Chaos of Ming 1628

Wang Fengyuan paused slightly as he looked at Yang Qingqing. He then glanced back at Sun Qing beside him.

Although he didn't speak, his actions and demeanor were full of vigilance. After hesitating for a moment, he still took a step forward.

He bowed respectfully, his expression calm and expressionless: "Greetings, Miss Yang."

According to etiquette, when greeting someone, one usually adds a self-reference after the greeting. However, Wang Fengyuan, when facing Yang Qingqing, neglected to use a self-reference.

When officials of the eunuch faction meet, they usually refer to themselves as "this official" in calm situations. If they are superiors, they refer to themselves as "this official." However, Yang Qingqing was merely a core member of the eunuch faction and did not hold any official position.

If Wei Zhongxian were at the height of his power, such a title or address would be perfectly reasonable. Now, however, the situation is tense, and the Shanxi merchants deeply resent the eunuch faction, wishing they could exterminate them immediately.

He's too humble towards members of the eunuch faction, only willingly identifying himself as one. What will he do when the reckoning comes?

If he were to address himself as an elder, that would be even more problematic. Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; having once been part of the eunuch faction, he knew Yang Qingqing's status and position.

If anything goes wrong, the entire family, young and old, may lose their lives.

But who is Sun Qing?

He was a member of the Sun family. Sun Chengzong hated the eunuch faction and was determined to be irreconcilable with the treacherous officials.

How did Sun Qing become famous?

The people of Jiahe County were able to spend the winter safely, but the credit was given to Eunuch Wei.

Whether he is treacherous or loyal, no one can say for sure.

Now that Yang Qingqing had appeared at the same time, Wang Fengyuan felt a headache coming on. He couldn't treat Sun Qing as a member of the Donglin Party, nor could he be compared to the eunuch faction.

Yang Qingqing smiled faintly, a fleeting look of melancholy in her eyes.

The eunuch faction had once enjoyed immense prestige, making Yang Qingqing's sense of loss all the more palpable. Looking at Wang Fengyuan, Yang Qingqing scoffed, "Wang Fengyuan, you've changed so much in just a few months!"

"I remember last time you came, you personally greeted us at the city gate, with cheers lining the streets and a grand banquet."

Wang Fengyuan was pale, remained silent, and lowered his head.

The current emperor's stance is clear: the purge of the eunuch faction is only a matter of time. As for the ridicule, simply ignoring it is best.

Unexpectedly, Yang Qingqing burst out laughing: "You really are opportunistic! I'm in a bad mood, and you just have to come at me. I'd like to see if this old dog's teeth can still bite!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yang Qingqing, dressed in gorgeous clothes, seemed like a completely different person, her eyes cold and murderous.

"Oh dear, girl, spare me!" With just one look, Wang Fengyuan's legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground.

He quickly knelt up, supporting himself with his hands, and said earnestly, "With the young lady's presence, how could I dare to be negligent? I was truly confused for a moment and lost my composure."

"After all... you came with Lord Sun." Wang Fengyuan looked at Sun Qing cautiously.

Logically speaking, a county magistrate only governs one county. However, all the counties of Sangzhi in a prefecture are under the jurisdiction of the prefect.

When the county magistrate saw the prefect, he would often refer to himself as "this humble official."

With the lives of his entire family at stake, Wang Fengyuan had no other choice.

Yang Qingqing glanced at him coldly, her tone indifferent: "Wang Fengyuan, look what you've done to Hejian Prefecture. Now that Lord Sun is here, you'd better learn from him!"

Sun Qing spoke up, and Wang Fengyuan was still unconvinced. Even two months earlier, if Yang Qingqing had spoken, Wang Fengyuan certainly wouldn't have dared to utter a single word.

But things are different now.

"Miss Yang," Wang Fengyuan sighed, and earnestly said, "It's not that I'm disrespectful to you, but the court simply won't tolerate it!"

"Lord Sun is only a seventh-rank official, while I am a fourth-rank official. It is feared that the court will not tolerate a county magistrate performing the duties of a prefect."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking cautiously but firmly: "If Miss Yang continues to act recklessly as before, I'm afraid..."

With a "smack," a box smashed onto Wang Fengyuan's head.

Wang Fengyuan winced in pain, blood streaming down his forehead, but dared not utter a sound.

He lowered his head and gritted his teeth, but the hatred in his eyes was hard to hide.

Sun Qing stood quietly to the side and watched without interfering.

Such was the prevailing sentiment in the court, and Wei Zhongxian's situation was dire; many of his former allies had turned against him. If it weren't for Wei Zhongxian's continued influence, his situation would likely be even worse.

"Wang Fengyuan, take a good look at what's inside!" Yang Qingqing said coldly.

Although she was extremely disappointed, she quickly adjusted. At least when facing someone like Wang Fengyuan, she didn't lose her composure.

Wang Fengyuan's face darkened, and he didn't dare to wipe the bloodstains from his forehead. He endured the pain and picked up the box.

I opened it, and there was only one piece of paper inside.

The emperor wrote: "I have observed that Sun Qing governs Jiaohe with considerable skill and has achieved remarkable results. In contrast, Hejian Prefecture, despite its abundance of talented individuals, is powerless to cope with the snow disaster, resulting in widespread famine. Since Wang Fengyuan is unable to quell the unrest, I hereby appoint Sun Qing to take over Hejian Prefecture."

Every word and phrase filled Wang Fengyuan with trepidation.

What truly embarrassed him was the gold seal on it.

How could he dare disobey an imperial edict issued by Emperor Chongzhen?

"No...impossible!" Wang Fengyuan roared in a trembling voice.

Sun Qing chuckled: "Could it be that Lord Wang dares to question even the Emperor's own edict?"

"Your humble servant dares not!" Wang Fengyuan immediately replied with trepidation.

He retorted, "But Lord Sun has only been a seventh-rank official for less than two months. Now he's being promoted to prefect, which is practically a super-extraordinary three-level leap. The whole court and the public will surely be in uproar."

"This kind of violation of the rules is simply unbelievable."

"Lord Wang, regardless of the circumstances, this is His Majesty's will," Sun Qing said calmly, his expression indifferent. "The transfer order will be issued in a few days."

"If Lord Wang has any objections, he may go to the capital to inquire with the Emperor."

Wang Fengyuan said indignantly, "This is none of Lord Sun's concern."

Even with Yang Qingqing present, Wang Fengyuan's demeanor remained unchanged, clearly indicating he had no intention of relinquishing power. The eunuch faction's influence over him was no longer what it once was.

Judging from his determined gaze, he probably also wants to join the Donglin Party.

"Then hurry up and hand over your handprint!" Yang Qingqing said anxiously.

Wang Fengyuan stood there motionless, and said confidently, "His Majesty's edict only instructed you to manage this matter; it did not explicitly state that you would be appointed as the prefect."

"You want my fingerprint without an order? I'm afraid I cannot comply!"

Yang Qingqing was about to get angry.

Sun Qing laughed and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, Lord Wang is just following the rules, why should we make things difficult for him?"

"Lord Wang, it seems we were too hasty today."

Wang Fengyuan snorted and pretended to be embarrassed: "It's good that Lord Sun understands. I didn't mean to make things difficult for you, it's just the way things are."

"If Lord Sun wishes to stay for a while, he may certainly visit the post station!"

Sun Qing found it funny.

Emperor Chongzhen's edict has arrived, yet he still dares to make excuses. It seems the Donglin Party has already taken action.

Yang Qingqing frowned slightly, about to speak.

Sun Qing had already walked up to her and was leading her outside.

As they walked, he asked casually, "Why did Lord Wang recognize you?"

"What was that 'welcome' you mentioned earlier?"

Sun Qing's voice wasn't deliberately raised; it was just casual conversation.

Wang Fengyuan, standing at the back, felt as if these voices were rolling thunder, making his heart tremble.

Sun Qing's voice was completely flat as she asked curiously, "What interesting things happened between you and Lord Wang? You must tell me all about it!"