Pei Ju's Deep Scheme, Two Peaches Kill Three Warriors

"Your insight is quite sharp."

"Not as sharp as yours, Godfather. I suspect you already predicted today's events before the first month even ended. Otherwise, how could you have arranged for me to prepare and uncover the identities of the Four Great Secret Agents of Dragon Guard Manor?"

"Hehehe..."

Pei Ju chuckled.

As the Grand Secretary, concurrently holding the positions of Minister of Personnel and Minister of Justice, he was the foremost civil official in the imperial court.

Of all the civil officials, if not all, then at least eighty percent were his allies.

Of the remaining twenty percent, one-tenth were loyalists like Yang Yuxuan.

However, despite Pei Ju's extensive power, he never acted recklessly. Furthermore, with the Eastern Depot being such a great menace in the court, these officials were not Pei Ju's enemies.

The final one-tenth were Zhu Wushi's followers.

As for the Eastern Depot's followers... there were none.

After all, the Eastern Depot's reputation was too foul; anyone with a choice in court would not align with them.

This was why it was said that once Cao Zhengchun lost his power, he would have nothing left but the Eastern Depot.

Given Pei Ju's status, how could he not know about Yang Yuxuan contacting various officials to prepare a memorial requesting the return of power to the Emperor?

Although he didn't orchestrate this event, he was aware of it from beginning to end.

In this matter of returning power, he appeared to have lost influence, but in reality, he had gained the Emperor's trust.

Two of the three great mountains surrounding the Emperor disagreed and coveted power, yet he alone willingly relinquished it.

In doing so, who else could the Emperor rely on but him?

Furthermore, his candid relinquishment of power earned him fame throughout the land and respect from all officials.

If the subsequent plan proceeded smoothly, they would even be able to identify the most crucial figures within Dragon Guard Manor, namely the true identities of the Four Great Secret Agents.

It could be said he had profited immensely.

In contrast, although Zhu Wushi eventually agreed, his earlier hesitation had already sown suspicion in the Emperor's mind.

Despite his timely halt due to the circumstances and his decisive actions to save Yang Yuxuan and win over the officials, it was too late, and the effect would likely be minimal.

Finally, there was Cao Zhengchun.

He lost his greatest source of power, incurred the Emperor's displeasure, and his reputation became utterly tarnished.

It could truly be said he had lost tremendously.

"Godfather, since Cao Zhengchun has already acted to retaliate against Yang Yuxuan, is Zhu Wushi making no move?"

"Perhaps he already has."

Pei Ju replied, "Zhu Wushi, outwardly upright but inwardly wicked, harbors immense ambition. When he acts, it will certainly not be as ostentatious as Cao Zhengchun's; instead, his schemes will be hidden. Like a venomous snake, once revealed, it will undoubtedly strike with earth-shattering force, aiming for the vital spot... Hmm?"

As he spoke, a thought suddenly struck him.

Ever since Yang Yuxuan submitted his memorial, various matters had been unfolding in the court, and Zhu Wushi's actions had always been deeply concealed.

Even he couldn't immediately discern which event was hiding Zhu Wushi's scheme.

However, as he had just said.

The most important thing... the vital spot!

Who would Zhu Wushi inevitably target?

It would naturally be the current Emperor!

After all, returning power meant returning it to the Emperor.

If something were to happen to the Emperor, then this power wouldn't be relinquished, would it?

Therefore, any impending events closely related to the Emperor could potentially be Zhu Wushi's scheme.

"On the fourth day of the first month, the Country of Izumo submitted a memorial requesting Princess Lixiu to be sent for a marriage alliance with His Majesty. Could it be this matter?"

Pei Ju immediately tore off a strip of paper from in front of him, picked up his brush, and wrote a few lines. He then called out, "Someone!"

An old man with white hair entered; it was Steward Fu, the head butler of the manor.

"Master."

Pei Ju handed the note to Steward Fu. Without even looking at it, Steward Fu took it and turned to leave.

Zhou Ming watched this entire process, but Pei Ju clearly had no intention of explaining it to him.

However, if he didn't explain, would Zhou Ming be unable to see?

Pei Ju was marked with more than just ordinary imprints.

"The Princess of Izumo... it seems this part of the story is about to unfold as well."

Zhou Ming thought to himself, "Right, there's profit to be made in this segment of the story!"

It wasn't just profitable; it was a tremendous opportunity.

"The next few days are crucial, don't slack off any further."

"Yes, Godfather."

Zhou Ming said, "Now that Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi have both responded, what is your plan, Godfather?"

"My plan?"

A smile flickered in Pei Ju's eyes. "I plan to offer the position of Minister of Personnel for the Emperor to decide."

"Minister of Personnel?"

Zhou Ming pondered. "Godfather, that's a brilliant plan."

Yang Yuxuan's official position was the Minister of War, and with Pei Ju offering another ministerial post, two positions for ministers would be vacant in the imperial court.

These two positions would naturally be left entirely to the Emperor's decision.

The Emperor had just gained power and was young, clearly ambitious and looking to expand his authority.

Meanwhile, Cao Zhengchun and Zhu Wushi had lost power and were currently trying to find ways to fill those gaps.

Thus, these two ministerial positions created a situation akin to 'Two Peaches Kill Three Warriors'.

No matter who ultimately gained or lost, one person was bound to be disadvantaged.

And in the process of competition, the animosity between the three would only intensify.

If Zhou Ming's guess was correct, the ministerial position Pei Ju was offering was likely the Minister of Justice.

Firstly, in terms of authority, the Ministry of Justice was inferior to the Ministry of Personnel.

Moreover, the Ministry of Justice oversaw two major departments: Six Doors and Divine Marquis Manor!

Neither of these two organizations was easy to deal with.

Although they belonged to the Ministry of Justice, due to the late Emperor's arrangements before his death, the status of these two departments had greatly increased.

This meant that while the Ministry of Justice appeared to have jurisdiction, it actually had no real control.

Furthermore, Bushi of Six Doors and Divine Marquis Zhuge of Divine Marquis Manor were no ordinary individuals, and they could naturally see the ambition hidden beneath Zhu Wushi's upright exterior.

As for Cao Zhengchun, there was even less to say.

Regardless of who obtained the Ministry of Justice, these two organizations would cause significant trouble for the other party.

In fact, even the current Ministry of Justice was not truly obedient under Pei Ju's command.

Giving it away could be considered shedding a hot potato.

As expected, Pei Ju said, "From now on, don't always go to the Ministry of Justice. The position I'm planning to give up is the Minister of Justice."

"Yes, Godfather."

"Good. Handle this next matter properly. I won't hide it from you; besides you, I have also arranged for others."

Pei Ju continued, "But I hope that the true identities of these four individuals will be brought to me by you."

Although this was arranged as training for Zhou Ming, it was indeed not a small matter.

Therefore, it was normal for Pei Ju to have also made his own arrangements.

Zhou Ming cupped his fists. "Godfather, rest assured. I will definitely find out the identities of those four people for you this time!"

"That's good."

Leaving the study, Zhou Ming's face showed a pensive expression.

It wasn't that he was contemplating his next move or the identities of the Four Great Secret Agents of Dragon Guard Manor.

After all, he already knew the identities of those four... no, currently, it should be three people.

Dragon Guard Manor was known to have the Four Great Secret Agents: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. In reality, however, only Heaven, Earth, and Black existed; the fourth member had yet to be found.

What was there to think about in a matter whose outcome was already decided?

What Zhou Ming was pondering at this moment was... the force he needed to subdue and use temporarily, which was the assassin organization... Black Stone!