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

Chapter 149 Minister, I wish to resign! [Seeking monthly votes]

When Yan Maoqing returned to the gate of the Imperial Household Department, he happened to run into the small palanquin that was coming to Cining Palace.

The so-called "small horse carriage" was actually one of the five types of imperial carriages used by the Ming Dynasty emperors. It was pulled by four fine horses and was mainly used by the emperor when attending some medium-sized events.

"What is Zhu Houcong doing here all of a sudden?"

As Yan Maoqing bowed and paid his respects to the feudal evil forces, he couldn't help but feel some doubts.

Then Zhu Houcong, supported by Huang Jin, stepped down from the red-lacquered and gold-decorated imperial carriage. He was not wearing the dragon robe or the Taoist robe, but rather a plain white robe...

"This means... the Empress Dowager in the palace has passed away?"

Yan Maoqing couldn't help but feel doubtful.

The only person who could make Zhu Houcong wear mourning clothes nowadays was the Empress Dowager.

There were two empress dowagers in this dynasty: one was Empress Dowager Jiang, the birth mother of Zhu Houcong, and the other was Empress Dowager Zhang, the birth mother of the previous Zhengde Emperor.

Empress Dowager Jiang had already passed away several years ago, and considering that Zhu Houcong has personally come to this place, there is almost no other possibility that Empress Dowager Zhang has passed away!

In addition, Yan Maoqing only suddenly remembered this at this moment.

It is now August of the 20th year of the Jiajing reign, and it seems that Empress Zhang passed away around this time in history.

Speaking of which, Empress Zhang's later years were quite tragic.

In previous years, her two younger brothers, relying on their status as imperial relatives, acted arrogantly and illegally, and were ordered by Zhu Houcong to be arrested and imprisoned. She pleaded for mercy on her knees to no avail, and eventually fell ill and never recovered. After that, she was bedridden in Cining Palace.

"With her death, the Zhang family, her maternal relatives, has lost all their support, and her two younger brothers are not far from their demise..."

Thinking about these things, Yan Maoqing shook his head inwardly.

This is a conflict between Zhu Houcong and his maternal relative, Zhang.

Although Empress Dowager Zhang played a key role in the enthronement of Zhu Houcong and made a significant contribution to the success of the new emperor.

However, the ensuing Great Rites Controversy further complicated and sharpened the contradictions between the two sides, making them irreconcilable. Sooner or later, a reckoning would be reached...

However, this has nothing to do with Yan Maoqing.

There's only one thing on his mind right now:

That is, after Empress Dowager Zhang's funeral was completed, Cining Palace, which was originally the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, was left empty.

It is unknown what arrangements Zhu Houcong will make. Will he take the opportunity to have Consort Wang and Zhu Zai Rui move from Zhongcui Palace to live here, so that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices can play its role in advance and further solidify Zhu Zai Rui's position as crown prince?

In any case, it seems that Zhu Houcong did not do this in history.

Yan Maoqing remembers that this is how it was recorded in the historical records:

"When Empress Dowager Ciqing and Empress Dowager Cining passed away, Xun once suggested that one of them be placed in the residence of the Crown Prince. He said it was not possible, which pleased the Emperor. On this occasion, the Emperor suddenly asked where the Crown Prince should reside. Xun forgot what he had said before and, thinking that it would be troublesome to build, pointed to Xun's residence. The Emperor was displeased."

After Empress Dowager Zhang passed away, Guo Xun petitioned to allow Zhu Zaiyi to move into Ciqing Palace.

Xia Yan, however, thought it was inappropriate, as it aligned with Zhu Houcong's wishes.

Later, Zhu Houcong suddenly asked again, and Xia Yan, not understanding why, changed his stance, which displeased Zhu Houcong.

Therefore, the time has come to test your political wisdom!
Please listen to the question:
Did Zhu Houcong want Zhu Zaiyi to move into Cining Palace, or did he not?

Yan Maoqing couldn't understand it either.

Literally, it should mean "didn't want to," otherwise why would Zhu Houcong be so displeased?

But since he didn't want to, and Xia Yan had already expressed his support, why did he keep asking Xia Yan questions? Was it just to test whether Xia Yan could answer his riddles?
The emperor's heart is truly unfathomable...

But it doesn't matter anymore!

Yan Maoqing carefully recalled his actions on his first day in office and felt that with these three approaches combined, even if he could not achieve his ultimate goal of retiring and returning to his hometown in one fell swoop, he would certainly be able to quickly shed the burden of being the Crown Prince's tutor.

As long as I stop doing this damn job as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain.

The matter of the crown prince had nothing to do with him, so why should he care what Zhu Houcong was thinking?

Just as I was thinking this.

"!"

Yan Maoqing suddenly felt a sharp gaze shooting from under the Huiyin Gate in front of Cining Palace, and subconsciously looked up. He saw that Zhu Houcong had already climbed the steps, and at this moment, for some reason, he suddenly turned around and was looking towards the Zhan Shi Fu Yamen (Office of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices), and his target seemed very clear: it was him!
Their eyes met.

Yan Maoqing noticed the hidden meaning in Zhu Houcong's eyes, and while lowering his head to avoid it, he was overjoyed!
Become!

It's absolutely a success!

With numerous spies within the palace, Zhu Houcong must have already learned of the affairs of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the Zhongcui Palace.

This is a warning look!
That's a reproachful look!
That's a look of disappointment!
Perhaps tomorrow I will no longer be the Crown Prince's Chamberlain.

Even if Zhu Houcong is currently unable to attend due to Empress Zhang's funeral, as long as I persevere, it will only be a matter of a few days' delay.

Then I can escape this infernal pit that devours people without spitting out the bones, and continue my great cause of retiring and returning to my hometown!

With this feeling.

When Yan Maoqing and others had finished gazing at Zhu Houcong, they turned and entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

"Minister, this is the duty roster submitted by each department. Please take a look."

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Lü Maocai, with his pointed mouth and monkey-like face, greeted him with an eager smile, bowing and reporting to Yan Maoqing while holding a list of names.

"Once each department has reached its own agreement, there's no need to consult me..."

Yan Maoqing nodded, thinking to himself that he would put the fishing net back in the office and then find an excuse to slip away.

Then another figure emerged from the guardhouse beside him, walked straight to him, and presented him with a document with both hands:
“Your Excellency, my parents are old and ailing. I cannot fail to repay their kindness in raising me. I humbly request Your Excellency’s permission to return to my hometown to care for them and fulfill my filial duty.”

This person was none other than Kong Jian, the Junior Chamberlain, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the "new internal regulations" of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

There's no need to guess; this document is definitely his resignation.

"Huh? Why didn't I think of using this as a reason to resign?"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback.

As long as his superior signed and stamped it, it would be equivalent to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices having "preliminarily verified" Kong Jian's situation.

Next, Kong Jian only needs to submit his resignation to the Ministry of Personnel. If he is not someone the current emperor cares about, he may be allowed to retire and return to his hometown.

Oh right, it's because I can't use that method right now.

My parents are not even forty yet, so the reason isn't strong enough, unless my superior is just using this as an excuse to get rid of me...

Thinking of this, Yan Maoqing suddenly regretted it.

Looking back on his previous actions, he suddenly realized that he might have been too impatient and too focused on efficiency.

If he hadn't chosen to cause trouble with his exam answers, but instead opted for the middle way...

He could quietly enter the process of observing the government and selecting officials, and then quietly offend his superiors. Couldn't he just quietly retire and return to his hometown?
Why did things come to this point, where we have to constantly clash with Zhu Houcong?
But upon closer examination...

That doesn't seem quite right; the original imperial examination answer sheet should have had the same effect.

The results were quite impressive. He had already obtained the travel permit from the Ministry of Personnel through Xia Yan and even hired a carriage to get to Chaoyang Gate!
Who would have thought that Guo Xun would present "Xuan Po Cang Qiong" to Zhu Houcong?
Who would have thought that a large group of people would rush to expose his imperial examination answers?

Who would have thought that he would be selected as a probationary official even without submitting his own article to the selection committee, and that he would be at the top of the list even if he wanted to keep a low profile?
Who could have imagined that Gao Gong, that bastard, would sell him to Zhu Houcong? What did he do to deserve Zhu Houcong's attention at this time?
And that Shen Lian...

None of these were part of the plan.

Moreover, what happened was extremely illogical, as if some unseen force was controlling everything.

Just as I was thinking this.

“Minister, I am now over sixty years old, and I am no longer able to handle many matters. I am afraid I will be unable to fulfill my duties. I humbly request that you grant me permission to retire.”

Another elderly man with gray hair came to Yan Maoqing and handed him a document as well.

Civil officials could request retirement at age 60 and military officials at age 50. This was the legal retirement age in the Ming Dynasty. Although it was not always the case in practice, it was still legal and compliant.

"Your Excellency, I am ill..."

"Minister..."

More and more officials left their posts. Of the dozen or so officials in the Imperial Household Department, half of them voluntarily resigned.

(End of this chapter)