Chapter 249: True Intent

This is the first time Zhang Huan has stepped into Pei's mansion in four years. He stood on the gate steps and quietly waited for Pei Jun's reception. No one dared to let him in, and no one dared to come out to say hello to him. Zhang Huan and Pei Jun have a tense relationship over the years, and everyone in the Pei's mansion knew it, just as if Zhang Huan was a murderous knife, approaching him means disaster is coming.

After about a quarter of an hour, the old housekeeper slowly walked out and gave a salute to Zhang Huan, "Sister-in-law Zhang is not the time to come. The master handled official duties in the court room until midnight last night. He just rested. Why not come again in the evening!"

"Since my father-in-law has rested, I won't disturb you." Zhang Huan took out a letter and pointed to several boxes on the ground. "This is the lady's family letter, and some medicinal and local products sent to my father-in-law. Please accept it."

The old butler looked at Zhang Huan, as if he wanted to say something, but his lips moved, but he couldn't say anything. After a while, he apologized helplessly: "You can't ask your son-in-law to come into the mansion. Please forgive us more for our difficulties."

"The housekeeper doesn't need to explain. No wonder you are. I wonder if my father-in-law still wants to go to court today?" Zhang Huan asked without saying a word.

The old butler shook his head, "If there was nothing special, the master wouldn't usually go."

"Thank you, the old housekeeper!" Zhang Huan clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Then I will say goodbye."

He turned around and was about to leave when a person suddenly limped out of the mansion gate and shouted, "Go away from the disease and go slowly!"

Zhang Huan turned around and it was Pei Jun's eldest son Pei Mingkai. Among Pei Jun's sons, Pei Mingkai is the most kind-hearted, but he is also the least popular with Pei Jun. On the one hand, it is because Pei Mingkai is physically disabled, and on the other hand, it is because Pei Mingkai is too kind-hearted and does not even fear him by his servants. Pei Jun thinks it is really not suitable to be the heir of the head of the family.

At the Pei family meeting last September, the people of the Pei family unanimously agreed with Pei Jun's proposal that Pei Jun's second son Pei Mingyao would be the heir to the Pei family head. Pei Mingkai also officially lost the position of heir to the head of the family that he had been looking forward to for many years.

It would be fine if he could not become the heir of the head of the family, but he still did his own thing and was constantly unaware of his appearance. For example, today, even the servants knew that they could not get close to Zhang Huan, but he seemed to have no idea.

Zhang Huan had a pretty good impression of this brother-in-law. He smiled and said, "Does Brother Pei have something to do with me?"

"Actually nothing is wrong." Pei Mingkai glanced at the old housekeeper and smiled at Zhang Huan, "I want to go to the imperial city. Can I take me a ride when I get sick?"

Zhang Huan nodded, waved his hand, hundreds of cavalrymen who were parked at the corner of the street surrounded the carriage and slowly stepped forward. Pei Mingkai and Zhang Huan got on the carriage, the brigade started, and galloped towards Zhuque Street.

The old butler looked at the carriage and couldn't help but smile bitterly, "When will this young master become sensible?"

In the carriage, Pei Mingkai's smile had disappeared, "Do you know that my father did not rest, but did not want to see you."

"I know!" Zhang Huan replied calmly.

Pei Mingkai looked at the street scene flying past the window. After a long time, he sighed and said, "I always thought my father could be different from Cui Yuan and return to the emperor. But the facts proved that I was wrong. Seeing the chaos in the court and the local warlords were about to split, my father was obsessed with power and could not extricate himself and turned a blind eye to the crisis. If the Tang Dynasty was destroyed by war and the people were displaced, wouldn't my Pei family have become a sinner for eternity?"

Speaking of this, Pei Mingkai turned around and stared at Zhang Huan, "I know you are the son of Prince Yu, and I will definitely not sit idly by the Tang Dynasty toward division. The conflict between you and my father has already involved the future and destiny of the Tang Dynasty. It cannot be solved by the father-in-law and son-in-law's relationship. I want to beg you, when it really comes, you can leave a way out for our Pei family."

Zhang Huan smiled, "Maybe you are thinking a little serious. If you leave the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law, I and Prime Minister Pei are just different in politics. They are far from solving it with swords like Cui Qinggong, Zhu Li and others. I, Zhang Huan, have a clear distinction between this point unless...

Speaking of this, Zhang Huan stopped talking. Pei Mingkai should understand what he meant unless Pei Jun also had the intention to usurp the throne. He looked at the eldest son who had lost in the dispute between the head of the family and smiled and comforted him: "If I were to point out the biggest mistake in my father-in-law's life, it was that he did not make you the heir to the head of the Pei family. If the Pei family was defeated in the future, it would be because of this."

While the two of them were talking, they had already arrived at the imperial city. The carriage entered the Zhuque Gate and slowly stopped. Pei Mingkai got out of the carriage and looked at Zhang Huan and said sincerely: "I can't help you. Since you can understand that the dispute with your father is just a different political opinion, I will give you a suggestion. If you have time, you might as well go and have a good talk with the Salt and Iron Supervisor Order Yang Yan, maybe he can inspire you."

After saying that, Pei Mingkai limped away. Zhang Huan looked at his back and shook his head gently. If he was Pei Jun, he would not use this Pei Mingkai as the heir to the head of the family. His kindness and kindness are certainly an advantage, but he is not suitable to survive in the power field of iron and blood. There has never been any fixed routine in power struggles, but one thing is certain, that is, there must be no slightest kindness in a woman. If Pei Jun really becomes his enemy one day, he will never show mercy.

"Change, go and save!" Zhang Huan ordered, and the carriage turned around and went up Chengtianmen Street. The group rushed towards the Daming Palace.

Today is the fourth day of Zhang Huan's entry into Beijing, and the second day after he made his four-mouth show. The influence of this matter in the court began to appear increasingly. Along the way, countless officials retreated and gave in when Zhang Huan's carriage arrived, either silently saluting, or their faces were full of contempt. After Cui's silence and Pei Jun took over the power for three years, opposition finally appeared, and many officials even bowed to him.

This is the power struggle. Without strong strength as a backing guarantee, no one will follow him by relying on the sound of his throat alone, or even just a joke. It is Zhang Huan who has a strong army and strong strength that makes every move and every statement of his play have a significant influence in the court.

The team passed through the imperial city and slowly stopped in front of the steps of the gates and the province. Zhang Huan quickly stepped up the steps and walked into his court room. As soon as he entered the room, Niu Sengru came up, "Governor, there are two things to report."

"Say!" Zhang Huan took off his outer clothes and handed them to Shutong, walked to the seat and sat down, waiting for Niu Sengru's report.

"One thing is that my subordinates have found out the details of Pei Yi's son Pei Mingdian. This person is a little talented and has learned a little. At the same time, his subordinates have obtained his imperial examination paper, which is exactly the same as Zhou Mingsuomo. He is indeed suspected of cheating."

"The result came out so quickly, and it was done well!" Zhang Huan admired his ability very much, smiled and asked again, "What is that other thing?"

"The other thing is that the governor's personal soldiers just sent an information. Liao Hui did not go to Cui Yu's mansion, but went to Xuanyangfang before dawn this morning."

"Xuanyangfang?" Zhang Huan was stunned, and he suddenly blurted out, "Can he go to Cui Yuan's mansion?"

"Yes!" Niu Sengru nodded solemnly, "The governor's personal soldiers saw him entering Cui Yuan's mansion through the side door."

"So that's how it is!" Zhang Huan sneered and said to himself: "I almost forgot him."

He then took out Zhou Ming's report letter from the table and handed it to Niu Sengru and said, "You send it to Liao Hui and ordered him to impeach Pei Yi to the cabinet and disclose the imperial examination questions and indulge his son to cheat and pass the imperial examination."

"Subordinate to obey the order!" Although Niu Sengru's eyes were full of doubts, he did not dare to ask any more questions and walked quickly with the letter.

At noon, an explosive news suddenly came from inside and outside the court and the country. Zhang Huan, the new subordinate minister, and Liao Hui, the chief censor, jointly impeached the son of the Secretariat Pei Yi, who learned about the imperial examination questions in advance and was suspected of cheating.

Shocked, expectant, and discussed a lot. All officials knew that Zhang Huan had to move when he opened the four trunks, but they didn't expect that it would come so quickly. They took action on the next day. For a moment, the entire court was in full swing and talking about this matter everywhere. The government affairs of the Tang Dynasty almost stopped, and everyone was waiting and watching, as if a large cloud rushed towards Chang'an like a wind and rain.

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With a loud "bang", the teacup on the table jumped up in shock, rolled down to the ground and fell to pieces. Pei Jun was so angry that his face turned pale and almost shouted at Pei Yi: "Look at what you did! How do you get off the stage now?"

"Brother, this matter is very secret. I don't know how Zhang Huan knew?" Pei Yi was so scared that her face was pale and her lips were trembling. Over the years, he had never seen his elder brother get such a big temper. He said tremblingly: "I have interrogated Ming Dian today, and he repeatedly assured me that there was no leak of the test questions."

"Idiot! How could he pass the Jinshi exam without leaking the test questions? Don't you know what he is studying?" Pei Jun was so angry that he could hardly say anything. He thought that Zhang Huan was just arresting some bad children of the Pei family for committing evil things outside, so he would be punished slightly, but he didn't expect to shake Pei Yi out. Two years ago, he used Cui Xian's wife's brother to leak the imperial examination questions and pulled Cui Xian off the position of Minister of Personnel, but today he reported it again and again. Seeing that Pei Yi was about to fall on this, how could he not be angry and aroused his heart.

"And you!" Pei Jun turned his head and glared at Pei Danming, who was standing with his hands down, "I asked you to check that scholar. Why don't you have any news? If you found out earlier, would I be so passive?"

Pei Danming lowered his head and did not dare to speak. In fact, how could he find out the results so quickly that the task assigned by Pei Jun in the morning? He had not even found out the clues to start. Although it was a bit unfair, how could Pei Danming dare to argue at this time?

Pei Jun paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, quickly thinking about the causes and consequences of this matter in his mind. The impeacher was Zhang Huan and Liao Hui, and Liao Hui was Cui Yu's confidant, which means Cui Yu was also involved. Did Zhang Huan and Cui Yu form an alliance so quickly?

Pei Jun shook his head. The alliance is not a child playing games. It is said that an alliance is an alliance. He knew that many interests between Zhang Huan and Cui Yu were difficult to separate clearly, so he was relieved to send Zhang Huan to the empty disciples. But he actually used the killer move of the Four Guns. This was his own mistake. Pei Jun sighed long ago. If he had known, he would have asked him to be the Minister of Works and exchange Wang Ang into the disciples.

"Brother, what should I do now?" Pei Yi asked timidly. He was most worried that he would be implicated and lost his official position.

"What else can I do?" Pei Jun sighed and said in a long breath: "Since Zhang Huan dared to sign the impeachment, he must have obtained the evidence. Now he can only lose his troops and protect the commander. Otherwise, if Cui Xian lost his official position in front of me, I cannot explain to all officials."

Seeing Pei Yi's eyes showing fear, he smiled coldly and said, "What are you afraid of? I'm not saying you, Ming Dian is going to be dismissed from office. This is certain. Secondly, you should put the responsibility for the leak on the examiner. He insisted that he was intentionally letting the water go. Do you understand?"

The examiner of the imperial examination at the beginning of the year was Yuan Zai, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites. Although he was explicitly dependent on Pei Jun, he was far from being a confidant. Pei Yi thought for a moment and suddenly realized that the elder brother meant to take the initiative to dismantle Pei Mingdian and win the reputation of not being favored, but he did not hurt his bones. He could even put his confidant into the Ministry of Rites. It was a killing kill. Although his son could not be saved, he could still go to the place in the future, but he could cleverly get rid of the suspicion. He couldn't help but exclaim from the heart, "Brother, you are so smart!"

Pei Jun gently stroked his beard and smiled proudly. Zhang Huan wanted to fight him, but he was still a little tender!

At this moment, a burst of rapid footsteps came from outside the door. Pei You strode into the door. His face was extremely serious, and he bowed and said, "Brother, do you know the latest news? Just an hour ago, the officials from the gate suddenly withdrew the two walts outside the Zhuque Gate."

Pei Jun was stunned, "What does this mean?"

"Not only that, Liao Hui, the chief censor, also made a public statement, expressing his intention to withdraw the signature of the impeachment memorandum." Pei You sighed, "First impeached Pei Yi in a high-profile manner, but suddenly withdrew the two knives. Then Liao Hui changed his mind again, but the elder brother did nothing. Do you still not understand Zhang Huan's real intention for these subtle changes?"

Pei Jun's eyes slowly narrowed, "He stood up high and ended in a low-key manner. There is only one possibility for this situation, that is, someone puts strong pressure on him. Who can do this pressure except him Pei Jun? Zhang Huan is indeed drunk. If he guessed correctly, the two should have been put out again now."

Thinking of this, he immediately ordered Pei Danming to say, "You can go to Zhuque Gate and see the two can be there, and report it to me immediately."

"Yes!" Pei Danming turned around and ran away. Pei Jun sat down, closed his eyes and said nothing. Pei You and Pei Yi looked at each other and sat down. The room was very quiet. No one spoke, but just waited quietly for news about Pei Danming.

About half an hour later, the footsteps of the dongdong dong suddenly rang out in the corridor outside. Pei Danming rushed in like a gust of wind and reported loudly: "The head of the family, the two dongs were indeed put out again. Zhang Huan put on his helmet and armor, and led nearly a thousand soldiers to guard the two dongs personally. It was time to go to court. There were almost all officials from various provinces in front of Zhuque Gate, and the momentum was very great."

Pei Jun's eyes slowly opened, and his eyes were filled with loss and helplessness. The leaks of the imperial examinations and impeachment of the Secretariat of the Secretariat were all just a guide from Zhang Huan. He was furious and racked his brains to find a solution. Pei Jun smiled bitterly. Zhang Huan's retraction and release had a very clever grasp of the timing. In this way, the image of the leader of the anti-Pei Party was invisibly established.

At this time, Pei You said slowly: "Brother, there is something I have always wanted to tell you that the Tang Dynasty is not the world of my Pei family. It is not necessarily a good thing for the elder brother to monopolize the power. From this time Zhang Huan used the Si Gu and the imperial examination case to test the reactions of all officials, we can see that a large number of officials in the court were dissatisfied. It is better to take the opportunity to delegate power..."

"Okay!" Pei Jun interrupted him impatiently, "Do you think it's still the same as before, and the seven major families are restraining each other? If I delegate power, who can control Cui Qinggong and Zhu Li? Or what about Li Xilie and Li Huaiguang, they are like wolves and tigers, waiting for the chaos of the court. You think it's simple, delegate power, who will be given to Cui Yu? Then Wang Ang, Chu Xingshui, and Li Mian all came to ask me for power. How can I distribute it? After giving it to them, Cui Qinggong, Zhu Li, and Zhang Huan, what can I use to fill their appetites? Second brother, it's not the time for Cui Yuan to be the prime minister."

"But..." Pei You wanted to argue, but Pei Jun waved his hand and said coldly: "Don't argue with me about this. If you are really willing to help me, go and talk to my son-in-law and ask what he really wants?"

Pei You had no choice but to nodded silently and bowed. Pei Yi next to him waited for him to leave and immediately said: "I heard from my elder brother mention Cui Qinggong and Zhu Li just now, but I have a plan."

Pei Jun smiled faintly and said, "Don't say it, I've made arrangements long ago."

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In early November of the sixth year of Xuanren, on the fourth day of Zhang Huan's entry into Beijing, a storm of accountability suddenly broke out. He impeached the Secretariat of the Secretariat Pei Yi to indulge his son in the imperial examination, which caused an uproar in the court. Some sneered at his officials, while some were full of hope for him, but some were full of deep hatred for him, such as Cui Qinggong, Prince of Ruyang, and Zhu Li, Prince of Hanzhong.

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Chapter completed!