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

Chapter 98 Don't bow to them!
Yan Maoqing was neither all-seeing nor all-hearing, so naturally he couldn't possibly know what conspiracy Tao Zhongwen was plotting.

However, he still had a slight premonition in his heart.

Although historical records indicate that the "Renyin Palace Coup" should have occurred more than a year ago.

Furthermore, the sixteen palace maids who assassinated Zhu Houcong afterward, along with the two so-called masterminds, Consort Wang Ning and Consort Cao Duan, were all swiftly executed by slow slicing.

However, in Yan Maoqing's mind, this was still a headless case full of doubts, and the real mastermind had not yet been identified.

Later generations have offered various opinions on this matter:

Some believe the records in the "Veritable Records of Emperor Shizong of Ming" and conclude that Consort Wang Ning and Consort Cao Duan were the masterminds, or that Consort Wang Ning was the mastermind and Consort Cao Duan was implicated and framed, all because of the struggle for favor in the harem.

This is a relatively official statement, and Yan Maoqing remained noncommittal.

After all, there were too many unsolved cases during the Ming Dynasty. Some were genuinely unsolved, while others were deliberately concealed by the authorities.

He just felt that in the end, the competition for the emperor's favor was still about winning his favor. What kind of favor was it to kill the emperor? Did he still have a chance after becoming a concubine?

Based on the Annals of King Jungjong of Joseon, some have concluded that the tragedy was caused by Zhu Houcong's capricious temper and cruelty towards palace women.

In particular, he was superstitious about Taoism and worshipped magic arts. In order to refine the elixir "red lead" in order to achieve immortality, he even collected the menstrual blood of palace maids when they first menstruated, causing great psychological harm to the palace maids.

However, according to the Annals of King Jungjong of Joseon, Zhu Houcong collected menstrual blood from palace women to refine "red lead" in the 31st and 34th years of the Jiajing reign, which was much later than the Renyin Palace Coup.

Moreover, the Annals of King Jungjong of Joseon was a historical record compiled later in Joseon.

Based on this alone, Yan Maoqing had reason to question its authenticity, after all, it was the infamous theft of a country in later generations.

The history textbooks they use today are completely fabricated and distorted, and the maps they use show a country with a territory larger than Russia's...

Furthermore, they really underestimated our Jiajing Emperor, Zhu Houcong.

It's not just menstrual blood; they also need to eat moistened red dates!
Moreover, it wasn't just Zhu Houcong who ate it... The scholar-official class of the Ming Dynasty and later Emperor Muzong of Ming also ate it. These methods of "prolonging life" have existed since ancient times, and even in the Republican era, some people were still eating them.

Therefore, Yan Maoqing was not trying to whitewash Zhu Houcong; he believed that Zhu Houcong must have done such a thing.

However, it was definitely not as simple as collecting menstrual blood or eating red dates, because that should not have been enough to make those palace maids risk their lives like that.

Yan Maoqing believes that if this is indeed the reason that led to the Renyin Palace Incident.

Then Zhu Houcong must have done something even more brutal than this. At the very least, he must have made these palace maids believe that they were going to die anyway, so that they would have a good reason to disregard the deep-seated reverence for the Son of Heaven and risk their lives by being slowly sliced ​​to death.
As for other opinions, let's leave them aside.

The story goes that Consort Wang and Consort Cao were framed by Empress Fang out of jealousy, and that Zhu Houcong, knowing the truth, harbored resentment and, years later, allowed the fire to go unrelieved, leading to Empress Fang being burned alive...

None of these are directly related to the triggering events of the Renyin Palace Coup, and Empress Fang was not directly burned to death.

After her death, Zhu Houcong almost caused another "Great Rites Controversy" in order to bury her with the rites due to an empress and to have her buried with him in the future.

All indications suggest that Zhu Houcong did not actually harbor resentment towards Empress Fang; the allegations are mostly unbelievable conspiracy theories.

but.

None of these claims prevent Yan Maoqing from having a premonition that the "Renyin Palace Coup" might occur ahead of schedule.

The main reason he had this premonition was the situation at court.

Because Zhu Houcong suddenly stood up this time!

Throughout the 276-year history of the Ming Dynasty, it was clear that if a Ming emperor stood up, he was more likely to be dissolved in water and killed by the imperial physicians. Conversely, it was safer for him to lie down and not attend court.

Yan Maoqing couldn't say for sure whether Zhu Houcong's rise to power was ultimately a good thing or a bad thing for the Ming Dynasty.

Furthermore, if the timeline of events changes, some of the details will likely also change.

Historically, it was because a palace maid, in her panic, tied an extra knot in the rope, creating an intractable knot that allowed Zhu Houcong to escape with his life.

Such a coincidence, with odds so slim that one has to believe it's fate, might not happen again this time...

Therefore, he is still undecided and does not know whether he should warn Zhu Houcong.

Moreover, even if a warning were to be issued, he would never personally participate in the matter. Otherwise, Zhu Houcong would surely regard him as a "lifesaver" like Lu Bing, and he would probably never have the opportunity to retire and return to his hometown again in this lifetime.

and so……

Just as I was thinking this.

"Master, master!"

The voice of Liu Laizi, the servant who had previously left Yan Maoqing standing at the gate, rang out again.
"Someone else has arrived. An old man who claims to be Yan Song, the Minister of Rites, has come to visit you, sir, with several carriages. He said he brought his son, Yan Shifan, to congratulate you on your housewarming."

"Yan Song and his son?"

Yan Maoqing frowned.

The only grudge he didn't retaliate against on the spot after arriving in Beijing.

It seems that the only thing that happened was when Yan Shifan expelled him from the Yuzhang Guild Hall... He even kept that in his little notebook!
After all, even when Zhu Houcong wanted him to become Heshen, he wiped Zhu Houcong's snot all over his face on the spot, so how could he allow Yan Shifan to act recklessly?

Also.

Yan Maoqing felt that given his current situation, without some truly powerful assistance, his plans to retire and return to his hometown would likely be postponed indefinitely.

Yan Song and his son, who were able to bring down Xia Yan and deal with cabinet ministers such as Zhai Luan, Xu Zan, and Zhang Bi, and monopolize the cabinet and control the government, are undoubtedly the strongest help he can think of at the moment.

After only a moment's hesitation, Yan Maoqing decisively said:
"Go out and tell Yan Song and his son that I am but a lowly person and do not deserve such courtesy from Minister Yan. Tell them to go back the way they came."

"Husband?"

Bai Lu, who was standing to the side, was taken aback by what she heard.
"One cannot hit a smiling face. I have heard that Yan Song is not only the Minister of Rites, but also a fellow Jiangxi native. For the sake of my husband's future, wouldn't it be too disrespectful to treat him like this?"

"Madam, do you know why I left the Yuzhang Guild Hall in the first place?"

Yan Maoqing turned to look at Bai Lu.

"Why?"

"Actually, I was expelled from the Yuzhang Guild Hall by Yan Song's son, Yan Shifan, in front of a group of Jiangxi tribute students."

Yan Maoqing grinned. Bai Lu's expression changed, and her clear voice suddenly sounded as if it were being squeezed out from between her teeth:
"Liu Laizi, when you go out and meet them, you are not allowed to bow to them again!"

……

Gao Zhai.

Xia Yan, dressed casually, sat in the hall, while Gao Gong stood beside him, personally pouring tea for him.
"I am flattered by the sudden arrival of Grand Secretary Xia in my humble abode. Please have some tea, Grand Secretary."

"Nowadays, I'm afraid you're the only one still willing to call me Grand Secretary."

Xia Yan shook his head and gave a bitter laugh.

What happened at the morning court session was so sudden that it still feels unreal to him, and his mind is still buzzing.

Not only him, but even his confidant Gao Shi was implicated.

He was dismissed from his post and was living in idleness.

Gao Shi, along with a group of censors and officials who dared to speak out against wrongdoing, was demoted.

Moreover, the emperor seemed to have a specific purpose in mind, as he demoted Gao Shi to the most remote border region of Yunnan to serve as a county magistrate. If nothing unexpected happens, he will probably never have the chance to return to the capital to take up a post again.

In this situation, Gao Shi was of no use to him.

Therefore, Xia Yan understood that he had to plant some seeds for himself among the officials in the capital before leaving, so that he might have a chance to be reinstated in the future.

Gao Gong, whom he favored, was one of the most important catalysts.

After all, in his eyes, Gao Gong was the one who made the greatest contribution to communicating with Anda and creating such a favorable situation.

Moreover, Gao Gong, Yan Maoqing, and Shen Lian were sent as envoys to Altan Khan this time. After impeaching Yan Maoqing for colluding with the Tartars, Gao Gong and Shen Lian were naturally also implicated.

Shen Lian need not say more; he has already been protected by Lu Bing under the pretext of not failing in his supervisory duties and reporting the truth.

Gao Gong, like Yan Maoqing, received the symbolic punishment of "three years' salary deduction and three ranks demotion," which further demonstrates that Gao Gong has successfully entered the emperor's sights, hence the strong protection he received, and further confirms Xia Yan's previous speculation.

Therefore, winning over Gao Gong as a catalyst is the most important step at present!
"In the imperial court, life is unpredictable. Grand Secretary Xia must not underestimate himself, nor should he lose heart."

Gao Gong remained standing respectfully, bowed, and said...
"Fortunately, the current emperor is a rare wise ruler, and Grand Secretary Xia is a rare virtuous minister. I believe that the emperor has only been deceived by villains for a time and will realize the truth in the future. He will soon issue an edict to summon Grand Secretary Xia back to the capital to assist him!"

"Sigh—I'm not going to talk about it anymore."

Xia Yan gave a mock sigh, then rallied his spirits and said...
"Actually, among all the successful candidates in this imperial examination, you are the one I have the highest hopes for."

"When I read the papers during the imperial examination, I did not know the names of the respondents, but when I saw your paper, I was certain that you would become a pillar of the nation in the future."

"Therefore, even though Yan Song and Zhang Zan, the examiners, strongly opposed it, I still insisted on classifying your paper as first-class and sending it to the Emperor to request that he designate it as one of the top three."

"Unfortunately, His Majesty selected someone else's answer sheet in the palace. The old lady's voice carries little weight, so this matter can only be dropped."

"Otherwise, in my opinion, your talent is enough to be ranked as the top scholar."

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong immediately bowed again in humility:

"What merit or ability do I possess to deserve such high regard from Your Excellency? I am unworthy of such praise."

"You don't need to be modest. I'm just speaking the truth to you in private."

Xia Yan's face showed appreciation, but also a hint of helplessness.
"Actually, I came here for no other reason than to take one last look at my most promising student over the years before leaving the capital."

"If I were still in the cabinet, when you finish your studies, I would entrust you with important responsibilities to showcase your talents, and let those examiners Yan Song and Zhang Zan see for themselves that my judgment is never wrong."

"It's a pity that this time I leave the capital, I'm afraid I'll never have another chance..."

"Enough, enough. Things have come to this. Why should I say anything more? It will only upset you."

Gao Gong hurriedly said:

"With your words, Your Excellency, I am deeply grateful and will certainly not dare to disappoint you in the future!"

"I will be leaving the capital soon, and I have nothing to give you as a farewell gift, so I will give you a few last words of advice."

Xia Yan pondered for a moment and then said,

"To navigate the officialdom is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. You must cherish your reputation, or one wrong step will lead you into the abyss."

"Some people may be useful, but you should not be close to them, much less confide in them."

"Especially those who have ruined their reputation, such as Guo Xun and Yan Maoqing, getting involved with them will tarnish your reputation and may affect your career."

"I suppose you were forced to compromise and let the two of them claim credit for this mission to Anda in order to facilitate this great event that benefits the country and its people?"

"In the future, you don't need to feel so wronged if something like this happens again. You only need to write a letter to discuss it with me. Although I am not in the court, I have countless students in the court. As long as I communicate with you privately, I can help you achieve great things and prevent you from being controlled by others again."

"And Guo Xun and Yan Maoqing, they took credit for your work, and they will have to pay the price."

"If I am fortunate enough to be reinstated in the future, I will definitely seek justice for you."

"?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's gaze toward Xia Yan changed.

Is this a covert attempt to win him over, form a faction to influence the government, and use personal connections to attack political enemies?
This Grand Secretary Xia seems to be very different from what he imagined; he is not the selfless person he had previously thought of!
Gao Gong couldn't help but recall what happened at the Hanlin Academy that day.

Although he did not know what grudge Yan Maoqing and Xia Yan had.

However, Yan Maoqing took leave due to illness that day, and Xia Yan's intentions towards him were extremely obvious.

However, Yan Maoqing later mentioned a few unclear matters, even mentioning Gao Zhong, the eunuch in charge of the Qianqing Palace... Xia Yan immediately became hesitant and summoned Yan Maoqing to the duty room for a private talk.

Now, thinking back on it more carefully, what happened that day seems increasingly strange, making one wonder if Xia Yan had some moral failings, or if Yan Maoqing had some kind of leverage over him...

Moreover, who is Brother Jingqing, and who exactly took credit for whom? Does anyone have more right to speak than me?

(End of this chapter)