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

Chapter 646 The Brothers' Sense of Participation

Over the next two days, Pei Yuan worked diligently to allocate manpower and prepare for the southward journey.

Tian Fu also performed his job well, managing to gradually increase the value of the banknotes while doing some minor work at the "Pingrensi" (a local government office).

The exchange rate for the paper money at the thirteen Quanzi banks had dropped from "eleven strings of cash for one coin" to "nine strings of cash for one coin".

The downside is that the transactions involved are somewhat speculative and haven't created a ripple effect.

Fortunately, the price level kept the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes from falling further, but no one followed suit.

Pei Yuan couldn't find the time to deal with it, so he let Tian Fu take over the matter ahead of time.

Under Tian Fu's command, Yun Buxian first investigated the banks in the capital under the guise of purchasing paper money, and found dozens of banks that had completely sold out of paper money.

Subsequently, Tian Fu used thirteen "Quanzihao" (泉字号) to sign large-scale purchase agreements with these dozens of money shops at discounted prices.

The "Quanzihao" bank will use silver to buy up the banknotes at each money shop at a rate of "ten strings of cash for one coin" over a long period.

Each money exchange is limited to a daily transaction limit of one hundred taels.

Because the daily amount was not large, in order to reassure the money shops, "Quanzihao" made an agreement with them to release silver early every morning, as long as the money shops delivered the corresponding amount of paper money before closing time.

The current purchase price of banknotes is not high, and many money shops are in a wait-and-see state.

Even when money shops attempted to acquire the assets, it was always intermittent.

Based on the current market price of "25 strings of cash for one coin", those money shops could make a net profit of nearly 50 taels of silver per day just by opening up their purchasing channels.

In one month, it is expected to generate a net profit of 1,500 taels.

That's no small sum.

Once the agreement was reached, the money shops went back and resumed listing their banknotes for purchase.

Some are based on the market price, while others, in order to finalize the deal as quickly as possible, choose a price slightly higher than the market price.

The thirteen Quanzi shops continued to use the price of "ten strings of cash to one coin" to maintain their watered-down trading.

Yun Buxian was somewhat puzzled by the operation of the land tax.

In this way, Quanzi Bank had to spend tens of thousands of taels of silver every day to acquire these items, and at relatively high prices, leaving the transaction profits to other banks.

While doing this, you also have to spend a lot of time and effort manually tapping and adding water.

Instead of doing that, it would be better to open up the market and directly drive up the purchase price of the precious paper money.

Tian Fu did not offer much explanation, and Pei Yuan did not interfere much either.

Zhu Houzhao continued to pay attention to the market for banknotes.

However, despite realizing the importance of the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes, he felt quite helpless in the face of this mess.

Aside from urging Pei Yuan to search for Yan Song's whereabouts again, Zhu Houzhao did not take any new actions.

Even silver, which had previously cashed out and left the market through internal carriers, has not made any move to re-enter the market.

Pei Yuan observed for two days and found that the emperor placed all his hopes on the exceptionally capable "Yan Qing" and had no intention of contacting him again for the time being.

This put Pei Yuan's last concern at ease.

On this day, Pei Yuan clearly saw Cen Meng and Chen Tou Tie meet on the creditor map, and the two began to move together toward the small red dot representing Chen Xin Jian.

Pei Yuan's spirits lifted, knowing that the news of Xiao Chong's journey south had already been sent.

Looking at Xiao Chong again, the red dot representing him has entered Shandong and reached Dezhou.

Pei Yuan knew his opportunity had come, so he immediately summoned Yun Buxian, Xiao Tong, Lu Yong, and other trusted confidants and informed them to prepare for action.

Pei Yuan glanced at the three of them and said in a deep voice, "According to the previous plan, Xiao Tong and Lu Yong will come with me. Yun Buxian will stay in the capital to create an alibi for me."

Xiao Tong and Lu Yong exchanged a glance and both replied, "Your subordinates are all ready."

Yun Buxian was somewhat uneasy after Pei Yuan secretly assigned him his task. He had a rare moment of hesitation and asked with a forced smile, "Commander, I'm afraid I won't do a good job. How about letting the two of them stay and I go south with you?"

It wasn't that Yun Buxian, who had narrowly escaped death from the pursuit of the Datong guerrillas, suddenly lost his courage.

The task Pei Yuan left him was simply too difficult to grasp.

Pei Yuan's task for Yun Buxian was to have Yun Buxian begin preparations for the wedding of the two commanders in a grand manner during the few days he was away from the capital.

As long as this pretext is in front of him, Pei Yuan can have a reasonable explanation for not being able to work regular hours and for having difficulty finding anyone.

After all, they're busy preparing for the wedding.

Before such a major life event, it's only natural to secretly skip work and busy yourself with preparations.

Moreover, with the pretense of an upcoming wedding, no one would suspect that Pei Yuan had left the capital if he couldn't be found.

After all, according to the common sense, people who are about to get married will naturally not leave easily.

But the key point is that Yun Buxian, who is Pei Yuan's close attendant, knows that Pei Yuan is the only one who is enthusiastic about the marriage between the two. Han Qianhu has always shown his disgust and resistance to this arranged marriage.

If Pei Yuan were to take advantage of the southward journey to make some underhanded moves, and in the event that angered Commander Han, who would come and expose him, wouldn't this so-called alibi be directly exposed to the world?

Commander Pei has gone to Shandong, while Yun Buxian can stay in the capital to make arrangements.

Moreover, there's a fear that this commotion might draw the attention of many people who weren't initially concerned about the matter.

Wouldn't that be counterproductive, making the truth only more obvious?
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Don't worry, just go ahead and make the arrangements. I've already made an appointment with Commander Han. I'll make some cover-up arrangements in the capital, and Commander Han has promised to cooperate as much as possible and won't expose me."

Yun Buxian swallowed hard; he desperately hoped that what Pei Yuan said was true.

Yun Buxian looked at Pei Yuan pleadingly, trying to discern from Pei Yuan's eyes whether he was lying to her.

Pei Yuan, on the other hand, was much more certain.

He had already made it very clear to Han Qianhu through his previous hints what terrible consequences would result if his plan were exposed.

To avoid being passively dragged into Pei Yuan's schemes, Commander Han would certainly not dare to disrupt Pei Yuan's arrangements in the capital.

In other words, Commander Han could only watch helplessly as Pei Yuan's new residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and everyone in the commander's office was joyfully preparing for the couple's wedding.

Even if Commander Han resists or refuses to admit it at that time,

But everyone in the Thousand Household Office knew that the wedding was being prepared right under Thousand Household Han's nose, so to some extent, it was Thousand Household Han's tacit approval.

Even if Han Qianhu didn't show up at the wedding, to others who didn't see the truth, it would still be as if Han Qianhu had been formally married.

There was an imperial decree of marriage first, followed by congratulations and blessings from many people, and even a formal marriage ceremony was held.

So even if Han Qianhu refuses to admit it, she is still Pei Yuan's wife. Pei Yuan's all-in bet has directly cornered Han Qianhu.

Especially after news came that the Imperial Envoy and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Xiao Chong had been killed in the south, Commander Han would be even less willing to take risks.

Pei Yuan whispered to Yun Buxian, "Commander Han has many spies. We should prepare this matter secretly for now and start working on it after I leave."

Yun Buxian had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and then said, "By the way, before, my good brothers said that the storm had passed and they wanted to get together with me, right?"

Xiao Tong quickly interjected, "Last time they sent Xie Bin as their representative to arrange a date, but I haven't given them a reply yet."

After saying that, he added, "I think they might be getting a little impatient."

According to the regulations of the imperial court, after being admitted, Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) would generally be assigned to several departments, such as the Six Ministries, the Secretariat, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

To help them become familiar with government affairs, and also to allow the heads of various departments to observe and select suitable candidates.

The imperial court will allocate some time for them to rotate through various departments.

This is what is known as the period of observing the government.

However, this is merely a theoretical procedure on the surface.

Not long after the observation period began, all sorts of rumors started circulating.

Some people with connections and influence have already reserved their future positions in advance.

Those who couldn't find a powerful backer generally understood where they would be sent.

For example, Tian Fu told Pei Yuan last time that he had received some information that he might be sent to the Ministry of Personnel to work as a messenger.

The reason why Pei Yuan chose those younger brothers from among the many candidates in Shandong was because they had no background and their families had little influence, making them easy to control.

This left them isolated and helpless in the court, with no one to help them.

Even the dock they worshipped at drove away on its own.

Therefore, according to the information these younger brothers found out, their future situation is not good.

Only Huo Tao and Ouyang Bijin passed the examination to become probationary officials and were able to enter the Hanlin Academy. If these two performed well, they had the opportunity to stay in the Hanlin Academy; if they performed poorly and could not stay, they could still enter the prestigious Six Ministries.

As for Tang Gao, Huang Chu, and Cai Ang, they were on a completely different level.

All three had already been appointed officials in the Hanlin Academy and had gone to the Inner Study to teach the future eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Pei Yuan thought for a moment and then casually instructed, "Then invite them all to dinner here tonight. I'm going to work hard for them, so I'll give them a sense of participation."

After Xiao Tong went to make the arrangements, Pei Yuan said to the other two, "You two should also go and prepare."

Just as Yun Buxian and Lu Yonggang were about to leave, Pei Yuan remembered something else. "Oh, right, I have a painting in Zhihua Temple. Could someone go and bring it to my old house? I'll be hosting a banquet here tonight."

When the younger brothers heard that their elder brother Pei Yuan had sent someone to invite them, they all readily agreed.

They merely observe politics; their duties are relatively minor.

Furthermore, with the destinations of many people already largely decided, the officials from the Ministry of Rites in charge of managing the matter were too lazy to even put on an act and simply let things drift.

In the afternoon, the younger brothers of these successful candidates in the imperial examinations arrived one after another.

In addition, Huo Tao and Tian Fu also came along.

However, Tang Gao and two others, who were closely associated with Pei Yuan in the previous imperial examination corruption case, were not among those invited.

After paying their respects to Pei Yuan, the younger brothers, before they could even voice their concerns about their careers, realized that tonight's banquet was not so simple.

Because on the wall of the main hall where Pei Yuan entertained everyone, there was a painting that the group had written poems on.

Even if these people were not sensitive in the past, after being immersed in officialdom for a period of time, they have all become somewhat shrewd.

In particular, some of the clever ones already had a clue when Pei Yuan asked them to inscribe poems on the paintings last time.

So, while everyone felt a chill in their hearts, they greeted each other with normal expressions, occasionally commenting on the poems they had written last time.

To be honest...

Having been in officialdom for some time now, and having shed their former scholarly aura, they have all truly realized the consequences of not having a powerful backer.

Many people have also suddenly realized why some of those who became top performers in the imperial examinations by studying the classics turned into wicked and sycophantic villains.

Beauty exists in books, but reality is right in front of you.

You'll have to face it eventually.

So even the smartest of the younger brothers went from being wary and hesitant at the beginning to actively seeking shelter from Pei Yuan, this big tree.

As for Pei Yuan's strength, it needs no further explanation.

The top three in this imperial examination were all arranged by Pei Yuan.

All the brothers present became Jinshi without exception, all arranged by their elder brother Pei Yuan.

In fact, the top three scholars in the Renshen imperial examination—Tang Gao (first class), Huo Tao (second class), and Tian Fu (third class)—were all students of Pei Yuan.

Many years from now, it wouldn't be surprising if people called him Pei Ke.

When everyone had arrived, it was still early, so Pei Yuan didn't say anything to terrify them. Instead, he directly announced the start of the banquet.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and lively conversation, many ambitious younger brothers boldly brought up their current troubles, hoping that their elder brother Pei Yuan could help them resolve their job issues.

From the mouths of some seasoned, unsuccessful officials who like to mentor newcomers, they already know what a bleak future awaits those in hopeless positions.

Once the conversation started, more people took advantage of the lively atmosphere and stepped forward to offer toasts.

There is only one central idea.

—Brother, take me flying!
Seeing that the atmosphere was about right, Pei Yuan pretended to be drunk and said, "Very well, today I will go and find a future for you."

He then stood up.

The younger brothers were all taken aback, wondering what Pei Yuan meant.
Having anticipated this, Xiao Tong and Lu Yong quickly stepped forward to support Pei Yuan and led him out of the hall.

Pei Yuan called out twice in the courtyard, and a personal guard led his horse over. Pei Yuan, drunk, mounted the horse and rode directly out of the courtyard.

It was only then that the younger brothers, somewhat bewildered, left their seats and chased after them.

Before they could ask any questions, Xiao Tong and Lu Yong quickly grabbed two horses laden with bulging luggage and led several mounted guards to chase after them.

Seeing the sudden turn of events, the younger brothers were all bewildered and panicked.

Why does something feel off?
(End of this chapter)