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

Chapter 700 The Meeting of Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law
The power struggles within the Ming Dynasty's upper echelons were quite unconventional.

Pei Yuan had three men by his side.

One is Jiao Fang.

When Jiao Fang had served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy for many years and was about to break through to become a scholar, Wan An, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, was chatting with someone and said, "Even someone as unlearned as Fang, would he still be a scholar?"

When the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet said this to others, it was clearly a way of implying to his lackeys that he wanted to block Jiao Fang's path to immortality.

Upon hearing this, Jiao Fang flew into a rage and declared that she would kill Peng Hua on the road to Chang'an.

So who is Peng Hua?

Peng Hua was a cousin of Peng Shi, the Grand Secretary at the time, and a close friend of Wan An, the Grand Secretary of the Three Auxiliary Regions.

Was Jiao Fang really threatening Peng Hua?

Jiao Fang's words undoubtedly meant that he, a Hanlin compiler, would storm into the Wenyuan Pavilion with a watermelon knife in each hand. He would chop down Grand Secretary Peng Shi with his left hand, Grand Secretary Wan An with his right, and then watch as the Second Grand Secretary Shang Lu wets his pants in fear.

Are Jiao Fang's underworld methods effective?
It works.

The cabinet approved it with three votes.

Furthermore, there are two incidents: Mao Ji, the Vice Minister, betraying Wang Hua in order to be promoted to the position, and Mao Cheng, the Hanlin Academician, launching a surprise attack on Liang Chu in order to enter the cabinet.

Mao Ji's scheme was exposed by Commander Han, and then Pei Yuan covered up the cause and effect for him in order to make a good relationship.

Mao Cheng's surprise attack on Liang Chu completely failed.

Firstly, the emperor needed Liang Chu as a figurehead; secondly, Jin Gui, who was positioned ahead, saw through Mao Cheng's scheme in time and quickly suppressed the atmosphere of ousting Liang.

Afterwards, Mao Cheng, who launched the "Great Surprise Attack on the Imperial Examination Hall," was sent to Nanjing.

Yang Dan is currently in a bottleneck period of breakthrough, so he is naturally looking for opportunities to break through like a mad dog.

If he were to find something through the Qingqian case and gain leverage over Yang Tinghe...

Replacing him with a vice minister of one of the six ministries or a deputy censor-in-chief would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.

Upon thinking of this, Pei Yuan felt an unexpected joy. Yang Dan wanted to bite someone, and he just happened to have a target to deal with.

Isn't it like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy?
Moreover, Yang Dan was the great-grandson of Yang Rong, one of the "Three Yangs," who were also the spiritual totem of the Ming Dynasty's civil officials.

If Yang Dan could be dragged down with them, it would perfectly compensate for the weakness of Pei Yuan's camp in terms of moral high ground.

Among Yang Rong's descendants, there were such beasts as Yang Tai and Yang Ye who disregarded human life and were tyrannical in the countryside. Pei Yuan did not believe that Yang Dan was a clean person.

Although the old man performed exceptionally well during the parade, Pei Yuan didn't think he would be difficult to deal with.

Faced with real political weapons, such capabilities merely meet the threshold for engaging in combat.

Historically, just as Yang Dan was about to become the Minister of Personnel, the head of the Nine Ministers, he was defeated after only two rounds of fighting with Zhang Cong and Gui E.

At that time, he was even on his way from Nanjing to Beijing to take over the post.

Thinking of this, Pei Yuan said to Xiao Tong, "Go and tell Yang Dan that I am very willing to see him and I know what he wants. However, the timing is not right now, so we might as well ask him to be patient."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tong immediately tried to get up.

Pei Yuan waved his hand and said, "You don't need to go in person. Just send a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to deliver the message."

After saying that, he said to Xiao Tong, "Go do something else. When the Hanlin Academy closes for the day, go and ask Huo Tao if he has made contact with Gui E."

Xiao Tong glanced at the sky and immediately said, "The Hanlin Academy is relatively quiet. Huo Tao might have already gone back. I'll go and inquire."

Huo Taoguan was selected as a probationary official, and he usually just lazed around in the Hanlin Academy when he had nothing to do.

The career path for junior scholars was relatively clear. Those who performed well stayed in the Hanlin Academy and became the most prestigious and respected officials in the court, the pride of heaven.

Those who performed poorly would be transferred to the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and the Six Departments in that order.

Given the status of the probationary scholars, who were on the verge of becoming members of the Hanlin Academy, the Six Ministries were naturally their first choice.

The imperial court was actually happy to assign people to the Six Ministries.

Because if a probationary official were to enter the Six Ministries, they would have to vacate a position of real power as a principal officer; if they were to enter the Censorate, they would have to hold an important position as an imperial censor.

It would be more flexible to become a censor in the Six Ministries.

Pei Yuan's plan for Huo Tao was to fail the assessment and then serve as a censor in the Six Ministries.

Pei Yuan could do without a Hanlin Academician, but he couldn't do without a ruthless assassin like the Six Ministries Censor.

Pei Yuan's expectations for Huo Tao were simple: to quietly lie low in the Six Ministries and then step forward at the most crucial moment to refute the imperial edict. That arrangement would be enough to recoup the investment.

Therefore, Huo Tao acted very casually while studying at the Hanlin Academy, just waiting to be rejected and then quickly infiltrate the Sixth Ministry.

Huo Tao and Gui E both took the imperial examination in the sixth year of the Zhengde reign and had some connection with each other.

When Pei Yuan went to Shandong last time, he told Huo Tao to keep an eye on Gui'e's affairs.

These two individuals were able to become political allies in history, suggesting they were quite compatible.

Moreover, the idea of ​​the "Single Whip Law" was originally proposed by Gui E, which shows that he himself had such ideas and concepts.

Pei Yuan had the "Single Whip Law" as bait, and with this opportunity to reform, he wasn't worried that Gui E wouldn't take the bait.

We can try to get Gui'e to Shandong to serve as a county magistrate so that she can actually participate in the reform.

After Xiao Tong and Lu Yong left, Pei Yuangang wrote down Yang Dan's desire for advancement in his notebook. Just then, he heard a report from the Imperial Guards outside that Xia Ru, the Earl of Qingyang, and Xia Zhu, the heir apparent of the Earl of Qingyang, had arrived.

Pei Yuan was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly said, "Please come in!"

After saying that, he realized it wasn't appropriate and quickly added, "Where is he? I'll go pick him up myself."

The messenger was somewhat bewildered.

Every time this father and son returned home, they were covered in dust and bruises. When did Commander Pei become so polite?

He quickly replied, "Reporting to the commander, they have been brought into the temple and are in the main hall at the front."

Pei Yuan quickly checked himself and saw that his official robes were still neatly worn. He immediately said to the guard, "Go and prepare tea."

Then he hurriedly left and headed towards the Buddhist hall in the central courtyard.

The Imperial Guard was stunned for a moment before quickly going to make preparations.

When Pei Yuan arrived at the Buddhist hall where guests were usually received, he found Xia Ru and Xia Zhu waiting there, looking distracted.

Pei Yuan strode over.

Xia Zhu, who was standing by, was so shocked that he took two steps back. Xia Ru's face turned pale, and he quickly got up from the prayer mat.

Pei Yuan entered with a smile.

Seeing that Pei Yuan was in a good mood, Xia Ru mustered up his courage and asked, "Today I have been warmly invited by the Commander-in-Chief. May I ask what brings you here?"

Pei Yuan stepped forward, grabbed the arm of the Earl of Qingyang, and laughed heartily, "What are you saying, Earl of Qingyang? Can't we get closer to each other more often?"

Looking at Pei Yuan's bear-like figure, so close to him, the Earl of Qingyang felt a heart-pounding sense of oppression. He forced a smile that was half-crying and half-laughing, and said, "The Commander is right, we should move around more, we should move around more."

Pei Yuan couldn't wait to share his little secret with these two.

However, this Buddhist hall was not a quiet place. There were still many Imperial Guards on duty all around, as well as monks whom Pei Yuan had deliberately left behind to maintain the operation of Zhihua Temple.

Pei Yuan quickly invited, "I have prepared fine tea. Please, Marquis of Qingyang, move to the east courtyard so we can continue our conversation."

Xia Ru was somewhat frightened upon hearing this, and Xia Zhu was even more so.

There are many people here, so Pei Yuan might not dare to commit violence. But if he really goes to the East Courtyard, who knows how he will be humiliated.

Seeing that Xia Ru was hesitant and didn't want to move, Pei Yuan didn't want to force him, so he looked at Xia Zhu affectionately and said, "Brother, let's go."

Xia Zhu immediately felt pain in his legs, arms, and back, and hurriedly said to Xia Ru, "Father, we've already come all this way, why go against the Commander's good intentions?"

The Earl of Qingyang understood the meaning behind Xia Zhu's words, and upon reflection, realized there was indeed no room for struggle.

So he had no choice but to bite the bullet and be led by Pei Yuan to the east courtyard.

The father and son felt a deep sense of unease. Looking at the densely packed Imperial Guards along the way, they felt as if they had entered a prison.

Upon arriving at the main hall of the East Courtyard, the three of them had barely entered when Xia Zhu nimbly slid to his knees, awaiting Pei Yuan's instructions.

Pei Yuan was taken aback and quickly helped him up, saying, "Brother, what are you doing? Get up, get up quickly."

Xia Zhu thought Pei Yuan was still trying to trick him and wanted to express his determination, but Pei Yuan easily pulled him up from the ground.

Then Pei Yuan released Xia Zhu and warmly greeted Xia Ru, saying, "Lord Qingyang, please sit down, please take the seat of honor."

Then, he turned back and urged, "Where's the tea I asked you to prepare? Hurry up and serve the tea."

Soon, members of the Imperial Guards entered, intending to serve tea to the anxious Xia family father and son.

Pei Yuan simply stretched out his hand and said, "Give it to me."

After receiving the kettle, he personally poured a cup of tea for Marquis Qingyang, Xia Ru, before handing it to the Imperial Guard, who then added tea for Xia Ru. He then went to the table and replaced a cup for Pei Yuan as well.

When Xia Ru saw that Pei Yuan was personally pouring tea for him, his mind was in turmoil. He quickly recalled the first law of the universe, general relativity, the law of parity non-conservation, and the four arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

No matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't figure out what was going on.
Why is Pei Yuan, who is usually so unruly, being so polite?

After Pei Yuan waited until his personal guards finished serving tea, he waved his hand and said, "You may all leave. I have something to discuss privately with the Earl of Qingyang. Keep an eye on things for me."

The Imperial Guards who were guarding the court immediately withdrew and kept a watchful eye on the area from a distance.

Pei Yuan personally went to close the main hall door.

Only then did he turn around to look at Xia Ru, then pushed aside the mountains and jade pillars, knelt down on the ground, and said, "Your son-in-law Pei Yuan greets Your Majesty."

Xia Ru was completely bewildered and confused.

"What does Commander Pei mean by this?"

He hurriedly tried to help her up, but Pei Yuan was determined and bowed respectfully.

Xia Ru became increasingly confused.

He had only three daughters in total. Besides Empress Xia, one married Xu Pengju, the grandson of the Duke of Wei, and the other married Zhang Zongshuo, the son of the Marquis of Shouning and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Because of the land dispute between the Xia family, the Zhang family, and the Grand Princess of Yixing in Tianjin, the relationship between the Xia family and the Zhang family gradually deteriorated.

Later, Zhang Zong said that he accidentally killed a woman from the Xia family while drunk, which made Empress Dowager Zhang and the Zhang family determined to eliminate the Xia family as a future threat.

What kind of father-in-law did Pei Yuan bow to, and what kind of son-in-law did he call him?

Pei Yuan looked up and smiled smugly, “To tell you the truth, yesterday I was summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager for some business. After I finished dealing with the matter, I remembered that I had a good relationship with the Earl of Qingyang, and I also thought of the Empress who was all alone in the Cold Palace, so I went to visit her.”

Xia Ru turned pale upon hearing this.

Thinking about Pei Yuan's rambling and incoherent explanation, he had a very bad feeling. His teeth chattered, and he stammered, "You...you..."

Pei Yuan wore a wistful expression, "I never imagined that I and the Earl of Qingyang would have a father-in-law and son-in-law relationship."

Xia Ru was struck dumb upon hearing this, his body went limp. "You...you have such audacity! You're going to get us killed! My daughter is the Empress! How dare you sleep with her?"

Pei Yuan immediately felt that he had not invited Xia Ru in vain.

No wonder the "brother-supporting demon queen" was so easily swayed by her own advice.

This kind of secret elation that you keep inside really needs affirmation from the outside world!
At this moment, Pei Yuan felt a pleasant itch in his bones.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but look up at the sky and burst into laughter.

Seeing Pei Yuan's madness, Xia Ru felt a last glimmer of hope, "Son-in-law, were you just kidding me?"

After saying that, he suddenly realized what the hell he had said, quickly slapped himself in the mouth, and hurriedly said, "Pei Yuan, this can't be true, right?!"

Pei Yuanshuang was done and wanted to get rid of the two of them, but then realized that he would still have to keep in touch with Empress Xia in the future.

Aren't these two just like the two marquises of the Zhang family who are completely under my control?
Pei Yuan then arrogantly declared, "Of course it's true! She was meant to be mine; I just snatched her away beforehand!"

Xia Ru had no more chances now and nearly fainted with a thud.

Xia Zhu, who had been listening in a daze, stepped forward and quickly helped Xia Ru up.

Pei Yuan felt it was time to put an end to the Xia family's hopes. What Pei Yuan needed now was for the Xia family to stand firmly on his side and eliminate all unfavorable factors for the future Empress Dowager Xia's regency.

He immediately said to Xia Ru, "You must have heard rumors about our emperor. These days, His Majesty often stays overnight at the Leopard Chamber and plays with men."

"Do you two perhaps think that Empress Xia still has any hope?"

"Empress Xia has been confined to the Cold Palace for the past six months, and His Majesty has not uttered a single word inquiring about her. Meanwhile, the Demon Empress Zhang has been relentlessly pressuring and mistreating her with suspicion and cruelty. If it weren't for my intervention, I fear the Empress wouldn't have even survived this winter."

"If you don't believe me, you can ask a trusted eunuch in the palace."

Seeing Xia Ru come to his senses, he looked worried.

Pei Yuan continued calmly, "Then do you know that His Majesty has summoned the Prince of Ning's heir to the capital to preside over incense ceremonies with a special imperial edict? As a member of the imperial family, and someone who often presides over royal ceremonies, you must know what this means, right?"

Xia Ru's worried expression had completely turned into astonishment.

"You...you mean?"

Pei Yuan nodded, "That's right, just as you thought. His Majesty's lineage is finished. He has already chosen the Prince of Ning's heir to inherit the throne."

Pei Yuan continued to extinguish Xia Ru's hopes.

“If His Majesty had chosen a crown prince from among the younger generation of the imperial clan, that would have been fine. Empress Xia would still have a chance to make a comeback as Empress Dowager. However, the Prince of Ning’s heir is of a higher generation than the current Empress Dowager.”

Even if Empress Xia endured humiliation and outlived the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, she still had nothing!

Pei Yuan looked at Xia Ru for a long while before slowly saying, "Now, are you awake?"

(End of this chapter)