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

Chapter 107 What does it mean that the Emperor secretly bestowed a reward upon my wife?
Although he had not yet set foot in the south, Yan Maoqing had some understanding of the Japanese pirates in the south.

This issue is extremely complex, involving the imperial court, officials, aristocratic families, merchants, pirates, Japanese pirates, and even ordinary people in coastal areas—all are part of this black profit chain.

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents.

Anyone who harbors the intention to wipe out the Japanese pirates is essentially planning to cut off everyone's source of income, and will certainly be subjected to the most ruthless attacks from these people.

In addition, the Japanese pirates are still only a minor problem at present and have not yet developed to the point that they should attract Zhu Houcong's attention.

What truly made Zhu Houcong take it seriously was a dozen years later, when dozens of Japanese pirates landed from the sea and, without suffering any casualties, wiped out several heavily guarded garrisons in southern Ming China, even killing two generals.

If Yan Maoqing remembers correctly, Shen Kun should have returned to his hometown to observe mourning for his parents around that time. Seeing how easily the government troops were defeated, he spent all his family fortune to organize the "Top Scholar Soldiers" to protect the country.

Such a person deserves respect and could easily be called a national hero.

It's a pity, he was born at the wrong time...

Thinking of these things, Yan Maoqing smiled and said:
"If this is your question, please forgive me and my brother Suqing for not being able to answer it."

"Why?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Kun frowned slightly, but still patiently bowed and said...
"The soldiers and civilians in the north are subjects of the Ming Dynasty, and the soldiers and civilians in the south are also subjects of the Ming Dynasty."

"If you two truly have a good strategy to defeat the enemy, how can you be so biased and sit idly by while the people and soldiers in the south suffer in dire straits?"

"You two can rest assured. I am by no means a person who covets merit. However, you are only junior scholars at present. Even if you have good strategies for suppressing the Japanese pirates, I am afraid you will not be able to submit them to the emperor."

“I, Shen, can simply submit the memorial on your behalf, and the memorial may only contain your names. I will not take credit for anything, nor seek any reward.”

At this point, Shen Kun paused, then lowered his voice and said meaningfully:
"This is better than having your superiors take credit for you. You two can also be known to the Emperor sooner, and your future will be bright."

How could Yan Maoqing not understand the meaning behind Shen Kun's last sentence?

This guy probably thinks that their superior, Duke Guo Xun, took credit for their efforts in subduing Anda.

Therefore, he did not receive any reward from the court afterward, and was even suppressed by the court, being fined three years' salary and demoted three ranks as a warning...

This is to speak up for them, hoping to evoke their resentment and discontent, and then use "empathy" to persuade them.

Although I knew this guy was playing a rather childish trick on me.

But Yan Maoqing still showed no aversion to him, and simply smiled as he said:
"No matter what you say, Brother Suqing and I only have four words to say to you: We have nothing to say."

"you……"

Shen Kun's expression finally changed, and he was about to say something more.

But then Yan Maoqing continued:

"However, I can offer you a piece of advice free of charge."

“A sharpened sword never wastes time as a woodcutter.”

"If Shangguan really wants to do something practical for the people of his hometown, he should not easily express his position now before his words have any weight. He should first climb up the ladder and do everything he can to get there."

"When Shangguan climbs to a position where his word carries weight, if his original intentions remain unchanged, he will achieve twice the result with half the effort and face far fewer obstacles."

"Just like now, if the superior were the Minister of War, he would only need to send someone to summon the two of us for a talk. Why would he need to speak to us so kindly? How could we dare not answer?"

"But Shangguan is merely a compiler in the Hanlin Academy now. Even if I brush you off with 'no comment,' what can you do to me?" "..."

Upon hearing these words, Gao Gong couldn't help but glance at Yan Maoqing in surprise.

I thought to myself, "Yan Maoqing, what's wrong with you?"

Even if this matter really shouldn't be spread, Shen Kun is ultimately sincere, so there's really no need to mock him like this.
Furthermore, even if he were to climb to the position of Minister of War, it probably wouldn't work, would it?
Are you sure you're the kind of guy who would pee on the Minister of War?
"..."

Yan Maoqing also glared fiercely at Gao Gong at the same time.

Thank you for that unforgettable lesson you taught me, you bastard.

Otherwise, I might already be back in my hometown living the life I dream of, instead of enduring three miserable years of tutoring.
Now that things have come to this, if I were to believe anyone again and talk nonsense to anyone again, I would be the biggest idiot in the world.

"hehe."

Seeing that the two were exchanging glances and that Yan Maoqing was the one who spoke, and that Gao Gong had not raised any objections, how could Shen Kun not see that Yan Maoqing's attitude was the same as the two's attitude?

So Shen Kun finally stopped playing along and gave a cold laugh, as if he were making a threat.

"I will keep your advice in mind, and I wish you both continued success! Farewell!"

After saying this, Shen Kun turned and left, his angry voice and hurried footsteps drawing sidelong glances from the group of junior scholars.

Many people also looked at Yan Maoqing and Gao Gong with surprise.

Gao Gong lowered his head to avoid eye contact and said helplessly in a low voice:
“Brother Jingqing, if you don’t want to talk, then don’t. Why provoke him for no reason?”

"Brother Suqing, I'm warning you, take your eyes off my goose leg, hoo-hoo!"

……

As the sun was about to set, Yan Maoqing, who had attended classes all day, finally returned home by carriage.

It's strange to say.

The Hanlin Academy seemed to have a protective barrier; as soon as he entered, he immediately became drowsy and could not muster the energy to do anything except when guarding his food.

But as soon as he stepped out of the Hanlin Academy, he immediately felt full of energy, as if his pulse had returned.

So... it's better to think about how to skip class, since he doesn't need a diploma from the Hanlin Academy anyway.

With these thoughts in mind, Yan Maoqing jumped down from the carriage.

Bai Sheng was already standing to the side, his face beaming, as if some great joy had just happened:
"The master is back. While the master was away today, the eunuch from the palace came again to deliver an imperial decree."

"Is it an imperial edict? What edict am I supposed to be delivering?"

Yan Maoqing had a doubt in his heart.

Moreover, even if an imperial edict were to be delivered, the instructor should have gone to the Hanlin Academy to deliver it during the designated teaching period, rather than coming to his home to deliver the edict.
"It's either an imperial edict for the master or an imperial edict for the mistress."

Bai Sheng's smile stretched almost to the back of his head. Seeing that Yan Maoqing was even more puzzled, he dared not keep her in suspense any longer and quickly continued.
"The eunuch from the palace said that the master has made another great contribution this time."

"His Majesty is keen to reward you handsomely, but it is inconvenient to bestow the reward openly. Therefore, he can only secretly reward you to your wife. As long as you know that His Majesty is clear about rewards and punishments, that is enough."

(End of this chapter)