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

Chapter 82: A 50/50 split?

"Datong?"

Now, Zhu Houcong feels a tightness in his chest whenever he hears those two words.

Because Yan Maoqing went to Datong, because Yan Maoqing caused all this trouble in Datong, because Yan Maoqing may still be in Datong now, and it is unknown whether Yan Changping has arrived in Datong or whether he has already captured Yan Maoqing!
So, it's all because of that smoking Yan Maoqing... I'll kill your mother!

"Good news? Or incredibly good news?"

Since the deaths of Zhang Cong and Gui E, those two words have become increasingly distant from him.

He only vaguely remembered that the last time he could be happy, the last time he could truly be overjoyed, was when the Empress gave birth to four princes in one year, four years ago.

Then... one died young that year, and the other died young the following year, so in the end only two survived.

What good news could it be?

Tao Zhongwen, who was standing to the side, also looked confused when he heard Huang Jin's voice, and felt a little worried.

Since the last time Yan Maoqing punished him in the West Garden, especially after he uttered those terrifying words in front of Zhu Houcong that were enough to ruin the livelihoods of all sorcerers and shamans, Tao Zhongwen hadn't had a full night's sleep in a long time.

After that day, he kept having the same nightmare: in his dream, Zhu Houcong, his face full of murderous intent, would confront him and relentlessly question him.

"Tell me! Are you a rumor-monger? Are you a rumor-monger? Are you a rumor-monger...?"

Therefore, during this period, Tao Zhongwen always kept a low profile and was especially cautious in front of Zhu Houcong, carefully considering every word before daring to speak it.

Fortunately, he finally got the chance to deal with Yan Maoqing, this big trouble!

A few days ago, Yan Maoqing went to Datong with Guo Xun on business. He must have lost his mind, because he revealed to local officials that the emperor was determined to restore the Tao.

When this news reached the capital, it immediately caused a great uproar. From that day on, the emperor was often frowning, absent-minded, and would often become irritable and angry for no reason.

Tao Zhongwen could tell at a glance that Yan Maoqing had gotten into trouble, and that his chance to turn the tide had come!

There's a saying in Sun Tzu's Art of War: "First make yourself invincible, then wait for the enemy to become vulnerable."

This is true of many things in this world; the key lies in the word "wait".

Waiting for the enemy to make a mistake is always safer, less strenuous, and wiser than taking the initiative to attack. After all, attacking will inevitably reveal weaknesses, while waiting will not.

The so-called "inner demon" he just mentioned was a suggestion he was giving to the emperor.

He intended to use this opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Yan Maoqing and eliminate him in one fell swoop. Otherwise, he had a premonition that Yan Maoqing would become his greatest threat in the future...

However, at this crucial moment, good news came from Datong, and it was really great news.
Could this good news be related to Yan Maoqing, bringing him back from the dead?

While talking.

"Great news from Datong! Please take a look, Your Majesty!"

Huang Jin rushed into the Hall of Diligent Governance at an extremely fast speed, and immediately bent his knees upon entering.

She slid across the smooth ground for more than ten feet, maintaining the gesture of presenting a memorial scroll with her hands, and stopped precisely less than half a foot away from the Jade Terrace...

Having spent years in the palace, who hasn't developed a few hidden skills?

"What kind of behavior is this, jumping up and down like that!"

Zhu Houcong rebuked him, threw away the gauze curtain he had just torn down, and reached out to pick up the urgent report to examine it.

"..."

Tao Zhongwen was also very curious and wanted to come over and check with Zhu Houcong, but he didn't dare. He could only suppress his excitement and stand aside to observe secretly out of the corner of his eye.

This happened in about two breaths.

He saw Zhu Houcong and suddenly shuddered, his eyes widening for some reason.

"This is..." Tao Zhongwen felt even more uneasy.

Then he noticed that Zhu Houcong suddenly rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times.

He stared wide-eyed at the memorial again, only to find an expression of disbelief and rudeness he had never seen before.

Two more breaths passed.

"It's done?!"

Zhu Houcong suddenly screamed, his voice higher than ever before, his tone stranger than ever before, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"What he said was actually true, it worked?!"

"What's done... what exactly has been done?"

Tao Zhongwen felt a chill run down his spine, his heart filled with indescribable trembling and worry, wishing he could snatch the urgent report from Zhu Houcong's hands immediately.

But he still didn't dare, still wondering if it was appropriate for him to continue standing there.

Of course he wouldn't know.

Even if Zhu Houcong had handed him the urgent report directly, he still wouldn't have understood what "success" meant, because he had no idea what Yan Maoqing's "ingenious plan" was, and the report didn't mention the word "coal mine" at all.

"Hoo-ho-!"

Zhu Houcong took two quick breaths, as if expelling the stale air that had accumulated over many days. In just a few breaths, he was like a completely different person, full of energy.

Release the prisoners!

Execute the traitorous general!

We present the tribute of nine white flowers!
Presenting a hostage as a letter of state!

Zhu Houcong knew better than anyone that these were just a smokescreen and not the key to Yan Maoqing's trip!

But all these appearances, taken together, have sent him a very clear signal:
The coal mine must be real!

The Tartars must have found a coal mine!

Therefore... Yan Maoqing's so-called "bird scheme" was not just empty talk. The Tartars had unknowingly walked into the noose that the Ming Dynasty had set up for them!
Otherwise, why would the Tartars be so obsequious, so sincere, and so kind-hearted?!
Even so, the illusions created by Yan Maoqing's trip still shocked him.

He was clearly going to fool the Tartars. Anyone else would have been treated kindly and even offered some sincerity in an attempt to lure the Tartars into a trap.

As it turned out, Yan Maoqing seemed to have taught the Tartars a lesson, making them fall into his trap while also making such an unprecedented compromise. How did this thing that was emitting blue smoke manage to do that?
Doesn't this count as selling out the Tartars and then making them count the money for him?

Speaking of money...

Oh, by the way, this thing that emits blue smoke once demanded a bribe of 100,000 taels of silver from the Tartars!

Since he can even create such a convincing illusion, he must have gotten his hands on the 100,000 taels of silver, right?

This bastard!

That's 100,000 taels of silver, which is one-twentieth of the silver in my imperial treasury. That's no small sum!
Alright!

Considering that he did his best on this trip, even if he didn't achieve anything, I will be merciful and let him split the profits 50/50.

I've set aside 50,000 for his expenses. Let's see if he's not grateful and willing to serve me.
Just as I was thinking this.

"Report——!"

Suddenly, another announcement came from outside the hall:
"Lu Bing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has a secret report to present to the Emperor!"

(End of this chapter)