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

Chapter 222 Develop the Good Habit of Keeping Accounts [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Eunuch Chen!"

Seeing Chen Xi's reaction, the first to lose his temper was surprisingly Yan Shifan. He looked at Chen Xi with a serious expression.

“When it comes to matters of national importance, my uncle-in-law never jokes. You can’t disbelieve what he says!”

"Young Master Yan..."

Chen Xi finally stopped laughing, but then looked at Yan Shifan with surprise.

He naturally recognized Yan Shifan. In fact, based solely on Yan Shifan's distinctive appearance, anyone who had ever stayed in the capital, even if they didn't know him personally, could recognize him at a glance.

Chen Xi was well aware of Yan Shifan's previous arrogance and domineering behavior.

Although Yan Shifan no longer has the protection of his father, a second-rank official, he now has a third-rank official uncle-in-law who holds special privileges within the Western Depot.

This power will only be greater than when Yan Song was in power, and it will be even easier to deal with anyone. How dare a mere messenger act recklessly?

the most important is.

Although Yan Maoqing did not appear as arrogant and domineering as Yan Shifan on the surface, his wickedness in handling affairs was no less than that of Yan Shifan. The previous fate of Feng Jinzhong, the head of the Armory Bureau, served as a cautionary tale.

In that instant, Chen Xi's mind cleared up considerably.

He was beginning to regret what he had just done, how he had failed to restrain himself and dared to speak rudely to Yan Maoqing!
Oh no, oh no, oh no! I think I've really stirred up a hornet's nest this time. Is there any way to make peace?

Then Yan Maoqing glanced at Yan Shifan:
"You two know each other?"

"In response to your uncle, the Yan family and Eunuch Chen did indeed have some dealings before."

Yan Shifan quickly turned around and answered meekly with his head bowed.

Chen Xi was even more surprised when he saw this. Was this still the Yan Shifan he knew? Why did he seem to be even more obedient in front of his uncle than he was in front of Yan Song?

"That's a way of keeping the good stuff in the family. You can talk to him about it then."

Yan Maoqing nodded, not holding it against Chen Xi, and simply said calmly.

"Yes, Eunuch Chen, please come with me here."

Yan Shifan immediately gave a proper military salute and led the increasingly astonished Chen Xi to the side.

He felt that the person in front of him was Yan Shifan, but he was not the same Yan Shifan he knew. He felt that many things in Yan Shifan's bones had undergone a qualitative change, but he could not say exactly what the changes were.

Then he heard Yan Maoqing's voice behind him:

"Shen Kun, send someone on horseback to inform General Zeng that he need not wait outside the city for orders, but should immediately lead his troops into the city to assist in the affairs of Taiyuan."

"Order!"

"Gao Gong, go and fetch your elder brother. I have something to say to him."

"Order!"

……

"Your Minister Yan is looking for me? What do you want?"

This was the first time Kao Chieh had spoken to Kao Kung since they met today.

However, there was no greeting or pleasantries between brothers when they spoke. Instead, Kao Chieh seemed a little nervous, and even his voice lacked confidence.

Although Yan Maoqing was extremely enthusiastic when he first met him, Gao Jie did not dare to treat him as a pushover.

Which kind soul could, upon entering the government office, immediately turn against almost all the officials, powerful figures, and merchants of Taiyuan Prefecture?

Which kind-hearted person would dare to order someone to shoot and wound a third-rank commander of the imperial court without saying a word?
Which kind-hearted person would dare to order their soldiers to shoot down the troublemakers and sedan chair carriers without hesitation?

Who would dare to say that anyone who claims to be a member of the White Lotus Cult is a member of the White Lotus Cult?

Especially when I think of the deceitful words Yan Maoqing said when he reprimanded those officials, powerful figures, and merchants... those were clearly the cunning tricks that only a great villain, a treacherous scoundrel who deceives the emperor and his cronies could use!

Kao Chieh is not someone who would willingly collude with treacherous officials, but he is not a stubborn person either.

If the treacherous officials become too powerful and the court becomes too corrupt, he will, like his father and grandfather, retire gracefully and protect himself.

"Our Minister Yan wants to see you, why is your face pale? Are you nervous?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong revealed a mocking expression, scrutinizing his useless older brother with a half-smile.

"I'm your older brother! What kind of attitude is this?"

Kao Chieh glared and rebuked him.

"When you're in officialdom, please address yourself by your official title."

Gao Gong smiled proudly.
"Could it be that Governor Gao has already lost his integrity and disgraced the Gao family ancestors in just over a year since he came to Taiyuan, and now he still wants to associate with me, intending to put public interests aside for private ones?"

"You have disgraced the Gao family ancestors! This Yan Maoqing is clearly no good. By attaching yourself to him, you are aiding and abetting evil. How dare you hold your head up in front of me!"

Kao Chieh immediately retorted.

"Then why are you blushing? Did I hit the nail on the head?"

Gao Gong remained unmoved, his face still full of mockery, even the thick mustache around his lips curled up at the corners of his mouth.

"You're talking nonsense! I'm blushing only because I'm angry at your lack of ambition and I'm disappointed in you!"

The Gao family members were not known for their good tempers, and Gao Jie was no exception. Now, after being repeatedly mocked by Gao Gong, his beard trembled with anger, and he even let out a long sigh.

“Father, you always taught your son that the eldest brother is like a father. Before you passed away, you also instructed your son to teach your younger brothers well, guide them onto the right path, and not to ruin the family’s reputation.”

“It’s because the son is incompetent. He has failed his father’s will and failed to properly educate his third son, leading him astray. He is so unable to distinguish right from wrong and has completely disgraced the Gao family.”

“Father, the third son is still young and doesn’t understand. All the faults are mine. Please blame only me in heaven.”

"When my son returns to pay respects to our ancestors in the future, he will kneel before your grave and beg for forgiveness!"

"Hehehe... Pah!"

Gao Gong was so angry at this scheming older brother that he laughed out loud, spat on the spot, and sighed to the heavens.

“Father, my elder brother is right. I am unable to distinguish right from wrong, I am unable to tell what is good from evil, I am an accomplice to evil, I am a henchman of tyrants.”

"So I followed Minister Yan to Taiyuan Prefecture. Under Minister Yan's strategic planning, we captured the White Lotus Sect leader who had been ravaging the people for many years in less than two hours. Tonight, we will also wipe out all the White Lotus Sect leaders hiding in Taiyuan Prefecture!"

"We also subdued Guan Jieshan, the Shanxi Provincial Governor, and forced him to submit a memorial to the Emperor detailing his crimes over the years, exposing high-ranking officials in the capital who had close ties with Shanxi merchants and border generals. He will come bound and executed first thing tomorrow morning!"

“What are these things? I’ve completely disgraced the Gao family. I’m still not as sensible as my older brother.”

"Therefore, the eldest brother can receive the emperor's salary and live a life of ease without doing any work."

"We can turn a blind eye to the White Lotus Sect's exploitation of the people."

"They can mingle with Shanxi officials, powerful figures, and merchants."

"It is possible to slander a loyal and patriotic minister like Yan Butang without cause."

“Father, in these matters, your son is indeed less sensible than your elder brother. He should indeed kneel before your grave to beg for forgiveness.” “Begging for forgiveness alone is far from enough. You should send him a dream, instructing him to commit suicide before your grave, so he can personally beg for forgiveness from below!”

The words have not yet fallen.

Gao Jie had already grabbed Gao Gong's shoulder, his eyes widening even more than before, filled with astonishment and suspicion:

"What did you just say? That the leaders of the White Lotus Sect in Taiyuan will be wiped out tonight, and that Provincial Governor Guan Jieshan will have to surrender himself to you?!"

"Hehe, I can't be like you. Father is still listening from heaven. How could I deceive him?"

Gao Gong puffed out his chest and sneered.

"!!!"

Kao Chieh's surprise and doubt instantly turned into shock.

He questioned everything, but he would never question Gao Gong's filial piety. In fact, Gao Gong's dissatisfaction with him over the years was all because of his father.

Or perhaps it's because he felt he had let his father down, failing to pass the imperial examination before his father's death, and this lingering regret in his heart was something he could never reconcile with.

"How did you manage that?!"

Kao Chieh immediately followed up with incredulous questions.

An unsolvable problem, Shanxi, a country that was supposed to be a monolithic entity, was solved and disrupted in just two hours, and even completely turned around.
"Brother, now I'm asking you, who has utterly disgraced the Gao family?"

Kao Kung raised his chin again, looking down at Kao Chieh.

"I, I, I, it's all me. I'm just a few years older than you. I'm not worthy to be your older brother."

Kaohsiung MRT immediately expressed its stance.
"Come, come, tell me quickly, what exactly did you do?"

……

After a while.

"..."

Kao Chieh stood before Yen Mao-ching, feeling utterly ashamed of his own appearance, and found it impossible to look directly at this young minister who hadn't even grown a full beard.

He was a smart man; with just a simple hint from Gao Gong, he immediately understood the whole story.

Now all he can do is sigh:
high!
It’s really high!

I misjudged again.

When he was in Chongzhou, he also defeated a notorious bandit without using force, relying solely on his wisdom. He was hailed as a "god" by the people of the prefecture and county, who even spontaneously raised funds to build a shrine in his honor.

But standing in front of Yan Maoqing at this moment, he felt like a greenhorn. This was the real "god," and he was not worthy of him!
"Gao Daotai, I heard that Guan Jieshan previously held the position of Provincial Administration Commissioner and concurrently served as Provincial Surveillance Commissioner. As the Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to make full use of your abilities."

Yan Maoqing smiled and said,
"Guan Jieshan will confess his crimes and accept punishment first thing tomorrow morning. I wonder if there is anyone in the Provincial Surveillance Commission who can stop you?"

"What Yan Butang means is..."

Kao Chieh looked up upon hearing this.

Yan Maoqing grinned and said:
"Given our relationship... if there are any, Magistrate Gao, you might as well give your name. The Emperor won't mind arresting a few more White Lotus rebels, and I won't mind helping Magistrate Gao eliminate a few dissidents as well."

"..."

Kao Chieh felt a wave of bewilderment. These words didn't sound like something a loyal and righteous person would say, yet the matter was handled so well.

"It's all gone, no need for Minister Yan to trouble himself."

"Since that's the case, I have a few unpleasant things to say to the High Official in advance."

Yan Maoqing was still smiling.
"In the past, it was understandable that Gao Daotai could not do anything because Jieshan was above him."

"Now that the mountain that was pressing down on Gao Daotai has been removed by me, and the officials, powerful figures, and merchants of Taiyuan Prefecture are all trapped inside the prefectural government office, cut off from the outside world, wouldn't it be a bit unreasonable if Gao Daotai still couldn't do anything?"

"How about this, I'll set a bottom line for Gao Daotai."

"Zhang Yin is now in your hands. He's willing to tell you anything. Just ask him whatever you want to know."

"I have only one request: all officials, powerful figures, and merchants in Taiyuan Prefecture must be investigated, but any illegal activities must be dealt with impartially."

"Officials of the fourth rank and above will be investigated and their crimes transferred to the capital. Officials below the fourth rank will be imprisoned after their crimes are confirmed. A memorial will be submitted to the Emperor to await his judgment. No one will be spared."

“If Magistrate Gao can accomplish this, I will personally recommend him for commendation.”

"If Magistrate Gao cannot do this, he will release those who should not have been released, violate the law that should not have been violated, and extend his hand that should not have been extended..."

"As I said before, the Emperor wouldn't mind arresting a few more White Lotus rebels, and it's not like we can't add another Gao Daotai's name to the White Lotus rebels' list."

"Have I made myself clear enough?"

"..."

Hearing this, Gao Gong couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself.

His younger brother Jingqing is good in every way, except that he often likes to use extremely wicked but very effective methods, which can easily lead to misunderstandings.

But you can't ignore it, because once he says it, he really might do it...

"Clearly...right?"

Kao Chieh hesitated, glancing furtively at Kao Gong before reluctantly agreeing, his expression horrified, though inwardly he was screaming:

I can't tell!

I really can't tell the difference!
You say he's a wicked and evil person?
He was utterly intolerant of any wrongdoing, not even sparing the officials, powerful figures, and merchants who had temporarily stabilized their positions; he was simply a man who hated evil as if it were his enemy.

You say he was a loyal and patriotic minister?
Look at what he says and what he does! Which treacherous minister in the world is as blatantly treacherous as him? If you don't listen to him, he'll frame you as a traitor!
"And one more thing."

Yan Maoqing then took out another talisman, handing it to Gao Jie while emphasizing,
"This is Zhang Yin's seal. It is specially granted by the Emperor and authorized by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Until the Emperor sends someone to take over, the troops of Taiyuan Right Guard will be under your temporary command. Go ahead and do it boldly."

"During the investigation, remember to investigate the family property and lock down the assets to prevent anyone from transferring them privately, in order to prepare for future confiscation of property."

"Also, you must develop the good habit of keeping accounts!"

“Every single account must be recorded in detail, and finally compiled and presented to the Emperor, and then sent to me, so that I can reconcile and verify the accounts with the Emperor in the future. This is of utmost importance.”

"If things go wrong in this matter, the name of Gao Daotai can be added to the list of White Lotus rebels as well."

Gao Jie found Yan Maoqing's request quite reasonable, and immediately ignored the threat of the "List of White Lotus Rebels," accepting the talisman and bowing in response:
"Please rest assured, Minister Yan, how could I dare to neglect this matter?"

"In that case, all subsequent matters concerning Taiyuan Prefecture will be entrusted to Governor Gao."

Yan Maoqing nodded slightly.
"I have long heard that when Gao Daotai was in Chongzhou, he was able to outwit and subdue the notorious bandits who had plagued the region for many years without resorting to force. I imagine he will be able to do so this time as well."

"Gao Gong, Shen Kun, order the Heroes' Battalion to prepare!"

"Once General Zeng leads his troops into the city and takes over the prefect's office, we will immediately set off for Datong!"

(End of this chapter)