At the turn of the day, a bolt of lightning circled the gloomy sky like a ferocious silver snake, and then there was a loud "Ka La La" thunder, which shook the window lattice, and the drizzle was replaced by the downpour. The rain became heavier and heavier, and the sky and the earth were gray. In one piece, no one within dozens of steps could be seen.
The living room of Prince Wei's Mansion was brightly lit with candles and filled with cigarette smoke. Yang Ji, Xiao Jing, and Pei Xuanji sat opposite each other, with Hao Yuan accompanying them on one side.
Yang Ji looked at his two gentle brothers-in-law and asked, "The two brothers are here to visit. I don't know why?"
"Brother Xian, I, a descendant of the Xiao family, sent a secret report from Jiangxia, Jingzhou. You will know after reading it." Xiao Jing took out an opened letter with a solemn expression and handed it to Yang Ji with both hands.
Yang Ji took the paper from Xiao Jing and after reading it, his face suddenly became gloomy.
The Southern Navy has five naval bases, namely Xiangyang on the Han River, Nanjun, Jiangxia, Jiujiang, and Jiangdu along the Yangtze River; and the naval base in Jiangxia County is the headquarters of the Southern Navy. A few days ago, the imperial court decided to send 70% of the main force of the Southern Navy to the north to serve as the cornerstone of the Northern Navy. However, the Southern Navy Headquarters caught fire on a rainy night. Although the military and civilians tried their best to save it, it was hidden in the treasury. The eucalyptus slips and account books were reduced to a pile of ashes.
After this fire, the revenue and expenditure records and audited revenue and expenditure details of the Southern Navy in the past ten years were burned and disappeared. The clues to anti-corruption were suddenly cut off. Zhou Fashang, the commander-in-chief of the Northern Navy, wanted to track down the 70% Whether the main generals are corrupt or not is no longer a question.
"These naval generals actually burned eucalyptus slips and destroyed evidence of their crimes. They are really audacious and lawless." Yang Ji raised his eyes from the paper and asked Xiao Jing, "Brother, is this news credible?"
"Absolutely trustworthy." Xiao Jing nodded and said solemnly: "Brother, several of my Xiao family members work as clerks at Jiangxia Naval Base. It is said that after the fire in the official office, Deputy Governor Wang Changxi has already managed the documents and account books. All relevant civil servants were arrested and dismissed for dereliction of duty. After hearing the news, Liu Ren'en, the governor of Jingzhou and the chief inspector of the Southern Navy, left Jiangling County, Nan County, the capital of the state, and went to Jiangxia to investigate the cause of the fire."
Yang Ji put down the letter in his hand and said with a cold smile: "The generals must have a guilty conscience, so they set fire to the files. But they thought too much."
The burning of all the account books of the Southern Navy Headquarters did make the accounting work more difficult, but every money and food allocated by the court was recorded in detail. After clear statistics and checking with the court's account books, the approximate number can be deduced.
"Sixth brother (Xiao Jue) and Duke Pei said the same thing." Xiao Jing glanced at Pei Xuanji, who was silent, and then turned to Yang Ji.
"What do they think of this matter?" Yang Ji asked casually.
Xiao Jing's eyes were cold, and he said sharply: "Wang Changxi controlled the Southern Navy for sixteen years. During this period, I don't know how many deficits were caused, how many vacancies were eaten, and how much military pay was withheld. The sixth brother thinks The navy's move north and the fire at the headquarters are the opportunity to get to the bottom of it."
"My dear brother, my father means the same thing." Pei Xuanji bowed to Yang Ji and said, "The imperial court's vigorous rectification of the Beijing army has long been spread throughout the world, but these greedy people still don't know how to restrain themselves and still despise the national law. , are still gnawing away at the foundation of our Sui Dynasty like moths, so my father thinks that either we don’t investigate, or once we do, we will wipe out these moths in the country.”
The Xiao family and the Pei family unanimously chose to cooperate because Yang Ji was the son-in-law of the two families; the Dugu family and the Dou family also came together because they had common interests in Li Yuan. The difference is that because Li Yuan was too weak, he received the full support of the Dugu family and the Dou family; and Yang Ji was not only the banner of the royal family, but also the head of the Wei family and one of the representatives of the poor family, so the Pei and Xiao families were treating At the time of Yang Jizhi, he had the mentality of both cooperation and competition, which also made the relationship between the three parties not as close as the first three.
Among the three families of Yang, Xiao and Pei, the relationship between the Xiao and Pei families is much closer than that of Yang Xiao and Yang Pei. However, this kind of distant, friend-like-enemy relationship is actually not a bad thing. At the very least, this kind of relationship can serve as a taboo; if it is too close, it will be of no benefit to anyone. But if they are separated, it is easy for the three families to drift apart.
Xiao,
The Pei family reached a cooperative relationship on the issue of the Northern Navy. The Hedong gentry faction headed by the Pei family recognized and maintained Zhou Fashang's status as the governor, while the southern gentry faction headed by the Xiao family recommended Pei Renji to join after agreeing that Zhou Fashang was stable. Become a general in the Northern Navy.
This time, Xiao Cong and Xiao Jue asked Xiao Jing and Pei Ju to ask Pei Xuanji to come to the palace to visit Yang Ji. They asked him to ask about Yang Ji's attitude towards the Southern Navy. If Yang Ji was willing to participate and give full play to his role, If he plays the role of the most popular person in the dynasty, then when dealing with the Guanlong nobles and recommending Pei Renji, it will definitely have twice the result with half the effort; in addition, Xiao Jue and Pei Ju also hope that the relationship between the three parties will be deepened in this battle, rather than having After the estrangement, they gradually drifted apart.
"As it should be!" Yang Ji nodded. He pondered for a moment and said to his two brothers-in-law, "But the two brothers went back and told their father-in-law and sixth brother that I would not be involved in this matter."
Xiao Jue and Pei Ju have their own plans, and Yang Ji also has his own ideas.
The Northern Navy founded by Yang Guang is based on 70% of the original Navy. Once this army arrives in Donglai County, Zhou Fashang, the commander-in-chief of the Northern Navy, will reorganize this army and eliminate the bad apples in the army one by one. Although he was loyal to the emperor's orders, when he laid off the black sheep, the Guanlong nobles whose interests were harmed, as well as the Guanzhong nobles, Shandong nobles, Hedong nobles, and the Central Plains nobles all thought that he was working for the southern nobles. The southern gentry also believed that he was trying to help the southern gentry to dismount the sons of the Guanlong nobles, so that they would have more seats to choose from and more seats to divide, and they would feel confident in talking to the Guanlong nobles!
This is determined by the region. Even if Zhou Fashang himself does not admit it and does not really think so, others will not believe it at all. Just because of his place of origin, he had already been classified as one of the southern gentry.
The vacancies created by Zhou Fashang's reorganization and formation of the Northern Navy were actually given by Yang Guang to the Guanlong nobles and the Southern nobles, Guanzhong nobles, Shandong nobles, Hedong nobles, and Central Plains nobles to compete for, but at the same time, they also provoked The "sugar-coated bullet" of the dispute between the six major factions.
In Yang Ji's eyes, Yang Guang, who single-handedly led this dispute, was actually Eris, the goddess of strife in Greek mythology. Eris took advantage of the jealousy and beauty of the three goddesses, and just used a dog with the words "To the most beautiful" engraved on it. The goddess "Golden Apple" triggered the epic showdown of the "Battle of Troy"; and Yang Guang was much more. He used countless enviable military positions in the Northern Navy to trigger the six major factions. of disputes.
Today's deputy commander of the Southern Navy, Wang Changxi, is a descendant of Wang Xiong, one of the twelve generals of the Western Wei Dynasty. He served as Yang Su's deputy general during the Sui Dynasty's battle to destroy Chen, and made great contributions to the Sui Dynasty. Since the former governor Liu Ren'en was promoted to the general manager of Jingzhou, he has been exercising the power of the governor as deputy governor. Many of his subordinates are descendants of Guanlong nobles. If these people were not embezzling and deducting military pay, Yang Ji would not believe it at all.
If he participates, he will definitely gain a lot. However, in this battle for military power, the emperor is the referee, and everyone in the royal family, including him and Yang Zhao, must be spectators. Whoever gets involved out of greed will take the six The huge backlash of the big factions has attracted the emperor and the royal family, so whoever is the sinner of the royal family will inevitably receive the most severe punishment.
Because Yang Ji understood the many profound meanings attached to Yang Guang's role in the Northern Navy, he was burned out and did not even recommend him as a soldier.
Hearing this, Xiao Jing and Pei Xuanji were both stunned. After all, Xiao Jing is a descendant of the emperor, and is older and more experienced than Pei Xuanji. After thinking about it for a while, he already had some understanding in his heart.
Pei Xuanji was very puzzled. Seeing Xiao Jing deep in thought and silent, he couldn't help but said to Yang Ji: "Brother, on the issue of the Northern Navy, if the three of us work together, we will definitely gain a lot. This move is beneficial to the country, the army, and ourselves. Why don’t you participate, dear brother? Is there some concern?”
"I do have some concerns! First, I don't know much about the Navy, and there is no help from the DPRK. A few days later, I will even accompany you on the northern patrol. If I participate rashly, it will be detrimental to the country and harmful to myself; Yang Ji stared at Pei Xuanji for a long time and said with a smile: "Secondly, it is not appropriate for me to participate in this matter. As for the reason, I am not in a position to say it, but my father-in-law must know it. You only need to tell him this and he will understand me." Difficulties."
Xiao Jue, Pei Ju and their positions
They are different, and they put themselves and their own faction's interests first; above the Northern Navy, they looked at the Northern Navy with the eyes of courtiers, only coveting the opportunities contained in it, thus ignoring or deliberately ignoring Yang Ji's situation and Embarrassed, he planned to let Yang Ji enter; but Yang Ji also valued himself. If he participated, the result would be that he would exert his greatest strength, but what he would get would not be actual gain, but the emperor's dissatisfaction, so Out of his own considerations, he would naturally not participate foolishly.
Xiao Jing roughly guessed what Yang Ji's concerns were. After hearing these words, she vaguely sensed that Yang Ji was dissatisfied with the Xiao family and the Pei family. He was worried that the inexperienced Pei Xuanji would press the matter to the end, causing Yang Ji to reveal his dissatisfaction, causing the three of them to break up on bad terms. He quickly changed the topic and said in a tone of asking for advice and discussion: "Xiandi brother My sixth brother believes that General Pei Renji is a capable and experienced general, and he is interested in recommending him as the general of the Northern Navy. At the same time, he also wants to listen to my brother's opinion. I wonder what your brother thinks?"
After hearing this, Hao Yuan, who was silent, couldn't help but glance at Xiao Jing. What he said was too level and clever: first, he stated in front of Pei Xuanji that Xiao and Pei cooperated. "Earnest Hope", and Xiao's attitude towards "Pei Renji", and then said as if everything was based on Yang Ji's opinion.
However, Pei Xuanji was listening nearby, and Yang Ji was too embarrassed to speak out even if he wanted to object. But the most powerful thing about his words was that they sounded like flowing clouds and flowing water, without any intention of forcing Yang Ji to express his position under the influence of "Pei Xuanji", which made both Yang Ji and him feel very comfortable.
Awesome, really awesome.
This child of the Xiao family, who has no sense of presence in the officialdom, seems to be silent, unremarkable, and has accomplished nothing, but now it seems that this person is also a powerful character who cannot be underestimated. He should be more careful in the future.
Just when Hao Yuan silently recorded Xiao Jing in his little notebook, Yang Ji nodded frequently and said with deep approval: "General Pei is an extremely good general and is also a relative of mine. Since Xiao Jing If you care so much, I won't just sit idly by."
Pei Renji is the father of Pei Xingyan, and he is also a rare general and handsome man in the Pei family. He is proficient in land and water warfare, and once led a naval charge in the battle to eliminate the Chen Dynasty in the Sui Dynasty, making great contributions to the Sui Dynasty; he was later Yang Jian was awarded the honorary officer of Yitong and concurrently served as the bodyguard of Prince Yang Liang's palace as Yitong.
When Yang Liang decided to rebel, Pei Renji, who was the bodyguard, not only refused to obey, but also tried hard to persuade Yang Liang that there was no future for rebellion and asked Yang Liang to give up his impossible fantasy. In anger, Yang Liang imprisoned him in Taiyuan City. The prisoner told him that he would be killed after success. Soon, Yang Liang's rebellion failed. Yang Guang praised Pei Renji for his loyalty and promoted him to the army guard.
The guards here are different from the guards of the Prince's Palace. They are the generals of the previous Twelve Guards Palace. Each guard has four guards. After Yang Guang changed the Twelve Guards Palace to the Sixteenth Guards Palace, he abandoned it. The name of the guard was changed to General Hu Benlang. Although his rank was lowered by three levels, his actual strength was not reduced.
Xiao's recommendation of General Yang Guang's confidant to be the Northern Navy Admiral was obviously a decision made after careful consideration; and Pei, who had the key to cooperation with Xiao, was obviously not recommending people indiscriminately, nor was he maliciously making things difficult for his partners.
As for the reason why Yang Ji is so "arrogant", the main reason is that he has information that no one knows: First, just yesterday afternoon, Yang Guang discussed with him that Hu Benlang would be a general of this level. Finally, under his suggestion, Yang Guang It has been decided to replace all the sixty-four tiger generals in the Sixteenth Guards with confidants, but Pei Renji is not on the list that Yang Guang is ready to replace, which shows that this is someone Yang Guang regards as a confidant.
Second, regarding the establishment of the Northern Navy, Yang Ji knew that Yang Guang played the role of the "Goddess of Dispute" and wished that all political forces would be involved in the Northern Navy. Once Xiao Jue and Pei Ju sent Pei Renji up, he would completely fall into Yang Guang's plan. in the trap.
When the two are combined, Yang Guang will agree to it, and there is no need for Yang Ji to recommend it. But no fool would accept this free favor.
Hao Yuan also knew this and immediately stood up to cooperate; with a dark face, he said angrily: "Your Majesty, you must not do it."
This is what Yang Ji was waiting for, and asked "unpleasantly": "Why not
Can? "
"Your Majesty!" Hao Yuan took a deep breath and said earnestly: "You are no longer the same as before. You are not only the King of Wei and the Mu of Liangzhou, but also the Secretary of the Order, the Minister of Military Affairs of the School, and the General Zuo Yiwei. You It can no longer be sealed. At this time, it should, should..."
Hao Yuan didn't say what it should be, but the other three people understood what he meant, that is, you have already achieved great success, and you can no longer recommend Pei Renji, who is related to you. Otherwise, it will do you no good at all. .
Yang Ji fell silent immediately. When Xiao Jing and Pei Xuanji looked anxious, frustrated, and disappointed, he slowly said to Hao Yuan: "The so-called talent should not avoid relatives. I can't avoid it just because of personal reasons." The great talent who is related to me...General Pei, I have decided to recommend him."
Hao Yuan raised his head and said: "Your Majesty, this is a way to bring disaster, it's not allowed..."
"That's enough." Yang Ji interrupted Hao Yuan with a wave of his hand and assured his two brothers-in-law: "Brothers, I personally value General Pei very much. Since the Xiao family also has this intention, as long as Prime Minister Xiao recommends it, I will I will mention it in front of the saint. Even if the saint does not agree, I will "remonstrate to the death", even if it makes the saint unhappy. "
Xiao Jing and Pei Xuanji did not have the "Eye of God" of Yang Ji and Hao Yuan. After the two of them corresponded like this, they also knew that Yang Ji, who had "high achievements and shocked the master", was under tremendous pressure; after hearing Yang Ji's decision , the two of them were moved, moved, and ashamed. They stood up and saluted in unison, inheriting this favor on behalf of their families: "Thank you, dear brother. No matter whether it is successful or not, everyone in my Xiao family and Pei family will be grateful." .”
The basis for the cooperation between the Xiao and Pei families in the northern navy was Pei Renji's ability to serve as a general; and under the unspoken rules of officialdom, Pei Ju needed to "recruit talents and avoid relatives." At most, he could help at critical moments. In other words, whether Pei Renji can go out as a general mainly depends on the strength of the Xiao family.
If the Xiao family succeeds, the Hedong faction headed by the Pei family will do their best to help Zhou Fashang secure his position as the governor of the northern navy, and will do their best to help the southern nobles headed by the Xiao family resist the counterattack of the Guanlong nobles. If unsuccessful, the Hedong faction will fight for their own interests based on the progress of the situation. The meaning of sneaking in is that once the southern nobles cannot compete with the Guanlong nobles, the Hedong faction will follow the Guanlong nobles to suppress the southern nobles.
Therefore, this matter seems to be only related to Pei Renji, and it seems to be only related to the Pei family and the Hedong faction. In fact, it is also related to the Xiao family and the southern gentry. It is also related to the relationship between the two families and the two factions. Therefore, the two families are not only concerned about this matter. They are all interested in it, and they are also uneasy.
Compared with Pei, Xiao's pressure is undoubtedly countless times greater, so Xiao Jing is particularly grateful and ashamed at this moment, and her heart is even heavier.
When he and Pei Xuanji said goodbye and left, as soon as they left the palace gate, they solemnly said to Pei Xuanji: "My dear brother, Wenhui has taken a huge risk. If General Pei can really become an official, our two families will owe us everything." I really don’t know how to repay the favor.”
Pei Xuanji sighed and said: "Human feelings are like heaven, no one can "understand" them, they must be expressed with real actions, otherwise, our family will be cast aside and unable to stand in the world. "
"That's right." Xiao Jing nodded with a heavy heart. Their original intention was to give Yang Ji a proper push, but somehow, it ended up like this.
Now Yang Ji is just risking his future, wealth and life to help them.
How could they repay this huge favor?
The key is that they themselves also know the consequences of helping them, which makes people unable to rely on them even if they want to.
