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

Chapter 73 Suicide note
Not long after, Yan Song, who was waiting for the court meeting with his ministers outside the front hall, was secretly summoned to the rear hall.

"Wishing you good health."

Yan Song bowed and paid his respects.

"Get up and talk."

Zhu Houcong glanced at the agarwood and fragrant leaf crown that Yan Song was wearing. It was a Taoist crown that he had given to Yan Song in the West Garden half a year ago, and the green leaves on it had withered and turned yellow.

He bestowed eight of the same Daoist crowns upon Xia Yan, and Xia Yan also received one.

However, Yan Song was the only one who would cover himself up with a light gauze and wear it on his head every time he went to court.

"According to the order."

Yan Song kowtowed lightly and stood up.

Zhu Houcong asked with a serious expression and a cold voice:
"Yan Song, before the court meeting begins, I would like to hear your opinion on the restoration of the Tao."

Yan Song's expression immediately changed, and he knelt down with a thud, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

"Your Majesty, all important matters of the court are presided over by Grand Secretary Xia. I am but a humble and insignificant person, weak and incompetent, and dare not speak out on state affairs. I am unable to restore order. I beg Your Majesty to dismiss me and allow me to retire to my hometown!"

"That old fox..."

Huang Jinli watched this scene from the side and cursed inwardly.

When he summoned Yan Song earlier, he had already privately revealed six words to him: "His Majesty does not wish to repeat the incident."

Therefore, Yan Song now knew what to say.

But he deliberately pretended not to know and kept quiet, instead putting on such a pretentious act, using a "retreat to advance" tactic to imply that Xia Yan was autocratic and domineering. This man's scheming was indeed not shallow.

However, Huang Jin did not regret giving Yan Song private advice.

This action was not intended to collude with Yan Song, but rather to fulfill one's duty and loyalty.

As the saying goes, "A good daughter-in-law can keep secrets from both sides."

Above is the emperor, who likes to use riddles to appear shrewd; below are the ministers, racking their brains to decipher the emperor's intentions.

At this critical juncture, if the emperor refuses to make things clear, and Yan Song misunderstands the situation again, it will be difficult to succeed.

The upcoming council meeting might cause some trouble, so it would be better for him to communicate with officials both inside and outside the court beforehand, make his point clear, and handle things thoroughly.

"I told you to speak!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly became even angrier, and his voice grew even colder.
"Speak your mind boldly, whether it's right or wrong, I will forgive you!"

"The minister obeys the order."

Yan Song kowtowed again, knocking a withered leaf off the dry sandalwood crown on his head, before speaking in a slightly hoarse voice.

"In my humble opinion, the current move to reinstate the system is somewhat hasty."

"The provisions and pay are insufficient, the number of soldiers is small, and armor, weapons and horses are also in short supply."

"A hasty military campaign may not guarantee victory and could instead lead to widespread suffering... Your humble servant would not regret dying, but I humbly beg you to reconsider, my sovereign!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Song pressed his forehead to the ground again, adopting a look of utter fear and trepidation.

Even when he spoke of the phrase "death and annihilation," tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice trembled, as if he were risking his life to speak out against injustice.

"Outrageous! Yan Song, you are boosting the morale of the Tartars and diminishing the prestige of the Ming Dynasty!"

Huang Jin immediately sighed inwardly at Yan Song's superb acting skills, while simultaneously cooperating with Zhu Houcong to reprimand him.

"Shut up!"

Zhu Houcong then loudly rebuked Huang Jin, who was so frightened that he immediately knelt down and apologized, before letting out a long sigh.

"In my opinion, Yan Song has at least a genuine concern for the people and dares to speak out against what is unpleasant to hear. He is learned and has the courage to do so. He is truly qualified to serve in the central government and assist in important affairs. How can you, a rootless person, be allowed to interfere?"

"Yan Song, you may step down and prepare for the court meeting. I will carefully consider your words."

Enter the cabinet!

The Emperor has finally decided to let me join the cabinet!

When this lucrative offer was made, Yan Song's heart pounded like a deer's, and his voice involuntarily rose a little:
"Wei Chen resigns!"

He had completely understood Zhu Houcong's meaning. As long as he could stop the restoration of the Tao in the court meeting, his entry into the cabinet would be basically secured! Most importantly, that old scoundrel Xia Yan was still self-righteous, thinking that the emperor genuinely wanted to restore the Tao and was mobilizing all political forces to promote it. This was simply courting death!

After this incident, if I advance any further, Xia Yan will suffer the consequences.

So if I seize the opportunity to kick him while he's down, I might have a chance to bring him down in one fell swoop!
If Yan Maoqing were to witness this scene, he would surely know that the historical events that led to the deaths of Xia Yan and Zeng Xian have been brought forward.

However, this time it seems that only Xia Yan is involved. Zeng Xian has not yet been promoted to the point where he can arouse Xia Yan's interest and be vigorously won over and supported as a political ally.

Moreover, this "re-establishment" was not proposed by Zeng Xian.

But it's this guy who doesn't play by the rules...

……

Datong.

"Shouchang has been gone for so long, why hasn't he sent any news back yet?"

As time went on, Guo Xun became increasingly anxious and had been unable to sleep for several days, which caused his white hair to become even thicker.

He had already received news that the restoration of the capital was currently a hot topic of discussion, and even the imperial court had already held two meetings.

What worries him most is that the pro-war faction, led by Xia Yan, has always maintained the initiative in court discussions, and Minister of War Zhang Zan has been scolded so much that he dares not attend court.

This time, however, Minister of Rites Yan Song inexplicably stood up, leading the protégés he had cultivated when he served as a Hanlin Academy scholar and Minister of Rites. Although he did not have the upper hand in court discussions, he was always at odds with Xia Yan, showing a completely irreconcilable attitude.

In the Emperor's eyes, this situation was certainly a bad thing that would lead to a split in the court.

Although the Emperor is happy to see his court officials fighting, he also hopes that they will fight without breaking apart. This level of division has probably exceeded the Emperor's tolerance limit.

And all these culpability should naturally be attributed to the instigators, namely him and Yan Maoqing.

"Shouchang, you absolutely must find the coal mine, otherwise my son and I will surely not survive this time..."

……

Fengzhou Beach.

Shen Lian was holding a brush and writing characters stroke by stroke in a small notebook he carried with him.

"Brother Chunfu, what are you writing?"

Gao Gong, feeling bored, went over to make conversation.

"Suicide note".

Shen Lian didn't try to hide anything, and said without looking to the side,
“I suggest that Brother Suqing also write a letter in advance. It doesn’t matter whether it can be sent back to the Ming Dynasty or not, at least it can be a memento.”

"..."

These words instantly shattered Gao Gong's carefully maintained confidence over the past few days. His thick lips immediately trembled, and he anxiously approached Yan Maoqing, saying with a look of unease:

"Brother Jingqing, we've been detained for over half a month, why haven't we received any news yet?"

"That coal mine really exists, right? If the Tartars can't find it, we might not be able to get back this time. Aren't you worried at all?"

Yan Maoqing, who was resting on the bed with his eyes closed, opened his eyes upon hearing this and said sarcastically, with a hint of sarcasm:
"Maruhachi... Brother Suqing, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"

"Oh dear, Brother Jingqing, I had no choice. How could you dare not answer the Emperor's questions?"

Gao Gong defended himself with a bitter face.

"I dare."

"..."

Gao Gong was speechless, because he felt that Yan Maoqing might actually dare to do it.

at the same time.

"Crunch! Crunch!"

Several fast horses galloped into the royal camp, kicking up dust, and one rider, holding a command flag, shouted loudly.

"Found it! Found it!"

"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your command and found the treasure—treasures covering the mountains and plains!"

(End of this chapter)