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

Chapter 237 Respecting Minister Yan! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The true intention has been revealed!

These were Yan Song's second and third expressions of sincerity towards Yan Maoqing.

This move would not only prevent Guo Xun and Yan Maoqing from clashing, thus fostering a harmonious relationship between them, but could also pull Guo Xun out of the mire and prevent Yan Maoqing from being implicated.

This would also clear away obstacles to the tribute system in advance, allowing Yan Maoqing to complete the carbon tax office's affairs in a short time after arriving in Datong.

Therefore, in the Emperor's eyes, the greatest credit for this matter naturally belongs to Yan Maoqing!
After all, Yan Maoqing had only just arrived in Datong and had barely raised his musket when the enemy fell and the mission was accomplished. You tell me, was his aim accurate or not?

In this way, it also highlights Guo Xun's and his own incompetence.

This would make his reason for asking the emperor to allow him to retire even more convincing, and he could then easily obtain the emperor's permission to return to his hometown with his wife and Qing'er to live out his old age. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?
As for the "silver seal document" he just mentioned to Guo Xun...

What? The situation in Datong has already been truthfully reported to the Emperor.

What did he say to the Emperor about the fact that after the Duke of Yi arrived in Datong, he exchanged letters with Zhang Zan, the Minister of War?
That was just a pretext Yan Song used to bluff Guo Xun!

He was forced to make peace with Yan Maoqing after receiving the blackmail letter from Yan Maoqing half an hour ago. For the safety of his family, he decided to retire and return to his hometown to avoid his sharp edge. How could there be any "secret documents with silver seals"?
If he had made this decision earlier, the carbon tax office would probably have been established long ago, and the matter of the emperor ordering Yan Maoqing to lead troops to Shanxi would not have happened!
As for whether Yan Maoqing will accept his sincerity...

Yan Song wasn't too worried about that.

As the saying goes, reach out and don't hit the smiling person.

He felt like he was a smiling man who offered his right cheek after Yan Maoqing slapped him on the left. How could Yan Maoqing possibly retaliate?

Even if Yan Maoqing is petty and unwilling to reconcile with them and their son, he should still be able to achieve a situation where they keep to themselves from now on.

After all, he had shown such sincerity. If he then retired and returned to his hometown, he would be no different from an ant that posed no threat to Yan Maoqing. Yan Maoqing really had no need to pursue him any further...

If all else fails, he can offer even more sincerity!
Didn't Yan Maoqing previously use storytelling to bring the affairs of the Southeast to the forefront, and was even framed for writing a seditious book?
He also knew something about what was happening in the southeast, which could at least provide Yan Maoqing with a clue to help him follow the trail and deal with those who might frame him!
As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Surely Yan Maoqing understands this principle?
Just as I was thinking this.

"Brother Weizhong, is this really true?"

After pondering for a while, Guo Xun finally raised his eyes and stared into Yan Song's eyes to ask.

The way he addressed Yan Song changed back to "Brother Weizhong," which shows that he had taken Yan Song's words to heart.

Of course, he had indeed been tricked by Yan Song into having only this last way out. If he were to continue to entangle himself with Zhang Zan and those "debt leaders" now, he would truly be doomed.

"What?"

Yan Song snapped out of his reverie, but because Guo Xun had been pondering for so long, and because he was indeed getting on in years, he became slightly forgetful.

"It means I'm giving you the authority to clarify these obstacles!"

Guo Xun felt that Yan Song was pretending to be stupid and stalling him, but he had no choice but to repeat himself, forcing an awkward smile as he tried to salvage the situation.
“Brother Weizhong, you know my situation as a nobleman, especially when it comes to these border generals who also come from the military. I can’t protect them, but I can’t not protect them either. It’s really not easy for me to lower myself to take action.”

"If you can lend me a hand this time, I, Guo Xun, will remember this favor and will definitely repay you in the future."

"how?"

Yan Song readily agreed and said solemnly:

"Since the Duke of Yi also shares this sentiment, I, your humble servant, will gladly die for him!"

Become!

He now wants to express his sincerity to Yan Maoqing, but the biggest problem is that he has no troops and no power.

If Guo Xun were to delegate power to him, he would no longer be just a minor seventh-rank county magistrate, but would possess the same regional power as a governor.

Not only can they investigate and punish officials and generals below the fourth rank in Datong, but they can also control officials and generals above the fourth rank, making things much easier!
the most important is.

This would also make Guo Xun owe him a favor, so when reconciling with Yan Maoqing, there would be another highly influential peacemaker, which would be a win-win situation.

As for what Yan Maoqing threatened him to do in that blackmail letter.

He definitely wouldn't do it, and he wasn't afraid of Yan Maoqing killing him.

After all, once Yan Maoqing arrived in Datong Prefecture and saw how sincere he was, he could almost immediately return to the capital to claim credit.

They'd probably be overjoyed, so how could they possibly make things difficult for the father and son, let alone kill Yan Shifan...

……

Outside Xizhimen in Beijing.

"Fellow colleagues!"

"I advise you to drink another glass of wine. There will be no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west."

"Fellow colleagues!"

"Do not worry about having no friends on the road ahead, for who in the world does not know you?"

"Fellow colleagues!"

"The water of Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but it cannot compare to the affection you all have shown me."

"Fellow colleagues!"

"The candle is reluctant to leave, and sheds tears for people until dawn."

"Fellow colleagues..." "I thought you were all scholars who had passed the imperial examinations and were all talented in composing poetry, but after seeing you today... Can we please stop making a fool of ourselves? You're talking nonsense, and I'm ashamed of you!"

"Hahahahahaha..."

Zhao Zhenji, Li Fenglai, Zhang Yunxian, and other newly appointed imperial inspectors laughed heartily, their laughter filled with high spirits.

Today they will travel together to Shanxi to undertake a major undertaking that will benefit the country and its people.

Last night, Grand Secretary Xia Yan and Left Censor-in-Chief Wang Tingxiang specially invited them to a farewell banquet, during which Xia Yan finally revealed his true feelings to them.

Therefore, they already knew about Yan Maoqing's great deeds in Taiyuan Prefecture, and at this moment they were filled with respect for Yan Maoqing, regarding him as a model for court officials and a pioneer for their generation.

At the same time, they also knew what important matter they were about to undertake:
Taking advantage of the situation opened up by Yan Maoqing, they will soon go to various prefectures in Shanxi to implement the "Performance Evaluation System" and use Shanxi as a pilot to rectify official corruption.

This is just the beginning. Once the "Assessment and Performance Evaluation System" is successfully implemented, it will enter the next stage.

Measure the land, investigate tax evasion, return the land to the state, and restore the land to the people!

This is truly a major event that benefits the country and its people!

In fact, everyone in the court knew that in recent years, the amount of grain and farmland produced by the imperial court had decreased year after year, even less than half of what it was during the Yongle era. This led to the country's finances becoming increasingly strained, while the people were still impoverished and fleeing. This was the real reason for the sharp decline in grain production.

It's simply that the phenomenon of "wealthy people owning land but not paying taxes, while poor people are burdened with excessive taxes" has become increasingly serious, to the point that it can no longer be ignored.

However, just because everyone can see it doesn't mean that anyone is willing to do it.

Even if someone is willing to do it, it doesn't necessarily mean they can succeed, since it involves too many interests and will inevitably face severe obstacles.

The situation that Yan Maoqing has created is a rare opportunity that comes along only once in a century...

Whether it's making an example of someone to warn others or killing one to warn a hundred, it doesn't matter.

Yan Maoqing has demonstrated unprecedented determination and strength on behalf of the court in Taiyuan Prefecture. For a period of time, this will surely silence the officials in Shanxi, and the obstacles to implementing the new policies will be less than before.

And they.

I was fortunate enough to personally participate in this unprecedented change and have the precious opportunity to realize my ambitions and ideals. Isn't that a great blessing in life?
"Let me propose a drink!"

Zhao Zhenji stopped laughing and asked loudly,

"Do you all still remember the couplet that was hung in front of the Jixia Academy?"

Everyone immediately straightened their backs and began to recite along with him:
"The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading—all sounds enter my ears! Family affairs, national affairs, world affairs—I care about them all!"

"I have no regrets about entering this academy!"

"Respectfully, Minister Yan!"

At that moment, everyone felt a surge of passion in their hearts, and their eyes were filled with fervor.

In their vision, Yan Maoqing's young face, which often wore a sly smile, came into view.

This young man, who rose to prominence later in life, wrote these inscriptions and hung them at the entrances of the Jixia Academy and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. This was not for fame or fortune, but rather a practice he put into action!

He was more courageous, more decisive, more driven, more ambitious, and more idealistic than any official they had ever met!

That day, in front of the gate of the Imperial Household Department.

He said he saw glimmers of light in them, so he could no longer bear the darkness and wanted to break through it to pursue the light!

He's wrong.

They clearly saw the most dazzling light in the world in him, a light that pierced through the darkness before their eyes, pointed them in the right direction, and led them toward the light!

"Brother Meng Jing, you are the one we envy the most right now."

Zhang Yunxian raised her wine glass and said to Zhao Zhenji with a hint of jealousy,
"This time you're going to Datong, where you'll get to witness Yan Butang's brilliance firsthand. You must record everything you see and hear in detail and share it with the Jixia Academy when you get back."

"I envy you, on the contrary. Isn't it more challenging for you to go to places without Minister Yan to handle affairs?"

Zhao Zhenji gave a fake laugh, his face showing the smug satisfaction of a petty person.

"It's getting late. Let's finish this drink and then hit the road. I wish all my colleagues a smooth journey."

"Please do not forget who you are all thanks to today. If anyone disgraces the Jixia Academy or tarnishes the reputation of Minister Yan, I, Zhao Zhenji, will be the first to not tolerate him."

"It is more than 600 li from the capital to Datong. I will travel day and night and arrive in just three or four days."

"You all better hurry up too!"

……

The city of Datong is located 30 li outside the city.

"Greetings, Godfather... Godfather, is this all the people left in Datong Town?"

After exchanging greetings with Guo Xun, who came out of the city to greet him, Yan Maoqing couldn't help but feel a little puzzled when he looked at the sparsely populated group of officials, powerful figures, and merchants at the front of the welcoming procession.

This was far less impressive than the scale of the previous event in Taiyuan Prefecture, and even less impressive than the scale of the event when Yan Maoqing first came to Datong with Guo Xun on business. It felt less impressive than even a county town.

You must know that this is one of the nine important border towns!
Anyone who didn't know better would think that Datong Town had just been breached by the Tatars and looted extensively...

(End of this chapter)