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

Chapter 715 Invitation

Thinking of Pei Yuan's bravery just now, and out of mutual respect among warriors, Xu Tai made an additional promise, "If your men can reach Xuanfu before the Dalu retreat, I can take them with me during the pursuit and share some of the credit. That way, they can establish themselves in Xuanfu Town."

Pei Yuan specifically sought Xu Tai's favor to avoid his troops becoming cannon fodder in the early stages.

These are the troops Pei Yuan prepared for the Battle of Yingzhou, intended to be used in the decisive battle to deliver the final blow.

It's not necessarily a good thing to show your talent early on.

Perhaps by the time of the final battle, even the best swords will have become dull.

Pei Yuan planned to place the troops of Xinghe Garrison at a slightly inland position. According to Pei Yuan's memory, after several probing attacks, the Dalu would gradually launch raids on the rear of the border army.

With the border troops each guarding their fortresses and engaging in menacing battles, the Dalu dared not deploy a large force to advance into the heart of the Ming Dynasty.

This kind of battle, where troops bypass key border towns and brazenly bypass their territories to launch a massive attack on the rear of the border forces, has only occurred once.

This refers to the Tumu Crisis.

These small groups of soldiers, who had penetrated deep into the heart of the Ming Dynasty, were concerned about their retreat and worried about being trapped and unable to escape. Therefore, they generally did not fight too fiercely after being attacked.

Once they suffer significant casualties, those border troops will be tempted to jump out and double-cross them.

As a result, the battles that take place on the rear lines will not be large in scale, and the Dalu's fighting spirit will not be very firm, which is very suitable for the newly established Xinghe Garrison Command to hone their morale.

However, it's best to inform Xuanfu about this matter first.

Previously, Pei Yuan's relationship with the four border garrisons was not good. As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he naturally represented the stance of some Embroidered Uniform Guard members.

Even with Jiang Bin acting as a go-between, Pei Yuan also helped the border troops come up with the idea of ​​establishing a second central government in Xuanfu.

However, their relationship remained rather cold.

If we can get in touch with Xu Tai this time, Xinghe Police Station's situation will be much better.

Seeing that Xu Tai was trying to curry favor, Pei Yuan also said, "This humble servant will urge Chen Xinjian to recruit the manpower as soon as possible, and I hope that Governor Xu will give him his guidance."

Xu Tai smiled and said nonchalantly, "No problem."

Even without Pei Yuan's attempt to curry favor, Xuanfu wouldn't have dared to use this inexplicable rabble so casually.

Don't be fooled by how sneaky everyone plays; sneaky play is also a skill.

Soldiers without proper training are not even worth sacrificing their lives for.

What if this army were to be lost on the battlefield for no reason, and instead inspire the Dalu to be determined to fight the border troops? Wouldn't that be a loss?

The three of them were very polite to each other, and they all enjoyed the meal to the fullest.

After the banquet ended, Zhu Houzhao instructed Pei Yuan, "Come to the palace to see me first thing tomorrow morning. I have something to ask you."

Jiang Bin and Xu Tai both glanced at Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan quickly replied, "Your subject obeys. I will enter the palace early tomorrow to await Your Majesty's summons."

When Pei Yuan left Fengtian Hall, he saw Cen Meng, Lu Yong, and Xiao Tong basking in the sun and talking to the soldiers on duty.

The three men originally entered the palace to deliver weapons and armor to Pei Yuan.

Logically, once the goods are delivered, they should have left.

However, Lu Yong and Xiao Tong were enjoying their home-field advantage here, and no one dared to offend the two powerful eunuchs and drive them out.

Thus, the three of them were able to wait there leisurely for Pei Yuan to come out.

Just as Pei Yuan was about to meet the three men, a secretary from the Imperial Secretariat approached him and whispered, "Grand Secretary Yang asked me to pass on a message to Commander Pei: if you have time, you can come to his residence for a meeting."

Pei Yuan was a little surprised.

He was just looking for an excuse to see Yang Tinghe, but unexpectedly Yang Tinghe came to him himself.

It seems that although those people pretended not to care about the limelight I showed today, they still noticed it.

Pei Yuan quickly replied, "His Majesty summons me early tomorrow morning. If I have time, I will visit the Grand Secretary."

The scribe glanced at Pei Yuan and said indifferently, "How can a mere military man like you enter the Wenyuan Pavilion? Go and pay your respects to Grand Secretary Yang at his home tomorrow night."

Pei Yuan felt slightly displeased.

Why can't I enter the Wenyuan Pavilion?

He sized up the scribe and asked, "Could you be Fu Cheng, the scribe of the Imperial Secretariat?"

Pei Yuan remembered that the person who had last relayed Yang Tinghe's message to meet with those Shandong Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) was a Zhongshu Sheren (a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat) named Fu Cheng.

The expression on the scholar's face grew even more indifferent. "My name is He Jingming."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan couldn't help but blurt out, "It was you!"

He Jingming felt slightly puzzled and asked Pei Yuan, "Why can't it be me?"

Isn't He Jingming Li Mengyang's best friend?

Li Mengyang planned to secretly impersonate someone else to write a letter accusing someone of being difficult. His original intention was to deliver the letter to He Jingming, who would then pass it on to the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, thus extricating himself from his predicament.

Since He Jingming was Li Mengyang's close friend, and he himself possessed enough evidence to ruin Li Mengyang's reputation.

So, rounding up, He Jingming is naturally one of our own.

Taking advantage of his slight intoxication, Pei Yuan asked He Jingming, "Has Li Mengyang ever mentioned me to you?"

"Who?" He Jingming's eyes widened in surprise.

Pei Yuan said casually, "Li Mengyang? I've had a life-or-death friendship with him, you could even say we're sworn brothers?"

He Jingming became increasingly uneasy and immediately retorted, "Nonsense, Li Mengyang is usually of high moral character, how could he possibly know any Imperial Guards?"

Pei Yuan retorted, "If you don't believe me, go ask him."

“Write a letter to Li Mengyang and say that a few days ago, I, Pei Yuan, visited his home with three friends.”

"Ask him if I'm his good friend."

"He even wrote me handwritten letters."

He Jingming, seeing that Pei Yuan's words sounded so convincing, began to have doubts.

Thinking that Pei Yuan might be one of their own, He Jingming's expression softened considerably, and he added, "Commander Pei has shown his prowess today, yet everyone is congratulating Grand Secretary Yang. I'm afraid Grand Secretary Yang may also have some doubts."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan immediately understood the meaning behind He Jingming's words.

It's probably because he tried so hard to ride on Yang Tinghe's influence a while ago, and now people actually think he's Yang Tinghe's cronies.

It just so happens that Pei Yuan had some dealings with Yang Tinghe's faction due to a series of events, so they weren't entirely unrelated.

Even Yang Tinghe must be confused about what exactly is going on.

Pei Yuan quickly bowed gratefully, feeling somewhat more at ease about his upcoming meeting with Yang Tinghe. Pei Yuan bid farewell to He Jingming, joined Cen Meng and the other two, and then slowly left the palace.

Pei Yuan's battle today resulted in the deaths of many Japanese tribute mission envoys. Zhu Houzhao, in front of the envoys from various countries, could not lavishly reward them and had to leave the matter aside for now.

However, although there were no major overt gains, there were quite a few hidden benefits.

First of all, many of these Japanese were reckless and abused their status as envoys to bully the people.

Pei Yuan killed these guys, which was both their just deserts and Pei Yuan's own satisfaction.

Just for this last point alone, all the hard work today is well worth it.

Secondly, Pei Yuan left a very deep impression on the Japanese and Korean envoys, which would reduce many troubles in future cooperation and make it easier for Pei Yuan to gain a more favorable position in trade.

Third, he earned sufficient prestige among the Imperial Guards and various military officers.

If it weren't for his massacre today, given Xu Tai's arrogance and bad temper, what right would I have to sit at the same table with him and drink together?

This established relationship has given Pei Yuan and the border town a much-needed respite.

No matter how despicable these border warlords were, at least on the point of helping Zhu Houzhao have a son, both sides were in complete agreement.

Zhu Houzhao's actions have caused them immense trouble.

As long as Pei Yuan can secretly bring the child to the palace in the future, these people will be convinced that the child is the emperor's biological son.

I gave birth to her myself!

Pei Yuan quickly calculated that he didn't have much time left to waste.

With the Dalu army already pressing in on the border, the border troops were completely unable to make a move.

Since that's the case, Pei Yuan doesn't need to waste this precious window of time by pointing his sword at the border troops. Since fighting is out of the question anyway, it's better to ease tensions between the two sides and deal with their common enemy first.

With the northern barbarians pressing in, the entire court's focus will shift to the north.

While Zhu Houzhao was making great strides in the north, Pei Yuan could take advantage of the opportunity to conquer Northeast Asia.

With both core systems activated simultaneously, the Ming Dynasty will accumulate enough strength to deal with external and internal conflicts.

Pei Yuan had to see Zhu Houzhao early the next morning, so he sent someone to inform Jiao Yan'er that he would be resting at Zhihua Temple that night.

The next morning, Pei Yuan led his men to the palace gate to request an audience.

One of the guards, a member of the Imperial Guard, said, "His Majesty sent Eunuch Yin to deliver a message that there will be a grand court assembly today, and that the commander should go to the Hall of Literary Glory to wait."

Pei Yuan nodded, leaving his confidant at the palace gate, and went inside on his own.

The Hall of Literary Glory is a palace behind the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices. Judging from its layout, it was a place where the emperor would temporarily rest.

After Pei Yuan finished his battle yesterday, he took a bath in the Huagai Hall before attending the banquet.

With the completion of yesterday's morning prayers, the Spring Festival holiday has officially come to an end.

The imperial court will hold a grand court session today to discuss the matters that have accumulated over the past few days and to conduct unified work.

Some important issues will also be raised at today's grand court session, and senior officials will come forward to express their views and set the tone for various matters.

Pei Yuan inwardly grumbled.

Zhu Houzhao really does things on a whim. On such an important day, he probably wouldn't have time to see me until the afternoon, but he made me come so early.

When Pei Yuan passed by Fengtian Hall, he glanced in that direction.

Hearing voices coming from time to time, he thought to himself, "There's no rush to go to the Hall of Literary Glory. Let's hear what they're saying today."

So Pei Yuan leisurely arrived in front of the Fengtian Hall.

The guards on duty there were curious when they saw a Jinyiwei officer wandering by. When they saw it was Pei Yuan, they were excited. "Isn't this Commander Pei? What are you doing here?"

Pei Yuan smiled and said, "His Majesty said he wanted to see me yesterday and asked me to come to the palace early this morning. When I arrived at the palace gate, Eunuch Yin left a message for me, telling me to wait in the Huagai Hall."

"I figured I should at least let His Majesty see me, otherwise if something important happens, it wouldn't be good to delay any longer."

The centurion on duty warned, "There are censors inside the palace who are impeaching people for their demeanor and bearing. If you, the commander, appear at the gate without any reason, you will likely be punished."

Pei Yuan tentatively suggested, "There's nothing wrong with just waiting. I'll move closer and listen, as long as the censor doesn't see me, that should be fine."

The centurion on duty hesitated, "This..."

Pei Yuan was just trying to pass the time, so he didn't insist and immediately laughed, "Then forget it."

Pei Yuan was about to leave for the Huagai Hall at the back when he saw Yin Sheng come out of the Fengtian Hall. He was about to hurry to the back when he suddenly stopped and looked at Pei Yuan.

Then Yin Sheng's face lit up with joy, "So Commander Pei is here. I almost missed him."

Then he said to Pei Yuan, "Come with me."

Pei Yuan was somewhat confused, but followed Yin Sheng up the steps.

Instead of entering the Fengtian Hall, the two went around to the back and gently knocked on the back door.

The back door of Fengtian Hall is where Pei Yuan and Zhu Houzhao chatted last time.

Pei Yuan glanced at it and thought to himself, "Could it be that Zhu Houzhao is planning to skip court on his first day? That's too unreliable."

The back door opened quickly, and then a young eunuch rolled up the curtain on the back door.

Yin Sheng quickly said, "Commander, please come in quickly and keep your voice down."

Pei Yuan followed him into the hall in a daze.

Yin Sheng also tiptoed in and then said to Pei Yuan, "There are many things to do today, but there is one that is most important. His Majesty is afraid that he will not be able to handle it, so he specially asked you to listen to it quietly here."

"In case His Majesty responds inappropriately later, we can call on you to check and fill in the gaps."

Pei Yuan was quite surprised after hearing this.

No, is this appropriate?

This allowed Lao Tzu to rule from behind the curtain while on the throne.

Pei Yuan quickly asked, "Does Eunuch Yin know what this is about?"

Yin Sheng looked around and saw that the two eunuchs responsible for rolling up the curtain and guarding the back door were both silent and pretending to be deaf and dumb.

Then he whispered to Pei Yuan, "Yesterday, the Office of Transmission brought His Majesty a copy in advance. It said that the silver in the Imperial Treasury was running low, and with the northern barbarians invading the border, the Ministry of Revenue proposed to temporarily abolish the collection of paper money. Taking the example of dealing with the rebellion in Bazhou in the fifth year of Zhengde, silver should still be collected at the seven major customs stations."

Pei Yuan's eyelids twitched upon hearing this.

No wonder Zhu Houzhao was so wary of him, having someone here to give him advice at any time.

So that's how it is.

(End of this chapter)