Chapter 160 Two Days of Storm (2)

After nearly an hour of handling it in Guangdefang, Pei Jun slowly returned home in a carriage. He was very strict and acted fiercely and seized the initiative in everything. Pei Jun handled the problem like a wisp of green smoke, circling up, neither hurry nor slow, but without leaking water.

At a meeting in Guangdefang today, Cui Yuan ordered the Grand Third Department to review, and then used the prime minister's standards to embrace the two sons of Jiang Huan. Before leaving, he ordered the Ministry of Rites Department to be temporarily in charge of the daily affairs of the Ministry of Rites, and was high-profile everywhere. Obviously, he wanted to take the initiative to appoint the new Minister of Rites in his hands. Pei Jun kept laughing and silent. He knew that Cui Yuan was just creating momentum and he would not get this position because of this. The appointment of the Minister of Rites requires the cabinet to discuss and decide, that is, at least four votes must be obtained. What else can Cui Yuan get besides himself and Wang and Yang? He also has three votes. The key is Wei Yan's vote. Will he vote for Cui Yuan? No! So as long as Wei Yan is pulled over, this Minister of Rites is Pei Jun. The curtain of power competition has just opened, so he is not anxious and let Cui Yuan sing first.

The carriage entered Xuanyifang. When it was half a mile away from the mansion, three hundred cavalrymen were escorting their daughter's carriage towards each other. Next to the carriage was Zhang Huan, who was dressed in military uniform. When they saw Pei Jun's carriage back, they immediately stopped the carriage. Zhang Huan urged him to immediately go forward and bow to Pei Jun and said, "My father-in-law, the son-in-law will take Ying'er to visit my mother."

Pei Jun heard that he finally changed his mouth and was really happy. He stroked his beard and smiled: "It would be best if your mother can attend tonight. After all, this is a matter between the two families. Although it is simple, the etiquette that should be given cannot be lost."

Zhang Huan agreed, he bowed and was about to leave, but Pei Jun called him again. He pondered for a moment and said, "Do you know the assassination of the Minister of Rites?"

"The son-in-law has heard of it."

"This is probably also related to the situation in Hexi. You come back earlier and let's discuss it together tonight."

Zhang Huan nodded and suddenly asked, "Did my father-in-law go to pay New Year's greetings to Wei Er every year?"

"Mingyuan has already gone at the first day of the first day of the year." Pei Jun was a little surprised and asked, "What does the son-in-law mean when asked?"

Zhang Huan smiled and said, "If possible, I suggest that my father-in-law send Mingkai to pay New Year's greetings to Wei Er. In order to get the Ministry of Rites, Cui Yuan will probably compromise with Wei Er to get his vote, but as long as both prime ministers ask him for it, I think Wei Er will not agree so easily."

Pei Jun narrowed his eyes and smiled. He looked at Zhang Huan meaningfully and said, "It seems that I really want to talk to you."

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"Get sick! Come here." On the car window, Pei Ying's slender and delicate hands made a move to Zhang Huan, and Zhang Huan speeded up and chased after him.

"What did you say to your father?" Pei Ying's face smiled like a beautiful peony. She had heard her lover's name for her father, and her heart was full of joy.

"I said I would take you to see my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law asked me to take my mother to the mansion tonight."

Speaking of mother-in-law, Pei Ying was nervous and expectant. Zhang Huan's mother was the number one beauty in Chang'an more than 20 years ago. She was the eldest daughter of the Chu family. I heard that she became a monk, but I don't know if she would like her. Although she also knew that her mother-in-law's opinions could not change anything, she still hoped that her mother-in-law could really like her.

"Get sick, you, do you think my mother-in-law will not see me?" Pei Ying looked at Zhang Huan nervously.

"No, she is likely to meet you, but not see me." Zhang Huan smiled bitterly. His mother looked weak on the outside but was strong on the inside. This was very likely. He was also planning to take his mother to Wuwei this time. Without Zhang Ruohao's care, he left his mother alone in Chang'an. He was really worried.

After passing Qujiangchi, the group soon came to Qiushuiguan. There was no significant change in Qiushuiguan. The half-old gate, the plaques with peeling paint, and apart from the repair of several broken walls, donated 10,000 jin of money last year had almost no impact.

A soldier stepped forward and knocked on the door. Soon, the door creaked and opened a crack. The person who opened the door was still the thin female Taoist priest. She was shocked when she saw so many soldiers standing outside. Her face turned pale and her mouth was stuttering. She stuttered and couldn't speak. Until she saw Zhang Huan, her heart was slightly let go, and she immediately put on a happy look and opened the door. The host of the spectator explained several times from last year to now. If the donor came last year, she must have the most sincere smile, the most solemn etiquette, and the fastest speed. These are the "three bests" of Qiu Shui Temple, and everyone must memorize it.

Zhang Huan did not dare to neglect, so he immediately took out a letter and handed it to the black and thin female Taoist priest respectfully, "Please transfer it to my mother first, I'll wait outside."

The black and thin female Taoist priest hesitated after receiving the letter. She looked at the large group of strong soldiers outside. Should the door be open or closed? At this time, she saw the master surrounded by a group of elders from afar, and then smiled friendlyly at Zhang Huan and turned to deliver the letter.

"Ambitional Blessings, don't you come here?" The white and fat master smiled and greeted her. She didn't seem to be afraid of the large group of soldiers. No wonder she only has money in her eyes, so how could she see anything else?

Zhang Huan bowed, took out a flying ticket from his arms and handed it to her and said, "This is the 5,000-yuan incense money this year. Please accept it with a smile."

The smile of the audience suddenly became a little stiff. Last year, I gave 10,000 guan. How did it become 5,000 guan this year? For ordinary people, the heart and hands often cooperate with each other, but this audience is extraordinary. She was hesitant and resentful, but she did not hesitate at all. She clamped her two white and fat fingers like water radish and quickly transferred the 5,000 guan of money from Zhang Huan to her hand, and then disappeared.

"I am really dissatisfied with the donor. Prices have risen sharply this year. Last year, a dou of rice was only sold for 90 cents, but this year it has risen to 130 cents. I am afraid that outsiders will disturb your mother's practice, so I closed my doors and no longer accepted incense. The price of rice increased and the income dropped. It's really difficult to survive!"

"People are worried. If the viewer is willing to help me later, I will naturally present the other five thousand stakes with both hands."

Zhang Huan said, and when he saw the thin black female Taoist priest coming out, he couldn't help but nervously greet him, "What did my mother say?"

The female Taoist priest smiled bitterly and said, "Your mother asked Miss Pei to go in, and Mr. Zhang is waiting outside."

Zhang Huan was stunned. After a moment, he could not helplessly call Pei Ying to him and whispered to her: "You must convince my mother and let her go back to Wuwei with me."

Pei Ying nodded and went in with the female Taoist priest. She walked through a corridor and then walked through a bamboo forest. Pei Ying entered a small yard. The yard was clean and tidy, covered with a thin layer of white snow. A group of birds were chirping and competing for scattered wheat cakes on the snow. Next to it was a beautiful middle-aged Taoist nun, who was slowly crushing the wheat cakes in his hand and spreading them lightly.

She felt something and turned around and looked at the gate of the courtyard. She happened to have a look with Pei Ying. Although Pei Ying was arrogant and beautiful, she was still shocked by the beautiful appearance of the middle-aged Taoist nun. She saw that her skin was as greasy as jade, her eyes were as bright as gems, her eyes were as clear as water, and her eyes were not contained any impurities. Pei Ying took a deep breath and stepped forward to give a deep bow, "Pei Ying saw Aunt Chu."

Chu Wanlan hurriedly stepped forward and helped Pei Ying up and looked her up and down, with a knowing smile in his eyes, "In the letter, Huan'er said that you would ride a horse and follow him west. I was thinking, what kind of strong woman should be like, but I didn't expect that she would be such a beautiful and charming little girl."

Chu Wanlan's speech was not fast, his voice was gentle, and he flowed through Pei Ying's heart like spring water. She suddenly felt an inexplicable emotion, and she shyly lowered her head and called out: "Mom-in-law!"

"Child, it's cold outside, let's talk inside!" Chu Wanlan took Pei Ying's hand lovingly and walked into the house. The room was lit with a brazier, which was very warm. The furnishings were very simple, but spotless. A guqin was placed obliquely in front of the window. A few late-blooming wintersweets were inserted in the white jade bottle in front of the window, emitting a faint fragrance, and everywhere showed the quiet feelings of the owner of the room.

Chu Wanlan put a soft mattress by the brazier, asked Pei Ying to sit down, then looked at Pei Ying carefully, and sighed softly: "Your mother is Yan Fangfei, right? What I should have thought of is that she looks real!"

When Pei Ying heard her mention her mother she had never met, a trace of gloom flashed in her eyes. She lowered her head and said nothing. When Chu Wanlan saw her, she pulled her hand and smiled: "It's also a kind of fate. The Chu Pei family had a relationship for generations. My father wanted to promise me to the Pei family, but unfortunately he didn't fulfill his wish. Unexpectedly, my son finally married the daughter of the Pei family, which made people sigh that fate was aroused."

"Mom-in-law! If you don't let the disease get in, you will also come in." After a while of silence, Pei Ying suggested softly.

"No, the stubborn bull will definitely advise me to go to Hexi. If I don't go, he will definitely threaten the Mingxin Guanzhu. What about dismantling her view, cutting off her incense money, etc. The Mingxin Guanzhu should cry and beg me again."

Chu Wanlan took out a package and handed it to Pei Ying and smiled: "You are a very smart woman. I feel relieved to have you help him behind him. There are some things his father left to him in this package. You can give it to him together!"

Pei Ying took the package and heard her tone that she didn't want to follow her. She couldn't help but rush: "But my mother-in-law doesn't go. If she is taken as a hostage by someone with a heart, wouldn't she be passive in Hexi? "

Chu Wanlan's face showed a knowing smile. She brushed the black hair on her forehead and said slowly: "I didn't say I won't go. I just don't want him to speak. Do you understand what I mean?"

Pei Ying suddenly realized that this was the gift Chu Wanlan gave him, such a smart woman.

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Zhang Huan placed his mother in the spring house in Yongjiafang and left a hundred personal soldiers to protect him. He hurried back to Pei's mansion with Pei Ying. At this time, the sky was already dark. There was only one lantern hanging in front of the gate of Pei's mansion, but today eight lanterns were quietly hung, calling it a blessing to wash the new son-in-law, but everyone who understands knows that it is actually a lady who got married today.

Pei's mansion covers a large area, with many pavilions and towers, and a small lake in the back garden. This mansion covering an area of ​​hundreds of acres lives Pei Jun and his twenty sons, plus countless maids and servants, with as many as thousands of people. Most of Pei Jun's sons are outside officials. On the New Year, Pei Jun specially compiled books to call them back one by one, making the mansion look particularly lively. As soon as the sky was getting dark, the Pei's mansion was brightly lit and laughing loudly. Hundreds of banquets were placed, and the people in the mansion were eating and drinking. The servants in the mansion were rewarded with five cents of money, which was a little more lively than New Year's Eve and the Lantern Festival.

As soon as Pei Ying entered the mansion, she was welcomed into the inner courtyard by a group of sisters and sisters-in-law, while Zhang Huan was secretly invited to Pei Jun's study by Pei Mingyuan.

There were already several people waiting for him in the study, Pei Jun, Pei You, and Chu Xingshui, while Pei Mingyuan and his eldest son Pei Mingkai stood by and listened. Seeing Zhang Huan come in, Pei Jun hurriedly came up to him. He was a very careful person. Although Zhang Huan is already his son-in-law, Zhang Huan is definitely not dependent on him like other son-in-laws. He is a prince with his own territory. To a certain extent, he is on an equal footing with himself, so he can accept his respect in public, but in private, he Pei Jun must show equality between the two and must not examine it condescendingly.

"Why don't you bring your mother here? Otherwise, I'll go there in person." Pei Jun complained a little when he saw Zhang Huan's face.

Zhang Huan smiled apologetically, "My mother has become accustomed to being purified. She has accepted Ying'er, so she asked her uncle to fully represent her."

Speaking of this, he smiled and looked at Chu Xingshui behind Pei Jun. Chu Xingshui was stunned and then was overjoyed. Zhang Huan meant that his sister had forgiven him. He felt happy in his heart. He pulled Zhang Huan over and smiled and said, "You are finally willing to recognize me as your uncle now. Come! Come! Sit down quickly!"

Pei You also bowed to Zhang Huan and made a move to invite him to sit down. Zhang Huan sat down. Pei Mingyuan went to the door and clapped his hands. He immediately came in and served tea to them.

The study slowly calmed down, and the sound of laughter could be heard in the distance. Pei Jun coughed gently and said to Zhang Huan first: "We want to discuss the affairs of the Minister of Rites this time. You are already from my Pei family, so you should attend this meeting."

Zhang Huan nodded silently and said nothing more. Pei Jun glanced at everyone again and then slowly said:

"One hour ago, Cui Yuan asked to hold an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the position of the new Minister of Rites, but I hope this issue will be resolved in the day after the seven cabinet ministers made their statements, and the empress dowager decided to decide. On the surface, Cui Xiaofu is Cui Yuan's sister, and should be biased towards him, but in fact, on the contrary, she will oppose Cui Yuan's proposal. If the situation is unfavorable to us, Cui Xiaofu will definitely end the meeting. Therefore, I have rejected Cui Yuan's proposal to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on the pretext of being unwell and postponed the voting time to the day after the day after tomorrow."

Speaking of this, he pondered for a moment and said, "No matter who took the death of Jiang Huan this time, the position of the Minister of Rites has been vacant. I want this position, and Cui Yuan also wants it. Of course, the last one may be the Minister of Right and Right. Each of the two families holds a seat, but this plan will never be adopted unless it is absolutely necessary. Now I want everyone to tell me how to get the Minister of Rites."

He looked at Chu Xingshui and smiled and said, "Brother Runze, let's talk first!"

Chu Xingshui was in a good mood today. When he saw Pei Jun ask him first, he smiled happily and said, "I guess Wei Yan will not support him. When he sat down and watched the two families fight, he would also throw out his own candidates, so it is very likely that there will be a complex situation of three to three to one. In this way, as Pei Xiang said, the two families finally reached a compromise and had two ministers on the left and right, but who would be the right minister? I think the key is the candidates for the ministers of the Ministry of Rites in each family, it depends on who recommended the person."

"What do you think of the second brother?" Pei Jun asked Pei You again.

"I support the opinion of Shangshu Chu. Brother should be cautious when choosing candidates." Pei You didn't say much, but he was the second-ranked figure in the Pei family and spoke very well. At the end, he added another sentence, "Fang Xiu has no experience in prefectures and counties, so I suggest that Brother give up on him!"

No entry into provincial and provincial governments without going through prefectures and counties. This has always been a hidden rule in the Tang Dynasty's officialdom. In order to promote Yang Guozhong to the prime minister, Li Longji specially let him go to Shu County to be a long-standing minister for half a year to avoid being criticized. Fang Xiu has always been an official in the capital. Although the Fang family is a famous family in the Tang Dynasty and has a considerable connection base, if he is in normal times, he can also become a minister, but this time he is competing for the position with Cui Yuan, which can refute him in one sentence.

Pei Jun nodded. The second brother's suggestion was extremely important. He adopted it, but who would let him take over the position? Pei Jun had no suitable candidate for a while. Seeing that it was too late, he temporarily put it aside and turned around to his eldest son Pei Mingkai and said, "Tomorrow morning, you will go to Shangshu Wei to pay New Year's greetings to him on behalf of your father. The gifts should be more important."

Pei Mingkai is Pei Jun's eldest son, about 35 or 36 years old. He is a kind-hearted and well-educated person. Unfortunately, he lame his left foot, which greatly affected his status and career in the family. Therefore, although he was nominally the heir of the head of the family, he did not get the title of head of the family. He only became the sixth rank of crown prince Siyilang for ten years. In the past one or two years, the second son Pei Mingyao and the third son Pei Mingqian were aggressive and had surpassed him in the court. In front of his father, the fifth son Pei Mingyuan was favored by him, so there was a saying that the head of the family began to be uncertain in the Pei mansion.

Pei Mingkai agreed, but his fifth brother had already celebrated the New Year for Wei Yan, and the Wei family was about to get married. Did his father make a mistake? He wanted to ask but didn't dare, but he was afraid that there would be no chance. After hesitating for a long time, he couldn't help but say, "Father..."

Before he could express his questions, Zhang Huan next to him interrupted with a smile, "My father-in-law wants to pay a second greeting to Wei Yan to know that he is not here. This matter is very important. The burden on the elder brother is very light!"

Pei Mingkai suddenly realized it, but at the same time he was shocked and sweated. If he asked this, he would definitely be scolded by his father. He looked at Zhang Huan gratefully and stopped talking.

Pei Jun glanced at Zhang Huan and smiled and said, "It seems that I have forgotten you. Are you unwilling to be lonely here? Then you can talk too!"

"I also agree with my uncle and second uncle, but-"

Speaking of 'but', Zhang Huan showed a mysterious smile on his face, "Soldiers are also weird. My suggestion is to build a plank road openly and cross Chen Cang secretly. My father-in-law might as well receive Fang Xiu frequently, which gives Cui Yuan an illusion. Then we will find a way to find out Cui Yuan's candidate and find out his weaknesses. This is called knowing yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles."

'Build the plank road openly and cross Chencang secretly', Pei Jun read it twice, then smiled happily: "This is called three cobblers, one Zhuge Liang. This matter is decided so I will arrange it one by one. It's not too late now, and everyone is waiting for us, let's go!"

Everyone stood up with a smile. Just as they went out, Chu Xingshui suddenly found that Zhang Huan had winked at him, and said without saying a word, "I want to say a few more words to my nephew. You can take one step first, and we will arrive later."
To be continued...