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

Chapter 48 Sniper Showdown
After hearing Chen Yingda's explanation, Xia Yan's brows furrowed even more, but she felt an indescribable sense of relief.

Tuberculosis...

Is this the will of Heaven?

It seems that even Heaven cannot tolerate such a wicked person!
good good!
Now that this has happened, he no longer needs to do anything more. He only needs to approve Yan Maoqing's sick leave in the name of the cabinet, and he can then legitimately make this scoundrel disappear from the Hanlin Academy.

And let’s not forget that he is also temporarily holding the position of Minister of Personnel.

He only needed to order someone to bring the list of newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) currently in the Ministry of Personnel, and add the note "requested leave due to tuberculosis to return to his hometown for recuperation" after Yan Maoqing's name. This would ensure that even if he no longer held the position of Minister of Personnel, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel would never consider recalling Yan Maoqing to the capital.

After all, who doesn't know that tuberculosis is incurable? Why would they summon back a tuberculosis patient to take up a post? Aren't they afraid that the emperor will find out and question them?

"Greetings, Grand Secretary Xia, cough cough cough."

As they were talking, Yan Maoqing also came out of the hall and bowed to Xia Yan from a distance.

He knew perfectly well that he could ask for leave without going through the Jiajing Emperor, but he could never bypass the cabinet.

After all, he was a newly appointed Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and one of the few Shujishi (a junior official in the Hanlin Academy) selected every three years.

This is precisely why, after hearing Gao Gong mention yesterday that Xia Yan would be personally giving a lecture at the Hanlin Academy today, I immediately decided to come and report for duty this morning.

The symptoms had already appeared, and Xia Yan happened to be teaching at the Hanlin Academy, so he could immediately issue a reply as the Grand Secretary.

This eliminates the possibility of middlemen profiting from the difference, preventing anyone from causing further trouble like Guo Xun did...

"Stop! You can speak from right there, I'm not deaf!"

Xia Yan immediately stopped him and raised her hand to cover her mouth and nose.

But in that brief encounter with Yan Maoqing, a sudden inspiration struck him:
Although this beast is already a tuberculous wretch, it seems that it still has a tiny bit of value that can be used. Why don't I make the most of it?
"Yes... Minister Xia, I just wanted to say that I am honored to be able to address you as my teacher in this life. Although I suffer from an incurable disease, I have no regrets. Please accept my bow."

Yan Maoqing naturally had no idea what Xia Yan was thinking. He only thought that since they had no grudges or enemies, he should be polite and respectful. This would help him achieve his goal and allow both of them to leave gracefully.

Before he could finish speaking, Xia Yan suddenly let out a cold snort.

"Humph!"

Xia Yan's expression was already cold and his tone serious.

"I am sorry that you have contracted tuberculosis, but as far as I know, tuberculosis has existed since ancient times and it is probably not something that develops overnight."

"I wonder what Elder Xia means by this?"

Yan Maoqing was taken aback upon hearing this, and his heart skipped a beat.

"I'm not targeting you personally, but I'm in a position where I have to do my job!"

Xia Yan straightened his chest and said righteously and sternly,
“I suspect that you were already suffering from tuberculosis before the palace examination, or even before the provincial examination. The Ministry of Rites abused its power and deliberately concealed the fact during the selection process, which allowed you to participate in the provincial and palace examinations smoothly.”

“This matter is of utmost importance. If I, out of a soft heart, ignore it, others will be negligent and derelict in their duties out of fear of trouble.”

"I fear that the damage will not only affect the imperial court's talent selection plan, but will also chill the patriotic hearts of millions of students. Where will fairness and justice be found in this world?"

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted from the assembled scholars in the courtyard:
"I have long heard of Elder Xia's noble character and righteousness, and today I have finally witnessed it for myself!"

"Grand Secretary Xia truly deserves the title of Pillar of the State; he is indeed a pillar of the nation!"

"That is absolutely right. I implore Grand Secretary Xia to thoroughly investigate this matter!"

"Please accept my bow..."

"..."

Yan Maoqing was speechless. He had to admit that Xia Yan's words sounded sincere, impartial, and righteous, and were very persuasive among the group of young and impetuous scholars.

However, Yan Maoqing, who already had a systematic understanding of Xia Yan from historical records, immediately discerned his ulterior motives in these words.

He was indeed targeting someone, but he wasn't targeting himself.

His real target was Yan Song, the current Minister of Rites!
At this moment, I am not even a gun; at most, I am just a bullet, a bullet that is merely considered a consumable item!
"Rest assured, everyone, I will investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Xia Yan waved his hand, signaling the assembled scholars to quiet down, and continued his impassioned speech.

"This matter should first be handed over to the Ministry of Personnel for serious deliberation. If there is indeed suspicion of favoritism and malpractice, the Ministry of Personnel shall decide to strip Yan Maoqing of his official title, and then transfer the case to the Ministry of Justice for investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law. There will be no leniency!"

"As for those officials involved in this matter, I will lead a court discussion to impeach them one by one, without any leniency!"

Good heavens, this old bastard is actually planning to send me to my doom for his own selfish reasons in the power struggles of the court!
First, the Ministry of Personnel decided to strip Laozi of his official title and deprive him of his privileges and benefits.

That's not all, this old bastard also wants to hand me over to the Ministry of Justice.

Once this matter is transferred to the Ministry of Justice, it will basically be a case. According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, cheating in the imperial examinations is a serious crime. At the very least, the sentence would be exile. They want to kill me!

Even so, can Xia Yan really bring down Yan Song with such a baseless rumor?

impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
At most, he could only instruct officials to submit memorials impeaching Yan Song, slightly influencing Emperor Jiajing's opinion of Yan Song and gaining an advantage over Yan Song in public opinion.

And just because of this, they want to arbitrarily strip me of my privileges and benefits, and even disregard my life?!
this moment.

Yan Maoqing felt a surge of karmic fire suddenly erupt from his dantian, and his scalp began to burn.

I haven't offended anyone; I just want to retire and return to my hometown. What have I done wrong? Why are you pressuring me so hard?!

Okay, okay, you want to play, huh?!
You're being ungrateful, aren't you?!

You think you can just bully me like I'm nothing?!

A sniper duel at the middle gate?

A gamble for the timid?
Then come on! Whoever backs down today is a son of a bitch!
Amidst the almost fawning cheers of the assembled scholars, Yan Maoqing straightened his back, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Xia Yan, and asked in a clear voice:
"Grand Secretary Xia, have I ever offended you?"

"!"

The room fell silent instantly. No one had ever imagined that Yan Maoqing would dare to speak to the Grand Secretary, who was second only to the Emperor, in such a tone.

"Where have I seen him before?"

Gao Gong, who was worried about Yan Maoqing's situation, was also taken aback.

He quickly remembered that Yan Maoqing had the same expression when he slapped Zhang Yusheng at the palace gate that day, only his eyes weren't nearly as bloodshot as they were now...

"Yan Maoqing, I was merely acting in accordance with official business!"

Xia Yan not only remained expressionless, but also slightly raised his chin, looking down at Yan Maoqing, even though he wasn't as tall as Yan Maoqing.

"What a businesslike job!"

Yan Maoqing nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face.
"In April of the seventeenth year of the Jiajing reign, you were still just a cabinet minister, accompanying the emperor to pay homage at the imperial mausoleum..."

"?!"

Upon hearing this brief opening, Xia Yan's expression changed slightly, and her raised chin instantly returned to its original position.

(End of this chapter)