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

Chapter 49 Grandson
"...On your way back, a fire broke out in your kitchen, and the fire spread inexplicably to the tents of Duke Guo Xun and Grand Secretary Li Shi..."

At this point, Yan Maoqing made a hesitant gesture, staring intently into Xia Yan's eyes.

"..."

Although Xia Yan's expression changed slightly, he remained calm on the surface.

What does Yan Maoqing know?
Or is it just a conspiracy theory based on mere conjecture?

However, the Emperor already knew about this matter. Afterwards, he severely reprimanded him for not taking the blame alone, but did not suspect anything or pursue the matter further.

Besides, more than three years have passed since then, and he will have long since become the Grand Secretary. Even if Yan Maoqing talks nonsense, it will not be able to harm him in the slightest.

only……

Xia Yan suddenly noticed out of the corner of his eye that Chen Yingda and the other junior scholars were all looking at him with suspicion because of Yan Maoqing's words.

They had clearly been led astray by Yan Maoqing and were beginning to speculate about the matter.
It must be admitted that Yan Maoqing's hesitant tone at this moment, as well as the cause and effect, advantages and disadvantages of this matter, are indeed easy to speculate on!

And speculation can lead to rumors.

Rumors are more ferocious than tigers!

Is this Yan Maoqing's purpose? If I insist on "handling official business strictly," he will smear me with excrement and ruin my reputation.
Hehehe, you're overthinking it. I have plenty of ways to set things right in this kind of story!

After a brief pause, seeing that Xia Yan showed no sign of giving in.

Yan Maoqing decided to intensify the efforts, and then added:

"Gao Shi, the censor of the Ministry of Justice who has now submitted a memorial impeaching Duke Guo Xun, is actually your close friend and confidant..."

"!"

Xia Yan sneered, "This attack power is still a bit lacking."

This is yet another blatant accusation that he blurs the lines between public and private matters and forms cliques for personal gain.

But so what? I am a member of the Qingliu faction, and Gao Shi is also a member of the Qingliu faction. How can the Qingliu faction be called forming a clique? It can only be said that they appreciate each other!
However... Gao Shi and I only have a private relationship. Very few people in the court know about our relationship. How could Yan Maoqing, a newly appointed scholar, know about it?

Could it be that Guo Xun found out and told him privately?

If the Emperor were to learn of this, would he become suspicious, and would the plan to bring down Guo Xun still be successful?

Seeing that Xia Yan still didn't react much, Yan Maoqing immediately added:

"Gao Zhong, the head eunuch of the Qianqing Palace..."

"Enough! Come in with me!"

Before he could even open his mouth, Xia Yan's eyelids twitched violently. Finally, he dared not be presumptuous any longer and interrupted Yan Maoqing sharply.

He then took out a handkerchief from his pocket, covered his mouth and nose, and took the lead into the guard room next door.

Everything else is fine, but this matter must never be revealed.

Gao Zhong is one of the most trusted eunuchs of the current emperor, besides Huang Jin. Otherwise, how could he have become the head of the Qianqing Palace?
Among the things the emperor could not tolerate most, cultivating relationships with eunuchs was definitely at the top of the list!

Most importantly, he and Gao Zhong were indeed very close friends.

Previously, when he was angered by the emperor for some matter, he not only escaped punishment by presenting jade artifacts through Gao Zhong's connections, but also frequently communicated with him on many important political matters in order to understand each other better.

The Emperor is currently kept in the dark about these matters, but if they were to be spread through Yan Maoqing, and the Emperor were to harbor resentment and investigate, it would not be difficult to find out the truth.

In this way, not only will Gao Zhong be in grave danger, but he, as the Grand Secretary, is also very likely to suffer greatly!

Although it's not so easy to bring him down based on this alone.

It's not something to be proud of to crush an ant, but if you get bitten while crushing it, that's a huge loss!
Paying such a price for a mere Yan Maoqing is truly not worth it!
But he just couldn't understand how Yan Maoqing knew these secrets.

This couldn't possibly have been revealed by Guo Xun. Otherwise, given his constant instigation of censors and officials to impeach him, Guo Xun, being the outspoken individual he is, would have already reported the matter to the Emperor in revenge!

"Yes, Grand Secretary (grandson)."

Yan Maoqing finally stopped talking and followed her into the duty room with a slight smile.

……

"..."

Seeing this unexpected scene, Chen Yingda and the other junior scholars looked at each other, unable to hide their astonishment and shock.

What happened just now?
What exactly is Yan Maoqing's identity? Why is he so disrespectful to Grand Secretary Xia? Not only did Grand Secretary Xia not react in public, but he also handled things officially as before and even called him into the duty room for a private talk.

Who is Gao Shi?

Who is Gao Zhong?
What exactly was Yan Maoqing trying to say? Why did he only say half of what he wanted to say? Isn't he afraid of being struck by lightning for keeping us in suspense like this?
"Brother Jingqing, why are you doing this to yourself..."

Gao Gong also found Yan Maoqing increasingly incomprehensible, and his inner worries remained undiminished.

Through their late-night conversation, he and Yan Maoqing have grown even closer. They no longer address each other as "elder brother" but as cousins ​​by their courtesy names.

However, he still couldn't figure out Yan Maoqing's thoughts. Just like last night when this guy readily agreed to come to the Hanlin Academy to report for duty, and seemed to have already cheered up, he suddenly took out a medical certificate this morning and asked to extend his leave.

Most importantly, the diagnosis stated on the medical record was tuberculosis.

Does he not know that once he produces this medical certificate, even if he successfully extends his leave, he will also permanently ruin his future?
Moreover, Gao Gong was certain that Yan Maoqing did not suffer from tuberculosis at all.

Gao Gong had seen tuberculosis patients before in his hometown. Last night, the two talked late into the night by candlelight, and Yan Maoqing didn't even cough once. Is this the behavior of a tuberculosis patient?

Furthermore, he had also heard that tuberculosis patients cannot drink alcohol, as they are very likely to die from the stimulation of alcohol.

But Yan Maoqing clearly drank quite a bit last night...

Thinking about all this, Gao Gong couldn't help but recall what Yan Maoqing had told him in the room last night, especially the strategy for the Ming Dynasty to solve the threat of the Tartars once and for all.

Even now, Gao Gong still harbors doubts about this strategy and cannot determine whether Yan Maoqing's words are true or false.

But thinking back to his tone at the time, it did have a hint of entrusting his children or affairs to someone on his deathbed.

and so……

What kind of person is he? What is he thinking? And what is he planning to do?

……

In the duty room.

"I will only ask you one question: what exactly do you intend to do?"

Keeping his distance from Yan Maoqing, Xia Yan asked warily.

"Safety leads to retirement (Sun Tzu)."

Yan Maoqing's answer was extremely brief and resolute.

"Retire? Why?"

"His attempt to steal a chicken failed, incurring the wrath of the entire court and the emperor's dislike. What else could he do but retire as soon as possible (grandson)?"

Hearing this, Xia Yan finally suppressed her surprise and lowered the handkerchief covering her mouth and nose:
"You're a smart man; when your bets failed, you retreated gracefully."

"Since you've diagnosed yourself with tuberculosis, you've decided to retire safely and never set foot in officialdom again, right?"

(End of this chapter)