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

Cen Xi narrowed his eyes and said nothing, but his eyes remained on Pei Jiaoran. Her previous intention was to use the passion of scholars to criticize Jia Gonglu and Zhang Rang, which is closely connected with her current composition. She also expressed her willingness to continue working with them.

While Cen Xi was thinking about it, someone had already spoken. He refuted Pei Jiaoran and repeatedly advised: "Mr. Cen, this method is inappropriate. Official positions in the imperial court are limited. If it is true as Pei Shangshu said, wouldn't everyone be able to enter the political affairs hall and become a feudal official?"

Many of these people who persuaded them were ministers with aristocratic family backgrounds. They knew that once they agreed to this method, it would mean dividing their interests. Even the conflict between them and Jia Gonglu is not just a dispute between aristocratic families and poor families. But this cannot be tolerated.

Pei Jiaoran sat with a smile, and a ray of winter light fell on her face. The reason why Cen Xi was quickly pushed into this position after Wang Yu and Wu Changli left the center. It is also because his political views are consistent with theirs. And because of this, what he does must speak from the perspective of the entire interest group. If not, they will try their best to remove him from this position and recommend another person. As for Cen Xi, he will be completely kicked out of the court.

But for Pei Jiaoran, she hoped that Cen Xi could sit in the lower seat for a while longer. If it were anyone else, it would mean that the interests would have to be re-divided, and it might not be as satisfactory as expected. The most important thing is that Cen Xi's image in the eyes of Emperor Wei is far better than that of others. He is very suitable as the hub between the imperial power and the prime minister's power. As for political integrity, how many people have a clear conscience to be able to reach this position? If she tries to start a new business in the future, the situation will be the same.

At this time, Su Jinghui, the assistant minister of Zhongshu, said slowly and calmly: "Pei Shangshu, you are now highly respected and have made many achievements. It seems that you can still take on the position of Zhongshu. Besides, if you don't fight for this position, how can the rest of us dare? ?”

It is not surprising that Pei Jiaoran has many achievements and high moral prestige. But what Su Jinghui said clearly means that you, Pei Jiaoran, don't like Zhongshu Ling now, so that's why you gave it to us. You are unwilling to bear the wind and rain, but let others bear it. But the ultimate winner is still you.

Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and said, "On merit, the right person stays in the right position. Now that Zuozang is in this situation, if I really take office as Zhongshu Ling, the Ministry of Revenue will fall into the hands of Jia Gonglu again. Life will be difficult for you, the imperial court Life is even more difficult."

"Alas..." Cen Xi sighed. He knew what she meant. Right now, both Tobe and Zuozang couldn't live without her. As long as she is promoted to Zhongshu Ling, she will lose the power of the Minister of Household Affairs. Also under the careful arrangement of Emperor Wei, people from Jia Gonglu would naturally take over the household department. This is a situation that none of them can accept.

What's more, the establishment of the Privy Council also increased Zhang Rang's power. Even though his move may have come from the emperor, as a eunuch, he had to make a choice within the clan for his future future. Zhang Rang is obviously closer to King Wu, and his choice may affect the direction of the new king in the future.

Zhang Rang has always been attached to the imperial power. Even if he wants to become a powerful person, he has to put in a lot of efforts. And conspiring with the King of Wu and Jia Gonglu was to ensure that if something happened, he would have a way out. He believed that while Zhang Rang was betting on King Wu, he was also optimistic about the prince and gave him timely reminders.

Pei Jiaoran is now the number one person in the outer dynasty. If she leaves the position of Minister of Household Affairs, Zuozang will fall into Zhang Rang's hands again. By then, the imperial court would be unable to make ends meet, and the abolished exorbitant taxes and miscellaneous taxes would have to be repeated again, and order would fall into chaos. The vassal towns everywhere competed to imitate their predecessors, and the imperial court was unable to negotiate with them and could only compromise and give in to their interests. The situation in the court will be even more distorted.

Cen Xi smiled slightly, "Since Pei Shangshu doesn't want to, I won't force myself. It's just that there are so many talents in the court in the future. If Pei Shangshu has any thoughts about Zhongshu Ling, the road will be even harder." Then he turned to look at the officials. Xie Qi, Minister of the Ministry, said, "Sanlang, please pay more attention to the exams. Although officials of fifth rank and above are selected by Your Majesty, you and I still have to pay attention to talents for Your Majesty."

Hearing this, Xie Qi cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Cen, I will keep an eye on talents for Your Majesty and recruit talents for the imperial court."

Everyone was stunned. They originally thought that Cen Xi would follow their wishes and elect Pei Jiaoran to succeed Zhongshu Ling. But now, the same thing happened and he no longer recommended her to be Zhongshu Ling. Instead, he set his sights on other places.

Pei Jiaoran had a smile on his lips, silently watching the loneliness flashing in Su Jinghui's eyes. Her withdrawal will only make Zhongshu Ling's position even more popular. And Xie Qi's words were also telling her that she was not the only one with talent in the court, and if she didn't want to, there would be others who would.

As for Su Jinghui, it was more like using provocation to force her into the position of Zhongshu Ling. Although she believes that she has the ability to secure this position, it is difficult for her to secure a position that relies on her own abilities and relies on the power and interests of others. She doesn't want such power either.

Cen Xi finally agreed with her decision because he knew that at this time, he could not afford to lose the big for the small. Now Hubu is in their hands. If they lose Hubu in order to let her go out to resist the wind and help her up, it will be more loss than gain. Cen Xi's political bottom line is that when the imperial power and the prime minister's power are in balance, the people live and work in peace and contentment, the country is peaceful and the people are peaceful, and he will be able to leave his name in history in the future.

Under the silent confrontation between all parties, the smile on Pei Jiaoran's face gradually deepened. She is quite satisfied with the results she got now. At least in the short term, threats from imperial power can be avoided.

After getting the desired result, Pei Jiaoran did not stay any longer. He refused Cen Xi's offer to send someone to see him off and left alone. I purposely went around to Pingkangfang.

The afterglow of the setting sun is getting heavier, but there is still a long queue in front of Jia Gonglu's mansion. Almost everyone had a wooden box in their hand.

Looking at everyone, Pei Jiaoran curled his lips. She knew that those people holding the papers in their hands were seeking a way out for themselves. However, their integration is nothing more than becoming new officials and gradually evolving into a new clan.

Even if they are still passionate now, what will happen a hundred years from now? Wouldn't the hot blood in the cavity become cold?

The first sound of the closed-door drum sounded, and Pei Jiaoran just stepped into the square gate.

The sound of horse hoofbeats came from behind.

Pei Jiaoran moved aside, but was called out.

"Jiajia." Li Xiujing got off the horse and led the horse to walk beside her.

"Is something wrong?" Pei Jiaoran turned to look at him and curled his lips, "Did you just come back from school?"

Hearing this, Li Xiujing frowned, "Huh? Could it be that I smell?"

"You are so well-dressed that you can't smell it. It's time to eat. How about we go to Di's restaurant for dinner?" Pei Jiaoran asked with a smile.

"Let's go then. I happen to be hungry too." Li Xiujing said.