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

Chapter 14 Fighting each other
Seeing Zhang Yusheng's deliberately evasive gaze, Yan Maoqing already knew what was going on.

This guy not only disregarded past friendship and kicked him when he was down, but he probably also used him as a stepping stone to gain fame and fortune. Otherwise, why would he deliberately reveal his name?

Human nature is indeed the most treacherous thing in the world.

Especially in the cutthroat world of officialdom, where the pure and the corrupt mingle, one must not easily trust others or entrust one's life and fortune to them. Otherwise, one might not even know how one died.

After all, they are currently only among a group of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) who do not even hold official positions.

The intrigue and backstabbing are so intense, and the betrayal has already happened to me. Isn't that real enough?
Fortunately, I was determined to leave, and if everything goes smoothly, I should be able to get out of this quagmire soon.

As for Zhang Yusheng...

As the saying goes, without expectations, there is no disappointment.

Although the former master regarded this guy as a close friend, Yan Maoqing always adhered to the principle of "not making friends with colleagues" and never truly regarded him as a friend.

Therefore, he was not too upset about being betrayed like this; at most, he just felt sorry for his former master.

Furthermore, Zhang Yusheng did not leave his name in the relatively detailed historical records of the Ming Dynasty, which shows that his life was pretty much over.

He could foresee the best outcome: to be manipulated by others for the rest of his life, to sink into the cannibalistic hell of officialdom, with no hope of ever getting ahead. Why should he care?

Compared to a nobody like Zhang Yusheng, Yan Maoqing would much rather talk to Gao Gong, the future Grand Secretary.

So when the commotion subsided slightly, Yan Maoqing looked at Gao Gong and grinned:

"Brother, your noble character and outspokenness are truly admirable. Have you finished your guidance?"

"Let's see how you try to explain yourself!"

Gao Gong straightened his chest, clearly prepared to respond to Yan Maoqing's defense.

As the third-ranked student in the second class, Gao Gong was good at antithetical couplets at the age of five and could recite thousands of words at the age of eight. He naturally had some real talent and learning. Why would he be afraid to argue with Yan Maoqing, who was the last in the third class?

"Now that you have finished your instruction, please step aside, brother. I am in a hurry to get home for dinner."

Yan Maoqing bowed again, bypassed Gao Gong, and walked away into the distance.

"Still eating?"

Gao Gong was momentarily stunned and nearly choked.

He had thought of countless excuses that Yan Maoqing might use to defend himself, but he never expected that this guy would not utter a single word in his defense. In this situation, he was only thinking about going home for dinner.

Doesn't Yan Maoqing understand at all that if he doesn't give an explanation in front of everyone today, it would be tantamount to admitting to being accused of grandstanding and selling his integrity for personal gain?
As the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) enter the Hanlin Academy and various government departments to observe governance, this label will spread throughout the court. As long as he remains an official in the court, this will be a stain that is difficult to wash away for the rest of his life, and it will also become a loophole for censors and officials to attack forever!

Does he really not care about anything?

After regaining his senses, Gao Gong felt slightly embarrassed and annoyed.

Yan Maoqing's nonchalant attitude made him feel slighted, and in a moment of anger, he shouted at Yan Maoqing's retreating figure again:
"Yan Maoqing, if you have even a shred of shame, you should give an explanation in public. Don't let your actions tarnish the reputation of the Jinshi graduates of the Xin Chou year!"

These words immediately stirred up a sense of collective honor that had never existed among some people, and several more people immediately stopped Yan Maoqing:
"Brother Gao is right. After today's events, I'm afraid the Emperor and the cabinet ministers and officials will think that all those who passed the Xin Chou examination are villains like you!"

"You should give us an explanation in public today, otherwise we will not let this go!"

Even Zhang Yusheng jumped out again, standing in front of Yan Maoqing and speaking righteously and sternly:

“Brother Yan Nian, I, Zhang Yusheng, am a fellow Jiangxi tribute student with you. Your words and actions will influence the world’s impression of Jiangxi tribute students. Please, Brother Yan Nian, be mindful of your conduct…”

The words are not finished yet.

Just listen to a "pop" sound.

Without saying a word, Yan Maoqing suddenly raised his hand and slapped Zhang Yusheng hard across the face, forcing him to swallow his words back.

"!!!"

"???"

The scholars who were blocking Yan Maoqing's way were taken aback and instinctively took several steps back.

Even the scholars who had been watching and jeering were startled, leaning back and huddling together to avoid being caught in the crossfire. No one had expected Yan Maoqing to be so audacious as to dare to assault someone outside the palace gates.

It should be noted that there are many Imperial Guards guarding the palace gates not far from here. Even if no one cares, the Imperial Guards will probably report this matter to the Imperial Guard Commander.

Reporting the matter to the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was tantamount to reporting it to the Emperor…

The scholars felt their scalps tingle just from thinking about it briefly, and the more they thought about it, the more chilling it became.

I feel that the ten or twenty years I spent studying hard have been wasted, and my promising future has been ruined in an instant by this reckless impulse!

"?!"

Even Gao Gong, whose mind was racing, calmed down in that instant.

His eyes widened like copper bells as he stared at Yan Maoqing in astonishment.

madman!

That guy is insane!
Although he knew that he was impatient and often lacked the ability to be patient and restrained, he had already gotten a little angry when Yan Maoqing ignored him.

But he always understood what he was doing, and reason always prevailed; he would never easily do something with obvious consequences.

But Yan Maoqing was clearly different from him.

When this person is pushed too far, he truly doesn't care about the consequences and is capable of doing anything.

Comparing the two, it goes without saying who is more irritable, and Gao Gong can only admit his inferiority!

Gao Gong even felt a little relieved, relieved that he had only cursed and had not, like Zhang Yusheng, forcibly stopped Yan Maoqing when he was eager to go home for dinner.

Otherwise, that slap would most likely have landed on his face too...

Although Yan Maoqing lost his official career, he also lost face, a face that will still be talked about years later!
"Yan Maoqing, you've gone mad..."

Zhang Yusheng was also stunned by the sudden slap, his mind reeling. It took him a while to come to his senses before he covered his burning left cheek and angrily questioned the situation.

But as soon as he opened his mouth...

"Snapped!"

Another slap landed hard on his right cheek, shoving his words back into his throat.

Then Yan Maoqing stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Yusheng, who was seeing stars, by the neck and tucked him under his arm, turned around and dragged him back towards Gaogong.

As he walked, he stretched his neck and shouted loudly at the Imperial Guards not far away:

"I, Zhang Yusheng, and Yan Maoqing got into a fight at the palace gates. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is responsible for protecting the palace. Are you planning to just ignore this?!"

"Is this coming for me again?"

Gao Gong was shocked to see this and, disregarding his pride, hurriedly retreated several steps to avoid the attack.

He understood from Yan Maoqing's shouts that Yan Maoqing was determined to destroy everything and make things worse.

Taking action under the palace gates is no small matter and would likely be considered disrespectful.

In particular, Yan Maoqing's act of hitting someone and then shouting "mutual fighting" was clearly an attempt to preemptively define the nature of the incident.

With the emperor busy with countless affairs of state, why would he bother with these newly appointed scholars who had no official position?

I'm afraid that after learning about this, they won't even bother to confirm whether it was a mutual fight or a one-sided beating. They'll simply punish both parties involved as a warning to others.

But for newly appointed scholars like them, even the lightest punishment would likely be enough to end their official careers.

Therefore, Yan Maoqing must never get involved with him.

Even though he believed that he might not be at a disadvantage in a one-on-one fight with Yan Maoqing, he would never dare to compete with him.

Even if you were slapped like Zhang Yusheng, it would be best not to fight back. Otherwise, it would really become a mutual fight that you could never clear your name in the Yellow River.

(End of this chapter)