Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 365 The Art of the Mind
Yan Song grabbed Gao Hong, who was about to turn and leave: "Father-in-law, please wait!"

Gao Hong glanced around and, seeing that everyone present was a member of the Yan family, stamped his foot and said, “His Majesty is discerning and already knows that you and I have a private relationship. He even kicked me in anger earlier, and I still don’t know why His Majesty sent me to deliver the decree. But I am in a precarious situation myself, and I don’t know if I will have to go back to face punishment later. Now that the message has been delivered, Grand Secretary, you are a man of strategy, so you should act accordingly!”

After Gao Hong finished speaking, he brushed his hand away and hurriedly stepped out the door.

Yan Song stared blankly at the doorway, and the servant beside him called him for a long time without him coming back to his senses.

Only when Yan Liang arrived and called his name twice did he turn his gaze back to Yan Liang's face: "Did you hear what he said?"

Although Yan Liang and the others were required to come out together to receive the imperial decree, Yan Liang did not hear it because Yan Song had pulled Gao Hong aside when he spoke. He looked at the imperial decree in Yan Song's hand: "Didn't the Emperor order my grandfather to return to court to handle affairs and investigate officials? Since the Emperor is still using my grandfather, it means that the Emperor has no intention of continuing to pursue the matter. This can be considered as giving my grandfather a way out, which is a good thing!"

Yan Song shoved the imperial edict into his hand: "Take a closer look!"

After saying this, he lifted his robe, turned around, and went into the courtyard.

Yan Liang quickly opened the imperial edict, and his expression changed upon reading it! Madam Yan and Yan Qu both crowded around, and after only a furrowed brow and a quick glance, Madam Yan lost control: "How come they're all the old master's students? And why are the Du and Yang families included?!"

A long list of names was clearly written on the yellow silk, consisting of officials who were affiliated with the Yan family! The Du family and the Yang family, listed in the most conspicuous places, were the maternal family of Madam Yan and the maternal family of Old Madam Yan, respectively! These two families had long been well-established in their alliance with Yan Song and were two forces under the Yan family that could not be underestimated!

But now the emperor has actually issued an edict ordering Yan Song to personally investigate them. Isn't this making him clip his own wings?

"how so?!"

Lady Yan cried out in anguish, "Why did His Majesty suddenly do this?!"

Yan Qu also looked at Yan Liang: "This is too ruthless! The document says there's a half-month deadline, can these people even handle it? If they do, won't the Yan family be crippled? What's the difference between this and taking the lives of the entire Yan family?!"

Yan Liang was in a state of utter confusion; how could he possibly answer him?
He gritted his teeth, put away the imperial edict, and followed Yan Song into the study.

"Grandfather! What is the Emperor really thinking?"

Yan Song stood in the room, leaning on the table, and sighed silently, saying, "All good things must come to an end. He really hates us after all."

"But why doesn't he just confront the perpetrator directly?"

Yan Song paced forward: "Perhaps it's not time to kill yet, perhaps he's afraid that if he goes too far, he won't be able to handle the storm, or maybe he still has some other use for me... It's all possible, all of these reasons."

Yan Liang asked, "What do you mean by 'other uses'?"

"Previously, the Shen family and I, one civil and one military, checked and balanced each other in the court. That's why the Emperor felt comfortable entrusting the government and military affairs to me and Shen Bo. If the Yan family were suddenly eradicated, the Shen family would become the only powerful family! If you were in this position, what would you think?"

Yan Liang was suddenly moved: "Grandfather, are you referring to Shen Bo's testimony in court yesterday?"

“Besides providing evidence, there’s also the Crown Prince.” Yan Song frowned as he looked at him. “Throughout history, no emperor has ever been indifferent to ministers visiting the Crown Prince privately. Shen Bo holds the power to mobilize troops. Yesterday, in order to deal with the Yan family, he colluded with the Crown Prince. Even if they had never interacted before, after this incident, the Crown Prince will surely be extremely grateful to the Shen family. This is by no means a good thing for the emperor!”

"Moreover, at that critical moment yesterday, wasn't Shen Bo's evidence provided too timely? If he hadn't appeared, your father might not have died immediately! The Crown Prince's grievances could only be swallowed!" As he said this, Yan Song's eyes gradually reddened again.

Yan Liang stood up straight and said, "Grandson understands! The Emperor has been slow to hold the Yan family accountable, but has issued an edict ordering the Yan family to investigate their cronies. This shows that he knows everything about Grandfather, but he still wants the Yan family to fight against the Shen family."

"He issued an edict ordering my grandfather to personally clip his wings, which both intimidated the Yan family and demonstrated imperial power, while also weakening the Yan family's influence, leaving them no choice but to obey the order!"

"Good!" Yan Song sighed. "It's getting late, so it's inconvenient to set off now. Go and gather everyone at the manor. I have something to say. Since the imperial decree has been issued, I must go to the Grand Secretariat first thing tomorrow morning."

"We're already on the brink of disaster. No matter how hot this matter is, we have to bite the bullet and get it done!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Liang gritted his teeth again: "In this way, the Yan family will still suffer heavy losses. Even if the Yan family has more than just these thirteen supporters, if we investigate them one by one, the remaining people will also turn against us!"
"At that time, the Yan family will be surrounded by enemies and isolated, like meat on a chopping board, and will only be at the mercy of the emperor!"

"Grandfather, can't we do anything more?"

“The ruler is the guide for his subjects, what else can be done?” Yan Song said sadly. “Once suspicion takes root, it’s useless to try to remedy the situation!”

"Disobey the imperial decree, and your family will be immediately raided and you will be executed! Obey the decree? There are still half a month left, right? In these half a month, Hu Yucheng should be able to make his move! We don't know what will happen then, but a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle!"

"Since Grandfather is convinced that the Emperor has abandoned the Yan family, what can Hu Yucheng do even if he comes? Can he protect us for the rest of our lives?"

“We can stand back to back with Hu Yucheng! Hu Yucheng has military merits, and I currently hold all the power in the court. I have people in every department and office! If the Emperor can make me investigate these thirteen today, does he expect me to investigate thirteen every day, tomorrow and the day after? Can he investigate all the civil officials in the court?!”

Yan Song took a deep breath, his cloudy eyes surging with emotion: "As long as I am still in the cabinet, I will have power and people in my hands! The war in the southeast will continue for several more years. Changing commanders on the front lines is a major taboo. As long as Hu Yucheng commands the troops, as long as he stands firmly with us, and as long as I do not choose to openly defy the imperial decree, no one can eliminate the Yan family!"

"And after these past few years, I have been able to help you secure an invincible position in the court!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an inkstone was thrown to the ground, instantly creating a dent in the joint between the floor tiles!

Yan Liang, clutching the yellow silk, bowed deeply: "Grandfather's foresight has enlightened your grandson!"

"Your father is gone, and from now on, I will be the one to guide you." Yan Song slowly sat down in the chair. "Go. Send the raised funds to the palace in time to show our loyalty."

"At this time, the more obedient you are, the better."

"Besides, Gao Hong is clearly scared. You should also try to appease him and keep him calm. He's our eyes and ears in the palace and holds power in the Directorate of Ceremonial, so we must keep him under control!"

"Yes!"

Yan Liang quickly left the study.

Yan Song picked up the imperial edict, glanced at it, then clenched it tightly and tossed it onto the table.