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

Chapter 58 A loving father and a filial son
Moreover, if Huang Jin remembers correctly, hasn't the emperor always opposed paying tribute to the Tartars?

Previously, some officials suggested that it would be better to establish tributary relations with the Tartars in order to secure border stability, but the emperor had severely reprimanded them.

"They dared to believe the deceitful words of those who demanded tribute, and readily used flowery language to submit their reports, which is extremely disrespectful."

Although Yan Maoqing's "bird-like scheme" seems to be not about compromising and paying tribute to the Tartars, it is still essentially paying tribute. If this were to be discussed in the court, not only would the matter not be resolved, but the emperor's tough image would also collapse.

"This……"

Upon hearing Zhu Houcong bluntly utter the words "kill you," Guo Xun's heart clenched. He quickly took the document titled "Ingenious Scheme" and read it carefully, word by word...

Zhu Houcong, on the other hand, looked at Guo Xun with cold eyes.

What he showed Guo Xun was the original handwritten transcript handed over by the Directorate of Ceremonial, without concealing the information that the ingenious plan originated from Yan Maoqing.

In his view, this small matter not only did not affect the overall situation, but could also serve as a subtle warning to Guo Xun.

After all, he had already learned from Shen Lian's love letter that Guo Xun had secretly used real estate and property to bribe Yan Maoqing.

This is not something a subject should do. Does Guo Xun think he can deceive me?

really!

Zhu Houcong quickly noticed that Guo Xun had only seen half of it when his body began to tremble even more violently.

Immediately, tears welled up in his old eyes, as if he had used a great deal of effort to hold them back and prevent them from falling.

"Heh, so you're finally scared now?"

Zhu Houcong was secretly pleased.
"If I can't govern the entire Ming Dynasty, can't I at least govern you?"

"It's good that you know fear. Only when you know fear can you understand how hard-won this opportunity to redeem yourself is, and only then will you know to serve me wholeheartedly and dare not make excuses again."

However, little did Zhu Houcong know that Guo Xun was experiencing a completely different feeling at that moment.

His tears contained the fear of being on the verge of despair, the joy of surviving a disaster, but even more so, the heart-stirring emotion.

Moving!

Why can't I hold back my tears?
I'm getting old after all, and my eyes have become much shallower...

"I never imagined that Yan Maoqing would be such a filial and good child. I really wronged him before."

"That brat! Just now he came to my house and insisted on becoming my godfather, saying that he had nowhere to put his sincere heart. I even misunderstood that he was up to some trick again, so I'm on guard against him at all times."

"Now that I think about it carefully, it turns out that this was all they were waiting for me here?"

"Good boy, you are truly my good adopted son!"

"So, after learning in the West Garden that I was now in dire straits because of Duan Chaoyong, he quietly found me such a way out?"

"This outlandish scheme shows that such methods can only fool the Tartars temporarily, and are hardly a good solution to solve the Tartar problem once and for all."

“But that’s enough. The Emperor has no money to send, no generals to trust, and no soldiers to use. When he sees this ingenious plan that doesn’t cost a single soldier or a single tael of silver, he probably can’t help but try it even if he knows it’s unlikely to succeed, because he has no other choice. That’s the cleverness of this child.”

"Even if it only fools the Tartars for a moment, it's still a merit. I can get this merit just by talking, and my old life will naturally be saved!"

"But this kid deliberately didn't mention it when we were at the manor. He found out that my birthday is in two days and plans to present this as a big birthday gift to me... This child is really thoughtful."

"With such an adopted son, what more could I ask for!"

"My life has been worthwhile!"

"This child has treated me so well. If I were to mistreat him in the future, wouldn't I be worse than an animal?"

"..."

Guo Xun finally finished reading the entire handwritten transcript. Tears welled up in his eyes, so he subtly wiped his face before leaning forward and asking, knowing the answer already:

"Your Majesty, please enlighten me. Even if I were to die on the battlefield, I would never dare to fail Your Majesty's grace!"

"The Tartars have only been gone a short time, and relief efforts are urgently needed." This was exactly the attitude Zhu Houcong wanted, so he immediately nodded and said solemnly.
"I intend to appoint you as an Imperial Inspector and bestow upon you the Imperial Sword, and send you to Shuozhou and Shizhou to oversee relief efforts."

"However, the relief efforts are in the open, while the ingenious schemes are in the shadows."

"As long as this matter can be resolved, I will take care of Duan Chaoyong's affairs regarding these impeachment memorials!"

Guo Xun immediately understood Zhu Houcong's intentions; he had no intention of presenting this ingenious plan to the court.

But come to think of it.

If this ingenious plan were presented to the court, it would not only provoke strong opposition from the pro-war faction, but it would also be tantamount to announcing it to the world. There was no guarantee that a traitor would tip off the Tartars, and how could it be carried out?

Moreover, this kind of matter, which does not cost a single soldier or a single tael of silver, does not require the assistance of other departments and is completely unnecessary for a court discussion.

So Guo Xun, who had no other choice like Zhu Houcong, immediately agreed:
"This humble subject obeys the decree! However, this humble subject has one more request..."

"Go ahead."

Zhu Houcong nodded. He was always quite protective of those who worked diligently for him.

"This humble subject begs Your Majesty's permission to accompany Minister Yan Mao. Since this ingenious plan was proposed by Minister Yan Mao, his presence can ensure a smooth and safe journey should any unexpected problems arise."

Guo Xun bowed and said.

Good boy, good godson!
You helped your godfather today, how could he take all the credit and not lend you a helping hand?
This is true parental love and filial piety, something that others can only envy!

"Granted. Now that I have entrusted this matter to you, you may decide on the personnel and expenses."

"Thank you for your imperial grace!"

……

The next morning, at 3:45 AM.

Yan Maoqing walked out of the room with one eye open, preparing to wash up with the feeling of visiting a grave, and then obediently went to the Hanlin Academy for his lessons.

The results had barely come out when I was startled by the throng of people outside the courtyard wall, instantly banishing all my drowsiness:

"What's going on? Was there a murder in this area last night?"

"Quickly, quick, young master, you're awake!"

A commotion immediately erupted outside the courtyard, followed by silence, with only a sea of ​​bowed heads visible.

Seeing this, Yan Maoqing became even more puzzled and went forward to open the courtyard gate to look outside.

It doesn't matter if you look at it.

There were at least twenty or thirty people standing outside, all with their heads bowed and facing his courtyard gate.

Yan Maoqing recognized the leader; he was none other than Zhang Xian, Guo Xun's trusted servant.

"Welcome, Sir!"

Upon seeing Yan Maoqing, Zhang Xian immediately bowed deeply, and the rest of the group followed suit, bowing their heads in unison.
"Welcome, young master!!!"

"Shh! Keep your voices down, the neighbors aren't up yet, they'll all come and yell at me later."

Yan Maoqing immediately made a shushing gesture, looking at Zhang Xian with a puzzled expression.

"What do you want by surrounding my yard so early in the morning?"

"I'm warning you, not only do I hold official titles, but last night I also became the godfather of the Duke of Yi. You know that, so don't mess with us!"

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　　Thanks.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)