"Retreat!"

The high-pitched and shrill voice of the inner prison resounded throughout the Tai Chi Palace, and the ministers shouted long live. Emperor Kaiping returned to the inner palace, and an ordinary court meeting ended in a slightly absurd atmosphere.

"Congratulations to Marquis Pei, congratulations to Marquis Pei. Your Majesty, I have offended many people, but it was only out of public interest. I hope Marquis Pei can forgive me."

Chen Xiangxian, the censor Zhongcheng, came to Pei Yue and spoke sincerely and apologized.

Pei Yue said calmly: "Lord Zhongcheng said something serious. I heard that it is the censor's privilege to report affairs, and it is the censor's duty to supervise all officials. As the censor Zhongcheng, what is the crime of impeaching me?"

Chen Xiangxian forced a smile and said: "Marquis Pei has a broad mind, which is admirable."

After a few polite words, the two said goodbye.

With the censor Zhongcheng in the lead, some civil servants then paid tribute to Pei Yue, and most of them started by congratulating him on marrying Mrs. Ru, and then explained that they did not deliberately target this powerful prince. Although the words of these people were not explicit.

, still maintaining the reserve and propriety of a civil servant, but in the eyes of others it seems very ridiculous.

Because at the just-concluded court meeting, more than 20 officials, led by Yushi Zhongcheng Chen Xiangxian, impeached Pei Yue, accusing him of marrying Mrs. Ru, the daughter of a minister of Western Wu, and petitioned Emperor Kaiping to order a strict investigation.

Emperor Kaiping then criticized it as "ridiculous and unreasonable". Pei Yue was safe and sound, and all the officials were silent.

He has been impeached so many times in the past few years that he has actually become numb, and today's battle was already expected, not earth-shattering, and even a little boring. However, the reaction of this group of people after the meeting made Pei

The more unexpected it is, in the past, even if he could resolve impeachments with his strong logical thinking ability and extremely quick reactions, he would not be looked at differently by the other party afterwards, and there would never be a situation like today.

In the square in front of the palace, a young official looked at the people who came one after another to get in front of Pei Yue. The righteous words they had just spoken at the court came to mind and he couldn't help but sneered several times.

The thirty-year-old official next to him joked: "Everyone is happy with the drama going on over there. Why don't you, Cunren, please join in the fun?"

The young official frowned and said, "Brother Qingduan, why did you insult me?"

The man laughed and laughed, and said calmly: "It's just a joke, brother, don't pay attention. Brother Yu has a jade pot of spring hidden in his house. Brother Yu, would you like to take the time to go there and have a drink with brother Yu?"

The young official wanted to refuse, but after seeing the smiling expression on the other side, he suddenly remembered his brother Han Gongduan, who was famous all over the world and was now an official in the Hanlin Academy. He couldn't help but feel moved in his heart, nodded and said: "Brother invites you kindly, how can I, stupid brother?"

Dare you refuse?"

Han Qingduan smiled and said: "Please."

"please."

Han Qingduan's house is located in Taipingfang, Dongcheng, not far from the palace, and the two of them walked there.

He and Han Gongduan did not live together. The latter still lived in an official residence prepared by the imperial court and was not greedy for personal enjoyment. Han Qingduan spent his own money to buy a three-in house in Taipingfang to use it in Luling, Yongzhou.

Considering the Han family's thousands of years of heritage, such a move is not out of the ordinary. Everyone in the world knows that the so-called farming and studying to inherit the family is just a modesty. A real aristocratic family like the Han family has more than tens of millions of assets.

In the side hall of Hanzhai, Han Qingduan and the young official sat across from each other, with a fourteen-year-old bookboy waiting on them next to them.

After finishing the cup, Han Qingduan sighed: "In the past few years, I have watched with cold eyes, watching the Marquis of Zhongshan grow from a concubine to a powerful and powerful Marquis. I not only admire his perseverance and ability, but also marvel at His Majesty's trust in him.

Even Duke Wei or Lord Mo seem to have never received such trust from His Majesty."

The young official said solemnly: "I have heard these words said by many people, brother, there is no need to emphasize them."

Han Qingduan smiled bitterly and said: "It's not that Brother Fool is blabbering, it's just that I watched a young powerful man rise to the top, and when I came back from my dream at midnight, I couldn't help but feel worried, so that I was in a trance."

The young official understood the implication of his words. Pei Yue was already a second-class prince at the age of eighteen and was in charge of the northern camp of the Beijing Army. After a hundred years, who in the whole court can control this man?

The sad look on Han Qingduan's face did not seem to be fake. The young official saw this and sneered: "In that case, why didn't my brother say a word at the court meeting?"

Han Qingduan shook his head and said: "This kind of impeachment will not help. With His Majesty's current favor for Pei Yue, not to mention that his wife Ru is an orphan who escaped from Western Wu. What if she is really the daughter of a minister in the Western Wu Dynasty? Pei Yue City Mansion

It is extremely deep, and most of the flaws that we can see are intentional, not to mention that the ministers who impeached him today were just bluffing, otherwise they would not be so ugly afterwards."

The young official was lost in thought.

He was very wary of Pei Yue, even a little afraid, but unlike Chen Xiangxian and others who were afraid of the other party's power, as Han Qingduan said, he was worried that this young powerful man would become a powerful minister like his ancestor Pei Yuan.

However, Pei Yuan was decisive in killing on the battlefield, could act gently in the face of complicated court disputes, and was loyal and impeccable.

Pei Yue is different. Looking at his previous attacks, we know that he is ruthless and believes in principles such as those who obey me and prosper. As long as such a person climbs to a high place, the danger level is far greater than that of Pei Yuan. The most important thing is that

He is really too young.

Han Qingduan sighed leisurely: "Warriors misled the country, and history can learn from it."

The young official stared into his eyes and asked solemnly: "Is this your opinion, or is it Han Xuesheng's concern?"

Han Qingduan responded: "My eldest brother rarely praises others, but he has told me more than once that Wu Cunren has a clear sense of energy, is straight and unyielding, and is as cool as ever."

The young official's name is Wu Cunren. He is twenty-seven years old this year. He was the top candidate in the Imperial Examination in the second year of Kaiping. He was first assigned to the Hanlin Academy as a compilator, and within three years he was promoted to a Hanlin Academy reviewer. He was born in Wanning Prefecture in Yuzhou, and his family background is not prominent, but

He also had another identity, that is, he was a close disciple of Mo Haoli, who was in power at the time. His relationship was not that of a teacher and a student in the imperial examination, but a serious literary successor.

Looking at Han Qingduan's sincere eyes, Wu Cunren said calmly: "Xueshi Han is so complimentary that I feel ashamed to be a lower-ranking official."

Han Qingduan was not impatient and said slowly: "Brother Cunren, you and I cannot just sit back and watch the appearance of a powerful minister who no one can control."

Wu Cunren asked with deep meaning: "Pei Yue has become more powerful, what can he do?"

Han Qingduan chuckled and said: "The Tibetan front guards are powerful. When they are gathered together, they are a magic sword that can cut iron like mud. But if we disperse this cavalry and let these sparks fall on the millions of troops in Daliang, they can actually

Greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of all military units. Of course, for the Marquis of Zhongshan who trained this elite army, the court cannot ignore his contribution and should give him sufficient respect and honor."

Wu Cunren said understandingly: "Rewarding him with a noble title is a waste of his duties."

Han Qingduan showed appreciation on his face, nodded and said: "Not bad."

Wu Cunren knew clearly that the conversation between the two people today not only represented their respective positions and opinions, but more importantly, the big shots behind each other wanted to use their words to reach an agreement.

Behind him is naturally Mo Haoli, the leftist ruler who survived four dynasties. Behind Han Qingduan should be Han Gongduan, a Hanlin scholar, who is rumored to be the next head of the Han family in Luling, Yongzhou.

Although the rank of Hanlin bachelor was only the same as that of the Six Ministers, and he did not seem to have the qualifications to be on an equal footing with the governor of the Dongfu, Wu Cunren knew in his heart that Han Gongduan was a high-ranking official valued by His Majesty and would definitely join the Dongfu in the future.

After a moment of silence, Wu Cunren changed the subject and said: "If you want to put an end to your brother's worries, this alone is not enough. Dismantling the Zangfeng Guards is just a drain on Pei Yue, but he is not the only person like Pei Yue in the army, and there will be more in the future.

."

This is about negotiating conditions.

Han Qingduan felt excited and said with a smile: "Please enlighten me, my dear brother."

Wu Cunren said slowly: "The Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army."

This yamen may seem inconspicuous, and its chief officers are prone to splintery, but it controls the supply of food, grass and weapons for the million-strong army in Daliang. Instead, the Ministry of War has become a Qingshui yamen responsible for supervision and inspection. At that time, Lin Qingyuan wanted to control the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion.

The transfer of functions to the Ministry of War was still not completed until his death, which shows the importance of this place to the Daliang Wuxun Group.

Han Qingduan seemed to have expected it, and said unhurriedly: "Now that Pei Yue is at the top of his game, it is extremely difficult to dismantle his hidden front guards."

Wu Cunren mused: "It takes an appropriate time."

Han Qingduan smiled slightly and said softly: "When that time comes, the problem of the Fifth Army Commander's Mansion will be easily solved."

Wu Cunren responded: "Killing a tiger and swallowing a wolf kills two birds with one stone."

"He who knows me is a wise brother." Han Qingduan was in a happy mood. Although he knew that the time would be difficult to come, but with Wu Cunren's approval, he would have a clear direction for the follow-up. He said calmly: "We can't be impatient about this matter. You and I can still do it."

It needs to be considered in the long term.”

The two of them then talked about their romantic affairs. When the jar of jade pot was finished, Wu Cunren stood up and left.

Han Qingduan personally sent him outside the house, then returned to the study and sat quietly alone for a long time, without any hint of drunkenness in his eyes.

He knew that his eldest brother was too upright and would never agree to plot against Pei Yue, so under the secret guidance of that man, he directly contacted Wu Cunren in the name of Han Gongduan.

Everything was as the man said, and Wu Cunren indeed proposed the condition of the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army.

The eldest brother would not plot against Pei Yue, but he was absolutely willing to seize the Governor's Mansion of the Five Armies from the hands of the Xi Mansion. This was the long-cherished wish of almost all civil servants in Daliang. Only by cutting off the military's control over military supplies and food could the emergence of powerful ministers and warriors be completely eradicated.

In this way, Mo Haoli, who was behind Wu Cunren, must believe that this matter was brought up by Han Gongduan. Once these two important ministers join forces, Pei Yue's fate can be imagined.

It was clear that the weather was getting warmer, but Han Qingduan felt cold in his heart.

That man is really good at calculating, and his understanding of people's hearts has reached an advanced level.

He looked at the secret letter sent from his hometown in Luling on the table and sighed: "Brother, you are too pedantic to shoulder the important task of the clan leader. You are only suitable to bury yourself in the pile of old papers and do useless knowledge."
Chapter completed!