The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 105 Yan Mansion

That night, the Yan family arranged a very lavish dinner to entertain Zhang Juzheng. Not only Yan Song and his son Yan Shifan, but even the usually reclusive Madam Ouyang came out.

The Yan family's intention was crystal clear: they were treating Zhang Juzheng as a truly distinguished guest. Otherwise, let alone a minor Hanlin scholar, even the Ministers of the Six Ministries might not receive such treatment.

Yan Shifan personally carried two jars of wine. His robes were still a little dusty, indicating that he had personally retrieved them from the cellar. Zhang Juzheng got up to receive them.

"Uncle, you're a guest, you don't need to move, just let him carry it."

Yan Song's wife, with her full head of silver hair neatly combed, had a kind expression. She was holding Zhang Juzheng's hand and asking him how his parents were doing and whether he was settling in well in the capital. Her tone was as warm as if she were seeing her own nephew.

"Uncle," Yan Shifan said after catching his breath, "this is Shandong Qiulu Bai wine that has been aged for fifty years. It was a gift from the Shandong Provincial Governor two years ago, and I haven't been able to bring myself to drink it. You're in luck today."

Zhang Juzheng feigned some embarrassment and said, "I came in a hurry and only brought a few small gifts to pay my respects. Your Excellency, Madam, and the young Grand Secretary have been so hospitable—"

After leaving the palace in the afternoon, he ordered his servants to deliver a visiting card, and then hurriedly prepared some new tea from his hometown, as well as a few exquisite-looking pastries, which can only be described as being polite.

Yan Song sat upright in the main seat, stroking his beard and smiling, his tone full of appreciation: "When a scholar visits, what matters is his sincerity, not gold and silver. Uncle Da is intelligent and resolute, and his future is limitless. His frequent visits please me more than anything else."

These were Yan Song's true feelings. He was now the Grand Secretary, but he was getting old. Yan Shifan was also nearly forty, obese, and indulged in wine and women, so he didn't look like he was going to live a long life.

These things don't really matter, but the grandson is too young. I don't know if they will still be able to take care of him in ten or twenty years. What if Heaven takes him away in one fell swoop?

They know best how many people they've offended over the years; the widow and her child will only become easy prey.

Therefore, he must leave his grandson with more important connections to protect him.

In retrospect, Zhang Juzheng was the perfect candidate. He was young, only in his twenties, and was also Prince Jing's most trusted confidant. It was no surprise that he would become the Grand Secretary in the future.

Zhang Juzheng quickly stood up: "Your Excellency is too kind to me."

Madam Ouyang said, "Sit down. Come to our home for dinner. No need for formalities."

"Yes." Zhang Juzheng sat down obediently. He was tall, handsome, and talented, and everyone who saw him was pleased.

Yan Shifan poured the wine himself. He had no choice; his parents had nagged him for over an hour before Zhang Juzheng arrived, telling him he couldn't be temperamental and had to be treated well.

However, he also liked Zhang Juzheng quite a bit, so he didn't harbor any resentment.

Yan Song raised his cup first: "No need to be so formal, let's start eating. Today's meal is mostly from my hometown of Fenyi. I wonder if you, Uncle, will enjoy it?"

Most of the dishes on the table were from Fenyi. Yan Song had hired three chefs from his hometown so that he could eat his hometown dishes every meal.

That's what they say, but there aren't many proper Fenyi dishes, just a few like Laba Shi Die (a dish of preserved vegetables), steamed pork belly with preserved mustard greens, and stewed Wushan black-boned chicken.

Hometown dishes are meant to show closeness and strengthen relationships. The main dishes must be abalone stewed with sea cucumber, bear paw milk, bear paw stewed with mountain delicacies, braised deer tendon, and some cold dishes and pastries, filling the table to the brim.

Yan Shifan served Zhang Juzheng some dishes, saying, "These are fresh abalone from Fujian and Zhejiang, and top-quality sea cucumbers from Liaodong. Have a taste."

"Thank you, Young Master."

"That's what outsiders call it."

"Then thank you very much, Brother Donglou."

"Haha, good! Good brother, if you have any problems in court in the future, just tell me."

Zhang Juzheng smiled, but his heart tightened. Yan Shifan's eccentricities were well known. Could it be that he had taken a liking to him?

He couldn't drink too much; he had to get back home no matter what. He made up his mind.

Yan Song and his wife watched with delight as the two downed several cups of wine.

"Drink slowly, have some food first."

Zhang Juzheng readily agreed and sat down, picked up his chopsticks to eat, and then pointed to a dish in front of him and asked about it.

Yan Shifan explained with great interest, "This is bear marrow with pufferfish lips, simmered over low heat until it becomes solidified fat. It is extremely rare. My brother, please try it."

But the most precious thing tonight has to be the two jars of Qiulu Bai wine that have been aged for fifty years. When the wine is poured into the glass, the rich aroma is almost condensed and does not dissipate. It is mellow and long-lasting on the throat, but has a strong aftertaste.

Unfortunately, Zhang Juzheng dared not drink freely, while Yan Song, being old, drank a few cups with him before starting his meal. The old lady ate very little, only instructing the maids to serve food and soup to Yan Shifan and Zhang Juzheng.

In the middle of the night, Yan Shifan's wife brought Yan Shaoting, who had just woken up, to see them. Yan Song jokingly said that he would have him become a student of Zhang Juzheng in the future to study and receive instruction.

It is well known that what is said in a joking manner is often the most genuine thought.

Zhang Juzheng did not refuse at all, and praised the sleepy, drooling child who was hiding in his mother's arms and making noise, saying how clever and quick-witted he was.

reject?

That's something only someone with Xu Wei's brain would do. This is the Grand Secretary, who has all the power in the world, showing goodwill, and they're even on the same side. Whether they accept it or not doesn't stop the Qingliu faction from including him when they criticize Yan Song.

Why not?

So, the guests and host were all happy. After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Yan Song led them to his study, which was also known as Qianshan Hall.

The main hall is spacious, with beams and pillars made of the finest hardwood. The walls are painted with dark brown antique lacquer, and the floor is paved with delicate and lustrous Suzhou gold bricks. In the very center hangs a plaque bestowed by Emperor Jiajing, signifying loyalty, diligence, and intelligence.

A large huanghuali wood desk sits steadily in the center of the hall. The desk is a little messy, with many books casually placed on it, and brushes, ink, paper and inkstones scattered about.

The other three sides are floor-to-ceiling rosewood bookshelves, filled with classic books, including many rare Tang and Song dynasty editions.

After the three of them sat down, the steward led the servants to bring in fresh tea and then withdrew. The three of them chatted politely for a few minutes and drank half a cup of tea.

Only then did they begin to discuss serious matters. Yan Song's tone was gentle: "Uncle, you must have come here because Your Highness has some instructions, such as arrangements for the officials of the Prince's residence."

Zhang Juzheng placed the teacup on the side table beside him: "Yes, Your Excellency is wise. The affairs of the Prince's residence are of great importance. If the officials under him cannot do anything and hinder His Highness in everything, it will harm His Highness. Therefore, the Ministry of Personnel cannot be allowed to make arbitrary arrangements."

Yan Shifan casually replied, "That's easy. Uncle, go back and tell His Highness that everyone in the Prince's Palace will be an official loyal to His Highness."

Yan Song smiled and nodded. Since he had decided to serve the prince, he naturally couldn't wait for the prince to give orders before doing anything.

The officials under the Prince's residence in the capital will not be of the Manchu rank, and deputy positions will not be arranged for the time being. If you count them all, there will only be twenty or thirty officials. There are plenty of people within Yan's faction who want to serve Prince Jing closely.

This matter is a win-win situation for the Yan family, as it provides an opportunity for their own people and also solves a problem for His Highness.