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

Chapter 137 Even Surprises Need Risk Hedging?
In the backyard of the Yan residence, in a side room guarded by servants.

"This is a temporary measure, to rescue Niubishanren, and also to rescue myself..."

"If you keep the green hills, you won't have to worry about running out of firewood."

Wu Cheng'en lay hunched over his desk, muttering to himself as he wrote insincere words on the paper with a ferocious expression.

The Emperor was deeply troubled after learning of the Japanese pirate threat in the southeast.

Bullshit!

The Emperor disregarded his own safety and went on a secret visit incognito?

Even more ridiculous!
Did the Emperor personally and impartially handle the illegal activities of officials in the southeast?

That's utter utter nonsense!

In recent years, he has heard many rumors about the emperor's neglect of his duties.

Even last year, the emperor was so obsessed with Taoist practices that he issued an edict to retire for a few years, leaving state affairs to the young crown prince and regents.

Yang Zui, the Minister of the Imperial Stud, was so loyal and outspoken that he was even beaten to death by the emperor in court. Halfway through the beating, Yang Zui had already died, but the emperor still wanted to continue whipping his corpse to finish the beating...

Such a muddle-headed emperor.

How could they possibly be so concerned about the Japanese pirates in the southeast?

How could he possibly risk his safety by going on an incognito visit?

How could he possibly personally and impartially handle the illegal activities of officials in the southeast?

The Ming Dynasty, this great ship, clearly started leaking from the top, so court officials followed suit, and things have developed to this point today.

Therefore, he and his brother-in-law Shen Kun participated in the imperial examinations. In particular, he repeatedly failed the exams but never gave up. It was not because he wanted to be loyal to the current emperor, but because he wanted to stand with the like-minded officials in the court and be loyal to the Ming Dynasty together.

But now.

Before he could even get over the resentment and indignation of repeatedly failing the imperial examinations, he was forced to cross his own bottom line and fall into the abyss of following the wrong path.

How can he possibly be at peace with himself in this situation?

However, if it is for the purpose of rescuing a righteous person like Niu Bishanren.

Even if you can't reconcile it with your own conscience, you can only grit your teeth and go for it...

"Just this once... this is absolutely the only time... this is my bottom line as Sheyang Mountain Man!"

……

Beizhen Fusi.

"Should we sell Wu Cheng'en?"

Yan Maoqing chewed on his pen, pretending to be engrossed in his work, while simultaneously resting his chin on his hand and pondering to himself.

"Anyway, he took the imperial examination so many times in history but failed. If he hadn't taken a shortcut, he would have been stuck in the same path for the rest of his life."

"The Emperor must have other intentions in ordering me to continue writing 'The Record of Defeating the Japanese Pirates,' especially since he ordered me to make such a reversal in the writing. He will most likely exonerate 'The Record of Defeating the Japanese Pirates' and may even use it as a propaganda tool from now on."

"If my speculation is correct, then by selling Wu Cheng'en to the emperor, he will have the opportunity to enter the court as an official, which can be considered as fulfilling his wish."

"And I have deceived the emperor again, and I don't have to worry about being completely trapped by the emperor because of the follow-up writing of 'The Record of Destroying the Japanese Pirates', nor do I have to feel uneasy about imitating Wu Cheng'en's work."

"Thinking about it this way, isn't this a good deed that achieves three goals at once?"

Just as I was thinking this.

"Brother Jingqing, how's the storybook coming along?"

Lu Bing suddenly appeared out of nowhere, quietly standing behind Yan Maoqing and abruptly asked a question.

Over time, the two became increasingly familiar with each other and even started calling each other brothers.

"what!"

Yan Maoqing was startled and hurriedly covered the simple turtle drawing he had just made with a piece of scrap paper before pretending to be calm and saying...
"Commander Lu, you're so big, how come you walk so quietly? You really scared me to death."

"It's a habit I've developed over the years by the Emperor's side. If you don't believe me, just observe Eunuch Huang; he walks in the same way."

Lu Bing smiled, then turned serious and said,
“Brother Jingqing, His Majesty has urged us again today. You need to work on this project more quickly. How can we let His Majesty keep asking about it?” “If His Majesty urges us again, it won’t just be that you, Brother Jingqing, have failed His Majesty’s grace. I’m afraid even I, your foolish brother, will be blamed by His Majesty for not supervising properly. Neither of us will be able to have a good time.”

"It's coming soon."

Yan Maoqing immediately replied vaguely,

“Commander Lu is also a man of strong character. He should know that writing a book is just like seeking pleasure. Both require prior preparation before output.”

“You keep me locked up in the Northern Garrison Command every day, not allowing me to go out and collect folk materials, so naturally my efficiency can’t be improved.”

What kind of rubbish and vulgar remarks are these?
Lu Bing was speechless, and could only ignore Yan Maoqing's banter. After a moment's hesitation, he lowered his voice and decided to offer him some motivation:
“Brother Jingqing, there are some things I shouldn’t have said.”

"However, since he is my virtuous brother Jingqing, I should say something as well as I shouldn't."

"I recently went to the palace to see the Emperor. From what he said, it seems he has prepared a surprise for you, which will be fulfilled once this story is completed... You understand what I mean, right?"

"?"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback upon hearing this, and a bad premonition immediately filled his heart.

The last time he heard the word "surprise" was from Guo Xun. Then Guo Xun took him to Datong, where he had to personally participate in the "ingenious plan" that he had told Gao Gong about.

He even had reason to suspect that Zhu Houcong had been continuously promoting him to higher ranks and titles recently.

Aside from the unexpected success of the "Xin Chou Palace Coup," there was probably also an intention to reward him for offering advice and perfectly implementing that "ingenious plan."

There was no way around it; I had displayed such extraordinary talent in that matter, like a firefly in the night—so bright, so outstanding, so dazzling…

...It's all that bastard Gao Gong's fault!

The impact of this event was too far-reaching, and it is highly likely that it has caused Zhu Houcong to have some wrong views of him, which will need time and repeated disappointments to gradually wear down.

So this time he has learned his lesson in dealing with the Japanese pirates in the southeast.

He could deceive the emperor, and he could take risks, but he would never reveal even the slightest bit of his personal insights, combined with the wisdom of later generations, to anyone.

Whether it's Gao Gong, Shen Kun, or Wu Cheng'en...

From now on, only he can betray others; no one else can betray him, not even a thought!
"Could Commander Lu please give us a hint as to what the surprise is?"

With a heart full of trepidation, Yan Maoqing eagerly pressed for answers.

"I don't know that."

Lu Bing chuckled, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense.

"If Brother Jingqing really wants to know, why not just finish writing this down as soon as possible?"

In order not to interfere with Yan Maoqing's writing of vernacular stories, Lu Bing has recently cut off almost all news from him.

Suddenly, someone in the imperial court launched a massive rescue operation against him.

What is the impeachment against Yan Maoqing for openly forming a faction, or is it a "Yan faction" that sounds like "eunuch faction"?
The outside world is in turmoil, and even the palace is rife with undercurrents, but the Northern Garrison remains calm and peaceful...

"..."

Yan Maoqing couldn't tell whether this was Lu Bing's scheme or something real.

However, he felt he had to be prepared as well, and he was determined to give Zhu Houcong a surprise, or even try to strike first.

If what Lu Bing said is true, then consider it a risk hedging strategy.

If Lu Bing's words are false, then it is an important step towards an ideal life.

"Since that's the case, Wu Cheng'en has no choice but to sell. No need to thank me, it's what I should do..."

Just as he was thinking this.

A member of the Imperial Guard led another person into the backyard:
“Commander Lu, Doctor Yan, your servant has come to deliver some supplies, saying that they must be handed over to you in person.”

The visitor was none other than Bai Sheng, the servant Bai Lu had brought from Jiangxi.

Yan Maoqing understood immediately upon hearing this.

This is the third installment of Wu Cheng'en's "Record of Defeating the Japanese Pirates". He should be able to leave the Northern Garrison today!

(End of this chapter)