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

Chapter 144 Impeachment? False Accusation! [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

"This……"

Watching Yan Maoqing walk out of the government office, the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices looked at each other, and finally all looked at the Junior Chamberlain Kong Jian.

As early as when they heard that a minister was to be parachuted into the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, they had already prepared themselves for the "new broom sweeps clean" approach of a new official, and made sure that nothing went wrong in the near future so that these three fires would not burn them.

Therefore, before Yan Maoqing entered the government office, no one could have imagined that the new minister's "inaugural fire" would burn in such a way.
This can no longer be called "fire"; it's more like a bowl of mung bean soup on a hot summer day...

However, they dared not drink this bowl of mung bean soup casually.

After all, they had an old superior named Kong Jian above them.

Although Kong Jian was only a deputy, he had been the de facto head of the Crown Prince's Chamberlain's Office for the past few years, given the vacancy of the position.

They naturally didn't want to offend Yan Maoqing, the new minister, but they also didn't want to offend Kong Jian, their old superior.

This is perfectly reasonable.

After all, they had not yet experienced the methods of Yan Maoqing, the new minister, but they had already learned from Kong Jian's strict methods of doing everything according to the rules.

If we're talking about fear, they're naturally more afraid of Kong Jian.

After all, their old superior had already psychologically tested their obedience, while Yan Maoqing had not yet shown any signs of prowess, so they were still unsure of themselves...

"Since you are receiving the emperor's salary, how can you occupy a position without doing any work and deceive your superiors? Is this the duty of a subject?"

Kong Jian looked around at everyone and said with a serious expression,

"Let me make this clear from the start: if anyone dares to skip roll call tomorrow, don't blame me for disregarding colleagueship and reporting them to the Censorate and the Ministry of Personnel."

"If this new minister blames me, feel free to pin the blame on me. I will take full responsibility and argue with him based on reason!"

"Yes……"

Upon hearing this, all the officials of the Imperial Household Department had no choice but to lower their heads.

The situation has now clearly developed into a confrontation between the new department head and his old superior.

Although the current dispute is not about power and authority, but about the system, this matter is essentially the same as the Great Rites Controversy, which is ultimately an extension of power and authority.

They were caught in the middle, which put them in a difficult position. They could only try to appease both sides, taking it one step at a time, and vowed never to be the one to stick their neck out, lest they be caught in the crossfire.

Just as I was thinking this.

"Execute diligently!"

But Yan Maoqing, who had already reached the door and should not have heard these words, suddenly stopped as if he had ears in the back of his head, turned around and looked at Kong Jian and the group of officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

"If the new regulations are implemented properly, then it will be fine."

"If this cannot be carried out, then don't blame me for reneging on what I just said!"

"?"

Kong Jian and the other officials of the Imperial Household Department were all taken aback upon hearing this.

Why does this sound weird?

While it could be called a threat, aside from the tone, the content was entirely one of compromise: "If you can't carry it out, then pretend I didn't say anything."
But if it's not a threat, it still feels like this new minister's words have a hidden meaning...

Then they saw Yan Maoqing's lips curl into a smile, and he continued:

“If I do not acknowledge what I just said, then I will have no choice but to pin those words on you. I will submit a memorial falsely accusing you of not only abandoning your posts before, but also daring to form a clique and disrespect your superiors today. I will request the Emperor to punish you severely. None of you will escape unscathed.”

"Think about it carefully. I participated in the palace examination in March, was selected as a probationary official the following month, and was promoted to the fifth rank of Fengyi Dafu in July. Now, it's only August and I've already been appointed by the Emperor as your superior. What exactly did I rely on?"

"Let's guess again whether the Emperor is willing to believe my false accusation or your defense."

"Don't say you weren't warned!" "Especially you, Kong Jian, as the junior tutor of the consul, you will definitely bear the brunt and be punished even more severely."

"Think of your family who placed high hopes on you, think of your decades of diligent study, think of the desolation you felt after being convicted and dismissed from your post..."

"You're making false accusations!"

After saying this, Yan Maoqing finally turned around and disappeared outside the gate of the Imperial Household Department.

"..."

Kong Jian and all the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices stood there dumbfounded.

Some of them have lived most of their lives, and some are even nearing the end of their lives.

But he had never seen such a shameless boss before. He didn't even bother to replace "false accusation" with "impeachment" and just said it so openly. What kind of person was he?
the most important is.

How can anyone threaten them into abandoning their posts? What's wrong with this world?
After a while.

Finally, someone took a deep breath, finally catching their breath, but then looked at Kong Jian with concern:

"Master Kong, look at this..."

Anyone could tell what Yan Maoqing meant by "reliance".

It is none other than the current emperor!

Only those truly favored by the Emperor can rise through the ranks at such an astonishing speed; even the Grand Secretary doesn't have that kind of power.

It took Kong Jian a long time to come to his senses, and he sighed helplessly to the sky:

"With such treacherous officials in power, where is Heaven? Where is justice?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the officials of the Imperial Household Department immediately understood that the young Imperial Household Minister had ultimately chosen to compromise.

But you can't blame him for that.

Living in this era, with the lingering influence of the powerful eunuch Liu Jin during the Zhengde era, who relied on the emperor's favor to wreak havoc on the court and frame loyal officials, how could one not understand the destructive power and irresistible nature of an emperor's favorite minister?
Few people can remain steadfast in their beliefs and uphold their principles when faced with the serious threat of losing everything, or even their lives.

Because more often than not, it's not a question of whether it's useful or not, but whether it's worth it.

and so……

From now on, we will no longer be "forced" to stop coming to this useless office every day, and we can still receive our salaries.
Hahaha, this is awesome! I wish I had more bosses like this!

……

Zhongcui Palace.

"Your Highness, you've never fished before, have you? I guarantee it's a lot of fun. I even brought a fishing net. Would you like to give it a try?"

After exchanging greetings, Yan Maoqing approached Zhu Zaiyi, who was still snotty-nosed, and showed him the net while winking and tempting him.

He certainly couldn't take Zhu Zaiyi out of the palace to play in the water; that would be even more difficult than actually trying to force his way into Cining Palace with a jujube wood stick.

However, there are still some water features to enjoy in the palace.

Yan Maoqing had already inquired beforehand and found out that the water area where they could play was in the back garden not far from Zhongcui Palace.

This so-called back garden was actually the "Imperial Garden," which was officially renamed during the Qing Dynasty. It contained two small ponds where many koi carp were kept.

"Shangguan, you can't take the Crown Prince fishing!"

Seeing that Zhu Zaiyi's clear eyes were beginning to light up, a middle-aged nanny immediately pulled him behind her, nervously scrutinizing Yan Maoqing.
"Without the Imperial Concubine's permission, no one may take the Crown Prince out of Zhongcui Palace, let alone go to the water's edge to catch any fish!"

(End of this chapter)