Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 140 Yan Song, an unofficial member of the Yixin Society (First Update)
Yan Shifan made such a grand statement not because he truly intended to bring all evil to justice, but because he feared that he would be thwarted again.

He believed this was a good opportunity to make a name for himself.

But he also knew that neither the man in front of him nor his father at home would approve of him taking the lead.

However, after a moment's thought, Haiyue nodded and said, "Alright! Since Donglou has this intention, let's proceed!"

Yan Shifan was stunned at first, then overjoyed: "Really? Mingwei is indeed my confidant. I knew you would agree with me!"

Haiyue said, "But before you enter the Ministry of Justice, you must not hide anything from your father! It's not that I want your father to stop you, but father and son are one. If you really find out something, will your opponents think it has nothing to do with Minister Yan?"

Yan Shifan's expression changed upon hearing the first part of the sentence, but upon hearing the rest, he took a deep breath: "Mingwei is right. If they really find out something serious, they will indeed hold my father accountable..."

Haiyue continued, "Minister Yan is upright and honest. During Emperor Wuzong's reign, he faced the eunuch faction's monopoly of power with unwavering integrity and never bowed his head. Now, everyone in the court and the public knows that he is highly respected. With such integrity, how could he be afraid of the jealousy of those treacherous villains? But we cannot be completely unprepared. If you do not speak up beforehand, he may be caught off guard, lose the initiative, and be plotted against. That would be a great act of filial impiety!"

Yan Shifan certainly didn't want his father to be framed, but he was also a bit troubled: "But I told my father about this, and he definitely won't agree to me going to the Ministry of Justice to investigate! I won't hide it from Mingwei, this has already happened before. Father scolded me for listening to Zhao Wenhua's one-sided story and wanting to act recklessly, but the facts prove that what Zhao Wenhua said was not unfounded..."

Haiyue smiled slightly: "Then I will visit your residence and discuss the pros and cons of this matter with Minister Yan. What do you say?"

……

"Hai Shisanlang is coming to pay a visit?" "This old woman must make some proper preparations!"

When Yan Shifan returned home and relayed the news of the impending visit, Yan Song immediately became very serious, and Ouyang even specially brought out local specialties from Qiongshan to entertain him.

Haiyue arrived early, also bringing gifts.

Yan Song's mansion was not yet prominent; it was located in an alley in the west of the city.

With its gray tiles and white walls, and two old locust trees sprouting new buds in front of the door, the house appears exceptionally simple and serene.

As soon as he entered the alley, he saw Yan Shifan waiting at the door. Yan Shifan smiled and took his arm, leading him inside.

The Yan residence was not large, but the courtyard was lush with flowers and trees. Although there were no luxurious furnishings, it exuded elegance.

A couplet hangs in front of the hall: "A pure heart is the foundation of good governance; an upright path is the way to self-preservation."

The calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, and it was indeed inscribed by Yan Song himself.

Yan Song, now the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, personally greeted them in the hall. Considering their age and status, this was truly an act of deference.

Haiyue saw the elderly man with refined features and a scholarly demeanor from afar and quickly stepped forward to bow: "I apologize for my intrusion and hope that you will forgive me, Master Yan!"

Yan Song stroked his beard and smiled: "Thirteenth Brother, Qing'er often mentions you, saying that you two often discussed classics and history until late at night in the Imperial Academy dormitory. If you don't mind, just call me Uncle!"

Haiyue glanced at Yan Shifan sideways, wondering how he could say such a thing. Yan Shifan winked, his face neither red nor flustered, and bowed again: "Nephew greets Uncle Yan!"

"Hahaha! Good, good!"

Yan Song laughed heartily: "Nephew, come with me!"

The group entered the hall and met Ouyang, addressing her as "Auntie," becoming even more affectionate.

Haiyue was somewhat emotional.

I still remember last year when I was in my hometown of Hainan, Wu Lin, the Guangdong Imperial Censor, wanted to write a letter to Yan Song to encourage him to enter the Imperial Academy. It would be even better if he could become Yan Song's student.

Although Yan Song did not have a strong presence in the central government, he was still the former Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, with countless students. For students from Qiongshan, being able to become his disciple was truly a meteoric rise.

But now, even if he wanted to worship, Yan Song wouldn't dare accept it.

Because Haiyue was a disciple of the emperor.

These were not just a formality of the palace examination, with hundreds of candidates in each session, most of whom were forgotten. They were the true disciples who were personally granted courtesy names by the emperor.

How could Yan Song dare to compete with the emperor?
Now that they've become uncle and nephew, it doesn't matter. After all, Haiyue and Yan Shifan are indeed classmates and close friends, and it's only natural for them to interact like this. There's no need to be shy about it.

Yan Song, adopting the demeanor of an elder, inquired about Hai Yue's studies at the Imperial Academy and offered guidance. As the fifth-ranked student in the country that year and a genius in the imperial examinations, his words were insightful and profound, greatly benefiting Hai Yue.

After this formality was completed, the two sides got down to business. Yan Song's expression turned serious: "I have also heard the rumors about the two Zhangs faking their deaths. I heard from Qing'er that you are planning to investigate this matter in depth within the Ministry of Justice?"

"Yes!"

Haiyue said, "This case is of great importance, concerning the future of Princess Yongchun's residence, as well as the prestige of the court and His Majesty's wisdom!"

Yan Song frowned: "This matter will be investigated by the relevant departments. What does it have to do with you students?"

Haiyue said solemnly, "Power and responsibility should be commensurate, and righteousness and profit should be balanced! I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor and should share His Majesty's burdens!" In modern terms, this means that power and responsibility should be equal.

Logically speaking, a small group like the Yixin Society shouldn't be concerned with national affairs; they should just focus on their studies at the Imperial Academy.

However, even those who honestly and diligently studied at the Imperial Academy were not qualified to receive His Majesty's attention, be bestowed with imperial calligraphy, or have influence in the court.

Having such power, one must also bear the corresponding responsibility and relieve the emperor's worries and troubles!
And it should be taken on voluntarily, not assigned to one's own responsibilities or something one is forced to do!
Whether or not the problem can be solved is secondary; at least the attitude must be shown.

Sometimes, all the emperor wants is just an attitude.

Yan Song had long seen through this. He had deliberately asked the question earlier, and seeing the other man's clear thinking, he secretly admired him: 'This young man is truly remarkable. No wonder he was recommended to the capital by Lu Bing, seized the opportunity, and rendered meritorious service in protecting the Empress Dowager. His establishment of the Yixin Society has won His Majesty's favor; his future is limitless!'

An eighteen-year-old boy possesses such wisdom and composure!
Looking at her own son, who was a year older, she saw that although he was also very intelligent, he seemed too immature compared to her.

"One is influenced by one's company," Yan Song hoped that Yan Shifan could learn from this man and temper his impetuousness. On the surface, he remained calm and composed: "So what do you plan to do?"

Haiyue said, "I know very little about the Six Ministries and dare not act rashly or hastily. I was just about to ask my uncle for advice!"

Yan Song didn't mince words and said directly, "In my opinion, there may have been instances of death row inmates taking the place of the deceased in the past, but there is no doubt that the four supervising officials would have colluded to let the two Zhangs live!"

Haiyue nodded: "I don't believe that the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review would unite just to protect two notorious and disgraced relatives of the emperor."

Yan Shifan continued, "Besides, once the matter comes to light, it won't just be that I'm stripped of my post and reduced to a commoner; my whole family will be implicated and punished. Who would risk such a terrible thing to save two evil people?"

Yan Song said, "Therefore, the key to this case is actually how to quell this storm and make the world believe that the two Zhangs are dead and there is no such thing as a substitute!"

Haiyue fell silent, while Yan Shifan muttered, "How could anyone believe that..."

Public opinion is a major problem.

The hawking troupe used to be able to guide public opinion, but that was before things had fully taken off. If the rumors had already spread, the hawking troupe would not be able to reverse the tide.

Now that such large-scale underworld societies no longer exist, rumors of the two Zhangs taking each other's lives have long been circulating among the people of the capital. Changing people's perceptions is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

After all, the person is already dead. How can they possibly come back to life and kill again?
"Since the fate of the two Zhangs is already a mystery in the eyes of the common people, if you continue to investigate along this line, you will only end up in a dead end!"

Yan Song briefly summarized, then looked at his son: "Qing'er, what you thought before was indeed a righteous path. Investigate in the Ministry of Justice to see if any death row inmates were switched, took the blame, or committed heinous crimes to deceive the emperor! Find out the traitors involved and give the world an explanation, which will also put His Majesty at ease!"

Yan Shifan was immediately overwhelmed with joy at being recognized by his father: "Yes! Yes! That's exactly what I think!"

Haiyue said, "I also think that what Donglou said hit the nail on the head. However, after this incident, the Ministry of Justice will inevitably be on edge. How can we conduct an in-depth investigation?"

"I am not entirely familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice..."

Yan Song said calmly, "There is one person who can help you succeed."

Haiyue and Yan Shifan both looked curious, with the latter even more impatiently asking, "Father, who is it?"

"Zhao Wenhua, former chief clerk of the Ministry of Justice!"

Yan Song stroked his beard and said, "This man has been demoted, but he has not yet left the capital. You can go and find him!"

Not to mention Yan Shifan, even Hai Yue was taken aback.

On second thought, it seemed brilliant.

The Ministry of Justice is currently in a state of high alert, with vested interests at play, making it extremely difficult to uncover clues from within. However, Zhao Wenhua has been demoted from his position as the head of the Ministry of Justice and is about to leave the capital for Lingnan. He is the most likely person to expose the dark secrets of the Ministry of Justice, as he hopes to seize any opportunity to remain in the capital.

This is indeed an excellent breakthrough point!
Ginger is still spicy!

Haiyue and Yan Shifan instantly understood the Ministry of Justice's investigation approach and stood up to bow in gratitude: "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle/Father!"

Yan Song accepted the bow calmly, then gestured with his hand: "Don't be in a hurry. Let me tell you more about the character of the officials in the Ministry of Justice. That way, you'll know how to deal with them if you encounter them..."

The three of them talked for a long time that night.

The next morning, when Yan Song went to the Ministry of Personnel, he was still concerned about the two young men's investigation.

He only had one son, Yan Shifan, so of course he had to protect and support him. For this reason, he had to make use of his connections.

Upon realizing this, Yan Song suddenly chuckled: "Brilliant! I, the dignified Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, have become an unofficial member of the Yixin Society?"

(End of this chapter)