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

Chapter 85 My money!
Faced with the request made by his adopted son, who was highly regarded by his master, how could Zhang Xian dare to refuse?
However, his promise was useless. Before Yan Maoqing could leave the group with his oxcart and go their separate ways, Yan Changping, the Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had already led his men to block their way:

“Yan Jishi, please wait. I have received His Majesty’s decree that I must immediately escort you to the palace to report back after arriving in the capital.”

“Commander Yan, look at me, covered in dust and sweat. If I don’t take a bath, change my clothes, and tidy myself up first, it would be disrespectful to the Emperor if I enter the palace now.”

Yan Maoqing looked troubled.

He suddenly felt a pang of regret, regretting that in order to leave Beijing without any ties, he hadn't cultivated a few trustworthy lackeys like Zhang Xian.

Otherwise, he could have ordered his henchmen to send the silver back to the house, or even to transport it directly back to his hometown in Jiangxi, instead of not having a single person available.

"I am under imperial command, Yan Jishi, please do not put me in a difficult position."

Yan Changping said, leaving no room for negotiation.

Yan Maoqing knew he couldn't go against Yan Changping's wishes, much less against Zhu Houcong's.

So he turned around and looked at Guo Xun, who was peeking out of the carriage not far away, as well as Gao Gong and Shen Lian following behind Yan Changping in the crowd, and immediately wanted to drag them in as well:

"What about them?"

After all, if there were more outsiders present, Zhu Houcong would have been too ashamed to speak up.

He was certain that Zhu Houcong must have known about the 400,000 taels of silver long ago, because Shen Lian would never have kept it a secret for him; the secret letter had already been sent back to the capital.

However, he did not regret dragging Shen Lian into this matter on this trip, and even taking him along on the mission to Anda.

This is not just "revenge" on Shen Lian, nor is it just about making him a bodyguard; it's also about making him a witness.

He should act as a witness between himself and Zhu Houcong, so as to prevent the already suspicious Zhu Houcong from being misled by the slander of some villains when he is unable to control all the information, thus creating a potentially fatal chain of suspicion against him. This is the essential problem of "serving a ruler is like serving a tiger".

He only wanted to retire and return to his hometown, not to die in the capital.

He knew he had offended some people in order to achieve this goal.

The most dangerous people now are Tao Zhongwen and Xia Yan. One is Zhu Houcong's most trusted Taoist priest, and the other is the current Grand Secretary.

These two men now have ample reason and the ability to influence Zhu Houcong, and through the subtle chain of suspicion they have created, they can bring him to his doom...

"The Emperor did not mention the Duke of Yi, Commander Shen, or Gao Jishi, so they can return home first and wait for the Emperor's summons."

Yan Changping, however, kept his eyes fixed on him and said seriously.

"Alright!"

Yan Maoqing could finally be certain.

Zhu Houcong was determined to get his hands on him and was determined to get his hands on those 400,000 taels of silver.

Fortunately, he did have a backup plan: this money should have been his anyway, and he could only accept a 20/80 split at most.

He was the eighth, and Zhu Houcong was the second!
This is an inviolable bottom line, and we must fight for it with reason!

Besides, Zhu Houcong didn't take this money for nothing; he intended to use it to achieve his ultimate goal of retiring and returning to his hometown...

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

This is a palace that was recently completed. It was built by order of Emperor Jiajing in the sixteenth year of his reign.

The fact that Zhu Houcong named it "Yangxin" (养心) reveals the original intention behind its construction: it was a private residence that Zhu Houcong specially built for himself within the palace, a tranquil haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the world.

Its role for Zhu Houcong was like that of many men in later generations, who would find a car parked downstairs or in the basement for a brief period of solitude after get off work.

However, Zhu Houcong at this point probably wouldn't have foreseen this.

His grandson, the Wanli Emperor, would further expand the Hall of Mental Cultivation, maximizing the function of this secluded paradise...

Zhu Houcong summoned Yan Maoqing in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Isn't this a great honor?
After all, apart from a few trusted eunuchs, Yan Maoqing was the first court official to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and he was currently just a prince without any official rank or position.

"Your humble servant Yan Maoqing respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health." Yan Maoqing was still confused about what was going on.

All he knew was that he was led to the Qianqing Palace like a monkey on a leash. After waiting outside for a long time, a eunuch came out to inform him that he had taken a long detour to the Yangxin Hall, where he finally met Zhu Houcong.

"Rise, Huang Jin, and take a seat."

Zhu Houcong nodded slightly and waved to Huang Jin.

"According to the decree..."

Huang Jin was taken aback upon hearing this; this was no ordinary courtesy!
Normally, only older officials like Xia Yan, Guo Xun, and Yan Song would receive such special treatment. For a young man like Yan Maoqing, simply standing up to answer a question was already an act of great favor from the Emperor, let alone being offered a seat.

It seems that Yan Maoqing's "ingenious plan" has truly won the Emperor's favor, and the Emperor is probably genuinely moved to appreciate his talent...

With these thoughts in mind, Huang Jin quickly moved a rosewood stool and placed it behind Yan Maoqing.

However, Yan Maoqing did not sit down to express his gratitude, but instead bowed slightly and declined.

"I am deeply grateful for the favor bestowed upon me by Your Majesty, but I would never dare to take advantage of this favor. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to stand while I speak."

After all, receiving special treatment from Zhu Houcong meant accepting a favor from him.

Moreover, Zhu Houcong's true colors have already been revealed. If emotions are involved at this point, it will be much more difficult to say things later, and it will definitely cost a lot of money.

"It's up to you."

Zhu Houcong didn't care about any of that, and smiled with narrowed eyes.
"Yan Maoqing, I am already aware of your actions during your mission to Anda. You handled this matter in a manner that pleases me greatly."

"You were the one who suggested this ingenious plan, and I'm sure you understand that the secrets involved cannot be made public. Therefore, I cannot publicly praise you for your achievements."

"However, I remember all your merits and will certainly not treat you unfairly. Tell me, what reward do you want? I will reward you privately."

When he spoke of the phrase "what he did," Zhu Houcong even deliberately emphasized it, clearly implying something else entirely.

Yan Maoqing, being a man of discernment, was certainly aware of Zhu Houcong's implication.

then.

"It is my duty, how dare I ask the Emperor for a reward for my merits?"

So he immediately bowed and showed a gesture of being flattered.
"In fact, Your Majesty is unaware that I have taken the liberty of bringing back a fortune that is inexhaustible for Your Majesty."

"Inexhaustible wealth?"

These words confused Zhu Houcong, and a hint of doubt appeared in his eyes. Wasn't it 400,000 taels?
"Exactly!"

Yan Maoqing said solemnly,
"This wealth is hidden in a clever scheme. Now that Anda has submitted and become a vassal, it is only natural for the Ming Dynasty and the Tatars to establish a tributary relationship and trade."

"From then on, coal will be the main commodity in the trade between the Tatars and the Ming Dynasty. The emperor only needs to send a trusted person to set up a new customs office to collect customs duties on coal. This will allow them to collect inexhaustible wealth and continuously fill the national treasury."

"?"

Zhu Houcong was taken aback upon hearing this.

Do I really need you to specifically remind me of this?

Do you think I am such a fool that I can't even consider such a simple matter?

wrong!

That wasn't his real purpose in saying that; this scoundrel probably wanted to use this incident to cover up the 400,000 taels of silver!

You scoundrel! You're insatiable and delusional!

My money!
Those tariffs were originally my money!

How can this be confused with those four hundred thousand taels of silver?!

(End of this chapter)