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

"Prime Minister Pei, please be careful with your words. Your Majesty is in his prime, so how could he allow evil people to cause chaos?" Cui Shao glanced at her, with a hint of resentment in his tone.

Pei Jiaoran smiled, "The Cui family is a well-known family, and they have been observing the court for many years. I think they have a good idea."

When Cui Shao heard these words, his expression changed instantly.

Seeing Cui Shao's expression becoming quite embarrassed, Pei Jiaoran curled her lips. It wasn't that she was deliberately being quick to speak, but she really didn't like the Cui family recently. Now that the crisis has emerged, the Cui family still wants to sit back and watch and reap the benefits. How could she tolerate it? It's just that she really hit Cui Shao's sore spot.

Although it is true that the family is well-known and has a good reputation, that was all many years ago. Now, Cui Shao is the only one left in the Cui family who holds the position of the Three Dukes, and none of the rest of the family holds a prominent position in the central government or even in the local areas.

It was because during the reign of Emperor Wuzong, the Cui family chose the wrong side. They were stripped of their official titles and exiled to other places. After several generations, they finally returned to the court. Unfortunately, the previous emperor and the current emperor were unwilling to use aristocratic families, so no one from the Cui family could enter the government.

The Cui family's experience was not unfamiliar to everyone present. Those who could serve in the court were all knowledgeable about history. During the Yuan Wei Dynasty, the Cui family privately compiled the history of the Yuan Wei Dynasty and five clans were implicated. Even the large clans that were related to them by marriage, such as the Guo family of Taiyuan and the Lu family of Fanyang, were implicated. Even if someone escaped by chance and rebuilt the Cui family's status, it would still be difficult to restore its glory in this dynasty.

People say that family background is important and that the imperial power is suppressed by the aristocratic families. However, the Cui family, the Wang family of Langya, and the Xie family of Chenjun all became knives on the chopping board in the face of absolute power, at the mercy of others.

"Zhang Rang's power is slightly declining now, but he is still alive even after his death. If you and I make too big a move, I'm afraid it will arouse Zhang Rang's vigilance." Cen Xi said.

"What does Lord Cen mean?" Pei Jiaoran glanced at Yuan Yanchong beside him, "I would like to hear the details."

Pei Jiaoran walked to the railing and leaned against it. The wind from Mount Li lifted the corner of her robe.

"Zhang Rang should be cautious. We can find a flaw and lure him into the game and kill him." Cen Xi said.

Killing a powerful eunuch is not difficult, but the difficult part is to make him die without leaving any trace, especially without arousing the emperor's suspicion.

Wang Guolao sneered, "Zhang Rang has entrusted nothing to Shen Ce. Lord Pei, are you willing to take action against Shen Ce?"

"Wang Guolao, Shen Ce is the emperor's imperial army. The imperial court cannot do without Shen Ce's troops in its expedition. Are you sure you want to do this?" Pei Jiaoran glanced at Wang Guolao and said sarcastically, "Although the Northern Department relies on Shen Ce, Shen Ce is ultimately under the jurisdiction of the emperor. Why can't the Southern Department and the Northern Department be compatible?"

"The Southern Court and the Northern Court are not unified, so why bother to force their compatibility. Mr. Pei, the Northern Court is not your own people after all, so why bother with it?" Cui Shao said in a gentle voice.

Seeing the two men pointing their spears at him, Pei Jiaoran smiled fearlessly, "Since we are all working for the emperor, there is a chance to turn enemies into friends. You are all smart people, why can't you put aside your prejudices?"

The tense atmosphere reappeared, but Cen Xi smiled amiably, "Everyone, please tolerate each other for the sake of the country."

With Cen Xi coming out to smooth things over, Pei Jiaoran nodded in agreement. After all, as long as they didn't fall out, they were a community of shared interests.

She understood that even though she was quite prestigious and had a seat at the center, she still needed to maintain a community of interests before facing the idea of ​​male superiority and female inferiority. After all, in this world, one person has no interests to speak of, and only the group can speak for its interests.

Pei Jiaoran said, "Now the King of Wu has been ordered to leave the palace and open a government office. All the clerks and miscellaneous books need to be completed. I think we can start from here. Lord Cen might as well arrange one or two."

The present time is different from the past. The officials of the Prince's Palace are all selected by the Ministry of Personnel. They are not allowed to interfere with the selection of officials above the fourth rank. They can interfere with the selection of officials below the fourth rank.

Apart from the selection of military commanders, it is impossible not to recruit the sons of first-class noble families in the selection of civil officials. Even if the Jia family can use humble people, if the prince's palace does not have the sons of officials, he will not be able to establish his authority even if he ascends the throne in the future.

"Even though we can arrange for the subordinates, we shouldn't arrange too many. After all, the King of Wu is the prince that Jia Gonglu has chosen." Cen Xi looked at Cui Shao and said, "The Cui family has many students, so why don't you give them some pointers?"

Cui Shao curled his lips and said, "My disciples are not talented enough to be used. During the imperial examination last year, quite a few poor people joined my school. I think it would be a good idea to recommend them to the Prince of Wu's Palace."

Listening to Cui Shao's words, Pei Jiaoran's eyes showed sarcasm. See, this is the background of the aristocratic family. People like Yuan Rui and Li Run are just pawns in their hands.

Looking at Cui Shao in surprise, Cen Xi frowned and said nothing. His family had few descendants, let alone talented people. It was even more impossible for his family to compare with the Cui family. He was now old and barely made it to the center of government. After he retired in the future, if his descendants wanted to enter the court again and hold important positions, they would have to rely on in-laws.

But he was not from a first-class family, so the Five Surnames and Seven Famous Clan naturally looked down on him. He did not have much choice. However, there were many aristocratic families in the world who valued profit, and intermarriage might not be what he wanted. It would be better to seize the current benefits and do Pei Jiaoran a favor. With this friendship with Pei Jiaoran in the future, whether it was for his children to marry or to enter the government, he would always have more opportunities than others.

"We all share weal and woe. It's always good to spend more time on the selection of officials for the Wu Wang Mansion." Cen Xi looked at Yuan Yanchong, "Although the humble family can't compare with the noble family in terms of family background and qualifications, the Crown Prince's Secretary Wei Shulin is also from a humble family. If you look down on them, you will bring disaster to yourself. Lord Cui needs to be careful. Lord Pei, you have friendships with Heshuo and Jianghuai, and you can also choose one or two talents from them."

Pei Jiaoran understood immediately. Cen Xi was speaking for himself sincerely, regardless of his purpose. But these words have already made his position clear. Chang'an is so small, and there are only a limited number of key positions. The selection of officials for the prince's government office cannot be done on one side only, and other people need to be empowered. Heshuo and Jianghuai are both waiting for her reply. Heshuo, one of the two groups, is disliked by the people in Chang'an, and is also what Pei Jiaoran must use.

He knew that Cen Xi was reminding him that he could use this opportunity to return the political dividends of the three towns of Heshuo. Even if he used the three towns, he couldn't let the other party feel that they were at a disadvantage. The officials of the Prince's Mansion were an excellent choice. Similarly, the three towns of Heshuo could join the game and help Pei Jiaoran achieve his goal.

Pei Jiaoran smiled knowingly, "The envoys from the three towns did come to visit me. I have received so many benefits from them, it is time to repay them. Thank you, Lord Cen, for reminding me."

Wang Guolao, who was standing by, smiled and stroked his beard. "I once wrestled with Pei Xianggong and almost believed the rumors. Now that we have worked together for a long time, I have seen your tactics and schemes. I am glad that I did not believe the rumors back then, otherwise I would have lost a good friend."