In Li Zhiyun's view, there are currently two problems.
The first is why Pei Ju refused Lao Li's reward. The so-called "no reward for no merit" is just a rhetoric. Not to mention that Yang Gongren has accepted the reward, from the perspective of wooing him, Pei Ju should accept the reward.
Because Pei Ju was not only an important minister of the former dynasty, but also the head of the Wenxi Pei family. These two points together were enough for Pei Ju to accept Li Yuan's reward with peace of mind.
There is only one possibility for him to refuse the reward, and that is that he is not satisfied with the reward. As for the argument that he does not want to serve the Tang Dynasty, it is completely untenable, because if he really has no feelings for the Tang Dynasty, then he will never
He will refuse this reward, but will eat and drink with it until death. From now on, he will be a bastard and not say a word of advice for the Tang Dynasty.
In this way, Pei Ju was not satisfied with the reward.
Li Zhiyun secretly thought about what Pei Ju was dissatisfied with.
The position of imperial censor?
It's unlikely. Pei Ju is a smart man and should have understood that Li Yuan would not give him a high position since he had just submitted to the Tang Dynasty.
That's a knighthood.
In other words, Pei Ju was dissatisfied with the position of Anyi County Governor.
Anyi County Duke?
Thinking of this, Li Zhiyun suddenly understood.
I see!
Pei Ju is the head of the Pei family in Wenxi. If he wants to be knighted, he should be the Duke of Wenxi County, because this is the title that the head of the Pei family in Wenxi should have.
This title is secondary, and it mainly represents the court's recognition of the Wenxi Pei family. It recognizes the Wenxi Pei family's historical status and recognizes Pei Ju's position as the head of the family!
Thinking of this, Li Zhiyun also knew the answer to the second question.
The second question is why Pei Ji wanted Pei Ju to accept the reward, and why did Liu Wenjing object to Li Yuan's reward for Pei Ju.
Let’s first talk about why Pei Ji wants Pei Ju to accept the reward. If Pei Ju really accepts the title of Duke of Anyi County, then this will give Pei Ji a chance.
An opportunity to replace Pei Ju in the Pei family!
Think about it, he, Pei Ji, is the prime minister, while Pei Ju is just the censor in the palace. People in the world obviously think that he, Pei Ji, is stronger than Pei Ju. Moreover, Pei Ju cannot get the title of Duke of Wenxi County, and his own status as the head of the Wenxi Pei family
If it is not officially recognized, then Pei Ji will have the opportunity to replace him in the future.
Liu Wenjing objected to Li Yuan's reward for Pei Ju, not because he had a good relationship with Pei Ju, but because he saw through Pei Ji's plan at a glance.
The relationship between him and Pei Ji has now plummeted, and the two parties basically regard each other as their biggest political enemy. In this way, how could Liu Wenjing just watch Pei Ji have the opportunity to replace Pei Ju and become the spokesperson of the Wenxi Pei family.
Absolutely impossible!
After thinking it through, Li Zhiyun pursed his lips silently.
He is still too young. Each of these old guys is more scheming and cunning than the last.
Pei Ji and Liu Wenjing had a rap in the Tai Chi Hall, but they couldn't get any results out of the argument, so Lao Li could only tell them to shut up.
Li Yuan looked at Pei Ju and threatened him implicitly: "Isn't Mr. Pei unwilling to work with me to create a peaceful and prosperous age? You must not make a mistake."
threaten?
Sorry, Mr. Wenxi Pei is never afraid of threats.
"The sinner just told the truth and asked the saint to agree." Pei Ju raised his head and looked directly at Li Yuan, his eyes calm but with a hint of coldness.
Li Zhiyun secretly clenched his fists. This scene reminded him of the scene when Dou Wei threatened Li Yuan with the Guanlong Thirty-Seven Family.
If you don't bow before you, don't be humble and don't say anything.
The true character of a noble family.
Li Yuan's hands hidden in his sleeves gradually clenched into fists.
This feeling was really irritating and made him want to commit murder.
But he couldn't. If he killed Pei Ju impulsively, it would not only be the Pei family that would be devastated, but also all the great nobles in Shandong who were related to the Pei family by marriage.
These aristocratic families are like big trees. They appear to be independent on the surface, but in fact they are intertwined. There is me among you, and you among me.
Any movement of one will trigger fierce resistance from several others.
Just like when Yang Guang wanted to kill Guanlongmen.
The atmosphere in the Tai Chi Hall was a bit solid. Dou Wei and Dou Kang looked on with cold eyes. This was not their business and they would not interfere because it was meaningless. There was no need for them to act as guns for Lao Li, let alone to help their arch-enemy Shandong clan.
Pei Ji and Liu Wenjing have ended.
The remaining Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda are not willing to interfere in this kind of thing. If they help Lao Li, they are against Pei Ju, and if they help Pei Ju, they are against Li Yuan.
No matter which choice you choose, it is not a good choice.
Therefore, silence is the best choice.
As for other officials, they can't speak even more.
Li Jiancheng opened his mouth to break the frozen atmosphere, "Father, I think that what Mr. Pei said is not unreasonable. It is better to temporarily confer the post of Censor in Pei Gong's palace. As for the title, we can wait for Mr. Pei to show his merits before awarding him the title."
It’s not too late.”
Li Zhiyun glanced at Li Jiancheng coldly. His eldest brother also saw something fishy. And his choice was to help Pei Ju.
This is understandable, after all, Li Jiancheng is surrounded by people from Shandong's powerful families.
Li Yuan was silent for a long time and said, "Just as the prince said."
Patience, you still have to be patient. Just like Li Yuan endured the Long clan clan, he still had to be patient when facing the Shandong clan clan.
Because the various places in Shandong have not yet been recovered, we should not be impatient. Following the lesson learned from the last time, Li Yuan did not continue to push the bull this time.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Pei Ju bowed.
Soon after, the meeting dispersed.
Because his sister, Empress Xiao, was rescued, Xiao Yu specially thanked Li Zhiyun for his rescue when leaving the court.
In this regard, Li Zhiyun was naturally humble again and again.
Standing on the steps, Li Zhiyun looked at Pei Ji and Pei Ju from time to time. As he thought, Pei Ji and Pei Ju had no intersection.
Like a stranger.
When he was about to leave, the chamberlain Li Zhong came over quietly.
"His Royal Highness the King of Chu, Your Majesty invites you."
Li Zhiyun nodded, "Please lead the way."
"Don't dare."
When they arrived at the side room of Lizheng Hall, Lao Li and Li Jiancheng had been waiting for a long time.
"My son, I pay my respects to my father, the Crown Prince."
"No courtesy, sit down!" Lao Li said with a smile.
It seems that Lao Li must have come out of the depressed mood at the court meeting.
A soft cushion was provided inside, and Li Zhiyun sat down on his knees.
"Wu Lang, you did a good job this time. The King of Huai'an praised you very much in the victory report." Lao Li smiled with his white teeth showing, looking like a kind-hearted old man.
Nonsense, I gave him dozens of cars of treasures. As for any individual, he cannot turn a blind eye and usurp my credit.
"I'm scared. This great victory was all the result of the emperor's uncle gathering people to use force and strategizing. I'm just lucky," Li Zhiyun said humbly.
Li Jiancheng smiled and said: "Don't belittle yourself, Wu Lang. I have also seen the good news. If you hadn't ambushed Yongji County in advance, you might not have been able to intercept and kill Yu Wenhuaji successfully, let alone rescue the former Empress Dowager and all the Sui officials.
You have done a great job."
"My dear brother, I would also like to thank my eldest brother for recommending my brother to go to Hebei. Otherwise, I would not have such a good opportunity."
This made Li Jiancheng feel comfortable, and he thought to himself, "Just know that I'm good to you."
Li Yuan looked at the scene of brotherly respect and nodded with satisfaction. Although the fourth child did not let him worry, the fifth child was very obedient and humble.
"Rescue the ministers of the previous dynasty and increase the momentum of our Tang Dynasty. The world's orthodoxy will be in our Tang Dynasty!"
Li Jiancheng echoed two sentences, and then advised: "Father, now that the lands in Shandong are not at peace, we still need to show mercy to the officials in Shandong so that they can serve us in the Tang Dynasty."
Li Yuan sighed and nodded, "I'm a little anxious, thanks to the prince."
"My father was only thinking about the country of the Tang Dynasty, and he did nothing wrong." Li Jiancheng said.
Li Yuan nodded and immediately began to ask Li Zhiyun about the specific details of Hebei Heyu Culture and the First World War.
What was said in the victory report was only a general statement, and he still needed to know more details. Especially about the situation in Hebei.