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

Chapter 157 This is the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, is that clear enough? [Seeking monthly votes]

"Shangguan, is this for real... or are you just playing a trick on this old man?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yingda still couldn't believe it was true. His old eyes were already bloodshot, and his voice was trembling.

"Wouldn't you find out when you get to Commander Chen's residence?"

Yan Maoqing just smiled, then turned his gaze to a place he was most familiar with.

"!"

Gao Gong quickly straightened his back.

Is there anything more to do with me? Is my brother Jingqing going to lend me a hand this time?
Then Yan Maoqing nodded affirmatively and continued:
“Brother Suqing, you have always been a big talker and a master of secret communication. Based on my understanding of you, the position of Assistant Minister of the Spring Palace is just right for you. Come with me to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to take up your post.”

"???"

Gao Gong was also taken aback when he heard this. This evaluation didn't sound like a compliment at all.
A large mouth and a long tongue... allow for incredibly precise sound transmission...

Gao Gong pondered for two seconds before finally figuring it out.

There's no mistake!

Yan Maoqing was actually scolding him; this was a veiled insinuation that he had previously leaked a secret plot to the emperor.

Gao Gong smiled awkwardly. "Brother Jingqing is still a vengeful person. He hasn't forgotten about it for so long, but he will bring it up and tease him whenever he has the chance."

But so be it if my godfather scolds me a couple of times.

There is no godfather in the world who doesn't scold his adopted son, and there is no adopted son who doesn't get scolded by his godfather. This is a matter of course in the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues.

Right, godfather?
"..."

At this point, the group of junior scholars could no longer sit still, and their gazes toward Gao Gong became increasingly filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Chen Yingda was able to be promoted one and a half levels to become the Junior Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He had at least several decades of experience as a Reader-in-Waiting. How could he allow these rotten potatoes and stinking eggs to have a say?
But what about Gao Gong?
These were just like them, unranked and without any official position, yet they were directly promoted to the sixth-rank position of Chunfang Zanshan. This could not help but arouse their envy, jealousy, and hatred.

This also shows that Yan Maoqing was truly working for his own people...

Everyone in the Hanlin Academy knew that Gao Gong and Yan Maoqing were the closest of friends, practically inseparable.

Moreover, when Yan Maoqing was imprisoned a few days ago, Gao Gong, although he had little influence in the Hanlin Academy, was still following Chen Yingda and cheering for Yan Maoqing.

Oh dear... I regret it now, I missed a great opportunity!
If only I had known earlier that Yan Maoqing was such a good colleague, and if only I had known earlier that Yan Maoqing would be able to climb the ranks so quickly.

You should prepare early and build a deep friendship with him like Gao Gong did. Wouldn't that make you a part of this leapfrog promotion?

Just when all the junior scholars were so envious that they began to feel depressed.

But then Yan Maoqing bowed again and continued speaking to them:
"Fellow scholars, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has not yet been effective, so there are still many vacant official positions."

"It's a pity that I haven't been in charge of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for long, and my arrival today was somewhat rushed, so I can only fill the urgently needed official vacancy for the time being."

"However, my fellow graduates, please rest assured that I will remember your friendship. After I return and consult with my subordinates to understand the situation in detail, I will give priority to selecting the best candidates from among you when filling the official vacancies."

As soon as these words came out.

"Wow——!"

The group of junior scholars immediately became as agitated as boiling water.

They all eagerly introduced themselves to Yan Maoqing, even loudly mentioning trivial things like helping Yan Maoqing pick up fallen books.

Unfortunately, when someone tries to get close to you, it's called "getting close to you."

If a group of people try to get close to each other, it's like having three monks and not enough water to drink; no one will be able to stand out.

However, this was exactly the situation Yan Maoqing wanted.

Fishing successful!

From then on, his influence in the Hanlin Academy will surely reach its zenith, and every word he utters and every political viewpoint he expresses will undoubtedly receive the support of a considerable number of Hanlin scholars.

"Fellow students, I still have official duties to attend to, let's talk another day!" With that, Yan Maoqing waved his hand with a smile and led Chen Yingda and Gao Gong out of the classroom.

Shen Kun was still waiting in the courtyard outside. He had been promoted from a sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy to a fifth-rank tutor in the Imperial Academy.

This newly crowned top scorer was just secretly wiping away tears.

He hadn't been in the Hanlin Academy for very long, about the same time as Yan Maoqing and other junior scholars.

But if we're talking about who suffered the most injustice, then it has to be him...

Just because he had previously submitted two memorials to the emperor about the Japanese pirates in the southeast, he not only received no response from the emperor, but also received a private warning from a Hanlin scholar.

After that, several superiors in the Hanlin Academy who had previously treated him fairly well began to distance themselves from him, and he was reassigned to trivial tasks such as compiling the Veritable Records of the previous dynasty.

On the contrary, Pan Sheng, the second-place scholar, and Xing Yifeng, the third-place scholar, who entered the Hanlin Academy with him as editors, are now quite favored by several scholars in the academy.

At that time, he realized that the Hanlin Academy was not a pure land or a holy place, and he would probably have no chance to rise to prominence in the future.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Maoqing suddenly reached out and pulled him out of the dark, snow-covered area...

"Minister Yan..."

Upon seeing Yan Maoqing leading out Chen Yingda and Gao Gong, who seemed to be still somewhat dazed, Shen Kun quickly stepped forward to greet them.

"Let's go first."

Yan Maoqing nodded and prepared to leave the Hanlin Academy together.

at the same time.

Another group of people appeared hurriedly at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, blocking their way.

“Minister Yan, although your rank is above mine, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the Hanlin Academy are not in a superior-subordinate relationship.”

Wei Yan, the Hanlin Academician in charge of the Hanlin Academy, bowed without any respect, stepped forward, and asked in a questioning tone,
"Now that you have neither a transfer order from the Ministry of Personnel nor a formal letter from the Cabinet, it is probably against the regulations of my Great Ming Dynasty to take away my officials and students so casually."

Yan Maoqing had not had much contact with Wei Yan before and did not know much about him.

However, based on Shen Kun's experience, it is not difficult to judge the quality of this Wei Yan.

At the very least, we can be certain that he is either a member of the Southeast forces or has received considerable benefits from them.

This could naturally be his reason for openly confronting Yan Maoqing at this moment, since Yan Maoqing was the one who started bringing the Southeast issue to the forefront.

"Shhh..."

With Chen Yingda no longer "suppressing" them, the group of junior scholars also came out of the classroom.

Seeing Wei Yan confronting Yan Maoqing, they all fell silent, whispering amongst themselves as they glanced in their direction.

Then Yan Maoqing suddenly shouted in a deep voice:
"You ask me what the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is?"

He calmly took out an imperial edict from his robes, unfolded it with a "whoosh," and shoved it at Wei Yan's face. He straightened his chest and said solemnly,
"I'm telling you right now, the people your Hanlin Academy dares not appoint to important positions, we, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, will use!"

"Things that your Hanlin Academy dare not discuss, we, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, will discuss!"

"In short, support the crown prince, seek out wise and virtuous men, and make decisions independently, with the special permission of the emperor!"

"This is the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Is that clear enough?"

"..."

Faced with such a powerful Yan Maoqing, especially with this imperial edict granted by the emperor.

Wei Yan's imposing aura instantly diminished, his face turning pale then red and then pale again, revealing his embarrassment.

At the same time, he was a little confused. He hadn't asked "what is the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?" so why was Yan Maoqing suddenly so agitated?
and also……

Yan Maoqing, you can speak freely, but what's the meaning behind that inexplicable orchid finger gesture on your hand?
(End of this chapter)