Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 102 Is the sovereign and father truly without fault?

"Wishing you good health."

Upon entering Yude Palace, Yan Maoqing saw Zhu Houcong, covered in blood and resembling a war god, and Tao Zhongwen standing beside him.

Based on this scene alone, Yan Maoqing had already made a judgment in his mind.

Although he had previously planted a seed of faith in Zhu Houcong's mind with idealistic words, it should not have developed to the point of affecting Zhu Houcong's trust in Tao Zhongwen so far.

But it's nothing serious.

This was originally a gradual process, and he didn't intend to completely eliminate Zhu Houcong's obsession with Taoist rituals. Even just making him reflect occasionally and restrain himself slightly would be a blessing for the country.

As for Tao Zhongwen...

Yan Maoqing felt that the two of them didn't actually have any deep-seated hatred.

Even if there had been some minor verbal conflict in the West Garden before, he hadn't suffered any loss, or rather, he had already avenged himself on the spot, so let's just consider it even.

If Tao Zhongwen insists on feeling that those idealistic words have hindered him and therefore harbors resentment towards him, then it must be Tao Zhongwen's own problem.

Yan Maoqing hadn't originally intended to say that, but Tao Zhongwen's persistent pressure aroused his desire for revenge, so he deliberately put a rat dropping in Tao Zhongwen's rice bowl and stirred it a few times with a spoon to make sure it was completely dissolved.

So, if anyone is to blame, it's Tao Zhongwen's own fault for being so foul-mouthed; it has nothing to do with him...

"Yan Maoqing, Huang Jin has already told you everything you need to know, hasn't he?"

Zhu Houcong's voice came from ahead.

"Now I need your help to find the mastermind behind this, and you can use any method you choose!"

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. But I wonder how far Commander Lu has progressed in his investigation?"

Yan Maoqing agreed verbally, but then asked another question.

"Huang Jin, call Lu Bing in and explain the progress."

Seeing that Yan Maoqing was not very enthusiastic, Zhu Houcong frowned slightly, but still waved his hand.

"Father, please forgive me, I am incompetent."

Lu Bing was immediately summoned into the hall and knelt on the ground to beg for forgiveness:

"Now, I have tortured two traitors to death. These traitors still insist that they found a piece of yellow paper in the palace a few days ago. They thought that Your Majesty wanted to cut open their chests and take their blood as a medicinal ingredient to make elixirs. Therefore, they took the risk of murdering Your Majesty. We have not yet found out who the mastermind was."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Tao Zhongwen lowered his eyes, his heart calm.

This is the brilliance of his plan: it can be used to attack or defend, and whether it succeeds or fails, he will not be implicated.

A mere piece of yellow paper with illegible handwriting proves nothing.

Because he understood in his heart, the emperor understood in his heart, and even the sorcerers and shamans supported by the emperor understood in their hearts:

Their position is actually similar to that of the rootless eunuchs in the palace, with everyone's interests tied to the emperor alone.

If something were to happen to the Emperor, and the new Emperor were not as obsessed with metaphysics as the Emperor, he probably wouldn't be enjoying such good treatment now.

This is one of the reasons why the emperor, after standing in opposition to imperial relatives, maternal relatives, court officials, powerful figures, and even eunuchs since the new policies and reforms, has shown particular favor to sorcerers and shamans.

Therefore, no matter what, the emperor would not easily suspect him of being involved with a group of sorcerers and shamans.

Even if the contents of that yellow paper seem to be related to sorcerers and shamans... it will most likely be interpreted as a frame-up by someone with ulterior motives.

In order to bring about such a situation, Tao Zhongwen also carefully considered the timing.

He deliberately chose this particular moment—when the emperor suddenly donned a leather cap and attended the morning court, ordered Xia Yan to be dismissed and placed under house arrest, and demoted dozens of censors and officials in one fell swoop—to send a special political signal to the world. This would only further convince the emperor that the matter was merely a "political struggle," and he would not suspect these sorcerers and shamans, who were even more isolated than loyal ministers and never involved in court affairs, especially since he was always "cautious and meticulous, and dared not act recklessly"!
After the emperor was assassinated, neither the empress nor the empress dowager nor any of the nobles were seen.

The fact that he was granted an audience in the palace is the best proof of this.

The biggest threat to him now is Yan Maoqing, who is a major problem now and in the future.

If it weren't for Yan Maoqing's influence...

This time things will still develop as he planned. Even the worst outcome would be that the emperor would move to the West Garden, seek immortality every day, stay away from the suburban temples, abandon court lectures, and have no contact with his ministers, while he alone would get to see the emperor!

Now, let's not even talk about whether the Emperor will move to the West Garden because of this palace coup.

Even if they eventually move to the West Garden, I'm afraid they won't just see him alone. They'll have to summon Yan Maoqing from time to time and continue to be bewitched by his wicked words.
This was something Tao Zhongwen absolutely could not accept; it concerned his life and fortune, and he had no choice but to fight for it!
"Did you hear that clearly?"

After listening to Lu Bing's report, Zhu Houcong glanced sideways at Yan Maoqing.

"If you understand, then go and investigate. Lu Bing, you must fully cooperate with Yan Maoqing."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree..."

Seeing that Yan Maoqing was about to take over his duties and he had become an assistant, Lu Bing was indeed a little uncomfortable, but considering that Yan Maoqing "had connections at the highest levels," he could only grit his teeth and agree.

Yan Maoqing was just about to say something.

But Tao Zhongwen had already bowed and said first:
"Your Majesty, I believe that Commander Lu has been in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years and has handled many major cases for Your Majesty. He has a wealth of investigative skills. I am afraid that this is a waste of his talents."

"Your Majesty, why don't you order Commander Lu and Minister Yan to investigate this case separately? I will also immediately hold a ritual here to pray for them. With this three-pronged approach, each method and means will have its own merits, and it may have a remarkable effect."

"?"

Lu Bing immediately sensed something was wrong.

I have never had any grudge against Tao Zhongwen. This old scoundrel, who always keeps to himself, must have contracted swine fever today. Not only did he deliberately get involved in this mess, but why is he also trying to harm me like this?!

He always presented himself as a loyal minister in front of the emperor, so it was hard to guarantee that the emperor wouldn't misunderstand him if Tao Zhongwen spoke up for him like that!
not to mention.

He also didn't want to engage in any kind of competitive investigation with Yan Maoqing, a guy who "had connections to the highest levels."

He knew he had done his best, and if he couldn't find out the answer, he had no other options. Even if he felt uncomfortable, he preferred to let Yan Maoqing take on the responsibility.

If Yan Maoqing also can't find out, that would be best, as it wouldn't make him seem incompetent.

If Yan Maoqing really found out, then it can only be said that he is capable...

In any case, given Yan Maoqing's current status as a junior official, his future career path will likely be as a censor, imperial censor, or cabinet official, and he should not be able to enter the Embroidered Uniform Guard system to threaten him.

"That's right."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houcong merely glanced at Tao Zhongwen and uttered two words indifferently.

Yan Maoqing sensed a hint of disparagement and even a touch of provocation in these words.

However, he didn't care much, only secretly pleased that the foreshadowing he had planted on Tao Zhongwen was finally starting to take effect. This time, it might be able to lend him a hand, so he immediately stepped forward and said:

"I am grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty. I am truly incompetent in investigating cases. If even Commander Lu cannot solve a case, I certainly cannot either."

"However, for the sake of the safety of the emperor and father, there is something I must risk my life to remonstrate with."

"It is not hard to see from this incident that the sovereign must have tacitly approved of the alchemists and sorcerers using palace maids as medicinal ingredients, right?"

"If it weren't true, how could these palace maids have been so easily convinced by just a piece of yellow paper, to the point that they would risk being subjected to the punishment of slow slicing and the harm to their families?"

(End of this chapter)