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

Chapter 17 Minister Yan

Eh?
Yan Maoqing also looked surprised and puzzled, equally unable to understand why Gao Gong was acting this way.

Is it because of a sense of collective honor or a deep-seated sense of responsibility?

There are indeed some people in this world who have a strong sense of collective honor and a sense of responsibility that ordinary people cannot understand.

Such a person may be domineering and arrogant within the group, but once an external force that could harm the group intervenes, they will immediately transform into a guardian of the group, demonstrating true responsibility and commitment.

Even so, this is still far from enough to explain Gao Gong's open betrayal of Zhang Yusheng and his attempt to exonerate himself...

Yan Maoqing thought about it carefully.

I don't think I did anything that would cause Gao Gong to misunderstand me, did I?
At most, he simply didn't take direct action like he did with Zhang Yusheng, forcibly dragging Gao Gong into the situation.

As for the saying given to Gao Gong, "Extreme strength leads to humiliation, and excessive rigidity leads to destruction."

Although Yan Maoqing was giving sincere advice from the perspective of a time traveler, he hoped that Gao Gong would one day understand the meaning behind it.

In particular, it is hoped that he will be more restrained when he enters the cabinet in the future. If he can get along well with Zhang Juzheng and work together to promote the regrettable "Zhang Juzheng Reform", instead of wasting his energy on the tit-for-tat internal strife, there may be a chance to change history and save the Ming Dynasty from collapse.

In this way, it might be possible to change the humiliating fate of China being trampled by Western powers centuries later...

But in the context just now, his words sounded more like a threat. It was good enough that Gao Gong wasn't furious. It was unlikely that he would understand his good intentions or change his opinion of him in a short time.
After all, it's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature.

Gao Gong was a man who wrote four volumes of "Last Words on His Deathbed" before his death, in which he vehemently criticized Zhang Juzheng as "acting like a sorceress and a ghost, playing the flute, pinching eyes, beating the drum, and playing the pipa." His temper was truly something else.

of course.

Yan Maoqing did this not without his own selfish motives.

He only wanted to get away from this troublesome place, retire with his academic degree, and become a small landlord who lived a peaceful life.

At the same time, he also understood the principle that without the skin, the hair cannot exist; the prosperity and stability of the country was the foundation upon which he could peacefully enjoy his rural life.

Therefore, even if there was only a sliver of a possibility, he still made an attempt that wouldn't affect his plans, treating that message as an effort to "do his best and leave the rest to fate."

Therefore, Yan Maoqing could not understand it no matter what.

Why is Gao Gong acting this way now? What is going on in his easily angered mind?
at the same time.

The captain looked Gao Gong up and down, but only gave a noncommittal laugh:
"Who are you?"

"I am Gao Gong, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) from Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province, ranking third in the second class."

Gao Gong puffed out his chest and generously reported his place of origin and ranking, as if he were taking responsibility for what he had just said.

"Since you are the only one willing to testify, please come with me."

The captain nodded, then immediately waved his hand and shouted loudly,
"No one is allowed to linger in this important palace area. Everyone else, disperse. Take Yan Maoqing, Zhang Yusheng, and Gao Gong away!"

He didn't care about brawls or scuffles, or whether it was beatings or mutual fighting.

Now that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has intervened, this matter has implicated him.

He only needed to detain the relevant people and report to his superiors to fulfill his duties, and he would never be held accountable for dereliction of duty in the future.

As for how things will develop and how these people will be dealt with, their superiors, sent by the Northern Garrison Command, will handle the matter. It has nothing to do with him, the gatekeeper.

"Alas--!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yusheng immediately convulsed again, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

A glimmer of hope had already risen in his heart.

Although Gao Gong described the matter as "mutual strife," which he considered a shameless betrayal, he felt that if the Embroidered Uniform Guard could let him off the hook for this, he wouldn't mind swallowing his pride and grievances.

Unexpectedly, the Imperial Guards were unyielding and insisted on taking him away. Where could he possibly reason with them?
"..." Upon seeing this, the newly appointed scholars dared not utter a sound.

Many people felt as if they had been granted a pardon after the captain gave the order, and immediately turned around and left quickly, as if they were fleeing, as if they were afraid that the other party would change his mind.

"Shangguan, wait a minute. Let's not even talk about how pulling each other doesn't count as a fight. We're still dozens of feet away from the palace gate, so it can't be considered as provoking trouble under the palace gate."

Gao Gong was getting a little anxious and quickly tried to argue his case.

"Besides, we already have official titles and honors. Could you please do us a favor and not make such a fuss?"

The captain glanced at Gao Gong and sneered:

"The fighting under the palace gates wasn't my doing; it was one of yours who shouted it. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is ordered by the Emperor to protect the palace. How can we ignore it? Are you trying to instruct me to betray the Emperor's trust?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's imposing manner immediately diminished.
"I dare not..."

"take away!"

The captain gave a cold shout, gripped the hilt of his sword, and walked ahead without looking back.

The Imperial Guards immediately carried Yan Maoqing and the unconscious Zhang Yusheng and followed them.

Although Gao Gong, as a witness, was not detained, he was watched by two Imperial Guards on either side of him, who urged him to follow.

"Why bother?"

Yan Maoqing shook his head helplessly.

He chose to perish together with Zhang Yusheng because Zhang Yusheng not only betrayed him, but also dared to take advantage of him.

But he didn't have much hostility towards Gao Gong and never thought of involving him.

But who could have imagined that Gao Gong would not only betray his allies at the last minute, but also willingly plunge into this mess...

Oh well, everyone has their own destiny.

Besides, Gao Gong is just a witness at the moment, so there shouldn't be any major problems. It's just a matter of whether Zhang Yusheng will try to drag him into this when the Northern Garrison comes to question him later, thus creating some trouble for him as well.

In any case, Yan Maoqing achieved his goal.

Now, with this third layer of insurance, retiring and returning to my hometown is just around the corner, hahaha...

Just as I was thinking this.

A thin, slightly hunched old figure walked towards us from inside the palace gate.

He paused slightly upon seeing the scene before him, and a look of doubt appeared on his face after he saw the faces of Yan Maoqing and the others.

This person was none other than Yan Song, who had been a step late leaving the palace because of his private conversation with Huang Jin.

"Captain Chen, if I remember correctly, these three should all be newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Why is this?"

Yan Song stopped completely and asked the question before the captain could even bow.

"Minister Yan, this is what happened..."

The captain quickly greeted him and, with a forced smile, recounted everything he knew.

Minister Yan?
Upon hearing the captain's address to the old man, Yan Maoqing's eyes lit up.

Nowadays, who else in the imperial court has the surname Yan besides Yan Song?

(End of this chapter)