Chapter 564: Using both soft and hard (Part 2)

Speaking of this, Cui Huan had fully understood Li Qing'an's intention. He was indeed trying to deal with the Pei family. He wanted to suppress the arrogance of the Pei family, but he was unwilling to offend the Pei family, for fear of affecting the Pei family's support for him, so he had to rely on the Cui family. However, he felt that the Cui family could not control it, so Cui Ping was transferred to the subordinate minister, obviously in preparation for the political affairs hall. Li Qing'an wanted Cui Ping to completely replace him, not only in the court, but also in the family. In this way, the Cui family could completely become a weapon to deal with the Pei family.

Cui Huan suddenly felt very tired. Li Qing'an's imperial methods made him feel helpless and felt like he was like a puppet. Li Qing'an tied threads on him. He wanted to struggle, but he didn't have any strength.

"You said, what should I do?" Cui Huan sighed helplessly.

"I think my second brother needs to make a decision."

“What decision?”

Cui Yu pondered for a while, then slowly said, "If my Cui family wants status, or integrity, and status, my second brother might as well follow Li Qing'an's arrangements and transfer the power of the family to Cui Ping. The power of the Cui family will definitely surpass the Pei family. If it is to be honest, then you don't have to pay attention to Li Qing'an, but the Cui family will inevitably pay a heavy price. At that time, the Wei family will rise and replace the Cui family to curb the Pei family's growth."

Cui Huan didn't speak for a long time, which was of great importance, and he needed to think about it carefully.

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Pei Zunqing has been an official for decades and has never been as energetic as in the past few months. Under his promotion and arrangement, the power of the Pei family has expanded day by day in the central court. Pei Ju, the prefect of Jingzhou, was appointed as the right prime minister of Shangshu, Pei Xu, the prefect of Puzhou, was appointed as the minister of Guanglu Temple, and Pei Ji, the prefect of Mingzhou, was appointed as the young minister of Taichang, which caused an uproar in the entire court.

Pei Zunqing did not realize that he had brought the Pei family to a dangerous situation. He was still ambitiously formulating a new expansion plan. This year he would arrange fourteen Pei family children who were studying in the Imperial College to serve as officials in the local area. In addition, according to the alliance agreement he reached with the Lu family, he would promote Lu Xun, who is currently the Imperial College Priest, to be the Minister of Personnel, to prepare for him to enter the Political Affairs Hall to replace the old Lu Huan.

Pei Zunqing was extremely excited these days. He received Li Qing'an's secret order to defeat the prefect of Qizhou Cui Ning for the crime of affair with the Southern Tang Dynasty. Cui Ning can be regarded as an important backbone of the Cui family. If he could be dismissed, it would have a heavy blow to the Cui family and greatly weakened the Pei family, the biggest competitor.

But his plan was not going well. The order to conduct a review of Cui Ning in the third department was boycotted in Menxia Province. Without a trial result, the Political Affairs Hall could not directly dismiss Cui Ning. His plan meant failure.

Today is ten days, the day for the court to rest. Pei Zunqing also rested at home. He planned to initiate the impeachment of Cui Ning tomorrow by the Censorate, and no longer hold a trial of the Grand Third Division, and the Censor directly investigated by the Censor. If the evidence is conclusive, the Political Affairs Hall will initiate a special meeting and directly dismiss Cui Ning, and no longer issue an order by the Secretariat, this will bypass the Menxia Province.

Pei Zunqing changed into a generous Zen suit today. He did not go out and stayed in the study to plan tomorrow's struggle strategy. Just as many people commented on Pei Zunqing, he was not good at handling various government affairs, but was extremely keen on power struggles and family interests, which was in sharp contrast to his nephew Pei Min.

Pei Zunqing sat at the table and pondered. He felt that the crime of colluding with the Southern Tang was not enough. According to Cui Ning's subordinates' reporting materials, Taifu Temple in the Southern Tang sent people to contact Cui Ning several times. Although the evidence was conclusive, Taifu Temple seemed to be inconvincing. Taifu Temple was responsible for trading and saving money. It was very likely that the Southern Tang wanted to trade with Guanzhong and Longyou. Then Qizhou was the key. This was just a discussion on trading between the two sides and had little to do with the private affairs of the Southern Tang. This was also the main reason why Menxia Province believed that the evidence was insufficient and rejected the trial of the Grand Third Department.

Pei Zunqing himself felt that he was not confident enough. If he had been with the Ministry of War, the meaning would be different. Pei Zunqing frowned. It would probably not work if he used this charge. He had to change the charge to be more convincing.

At this time, a family report came from outside the door, "Master!"

"What's up?"

"Min Erye has arrived and asked to see the master."

‘Pei Min?’ Pei Zunqing was slightly stunned. What did he come to do for him?

"Please wait in the guest room, I'll come soon."

Although Pei Min was dismissed from the position of Right Prime Minister, the position of Jin Guanglu Dafu is still there. In addition, he is also the young master of the crown prince and is still a high-ranking official in the court. He is only away from the circle of power. He only waits and watches leisurely in the various major events that have happened in the court. However, the strong expansion of the Pei family in the past few months made Pei Min unable to bear it anymore. It is related to the rise and fall of the family, and he must say something.

Pei Min waited in the living room for a while, and only heard the sound of footsteps outside. Pei Zunqing walked in. In terms of seniority, Pei Min was Pei Zunqing's nephew, but since both of them were in high positions, this seniority relationship seemed not so important between them.

"Nephew, what gust of wind blows you? Haha!"

Pei Zunqing was in great enthusiasm and walked in with a smile. Pei Min quickly got up and saluted, "Today I'm here to see my second uncle."

"Well! My health is really not good lately. I am old and the deadline is approaching."

Pei Zunqing sighed and waved his hand and said, "Nephew, sit down!"

The two sat down on the couch, and the maid gave them tea. Pei Min smiled and said, "Politics are very troublesome!"

"Political affairs are fine, the key is that personnel affairs are troublesome!"

Pei Zunqing took a sip of tea and asked again: "You have been in the prime minister for a long time, what do you think of Cui Ning?"

Now Pei Zunqing is thinking about how to defeat Cui Ning. Since Li Qing'an has agreed, he must seize the opportunity. Otherwise, after the matter is no longer over, it will be even more difficult to attack the Cui family. Pei Min has always been the right prime minister. He should know Cui Ning better, and maybe he can find some clues from him.

Pei Min came to him today, but it was actually for this matter. He didn't know how to speak, but Pei Zunqing mentioned this matter himself. Pei Min said righteously: "This person has a strong ability, a good official reputation, and is honest and honest. He is deeply loved by the people. He can be regarded as a talent for the prime minister."

Pei Min's praise of Cui Ning made Pei Zunqing unhappy. His face darkened. After a while, he said coldly: "I think my nephew is exaggerating! As far as I know, this person secretly colluded with Nan Tang and betrayed the interests of the court. Can such a person still become a prime minister?"

Pei Min smiled slightly and said, "Uncle Second is talking about his connection with Taifu Temple in the Southern Tang Dynasty! I know this. The political affairs had made a resolution to allow all prefectures and counties to trade with the Southern Tang Dynasty. Uncle Second might as well find the records of the political affairs hall from June last year. I remember it was passed at that time. Uncle Second, this is not a crime. Using this to convict him will probably make people dissatisfied."

Pei Zunqing was stunned. He had no idea that the Political Affairs Hall had passed such a resolution in June last year. If this is the case, wouldn’t this matter be wasted?

"This... Cui Ning's crime is probably not that simple!"

Seeing that Pei Zunqing was stubborn and had to punish Cui Ning, Pei Min couldn't help but feel dissatisfied and said, "Second uncle, please forgive me for being frank. Recently, the government and the people have discussed a lot about the Pei family, saying that the Pei family is powerful and Li Tang is divided into nine parts. The Pei family has already occupied the second one. Second uncle, this is a dangerous sign!"

"Danger?"

Pei Zunqing sneered and said, "Do you believe these slanderous words? It's just that I'm jealous of the Pei family's power. My Pei family has produced many talents and naturally seems strong. What does this have to do with the world? Now Li Qing'an needs the support of the Pei family. The greater the power of the Pei family, the more beneficial it is to him. Even he is acquiesced to the Pei family to expand its power. What are we worried about? If we don't seize this opportunity, it will be difficult for us to gain power in the future. Nephew, I think you are too careful. You have been a prime minister for so many years and are not as good as me for two months. The Pei family is very disappointed with you!"

"After climbing high, you will have to fall heavily. Are there few lessons? Why didn't the second uncle care about the lessons of the cleansing of these aristocratic families? Today, Li Qing'an needs the Pei family, but once he ascends the throne to emperor, I dare say that the first thing he wants to deal with is the Pei family, the second uncle. If there is no long-term plan, you will have immediate worries!"

Pei Min's bitter words were extremely harsh in Pei Zunqing's ears. He changed color and stood up and said coldly: "I think you are so idle that you want to come out to take power again. That's right! I'm just trying to make excuses, just say I'm not as good as you, hum! Unfortunately, you're nothing more than you now, so just close your mouth!"

After saying that, Pei Zunqing left with her sleeves. Pei Min looked at her angry back and couldn't help but sigh. This person was already in a state of devil.

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When the uncle and nephew of the Pei family turned against each other, it was when Pei Wan'er entered the Li family.

Since Li Qing'an and the Pei family reached a marriage agreement last year, Pei Wan'er has been waiting to marry in the boudoir, but her marriage has not gone smoothly. The several ups and downs of Li Qing'an and Pei family have made it difficult for her to get married. But this time, although the Pei family has strongly expanded its power in the court, Li Qing'an still followed the engagement and introduced Pei Wan'er.

Strictly speaking, Pei Wan'er belongs to Li Qing'an's concubine. The ceremony of marrying concubines in the Tang Dynasty was very simple. There was no formal marriage between a matchmaker, and men could not make the decision. The real decision was the eldest wife. Whether she could marry her or not, and when to marry her, it was basically the eldest wife who was the eldest wife. The ceremony was also very simple. A sedan chair quietly entered the mansion from the side door, and the newlyweds greeted the eldest wife with a cup of tea. If the eldest wife answered, the marriage would be considered as a result.

Although Pei Wan'er is the legitimate daughter of the Pei family, she cannot compare with ordinary concubines when marrying Li Qing'an. Moreover, according to the prior agreement between the two families, Pei Wan'er will be awarded the title of Liangdi, but with Dugu Mingyue's insistence, the Li family still failed to meet the Pei family's requirements for a grand wedding.

Mingyue’s reason is very simple. Li Qing'an’s other wives and concubines are all quiet. If they are handled separately for Pei Wan'er, this will cause dissatisfaction with other wives and concubines and will make Pei Wan'er’s life difficult in the future. Pei Wan'er herself is unwilling to be too ostentatious. Of course, more importantly, Li Qing'an’s silence. This silence is a silent pressure that makes the Pei family surrender. Pei Wan'er has been married for nearly a year. If she doesn’t enter the house, the marriage may be ruined.
Chapter completed!