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

Chapter 643 Reaching Consensus
Pei Yuan waved to Li Zhang.

Li Zhang turned around and casually reminded the young palace maid, "Keep your mouth shut about things without evidence," before following closely behind Pei Yuan.

The journey back was easier than the journey there.

Since it was already late at night, many of the guards on duty had gone to find places to hide and relax, and Pei Yuan felt as if he were entering an empty field.

Pei Yuan returned to Hongde Hall, where the tall eunuch guarding the hall quickly shook his head at Li Zhang, indicating that nothing had happened during that time.
Li Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and said to Pei Yuan, "Commander, you should rest early. This old servant will lead men to guard outside."

Pei Yuan didn't care about anything else. He picked up the futon he had carelessly thrown away earlier, curled up against the pillar without any regard for his image, and dozed off.

Pei Yuan had a premonition that when Zhu Houzhao woke up tomorrow, he would most likely still look for him.

Rather than going back early, getting little sleep, and then being summoned back to the palace, it's better to wait a little longer.

Hongde Hall was the sleeping quarters where Zhu Houzhao summoned his ministers and rested. Pei Yuan, a man who respected the rules, naturally dared not overstep his bounds and could only make do with this place for a rest.

I didn't sleep well in the latter half of the night. The futon wasn't very big to begin with, and it could only barely keep out the cold from the ground.

Pei Yuan twisted and turned, recalling the soft, fragrant body he had just been holding, and suddenly felt the impermanence of life.

I don't know when, but suddenly I heard someone calling softly, "Chieftain, Chieftain."

Pei Yuan suddenly woke up with a start, and his heart tightened instinctively.

They assumed that the truth had come out.

When Pei Yuan saw that it was Li Zhang who had called him, and Li Zhang's expression was still calm, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The light streaming in from outside was blindingly white. Pei Yuan looked around and, seeing that everything seemed normal, asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Zhang said, "His Majesty has woken up and says he wants to see you."

Pei Yuan was momentarily dazed, then asked, "What time is it now?"

Li Zhang said, "It is already the first quarter of the hour of Si (9-11 AM)."

So you slept until almost 10 a.m.?
If I had known Zhu Houzhao would sleep here, I would have gone back to rest as soon as the palace gates opened.

Pei Yuan glanced at Li Zhang, who looked slightly tired, and asked in puzzlement, "Why didn't you go to rest?"

Li Zhang replied ingratiatingly, "It's rare for the Commander to have a need for this old servant, how could this old servant dare not do his best?"

Pei Yuan stretched and got up from the ground, casually asking, "What's the situation on His Majesty's side?"

Li Zhang replied, "His Majesty has only been awake for a short time and has just finished bathing."

"While we were eating just now, I suddenly remembered Commander Qian and wanted to send someone to summon him. But I learned that Commander Qian was still in Hongde Hall and had not left. So I sent someone to call Commander Qian to come and see me."

After saying that, Li Zhang deliberately looked at Pei Yuan's face and reminded him, "The commander's lips are a bit disfigured."

Pei Yuan was a little embarrassed and said, "It's alright."

When Zhu Houzhao summoned him, Pei Yuan dared not delay. He got up, straightened his wrinkled clothes, and headed to Qianqing Palace with a weary expression.

When they arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houzhao was having a meal.

Seeing Pei Yuan's disheveled appearance, she couldn't help but ask happily, "Pei Qing, what happened to you? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Pei Yuan sighed, "After receiving Your Majesty's earnest teachings last night, how could I possibly sleep well? I first reflected deeply on myself for a long time, and then I don't know how I drifted off to sleep. I have failed Your Majesty's expectations."

Seeing Pei Yuan's obvious lack of sleep and poor spirits, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but smile.

As Zhu Houzhao was examining Pei Yuan, he suddenly noticed a fresh wound on Pei Yuan's lip.

He immediately asked in surprise, "How did Pei Qing get injured on his lip?"

Pei Yuan said with shame, "I was so tired last night that I accidentally fell to the ground."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao burst into laughter, all the resentment in his heart vanishing.

Yesterday he was there worrying about the country and its people, while Pei Yuan was sound asleep, oblivious to everything. It seems karma has finally caught up with him.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes darted around, and he immediately extended a warm invitation, "Come, come, Pei Qing, sit down and have something to eat."

Pei Yuan was hungry, but he could only decline, saying, "There is a distinction between ruler and subject; this is inappropriate."

Zhu Houzhao said with displeasure, "What's wrong with that? These days I've been training with the border troops, and we often eat from the same pot. You're a military man too, why be so particular?"

Pei Yuan thought about it and realized that it made sense; their relationship was much closer now.

Besides, when Zhu Houzhao went out on incognito visits in the past, he often dined at the same table with him.

Pei Yuan apologized and sat down at the table.

When the others sat down, they found that there were no bowls or chopsticks for him on the table, which made them feel a little awkward.

Zhu Houzhao hurriedly and enthusiastically arranged, "Go and get a bowl and chopsticks for Pei Qing."

Pointing to the mutton soup on the table, he instructed the eunuch, "Minister Pei is a robust man with a large appetite. Go heat up a large bowl of it."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately went to make arrangements.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhu Houzhao recalled what he had been pondering last night and couldn't help but share it with Pei Yuan, "Pei Qing, I have some progress on what happened yesterday."

As soon as the two began to talk, the eunuchs who were still serving them all changed their expressions drastically.

Pei Yuan had already learned from Li Zhang about Zhu Houzhao's silencing of him yesterday. Knowing how difficult it was to deal with petty people, he said to Zhu Houzhao, "This matter concerns the rise and fall of the nation and should have been kept secret. I was somewhat rash in reporting it yesterday."

Zhu Houzhao was taken aback, then said smugly, "It's alright, I've already blocked the news."

After he finished speaking, he looked around and realized that it was inappropriate to discuss such an important matter in front of so many eunuchs.

He then ordered, "You may all step back."

The eunuchs, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, all looked at Pei Yuan with gratitude.

After everyone had left, Zhu Houzhao said to Pei Yuan, "Yesterday I pondered deeply and felt that in order to solve the possible crises in the future, we still need to revitalize the Ming Dynasty's paper money."

"As long as the value of the Ming Treasure Note can be stabilized, the court will be able to recreate the prosperity of the Yongle era."

Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

After putting in so much effort, I finally reached a consensus with Zhu Houzhao on this matter.

With this strong leader's top-down push and their own tacit cooperation, they might actually be able to revive the Ming Dynasty's paper money in one fell swoop.

However, this matter has affected the interests of too many people, and Pei Yuan is not yet suitable to stand on the stage and become the target of public criticism.

Pei Yuan then said to Zhu Houzhao, “Your Majesty, I am but a mere military man. Since Your Majesty has such ambition, why not seek advice from wise and virtuous men?”

Zhu Houzhao said, somewhat speechless, "You're not going to make me ask He Huan again, are you?"

Judging from their past interactions, Pei Qing seems to have a slight admiration for He Huan.

However, Zhu Houzhao also had some understanding of He Huan's abilities; economics and people's livelihood were not He Huan's forte.

Pei Yuan quickly replied, "How could that be?"

"Your Majesty, do you still remember Yan Song, Yan Weizhong, who exposed the hidden opportunities behind the memorials in the Imperial Library? He was a former Hanlin scholar, whose learning and talent far surpassed ordinary people. Why doesn't Your Majesty seek his advice?" Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "So you're talking about Minister Yan."

Then, with a hint of regret, he said, "But I heard he has already returned to his hometown, and we don't know where he is now."

Pei Yuan thought to himself.

Right now, the future Grand Secretary Yan is probably at Mao Ji's house, mourning his grave.

Pei Yuan then said, "If Hanlin Yan returned via the post road, it will not be difficult to trace his whereabouts. I can arrange for my subordinates to do this."

Zhu Houzhao was overjoyed to hear this.

"Good, good, good. Find Yan Qing's whereabouts as soon as possible and summon him back to the capital."

Pei Yuan hesitated for a moment, then thought to himself, "It's time to give the emperor some serious juicy gossip."

Then he said again.

"Does Your Majesty recall another worthy candidate I recommended to you?"

Seeing Zhu Houzhao's blank expression, Pei Yuan had no choice but to reveal the truth himself, "It's Wang Qiong and Wang Dehua, the former Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

Upon hearing Wang Qiong's name, Zhu Houzhao's face clearly showed some unease. "Him? What happened to him?"

Pei Yuan cursed inwardly, thinking, "This bastard really has the nerve to ask."

Pei Yuan hesitated several times before finally saying, "I have always known of his virtue and ability. As His Majesty's eyes and ears, I often send people to inquire about his movements."

"Previously, in order to deal with the Luo Sect, the Zhenxie Thousand-Household Office had set up five Xingbaihu Offices in the five prefectures of Shandong. After Wang Qiong was demoted to Shandong for disaster relief, I ordered the people in those Xingbaihu Offices to keep a close eye on Wang Qiong's affairs."

"From the occasional snippets of Wang Qiong's words, I learned that he is pondering a reform called the 'Single Whip Law.' I heard him boast to others that if the court could try the 'Single Whip Law,' the country would surely become rich and powerful."

"Since this person is skilled in the principles of governing the country and benefiting the people, why doesn't Your Majesty consult him again?"

"This..." Zhu Houzhao hesitated upon hearing this.

He himself knew that what he did back then was not kind, and he couldn't bring himself to face the victims again.

Fortunately, Zhu Houzhao was quick-witted and immediately came up with an excuse to refuse, saying, "Back then, the officials used the pretext of a private audience to drive him out of the capital. If I were to summon him again now and question him privately, it might actually be detrimental to Wang Qiong."

Pei Yuan was about to try to persuade him again.

Then Zhu Houzhao added, "It may not be necessary to summon Wang Qiong to the capital."

"Huh?" Pei Yuan asked, puzzled.

Zhu Houzhao, feigning mystery, said, "If the mountain won't come to me, then I'll go to the mountain."

Pei Yuan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. So, Zhu Houzhao had already made up his mind to leave the capital.

Pei Yuan did some quick calculations and realized that the time was indeed almost up.

It was now October of the seventh year of the Zhengde reign, and the Mongol prince's attack target had shifted from Liangzhou and Shaanxi to the east.

At the beginning of the eighth year of Zhengde's reign, the Mongol prince led his troops to invade Datong and surrounded the deputy commander-in-chief Shen Zhou at Caoduo Mountain from three directions.

The situation was extremely critical at the time. Troops from Xuanfu, Yansui, and various towns in Shanxi were dispatched to provide assistance. Even Beijing was on high alert, and 20,000 officers and soldiers from the Beijing Garrison were selected to be sent to the front lines at any time.

This offensive was completely different from the Northern Barbarians' previous style of "if one strike fails, they will spread their influence far and wide," and it continued for several months.

Before the Ming Dynasty could catch its breath, the little prince had already assembled 50,000 cavalrymen to launch a series of fierce attacks on the passes of Zijing Pass, Daoma Ridge, Longquan Pass, Juyong Pass, Futuyu Pass, Chajian Ridge, and Baiyangkou Pass in Datong.

By May, due to constant alarms and reports from all sides, troops in various regions abandoned their defensive support and could only hold their ground in their own territories.

Afterwards, the Hu barbarians became even more unscrupulous, directly attacking Yanmen Pass from Piantou Pass and plundering Wutai, Fanshi, Guo, Xin and other counties.

This location is not far from Shijiazhuang in later generations.

In that case, I should speed up my expansion in the north.

Pei Yuan didn't expose him, and pretended to be confused, saying, "I will do as Your Majesty commands. Whenever Your Majesty wishes to see Wang Qiong, I will send someone to summon Wang Qiong."

At this moment, a palace attendant cautiously reported from outside, "Your Majesty, the bowls and chopsticks for the commander have been brought."

The two then stopped discussing those secrets.

Zhu Houzhao ordered, "Bring them all up."

A young eunuch cautiously stepped forward and placed bowls, chopsticks, and saucers in front of Pei Yuan.

Then, someone placed a rather large earthenware jar in front of Pei Yuan, lifted the lid to reveal sizzling mutton and fragrant mutton soup inside.

Before Pei Yuan could even lift a finger, a palace attendant ladled a full bowl of hot mutton soup from a ceramic pot for him.

Pei Yuan had caught a chill last night, and seeing this hot soup, he couldn't help but feel a strong urge to eat.

Then, a palace attendant placed fried dough cakes, roast goose, and duck next to Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan swallowed hard, glanced at Zhu Houzhao, and was pondering how best to start eating.

Zhu Houzhao then picked up the mutton soup in front of him and said to Pei Yuan, "Come, Pei Qing, let's drink a bowl of soup together instead of wine, shall we?"

When A Zhao offered him the soup, Pei Yuan dared not be careless and quickly picked it up as well.

As soon as Pei Yuan picked up the soup and felt the scalding heat in his hands, he knew he was in trouble.

Seeing Zhu Houzhao take a big gulp and then look at him intently, Pei Yuan cursed inwardly but could only grit his teeth and take a sip himself.

The mutton soup was too hot, so Pei Yuan could only sip it with a slight spit. He had a fresh wound on his lips, and when he spit it onto the hot soup, the sour and pungent taste was indescribable.

Pei Yuan thought to himself that this was retribution, and could only take a sip with tears in his eyes.

As he drank, he was already planning how he should properly explain his predicament to Empress Xia when they met again.

Seeing Pei Yuan in such a sorry state, Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but burst into laughter, like a child who had just succeeded in playing a prank.

Fortunately, Zhao Zi was only doing it for fun and still had some sense of propriety, and he didn't tease Pei Yuan again after that.

After the two finished their breakfast, Zhu Houzhao immediately let Pei Yuan go back to rest.

When Pei Yuan finally left the Forbidden City safely, he was quite satisfied with his gains over the night.

Under his guidance, Zhu Houzhao had successfully realized the importance of the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes. With a little guidance from Yan Song, he could easily build support for the Treasure Notes from the top down.

Pei Yuan also took the opportunity to mention the national policy that could truly support the paper money, namely the Single Whip Law that Wang Qiong was perfecting.

Next year, the little prince will finally show his fangs. When such external threats come, it is also the time when there is the least resistance to change.

Pei Yuan could now use this opportunity to consolidate the resources of Shandong and help Zhu Houzhao implement the Single Whip Law in Shandong.

Once the idea of ​​binding the Single Whip Method to banknotes is validated, then the Ming Dynasty's entire strategy will be fully realized.

As for Empress Xia...

Pei Yuan licked his lips wistfully, thinking it was a good start after all.

(End of this chapter)