Chapter 226 Pei Jing User Manual
She looked embarrassed and pondered for a moment before saying, "It's not impossible to borrow some help, but although the people around me have some skills, they are still inferior to the guards of Zhaoning Palace. Since you want to attack her while she is traveling, you have to choose a secluded place and calculate the timing carefully."
Seeing that she had given in, Jiang Linyuan said, "Thank you very much. Since you are willing to help me, I will start planning and find the right opportunity to get rid of her."
Jiang Linyuan said nothing more, put the porcelain bottle in his pocket, and disappeared into the alley under the cover of night.
In the carriage, Wei Ciying looked at Jiang Linyuan's disappearing back and slowly put away her smile.
The combination of internal and external forces is enough to destroy Jiang Rufei.
As for Jiang Linyuan, after Jiang Rufei is eliminated, he will be the next one.
The wheels of the carriage rolled over the broken snow and merged into the depths of the night. Jiang Linyuan walked out of the alley and looked in the direction where the carriage was going away. His eyes darkened and he stood there for a moment before disappearing into the night.
…
For several days in a row, Pei Jing arrived at the hall on time to participate in meetings, but he was never too lazy to speak.
In the first few days, he sat obediently in the assigned seat, but in the next two days he was more casual. He just chose a seat by the window and brought a storybook from home to pass the time.
The charcoal fire in the hall was burning brightly, warming the painted beams and pillars a little, and a heated debate was underway in the hall.
The Grand Minister of Agriculture held the plan book in his hand and said with a worried look on his face, "This winter's snowfall has been exceptionally heavy. Several prefectures in the northern border have been completely blocked by blizzards, and countless civilians' houses have collapsed. News of people dying of frostbite and starvation arrives daily. It's estimated that we'll need at least 300,000 taels to deal with the emergency."
The Grand Marshal immediately declared, "The border troops' rations and salaries must be disbursed next month and must not be delayed. The border troops guard the country's borders. If winter payments are delayed, the morale of the soldiers will be chilled, and the northern border defenses will be shaken, with disastrous consequences."
"But the people have suffered from this snowstorm. If the court doesn't provide comfort, there might be unrest." Situ looked troubled. "On one hand, there's military defense, and on the other hand, there's the people's livelihood. Both are urgent matters."
Several people held different opinions, and their voices gradually grew louder. Even the eunuchs standing with their heads bowed could not help but glance at the throne.
Pei Jing turned the page with his fingertips and saw that the sour scholar in the storybook mistook the matchmaker for his fiancée. He couldn't help laughing, "What an idiot."
The laughter died down and the arguing in the hall came to an abrupt end.
Everyone turned their heads, even Emperor Zhaowen on the throne looked at Pei Jing with a gloomy expression.
The gaze on him seemed to have substance. Pei Jing slowly raised his eyes, closed the book, and rested his chin on it, his smile still lingering: "Why are you looking at me? You can discuss your own affairs, and I will take care of mine. Don't pay any attention to me."
Emperor Zhaowen stared at him for a moment, but ultimately did not rebuke him. He said, "Continue."
After some tug-of-war, the gap of 300,000 remains unresolved.
Pei Jing suddenly snapped the book shut, straightened his robe, and said casually, "Two years ago, the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau had a backlog of tribute silk. It was originally intended to be awarded to the royal family. Why not sell it at a discount and allow merchants to exchange food, fodder, and cotton clothes for silver? This would not only meet the need for disaster relief, but also save the trouble of transporting grain. The merchants get a bargain, and the people get a life-saving gift. It's a win-win situation."
The Grand Minister of Agriculture's eyes lit up. "Those silks are all top-grade. Merchants will definitely be willing to exchange them! Converting them, three hundred thousand won't be a problem, and the winter military pay won't need to be touched!"
The Grand Marshal still had doubts, "Selling the tribute would be disgraceful."
Pei Jing flipped a page of the storybook and said without looking up, "Let the living breathe first, then we can talk about dignity."
The general choked and didn't know what to say.
"Prince Zhaoning's words make sense," Emperor Zhaowen said. "Disaster relief is urgent, so there's no need to stick to old rules. The Minister of Rites will oversee this matter immediately."
"I obey the decree!"
The deadlock was instantly resolved, and everyone looked at Pei Jing with a more complicated look.
This prince seems to be careless, but his mind is clearer than anyone else. It would be better if he was not a madman.
Emperor Zhaowen looked at Pei Jing. In terms of insight, the other princes really couldn't compare to Pei Jing. It was a pity that they were delayed in their childhood.
The eldest prince Pei Yi held the jade pendant so tightly that it almost dug into his flesh. Pei Jing's action undoubtedly revealed his true strength in front of the emperor and the ministers, and his position was likely to become even more unstable.
Pei Jing suddenly looked out the window. The sun was already past its zenith. He casually rolled up the storybook into his sleeve and slowly stood up.
"Please wait and discuss. I'll be leaving first."
Emperor Zhaowen frowned and said in a deep voice, "The affairs in the palace haven't been discussed yet, why are you so anxious?"
Pei Jing said, "As for the rest, I can't help you much."
He paused, then changed the subject, his tone a bit deliberately boastful. "If you keep listening, I'll have to go back and comfort her. My wife is waiting for me at home, and I really can't leave her alone. I'm afraid she'll get mad if I'm away for too long."
Emperor Zhaowen opened his mouth, but was afraid that if he continued, he would talk about the relationship between wife and husband, which would be annoying. In the end, he waved his hand and said, "Forget it, go."
Pei Jing returned to the palace and asked as soon as he entered: "Did she come to see me?"
The concierge was stunned by this nonsensical question. After a long while, he stammered in reply, "My lord, no, I haven't heard of the news reaching here."
Pei Jing waved his hand impatiently and walked straight in.
As he entered Xiesongzhai, he ran into the maid serving tea. "Wait, has she come to see me today?"
The maidservant said truthfully, "My Lord, the young lady hasn't been looking for you for half a day."
Pei Jing stopped immediately and stood still under the eaves, his face clearly showing some displeasure. "Tell me, why didn't she come to me?"
Duan Jiu stood behind him and replied carefully, "Miss knows that the prince is busy with important matters, so she will not disturb him."
Pei Jing nodded slightly. Yes, that makes sense. He is so sensible that it makes people feel distressed.
As he spoke, he walked briskly into the room.
It was very lively inside. Jiang Fei pulled Wen Zhu and the maid to sit around the table, holding cards in their hands, and everyone had some notes stuck on their faces.
Seeing Pei Jing coming back, he said, "Wait a moment, wait until I finish this fight."
Pei Jing walked over to her, glanced at the card game, then glanced at the room, and asked, "Isn't Jiutao here to serve?"
Suddenly, there was a rustling sound from the opposite side. The maid opposite lifted up the white strips covering her face, revealing a pair of eyes.
"My Lord, I am here."
Pei Jing: "..."
After the game was over, there were a few more notes on Jiutao's face. When she was packing up to go out, she almost bumped into the door, which made Jiang Fei laugh.
After the maids had all left, Pei Jing reached out and pulled her into his arms, stroking the back of her head and saying, "You don't have to be so sensible."
Jiang Fei was stunned, looked up at him, and said blankly: "What do you mean by sensible?"
Pei Jing pressed her back into his arms and said seriously, "If you miss me, you don't have to hold it in. Just send someone to the palace to call me."
"No..." Jiang Fei reacted now.
She had now mastered Pei Jing's instructions, and immediately changed the subject, saying in a drawn-out tone, "Yes, I do miss you."
Pei Jing felt relaxed all over, but then he started to feel distressed again.
Poor Xiao Cui, she can only bear it. She can't stand being separated for a while. It seems that she will have to take him with her wherever she goes in the future.
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