Yan Song and Yan Shifan cleared out the unusable talent, gradually marginalizing those who couldn't be employed.
Therefore,
During this period, as they deliberated within the residence, more visitors arrived. Present today were Liu Boyue, the Vice Minister of Works; Zhang Yu, the Shaoqing of the Supreme Court; Niu Xin, the Langzhong of the Ministry of War's Office of Personnel Selection; and Li Fengmao, an Inspecting Censor.
Niu Xin was one of Yan Shifan's most trusted confidants. For the past two years, he had been assisting Yang Bo in Jizhou while simultaneously monitoring him. Upon his return, he was appointed as a Langzhong in the Ministry of War, holding the power to select military officials. This position was intended to constrain Wang Guoguang and Liang Menglong, and to replace one of them when the opportunity arose.
This man was well-versed in military affairs and was considered a formidable figure among the Yan family's officials. Seeing Yan Shifan in a furious rage and the others too afraid to speak, he pondered for a moment before suddenly remarking,
"Young Chancellor, this matter is quite peculiar... Zhu Mo has surrounded Zhoushan but isn't attacking, as if intentionally nurturing the bandits... And this Oda of Japan happens to present the head of a Japanese pirate leader at this exact time... Young Chancellor, everyone, don't you find it strange?"
The crowd knew he was a close friend of Yan Shifan, their temperaments aligned, and their private relationship was extraordinary. They held their breath, quietly awaiting further explanation.
Yan Shifan treated him differently. He cleared his throat and, with a laugh, chided, "Yuan An, just say it directly, don't ramble..."
Niu Xin chuckled, "It's been many years since I last saw you, my lord. Your subordinate dare not be presumptuous..."
Ahem,
He then cleared his throat and continued,
"Everyone, consider this: Oda's so-called Owari Province has always been weak. How could it possess the capability to defeat the six Kyushu domains? I suspect Zhu Mo is likely colluding with him... Young Chancellor, we must investigate... It's possible Zhu Mo provided him with money and firearms!"
Hiss!
Everyone present was startled—
This statement made perfect sense!
Why else would such a coincidence occur?
Zhang Yu, from the Supreme Court, interjected, "Young Chancellor, even if Zhu Mo provided them, there's no legal basis for conviction... Japan used firearms even earlier than the Great Ming. The Franks' muskets have always been used by the pirates. This argument is hard to accept..."
Hmm...
The others also found this point valid.
Liu Bo chimed in,
"A few days ago, the Young Chancellor already ordered me to investigate. I have dispatched procurement merchants to inquire in Japan, and we should have news in one or two months. We can see then..."
Yan Shifan's anger had subsided considerably. He turned to express his worry,
"Let's not discuss this for now... Let's first talk about Da You Zonglin's head... Xu Jie has naturally informed Prince Yu, and by now, His Majesty likely knows... I am worried that this Oda, having already occupied six provinces in Kyushu and sent envoys for friendly relations, will mean the end of Japanese piracy! Who will then fight and die on the East Sea?
Furthermore, Zhu Mo and Zhang Juzheng's reforms are proceeding smoothly. Without Japanese pirates, who can obstruct them? If they truly succeed, all of us will be left with nothing to eat!"
Upon hearing this,
Everyone else also became alert—
Indeed,
The Yan family's dominance in court in recent years relied on the semi-clandestine smuggling of silk, porcelain, and tea. The massive disturbance caused by Japanese pirates this time was intended to force the imperial court to accept the fait accompli. Now that Oda had conquered the pirates' homeland, their hired enforcers were gone. In essence, this not only cut off everyone's financial resources but also jeopardized their future prospects.
Yan Shifan was greatly anxious and sighed again,
"The old man just returned to the Grand Secretariat, and immediately we receive such a display of authority... You all must use your brains more; we have nothing more to lose..."
Everyone lowered their heads.
Luo Longwen suddenly said,
"Young Chancellor, I believe His Majesty will likely accept Oda's request for tribute... After all, in the past few decades, there haven't been many great victories. His Majesty will probably want to celebrate such a glorious occasion... If that's the case, we cannot openly oppose it...
Furthermore, I believe the stalemate in Zhoushan must be broken as soon as possible. While Oda is still consolidating his position in Kyushu, we must force all parties to think of a solution. If this continues, we will have no initiative whatsoever..."
Wow!
These words immediately brought clarity to everyone's minds—
If the stalemate was not broken, all parties were observing. But while others could afford to observe, the Yan family had no room for retreat. The more astute observers of the world saw the Zhoushan pirates trapped, the less confidence they had in the Yan family. This was indeed the most troublesome issue at present.
But how could the stalemate be easily broken? Last time, it was forced by the elder Yan Song himself. Who could rally support this time? After much thought, everyone's mind invariably turned to the Franks' Souza. At this juncture, only the Franks themselves could re-mobilize their forces and salvage this disastrous situation.
"The old man will be in the Grand Secretariat these days and rests early in the evenings, lacking the energy to bicker with us here... As for you all, go back and think. See if you can find a way to overcome this hurdle..."
At this point,
He showed a hint of discouragement.
Just then, Yan Fu entered in a hurry and whispered in Yan Shifan's ear,
"Young Chancellor, Lord Wu Peng has sent his household steward to report that His Majesty has already issued an edict agreeing to the resumption of tribute. In three days, he will host the special envoys from the seven Japanese states in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and... and..."
Seeing that he couldn't finish, Yan Shifan cursed,
"And what? Don't leave me hanging!"
Yan Fu lowered his head and said,
"Lord Wu Peng said that His Majesty also requires all officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital to offer poems..."
What?
Offer poems?
Everyone was stunned.
Luo Longwen shook his head and sighed,
"No wonder the Chancellor is so anxious... This is a blow to the heart... Young Chancellor, His Majesty ordering officials in the capital to offer poems is equivalent to... equivalent to... alas..."
He didn't finish, but everyone could imagine it. Forcing them to write poems praising the beheading of the pirate leader was like forcing them to eat excrement...
At this thought,
Everyone present immediately felt humiliated. A few of the bolder ones felt a surge of anger, but upon remembering it was His Majesty's decree, they quickly deflated.
Yan Shifan's face grew increasingly grim. He suddenly slammed the table with a bang, completely erupting, and roared, "I won't write it! Anyone who dares to write this poem will never be welcome in my house again!"
Hiss!
Hiss!
Everyone immediately sighed and felt a deep chill—
His Majesty was angered...
In twenty years, His Majesty had never attacked the Yan family so personally.
Several people's minds wavered at this moment—
Perhaps following the Yan family would lead to the downfall of their entire lineage...
His Majesty's actions were more unbearable than killing Yan Song himself...
A dark cloud of foreboding descended upon everyone, leaving them speechless.