After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

Although there was a Qingming holiday as a cover, Pei Jiaoran did not dare to make it too public. After parting ways with Zhou Mancao, he moved into Xuandu Temple in Chang'an City in the name of praying for his ancestors.

The peach blossoms in Xuandu Temple bloom at the right time, clusters stacked together. Pilgrims came and went in an endless stream, all with some peach petals on their bodies.

A little boy hurried towards Pei Jiaoran and said in a low voice: "Madam, the master of the house asks you to come to the house tonight at first watch."

"Okay." After that, Pei Jiaoran stuffed twenty coins into the Taoist boy's hand, "Take it to buy delicious food. You've worked hard today."

When the Taoist boy heard this, he smiled and said something to the Infinite Heavenly Lord. He took the copper coins from Pei Jiaoran's hand and left happily.

Looking around, Pei Jiaoran put down the white gauze on his hat. Sneaking into the crowd, he followed the crowd and wandered around Xuandu Temple. We rushed to Chongrenfang, where Li's residence is located in Wuchang, just before closing time.

Standing in front of the window of Didian's bedroom, Pei Jiaoran's eyes wandered on the street. Chongyifang is the residence of high-ranking officials, so once it is closed, it is much deserted than other places. Except for a few restaurants that are still in business, others have closed their doors early.

After the lights in the last restaurant were turned off, Pei Jiaoran put on his black hood and quietly left the restaurant. Walking towards Wuchangli's mansion by moonlight.

There were already servants waiting at the back door when they saw Pei Jiaoran coming. Holding the lamp, he stepped forward to guide her.

"Pei Shijun, my husband is already waiting in the house." The servant bowed and said.

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran nodded and said thank you. He walked forward slowly and knocked on the door.

"Creak" the door opened. Wu Lingjia, who opened the door, smiled at her and pointed at the purple-robed senior official behind him.

"Aye, I've been waiting for you for a while. I'm guarding the door for you two."

When Shi Ran entered, Pei Jiaoran bowed his head. Looking at Wu Changli who looked calm in front of him, he said warmly: "Master Wu."

"Sit down." Wuchang Li raised his hand to pour tea for him.

The hot tea is put into the cup and the mist rises. The two looked at each other through the mist, both smiling.

"It's said that Mr. Changli and I haven't seen each other for six years." Pei Jiaoran took a sip of tea, "I wonder how Mr. Changli is doing lately?"

Looking up at Pei Jiaoran, Wuchangli stroked his beard and said, "Very good. Qingjia has lived up to my expectations. Now he has reached a high position and is in charge of people's livelihood. It is really gratifying to me."

Pei Jiaoran was personally selected by him from among the scholars. Compared with other people who took the initiative to recognize him as the host, he still liked this young man who was somewhat talented and arrogant. Regardless of whether he comes from a noble family or not, his political vision is far better than others. Facts have proved that he was right.

This young female champion's thunderous methods in governance are impressive. But in just a few years, he has become a high-ranking official in purple robes.

"Mr. Changli, you already know my intention. There is no need to say these polite words." Pei Jiaoran said indifferently.

It's not that she doesn't want to reminisce with Wuchang Li, it's just that the so-called host relationship between the two is more about each getting what he needs. In order to avoid trouble, she temporarily stayed in Tongzhou as the governor and had her own considerations. But Wuchang Li's return to Chang'an was beyond her expectation, and now she needs the other party's support for her visit. She also didn't believe that Wuchang Lihui didn't know what her purpose was.

Seeing that Pei Jiaoran had already started the topic, Wuchang Li did not mince words, "It took a lot of effort for Jia and Wang to kick you out of the situation in Chang'an. It will not be easy for you to come back. Besides, your new law in Tongzhou has not been successful yet. Why come back at this time. I know you are worried about the war situation in Heshuo, but now is not the time."

"I know. So I'm waiting for an opportunity."

Looking at Pei Jiaoran, Wu Changli didn't answer the question. He knew that although on the surface it seemed that Wang Yu was the one who persuaded His Majesty to cut down the vassal vassal, she was actually the one behind it. She conspired with Li Xiujing of the Shence Army to facilitate the Shence Army's expedition to Heshuo to conquer the three towns.

As far as the situation a few years ago was concerned, the imperial court's attitude towards the three towns was indulgent, putting more efforts into the central government's endless internal consumption. The imperial examination-poor commoners party headed by Jia Gonglu colluded with eunuchs such as Zhang Rang and intended to support the son of Concubine Zhang, and these aristocratic families were more interested in the prince. Political dividends also come from this, and they will receive more rewards if the prince successfully ascends the throne.

He elected Pei Jiaoran as the magistrate of Jinyang County on that day, also hoping to take the opportunity to find out Jia Gonglu's embezzlement of money and bring him down. She is not from an aristocratic family, but she has a very high political vision. Even he himself is ashamed of this.

Now she and Li Xiujing conspired to ask His Majesty to send the Shence Army to attack the three towns of Heshuo. Undoubtedly, he suppressed the internal fighting in the center under the war, and at the same time took the opportunity to show his political skills in front of His Majesty.

It's just that the current situation may not be within her control.

Wu Changli looked at the candlestick on the table, pointed at the candlelight and said: "I remember that when I met you in the past, you also had a lamp on the table. Do you know that what you are doing now is like a moth rushing to the fire, how can you burn yourself? It’s something to be stingy about.”

Understanding the deep meaning of Wuchang Li's words, Pei Jiaoran replied, "I am already at the height of the wave and cannot escape. But what does Duke Changli think His Majesty wants in bringing you back? Can you really control Jia Gonglu and Wang Yu now?" ?You are also in the game."

Wuchang Li glanced at Pei Jiaoran, with a hint of smile in his eyes, "How do you know I can't break the game? What's more, who says you can't break the game when you're in the game? Qing Jiamo was blinded by the mist and didn't know the abyss was at his feet."

"If the situation can be broken, how can Duke Changli only be in the position of Grand Master?" Pei Jiaoran smiled and saw that his cup was empty. He poured tea for him again, and said in a gentle tone, "Wang Yu has no capacity for others, let alone the talent of Jia Gonglu, and he is jealous of talents. The teacher's return to Beijing is what he did to push me into danger."

"But you didn't expect it yourself. Jia Gonglu would reveal the news to Wang Hui and let him become Chao Cuo." Wuchang Li said leisurely.

He thought that not only did he see through Pei Jiaoran's tricks, but Jia Gonglu probably also saw through her tricks.

Raising his head to meet Wuchang Li's gaze, Pei Jiaoran touched his lips. She really didn't expect that Jia Gonglu would see through her trick and reveal the news to Wang Yu. But this does not affect her layout. Anyway, either of these two people can do Chao Cuo. All she needed was a vacant position in the center, and she filled it with the power she had accumulated. The center is now in chaos. Wang Yu seems to have the upper hand, but in fact she has fallen into the trap set by Jia Gonglu through her hands.

Pei Jiaoran turned to look at the ray of moonlight coming from the window behind him, closed his eyes and sighed, "It doesn't matter who Chao Cuo is anymore. The important thing is that the feudal town is attacking Qingjun in the name of killing Wang Yu. But right now Zuozang can't make ends meet. , the Shence Army's conquest may end at any time. In order to quell the anger of the feudal town, the imperial court can only kill Wang Yu to appease the public anger. Once Wang Yu died, the feudal town stopped its troops. But the court will also lose the ability to restrict the feudal town. Teacher, really Do you hope to see the vassal town continue to grow?"

After speaking, Pei Jiaoran suddenly stood up and pulled out the sword that Wuchang Li had placed on the desk beside him. The blade of the sword embraced the clear moonlight, and she stroked the spine of the sword with her fingers. "The arrow is on the string, so it has to be fired. It was my idea to force the three towns to rebel in the name of reducing their troops, just because I wanted to consolidate power for the central government. Now Zuozang He fell into the hands of the eunuch again, like a giant beetle attached to the body of the empire. If it remains like this, the imperial court is in danger. Qingjia is willing to enter danger again to eliminate traitors and traitors for the country."

Wuchang Li looked at Pei Jiaoran in the distance and smiled, "It's appropriate to use your words to deceive others, but not to deceive me. Qingjia, you didn't hide the ambition in your eyes."

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran bowed his hands and said, "I'm already here, how can I go on without ambition? If Teacher can help me take charge of the household department again, I can protect the future of the Wu family."

"You and I can't decide how long the Wu family will last." Wuchang Li narrowed his eyes and looked at her meaningfully, "But if you want to return to the Ministry of Revenue, you still have to find an opportunity. Now the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is The puppet supported by Jia Gonglu is far inferior to you in terms of means of making money. So you have to give him a stumbling block, and you can only come back after he falls."

After saying this, Wuchang Li closed his eyes. Obviously he wanted to stop the conversation here.

After seeing through what Wuchang Li was thinking, Pei Jiaoran stood up and left very wisely.