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

"A wealthy and idle man?" Huan Yuanjing mused with a smile, "But the world is treacherous. I have settled down here and have many descendants. Isn't this a blessing?"

Pei Jiaoran said, "Your Majesty describes himself as a 'rich and idle man,' but he doesn't understand that even when a tree wants stillness, the wind still blows. In the past, the King of Huainan feasted among bamboo trees, and the King of Liang built a garden to forget his worries. Can they really stay out of the chess game? After Liu Ziye, the deposed Emperor of Song, ascended the throne, his cruelty grew increasingly violent. He executed people one after another, insulted the ancestral temple, and treated his uncles and cousins ​​with innumerable methods. Later, Shen Yue wrote of him in the Book of Song, 'King Wu's enumeration of the Yin vassalage was not enough to cause even a fraction of it. Huo Guang's enumeration of the faults of Changyi was not enough to mention even a fraction.'"

Liu Ziye's actions after ascending the throne were truly appalling. Even though he managed to restore the governance of the Yuanjia Dynasty in his early years, his actions eventually eroded it, leaving only a bad reputation in history.

Upon hearing this, Huan Yuanjing closed his eyes slightly, stroking the white whisk in his hand, and said slowly, "How can Liu Ziye compare to the King of Wu? The King of Wu is of good character, and was personally raised by the Emperor's brother. Later, he met Jia Gonglu as his teacher, and is surrounded by many noble scholars from humble backgrounds. Even if he ascended the throne, he would definitely not commit the abominable acts of Liu Ziye."

"It was mentioned in history books that Liu Ziye 'had considerable knowledge of ancient events and a slender talent for literature. He composed the eulogy for Emperor Xiaowu and other miscellaneous articles, which were often elegant in style.' After a pause, Pei Jiaoran continued, "But in the end, after Dai Faxing's death, due to the pressure brought to him by the regency of powerful ministers and the fear of previous coups, he acted cruelly in the court, killing his relatives and slaughtering loyal officials. The regents left by Emperor Xiaowu of Song were all capable people of the time. Your Majesty, if you want to be a rich and idle person, the King of Wu may not be able to tolerate you." Pei Jiaoran stood silently after he finished speaking.

Huan Yuanjing then put down his whisk and looked at Pei Jiaoran seriously, stroking his beard and frowning in thought.

"Oh, Prime Minister Pei, you deserve a lot of chopped-off heads for slandering the heir to the throne." Huan Yuanjing couldn't fathom Pei Jiaoran's thoughts, but he still felt a tinge of protectiveness. He chided him, "You said the King of Wu might behave like Liu Ziye in the future. How do you know the Crown Prince won't be like him? They're both my nephews. If I stand by and watch, nothing will happen to me in the future."

After that, he ignored Pei Jiaoran and instead called in the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Han's Palace and told him to bring the Crown Prince here. Within an incense stick of time, the Chief Secretary of the Prince of Han brought the Crown Prince over and sat him down next to Huan Yuanjing.

At this time, Huan Yuanjing started talking to her again, "Does Prime Minister Pei have an answer?"

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken." Her voice was steady, but each word was sharp. "The Crown Prince and the King of Wu may seem to be of the same lineage, but in reality, they are worlds apart. The Crown Prince, educated by renowned teachers since childhood, possesses a kind and virtuous disposition, renowned throughout the court and the country for his benevolence. But the King of Wu..." She paused, her gaze fixed on Huan Yuanjing. "Although the King of Wu was mentored by renowned teachers, he possesses a sinister temperament and ruthless methods. Back when he was in Shu, he once arbitrarily executed a prisoner without questioning for a trivial matter. Although Jia Gonglu suppressed the incident, how could the news be completely suppressed?"

Huan Yuanjing frowned, "But for the sake of his deceased mother, he is willing to contradict his royal brother."

With a light laugh, Pei Jiaoran said, "Your Majesty, do you know that the King of Wu has allowed our wet nurse and her family to run rampant in the village, bullying men and women. Disrespecting the emperor and his father is unfilial, so how can you expect him to be filial to you?"

After saying this, Huan Yuanjing's expression changed slightly, and his fingertips unconsciously stroked the jade handle of the whisk.

Seeing him like this, Pei Jiaoran took advantage of the situation and took a step forward, whispering, "Your Majesty, Liu Ziye was also 'brilliant' in his time, but once he gained power, he became a ferocious beast. If the King of Wu ascends the throne, do you think... he would tolerate a 'rich and idle man' who is deeply loved by the people?"

Before he could finish his words, a wind suddenly blew outside the window, picked up a bamboo leaf and hit it against the window frame.

"If I were to enter this game, I must have some benefit." Huan Yuanjing took the prince by the hand and said, "First, tell me what you want to do."

Seeing Huan Yuanjing's straightforward approach, Pei Jiaoran, though somewhat uncomfortable, quickly adjusted himself and said gently, "The Crown Prince has already transferred most of the officials away from the court, making it difficult to issue an imperial edict. If the King of Han could take charge of the court, it would also help stabilize the overall situation."

"Oh, so you want me to be your leader. Was it my brother's idea, or yours?" Huan Yuanjing knew that his brother, knowing him well, would never do this unless he had no alternative, but he couldn't help but tease. He had heard about Jia Gonglu's offering of auspicious signs and the Crown Prince's willingness to travel to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven on his father's behalf. He also knew that the King of Wu had fallen from his horse and was recuperating at the post station. Both sides' strategies were extremely sophisticated, and they temporarily kept the situation calm. The only way to break through was for someone to temporarily control the government. This person could not be a court official, but must be deeply trusted by the Emperor. Before the Crown Prince returned, they would contain all parties and ultimately achieve a supreme achievement.

As Pei Jiaoran said, he could be a wealthy idler for his whole life, but would his descendants also be wealthy idlers? Ultimately, they would be excluded from power.

Pei Jiaoran gave him such a great achievement without hesitation. Although it was considered a favor, he really needed it.

Huan Yuanjing coughed lightly and said, "I have been away from the court for many years. Although I have achievements, I have no reputation. I wonder if Prime Minister Pei would be willing to accompany me and appoint one or two." He pointed to the prince beside him, "And this child, I also hope Prime Minister Pei can take care of him."

"Your Majesty is not afraid in the face of danger, which is a blessing for the country." Pei Jiaoran said in a gentle voice.

Huan Yuanjing seemed to be moved by what he said. "Oh, I am already in my twilight years. If I can do something to improve the current situation, my life will not be in vain."

Pei Jiaoran understood that Huan Yuanjing's agreement was conditional. A noble clan member like him, having lived to this age, didn't care about personal honor. He cared more about whether he could influence the current situation, receive the utmost honor after his death, and let his descendants enjoy his legacy.

"The Crown Prince is kind and benevolent, and will naturally benefit his brothers." Pei Jiaoran smiled knowingly. "The Book of Songs says, 'The blossoms of the Tangdi tree are not radiant. Of all people today, there is nothing better than brothers.' Since ancient times, when brothers are harmonious, the country is safe; when brothers quarrel, the world is in danger. In the past, Duke Zhou assisted King Cheng, and although Guan and Cai were suspicious, they ultimately protected him out of the sense of kinship. When Emperor Taizong and Crown Prince Yin quarreled, the bloodbath of Xuanwu was shed, which ultimately became an eternal regret. Looking at the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history, all those who have been able to prolong their national prosperity have based their foundation on filial piety and brotherly love, and put family first."

"Oh, if you were born into my family, you would surely have made a name for yourself." A trace of regret flashed in Huan Yuanjing's eyes. "You may go now. I will go to the court tomorrow to meet my brother, the Emperor."

After completing the communication of the imperial edict, Pei Jiaoran did not stay any longer and immediately stood up to say goodbye.