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

Chapter 214 Our rules are the rules! [Seeking monthly votes]

"We are not old acquaintances, I have only heard of them before."

Yan Maoqing smiled and asked in return,
"I wonder if Brother Suqing has heard of the 'Li Fuda Case' that occurred in the fifth year of the Jiajing reign, and what his opinion is on it?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong snapped out of his reverie and immediately recalled his father's insightful yet simple analysis of the case years ago. He finally understood why Yan Maoqing had chosen Taiyuan as his first stop in Shanxi. He then shared his own perspective:

"In my opinion, whether Zhang Yin is really Li Fuda in this case, or whether he is related to the White Lotus Sect, is something that nobody really cares about."

"This case, like many things in the world, is bad because we are intertwined, each with our own interests."

"The Shanxi Circuit Inspector Ma Lu and others were not genuinely investigating the case; they merely wanted to use it to bring down Guo Xun, who had strongly supported the Emperor during the 'Great Rites Controversy'."

"Guo Xun, Zhang Cong, Gui E, and others were not genuinely trying to exonerate Zhang Yin; they were merely trying to protect themselves or eliminate their political enemies in the court."

“Even the Emperor… didn’t care about Zhang Yin’s true identity. He just used it as an excuse to take back judicial power in order to suppress the ‘propriety faction’ in the Three Judicial Offices.”

When he spoke of "the Emperor," Gao Gong unconsciously lowered his voice.

Honestly, if the person he was talking to wasn't Yan Maoqing, Gao Gong would never have spoken so bluntly about the "Emperor." He wasn't stupid; why would he easily give others something to say about him?

He had his own purpose in saying these words to Yan Maoqing.

After a slight pause, he moved closer to the carriage window and spoke in a lower, but more serious, tone:
"If General Yan's target is Zhang Yin, even if this person is indeed the leader of the White Lotus Sect, if General Yan really wants to capture the leader first, then capture the thief."

"I'm afraid I have to say something from the bottom of my heart: I implore General Yan to act with caution!"

"Because even now, nobody cares. The court is still a place where everyone is intertwined."

"Just like how some people in the court, based solely on a single sentence from General Yan, accused him of colluding with the White Lotus Sect and joined together to submit a memorial impeaching him."

"Just as the Emperor ordered General Yan to come to Shanxi to suppress the White Lotus Sect, he never really thought he could truly eradicate the White Lotus Sect; he actually had another purpose."

"The Emperor did not take it seriously. The court officials who attacked General Yan probably know even better how wronged General Yan is, so naturally they will not take it seriously either."

"If General Yan takes something seriously even though the Emperor and his court officials don't, he'll easily end up pleasing neither side."

"General Yan, please reconsider. You must prioritize the overall situation!"

Gao Gong's statement was extremely subtle, almost to the point.

Because he knew that Yan Maoqing was a smart man. Even he and Shen Kun had long guessed the Emperor's true purpose for this trip, so Yan Maoqing certainly couldn't possibly be unaware of it.

At the same time, he felt that Yan Maoqing must understand the consequences of overturning the case that the emperor himself had personally participated in determining.

However, he couldn't understand what Yan Maoqing was thinking at that moment, so he had to remind him before Yan Maoqing seemed to be about to do something foolish, hoping that Yan Maoqing would think clearly about what he was doing.

"Wow, Brother Suqing, you see things so clearly now. I'll put my words here today: I bet you'll have a place in the cabinet someday."

Upon hearing this, Yan Maoqing couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart, and then offered Gao Gong a truly credible prophecy.

At the same time, he could also tell that Gao Gong really didn't treat him like an outsider. He dared to say such treasonous things to him and wasn't afraid that he would report him.

This reminded Yan Maoqing of a saying: "Love arises without knowing its origin, and deepens with each passing moment."

"General Yan, what I have said comes from the bottom of my heart, why do you laugh at me like this?"

Gao Gong thought Yan Maoqing was mocking him, and his brows furrowed slightly, as if he was somewhat displeased.

"What I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. Believe it or not, it's up to you."

Yan Maoqing felt somewhat aggrieved, thinking to himself that in this era where people's hearts are no longer what they used to be, no one would believe the truth, yet he still chuckled and said...

"However, there are some things Brother Suqing said that I find hard to agree with."

“Brother Suqing said that many things in the world are bad because we are intertwined with each other.”

"It was the same in the fifth year of Jiajing's reign, and it is still the same now in the twentieth year of Jiajing's reign."

"Since Brother Suqing knows that most of the problems in the court stem from this, yet he still advises me to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear."

"I can't help but ask you, Brother Suqing, what is the reason behind this?"

"..."

Gao Gong was stunned upon hearing this, and for a moment he did not know how to respond.

“If I turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to this, and Brother Suqing also turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to this, then everyone will turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to this.”

Yan Maoqing then asked,

"Then the world will be left with only people who know how to cause trouble, and who will be left to accomplish anything?"

"If that's the case, I think there's no need for us to serve the Emperor anymore. Why don't we just turn back now, drag the Emperor to Coal Hill, find a crooked tree, and hang ourselves from the southeast branch? Wouldn't that be more satisfying?"

"You can't say that out loud..."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Gao Gong felt extremely terrified and quickly tried to stop him. If his previous words were somewhat treasonous, Yan Maoqing's words were almost equivalent to treason.

However, Yan Maoqing's question also shocked him, making him feel a surge of warmth he had never felt before.

Although Yan Maoqing's words were a bit rough, the reasoning behind them was absolutely sound!

Since he understands that many things in the world are intertwined, the problem lies in the fact that we are all interconnected.

It is then easy to understand that although this matter cannot be completely eliminated, if everyone turns a blind eye and does not take any measures to curb it.

Things under heaven will only get worse and worse. All talk of rectifying officialdom, new policies and reforms, and striving for good governance is just empty talk. All of it will only lead to bad things. His loyal Ming Dynasty will ultimately perish!
"I understand, thank you for your guidance, General Yan!"

Gao Gong suddenly felt that he understood what Yan Maoqing was going to do this time, and immediately bowed again!
He wanted to single-handedly shatter some things and launch a top-down reform, starting from the root cause that even the emperor was deeply involved in!
hero!

These two words came to Gao Gong's mind.

He was a maverick in officialdom, a selfless reformer, and a true man of loyalty and righteousness!

There are countless officials in the imperial court, but only Yan Maoqing has the courage to break with convention and the potential to revive the dying Ming Dynasty!
To meet him, understand him, and follow him in this life...

This is the mission that Heaven has bestowed upon me, the mission of Gao Gong. This is the arrangement of fate, the greatest!
Father, this time please open your eyes and look at me!
My elder brother has been serving as the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Shanxi for over a year, yet he is still subject to others and has achieved very little.

This time, I will personally participate in a major event that will likely shake the world!

Although I, Gao Gong, am born out of wedlock, I can still be your pride, bring glory to our family, and not be your shadow!

"I'm glad that Brother Suqing understands my good intentions."

Yan Maoqing stuck his arm out of the car window and patted Gao Gong's shoulder, secretly chuckling to himself.

Gao Gong, Gao Gong, I'm pushing you from behind, so hold on tight!

And Shen Kun, you should be more careful.

You two are both people with the potential to enter the cabinet. If I can truly bring you into Zhu Houcong's sights this time and give you important positions, it will be a great favor to you.

Neither of you are the type to betray someone after they've served their purpose.

Even if I retire and return to my hometown in the future, I can still be considered to have connections in the court. Do you two think you can make me suffer the indignities of local officials?
It's decided then and there! I'm counting on the two of you from now on, so please don't let me down...

With this thought in mind, Yan Maoqing's expression turned serious again, and he said solemnly:
"Brother Suqing just asked me for instructions, so please listen to my command. From this moment on, you and Brother Bozai will lead the Heroes' Battalion to stand ready for battle!"

"If I'm not mistaken, these people are probably still using the same old tricks on us: inviting us to meals, giving us gifts, and accepting our help as their dogs."

"It's a pity that I don't like this!"

"After entering the city, the prefect of Taiyuan will surely hold a banquet in the prefectural office to welcome us and wash away the dust of our journey."

"You don't need to worry about anything. After all the officials, dignitaries, and merchants have entered, immediately order the Heroes' Battalion to surround the prefectural government office under the pretext of eliminating the White Lotus Sect. No one is allowed to leave at will!"

"Don't worry about rules and regulations, we at the West Depot... ptooey!"

"Our Court of Imperial Sacrifices is granted special permission by the Emperor to make decisions on matters independently. Our system is our system, and our rules are our rules!"

"If you encounter any armed resistance, it will be time to test your and Shen Kun's training results. All those who resist will be regarded as rebels of the White Lotus Sect and killed without exception. No need to ask for instructions!"

"what?"

Even though Gao Gong had made preparations for undertaking a major undertaking, he was still stunned and speechless upon hearing such an order.

He thought Yan Maoqing only intended to target Zhang Yin, but he never expected that Yan Maoqing would actually wipe out all the officials, nobles and merchants in Taiyuan. Wasn't this going to cause a huge uproar?

"Brother Suqing, have I not made myself clear enough?"

Yan Maoqing looked over with a serious expression.

"Order!"

Gao Gong immediately stopped and gave a military salute.

He was a rather rigid person. Ever since Yan Maoqing was promoted, he always addressed him by his official title in any situation and never lacked proper etiquette.

"Please tell Shen Kun that there is no need to worry. I will take full responsibility for any consequences and will not implicate any of you."

Yan Maoqing then added,

"Furthermore, I want to emphasize again that if you encounter resistance, you must not be soft-hearted."

"Remember this: peace is achieved through struggle, peace is lost through compromise, and only war can stop war."

"We kill not to create more killing, but to reduce killing."

"You and Shen Kun don't want more innocent people who have been swindled out of their money and children by the White Lotus Sect to be misled and used by them, coming to their deaths one after another, or even exhausting the brothers of the Hero Camp, right?"

(End of this chapter)