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

Chapter 69 Smashing the Cup
[On record!]

[Duke Guo Xun of Yiguo privately lent the Imperial Sword to Yan Maoqing, allowing Yan Maoqing to take the imperial gift beyond the Great Wall and facilitate communication with the Tartars. This is suspected of being an act of favoritism and conspiracy!]

[Gao Gong has repeatedly spoken up for Yan Maoqing, raising suspicions of forming cliques for personal gain. It is unknown how much of the 100,000 taels of silver he will receive afterward.]

[To investigate the nature of Yan Maoqing's repeated mentions of treasonous tributary relations to the Tartars, which he consistently refused to explicitly state, and to prevent such a plot from escalating.]

[This is also to prevent such traitors who abandon their country and families from fleeing to escape punishment, and to deter others from committing similar crimes.]

Although Shen Lian is not talented, he dares not fail the Emperor's favor and has no choice but to play along and accompany him to the border to communicate with the Tartars...

Once the details of the treasonous tributary plot are ascertained, Shen Lian should immediately write a letter and, at all costs, have it sent back to the Ming Dynasty to prevent the country from suffering harm.

[Once Shen Lian discovers that Yan Maoqing intends to flee and never return, he will risk his life to bring him to justice. How can such a traitor be allowed to live in this world?]

Shen Lian knew this journey was fraught with peril, but his resolve was firm, and his duty could not be thwarted; he was determined to sacrifice himself for his country.

[I have failed to fulfill my filial duties to my parents, thus failing to balance loyalty to the emperor and filial piety; this is my fault.]

[In the event of any unforeseen circumstances, this will be my final words. Please take care...]

……

Six days later.

"This……"

After reading the secret edict that had just been sent from the capital by express courier, Guo Xun's old face immediately turned into a bitter frown, and he paced back and forth anxiously.
"What should we do? What should we do?"

"The Emperor's secret edict was stern, ordering me to suspend all operations and immediately return to the capital with Shouchang to report back. This is clearly a last-minute change of heart!"

Guo Xun could roughly guess the reason for this.

It's all because Yan Maoqing talked nonsense in front of outsiders a few days ago. What he was worried about has finally happened. Now, the people and soldiers of Datong are spreading the word that "the Emperor is determined to restore the Tao." I'm afraid that everyone in the capital already knows about it.

He had even predicted that the emperor was now likely in a precarious position, in a very passive situation.

and so……

"His Majesty is certainly in a bad mood right now. If I obey his decree, not only will I be the first to suffer the consequences and my life be in danger, but my attempt to atone for my sins will also turn into an even greater crime..."

"No! I absolutely cannot obey the imperial decree!"

"I and Shouchang are now in the same boat; we share both glory and ruin. Neither of us can escape unscathed!"

"The only plan now is to pray that Shouchang's previous promise was not just empty talk. His ingenious plan must not only succeed, but also achieve great things. Otherwise, it will be difficult to eliminate the Emperor's hatred."

"Shouchang, your godfather's life is entirely in your hands."

"You must prove yourself and not ruin your own life or your godfather's..."

Guo Xun sighed, immediately ordered his men to prepare his calligraphy, and, gritting his teeth, wrote a memorial with trembling hands:

[Memorial Requesting Pardon for Yan Maoqing]

Yan Maoqing has devoted himself to serving his country with utmost loyalty and selflessness, and has now been dispatched beyond the Great Wall to demonstrate his might to the enemy court...

[I humbly beg Your Majesty to calm your mind and await the return of the envoy, then I will personally escort him to the capital to explain the matter of the interpreter...]

……

at the same time.

Yan Maoqing and his party have successfully arrived at Fengzhoutan (around Hohhot).

Although the Tartar envoy Kenche was still detained in Datong, with his cooperation, Yan Maoqing made contact with his leader Anda through Tartar sentries near Datong before setting off.

Therefore, not long after they left the border, they encountered the men sent by Anda to meet them, and their journey was naturally smooth.

At this very moment, Yan Maoqing and the others were receiving a banquet inside Anda's tent.

"My envoys, drink this cup to the brim!"

Anda's voice was rough and bold, and he could speak broken Chinese. However, he was not very old, probably only in his early thirties, and looked to be the same age as Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong.

Compared to Zhu Houcong, who lived secluded in the palace, his skin was noticeably rougher, with the characteristic ruddy complexion of nomadic herders from the grasslands, and a scar about an inch long on his forehead. His hairstyle was also quite interesting.

It's the kind of twin ponytail that's perfect for being used as a steering wheel...

No, no, it's not exactly pigtails, but rather double braids that Yan Maoqing finds more innocent and have a greater contrast.

"Respect Anda Khan."

Yan Maoqing raised the golden cup and gulped down the mare's milk wine inside.

Gao Gong followed suit.

Only Shen Lian remained silent, merely raising his glass symbolically before setting it down, his gaze fixed coldly on Anda.

Seeing this, Anda only glanced at Shen Lian, but didn't take it to heart. Then he stared into Yan Maoqing's eyes and went straight to the point:

"I saw in Kenche's letter that the Yan envoy has a good plan that can not only bring me billions in profit, but also promote the establishment of tribute relations between me and the Great Ming."

"Now that Envoy Yan has met with me, can he reveal this excellent plan?"

Is it finally going to be revealed?
Upon hearing this, Shen Lian immediately pricked up his ears to listen carefully.

To everyone's surprise, Yan Maoqing smiled calmly and instead of answering, asked:
"Anda Khan, this excellent plan can be presented at any time, but you may not have prepared the 100,000 taels of silver I need..."

"Bang!"

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden loud bang was heard.

A Tatar leader sitting opposite Yan Maoqing had already smashed his cup and stood up, launching into a tirade of insults at Yan Maoqing:

"Insolence! You mere brat, how dare you be so disrespectful to my king?!"

This was something that Anda and the leader had planned in advance.

At their first meeting, Yan Maoqing was observing Anda, but Anda was also observing Yan Maoqing.

When they learned that Yan Maoqing was just a young man in his early twenties, and that apart from his personal guards, the other two accompanying envoys were only in their thirties.

Anda already felt a slight contempt for Yan Maoqing and privately discussed with his subordinates how to give him a show of force at the banquet, so that they could take the initiative in the subsequent negotiations.

"..."

Upon seeing this, Gao Gong and Shen Lian both felt a chill in their hearts. They had only heard that the Tartars feared power but did not cherish virtue, but they had never had such a personal experience before, so they couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Who knows the next moment.

"Bang! Crash!"

Yan Maoqing also threw down his cup and stood up, overturning the table in front of him, pointing at the leader's nose and cursing:
"Anda Khan, the treacherous minister has revealed himself!"

"This person harbors ulterior motives. Not only does he want to block your path to immense wealth, but he also intends to sabotage the tribute system and prevent you from further expanding your power. He deserves to be punished!"

"?!"

Gao Gong and Shen Lian were dumbfounded. Was this what they meant by "a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger"?
Is there nothing left in the world that can make Yan Maoqing show weakness?
Anda was also taken aback. He hadn't expected that this kid, who hadn't even grown his hair yet, would have such courage. This show of force hadn't even frightened him.

"It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..."

However, important matters still needed to be discussed. Ida only wanted to give Yan Maoqing a warning and did not want the situation to become deadlocked, so he stood up and started to laugh.

But Yan Maoqing immediately interrupted him again, saying even louder:

"Anda Khan, if this man is not eliminated, the important figures behind me will not be at ease, and the matter of establishing tributary relations will have to be abandoned. Even if you kill me today, I will not reveal your plans!"

"Otherwise, if this person betrays you in the future, whoever takes your money won't live to spend it."

"Neither I nor the powerful figures behind me can trust this man anymore. I request that Anda Khan immediately silence him!"

"Or, order your men to hack us to death, and that will be the end of this matter!"

"Let Khan decide which is more important!"

(End of this chapter)