mc-med Chapter 270 Yang Ruyi: Lü Xiao's name is really useful.
Chapter 270 Yang Ruyi: Lü Xiao's name is really useful.
"May I ask what brings you two here?"
After ordering tea to be served, Pei Renji spoke up, his face full of doubt.
He had little interaction with these literati; they would only meet briefly when attending court, and exchange only a few words.
"Brother Deben, let's choose a bright path."
Du Ruhui spoke frankly and directly.
"A clear path?"
Now, Pei Renji was even more confused, and his brows furrowed.
What clear path does he have to take?
"The King of Dai widely recruits talented individuals and gathers heroes from all over the land. Brother Deben, do you know why we two should not go and serve the King of Dai?"
Immediately afterwards, Fang Xuanling spoke again, patiently and persuasively.
"Serving His Majesty is the same as serving the Prince of Dai."
Pei Renji really couldn't figure out what these two were up to, so he just said casually.
In his view, His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and the Prince of Dai is the Crown Prince. They are all one family, so it doesn't matter who he is loyal to.
Other court officials formed factions and each had their own independent territory.
These two individuals, however, are entangled with the Prince of Shuo's mansion, their relationship ambiguous.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. After all, the two of them had worked under Lü Xiao before and had a past relationship, so it's normal for them to get close.
"We serve the King of Shuo."
Du Ruhui's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Pei Renji's ears and startling him so much that his teacup trembled.
He even thought he had misheard and was hallucinating.
How can someone who is an official of the emperor serve a prince?
Isn't this all in chaos?
"You, you all..."
Pei Renji opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say, his mind went blank.
The two people's words were so shocking and overturned his understanding of the world.
Isn't this treason? Their entire clan should be exterminated.
"Brother Deben, you know what Pei Yuanqing is thinking. He is loyal to Prince Shuo and has no other intentions."
Du Ruhui urged him from the side, not giving him a chance to catch his breath, "Make a decision as soon as possible."
"We and the Prince of Shuo are all loyal to Your Majesty and devoted to the court."
But the King of Dai didn't think that way; he was constantly on guard and forming factions. We were just looking for a way out.
Fang Xuanling spoke again, and the two of them, working in unison, gave Pei Renji no time to think and pressed him relentlessly.
"Let me think...let me think..."
Pei Renji picked up the teacup with trembling hands, wanting to drink some tea to calm his nerves.
But his hands were shaking so badly that he took a sip and spilled the tea all over himself.
He never imagined that Lü Xiao, who was loyal to His Majesty and risked his life for him, would have such thoughts and secretly plot something.
However, upon reflection, he could understand; from Lü Xiao's perspective, it was understandable.
Emperor Yang Guang was old and his health was deteriorating. He also suffered from illness and had to take medicine every day.
To put it bluntly, he might pass away one day and leave this world.
Yang You, as the crown prince and the future emperor, was close to the powerful families in the court and colluded with them.
Lü Xiao helped Yang Guang deal with and suppress the powerful clans, which made them hate him and see him as a thorn in their side.
Once Yang Guang dies and Yang You ascends the throne, he will surely unite with powerful families to turn against Lü Xiao and settle scores later.
If it were him, he would also take precautions.
"Yuanqing and Prince Shuo have a special relationship. Brother Deben, don't put the child in a difficult position and upset him."
Fang Xuanling said earnestly.
"The Pei family has always regarded your family as a thorn in their side, and you have seen what happened today."
"If you are willing to pledge allegiance to Prince Shuo and stand on our side, the Pei family's inner branch can one day rise from a branch to the main branch, and finally hold your head high!"
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui continued to mutter to themselves, using both soft and hard tactics.
"I... am willing to serve under Prince Shuo!"
Pei Renji was getting a splitting headache from all the nagging, and his mind kept replaying the events of the past few days.
Remembering the faces of the Pei family, he immediately made a decision, gritting his teeth and stamping his foot.
Pei Yuanqing had made up his mind to follow Lü Xiao.
As a father, he really couldn't put his child in a difficult position, or put the child in the middle of a dilemma.
Moreover, he had been frequently ostracized, suppressed, and humiliated by the Pei family these days, and he had had enough of this humiliation.
Rather than groveling and swallowing our anger, we should stand on the opposite side of these people and take a gamble!
Even if he chose the wrong side and lost, he could still say that he stood with his son through thick and thin, and died without regret.
Moreover, being able to drag the Pei family down with them is definitely a win-win situation.
If they win, from now on, the Pei family's main branch will be the head branch, and let's see who dares to look down on them!
"Come on, leave your handprint."
Fang Xuanling took out a folded piece of parchment from his bosom, slowly unfolded it, and placed it on the table.
Above, the names of court officials and their handprints were written in dense text.
This means that these people are all on the side of the Prince Shuo's Mansion.
If anything happens, we're all in the same boat; no one can escape. We'll share the good times and the bad.
"..."
Pei Renji glanced at the list, and some familiar names caught his eye, a sight that was both shocking and disturbing.
Especially noteworthy is the name Lü Xiao, which is prominently displayed at the top of the list, written in a vigorous and powerful style.
From top to bottom, there were also the names of some court officials, some of whom he recognized and some of whom he did not.
I never expected that Prince Shuo would win over so many people?
They've been secretly plotting this for so long?
He thought Lü Xiao was just a reckless brute who only knew how to fight.
"Press it."
Fang Xuanling urged.
"it is good."
Without hesitation, Pei Renji picked up a pen and wrote his name.
Then he bit his finger, used his blood, and solemnly pressed it onto the mark, leaving a bright red handprint.
From then on, he was also on that list.
One glory and one glory.
Goodbye.
Having settled things with Pei Renji, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui did not linger any longer. They put away the parchment, got up to take their leave, and hurried away.
They quietly returned to the Prince of Shuo's residence and carefully handed the parchment to Yang Ruyi.
"Very well, thank you both for your hard work."
Yang Ruyi was very satisfied after reading it, and a smile appeared on her face.
It's all thanks to her husband's reputation; the moment Lü Xiao is mentioned, these people obediently comply.
In an instant, he won over so many people, and now he has the majority of the court under his control.
Hopefully, Lü Xiao won't be angry when he finds out, blaming her for acting on her own initiative.
However, no matter what, she was doing it for her son's sake and for the future of the Lü family.
Surely the father would understand?
I think so?
"Achoo!"
Lu Xiao, who had just disembarked from the ship and arrived in Jingzhou, couldn't stop sneezing.
"Your Highness, I know that. It's because the princess misses you."
Yuwen Chenglong said from the side.
"She doesn't miss me at all!"
Lu Xiao knew exactly what Yang Ruyi was thinking; she was probably muttering about him while secretly plotting something.
That spendthrift woman, she acts under her own name all day long.
His reputation as a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty is about to be completely ruined!