Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 22: Court Situation, Yang Yuxuan

New Year's Eve.

Yin Zhong, Pei Ju and Zhou Ming, a father and son, had a New Year's Eve dinner.

After the meal, Yin Zhong took the initiative to leave, leaving only the father and son.

Pei Ju dismissed his attendants and took Zhou Ming for a stroll in the mansion, obviously wanting to say a few private words.

The guards and servants around had all left, but there were three little guys who didn't understand the situation at all and followed Zhou Ming happily.

"Are these the three dogs that you sent ten innate warriors to catch for you?" Pei Ju asked as he glanced at the three little guys at Zhou Ming's feet.

"Yes, the white one is called Miaomiao, the black one is called Mimi, and the earthy one is called Laifu."

"What kind of name is this? It's a mess."

Pei Ju grabbed Fu, and the puppy immediately started barking.

Looking at the little thing in panic in his hands, he didn't know what he was thinking about, and a smile appeared between his eyebrows.

He simply hugged him and said, "Don't just fish and play with dogs all day long. Do something serious. I asked you to investigate the four major spies before. How's your investigation going?"

Zhou Mingdao said, "I think the most suspicious place in the capital is the No. 1 Manor Under Heaven. However, after so many days of surveillance, no matter whether it is the manor owner Shangguan Hai, his financial supporters Wan Sanqian, or the No. 1 detective under Heaven, Jiang Jinjiu, who is Shangguan Hai's most respected person in the manor, they all seem to have no flaws.

"Godfather, I think if we just investigate like this, we won't be able to find out their identities. It would be best to proactively create some opportunities for them to be exposed."

"Opportunity...hmm..."

Pei Ju thought for a moment and said, "There is indeed an opportunity in the court recently that can be utilized."

"What's going on?"

"There's a minister in the court named Yang Yuxuan. He previously petitioned to return power to the emperor, but we rejected his proposal. However, he clearly won't give up."

"Can this matter be used?"

Pei Ju nodded, and then told Zhou Ming about the current situation in the court.

Fourteen years ago, many princes began to fight for power.

As a result, the dispute lasted for ten years.

After ten years, all the princes died or became disabled. There was no winner, all were losers.

There is naturally something fishy about this.

The late emperor noticed this and took a prince he valued to his side and taught him carefully.

And he was provided with various political resources.

It was at this time that Pei Ju became the prince's teacher.

As a result, half a year later, the emperor fell seriously ill.

Before his death, he did many things. First, he made the prince the crown prince, issued a decree of succession, and asked Zhu Wusi to establish the Hulong Villa. Then he promoted Pei Ju to the position of Grand Tutor and appointed him as the chief minister of the cabinet.

Even Cao Zhengchun, the director of the East Factory, was given great power.

This is big.

Below are Jinyiwei Qinglong, Liushenmen Bushen, Dali Temple Guo Juxia, and Shenhou Mansion Zhuge Zhengwo.

This shows that the late emperor was wise.

Zhu Wusi, Pei Ju, and Cao Zhengchun were already powerful at the time, so he elevated all three of them to the same level and made them fight against each other.

Although Qinglong, Bu Shen, Guo Juxia and Zhuge Zhengwo were loyal, they did not hold high positions at that time.

No matter how high you raise it, it is impossible to reach the sky in one go.

Therefore, they can only be placed in places with great power and greater autonomy.

In this way, with the three big and four small, the three big ones checking and balancing each other, and the four small ones being loyal, it can ensure that the prince can succeed to the throne smoothly, and even regaining power in the future is not a dream.

In fact, in addition to the four small ones, there is also a fifth small one.

It’s the Western Factory.

But the Western Factory was unlucky. It was arranged by the late emperor at the last minute, and he died not long after the order was issued.

Subsequently, various matters were dealt with, and the affairs of the Western Factory were directly delayed. Looking back, the three major ones already held great power and naturally did not want to add another competitor.

Although the Western Factory was eventually built in accordance with the previous emperor's will, it was just an empty shell.

The prince ascended the throne with the reign title Zhengde. He was only thirteen years old and had no power at all.

The power was completely controlled by Zhu Wusi, Pei Ju, and Cao Zhengchun. This palm strike lasted for three years!

In the blink of an eye, the emperor is now sixteen years old, Xu is seventeen, and Mao is eighteen. Naturally, they want to regain power.

At the same time, the power was held by the three major ones and divided among the four minor ones. Naturally, the other court officials were dissatisfied and wanted to fight for power.

So, Yang Yuxuan was pushed out.

They said they wanted to return power to the emperor, but in fact they also wanted to fight for power and profit.

However, Yang Yuxuan, the person who was pushed out, was unaware of this.

He was a loyal and upright minister who sincerely wanted the emperor to take power.

I was just being taken advantage of by those people.

After all, the first bird to stick its head out gets shot. Even if this plan succeeds, the power of the three major parties will at most be weakened. They cannot afford the subsequent retaliation.

If it fails, then there is no need to mention it.

They were very happy that Yang Yuxuan was willing to take the lead.

"I see……"

After Pei Ju's analysis, Zhou Ming immediately had a certain understanding of the situation in the court.

"Foster father, if that's the case, the Emperor wants to hold a grand celebration for Master Zhang's centenary birthday. Could it be that this is also because..."

"Yes, he wants to use this to gain the support of Master Zhang!"

"If that's the case, it seems that although His Majesty is young, his mind is not bad at all. He was able to think of such a clever way to break the deadlock..."

Zhou Ming exclaimed in admiration.

It is rare for people to live to seventy years old. Those over seventy are considered centenarians, let alone those who are one hundred years old.

Not to mention that this one hundred-year-old is Zhang Zhenren, the top grandmaster with an extraordinary status in the Ming Dynasty.

The emperor said he wanted to hold a grand birthday celebration for Master Zhang.

No one can find fault with this kind of thing, and it is impossible for anyone to oppose it.

The only person who could object was probably Master Zhang himself.

but……

"I'm afraid Master Zhang can also see the mystery."

Pei Ju nodded: "Of course it is so."

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "So, the grand event on Mount Wudang on April 19th next year is 100% confirmed?"

"That's right. Master Zhang is detached from the world and doesn't care about worldly affairs. As long as you can see the mystery, you will definitely agree."

So the current emperor has chosen a subtle angle, a direction that is almost 100% sure to go as he wishes.

Once this is accomplished, it means that Master Zhang has recognized the new emperor.

Secondly, it was to allow the new emperor to use Master Zhang's centenary birthday to show off in front of the whole country and let people know that the new emperor was old enough to take power.

At this time, if Yang Yuxuan submitted a petition to return power to the emperor, an offensive could be formed both inside and outside the court.

If Pei Ju and the other two refused, their reputation would be ruined if the news got out.

But if he accepted it, the emperor would have power.

In short, no matter good or bad, it is beneficial to the emperor. The only difference is the size of the benefit.

"So what are your plans, godfather?"

"Haha," Pei Ju laughed, "I am the emperor's teacher, so I naturally stand on the emperor's side. If the emperor wants it, how can I, as a minister, not return it?"

"Oh?"

Zhou Ming didn't think that his adoptive father would really hand over the power.

But Pei Ju obviously did not intend to tell Zhou Ming about his plan.

Let Zhou Ming guess for himself... Haha, he just learned about the current situation in the court from his adoptive father today. How could he guess Pei Ju's thoughts?

"Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is the grand court meeting. It's a good opportunity."

Pei Ju said: "I don't know if Yang Yuxuan can realize this... Well, I have to ask someone to remind him."

(End of this chapter)