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

Chapter 243 Shouchang, are you even human? [Seeking monthly votes]

"team leader?"

Guo Xun was taken aback again upon hearing this.

According to the Ming army's organization, a team consisted of only twelve people: a captain, ten soldiers, and a cook.

Therefore, the captain was equivalent to the squad leader in later armies, belonging to the lowest-ranking officers...

To be more precise, the captain had no official rank in the Ming army; he was merely a veteran who had to lead from the front and had no real status whatsoever.

"Ma what Fang?"

Zhou Shangwen was also stunned for a moment before he finally realized what was happening.

He did have some recollection of this Ma Fang. His family were farmers on the border of Xuanhua. When he was young, he was captured by the Tatar cavalry who invaded from the south and was made a slave to herd horses for Anda.

As he grew older, he gradually demonstrated his superb talent in horse training and archery skills, which earned him the favor of Anda, who gifted him fine bows and horses and made him his attendant.

However, Ma Fang always kept his heart set on the Ming Dynasty. He remained in hiding until the sixteenth year of the Jiajing reign. Taking advantage of a hunting trip with Altan Khan to the outskirts of Datong, a border town near the Ming Dynasty, he stole a horse at night and escaped, heading straight to the Datong military camp.

Keep in mind that Ma Fang was only nineteen years old at the time.

Later, in the Datong military camp, Zhou Shangwen also witnessed Ma Fang's superb horsemanship and archery skills, so he made an exception and promoted him to captain...

This is Ma Fang's current resume.

He is only in his early twenties and looks about the same age as Yan Maoqing. His face still has a touch of childishness, and his beard has not yet fully grown.

Therefore, when Zhou Shangwen heard Yan Maoqing specifically name Ma Fang to lead the cavalry support operation, he completely ignored the word "captain". He first searched through his own generals to make sure there was no general with that name, and then finally realized that Yan Maoqing had actually named a captain.

After all, this was just too novel.

Who would appoint a captain who has no proper experience in leading troops to take on such an important task?

To put it lightly, this is a leapfrog promotion.

To put it bluntly, Yan Maoqing had undoubtedly entrusted his life to an unknown captain.

Isn't this a bit too far-fetched?
What puzzled Zhou Shangwen even more was that not every soldier under his command knew Ma Fang, after all, he was just a captain.

Yan Maoqing had visited Datong once before, but had not had any contact with his soldiers.

Given Ma Fang's background, it's highly unlikely he would have known Yan Maoqing. So why did Yan Maoqing single out Ma Fang's name and entrust him with such an important task?

"Yes, it's Ma Fang, the Xuanhua man who escaped from Anda."

Yan Maoqing nodded firmly and said seriously,
"If I remember correctly, this person should be about my age now. Please, General Zhou, bring him to see me."

"In addition, I would like to ask General Zhou to clarify one thing."

"If it weren't for Ma Fang leading the troops to support us this time, everything I just said would be meaningless."

"Let's leave the matter of the tribute system as it is. As long as I get the carbon tax office settled, the Emperor will give me every penny of the reward he deserves."

"If you dare to obstruct us again, even if it is just by spreading rumors that are detrimental to the establishment of the tribute system, don't blame me for joining forces with my adoptive father and Yan Song to exaggerate the facts, fabricate charges, and submit a memorial to frame you, making you the mastermind behind the obstruction of the tribute system. I guarantee that the Emperor will imprison you and investigate you."

"Anyway, my godfather and Yan Song are eager to find someone to cover up their incompetence."

"???" Hearing Yan Maoqing's words, Zhou Shangwen's doubts deepened.

He simply couldn't understand why Yan Maoqing would value Ma Fang, this unassuming young man, so much; it just didn't make sense no matter how he thought about it.

Most importantly, what exactly is this thing in front of us?
Why didn't they listen to him? Why did he even join forces with Guo Xun and Yan Song to exaggerate the facts, fabricate charges, and frame people?
Do officials in the imperial court behave like this?

Indeed there are... but officials like Yan Maoqing, who speak so bluntly to people's faces and make no attempt to hide their treacherous nature, are absolutely rare!
"This this……"

Guo Xun was also somewhat bewildered at this moment, staring at Yan Maoqing in astonishment.

What does "keeping to the norm" mean?

If you've done something wrong, why did you have to say it out loud in front of people?
But... Shouchang's brain works so well, this is indeed a good idea!

As long as Zhou Shangwen is framed as the mastermind behind the obstruction of the tribute mission, the Emperor will surely understand why I failed this time. He won't think it's because I'm incompetent, but because the obstacles I encountered were too strong... Why didn't I think of that before?

No no no!

Guo Xun immediately shook his head again.

That's so cunning!

This is outrageous!

General Zhou is a highly respected general. He shed blood for the Ming Dynasty and made contributions to the country. It is one thing for others to harm him, but if someone were to frame Zhou Shangwen like this, would I still be a human being?

So... Shouchang, are you a person?
Then Yan Maoqing continued:

"How about I ask another question... I'm sure General Zhou wouldn't want the Ming Dynasty to believe the Tatars' lies and watch as they become wealthy through tribute, only to continue their betrayal and slaughter of the Ming army and people?"

This question truly touched on his heart.

He was willing to risk his life by repeatedly submitting memorials to the emperor in order to stop the tribute mission.

If someone could truly help him achieve this goal, he wouldn't even flinch if it meant taking two more stabs to the chest, let alone having an unknown captain appointed by his orders.

But... matters of national importance cannot be treated lightly.
If Ma Fang is incapable of handling the responsibility and something goes wrong, the problem will be equally significant.

And the only thing he can be sure of right now is...

If Yan Maoqing does indeed launch a surprise attack on Anda as he just said, regardless of whether it succeeds or not, the tributary relationship will inevitably be affected, which is exactly what he hopes for.

It's just unknown whether Yan Maoqing has considered the consequences of doing this, or what he is thinking.
The emperor, who is determined to establish a carbon tax office and engage in coal trade with the Tatars, must be furious when he learns of this.
Isn't Yan Maoqing afraid that the Emperor will vent all his anger on him? Losing favor is a small matter, but being dismissed and demoted is a big deal.
Even... if the emperor really lost his temper, he might just kill him to vent his anger, right?

"How about... I personally lead the troops to support Minister Yan? If the Emperor investigates afterward, I can share the blame with Minister Yan?"

After much deliberation, Zhou Shangwen still felt that this was the most appropriate course of action.

Regardless of whether Yan Maoqing was loyal or treacherous, as long as this young man was genuinely trying to stop the tribute mission, he would set aside his prejudices, regard him as an ally, and stand together with him through thick and thin.

"General Zhou, I'll emphasize this one last time: if it weren't for Ma Fang leading the troops to provide support, this matter would have ended there, and there would be no need for further discussion."

Yan Maoqing said in an unquestionable manner.

(End of this chapter)