort the tribute to the capital.

As for Chen Tou Tie, it just so happens that the Three Judicial Offices have framed Luo Jiao for Zhang Yong's death. As the leader of Luo Jiao, Chen Tou Tie should go to the capital to defend himself.

There's probably no one left to fish in Shandong.

As for Jin Xianmin...

It was time for the organization to test him, Pei Yuan thought, as the green bamboo stick spun smoothly between his fingertips.

Pei Yuan spent the next few days waiting.

The messenger sent to summon Sikong Sui has already rushed to Yanggu.

Upon suddenly learning of the good news from the two commanders, Sikong Sui realized his crucial role and was rushing to the capital day and night.

The selection of junior scholars in the academy proceeded quickly. The junior scholars listened to advice and, apart from Huo Tao, none of the others had any intention of participating in the selection.

To Pei Yuan's dismay, Ouyang Bijin actually succeeded in being selected as a junior compiler in the Imperial Academy.

This caused Pei Yuan's plan to deviate slightly. Originally, he had planned to have Ouyang Bijin and Chen Xinjian cooperate.

Therefore, we have no choice but to find another suitable candidate.

With the selection of probationary officials settled, the next step was to determine the positions for the other newly appointed scholars.

This year's subject is particularly interesting.

The issue of cheating in this exam has gradually become a hot topic in both the government and among the public.

The arrangements made by Tang Gao and the other two became the focus of everyone's attention.

Most people believe that these three people may be sent to compile history and have been sidelined for a long time.

After all, there's a lot of discussion about this issue right now, and it would be counterproductive to force a confrontation over such a trivial matter.

However, the final arrangement made by these three people surprised everyone.

Tang Gao, Huang Chu, and Cai Ang were eventually assigned to the Inner Study Hall to teach books to the junior eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Traditionally, the Imperial Academy's Inner Study Hall was staffed with instructors from the Hanlin Academy.

Generally speaking, those who could teach the junior eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial were the promising young people in the Hanlin Academy.

These people are basically those who are expected to be in the cabinet in the future, so they are trying to get along with the future eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial in advance.

Yang Tinghe's strong support for Tang Gao and the other two made his political enemies increasingly aware that this was a point he cared about.

Some people are already planning how to break through by focusing on those three.

Mao Ji left amidst the turmoil in the city, taking a few servants with him to Shandong for the funeral.

On his journey, while collecting his post horse and servants at a post station, he unexpectedly encountered Yan Hanlin, who was also heading south.

Mao Ji recalled the emperor's attitude towards this man and his attitude towards Yan Song changed drastically.

The two sides also chatted for a few minutes under the pretext of Pei Yuan's introduction.

When Yan Song heard that Mao Ji had returned to his hometown in Shandong for a funeral, he changed his expression and said that since he knew about this, how could he remain indifferent?
To honor this friendship, Yan Song insisted on going with Mao Ji to offer incense at the altar.

This deeply moved Mao Ji; even the gentlemen of ancient times could not have been more virtuous than him.

Mao Ji even felt a little ashamed, feeling that he shouldn't have been so rude to Commander Pei that day.

When he left the capital, all sorts of rumors were flying around. Some said Pei Yuan was involved in cheating in the imperial examinations, while others said Pei Yuan colluded with Yang Tinghe. However, Mao Ji actually agreed with the least popular possibility.

Perhaps Pei Yuan really does have a good eye for talent.

(End of this chapter)