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

Chapter 216 Everyone crouched down with their heads in their hands! [Seeking monthly votes]

Amidst a cacophony of insincere compliments.

Kao Chieh finally met the real imperial envoy of this trip up close—Yan Maoqing, the Crown Prince's tutor and general.

"Gao Jie, the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Shanxi, has met with Minister Yan."

Kao Chieh's rank was not low, and he was already standing at the front of the welcoming crowd, so he was naturally qualified to bow and speak with Yen Mao-ching alone.

In fact, according to Yan Maoqing's current position as commander-in-chief, he could also be called "Zhentai" or "General".

However, "Zhentai" is usually a respectful title for military officers. Although Yan Maoqing took a military officer position on this trip, he was essentially a civil official who had passed the imperial examination.

Moreover, in the current atmosphere of the court, the status of military officers is far inferior to that of civil officials. Calling them that would be considered disrespectful by some petty civil officials. Therefore, it is more appropriate to address them as "Minister".

Seeing Yan Maoqing's face so clearly at this close range, Gao Jie was slightly surprised.

Although he had heard that the imperial envoy was relatively young, he had not expected him to be so young. He didn't even have a beard yet and looked to be only in his early twenties.

What is the Emperor really thinking?

Could it be that they used it as bait, throwing it in first to create a feeding area, but actually had a backup plan?
"Kao Chieh?"

Yan Maoqing had simply exchanged greetings with the others and moved on with a smile, but he stopped in front of Gao Jie, hesitated for a moment, and then asked...
"You are Kao Chieh, the 'Kao' of tall and the 'Chieh' of agile?"

"Exactly."

Kao Chieh was somewhat puzzled. Did this "Minister Yan" know him?
On second thought, it makes sense. I've heard that Gao Gong and Yan Maoqing were both Jinshi graduates from the same cohort, so perhaps Gao Gong mentioned him to him.

Then Yan Maoqing looked him up and down, a look of surprise clearly appearing in his eyes:
"But Gao Jie from the Gao family in Xinzheng, you and Gao Gong...?"

“Gao Gong is indeed my younger brother.”

Kao Chieh picked up the conversation, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Kao Gong, who was inspecting his troops not far away.

"Brother dog?"

This was the first time Yan Maoqing had ever heard anyone address his younger brother like that. Even if he was being modest, shouldn't he usually be called "my younger brother"?

The term "dog brother" sounds a bit derogatory, or even suggests a difference in generation, doesn't it?
But that's not important. What's important is...

"If I heard you correctly, you just said you are now the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Shanxi?"

Yan Maoqing then eagerly pressed on with another question.

He certainly knew what the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner did, but he knew even better what kind of person Gao Jie was.

Having such a person in Taiyuan, holding such an important position, is practically a case of "revealing a concealed kong and then opening the game" in mahjong.

With his assistance, wouldn't it be much easier to gather evidence of the crimes committed by these officials, powerful families, and merchants, making it even more advantageous for him to win?

"Please advise me, Minister Yan."

Kao Chieh felt uneasy under Yan Maoqing's intense gaze and could only offer another bow to cover it up.

"I dare not accept your guidance, I have long admired you!"

Yan Maoqing immediately struck up a conversation with him, her smile radiant and genuine.
"I don't know this yet, but Gao Gong and I are the same age. We were even classmates in the Hanlin Academy."

“Gao Gong had often talked to me about you, his elder brother, and he could not hide his respect and admiration whenever he mentioned you. Therefore, I have long admired Gao Daotai.”

"It is an honor to meet Gao Daotai today. He is even more extraordinary than Gao Gong described. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Minister Yan, you've really flattered me..."

Kao Chieh was almost burned by Yen Mao-ching's sudden burst of enthusiasm, but he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

If you had said something else, I might have believed you.

If you say that Gao Gong, that dog's mouth, can spew out ivory, and still can't hide his respect and admiration for me, isn't that a bit unrealistic?
While thinking this, Kao Chieh also unconsciously stole a glance at Kao Gong.

That glance happened to meet the questioning look that Gao Gong had cast at him after hearing the commotion.

Kao Chieh immediately became certain of his idea:

"No doubt about it! That brat would never say anything good about me in front of outsiders, let alone respect or admire me. He would only talk badly about me, his elder brother!"

This scene was witnessed by Gao Gong, who was certain that Yan Maoqing could not possibly know Gao Jie. His gaze immediately turned contemptuous, and he felt utterly humiliated in front of Yan Maoqing, his heart filled with shame and indignation.
"Gao Jianqing, Gao Jianqing, I haven't seen you for a year and you've not learned anything good, but you've actually learned to rely on my connections to curry favor with Shangguan?"

"Whether I was in the Imperial Academy, the Hanlin Academy, or now in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, I have never mentioned to anyone that I have an elder brother who is a fourth-rank official!"

"You're shameless, but I'm ashamed! You've completely disgraced the Gao family!"

"Just you wait, I will write this down in detail in my diary, and then copy it onto yellow paper stroke by stroke. When I return to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors, I will burn it in front of the ancestral graves for the ancestors of the Gao family to see!"

"..."

The other officials looked at each other in bewilderment, a sense of unease creeping into their hearts.

Most people here know what kind of situation Kao Chieh is in Taiyuan, and now they suddenly see that Kao Chieh and Yan Maoqing have such a relationship.

Yan Maoqing's obvious preferential treatment of Kao Chieh makes me feel that there are more uncertainties this time.

"Minister Yan, this next one is the Provincial Administration Commissioner..." Prefect Deng Shirong, keeping his eyes down, led Yan Maoqing to the next official.

……

Another two hours passed.

Yan Maoqing and the Heroes' Camp, accompanied by a host of officials, powerful figures, and merchants, finally entered Taiyuan City in a grand procession.

After the grand welcoming ceremony, Yan Maoqing had confirmed that Zhang Yin was among the officials who went out of the city to greet him.

He was an old man with almost entirely white hair and beard.

With a kind and benevolent face and humble and polite manners, he is quite deceptive.

Taiyuan has three guards: the Left Guard, the Right Guard, and the Front Guard. They are all under the control of the Capital Commander's Office.

Zhang Yin was the commander of the Right Guard. According to the military register, his command should have consisted of 5,600 soldiers stationed in the garrison. However, given the current state of the Ming Dynasty's garrisons, it's hard to say how many were actually registered and how many were just drawing salaries without actually working...

On the way back to the city.

Although these officials, powerful figures, and merchants each rode in sedan chairs, they also maintained constant private communication through their confidants.

Many of these people are involved with the White Lotus Sect, and some have even become members of the White Lotus Sect long ago.

At this moment, they were uncertain, and with the sudden addition of Kao Chieh as an uncertain factor, they couldn't help but want to get a definite answer from Zhang Yin, the "old manager," to put their minds at ease.

"Father, they've sent people over to ask what you think. What should we say?"

Zhang Daren moved closer to Zhang Yin's sedan chair, lifted the curtain, and asked in a low voice.

Tell them, the sky is still up, it won't fall!

Zhang Yin squinted, his old face slightly furrowed, and his tone revealed a hint of impatience.

Sometimes he really looked down on these "big shots" who held power and wealth in the eyes of outsiders. They were not calm at all, panicked when faced with a little trouble, and had no courage or boldness. They were not even as good as a bunch of rabble.

It's just a young upstart who hasn't even grown his first hair yet, what's there to panic about?
When he organized his followers to rebel, he was captured by government troops several times, but he escaped death several times. He had never been as cowardly and fearful as they were.

Again.

Let alone whether Yan Maoqing dares to be disloyal and unfilial, dares to slap the Emperor's face, or dares to implicate the Duke of Yi.

There are plenty of people in Taiyuan with higher official ranks than him. Surely they can keep an eye on a mere third-rank Crown Prince's Chamberlain.
Even if the sky really falls, there are tall people to hold it up.

Can Prince Zhu Xin of Jin really sit still?

Can Provincial Governor Guan Jieshan really sit idly by?
Although Yan Maoqing not only led troops but also enjoyed privileges comparable to those of the Western Depot, those privileges were not something that could be abused by just anyone.

Even the Western Depot back then, if it wanted to move officials of the fourth rank or above, it had to ask the emperor for permission again and again. How could it dare to act rashly without the emperor's approval?

How many officials of the fourth rank or above are there in Taiyuan?

Even if we don't talk about each person spitting, each person urinating could drown Yan Maoqing!

When Yan Maoqing submits a memorial to the emperor for instructions, a large group of officials in Taiyuan will join forces with court ministers to impeach him. Yan Maoqing will be the one who suffers the loss!
Could the Emperor possibly favor Yan Maoqing alone, causing the officials of an entire province to lose heart?
In this process, as long as he mobilizes his followers and creates some minor disturbances, he can create the impression that "Yan Maoqing is leading his army to act arrogantly and oppressively, forcing the people of Taiyuan to rebel."

This matter, on a small scale, concerns the stability of Shanxi; on a larger scale, it concerns the fate of the nation. How could the Emperor possibly abandon it?
Also.

Anda in the north is now starting to stir up trouble because the tributary relationship has been delayed.

Even if Yan Maoqing had previously made a contribution by venturing deep into the desert to facilitate the establishment of tribute relations, if Anda were to take any action, the tribute relations would be completely ruined, and all his merits would be lost.

If Yan Maoqing were a smart man, he would know what was important, obediently eat the meal, accept the gift, and then grovel before the dog.

At most, he would cooperate by sending some of his followers, who had become a burden, to him so that he could take the heads back to the emperor and claim credit. It was a win-win situation, so why would he refuse?
While talking.

Sedan chairs had already stopped in front of the Taiyuan Prefectural Government Office one after another.

Many officials, powerful figures, and merchants disembarked from their sedan chairs and lined up again. After Yan Maoqing, who arrived later, also got off his carriage, they accompanied him into the government office for the banquet.

"Oh dear, what a terrible memory I have!"

Prefect Deng Shirong suddenly slapped his forehead and apologized,
"Minister Yan, I have prepared the barracks in advance, and food and drink are also prepared in the barracks. I should first send someone to lead the two adjutants and soldiers to the barracks to rest."

"I don't see any need to continue this performance, do I?"

Yan Maoqing turned around, grinned, and looked at everyone with a smile.

"Wow!"

Before he finished speaking, the fifty personal guards selected by Shen Kun and Gao Gong from the Heroes' Camp who had accompanied him into the government office suddenly raised their homemade muskets, their gleaming triangular bayonets pointing at the unsuspecting officials, powerful figures, and merchants.

"boom!"

One of them fired a shot at Zhang Yin's leg at close range, shouting sharply:

"Everyone, put your hands on your heads and squat down. Anyone who disobeys will be considered a traitor to the White Lotus Sect and will be killed without exception!"

(End of this chapter)