Chapter 399: Elder Yan is a man of integrity

With the emperor's final decision.

It has become inevitable for Ma Fang to return to Beijing.

What followed was that the emperor issued an edict, just as Yan Shaoting had advised, and heavily praised officials from all departments in the court.

Afterwards, taking advantage of the meritorious services of the civil and military officials and the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival, the inner treasury gave each official a reward according to his rank according to the previous dynasty.

It can be said that what Yan Shaoting said was achieved, and the court was all credited for it.

As for Xuanfu, no imperial decree was issued to commend or reward them.

After all, the Mongols have not retreated back to the depths of the grassland, and Ma Fang has not returned to Beijing, so everything will have to be discussed later.

However, the words about Yan Shaoting's merits and demerits in the Wanshou Palace in Xiyuan today spread quickly as the emperor praised and rewarded officials of the previous dynasty.

No matter where everyone's butt is placed, this kind of thing where everyone benefits from it and everyone shares the credit will make people like you wherever you go.

After all, we are human beings and cannot be immune to worldly affairs.

After coming out of the Wanshou Palace, Yan Shaoting sent Old Yan back to the cabinet, and then argued with the other four people in the classroom for a while. Then he slowly walked out of the cabinet classroom.

At this time, the emperor's decree had already been conveyed.

Just left the classroom.

Yan Shaoting saw an unknown official coming towards him, bowing to him with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Lord Yan!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Yan!"

Seeing the inexplicable praise from the visitor, Yan Shaoting was stunned for a moment, and quickly waved his hand: "You absolutely cannot accept such words."

The man smiled and clasped his fists: "That's right, that's right. There are fewer and fewer people like Xiao Yan who understand the great cause in the court."

After finishing speaking.

The man spoke again before walking into the cabinet classroom.

Yan Shaoting frowned slightly and looked around, and saw that all the officials working in the cabinet were greeting him with smiles.

Only then did Yan Shaoting react.

This is because the old Taoist priest took money from the treasury to reward the civil and military officials of the previous dynasty.

Yan Shaoting smiled, he pushed all the faults this time to the Mongols and the White Lotus Sect, and called for merits both inside and outside the court, that was for the overall plan. As for the fact that the old Taoist priest would no longer be stingy and take money from the treasury to reward the officials of the previous dynasty, it was something he had never thought of.

But it was obvious that these people were taking advantage of me.

Yan Shaoting was secretly delighted in his heart, as he was getting back some interest from the account that the old Taoist priest had settled between him and Xiao Que'er in Changping.

When he left Wenyuan Pavilion and was about to go out of the palace.

But suddenly, everything went dark before my eyes.

Yang Bo was standing in front of them with a frown on his face and a serious expression.

Yan Shaoting looked around and there was no one else around.

He bowed curiously, and then asked with a smile: "What can I do for you, Minister Yang?"

Yang Bo's thoughts were complicated at this moment.

He grabbed Yan Shaoting's arm and went to an empty corner.

Yan Shaoting frowned slightly: "Minister Yang, there is a difference between you and me, how can you be so disrespectful to pull each other like this!"

Yang Bo's face was gloomy: "Tell me quickly, why did you say so many words in front of the emperor in the Wanshou Palace today!"

In Yang Bo's mind, Yan Shaoting's performance in the first half today was completely in line with his psychological expectations, and even perfect beyond imagination. It was enough to stop when the credit belonged to the Ming Dynasty and the blame belonged to the enemy.

But Yan Shaoting seemed to be talking too much in the end and had to mention the short-sighted strategy of Xuanfu Town and Ma Fang again.

If it weren't for this sentence, I'm afraid the emperor would not have agreed to let Xuanfu Governor Zhao Kongzhao temporarily take charge of front-line military affairs and let Ma Fang return to Beijing immediately to report on his work.

It is absolutely inappropriate to be too talkative!

Yan Shaoting glanced at Yang Bo indifferently.

Although there was some difference in official rank between the two men, both of them were wearing red robes.

Yan Shaoting put his hands on his belt, took a step back with a slightly stern face.

"Minister Yang, are you blaming me?"

Yang Bo was stunned for a moment.

He looked at Yan Shaoting who took a step back and did not expect the other party to react so strongly.

Yang Bo couldn't help but glance outside the corner again, and then smiled and said, "I was wrong in my words just now, and Runwu misunderstood me. But what you and I originally agreed on was not to let the emperor and the court put the blame on Xuanfu. How can we let Ma Fang return to the capital now?"

Yan Shaoting looked at Yang Bo silently, but he was a little confused. He didn't know what this look meant.

Yang Bo's eyes turned away, but his face had returned to calm: "If Runwu has other plans, please let me know as soon as possible. We can't let anything go wrong with such a big thing."

Yan Shaoting ignored Yang Bo's question and calmly asked, "Minister Yang, think about it again. Did the emperor punish Xuanfu Town or General Ma Fang today?"

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting put his hands behind his back and walked out of the corner with a relaxed pace.

He was not in a hurry, but Yang Bo was.

Seeing Yan Shaoting, who seemed calm and composed, he quickly chased after him while picking up his official robe.

"Runwu, we are in the same boat on this matter. You must explain clearly what is going on. Why did the emperor finally issue an order to summon Ma Fang back to the capital to report on his work?"

Yan Shaoting was keeping Yang Bo on suspense, glancing at him.

He moved his lips slightly and said, "Minister Yang, you are wrong. You and I are just seeking a common goal at the moment, but we are not in the same boat."

Hearing this, Yang Bo's eyelids immediately shrank.

He looked around. Perhaps because the palace had just passed the imperial edict to the previous dynasty, officials were all celebrating in their own offices, so there were few officials from the previous dynasty coming and going in the palace at this time.

Yang Bo narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "What are you seeking? What do you want to get?"

According to the plan that the two had originally agreed upon, after this matter was completed.

Yang Bo acted as a matchmaker and arranged for Yan Shaoting to meet with the main figures of the Jin Party. He then led people in the court to push Yan Shaoting to go south.

But now, the tension and uneasiness on Yang Bo's face had long disappeared, replaced by deep thought.

He understood that Yan Shaoting wanted to get something that he didn't know yet, so he did this.

However, Yan Shaoting quickly shook his head and said, "Minister Yang is wrong. The deal between you and me has been completed. I will not ask for any more benefits or anything else from you."

Yang Bo now wished he could take off his official boots and smash Yan Shaoting's head hard.

But he could only suppress his anger and asked again, "Why is Runwu like this?"

Yan Shaoting turned his head and glanced at Yang Bo.

There was suspicion in his eyes.

It shouldn't be.

According to the intelligence of Yang Bo, who is considered by the old man to be one of the three most talented people in the world, he should not be unable to see this matter.

Could it be that the old guy misjudged it?
He could only open his mouth to explain: "Could it be that Minister Yang forgot that it was His Majesty who first spoke today to summon General Ma back to the capital to report on his duties?"

I don’t know what’s going on with Yang Weiyou. His political awareness is so low.

After hearing Yan Shaoting's explanation, Yang Bo exclaimed, and his face showed confusion and doubt.

Yan Shaoting shook his head and said, "Minister Yang, relax. Since the emperor has not issued an oral order to punish General Ma today, it will be impossible to punish General Ma again after he returns to the capital in ten days."

Yang Bo pondered in his mind, and finally looked at Yan Shaoting with doubt in his eyes: "I really embarrassed Runwu today. Although I was a little flustered today, did Runwu really think that I can believe your explanation?"

What about the emperor asking to summon Ma Fang back to Beijing first? That's all bullshit.

Since the emperor was persuaded by Yan Shaoting today and even used money from the treasury to reward officials from the previous dynasty, even if he said he wanted to recall Ma Fang, he might change his mind in the end.

Yan Shaoting must have other intentions for this matter!

Yan Shaoting looked at Yang Bo, who was almost scratching his cheeks because of his speculation, and couldn't help but smile and shook his head. "Whether you believe it or not is up to the Shangshu."

"My wife is about to give birth. If you have nothing else to do, I will take my leave."

"Shangshu, please don't forget the agreement between you and me."

After finishing speaking.

Yan Shaoting strode out of the palace in front of Yang Bo.

In just a few seconds, he disappeared from Yang Bo's sight.

But Yang Bo, who stayed where he was, frowned.

How could a cunning and treacherous person like Yan Shaoting do something useless?

What does he want to do?
Yang Bo couldn't help but have countless speculations and doubts in his mind.

Yan Shaoting, who had gotten rid of Yang Bo, rushed out of the imperial city in a hurry.

He was not worried that Yang Bo would break his promise and breach the contract.

If he could push the blame hanging over Xuanfu Town this time onto the Mongols, he could also get it back.

As for what Yang Bo was concerned about, he would have to wait until Shanxi sent someone who had a say and could make decisions before he could reveal the truth.

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but feel relieved when he thought that he could arrange all these things before leaving Beijing and heading south.

After all, leaving Beijing and heading south would cause changes that would affect the entire body.

If there is any inappropriate arrangement, it will likely cause himself and the Yan family to waste countless energy afterwards.

Thinking about things, Yan Shaoting couldn't help but walk out of the imperial city.

When he raised his head, he was surrounded by a number of officials with excited expressions. Judging from the official robes they were wearing, they were all minor officials in the court.

Although they are minor officials, no one knows when these people will cause trouble.

Yan Shaoting couldn't help but restrain his expression and bowed with a slight smile: "I wonder why you are here?"

Everyone present bowed in return.

then.

The words poured out towards Yan Shaoting like a tide.

"Lord Yan! We have already heard the Emperor's order. He will give us money from the treasury as a reward!"

"We also know that if it weren't for the young Lord Yan's deep understanding of justice and speaking for us at the Xiyuan Holy Court meeting today, there would be no reward from the Emperor today."

It's about this again.

However, after these people explained the reasons, the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became sad.

The words that were spoken out of his mouth also changed when they entered Yan Shaoting's ears.

"Little Lord Yan, you don't know that we are low-ranking officials with low positions and our words don't count. Although we are all officials in the capital in the eyes of outsiders, being an official in the capital is a very difficult thing. Every family lives a tight life on weekdays."

"Yes, yes, yes! Not to mention that the court was also in a tight spot in the past few years... Many of our salaries are still in arrears..."

"The bigwigs in the court are all concerned about the country and the people, and they are all working on military and national affairs. We dare not complain."

"But only Lord Yan really speaks for us!"

"Little Lord Yan is very righteous!"

"Please bear with me for a moment!"

After complaining for a while, the minor officials waiting outside the palace gate all bowed and saluted Yan Shaoting.

Yan Shaoting quickly shook his head and waved his hands.

He really didn't expect that the events that unfolded today would actually have such an effect.

But he still kept a clear head and did not dare to take any credit for himself.

Yan Shaoting immediately looked at everyone present and repeatedly declined, "Everyone! My colleagues! Today, the emperor knows everyone's hard work, so he ordered the inner court to reward officials like us. This is definitely not Shaoting's work."

This must be said.

Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives seizes the opportunity, I don’t know how they will impeach me.

Although it is probably impossible for the old Taoist priest to say anything about such a thing, or blame himself.

But the thing is disgusting.

After saying this, Yan Shaoting hurriedly said, "Although you are low-ranking officials, who are not loyal and dedicated to the country, and who are dedicated to the country every day? Shaoting is not talented, and he is here today just because he took advantage of others. But if we really talk about it, your contributions are the greatest, and you are more important to the Ming Dynasty than Shaoting!"

Everyone can say things that flatter each other.

But the key is to shoot smoothly.

Yan Shaoting saw that many people present had flushed faces, so he clasped his hands and raised them high.

"Everyone! Listen to Shao Ting's words!"

"We have a wise emperor and kind people. As long as we work together, we will usher in a prosperous Ming Dynasty!"

"At that time, the imperial court will certainly not treat you unfairly!"

At this moment.

Yang Bo just walked out of the imperial city.

Looking at Yan Shaoting at the palace gate, surrounded by a group of minor officials, the words he shouted made the corners of his mouth twitch.

Could this also be part of Yan Shaoting's plan?

Yang Bo really couldn't figure out what Yan Shaoting's plan was. Now he thought Yan Shaoting seemed to be hiding secrets everywhere.

This end.

Yan Shaoting had already spotted Yang Bo, who was coming out of the palace behind him.

He immediately waved his hand and pointed, shouting to everyone: "Everyone, at the Holy Court meeting today, Minister Yang also spoke for everyone. Minister Yang is over there now!"

When Yang Bo hadn't reacted yet.

In front of him, there was already a dense crowd of people surrounding him.

And then he jumped and looked outside.

Yan Shaoting had already run away without a trace.

Rushed all the way back to Yan Mansion.

Yan Shaoting then breathed heavily and drank a cup of herbal tea.

Then he looked outside.

"Someone is coming."

The lackey Yan Hu slid into the hall from somewhere outside. In the blink of an eye, he was standing in front of Yan Shaoting with a flattering face and bent over.

"My Lord, if you have anything to tell me, I will do it right away."

Yan Shaoting glanced at Yan Hu and coughed lightly.

"It's arranged. I'll go to Changping tomorrow."

"Spread the news, and find someone to get in touch with Prince Yu's mansion to find out when the prince will go to the academy."

Although Yan Hu didn't understand the purpose of such an arrangement, he nodded faithfully as always, took note of it, and turned around to leave to take care of the matters.

Yan Shaoting narrowed his eyes.

"We have to drag Prince Yu's family into this..."

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
　I have been feeling unwell again these past two days. I even feel like this is a Mercury retrograde year... I feel really uncomfortable all over, have a low-grade fever, and have no energy... I am sorry to all my godfathers that the updates are irregular.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)