Chapter 254: The Pei Clan

Pei Fu.

Shufang.

A few people sit around the table.

"A Yan, come try the Mengding Stone Flower my father just acquired..."

Pei Xun took a silver spoon, scooped tea leaves into the kettle, waited for the water to boil three times, then let the water in the jar stop boiling, poured the brew into secret‑colored porcelain cups, emerald froth surging like lotuses, and after preparing several cups, offered the first to his own son‑in‑law.

"Fragrant and rich, taste fresh and mellow..."

Chen Yan lifted the tea bowl, lightly blew the rising steam, took a shallow sip, and as the tea washed over his tongue, a faint sweetness suddenly rose in his throat, like the lingering aftertaste of honey‑marinated green plums, layering and spreading in his mouth, and he praised, "Truly a first‑rate tea!"

Chen Yan had heard of this Mengding Stone Flower tea; it originates from a famed mountain in Jiannan Yashou, was praised by Lu Yu as the foremost tea, and was one of the Tang dynasty tribute teas.

"This, sir, was bought by your father‑in‑law at the cost of a thousand taels of silver..."

Pei Xilou toyed with the tea cup, savored the lingering aroma, and sighed, "Only now that my brother‑in‑law has arrived do we have this; we never even get a chance to taste it on ordinary days!"

His words were full of envy.

Jiannan is not within Great Zhou's borders; it is controlled by the southern Xiao Liang, so obtaining it is truly difficult.

Pei Xilou knew that his father had spent considerable effort and silver to acquire this Mengding Stone Flower...

That shows how precious it is.

If not for distinguished guests visiting, it would not be easily taken out to serve!

"Uncle, what are you talking about?"

Chen Yan gave a calm smile, bowed his hand toward Pei Xun, and flattered, "Father‑in‑law has always treated everyone equally, never a biased person, right?"

"Hahaha!"

Pei Xun laughed heartily, raised his hand and pointed at Chen Yan, "My son‑in‑law still knows how to speak!"

As the old saying goes, a son‑in‑law is half a man.

He sees that half and is fully satisfied!

Having skill and ability, he knows how to speak and conduct himself...

"Speaking of it, I must thank my father and extend my gratitude to my brother‑in‑law!"

Pei Tingchao lifted his tea cup, faced Chen Yan, nodded slightly, and smiled, "If my brother‑in‑law hadn't handled Liang Wai and recommended him to the Grand Tomb Steward, the vacant position would still..."

Liang Wai's downfall left the Minor Tomb Steward position vacant, and instantly countless eyes were watching, scheming for that spot.

His father Pei Jun's ability suppressed the other covetous candidates and placed him there; besides the Hedong Pei Clan's foundation, it was also this brother‑in‑law's maneuvering that made it so smooth...

The third branch owes the brother‑in‑law a great favor.

"That promotion to Grand Tomb Steward was due to Third Uncle's outstanding achievements, not much related to the younger brother..."

Chen Yan pressed his hand, shifted all the credit away, and said lightly, "Liang Wai did what he shouldn't have, entertained improper thoughts, so he deserved death!"

Having said that, he lifted his tea bowl and clinked it with Pei Tingchao.

"To be at such a restless age, possessing great ability, holding a high position, yet not arrogant about his merits..."

Pei Xianqing, witnessing the scene, observed Chen Yan's expression and couldn't help but sigh, "This brother‑in‑law is truly extraordinary!"

Thinking of Pei Xianqing at seventeen or eighteen, let alone being so composed and appropriate in response.

Being able to restrain a youthful arrogance after early success is already good...

Such temperament is beyond ordinary people!

"You have always been this modest..."

"Endearing!"

Pei Xun sipped the Mengding Stone Flower tea, gave a faint smile, and praised.

Sometimes, Pei Xun also didn't know what Chen Tongyuan was thinking, abandoning this steady Qilin Son, insisting on supporting those two muds that cannot climb the wall...

However, to return to the point, without his wise maneuvering, the Pei Clan could not have secured such a mainstay.

"Father‑in‑law, I heard you and Second Uncle are planning to move several cousins out of Chang'an to stations outside the prefecture?" Chen Yan seemed to recall something, smiled calmly, and asked.

"Your information is truly sharp, nothing can hide from your ears..."

Pei Xun nodded, chuckled, "Indeed, we have that plan!"

"But we need the younger son‑in‑law to smooth things a bit, to secure high and lucrative posts for the brothers?"

Chen Yan's gaze swept over Pei Xianqing and the others, phrased slightly, and asked.

In Chang'an there are so many noble families; many eyes are fixed on those positions...

Chen Yan's move is both a favor and a step to place his own people locally; after all, rich water does not flow to outsiders' fields.

Eventually there will be a day to use them...

"A Yan, as long as you have this intention, that's enough..."

Pei Xun waved his hand, said gravely, "My father and your uncles plan to have these youngsters start from county posts, temper their restlessness, and properly forge their abilities!"

Whether Pei Xun or his several brothers, they all look far ahead and are not impatient for the moment...

They deeply understand the danger of forcing growth.

For their own younger generation placed with high hopes, they start from the grassroots, accumulate experience, proceeding step by step to solidify the foundation.

With these fathers in the court, promotion after proven experience is inevitable.

Choosing the Pei Clan at first truly was correct... Chen Yan, hearing this, caressed his tea bowl, muttered to himself, and smiled, "Father‑in‑law's consideration is excellent!"

One essential trait for achieving great deeds is to remain calm and sit steady...

Being able to abandon short‑term gains, achieve consensus so that the clan's youth can accumulate and burst forth, Hedong Pei Clan would find prosperity inevitable!

Given time, these Pei Clan youths forged from the grassroots will become a great support for Chen.

"Brother‑in‑law, in the future we brothers will rely on your support..." Pei Xianqing clasped his fists and smiled.

"Indeed, we shall have the brother‑in‑law to rely on!" Pei Hongqu also bowed his hand and echoed.

"We're all one family, so we ought to help each other!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly and replied, "What's this talk of labor or not? It's all what a junior should do!"

Even if they don't say so, Chen Yan will still favor his own, placing them everywhere.

Through personnel arrangements, his grip of power expands!

Hahaha!

"Come, tea instead of wine—brothers, let's have a drink!"

Pei Xianqing laughed loudly, raising his tea bowl first, and Pei Tingchao and the others followed closely.

Pei Xun looked on with a beaming smile at these harmonious juniors…

Chen Yan raised his cup, offered a toast, and after drinking the tea seemed to recall something, asking, "By the way, father‑in‑law, are you aware that the eastern Gao Qi has planted many spies in our Chang'an?"

Pei Xun, hearing this, seemed thoughtful and said, "So the two who came on the day of the grand wedding to assassinate the year‑end were sent by the eastern Qi State?"

"Exactly." Chen Yan nodded.

"Qi State's defeat in the war will cause it to change tactics, which was expected..."

Pei Xun's gaze hardened, and in a deep voice he said, "But A Yan, at this critical juncture, those hidden spies in Chang'an, if used well, could become a sharp sword in your hand!"

Chen Yan narrowed his eyes, a silent understanding passing between them, and teasingly said, "The son‑in‑law also had the same plan!"