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

Pei Jiaoran was not very interested in how the King of Wu spent his money. However, it was difficult for the King of Wu to support such a spending spree with his own salary and rewards. Of course, it was not without the support of flatterers and followers. The Lu family was a good example.

Even though there are many people who rely on the monopoly of power to seek benefits for themselves and their families, the Lu family has no family background and only relies on the power given by the superiors to bully the local area, which is looked down upon by many noble families and local tyrants.

For example, the governors and military governors of wealthy areas would pass through their hands when they sent envoys to the states. Those who did not violate the law were already considered wealthy. It took several generations of hard work for the poor and common people to accumulate wealth, but for the upper class, the way to accumulate wealth was not to work hard, but to build a road to eternal wealth with the barriers of power.

Thinking of this, Pei Jiaoran suddenly asked, "I heard that the Lu family was originally from Hedong County?"

"Yes. Lady Lu, the wife of the State of Wu, was from Hedong. She used to be a maid in the Imperial College. Later, for some reason, she recognized Zhang Rang as her sworn brother, and then married a general of the Shen Ce Army named Lu. A few years after she gave birth to a child, she was recommended to Concubine Zhang by Zhang Rang. Her family also became prosperous because of her. They started a timber business in Zhaoying County, and after several years of operation, they became a small landlord. Why does Pei Qing ask this?" said the prince.

"When I left Zhaoying County Hall, I saw carrier pigeons flying out. I guess there are still people in the county hall sending messages to Chang'an." Pei Jiaoran paused and continued, "Lü Yi is in prison, but he still has food, clothing and other expenses as usual. It can be seen that the Lu family's management of Zhaoying over the years has not been in vain."

"Does Pei Qing want to use the Lu family to harm the King of Wu?" The prince leaned forward slightly and looked at Pei Jiaoran sharply.

"Some things are worthless if they are not weighed. Once they are weighed, they are as heavy as a thousand pounds. The Lu family's prosperity ultimately depends on the grace of King Wu. The two are one. But King Wu alone obviously cannot make the Lu family so arrogant and domineering."

The King of Wu was only the top patron. The reason why the Lu family was able to get close to the King of Wu was because Zhang Rang acted as a matchmaker for them. As a reward, the Lu family naturally had to thank Zhang Rang. The Lu family rose to prominence and continuously created wealth in Zhaoying County. It seemed that they were working for the King of Wu, but in fact they were working for Zhang Rang.

Adhering to the idea that only if the King of Wu and Zhang Rang are good, the Lu family will be better. The Lu family has always been dedicated to doing things, otherwise they would not have attracted Zhou Xian's attention. After not being promoted for many years, she had to bet on the Lu family. She thought that the Lu family should have responded to Zhou Xian over the years, otherwise Zhou Xian would not be unwilling to admit to soliciting and accepting bribes before she left.

"The Lu family could not have grown to this level relying on the King of Wu alone. Zhang Rang, who promoted them in the past, was also involved. After several years of management, they have built this huge business. I'm afraid it will not only bring disaster to the village."

Wei Shulin secretly smacked his lips at the disdain for Zhang Rang and the Lu family in Pei Jiaoran's tone. Pei Jiaoran continued, "Zhang Rang and the Lu family are on the same path, and they each get what they need from Jia Gonglu. In the past, Zhang Rang and Jia had cooperated a lot, but in the end, it was the Lu family that provided Zhang Rang with actual benefits. If Zhang Rang knew that Jia Gonglu wanted to abandon the Lu family, Zhang Rang's financial resources would be cut off, and even with the King of Wu in the middle, he would still resent Jia Gonglu."

It is human nature to pursue profit, and the benefits that Jia Gonglu can provide to Zhang Rang are limited. After all, no one wants someone to be on the same level as themselves. The sources of power of these two people doomed them to be unable to coexist perfectly.

After listening to Pei Jiaoran's elaboration, the prince nodded, "It is indeed dangerous for different voices to appear in a camp. If people are not united, it will be difficult to move forward. Pei Qing's trick is very clever."

"In the past, the Jia family was a noble family during the Han Dynasty. After the Cao Wei and Jin Dynasties, they fell to a poor family with low status. I'm afraid they have had a sense of inferiority. If they didn't want to return to the court, why would they rely on eunuchs?" Pei Jiaoran sneered and tapped the table with his fingers. "They used the Lu family to create a rift between the two. If they continue to stay by the side of the King of Wu, wouldn't it add to the troubles of the King of Wu? With the decisiveness of Jia Gonglu, he will definitely not continue to tolerate Zhang Rang's reckless behavior."

The prince understood what he meant. He couldn't help but clap his hands and praise. Just as he was about to ask the maid to serve tea, he heard Pei Jiaoran say with a smile: "I wonder if Your Highness is satisfied with the person I recommended to the Prince of Wu's Palace?"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince looked at Wei Shulin, who nodded, "Zhuge Chen is from a famous family, and Shen Lang and Zhou Xun are also from Jiangnan noble families. With these three people embedded in the Wu Wang Mansion, there is no way to find a single mistake."

After glancing at Wei Shulin, who had a warm smile on his face, Pei Jiaoran continued to look at the prince in front of him.

"These three are the main candidates. The attitudes of several others are ambiguous, and I dare not use them without authorization. I can only recommend these people to the Council of State Affairs and arrange them in inconspicuous positions in the Prince of Wu's Palace." Pei Jiaoran said.

"No problem. It's not easy to arrange our people in when the King of Wu opens his palace. I just hope they can play a role at the critical moment." The prince took a sip of tea and smiled, "Pei Qing, you need to spend more time on communication in the future."

Listening to the prince's words, Pei Jiaoran's lips curled up. Not to mention that these people are now attached to the prince, the most important thing is that she has a close relationship with them. Her connection with the three towns of Heshuo and Jianghuai needs to go through them to ensure the security of her interests.

After thinking for a moment, Pei Jiaoran said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I know what to do."

"There is one more thing." The prince looked serious.

Seeing the prince's look, Pei Jiaoran put away the smile on his face.

"The ship carrying the tax will arrive in Chang'an soon. I don't want this money to be put into the Yanzi Treasury by Bian Lingzhen." The prince stared ahead with cold eyes, "Tell Minister Wu a message for me. Make sure to keep this tax."

"Here."

After bidding farewell to the crown prince, Pei Jiaoran also delayed and went straight to the Ministry of Revenue's public house.

"Jia Jia, how come you have time to come to my place?" Wu Lingjia asked her to sit down and personally served her tea. "Is it because of the arrears of the Ministry of Revenue?"

Taking an account book from the low cabinet and handing it to Pei Jiaoran, Wu Lingjia said, "It is true that there are debts, but not as much as Bian Lingzhen said. I polished the account book and sent it to the Censorate."

"It's not very useful to send the account book over. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asked me to tell you to keep this tax safe." After taking a sip of tea, Pei Jiaoran continued, "Don't let Bian Lingzhen take advantage of the opportunity."

"Without the wooden wedge, Bian Lingzhen can't get the money. He won't come to rob him, right?" Wu Lingjia said.

"What if Bian Lingzhen is here to rob? Lingjia, I have an idea." Pei Jiaoran smiled slightly.

"Appreciate further details."