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

Chapter 206 Why is the Emperor humiliating me like this? [Seeking monthly votes]

"Uncle, what's wrong with this person?"

Looking at Shen Lianyi's resolute back, Yan Shifan was full of questions and frowned, asking in bewilderment.

After recalling the scene just now, Yan Maoqing finally understood and laughed:
"I think... he might have misunderstood what you just said."

"Misunderstand?"

Yan Shifan also recalled it carefully, but his brows furrowed even more.
"What's there to misunderstand? Do you think we should let the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs confiscate our property and just sit by while these eunuchs protect each other and line their own pockets after we've gone through all this trouble?"

"Wouldn't that just be condoning them? What would be the point of all our painstaking efforts and impartial handling of the case?"

"Could he be judging us by his own petty standards, thinking we're trying to embezzle money?"

"..."

Yan Maoqing was speechless.

He felt that anyone in the world could say that others were "judging others by their own petty standards," but Yan Shifan was the least qualified to say that.

However, Yan Shifan's performance this time was indeed beyond his expectations.

This one-eyed fat man was not only very good at investigating embezzlement and settling accounts, but he also never had the slightest selfish motive to profit from it.

Even now that his home has been raided, this guy is still single-mindedly thinking about how to prevent others from taking the opportunity to line their own pockets... pretending to be an upright and loyal minister.

That's why Yan Shifan shouted so loudly when he came in, not caring that there were eavesdroppers.

However, Yan Maoqing remained certain that Yan Shifan was merely pretending.

As the saying goes, "It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."

Yan Shifan had lived like this for the previous thirty years, so how could he easily change in such a short period of time?

This one-eyed fat man was just trying to gain my trust and the support of the officials in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, so that he could use the power of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to help his father Yan Song get back on his feet!
Young Grand Secretary, even if you can fool the whole world, you can't fool me with my discerning eyes!

"Uncle, how about... I go and chase him back to explain things?"

Yan Shifan thought for a moment, then said,
"If he has indeed misunderstood us, it shows that he is an upright person and is indeed the kind of talent that our Western Depot and our Court of Imperial Sacrifices need."

"Moreover, he is the Commander of the Southern Garrison, a fourth-rank official of the imperial court."

"If this person joins the Jixia Academy, it will not only further increase the Jixia Academy's influence in the court, but also allow the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to gain access to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's connections, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone."

Pack!
Then install it!
He even managed to fake the immersion; no wonder he's the weightlifting champion, Little Grand Secretary!
Yan Maoqing cursed inwardly, but smiled aloud:

"No need. Anyway, I never intended for him to join the Jixia Academy. I just hadn't found a suitable excuse yet. Thank goodness you arrived in time."

"Why is this?"

Yan Shifan asked, puzzled.

Yan Maoqing was still smiling:
"It's nothing, just personal preference."

"If that's the case, then I must humbly offer my advice to my uncle!"

Yan Shifan's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said in a solemn and earnest tone,
"Uncle should know that although the Jixia Academy has been established, its development has recently stagnated and is not enough to have a significant impact on the court. Uncle should be focusing on recruiting talent."

"In addition, although the Court of Imperial Sacrifices now holds the special privileges of the Western Depot, it has also been granted permission by the Emperor to recruit and train soldiers, and has some military power in its hands."

"But now the Court of Imperial Sacrifices is isolated and helpless in the court. It seems to have a high status, but in reality it is powerless to fight alone. Once it shows signs of defeat, it will surely perish without any chance of turning the tide."

"Therefore, Uncle should not be complacent with the status quo, and should not shut out people or things that are beneficial to the Jixia Academy and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices because of personal likes or dislikes."

"Uncle, only those who have been caught in the rain know how cold the rainwater is!"

“Now that my father has lost power, I have deeply experienced the coldness of human relationships, and I absolutely do not want my uncle to suffer the same fate.”

"Even if my uncle doesn't think about himself, he should think more about my aunt. Only if my uncle always holds a high position and has power will my aunt not have to get soaked in the rain like I have!"

"I implore you, Uncle-in-law, to reconsider!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Yan Maoqing looked at Yan Shifan with even more admiration, and couldn't help but complain inwardly.

This thing is such a show-off!

He's actually getting more and more addicted to pretending!
Perhaps for a fleeting moment, even he himself almost believed it?
If I believed you, young Grand Secretary, were so kind, I'd be the biggest idiot in the world...

Forget it, I'm too lazy to play along with you!
Speaking of your aunt, your uncle also seems to have a bit of a sweet tooth. Today, as planned, he skipped work early to go home and spend some time with your aunt.

Just as I was thinking this.

"Report!"

A minor official from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices rushed in and reported after entering the hall:
"Reporting to Minister Yan, just now, Zhang Zuo, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, sent someone to deliver a message, requesting Minister Yan to send officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to confiscate the property. The Directorate of Ceremonial will fully cooperate to ensure a smooth and safe process!"

"what?"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback again upon hearing this. What was going on this time?
Before Zhang Zuo left, he was still playing word games with him, arguing about whether the Court of Imperial Sacrifices or the Directorate of Ceremonial was superior.

Now that it's time to confiscate property, they suddenly took the initiative to hand over the reins to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was willing to cooperate fully. What is the reason behind this?

Does Zhang Zuo not realize that if the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs makes such concessions on this matter and allows outsiders to preside over the confiscation of the house, it will be seen by outsiders as a sign that they have bowed down and submitted to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?
So what exactly did Zhang Zuo mean by this?
Yan Shifan initially looked doubtful, then turned to Yan Maoqing with delight:
"Uncle, I knew you had a secret!"

"But how exactly did you manage to make the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs surrender so quickly?"

……

Censorate.

"Chief Censor, what exactly do you think the Emperor means this time?!"

Zeng Xian had just returned from reporting to the palace when he stormed into the office of Wang Tingxiang, the Left Censor-in-Chief, filled with resentment, and angrily said,
"I was previously ordered to inspect Liaodong and quell the mutinies in Liaoyang and Guangning. I captured the rebel leader in a single day. If Your Majesty wishes to send troops to Shanxi to eradicate the White Lotus Rebellion, who is more suitable than me for this important task?"

"But this time, the Emperor appointed a mere youth who hasn't even grown up yet as the commander-in-chief, and instead ordered me to transport supplies and provisions for him from the rear. What is the reason for this?"

Zeng Xian's current official position is Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, the sixth-ranking official in the Censorate.

A few days ago, he was ordered to inspect Shandong, and he also served concurrently in the name of the Censorate. Now that he has returned to report for duty, he should naturally return to the Censorate to report.

"Zizhong, is the young man you're talking about the current Crown Prince's Chamberlain, Yan Maoqing?"

Wang Tingxiang was not surprised; instead, he asked with great interest.

Zeng Xian found a chair and sat down casually, but then leaned forward slightly and asked:
"Did the Chief Constable already know about this?"

"I have only heard that the Court of Imperial Sacrifices has been tasked with suppressing the White Lotus Rebellion in Shanxi and is currently intensifying its military training in the capital."

Wang Tingxiang smiled and said unhurriedly,
"As for the matter of the Emperor ordering you to transport grain and military supplies to Yan Maoqing, I only learned about it from you."

"It's not too late to know now. Tell me what this is all about. I have been loyal to the Emperor, so why has he humiliated me like this?"

Zeng Xian poured himself a cup of tea and gulped it down, but he still couldn't quell the anger in his chest. He said rather indignantly.

"Please be patient. I have some truths to tell you, and some lies to tell you. Would you like to hear the truths first, or the lies?"

Wang Tingxiang, still smiling, leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard as he asked.

"Your Excellency, what time is it? Are you still trying to evade my words?"

Although Zeng Xian was puzzled and grumbled aloud, he immediately made his choice.

"How about we listen to the lie first?"

“What you are saying now, and what you are thinking, are all lies that I am about to tell.”

Wang Tingxiang, like a mischievous old man, grinned until his face was covered in wrinkles.

"..."

Zeng Xian felt a surge of frustration and wanted to punch that smirking old face.

But then I suddenly realized that it had been some time since I last saw him, and that my old boss's personality seemed to have changed quite a bit.

At least Wang Tingxiang's smile wasn't so lewd before, and he rarely joked with his subordinates like this. On the contrary, he always looked bitter and resentful, and you could feel a sense of oppression just by getting close to him.

"Then what is the truth?"

After a moment of adjustment, Zeng Xian asked again.

"The truth is that His Majesty has his reasons for making this decision, and this young man who you think is still a novice is not as bad as you think."

Wang Tingxiang finally suppressed his smile and said seriously.

"I often tell people that all things in heaven and earth are born from one Qi, and all things in heaven and earth are nothing but Qi."

"Therefore, carelessness leads to coarseness, coldness to coldness, and meticulousness to meticulousness. Turbidity can make the mind turbid, restlessness to restlessness, and righteousness to tranquility."

"People also have their own temperament, and people are different because their temperaments are different."

"However, this person possesses an aura that I have never seen before, which is both righteous and wicked, seemingly treacherous yet loyal, seemingly turbid yet clear. I cannot see through it, nor can I discern it. But upon closer examination, I suddenly feel refreshed and invigorated, as if I have transcended the mundane."

"I know that no matter how much I say to you now, you probably won't listen."

"Therefore, I only intend to tell you three things now. Keep them in mind for now, and you can understand them slowly when you meet him later."

"Firstly, this young man is the only one who dared to speak frankly to the Emperor in front of me, slandering me and plotting to kill my family and confiscate my property."

"Secondly, this young man is the only one who can make the four dukes of the capital voluntarily return their ill-gotten gains and go to the Northern Garrison to surrender and confess their crimes."

"Thirdly, this young man is the only one who can make Xia Yan sigh that the younger generation is formidable, no longer yearn for the position of Grand Secretary, and willingly return to his hometown to enjoy his old age."

"Ask yourself if you can accomplish these three things. If you cannot, how can the Emperor have humiliated you?"

(End of this chapter)