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

Chapter 54 Breaking off Diplomacy
After Xu Shen's "talk therapy," it was clear that neither 998 nor 5760 US dollars were needed.

Yan Maoqing's "tuberculosis" was cured in such a miraculous way!
Accompanied by Lu Bing and a group of Jinyiwei officials, Yan Maoqing walked out of the gate of the Northern Garrison Command with a shrug, feeling utterly dejected.

"Yan Jishi, would you like me to have someone escort you to the Hanlin Academy for your roll call tomorrow?"

Before parting, Lu Bing added a final, sarcastic remark with a smile.

"..."

Yan Maoqing was so angry that he wished he could stomp on Lu Bing's face, which was as red as Guan Yu's.

But seeing this guy's strong, brave, tall and imposing figure, and considering that he was a martial arts champion and one of the most trusted people of the Jiajing Emperor, he immediately decided to vent his resentment on a Jinyiwei centurion following behind him.

It's all that damned commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's fault!
Although Yan Maoqing knew that this Jinyiwei centurion was just a person who was following orders, and that even if he really left Chaoyang Gate, he would definitely be caught and brought back in the end.

But thinking about how this person had acted like this under the Chaoyang Gate, he felt indignant and would probably have a hard time sleeping tonight if he didn't say something harsh.

Moreover, if everything has to start over, offending the Embroidered Uniform Guard might actually provide some assistance.

Then Yan Maoqing revealed a vicious expression and pointed at the Imperial Guard commander, saying:

"I'll remember you. What's your name?"

"My name is Shen Lian."

The man stepped forward and met Yan Maoqing's resentful gaze.

"?!"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback.

Holy crap, this guy is actually Shen Lian. No wonder his acting is so bad.
Fine, considering how horribly you died later, I'll let you off the hook for now, you hothead!

After struggling for a while, Yan Maoqing decided to dig a small pit for Shen Lian in front of Lu Bing, so that he would know how powerful he was:

"...Could you please return the ten taels of silver I bribed you with?"

"It has already been confiscated."

Shen Lian spoke frankly and seriously.

……

Dejected, Yan Maoqing returned to his courtyard, still unable to shake off the heavy blow of the day.

He originally thought that once he left, the five hundred taels of silver he had extorted from Duke Guo Xun would become a bad debt that he would never have to repay.

Now that's settled, the person can't run away, and they probably can't renege on this debt either.

Speaking of which...

"Can someone tell me what Zhu Houcong was thinking?"

"Didn't I already explain the matter of that palace examination paper? Didn't I also explain that 'Xuan Po Cang Qiong' is just a fictional story? I can neither flatter him nor help him cultivate immortality. I'm also a big mouth who can't keep secrets. I can't be like a palace maid and give him dates to eat. Why is he still targeting me?"

"And that Tao Zhongwen."

"I smashed his rice bowl in front of him, and he didn't hate me at all, nor did he lead a group of sorcerers and shamans to slander me to Zhu Houcong?"

"Not working well, old Taoist priest..."

"..."

I thought about it for a whole day.

It wasn't until the sun was about to set in the late afternoon that he, with his unwavering spirit, managed to mentally prepare himself again.

Let's look for another opportunity; where there's a will, there's a way!

With my intelligence and talent, I'm sure I'll succeed next time!
Furthermore, Zhu Houcong wasn't exactly known for his good temper. Under his rule, it was incredibly easy to be convicted and dismissed from office. All one had to do was be careful not to lose their life...

Just as I was thinking this.

"Brother Jingqing, Brother Jingqing!"

A familiar voice came from outside the courtyard.

It was our good neighbor, Gao Gong, who had returned from a full day of classes at the library.

Yan Maoqing snapped out of his thoughts and got up to open the door for Gao Gong. Gao Gong, however, cautiously took a step back, covered his mouth and nose, and asked in a muffled voice:
"Brother Jingqing, what exactly is wrong with your tuberculosis? Why didn't you explain it to me last night?"

"Brother Suqing, there is no need to worry. You have fully recovered."

Yan Maoqing sighed and said helplessly.

"Fully...recovered?!"

Gao Gong was stunned on the spot, his eyes wide open like copper bells.

This was the first time he had ever heard of such an incurable disease being completely curable.

What's most astonishing is that the recovery process only took a day... no, to be precise, just a few hours. If this is true, it's nothing short of a miracle!
"When the director of the Imperial Medical Academy heard that I had tuberculosis, he came to treat me personally, and naturally the medicine cured me."

Yan Maoqing gritted his teeth and said.

"If he can cure tuberculosis with medicine, isn't this doctor a miracle worker?!"

Gao Gong was even more shocked upon hearing this.

"Yes, that's amazing. Otherwise, how could he be the historian of the Imperial Medical Academy?"

Yan Maoqing, however, no longer wanted to discuss this painful topic, and looking at Gao Gong's empty hands, said...
"Brother Suqing, you came to visit me right after finishing your classes when you learned that I had a terminal illness. I am truly touched by your kindness. But you came all this way, why did you bring a gift?"

"I didn't bring a gift..."

Gao Gong was momentarily speechless, his face slightly flushed.

"I'll make it up later, I definitely will! Actually, the main reason I came here today is to visit you, and also to ask you about a small matter."

"What does Brother Suqing wish to ask?"

While inwardly cursing Gao Gong for his lack of compassion, Yan Maoqing asked with a smile.

For some reason, Gao Gong suddenly felt a little guilty, and his voice became much weaker:
"Is this the brilliant plan you told me last night to solve the Tartar problem without losing a single soldier or a single tael of silver? Are you sure it can work?"

"Anyway, it won't cost a single soldier or a single tael of silver. If the opportunity arises in the future, Brother Suqing, why don't you give it a try and see?"

Yan Maoqing countered with a question.

"But today, when Grand Secretary Xia asked me about the Tartar problem in the lecture hall, when it was my turn, I presented your strategy. Not only did it draw criticism from everyone present, but I was also reprimanded by Grand Secretary Xia..."

Gao Gong said with a face full of grievance.

"They question you because they're ignorant."

While Yan Maoqing suspected that Gao Gong at this time might be new to officialdom and not yet adept at navigating it, he also stated matter-of-factly that...

"Grand Secretary Xia reprimanded you because he is a proponent of war and he absolutely cannot accept the Ming Dynasty paying tribute to the Tartars. You have walked right into the line of fire."

"That's why I said, it's not too late to promote this policy when you are fortunate enough to become a key minister of the court one day."

"However, please remember my warning, Brother Suqing: never say that I told you this plan, or I will sever all ties with you!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's eyes immediately darted away, and a look of shame appeared on his face:

"Then I'll go?"

"What do you mean?"

Yan Maoqing was startled and immediately had a bad feeling.

“Brother Jingqing, I am ashamed to say this.”

He bowed his head high and muttered something apologetically in a low voice.
"When my classmates laughed at my wild ideas today, and Grand Secretary Xia criticized me for betraying the country, I couldn't bear the pressure. I thought to myself, since you have tuberculosis anyway, you will probably have to go back to your hometown to recuperate soon, and you will definitely never set foot in the Hanlin Academy again."

"So...so..."

Yan Maoqing instantly understood something, and his already depressed heart began to ache again:

"So you sold me out?!"

"Get out! We're breaking off all ties!"

(End of this chapter)