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

Chapter 13 Gao Gong
After the naming ceremony ended, Yan Maoqing immediately felt isolated from his fellow "elder brothers".

On the way out of the palace, these "elder brothers" were clearly keeping their distance from him, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Some of them would cast disdainful or disgusted glances at him from time to time, and some even showed a hint of hostility.

Once they were outside the palace and could do as they pleased, these "elder brothers" became even more unscrupulous.

Some people gathered in small groups, seemingly discussing things in private, but in reality, they deliberately raised their voices so that Yan Maoqing could hear them clearly:
"Tsk tsk tsk, isn't that the top scholar who 'topped the list'? Why isn't he being led by a yellow umbrella or escorted by a retinue? Why is he walking back alone?"

"Indeed, it's 'top! in! the! top!' Doesn't the last place count as first place?"

"Does he really think that such a sensational act will win him the Emperor's favor?"

"Favor my foot! Not punishing him for his disorderly conduct is already an act of leniency. Didn't you see the official glaring at him the moment he left the palace? His eyes probably looked like he wanted to devour him alive!"

"Bah! I have never seen such a shameless person. To be in the same class as such a person is the greatest disgrace of my life!"

"Stay away from people like that, lest you get tainted by their filth..."

"..."

Most of these successful candidates were young and ambitious. Having just passed the imperial examination, they were full of vigor and had not yet been exposed to the ways of officialdom. Naturally, they were arrogant and hated evil.

However, this is why they never saw Yan Maoqing's examination paper.

If people had seen it, they would probably spit in Yan Maoqing's face right now and curse him to his face.

Of course, many of these people are simply echoing others' opinions, partly to appear both aloof and sociable, and partly out of a malicious intent to kick someone when they're down.

After all, those who passed the imperial examination in the same year would become rivals in the officialdom.

They were unaware of the Jiajing Emperor's wrath, and did not understand the serious consequences that Yan Maoqing might face for his inappropriate behavior during the imperial examination today.

She only regretted that she didn't have Yan Maoqing's courage and determination to disregard her reputation for "advancement," and worried that she wouldn't be able to compete with a rival like Yan Maoqing in the future, so she couldn't wait to see him eliminated early...

"Heh heh, how can a sparrow know the ambitions of a swan?"

Despite the clamor of these people, Yan Maoqing felt a surge of pride, a sense of "fierce disdain for a thousand pointing fingers, I laugh at their blindness."

"I would gladly accept the dislike of the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, and even the Jiajing Emperor. What are you newly appointed scholars who haven't even entered officialdom compared to me?"

Just as I was thinking this.

"You are Yan Maoqing?"

A tall man with slightly thick lips stood in front of me.

Yan Maoqing looked closely and saw that the person who came was none other than Gao Gong, who ranked third in the second class of this examination and whom he had been paying attention to for a long time.

According to Yan Maoqing, the future Gao Gong can be considered a capable minister.

Although he only entered the Grand Secretariat in the last year of the Jiajing reign, and was forced to retire quickly due to a falling out with Xu Jie, he did not achieve much.

But after Xu Jie retired and returned to his hometown, he was quickly reinstated and soon became the Grand Secretary.

During his tenure, he embarked on reforming the bureaucracy, reorganizing the military, and making good use of talent. He was a diligent and hardworking ruler with remarkable achievements. Historians praised him as "skilled in governance, capable of managing the economy, and all his proposals were feasible."

Even the rapid implementation of Zhang Juzheng's reforms was not unrelated to the foundation laid by Gao Gong when he served as Grand Secretary.

However, Gao Gong's outstanding political achievements are one aspect.

On the other hand, he was also short-tempered, arrogant, and intolerant. He would ignite at the slightest provocation, which led to feuds and disagreements with his colleagues, attracting much criticism and ultimately resulting in his expulsion from the court by Zhang Juzheng and Feng Bao.

Yan Maoqing, however, quite admired this straightforward person with a strong personality, so he smiled and bowed.
"My name is Yan Maoqing. May I ask what advice you may offer, elder brother?"

"I dare not offer advice, but I look down on people like you and wish to speak my mind to your face!" Gao Gong glanced at him disdainfully, then rebuked him mercilessly.

Many people at the scene were already paying attention to Yan Maoqing, and when they saw someone openly provoking them, they immediately stopped and gathered around to watch.

Yan Maoqing didn't mind and continued to smile as he said:
"Brother, please feel free to speak your mind; I can handle it."

"you!"

Seeing Yan Maoqing's grinning face, Gao Gong felt as if he had punched a pillow, and his anger grew even stronger. He immediately shouted:

"Having achieved fame and merit, one should speak out for the people and serve the country. Advancing based on merit is the right path!"

"However, you are a wicked man. In order to please the Emperor, you behaved improperly in front of the Emperor and made a scene to gain favor. You, a low-ranking third-class official, were promoted to the top-ranking third-class official. Your desire to sell your integrity for personal gain is obvious. It is because of treacherous and shameless people like you that the corrupt and sycophantic atmosphere in the court continues!"

"Though I am foolish and incompetent, I am ashamed to have passed the same examination as you. Disgusting!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone in the crowd immediately started shouting and jeering, and a great commotion ensued:
"Brother Gao is right, he has spoken the sentiments of us all!"

“Brother Gao is absolutely right. When slander and flattery obscure the truth, there is no room for integrity!”

"Brother Gao, you've hit the nail on the head..."

"..."

Amidst the clamor, a suddenly louder and shrill shout rang out, instantly drowning out the other sounds:
"These remarks also reflect my true feelings, and I, Zhang Yusheng, wholeheartedly support them!!!"

"?"

Yan Maoqing looked in the direction of the sound and immediately saw that familiar face, flushed red, whether from lack of oxygen or from excitement.

This man was none other than Zhang Yusheng, with whom he had chatted briefly at the Yuzhang Guild Hall the previous night.

At the same time, Zhang Yusheng was the closest and most trusted friend among all the people the former master made after arriving at the Yuzhang Guild Hall and even after arriving in the capital.

Before Yan Maoqing transmigrated, the two often drank and talked about current affairs and politics together. When they got drunk, they would sleep side by side. They even made a promise to each other that they would help each other in the officialdom and never forget each other if they became rich and powerful.

Therefore.

Last night, when Zhang Yusheng asked him if he was confident about his ranking in the palace examination, Yan Maoqing made a few jokes with him.

As for the fact that Zhang Yusheng, like everyone else, stood by and watched coldly when Yan Shifan expelled him from Yuzhang Academy, he didn't take it to heart.

Firstly, as a time traveler, Yan Maoqing could not fully empathize with the previous owner's social interactions and emotions, so she did not feel particularly disappointed.

Secondly, it was because Zhang Yusheng and he were both living under someone else's roof at the Yuzhang Guild Hall.

Zhang Yusheng's family was far less well-off than his, and without the donations from the Yuzhang Guild Hall, he would likely have trouble even finding food and lodging. Therefore, Yan Maoqing could understand Zhang Yusheng's predicament.

But Zhang Yusheng's actions at this moment were beyond his comprehension.

Right now, no one is forcing him to make this statement, and there's no unavoidable real-world pressure...

at the same time.

Zhang Yusheng deliberately avoided Yan Maoqing's gaze, yet he reveled in the feeling of being the center of attention, feeling smug and self-satisfied.

"Isn't it just about attracting attention? If Yan Maoqing can do it, so can I!"

"If this matter gets out, it will definitely enhance my reputation and may be very beneficial for the upcoming selection of scholars. If I am selected as a junior compiler, my future career will surely rise like the sun..."

(End of this chapter)