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

Chapter 193 This Time I'll Fund It All! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Investing..."

Zhu Houcong finally realized that he seemed to have been led astray by Yan Maoqing once again.

A warning bell rang in his mind, and he cursed Yan Maoqing for being so audacious as to dare to bargain over such a national matter as eradicating a cult.

Especially when he saw Huang Jin standing to the side with his wide-eyed, astonished look, he felt his face burning slightly.

He immediately cleared his somewhat dry throat, adopted his usual imposing and authoritative demeanor, put on a stern face, and spoke with an unquestionable air of authority:
"You insolent fool! You treat such a matter of national importance like a marketplace transaction! You are utterly ignorant!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and instructed Huang Jin:

"Huang Jin, you go outside and wait. No one is allowed to come in and disturb us."

"This servant obeys the decree..."

Huang Jin was a little reluctant to part with it, feeling that things were bound to get even more exciting.

Yan Maoqing's outrageous remarks were like a pebble thrown into the stagnant waters of the deep palace, always creating unexpected ripples.

But the emperor had already given the order, and even though he was itching as if a cat's claws were scratching at him, there was nothing he could do. He could only bow and obey, then retreat from the warm pavilion with his head bowed and eyes lowered, gently closing the heavy palace door to isolate himself from the outside world.

Huang Jin's footsteps completely disappeared under the outer corridor of the palace.

Zhu Houcong strolled back to the dragon bed covered with a bright yellow cushion, found a more comfortable position to lean back, and even casually tucked a Suzhou embroidered pillow behind his waist.

Only then did he raise his eyes to look at Yan Maoqing, gesturing with his eyes:

"You move a stool and sit down, then tell me in detail what you're planning this time."

Upon hearing this, Yan Maoqing promptly expressed his gratitude and stood up. He deftly moved an embroidered stool from the wall, sat down calmly, and then said matter-of-factly:

"Naturally, it is by order of the Emperor and Father to annihilate the White Lotus Sect."

Do you know what kind of people the White Lotus Sect consists of?

Zhu Houcong felt that Yan Maoqing was pretending to be stupid again, but he had no direct evidence, so he could only follow up with his words and ask questions to see what he was really up to.

"Whoever slanders me as a member of the White Lotus Sect, and whoever obstructs the Emperor's grand plan of paying tribute, is a member of the White Lotus Sect."

Yan Maoqing said with a grin, his smile containing three parts cunning and seven parts certainty.

Seeing that Zhu Houcong frowned slightly upon hearing this, as if he wanted to say something, he went along with it and continued:

"In any case, it certainly won't be those poor people who are barely clothed and starving. They don't have the ability to come to Your Majesty and slander your humble servant, nor do they have the power to hinder Your Majesty's grand plan of paying tribute."

"In my humble opinion, even if they rebel, it is nothing more than a means to make full use of their lives to seek personal gain after they have been swindled out of their money, women and possessions by treacherous villains, until they are completely drained and then run away with the money. In essence, it is still a business."

Hearing this, Zhu Houcong felt much more at ease, knowing that Yan Maoqing had his own bottom line and sense of propriety.

However, this was the first time he had heard someone analyze the rebellion and the White Lotus Rebellion in such an unconventional way, which he found quite novel.

So Zhu Houcong unconsciously leaned forward slightly, freeing himself from the support of the pillow, and couldn't help but ask:
"Go on, tell me in more detail!"

“Father, in fact, if you observe the process of each organization of the White Lotus Sect from its emergence to its disappearance, there are patterns to be found, and they are even similar to the dynastic changes of each dynasty.”

Yan Maoqing also dropped his playful grin, his expression gradually becoming serious, and continued,

"These organizations first set up their flags and preached in a certain area, using the principles of exchanging money, helping each other, and gender equality to recruit believers from the bottom up, but internally they emphasized a strict hierarchy and order of rank."

"As the organization's influence increased and the number of believers gradually increased, they began to use the name of 'exchanging wealth' to get those with money to donate money, those with children to donate children, and those with objects to donate objects."

"And all these money, children and objects, without exception, went into the treasury of these venerable ones and became their property."

"When there is no longer any profit to be made in this region, the large number of believers they have attracted will become a burden they will have to give back to. So how can they get rid of these burdens at this time?"

"You should know that these people have already lost everything and their wives and daughters have been harmed. If you are not careful, they will turn on you."

"In this way, calling on them to rebel naturally becomes the most practical way to kill someone with a borrowed knife. Those traitors never even thought they could succeed; they just needed them to die. Once they are dead, this debt will become an unresolved mess."

"These scoundrels only need to change their appearance, take the stolen property, or go to another place to start over."

"Whether it's to enjoy one's retirement, to donate grain to buy an official position, or to make a comeback, with money, anything is possible."

"Speaking of a complete makeover..."

At this point, Yan Maoqing paused slightly, then changed the subject:

"I wonder if Father still remembers the 'Li Fuda case' from more than ten years ago? Is this person still the Commander of Taiyuan Garrison?"

"Li Fuda?"

Upon hearing these three words, Zhu Houcong's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. After recalling for a moment, he did indeed have some recollection of them.

This case can be described as a thorn in his side; though not fatal, it always makes him feel uneasy whenever it is touched.

That was a choice that had to be made against one's conscience amidst the turbulent political struggle of the "Great Rites Controversy."

This Li Fuda had already participated in the White Lotus Rebellion during the Zhengde era. After being arrested, he was sentenced to exile in the Shandan Guard.

He then fled from Shandan Guard and went to Shaanxi to resume his old ways. A few years later, he started another uprising in Shaanxi. After the uprising failed, he changed his name to Zhang Yin, compiled a family genealogy, presented alchemy techniques, and sought refuge with Guo Xun, who was then Marquis of Wuding. He donated grain to buy an official position and was appointed Commander of Taiyuan Guard in Shanxi.

Later, his identity was recognized by his enemies, who reported him to Ma Lu, the censor of Shanxi. Fearing that his bribery would be exposed, Guo Xun wrote a letter to Ma Lu, hoping to minimize the damage.

Ma Luben was a protégé of Yang Tinghe, the then Grand Secretary, and naturally wouldn't buy into that. He then joined forces with the governor to submit a memorial impeaching Guo Xun for colluding with the White Lotus Religion.

This occurred during the most critical period of the "Great Rites Controversy".

Guo Xun was one of Zhu Houcong's most important political allies, and he also had close ties with ministers such as Zhang Cong and Gui E, who were shouldering the heavy responsibility of the new policies.

If Zhu Houcong were to concede on this matter, it would be tantamount to weakening his own political power and allowing the old officials, led by Yang Tinghe, to gain the upper hand in the "Great Rites Controversy".

For political reasons, Zhu Houcong had no choice but to protect Guo Xun.

Therefore, at his instruction, the three judicial departments retried the case, convicting Ma Lu and several of Yang Tinghe's students of framing others. They even exonerated Li Fuda, ordering him to be reinstated to his original position, in order to prevent Guo Xun from being implicated.

and so……

Zhu Houcong's face flushed involuntarily again. He glanced at Yan Maoqing discreetly and then quickly dropped the matter.
"How could I possibly remember such a trivial matter? Just get to the point and don't beat around the bush."

"Then this humble subject has nothing more to say."

Unexpectedly, Yan Maoqing lowered his head slightly upon hearing this, and said something sarcastic and obsequious.

"you!"

Zhu Houcong was speechless with anger.

In his entire life, he had never seen a minister who dared to expose his shortcomings twice within half an hour, and the words spoken were even more vulgar than being insulted to his face.

However, he had to admit that Yan Maoqing's statement was very insightful.

Li Fuda's deeds also fit this narrative perfectly: after preaching a few times and rebelling a few times.

He transformed from an ordinary citizen into someone with the wealth to curry favor with Guo Xun, to donate grain and buy official positions, and even to become the commander of one of the nine important border towns.

Damn it, all he talks about is doctrine, but all he cares about is business!
Damn it!
manage!
These treacherous villains who bring disaster to the country and its people must be severely punished. My Ming Dynasty has been ruined because of these people!
And this Guo Xun!

The property of Duke Zhu Xizhong of Cheng and Duke Zhang Rong of Ying can be returned in full, and there is no problem with dividing the proceeds.

But this Guo Xun is just interest on all the time I've spent cleaning up his messes over the years!

Even Zhu Houcong had already suspected it.

The reason why Guo Xun has had such a difficult time this time is probably because he has too many dirty deeds on his hands; he wants to forge iron but is not tough enough himself!

In comparison, only a "true villain" like Yan Maoqing, who loves money but acquires it ethically and can openly and honestly share profits with him, can truly put his hands on the line and make him feel more at ease.

At least you know what he wants and where his bottom line is.

Moreover, numerous previous events have already proven this.

This thing that occasionally "smokes blue smoke" often causes unexpected trouble.

However, he has always been very measured. Just like this time when he flogged the court officials, he always kept to the bottom line and ultimately did not cause any deaths or let things get out of control.

These are the thoughts in my mind.

Zhu Houcong suddenly felt there was nothing left to say to Yan Maoqing, lest this scoundrel expose his shortcomings again. So, after a moment's thought, he said:
"Alright, the 400,000 taels of silver that I previously entrusted to you will remain untouched for now. The assets that Guo Xun has cleared out are equivalent to 200,000 taels of silver, and I will add another 200,000 taels for you, making a total of 400,000 taels to be allocated to you."

"Get this straight! This time it's all funded by me! You scoundrel have nothing to do with it!"

"National affairs are not child's play; how can there be any talk of taking a stake and sharing the profits?"

"Father?"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback upon hearing this, and then looked at Zhu Houcong with feigned surprise.

This fool Zhu is indeed incredibly cunning. The moment money is mentioned, he becomes very perceptive and can't help but protect his food!

It doesn't matter, since this was Yan Maoqing's goal anyway; after all, only what you have in your hands is truly yours.

By protecting his food, Zhu Houcong managed to keep all 400,000 taels of silver for himself.

"Otherwise, we'll split the profits 90/10, with me taking 90% and you taking 10%."

However, Zhu Houcong was ultimately a man of pride, and seemingly realizing that this behavior was a bit too unseemly, he put on a stern face and gritted his teeth to add another sentence.
"You contributed nothing but your labor; consider this one percent a reward from me. Just don't report it to the Ministry of Revenue afterwards. Accept this decree and express your gratitude!"

Whoops!

There’s also an unexpected bonus!

Yan Maoqing was overjoyed and promptly kowtowed to express his gratitude:

"Thank you for your holy grace, Father!"

(End of this chapter)