Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 115 Me and a traitor? You're such a traitor!
Xia Yan was absolutely certain that as long as the situation described by Yan Maoqing took place in the imperial court, it would be a certainty.

Given the current emperor's temperament, I'm afraid he will not only not consider letting Yan Song into the cabinet, but will also try every means to suppress him and weaken his power as soon as possible.

If the emperor felt threatened, it was not impossible for him to dismiss Yan Song from his post and put him on leave, or even to find a pretext to punish him!
He was never someone who could be easily fooled.

However, the things Yan Maoqing said, such as the Emperor's temperament, the personalities of Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi, and the current situation of the cabinet, all corresponded to what he knew.

And this information was definitely not something that Yan Maoqing, a mere junior official who couldn't even attend the morning court sessions and had no say in court affairs, could possibly know.

Therefore, he had no reason to doubt Yan Maoqing's words, nor any reason not to believe the sincerity of the Duke of Yi and the Duke of Cheng.

And this scheme...

It was probably a decision made jointly by Guo Xun and Zhu Xizhong.

As the saying goes, "Three cobblers are equal to one Zhuge Liang," so it's quite possible that two dukes working together might come up with such a brilliant plan...

at the same time.

Yan Maoqing continued to outline the blueprint he envisioned for Xia Yan:
"As long as Yan Song cannot enter the cabinet, and Zhai Luan, Xu Zan and Zhang Bi are ineffective in managing the government, the emperor urgently needs a capable person to take charge of the cabinet."

Who is the most experienced cabinet member and the most effective leader in the government today?

"It goes without saying, who else but Grand Secretary Xia?"

"In this way, Grand Secretary Xia will have a very high chance of being reinstated by the Emperor!"

“My godfather and the Duke of Cheng had the same idea after discussing it. Although my godfather had a previous disagreement with Grand Secretary Xia, he was also aware of the past between Grand Secretary Xia and Yan Song.”

"Therefore, we cannot help but worry that Yan Song will become fickle and unpredictable after taking control of the government, just like he did after betraying Grand Secretary Xia. It would be better to take this opportunity to make peace with the loyal and honest Grand Secretary Xia, not necessarily to be mutually pleased, but to keep to ourselves and not interfere with each other in the future."

"..."

Xia Yan had naturally already thought of what Yan Maoqing was talking about.

Now that his motives were clear, his suspicions lessened considerably, and he even began to feel a faint sense of excitement.

In fact, in the short time it took Yan Maoqing to speak, Xia Yan had already taken in the whole picture and carefully analyzed the risks and benefits of this move.

Regardless of success or failure, his risk is almost zero.

After all, supporting Yan Song is completely different from attacking him. Even the Emperor probably couldn't see through it. Since he had no motive, he wouldn't get involved.

If this matter succeeds, he could become the biggest beneficiary.

As for Yan Maoqing's statement that "my godfather does not expect that we will become mutually pleased from now on, but only hopes that we will not interfere with each other from now on," just listen to it and let it go.

How could Guo Xun and Zhu Xizhong not seek any reward?

How could someone as "loyal, honest, and virtuous" as him not receive a reward?

In the future, we will definitely have to make concessions to them on some matters, at least we cannot harm their interests, otherwise how are we any different from Yan Song?

However, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

Therefore, the "handles" that Guo Xun revealed to Yan Maoqing no longer need to be taken to heart; it's actually a win-win situation for both sides...

In a way, Yan Song brought this upon himself. When he committed those treacherous acts, did he ever think that "retribution will come eventually"?
This is his retribution!
One should not be too much like Yan Song in life.

Do you think that once someone has a bad character, others won't be wary of them?

at last.

"Go back and tell Duke Yi and Duke Cheng that I am aware of this matter, and ask them to make preparations as well."

Xia Yan nodded slightly, and now she found Yan Maoqing much more pleasing to the eye.

Although this young man is a bit foul-mouthed and has a poor character, he is still Guo Xun's adopted son.

Guo Xun was willing to entrust him with such a significant matter, and when he met me, he not only remained calm but also spoke about the matter in a well-organized manner, which shows that he is not entirely without merit.

If this matter is successfully resolved, I will be able to resume my post.

We might as well find an opportunity to use our power to promote him slightly, which would be a way of giving Guo Xun some face.

At the very least, this young man is truly capable of serving Guo Xun. His previous risky mission to Anda was probably at Guo Xun's behest. Such a person would never harbor any thoughts of betrayal.

This alone makes him a hundred times, a thousand times better than Yan Song!
Guo Xun really hit the jackpot by having such an adopted son...

……

Half an hour later.

Yan Maoqing walked out of the Duke of Yiguo's mansion with tears streaming down his face.

……

An hour later.

Yan Maoqing, blowing his nose, left Lu Bing's residence, sobbing every three steps.

……

Everything that was planned was done in one go.

Guo Xun could not bear to see his adopted son, who had saved his life, suffer injustice. He would then use all his political resources to support Yan Song's entry into the cabinet and cooperate with Xia Yan.

Although Lu Bing would not be easily swayed by Yan Maoqing, that was not important. All he needed to know was that Zhang Yusheng's accusation against Yan Maoqing and his wife had led to the exposure of the Emperor's secret reward of Bailu. It wasn't Yan Maoqing who was being punished, but the Emperor.

If Lu Bing knows, it means the Emperor knows.

With a loyal and devoted character like Lu Bing, one should know exactly what to do without even needing the emperor's personal instruction.

Even as Yan Maoqing was leaving, he had already heard Lu Bing shouting in the courtyard, "Prepare the sedan chair, we're going to the Shuntian Prefecture government office."

It's obvious without even thinking that Lu Bing went there to silence them.

This forced Yan Maoqing to acknowledge Lu Bing's abilities. He first silenced the matter to prevent it from spreading further before going to the palace to report to the Emperor.

This is what it means to think what the emperor thinks and be anxious about what the emperor is anxious about. How could Zhu Houcong not like such a minister?

With things having progressed to this point, Yan Maoqing is basically out of the picture, so he can take a breather and wait for the show to unfold.

As for his so-called "crime of adultery without a husband" with Bai Lu.

Yan Maoqing believed what Bai Lu said; the Bai family definitely had the ability to suppress this matter in his hometown.

Anyone who dares to go to Fengcheng to investigate this matter will be met with an irresistible bribe, especially if they are an untouchable court official.

If the person going is an insignificant nobody, or even a government official, they are very likely to simply vanish into thin air. After all, this is the most efficient and cost-effective approach.

Therefore, this matter will not be publicized; neither the Emperor nor the Bai family would allow such a thing to happen...

"Gulu——"

My stomach made a soft rumbling sound.

Suddenly I felt hungry and a little sleepy.

Yan Maoqing really didn't feel anything at all just now.

It's like someone whose adrenaline has been pumped up in a dangerous situation; they feel full of inexhaustible energy and strength, and even a little excited.

Now that the matter has just been completed, I feel a little dejected, as if I've just had a massage.

……

The next day, at the seventh quarter of the Yin hour.

Zhengyang Gate.

It was time for officials of all ranks to either enter the various government offices along the Thousand Steps Corridor or head to the palace to participate in the morning court session.

Zhang Yusheng arrived on foot as usual.

That day, Yan Shifan rewarded him with a total of sixty taels of silver, which was a huge sum of money for him, who came from an ordinary family. He could buy a small property in the suburbs.

However, he has no plans to bring his wife and children from his hometown to live with him for the time being.

On the contrary, after passing the imperial examination, his wife from his hometown had become a burden in his heart, and he had long been looking for a suitable excuse to divorce her.

In this way, when he is sought after by high-ranking officials or wealthy merchants in the capital, he can fetch a good price. After all, very few high-ranking officials or wealthy merchants in the capital would accept their daughters as concubines, as it would be somewhat humiliating to their status.

Just as I was thinking this in my mind.

"Squeak-squeak--"

A carriage passed by, drawing Zhang Yusheng's attention.

Few officials in the imperial court arrived by carriage for their roll call; they either walked like him or rode in a sedan chair.

Even if they were not qualified or had no money to ride in a four-bearer sedan chair, these officials would ride in a two-bearer sedan chair instead of a horse-drawn carriage.

really.

This is Yan Maoqing's carriage.

"whispering sound……"

A flicker of jealousy flashed in Zhang Yusheng's eyes, and he spat inwardly.

Just you wait, Yan Maoqing!
The Shuntian Prefecture government has accepted my complaint. At most, you can keep this up for a few more days before you are no longer qualified to step into Zhengyang Gate.

And from now on I will be promoted by Minister Yan. If I can also become Minister Yan's godfather like you did with Duke Yi, my future will be limitless.

However, why is the Shuntian Prefecture government so inefficient?

Why didn't Yan Shifan urge his subordinates to get things done faster?
Just as I was thinking this.

"You're Zhang Yusheng, aren't you, working for the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Several Imperial Guards suddenly blocked Zhang Yusheng's path, and the leader shoved a ceremonial token directly into his face.

"Ah, ah! That's me. What are your orders, sir?"

When Zhang Yusheng was almost dragged into the mess by Yan Maoqing under the pretext of a brawl in the capital, he developed a fear of the unreasonable Jinyiwei. Now, when the Jinyiwei approached him again, he was so frightened that he couldn't even speak properly.

The leading Imperial Guard then pulled out another arrest warrant issued by the Northern Garrison Command from his pocket, shoved it at Zhang Yusheng's face again, and shouted:

“A widow from the south of the city has gone to the Northern Garrison Office to file a complaint, claiming that she was coerced and harassed by you last night. This is a warrant from the Northern Garrison Office. If she doesn’t want to suffer, she will obediently come with us to the office to turn herself in!”

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was not the same as a local government office like the Shuntian Prefecture.

Regardless of your official rank or status, as long as you receive an order from your superior, even a first- or second-rank official can be arrested without hesitation. This is the special privilege granted by the imperial power!
"?"

These words immediately drew strange looks from the officials waiting at Zhengyang Gate to verify their credentials for passage.

Treachery, isn't it?
This scholar named Zhang Yusheng is probably doomed!
This is a heinous crime. If convicted, not only will one's career be in jeopardy, but the lightest punishment would likely be caning and exile to the border. If one is unlucky, one might even be hanged.

This man is really despicable. If he really couldn't hold back, there are plenty of brothels outside the city where you can have sex for a few coins. He wouldn't be afraid of leaving evidence. It's much better than this wicked widow, isn't it?

Ugh, disgusting! At the very least, you should cover your face. How could anyone recognize you?

"Ah? No, no, no, that's not right. I implore you, sir, to investigate thoroughly. Perhaps there's been a mistake?"

Zhang Yusheng was instantly terrified, his face turning ashen. He hurriedly pleaded for an explanation with a pained expression.
"I didn't go out last night, and I didn't even get up in the middle of the night..."

"Enough with the nonsense! Look at this! There's concrete evidence and witness testimony. How dare you try to deny it?!"

One of the Imperial Guards immediately stepped forward and shouted loudly, revealing a sachet of fragrant leaves in his hand.

“This this this?!”

Zhang Yusheng was dumbfounded.

This is his purse, which his wife sewed for him by hand when he left his hometown. His name is still clearly embroidered on it.

But he remembered very clearly that this purse should be in the inn where he was staying, or that he had deliberately taken it off to prevent it from affecting his ability to curry favor with the powerful. But why was it now in the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
at the same time.

"?"

Yan Song, who had just stepped off his official sedan chair, heard the commotion and looked around to find that it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard arresting someone, and that the person they were arresting was Zhang Yusheng, whom he had met before. His heart skipped a beat.

Could it be...

Yan Song immediately glanced subconsciously at the carriage that had just come to a stop not far away.

Yan Maoqing lifted the curtain and jumped down from the carriage. He looked up and his eyes met Yan Song's. He slightly curled the corners of his mouth and revealed a strange smile.

Without even glancing at Zhang Yusheng, who was already paralyzed with fear on the ground, he jogged over to join the queue and enter.

(End of this chapter)