Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 343 How much money does the Yan family have?

Gao Hong's words were as resounding as drumbeats, striking the hall repeatedly.

The emperor stared ahead, a glint of cold light slowly flashing beneath his furrowed brows: "Yan Shu stole military funds, plotting against my money. Are you saying I should accept this loss, suffer this humiliation, and tolerate him?"

“Yan Shu dared to offend the wrath of Heaven, and his crimes are heinous and cannot be let off! But given the current situation, punishing him does not necessarily mean taking his life.”

"what for?"

Gao Hong crawled forward on his knees, lowering his voice: "There's a war going on in the southeast. They need not only weapons but also ships, and the costs are even higher than in the northwest. Hu Yucheng is good at fighting, but he's also very greedy for money. He's given all the tax revenue from the canal transport."

“If Yan Shu dares to embezzle military funds, then let him spit them out. He embezzled 300,000 taels back then, so let the Yan family pay back double the amount, wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

The emperor narrowed his eyes: "You mean you want the Yan family to pay for their lives?"

Gao Hong's voice slowed even further: "As long as it can resolve the current predicament, it would be an honor for his dog's life. In this way, Yan Song will also be given a way out, and he will surely be grateful to the Emperor and serve him even more. After all, Yan Song has been loyal for many years, so it would be reasonable for the Emperor to show some leniency! Moreover, it can also prove the Emperor's reputation for benevolence. This is a win-win-win situation!"

The emperor twirled the cup in his hand: "How much money does the Yan family have?"

Gao Hong remained silent.

He then said, “Your Majesty has stumped me. Over the years, Your Majesty has bestowed upon Grand Secretary Yan a considerable amount of land and property. Moreover, given the current situation where lives are at stake, I believe that even if Grand Secretary Yan were to go door to door pleading, he would still have to raise the money to save Yan Shu’s life.”

The emperor picked up the bowl of salted duck soup, gently swirled it a couple of times, and then took a sip.

……

The sound of rain came from outside the window again, its patter particularly noticeable in the quiet sky, and the earthy smell filled the room through the window.

Yan Song pushed open the window. After the last colleague left his room, only his room had a light on in the entire yamen. In the corner courtyard, a few of his subordinates were still reluctant to leave and were on standby at any time.

As dusk fell, a messenger arrived from the palace to deliver an imperial edict, conveying the Emperor's message that he would not be allowed to leave the cabinet.

This was naturally within his expectations. He now had almost complete control of the cabinet, and if he suddenly relinquished his power, the emperor would have no chance of accomplishing anything.

However, while he passed this hurdle, he hadn't passed Yan Shu's.

"Mr. Ge."

The bailiff came in and presented him with a letter.

Upon seeing the blank cover, he immediately tore it open.

The letter contained only one line of text.

After reading it, he brought it close to the lamp and burned it.

After sitting for a while, he opened a drawer, took out an item, then picked up the Zhai Guan and went out.

The carriage traveled through the drizzle, taking him to the passageway leading to the palace gate.

The Forbidden City is so quiet in the rain.

He had traveled this road countless times, but never before had the sound of car wheels been so loud.

He said, "Stop it."

The sound of the car wheels finally stopped.

He stepped onto the stone slabs and walked in the rain towards a corner on one side of the palace gate.

"Your Excellency." A figure emerged from the shadows.

"Eunuch Gao!" Yan Song bowed.

Gao Hong returned the greeting: "Given the current situation, please forgive me for only being able to meet you here."

"What are you saying?" Yan Song said with emotion. "I am already extremely grateful that you, sir, have pleaded with the Emperor to spare my life."

Gao Hong smiled and said, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. Over the years, you have helped the Emperor solve his problems and worked tirelessly for him. How could the Emperor not know this? If it weren't for your loyalty, Your Excellency, I could talk until I was hoarse, but the Emperor would not have paid any attention to me."

Yan Song bowed in thanks. He then asked, "What does His Majesty think about my son's matter?" Gao Hong sighed, "Lord Yan's offense has truly touched His Majesty's sore spot. It is impossible for him to be forgiven without consequence."

“That’s natural!” Yan Song nodded. “Then, what about the suggestion I made earlier—”

Gao Hong then smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Excellency!"

"how?!"

"His Majesty has just issued an edict to transfer Lord Yan to the Imperial Prison to await further orders. He has also ordered the three judicial departments to submit the case files to the palace after they have closed the case."

Gao Hong leaned closer and said, "Now that you put it that way, Grand Secretary, you should understand, right?"

The lights on the city tower illuminated the raindrops, and the raindrops reflected this light into Yan Song's eyes. He stared at Gao Hong for a moment, then bowed solemnly: "Thank you!"

"You're too kind, Your Excellency."

Yan Song took out the item from his sleeve: "You've been in this position of Grand Eunuch for many years, it's time for a promotion."

Gao Hong looked down and saw what was in his hand clearly, his eyes lighting up: "Your Excellency's kindness is truly admirable—"

Yan Song pressed his hand back: "Ten years ago, Li Quan planted a thorn in the Emperor's heart because of the matter of appointing the Crown Prince. This matter is unknown to outsiders."

"However, among all the officials in the Directorate of Ceremonial, he was the only one who had accompanied the Emperor from his pre-imperial residence. The Emperor cherishes the past, so he remains the person the Emperor relies on most."

"With him around, it would be extremely difficult for my father-in-law to get ahead."

"But with this, Father-in-law will achieve great things."

Gao Hong looked down again, took a deep breath, and said, "Your Excellency is truly virtuous and capable. I, Gao, have indeed not mistaken you for someone else!"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Although I have served His Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. Your Excellency should proceed with caution upon returning."

"His Majesty also has his own difficulties. Grand Secretary, please consider this carefully. If another mistake is made, there may be no way to reverse the situation."

Yan Song stared at him in astonishment, and after a moment, he bowed again.

……

The drizzle was dense and fine, and the scenery behind the rain curtain was dreamlike and ethereal.

Gao Hong retreated back into the palace gates, and Yan Song also returned to the carriage.

"Go home!"

He slowly exhaled and ordered, "Send someone back first, and have the eldest young master and the others wait in the study."

"In addition, send a message to the old lady, instructing her to gather all the accountants and stand by."

The servant agreed, then asked, "The accounts are currently managed by Madam, with the Third Young Mistress assisting. Should we send a message to Madam and the Third Young Mistress to the Old Madam of the Upper House?"

Yan Song paused for a moment, then said, "No need."

The sound of wheels started again.

When all the sounds faded into the background of the rain, another figure emerged from another corner beneath the city wall.

He glanced in the direction Gao Hong had left, then stared at the direction the carriage had gone, before quietly slipping into the darkness leading to the Directorate of Ceremonial.

"Godfather!"

Li Quan was reviewing memorials when the door was suddenly pushed open, and his godson Li Rong arrived and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, Li Quan looked at him and asked, "Did you look carefully?"

Li Rong nodded deeply. "I would never mistake it; it was Grand Secretary Yan and Gao Hong! Grand Secretary Yan also gave something to Gao Hong, but we were too far apart to hear clearly what they were saying."

Li Quan put down the memorial. After sitting silently for a moment, he picked up his pen again and said, "Understood."