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

Chapter 18 Ambiguity
This was the first time Yan Maoqing had met Yan Song.

No, to be precise, it should be the second time.

He had seen this infamous prime minister, whose name is etched in history, during the earlier announcement ceremony.

It's just that Yan Maoqing didn't know Yan Song at that time, so he couldn't match this face with his identity.

To be honest, Yan Song is not yet the Grand Secretary, so he naturally could not have imagined that after he killed Xia Yan and became the Grand Secretary, he could wield power in the country for nearly twenty years.

Who would have thought that he would not only be infamous in history books for eternity, but would also end up living in a cemetery, dying in poverty and illness, without a coffin to be buried, and without anyone to mourn him?
But these are all things for later.

Yan Maoqing didn't care, since he would be able to retire and return to his hometown soon anyway.

Therefore, even if Yan Song were to seize power in the future and carry out large-scale purges of dissidents and persecution of loyal officials, he would certainly not remember him, a minor Jinshi from the Xin Chou year who had almost never entered the court, and all the court disputes would be irrelevant to him.

As for their current intersection.

He had only stayed at the Yuzhang Guild Hall for a few days, and was expelled by Yan Shifan right after the palace examination.

This incident alone shows that Yan Song and his son didn't take him seriously at all...

When I'm thinking about these things.

The captain had already recounted what had just happened to Yan Song.

Yan Song nodded slightly after hearing this, his sharp eyes looking again at Yan Maoqing, Zhang Yusheng, and Gao Gong.

Yan Maoqing wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Yan Song's gaze lingered on him longer. Then he heard Yan Song laugh and say to the captain:
"Captain Chen, in my opinion, the newly appointed Jinshi is unfamiliar with the palace regulations, so it is understandable that he made a minor mistake. He has not committed any serious offense and should not be taken lightly. Why don't I vouch for his release and order the Ministry of Rites to give him strict instruction? Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

what's going on?
Yan Maoqing couldn't help but wonder, was Yan Song actually pleading for the three of them?

Or perhaps, he was pleading for Zhang Yusheng and incidentally dragged him and Gao Gong into it?
Yan Maoqing felt that this was the only possibility.

Gao Gong was not from Jiangxi, so it was impossible for him to have any interaction with Yan Song at that time.

He himself had already been expelled from the Yuzhang Guild Hall.

That leaves only Zhang Yusheng, who still lives in the Yuzhang Guild Hall. Historically, Yan Maoqing could become Yan Song's godfather in order to get promoted and make money, so Zhang Yusheng naturally had the same opportunity...

"?"

Gao Gong also looked confused.

Zhang Yusheng, who had been half-dead, suddenly regained strength in his limp legs upon hearing this. As he supported himself, tears of ecstatic joy welled up in his eyes.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, the captain looked troubled, hesitated for a moment, and then waved his hand, saying...
"With Minister Yan's guarantee, how dare I disobey? Release them!"

Despite his outward appearance, he secretly longed for it.

Although this matter wasn't exactly a hot potato, it wasn't exactly a meritorious deed either. Naturally, it was better to avoid trouble. The previous order to arrest the person was merely to absolve himself of responsibility.

Now that Yan Song has spoken up to plead for him, any problems that arise afterward will become Yan Song's problem.

This way, he would have no further connection with the emperor, and the Minister of Rites would owe him a small favor. Why not do it?

"Thank you, Lieutenant Chen. My son recently brought a batch of aged wine from Guizhou. After I finish my shift, I will have two jars delivered for the brothers to try."

Yan Song always had a warm smile on his face, and he looked like an approachable and kind old man.

Furthermore, Yan Song is currently cautious and has not yet revealed his true colors, making his appearance extremely deceptive and as if he were a gentle breeze.

"Minister Yan, you flatter me. It is merely my duty."

Captain Chen bowed repeatedly in humility, and didn't forget to yell at the Imperial Guards behind him.

"Aren't you going to thank Minister Yan?" "Thank you, Minister Yan!"

In just a few words, the matter was easily resolved.

After a while.

Yan Maoqing, Gao Gong, and Zhang Yusheng followed Yan Song out of the palace gate.

"Thank you very much for saving me today, Minister Yan. I will remember this and repay you in the future."

Gao Gong was a man who couldn't hold back his words. He had only taken a few steps when he couldn't help but run up to Yan Song, bow deeply, and loudly express his gratitude.

Seeing this, Zhang Yusheng, fearing he would fall behind, quickly stepped forward, raising his hand higher than Gao Gong, bowing more deeply, and speaking louder, going to great lengths to curry favor.

"I, Zhang Yusheng, will never forget your kindness today. If Minister Yan ever needs my help in the future, I will be willing to go through fire and water for you!"

Unfortunately, he was disheveled at the moment, and his lower body was soaked in dirt mixed with urine, making him a truly "delicious sight, smell, and taste".

Even with Yan Song's deep-seated cunning, he couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.

Only Yan Maoqing bowed slightly and said in a cool and indifferent tone:
"Thank you, Minister Yan, for saving me."

Yan Maoqing felt that he had already done a lot of face for Yan Song by doing this much; otherwise, would he have sincerely thanked him?

What should we thank him for?
Thank him for destroying my third line of defense with just a few words?

Thanks to him, this matter will most likely have come to an end, and it will probably never reach the ears of the Jiajing Emperor.

Or should we thank him for all the disastrous things he did after becoming Prime Minister?
"?"

Yan Maoqing's behavior left Gao Gong and Zhang Yusheng somewhat puzzled.

Didn't Yan Maoqing seem quite eager to improve during the previous examination?
Why are they so indifferent to their benefactor, Minister Yan?

After all, Yan Song was the Minister of Rites. If one could gain his favor, it would only be beneficial to one's future career.

I really don't know what Yan Maoqing was thinking...

"hehe."

Yan Song smiled, thinking that Yan Maoqing had just been expelled by Yan Shifan and was still a little resentful. So he first patted Yan Maoqing on the shoulder alone before speaking to the three of them:
"No need for formalities. You are all outstanding talents selected by the Ministry of Rites and the future pillars of the court. If your future is ruined because of such a trivial matter, how could I bear to do it and sit idly by?"

"Minister Yan is a man of great integrity and righteousness, which I admire greatly. Please accept my bow once more!"

This time, Zhang Yusheng was quick-witted and immediately offered a compliment before Gao Gong could.

Gao Gong also bowed again, seemingly moved.

"..."

Only Yan Maoqing felt that Yan Song was acting a little strange.

Even if it wasn't Yan Song's intention to expel him from the Yuzhang Guild Hall yesterday, he couldn't possibly be completely unaware of it.

Even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care. He was just a newly appointed Jinshi, and he was ranked last in the third class. What difference was there between him and a roadside person?
But I don’t know why.

Even though Zhang Yusheng was the one who got closer, Yan Song insisted on taking a step forward to pat his own shoulder.

It was one thing to pat someone on the shoulder, but he also kept lingering on me with a suggestive look, as if he wanted to do something to me.

Yan Maoqing felt a chill in his heart.

I've only heard that Yan Shifan had a penchant for male homosexuality and would even sexually harass young and handsome subordinates, but I've never heard that Yan Song had such a penchant.
(End of this chapter)