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

Chapter 225 Is this an older version of Yan Maoqing? [Seeking monthly votes]

Wait a minute!

Zhu Houcong was caught off guard. The mocking smile he had prepared froze on his face, but his eyes widened involuntarily.

What on earth is that old man up to today? Why isn't he playing by the rules?
He readily agreed to such a thankless task without even hesitating, saying that he would do it without hesitation.
Did I mishear, or is he getting senile?!
the most important is.

Given the lessons learned from the failure of the reforms implemented at the beginning of his reign, he always felt that doing so now was too radical.

It would be one thing if this matter aroused opposition from court officials, but if it actually triggered unrest in Shanxi, that could be a very serious matter.

If the Shanxi border troops rebel at that time, it will be even more impossible to successfully complete the tributary agreement. Anda will definitely send troops south. If the two forces merge into one, they will directly threaten the safety of the capital.

Therefore, he believes that this matter should be handled more gently, and that patience will lead to a smoother outcome.

Especially when dealing with Zhai Luan, Zhang Zan, and Yang Bo, we should leave some room for maneuver and not push them to the brink right away.

Think about it carefully, what is it that makes these three people able to become the representatives of Shanxi?
It was naturally related to the interests of the border generals and garrison commanders in Shanxi!
Zhai Luan, needless to say, as a cabinet minister, could influence many military and national policies without even realizing it.

Zhang Zan was the Minister of War, and he was responsible for recommending and appointing a large number of border generals.

Although Yang Bo was only a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel, he was in charge of military merit promotions and could use his position to flirt with border generals and exchange benefits.

This is simply a complete and tightly-knit chain of interests.

These three individuals likely represent the border generals of Shanxi. A sudden and ruthless move against them could easily cause panic among the border generals. If anyone is overly sensitive, any unusual action could trigger a widespread response.

These are the thoughts in my mind.

Zhu Houcong suddenly remembered an event that occurred in the eighteenth year of the Jiajing reign.

At that time, Zhai Luan was ordered to inspect the defense deployment of the nine border regions, and Yang Bo, who was then the Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, accompanied him as a representative sent by the Ministry of War.

Upon arriving in Gansu, a large group of ethnic minority tribes suddenly appeared, blocking the road and demanding rewards, thus stopping Zhai Luan on the road.

At that time, Zhai Luan had fewer than a hundred guards around him. He knew that these ethnic minority tribes on the border were very fierce and would kill officials and attack cities at the drop of a hat.

However, because there were too many people requesting the reward, they couldn't afford to give it, and they were in a dilemma if they didn't. Everyone was very nervous and didn't know what to do.

At this moment, Yang Bo stepped forward and went alone to negotiate with the ethnic minority tribes.

According to Zhai Luan's report upon his return, Yang Bo stepped forward and first sternly reprimanded him:

"Imperial officials are ordered to inspect the border. What kind of behavior is it for you to block this place and ask for rewards? At the very least, this is called inciting a disturbance. At worst, this is called robbery. Aren't you afraid of being punished?"

Having thus intimidated these ethnic minority tribesmen, he ordered them to kneel in a circle and beg forgiveness from Zhai Luan.

Finally, Zhai Luan rewarded each of the five leaders with fifty taels of silver. The ethnic minority tribesmen finally expressed their gratitude and dispersed, thus resolving the crisis.

After this incident, when Zhai Luan returned to court to report, he often praised Yang Bo for his ability to shoulder great responsibilities and recommended him to Zhu Houcong on several occasions.

It was around that time that Zhu Houcong learned of Yang Bo's identity.

At the time, Zhu Houcong did not think there was anything wrong with this matter; he only felt that Yang Bo was indeed a person with courage and wisdom, and capable of undertaking great responsibilities.

The reason why Yang Bo was not promoted immediately was that, according to the Ming Dynasty's official promotion system, Yang Bo had not yet completed three years of service in the Ministry of War, was still young, and lacked sufficient seniority.

In addition, in recent years, Jinang and Anda have frequently harassed the border at the end of the year. Before this, the Minister of War Zhang Zan had relied on Yang Bo to handle the matter of resisting the Tatars, and that position was just the most suitable for him...

After all, not everyone is Yan Maoqing.

They could all receive such special favor from Zhu Houcong.

In order to promote him, they went to great lengths to circumvent the Ming Dynasty's official promotion system, bestowing upon him a nominal position like Fengyi Dafu, and appointing him as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, a position they could decide on themselves...

Closer to home.

Now that Zhu Houcong saw Yang Bo's name on Guan Jieshan's secret memorial with the silver seal, and recalling the encounter when Zhai Luan inspected the nine borders, he suddenly felt that there seemed to be something wrong with the matter.

If we analyze this matter from a conspiracy theory perspective...

Is it possible that the large group of ethnic minority tribes blocking the road and requesting rewards was orchestrated by someone with ulterior motives?

After all, if they were waiting there specifically to ask Zhai Luan for rewards, then someone must have leaked the whereabouts of the inspection officials to them.

Even the ethnic minority tribes knew the whereabouts of the inspecting officials, and so many of them went to block the road, yet the border generals of the surrounding garrisons did not take any action or send troops to clear the road in advance.

Isn't it a bit too disrespectful to the imperial inspection team representing the emperor? Isn't the Ming Dynasty's border defense too ineffective? Shouldn't there be accountability afterwards?
But that matter seemed to just fade away, and nobody even mentioned that crucial point!

If they weren't deliberately waiting there to ask Zhai Luan for rewards, then they were just doing their usual odd jobs, so wouldn't that be automatically classified as highway robbers?

Since they are highway robbers, shouldn't the nearby garrisons send troops to wipe them out?
The result was that Zhai Luan suffered such a loss in silence, and even remembered Yang Bo's kindness, which made me think that Yang Bo was courageous, insightful, and capable of taking on great responsibilities.

And then it just passed by in a blur, as if everything was perfectly natural...

Without thinking!
Some things just happen unexpectedly!

Especially after you have the answer, you can't help but examine it carefully!

This made Zhu Houcong suspect that Zhai Luan, Zhang Zan, and Yang Bo might not only represent Shanxi, but also a large number of border generals in the nine important border towns of the Ming Dynasty. Especially Zhang Zan and Yang Bo, since the Ministry of War was in charge of more than just Shanxi.

As for Zhai Luan, judging from his experiences when he was ordered to inspect the nine border regions, it is highly likely that he was recruited into the group at that time, and was forced to join.

After all, given Zhai Luan's non-stick nature, if he could, he wouldn't want to get involved in any trouble at all. Even if he did get involved, he would only do so superficially and wouldn't leave himself with such a big hidden danger.

If that's the case.

These three people should be avoided at all costs.

The safest approach would be to first remove these three people from their key positions as a warning, to make them more cautious and focus on getting the Datong project done first.

Even if we really want to deal with them, we should wait until I have established tributary relations with Altan Khan, gained control of some of the finances and military power, and am able to deal with any potential unrest.

As for Xia Yan's suggestion to "cut through the Gordian knot" in Shanxi, it should be considered carefully.

The impact of this matter is no less than that of dealing with Zhai Luan, Zhang Zan, and Yang Bo; we must not act impulsively!

therefore……

"What decree?!"

Zhu Houcong's Machiavellian tactics were also at their peak. Having found a way to make Xia Yan vomit, he rebuked her in a deep voice.

"If this leads to political turmoil in the court and unrest in Shanxi, will you take responsibility?"

"The fate of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen, and I am willing to shoulder that responsibility!"

Xia Yan kowtowed again, and said without hesitation,
"If this causes turmoil in the court, I will bear the blame alone and will absolutely not implicate the emperor or father in the slightest!"

"If this causes unrest in Shanxi, I am willing to resign and retire to my hometown to silence any criticism!"

"?"

Huang Jin was taken aback when he heard this. Why did these words sound so familiar? Who was the last person to say such things in front of the Emperor?

"?!"

Zhu Houcong was also taken aback. Was this really the Xia Yan he knew?

If the sun hadn't risen in the west today, this old man must have taken the wrong medicine; otherwise, how could he possess such courage and loyalty?

Then Xia Yan raised his head, his old eyes gleaming with fervor, and continued:
“Your Majesty has thought this through carefully. In this matter, Your Majesty only needs to reappoint me as the Grand Secretary and then claim to be in seclusion for cultivation to temporarily avoid the situation.”

"From now on, everything will be led and promoted by your humble servant. Whether it is strict enforcement of the law, deep-seated malice, competing with the people for profit, or eliminating dissidents, all these infamy have nothing to do with the emperor and father. If the civil and military officials and the people of the world want to criticize, they should criticize your humble servant alone!"

"If this leads to unrest in Shanxi, I will do my utmost to deal with it and try my best to control the scope of the unrest and prevent the situation from getting out of control."

"If things go beyond what is expected, Your Majesty need only come out of the pass to reprimand me, and then order me to be dismissed from my post and retire to my hometown. This will surely quell the public anger in one fell swoop."

"At that time, I have only one request: please, Your Majesty, consider my loyalty and leave me some remains so that I may die peacefully."

"My lord, please hear my words, this matter must be handled in this way!"

"Although the Ming Dynasty has its own laws, it is ultimately still ruled by men. If the emperor and father want to govern well, they must put people first; otherwise, it is all empty talk!"

"With the officialdom so corrupt and the border affairs so chaotic, even if the emperor manages to accomplish the Great Harmony, and is certain that these stubborn and unyielding people are still around, he can firmly grasp the carbon tax and reclaim military power from the central government, and then he will no longer be constrained?"

"They can ruin the cause of universal harmony, so they can ruin the carbon tax, and even more so, the cause of military and national affairs!"

"Your Majesty, I have already expressed my intentions. If this still fails to persuade you to make a decision..."

"Then it is because I am old and no longer able to share the burdens of my sovereign. I humbly request that my sovereign grant me permission to retire and return to my hometown!"

As she spoke, Xia Yan forced out two lines of tears, fully expressing her unwavering loyalty, and bowed deeply in gratitude.

"..."

Seeing Xia Yan's posture, Huang Jin couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.

Why do I get the feeling that there's another elderly Yan Maoqing in the court? Is it just my imagination?

"..."

Zhu Houcong, on the other hand, had a somber expression.

Even he had to admit that Xia Yan's considerations were extremely comprehensive. If what he said was true, they could advance or retreat as needed.

Most importantly, Xia Yan seems to have suddenly understood the way of being a minister, and is actually willing to take the blame and blame for me... all thanks to my skill in managing my ministers?

If what Xia Yan said is true, wouldn't I only need to pay a small price to achieve an effect close to all-in?
The Qianqing Palace fell into a long period of tranquility.

After a long pause, Zhu Houcong finally took a deep breath and turned to look at Huang Jin:
"Huang Jin, draft the imperial edict!"

"Restore all of Xia Yan's previous official titles, appoint him as the Grand Secretary again, and return the silver seal and calligraphy to him!"

(End of this chapter)