The group had been chatting for a while, and everyone felt that since the Emperor had allowed Prince Jing to join the army, it meant he had, to some extent, acknowledged his position as heir apparent.
However, Old Yan Song still felt uneasy. After much contemplation, he couldn't pinpoint where the problem lay.
After all, the actions of his Yan family clearly indicated their support for Prince Jing, yet the highly suspicious Emperor Jiajing showed no suspicion at all. Instead, he directly put Prince Jing in command of the capital's garrisons to march north. Furthermore, how Prince Jing, or rather Zhu Xue, would perform this time was also a significant question. If he were wary of the Yan family, he should have sent someone to communicate secretly, but there had been absolutely no news from him...
Yan Song feared nothing else, except that Zhu Xue himself harbored ambitions, which would introduce a huge variable.
At this moment,
He had a bad premonition but couldn't articulate it, so he asked:
"Maoqing, tell me again, what did that person say that day at Prince Anlu's residence?"
Yan Maoqing had already recounted this story over two hundred times, but since Yan Song asked personally, he respectfully repeated it. After finishing, he added:
"Esteemed Elder, after that person finally entered the main hall, he truly wasn't mad anymore. He spoke clearly, even told me to sit down, and said seven or eight sentences, none of which sounded mad..."
Mmm,
Yan Song nodded, convinced that these words were likely true. This meant that if any problems were to arise, they would stem from Zhu Xue himself. Perhaps that person harbored ambitions and wanted to break free from control? Otherwise, he should have communicated upon returning to the capital...
As there were too few clues regarding this matter, after thinking for a while, everyone fell silent, unable to offer further insights. Moreover, the Yan family had recently suffered a severe blow. Many of their peripheral supporters no longer greeted them, and rumors in the streets were extremely satirical. Officials were also displeased with this intense struggle. Currently, Xu Jie and Li Chunfang were the most popular among officials, while Prince Yu had won the hearts of the people.
The military situation in Liaodong, coupled with the apology at the Meridian Gate, indeed forced the Emperor to send the Crown Prince to offer sacrifices at the ancestral mausoleum. However, it was ultimately only a half-step back. After all, the Crown Prince's position had not been abolished.
Yan Shifan had also considered everything and then said:
"Father, I have only one concern. I heard that Zhang Juzheng has sent Wang Guoguang to persuade Anda... That Great Green Mountain is not far away, it has probably arrived... Perhaps, Xin Ai will withdraw his forces... And then we might not even capture Liaoyang..."
This, naturally, was also a concern for everyone. After all, this matter still needed to be resolved by deposing Prince Yu and having Zhu Xue officially succeed the Crown Prince to reach a conclusion.
It should be known that
The Yan faction's current situation was akin to a golden, shining Bodhisattva falling into a latrine. Although it could be retrieved, its appearance was entirely different. Let alone the minor officials, even the big figures like Wu Peng, Lü Ben, Yuan Wei, and Guo Pu felt despair. They never expected Prince Yu to be so ruthless, leaving everyone with no room to retreat. To put it bluntly, the Yan faction was now at its wit's end, hanging by a thread. Any further misstep would lead to the disintegration of their innermost circle.
However, if they were lucky enough for Zhu Xue to become the Crown Prince and heavily rely on the Young Cabinet Minister for governance, then they could turn things around. Within two to three years, through a combination of rewards and punishments, their former prestige might be restored.
But at this very moment, everyone was not in a good mood. As soon as Yan Shifan spoke, the others began to discuss amongst themselves.
Yuan Wei was already a figure of seniority, but he felt deeply humiliated by the recent imperial caning. With no other recourse this time, he thought that if Yan Song fell, he would likely be investigated as well. Upon realizing that Zhang Juzheng had sent people to Tumote, he reasoned that there was a high probability of persuading Anda, and thus said worriedly:
"Esteemed Elder, I think we should add more fuel to the fire..."
Oh?
Yan Song naturally held these senior figures in high regard.
Yuan Wei then said:
"It would be best to find Xin Ai again... Doesn't he want to establish his own power? Then let's give him a big incentive to make him go all out! Uh... I mean, we can promise him a noble title, saying that if he can capture Liaoyang, it will be his!"
Hiss!
Everyone stared at him for a moment.
After all,
This was directly selling out the country, and the old man showed no shame.
However, on second thought, this move was likely to be effective. For two hundred years, the Great Ming had adopted a policy of confrontation towards the north, rarely seeking to appease them, unlike previous dynasties that readily bestowed titles. Thus, this noble title would be extremely precious. Xin Ai, in his early thirties, directly receiving a noble title from the Ming Dynasty would naturally be a glorious affair. With his strained relationship with his father, this would allow Xin Ai to suppress his father.
Mmm, mmm,
Yan Shifan nodded,
"Duke Yuan speaks wisely... I think we can send Niu Xin to meet him again, and tell him that if Prince Jing becomes the Crown Prince, he will be granted the title of King of Liaoyang..."
Among those present, apart from the Yan father and son, Yan Maoqing, and Luo Longwen, the others were unaware that Prince Jing was Zhu Xue, the third son of Prince Ning. They only thought that the Young Cabinet Minister had a connection with Prince Jing in the past, or that Prince Jing had some leverage over the Young Cabinet Minister... But this matter was of utmost importance, how could it be easily accomplished?
Everyone then became puzzled—
Was Xin Ai not an idiot?
Why would he believe that Prince Jing would enfeoff him?
Seeing the unusual expressions on everyone's faces, Yan Shifan immediately smiled mysteriously and calmly said:
"Just watch, Niu Xin will find a way to make him believe..."
This time,
Everyone became even more convinced that Prince Jing likely had some leverage over him.
With a weight lifted from their hearts, everyone turned from worry to joy, believing that if Liaoyang fell, the court's pressure would increase, and the Emperor would be unable to delay any longer. Even if he delayed, if Xin Ai fought desperately and all relief measures failed, then the situation would be completely in their hands.
Luo Longwen, with his meticulous mind, thought for a moment and laughed:
"Young Cabinet Minister's brilliant strategy! I believe Xin Ai will most likely fight to the death... Once he fights to the death, who can contend with fifty to sixty thousand elite troops? By then, Prince Jing, as the Crown Prince, will naturally be helpless... The imperial court, after all, must revolve around the Young Cabinet Minister..."
Hahaha...
When everyone thought about how they could truly turn the tables, this great disaster would be averted. The humiliation they had endured in recent days would naturally be avenged to their satisfaction.
Yan Song nodded while still feeling uneasy. He then stood up and paced a few steps, gazing at the setting sun outside the window, and said slowly:
"Shifan, Yang Bo is the key... He might also have ulterior motives lately... Hanzhang, you will accompany Niu Xin to Jizhou this time. When you meet Yang Bo, speak to him privately... Hint at it, but don't reveal too much... No one else can do this, so you will have to make this trip."
Luo Longwen stood up, bowed respectfully, and said:
"Your subordinate obeys."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone understood—
After all, the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
Yang Bo had always been a fence-sitter. Although he was acting passively, if Zhang Juzheng deployed any formidable moves, and Yang Bo became afraid, he might put in his best effort. With so many troops in Jizhou and his proficiency in warfare, he might even break the siege.
Old Yan Song's timely hint was indeed very astute.
At this moment,
Zhao Wenhua interjected:
"Esteemed Elder, Young Cabinet Minister, what about the capital? We apologized at the Meridian Gate, which was a step forward, but what about next?"
Luo Longwen had already thought of this and said with a smile:
"I have an idea. We should not stand idly by either. We should continue to socialize, eat, drink, and talk as usual... Currently, Prince Jing and Prince Yu are performing a counter-play, and it has nothing to do with us! In the end, we are the innocent victims!"
Right, right, right,
It has nothing to do with us!
That is their royal princes' grand play...
Everyone then chimed in, laughing.
Guo Pu, a seasoned official, also said with a serious expression:
"Hanzhang, your insight is profound... In my opinion, the capital has been too tense lately. The common people and the public have not had any topics for gossip and laughter for a long time. This is not good... In the capital, the foremost city, why shouldn't we discuss state affairs? Now, with one good show after another, Prince Yu revolting in Jiangxi, brutally beating officials, and trespassing into the forbidden palace at night; as for Prince Jing, he never shows himself, always scheming behind the scenes, like a mantis stalking a cicada, with the oriole behind, each more formidable than the last... Why shouldn't these good shows be discussed? Huh? Hahaha..."
Hahaha,
Seeing him speak with a serious and sharply satirical tone, it was clear that he intended to mock the royal family's conspiracies and troubles. This was naturally the most favored style among officials. As long as the royal family was weakened, it would be beneficial to the officials, as they understood this clearly. Moreover, officials had been frightened recently and held a lot of resentment. Mocking the royal family at this time would win over the officials.
As for the common people, they were ignorant and often followed suit, unaware that these malicious rumors had always caused great harm to them. The common people, through the ages, were completely unaware.