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

Chapter 664 Devil's Narrative
Pei Yuan said, "Changing your salary to silver is not realistic, at least not something that can be done in the short term. But what if the paper money the court issues to you would appreciate ten or twenty times in the short term? Would you be interested?"

Not only Bi Zhen, but also Wang Chang and Xiao Ying's eyes lit up, and they immediately said, "Of course we're interested."

Pei Yuan continued to refine his rhetoric, "If I told you that I would make things difficult for your colleagues in Shandong, so that you could reap ten or twenty times the rewards, would you be resentful? Would you be angry?"

“This…” Wang Chang and Bi Zhen wanted to say that they were the colleagues from Shandong, but considering Pei Yuan’s context, which was obviously referring to the whole situation, they both said, “We should, we should just mind our own business.”

Pei Yuan then asked, "If the price of a rapid appreciation of the paper money is the implementation of the Single Whip Tax System in Shandong, what are your thoughts on that?"

Wang Chang adopted the perspective of the court officials and gave a more conservative answer this time: "Then I may need to think about it carefully. After all, although the appreciation of the paper money is beneficial to me, if the Single Whip Law eventually affects the area where I am, it will cause me greater losses."

Pei Yuan smiled, solidifying the current logic, "In other words, if it doesn't concern you personally, you would be happy to see the paper money appreciate in value because of the implementation of the Single Whip Law in Shandong. Because you wouldn't suffer any harm and could still reap the benefits."

All three nodded in unison.

Civil officials, military officers, and eunuchs all expressed no objection to this conclusion.

Pei Yuan pointed to the yin-yang symbol on the table and said, "I will use the Single Whip Method to bind the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes to taxation, so that more rentiers can profit through the appreciation of the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes."

"If we compare my reform plan to this yin-yang symbol, then the reform I strongly advocate can be seen as the yang side of this yin-yang symbol. The appreciation of the currency brought about by this plan, as a side effect, can be seen as the yin side of this yin-yang symbol."

"All rentiers prefer the dark side and dislike the light side."

"Now I'm reorganizing the language, using a darker narrative that everyone likes, and revising this plan."

As he spoke, Pei Yuan wiped the yin-yang symbol off the table with his hand.

Pei Yuanxian denied it, saying, "First of all, there is no such thing as a Single Whip Law."

Then, Pei Yuan drew a circle on the stone table with wine stains.

"Our only public purpose is to continue to hype up the Ming Dynasty paper money, based on the memorial submitted by the Director of the Treasury."

Everyone was confused when Pei Yuan continued, "The implementation of the Single Whip Law in Shandong will likely take the form of rumors about the Ming Dynasty's paper money being hyped up."

"This Single Whip Law does not exist in reality and poses no visible threat, yet it truly brings enormous room for imagination regarding the value of the Ming Dynasty's precious paper money."

Pei Yuan used wine stains to redraw a yin-yang symbol.

"The Single Whip Law is hidden in the shadows, or rather, it doesn't exist. The logic of interests we described earlier will appear as the light side."

"Then let me ask you, when the Ming Dynasty's precious paper money has such hidden benefits circulating, and can even be subtly verified by the emperor or other powerful figures, why is that?"

"So, are you now worried about your colleagues in Shandong, about this unseen trouble? Or are you going to buy Ming Dynasty banknotes as soon as possible and wait for them to appreciate?"

Having just experienced the surge in the value of the Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes and already reaped the benefits, the group exchanged glances and immediately said, "Of course, we should buy Ming Dynasty Treasure Notes as soon as possible and wait for them to appreciate!"

Pei Yuan continued his narrative, "As the news spreads and the value of the Ming Dynasty banknotes gradually increases, more people will join in this frenzy. Even if the officials don't participate, the banknotes they receive as their monthly salary will involuntarily drag them into it."

"The Ming Dynasty had two capitals and thirteen provinces. Only Shandong suffered losses among its officials, and these losses were only in the imagined future."

"Given this weighing of pros and cons, it's possible that those who are involved and waiting to realize their benefits will become the biggest promoters of the Single Whip Law before it is implemented."

"Before the Single Whip Law appeared, they were eager for it to appear so they could cash out their profits. After the Single Whip Law appeared, they were eager for it to fail so they could cut off any changes that might harm their interests."

"This is what we have argued before: when it doesn't concern them personally, everyone would be happy to see the value of the paper money increase because of the implementation of the Single Whip Law in Shandong. This is because they can avoid being harmed and still reap the benefits."

Everyone thought about it silently.

Even they, faced with this situation, would probably think of licking off the honey before the knife falls.

Danger? Not only has no danger arrived, but it's our Shandong colleagues who are in danger. Let everyone make a quick buck first, then we can set things right.

"The Single Whip Law, which does not yet exist, can dispel their concerns. The Single Whip Law that is about to appear will deliver the benefits to them. The Single Whip Law that finally appears will be unstoppable for them."

"This is how things come from the unreal to the real, from the illusory to the true."

After a moment of silent digestion, Wang Chang frankly said, "Commander, what you're thinking can indeed drive up the value of the paper money. In fact, just the amount used to pay land taxes in Shandong alone could cause the paper money to be in short supply."

"However, it will not be easy for you to push forward the Single Whip Method and complete the other part of the plan. If the Single Whip Method cannot be implemented, all your efforts on the precious paper will be like a bubble, ultimately collapsing."

"The officialdom in different places has different situations. In Shandong, there are two powerful and deeply rooted warlords who control a large amount of land. Even the officials there will be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant because their own interests are involved."

Pei Yuan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and looked at Wang Chang and Bi Zhen, saying, "I was just about to talk to you about this matter. Whether the Single Whip Law can be implemented is closely related to the situation in Shandong. This is also why I want to start a major case in Shandong."

Wang Chang frowned slightly, then carefully replied, "The attack on the Imperial Censorate might replace a whole bunch of high-ranking officials in Shandong, but it won't have much impact on the prefects and county officials who actually hold real power in the local areas."

"At most, it will only affect the prefect of Dezhou and the prefect of Jinan. There's no reason for other prefectures and counties to be implicated."

"However, what truly hinders the implementation of the reforms are these prefects and county officials who have close ties with the local areas. These officials nominally represent the imperial court, but by relying on local officials and the powerful families they represent for personal gain, they have actually become the most powerful protectors in the localities."

Bi Zhen nodded in agreement. This Shandong garrison eunuch embezzled money by taking advantage of the system where big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp, layer by layer.

If someone wants to mess with those small fry, not to mention the small fish, even a big fish like him will inevitably stand on the same side, feeling a sense of shared fate.

But Pei Yuan laughed and said, "What if I had a way to replace all the local officials in Shandong and make sure that the newly appointed officials wouldn't dare to collude with the local authorities? Then, I could take this opportunity to push forward the Single Whip Law."

Wang Chang said firmly, "That's absolutely impossible. The cabinet and the seven ministers would never allow the emperor to act recklessly."

Pei Yuan didn't hide anything and said directly to Wang Chang, "This case in Shandong is huge. Do you think it's just a matter for a few censors?"

After saying that, Pei Yuan told the three of them about the rumors.

After listening, Wang Chang became slightly more cautious. "These rumors are all nonsense. Whether it was the Crown Prince of De who did it remains to be verified." "Even if it was the Crown Prince of De who did it, the punishment will only fall on the De family."

“It is only natural for local officials to assist the Crown Prince in suppressing the rumors that slander the Emperor. On the contrary, it is those local officials who turn a blind eye to such matters that should be punished.”

Pei Yuan, however, didn't seem to care at all, saying, "It's a small matter."

Then, Pei Yuan revealed the truly deadly truth.

"Back then, when the Bazhou army was in Huaibei, they once shouted the slogan 'Purge the court of corrupt officials and support the virtuous king.' According to my investigation, the virtuous king that the Bazhou rebels wanted to support is the current Prince De."

"If you don't believe me, you can find someone to verify it. At that time, there were more than 100,000 people who were taken hostage by the Bazhou rebels. Many of them were scattered in the Huaibei and Shandong areas when the Bazhou army was defeated. With a little investigation, the truth will come out."

Wang Chang was a little unsure, but he still felt that this kind of thing couldn't really pinpoint anyone. "Is this just a thief deliberately framing someone? I'm afraid it doesn't prove anything."

Although Wang Chang was unaware of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering, he was right.

This incident occurred when Pei Yuan was negotiating the price with Prince Ning when he sold the Bazhou Army.

For a deal involving several divisions, Prince Ning certainly couldn't be foolish enough to just hand over money based on someone's words alone. So, Prince Ning made a condition to Pei Yuan: Pei Yuan had to prove that he could indeed influence the Bazhou army.

The Prince of Ning's demand was that the Bazhou army display the slogan "Purge the court of corrupt officials and support the virtuous prince," and he specifically requested that the blame be placed on the Prince of De.

It was precisely because of their extremely high level of cooperation that Pei Yuan was able to sell the Bazhou army for a good price.

Hearing Wang Chang's doubts, Pei Yuan was not in a hurry and continued to state the facts.

"After the defeat at Xiahekou, a force of the Bazhou bandits fled to Shandong."

Pei Yuan looked at Xiao Ying, "Brother Xiao, you should still remember the fierce battle we fought when we passed through Yanggu on our way north, right?"

Without needing to think, Xiao Ying replied, "Of course I remember."

The great battle outside Yanggu City, planned by Pei Yuan, yielded incredible results, producing three Earls in one fell swoop.

The Gu family took one, and the Xiao family took two.

It was from that time that Xiao Ying gradually began to enjoy the pleasure of being carried and boarded Pei Yuan's pirate ship.

How could Xiao Ying forget the times he would wake up in the middle of the night and slap himself in the face?

Pei Yuan said, "Back then, when the Shandong bandits 'Big Tiger' and 'Full Sky Star' were defeated by the Bazhou bandits, they still ravaged Shandong under the name of the Bazhou army and besieged our government troops. At that time, many powerful families in Yanggu also sent young men to help."

"At that time, the main force of the Bazhou bandits had not yet been quelled. My brother Xiao and I had few soldiers and generals, and we were also responsible for escorting Eunuch Gu to the capital. Therefore, we could only temporarily head north to complete our mission."

"Later, when I had time, I went to Shandong to investigate the matter myself. And based on the evidence, I found many families in Yanggu who were colluding with the bandits of Bazhou."

Pei Yuan looked at Bi Zhen as he finished speaking, "That's when I met Eunuch Bi."

Bi Zhen nodded, "That's right. Someone asked me to go there because the Embroidered Uniform Guard had started a large-scale prison in Yanggu, which they couldn't handle. So they asked me to go and take a look. As the garrison commander of Shandong, I did have some influence, so I went to Yanggu."

Bi Zhen recalled the conflict and smiled at Pei Yuan, "That's how I met this good brother."

Pei Yuan nodded and continued his narrative from a unique perspective.

"Just as I was investigating these henchmen who colluded with the bandits of Bazhou, oh, these henchmen of the bandits of Bazhou who boasted of 'purging the emperor's inner circle and supporting a virtuous king,' something happened."

"Many officials from Shandong actually came to stop me from investigating the case."

"Fei Yue, the Assistant Surveillance Commissioner of Shandong, came to me personally, asking me to stop the investigation and to transfer the case to the Shandong Surveillance Commission. Jiang Hong, the Left Provincial Administration Commissioner, even joined a large number of Shandong officials in submitting a petition to the court, requesting that I be recalled as soon as possible."

Although Pei Yuan was only talking about some trivial matters, Wang Chang felt a chill run down his spine when he heard this.

If we draw conclusions solely based on the true events described by Pei Yuan...

That clearly means that while the Embroidered Uniform Guard was investigating the bandits in Bazhou, the local officials in Shandong, whether from the Provincial Surveillance Commission or the Provincial Administration Commission, were doing their best to prevent Pei Yuan from investigating the case.

Furthermore, if we consider Pei Yuan's deliberate emphasis on the fact that the bandits of Bazhou were using the banner of "purging the emperor's inner circle and supporting a virtuous king," wouldn't that mean that the Shandong officialdom was deliberately helping the local prince and concealing his connection with the bandits of Bazhou?

Pei Yuan continued, "Back when the bandits of Bazhou were rampant in Shandong, the governor of Shandong was Bian Xian, right? What was the charge against Bian Xian that Minister of War He Jian brought upon him?"

Pei Yuan smiled again as he spoke.

The three who had been chatting and laughing just moments before felt uneasy upon seeing Pei Yuan's smile, and they all stood up from the stone bench.

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "Let me think about it."

Then, Pei Yuan exaggeratedly claimed that he remembered.

"Ah, I remembered."

"It seems that it was because the bandits of Bazhou were running rampant in Shandong, as if they were in an empty land. Then the Duke of Yansheng of Qufu personally wrote a letter to Li Dongyang, the Grand Secretary at the time, to complain about them."

“Li Dongyang and the Duke of Yansheng are related by marriage. He Jian wanted to stand up for Chief Minister Li, so he arrested Bian Xian on charges of missing a battle opportunity and failing to provide assistance.”

Pei Yuan then uttered a fatal remark with a smile.

"At that time, the Duke of Yansheng's original words seemed to be that the patrolmen of the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner avoided the enemy when the Bazhou army entered Shandong and did not come to the rescue when the city was breached."

(End of this chapter)