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

Chapter 221 Feel free to test the edge of my sword! [Seeking monthly votes]

Yan Maoqing also recognized the eunuch that Gao Gong had led in.

Although he did not know the name of this eunuch, he remembered that he had delivered an imperial edict to the Yan residence.

As far as I can remember, the decree that was supposedly issued by Zhu Houcong, which was a pretentious attempt to "strip him of his salary for three years and demote him by three ranks," was actually a decree.

However, compared to the last time, this father-in-law's appearance and complexion are now noticeably worse.

His face was covered in dust and grime, his eyes were bloodshot with fatigue, and his eye bags were as big as walnuts, making him look as if he had aged decades in just a few months.

"..."

Upon seeing Yan Maoqing, a barely perceptible hint of resentment flashed across Chen Xi's eyes.

He desperately wanted to grab Yan Maoqing by the collar and demand, "Do you know how our family has been these past few days because of you, you bastard?!"

But he didn't dare.

After the incidents involving the Bureau of Armory and the Imperial Horse Administration, Yan Maoqing's infamous reputation had spread throughout the palace.

Now it is said that even the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs has been coerced by Yan Maoqing, who warned the eunuchs in charge of seals and affairs to restrain their behavior and ordered the Eastern Depot to conduct an internal investigation, and identified a few typical cases to serve as a warning to others.

How dare he, a mere messenger of imperial edicts, act so presumptuously with Yan Maoqing?

Therefore, this resentment quickly transformed into a feeling of weakness and helplessness.

If Yan Maoqing hadn't disobeyed the emperor's wishes, he would have gone to Datong instead of leading his army out of the capital and heading straight for Taiyuan.

Why would the Emperor issue an edict overnight, ordering him to travel 600 li to deliver the imperial decree?

He was chased all the way, and his back was almost broken from the jolting in the carriage. He didn't get a good night's sleep!

Most importantly, this is a business that doesn't offer any financial gain whatsoever.

When he went to deliver imperial edicts to others, those who were sensible would always offer him some money as a token of appreciation, so that his trip was never in vain.

But Yan Maoqing was clearly not a "sensible" person; even if Yan Maoqing were willing to give it to him, he would never dare to accept it...

Among the eunuchs who are well-informed these days, how many do not know how Yan Maoqing tried to extort Feng Jinzhong at the Bureau of Armory that day?
This guy is utterly cunning and shameless. Who knows if he's setting a trap? He just paid the money and then arrested someone for bribery.
Ugh, what a mess this is...

While talking.

Yan Maoqing had already stood up to greet him, and his previous frown instantly transformed into a bright and enthusiastic smile, as if turning the pages of a book.

"Oh dear, Your Excellency has arrived with an imperial decree. I, Yan, have failed to greet you properly. I beg Your Excellency's forgiveness."

"Minister Yan, you flatter me. How could I possibly accept such a compliment?"

Chen Xi snapped out of his daze, quickly bowed, and then said solemnly,

"Minister Yan, business is of utmost importance. Shall we receive the imperial decree first?"

"Of course, nothing is more important than the Emperor's affairs."

Yan Maoqing immediately put on a solemn expression, bowed to the heavens to show his loyalty, and then knelt down with a heavy heart.

Although the contents of the imperial edict are still unknown, the fact that Zhu Houcong made Chen Xi chase after it all the way to deliver it here is enough to show how important and urgent the matter is. It is just unknown whether this is adding insult to injury or providing timely help to him.

In fact, Yan Maoqing had already given up hope.

The White Lotus sect in Taiyuan Prefecture will be eradicated tonight, and the provincial governor Guan Jieshan has already submitted a memorial confessing his crimes. He will also come to surrender himself tomorrow morning.

In this way, while the issue of Datong may not be completely resolved, many of the previous dilemmas will also be easily solved.

Especially after Guan Jieshan's secret memorial with the silver seal was sent to the capital, given Zhu Houcong's intelligence, he would most likely have used the "capture the king first" tactic in the capital, directly dismantling Shanxi's banner in the court.

This completely ruined his previous plans!
Even if he went to Datong or other places in Shanxi afterward, the officials, powerful figures, and merchants there would only be hesitant and timid, and it would be difficult for him to do anything to help him retire and return to his hometown.

This outcome was far from Yan Maoqing's original plan.

He never intended to deal with the Prince of Jin of Taiyuan Prefecture.

Because there are very few records about this Prince of Jin named Zhu Xin in historical books, even if he thought that there were not many good people among the Ming Dynasty's imperial relatives, he could not condemn them all.

Previously, he only wanted to force the Prince of Dai in Datong Prefecture to rebel, so the main focus was naturally on Datong.

The lineage of the Prince of Dai colluded with the White Lotus Sect and the Tatars to plot a rebellion, and even intended to seize control of the Xuanda area and split the country. This is clearly written in black and white in the history books, only it happened three years later than it does now.

With someone who harbored treasonous intentions from the start, Yan Maoqing felt no qualms about taking action, and was confident he could force them into rebellion...

But now.

With this unexpected "surprise" from Guan Jieshan, it's unlikely that he'll be able to create any more "surprises" for Zhu Houcong.

As for Zhang Yin's involvement in the "Li Fuda case," would it make Zhu Houcong feel ashamed and thus take his anger out on him?
But pull it down!

That matter was merely an appetizer, not a definitive conclusion.

Given his "outstanding" performance in Taiyuan Prefecture, which even he himself hadn't anticipated, this trivial matter was utterly insignificant to Zhu Houcong.

Even with the silver seal of Guan Jieshan, dense and scattered like pearls and jade, this matter probably wouldn't cause a ripple in the court or the public, so why would Zhu Houcong take it to heart?

then.

This time, he has essentially performed an unparalleled feat with almost no flaws. It would be strange if Zhu Houcong didn't continue to promote him and entrust him with important responsibilities. It would only become more difficult for him to retire and return to his hometown in the future...

Just as I was thinking about this.

Shen Kun, Gao Gong, and Yan Shifan had already knelt down behind Yan Maoqing. Then, finally, they heard Chen Xiyong take out the imperial edict from his person and read it aloud in a loud but slightly hoarse voice:

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

【Yan Maoqing, listen carefully!】

I hereby issue this imperial edict: You must travel to Datong immediately and complete your mission by the appointed time.

Upon receipt of the order, a receipt shall be presented immediately. Anyone who dares to conceal the order or delay for even a moment, or make the slightest excuse, shall be executed without mercy!

If you doubt that your neck is stronger than a steel blade, then feel free to test the edge of my sword!

Admire this! 】

"???"

Upon hearing the imperial edict, Shen Kun, Gao Gong, and Yan Shifan all stiffened from their prostrate positions.

Even though Yan Shifan's father, Yan Song, was the Minister of Rites, and he had seen countless imperial edicts in his father's study, he had never seen an imperial edict with such emotional wording.

As we all know, the current emperor is also a "literary figure".

When selecting Grand Secretaries, ministers, and even eunuchs, he placed great emphasis on literary talent and could not tolerate even typos in memorials.

This was not only to write a memorial for him, but also a way to demonstrate his authority and literary talent.

Therefore, his edicts were usually ornate and restrained, and rarely expressed his true feelings as directly as this one, which even used the colloquial phrase "Listen to the truth, Yan Maoqing," something Yan Shifan had never dared to imagine before.

Let's just put it that way.

If it weren't for the fact that the person summoned today was Chen Xi, whom he knew, he would definitely have questioned the authenticity of the imperial edict and the identity of this eunuch. Perhaps someone was so audacious as to forge an imperial edict!
At the same time, he, Shen Kun, and Gao Gong were also pondering a question:
"Is His Majesty indulging in wishful thinking and micromanagement?"

Now that Yan Maoqing has created such a favorable situation, he can proceed steadily and cautiously, step by step.

As for Datong, there's nothing to rush about.

Next, the emperor only needs to use the same tactic in the capital to capture the leader first, and then cut down the banner that Shanxi had erected in the court.

Even if Yan Maoqing doesn't go to Datong, the obstacles to the Datong project will be greatly reduced. Relying solely on Guo Xun and Yan Song shouldn't cause any major problems. Even if Yan Maoqing goes, it will just be a formality.

Speaking of which, Minister Yan really pulled off a brilliant feint!

This brilliant strategy alone, once recorded in history, is enough to place him among the ranks of great advisors and national heroes, leaving a significant mark on history!
No wonder the Emperor favors Minister Yan so much.

With such talent as a potential advisor to the king, which emperor would not favor him, protect him, or give him important responsibilities?

Then they saw Yan Maoqing as if suddenly awakened, quickly kowtowing while a strange tremor came from his throat:

"Your humble servant Yan Maoqing... obeys the decree!"

"..."

Shen Kun, Gao Gong, and Yan Shifan, not understanding what was going on, could only follow suit and kowtow with full of doubt.

Chen Xi then stepped forward and handed the imperial edict to Yan Maoqing.

Yan Maoqing sprang up as if springs had been implanted in his legs, grabbed Chen Xi's hand, and said:

“Esteemed sir, though I do not know your name, I feel an instant connection with you. You have come all this way, how could I let you leave empty-handed?”

"I happen to have a merit here that could help you get promoted and make a fortune, and I would like to give it to you as a token of my appreciation. You mustn't refuse my kind offer!"

"Uh……"

Chen Xi had been delivering imperial edicts for quite some time now, and had received a considerable amount of money and gifts, but this was the first time he had ever received a reward from someone, and he was at a loss for how to respond.

"You are also aware of the Emperor's decree. I must set off for Datong immediately, or the Emperor will test my strength with his sword."

Yan Maoqing said solemnly,
"However, there are still some matters in Taiyuan Prefecture that have not been completed, so I have no choice but to entrust them to you, sir."

"Minister Yan, this is probably inappropriate..."

Chen Xi was even more surprised and suspicious upon hearing this. He was the emperor's messenger, and it was against the rules for him to obey orders from others.

"Father-in-law, please let me finish speaking before you make a decision."

Yan Maoqing immediately interrupted him, and patiently explained,

"Now that the situation in Taiyuan Prefecture is settled, we only need to wait until tomorrow morning, and dozens of White Lotus Sect leaders will be captured and sent to the prefectural government along with their names on the corresponding list."

"In addition, the secret memorial with the silver seal of Guan Jieshan, the Shanxi Provincial Governor, confessing his crimes, is already on its way to the capital. He will also come to the prefectural government office to be executed early tomorrow morning and voluntarily be escorted back to the capital for trial."

"You don't need to do anything, Your Excellency. I will send someone to contact General Zeng, who is still outside the city, and ask him to send some soldiers to supervise the escort of the criminal officials and thieves back to the capital. Then you can report to the Emperor for credit."

"This is a credit that came out of nowhere, are you going to refuse it, Father-in-law?"

"Pfft!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xi finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, his gaze towards Yan Maoqing carrying an indescribable strangeness.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I was so rude... It's just that Minister Yan is too good at joking, I almost believed him."

Although he arrived a step late, he had inquired his way here and knew that Yan Maoqing had entered the city a few hours earlier than him.

A few hours is not enough time to sit down and have a cup of tea.
Even if a deity descended to earth with the power to turn the world upside down, it would be impossible for them to accomplish so many things in such a short time, and all of them would be astonishing feats!

The White Lotus Sect bandit leader is one thing!
Even a high-ranking official like the Shanxi Provincial Governor willingly bound himself and confessed his crimes—is he stupid or are you insane?!
What?
You kidnapped his entire family?
Just kidding, but could you at least write a draft and pay a little attention to its plausibility?
(End of this chapter)