"In the case of Zhao Daying killing innocent people and claiming credit for his crimes, it was thanks to Zihou's exposure and reporting that I was able to make up for my lax investigation. Otherwise, I would have been ashamed to face His Majesty and the people of the world."
"At that time, the northern barbarian Altan Khan invaded the capital, and the whole country was terrified. In order to stabilize the country and wipe out the barbarians, Your Majesty issued the "Reward List", generously bestowed rewards, and encouraged the military and civilians to serve. At that time, the northern barbarians invaded the border very urgently. In order to set an example and encourage the military and civilians to serve and drive out the northern barbarians, I neglected to check for a while, so Zhao Daying took advantage of the opportunity. I didn't expect that Zhao Daying, as a soldier of the Ming Dynasty, had received the emperor's grace for generations and should have taken it as his responsibility to defend his country, but he was so greedy that he killed innocent people and took credit. Fortunately, Zihou saved me from my mistake. Otherwise, not only would my old age be ruined, but I don't know how many people would have suffered from Zhao Daying's murder. Tell me, should I thank you?"
Yan Song looked at Zhu Ping'an seriously and spoke slowly and earnestly, expressing his deep sorrow over Zhao Daying's killing of innocent people and taking credit for his crimes, and expressing his admiration and gratitude to Zhu Ping'an for impeaching Zhao Daying.
Zhu Ping'an was a little surprised when Yan Song said he wanted to thank him just now. But now after hearing the reason why Yan Song wanted to thank him, he understood.
Why does this scene seem so familiar? It seems like a scene from a popular anti-corruption drama in modern times.
"How can Ping An deserve the thanks from the Prime Minister? When Ping An first learned that Zhao Daying killed innocent people and took credit for it, he was outraged and wrote a letter to impeach Zhao. Later, when he learned that Zhao Daying was nominated and rewarded by the Prime Minister, Ping An could not help but worry about being blamed by the Prime Minister. He did not expect that the Prime Minister was so righteous and selfless. Ping An was a mean person. I hope the Prime Minister will atone for his sins."
Even though he understood what was going on, Zhu Ping'an did not dare to be arrogant when facing Yan Song's thanks. An expression of surprise, fear and emotion appeared on his face, and he stood up and said.
"What crime has Zihou committed? So what if I nominate him for a reward? Those I nominate are not above the law. The emperor who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as the common people. Let alone a thousand households whom I nominated for a reward, even if he is my own son, as long as he breaks the law, he should be punished accordingly." Yan Song waved his hand and said righteously.
Zhu Ping'an naturally acted as if he was moved by Yan Song's selflessness.
"Zihou, Wenhua, you two must remember this. From now on, no matter who it is, as long as they violate the laws of our Ming Dynasty, they will be brought to justice. You too, if you dare to violate the law, don't blame me for being merciless."
Yan Song's eyes were stern, flashing with a sharp light, and with the majesty of a superior, he swept over Zhu Ping'an and Zhao Wenhua.
Just a glance from Yan Song gave Zhu Ping'an goose bumps on his back again.
Yan Song is indeed a big tiger who has been in a high position for many years. Just a look from him can give people so much pressure. Zhu Ping'an is even more afraid of Yan Song in his heart. He makes up his mind that in front of Yan Song in the future, he must be very careful and cautious. He must not think he is smart and knows the pulse of history, but underestimate the ancients and get carried away. Otherwise, he will be the only one who falls.
Yan Song was powerful, had many followers, and was favored by Emperor Jiajing. This was the peak of Yan Song's career, not the time to compete.
Yan Song is like a towering mountain, and I am just an ant at the foot of the mountain. If I want to move the mountain, I should do it slowly.
Didn't you see that Xu Jie, the old official who would later overthrow Yan Song - his mentor, was a cabinet minister at that time, but he was still submissive and submissive to Yan Song? How dare he show off in front of Yan Song
Zhu Pingan hurriedly stood up, his words and actions became more respectful, and he bowed to Yan Song to thank him: "Pingan will remember the Prime Minister's teachings, and will know the law and abide by it, be loyal and diligent, and live up to the Prime Minister's teachings."
"Don't worry, godfather. Wenhua wouldn't dare." Zhao Wenhua also stood up and said that he wouldn't dare.
"Well, sit down and talk. I feel at ease with you two." Seeing this, Yan Song nodded with satisfaction and gently asked the two to sit down and talk.
Zhu Ping'an and Zhao Wenhua naturally expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
After sitting down again, Yan Song encouraged Zhu Ping'an a few more times, then stood up and took a brush from the four treasures of the study on the table. While dipping it in ink, he said, "Zihou is newly married, and I don't have any gifts yet. When I first entered the cabinet, I wrote a poem. I'll give it to you as a wedding gift."
"How could Ping'an deserve such a generous gift from the Prime Minister?" Zhu Ping'an was deeply moved.
Yan Song laughed and said jokingly: "I am reluctant to give you the gift money, so I give you poems as a gift."
After he finished speaking, Yan Song picked up his pen and wrote down a poem in an instant:
"The rhyme of the direct residence of Wuyi Palace and the young master"
The candles shine all night long in the forbidden room, the misty windows and cloud-covered pavilion are close to the imperial residence. The auspicious smoke enters the seat and the fragrance floats in the garden, the cold shadow peeks through the curtains and the moon is coming.
I heard the phoenix's song in Gaoling, and visited Chisong in Gucheng. I didn't tell the world when I came back, but the heaven's words came to me.
Zhu Ping'an had read this poem by Yan Song in modern times. At that time, there were two versions of the title, one was "Wu Yi Dian Zhi She and Shao Shi Xiang Gong Yun", and the other was "Wu Yi Dian Zhi She and Shao Shi Xia Gong Yun". Now it seems to be the first version.
This was the first time Zhu Ping'an saw Yan Song writing. It had to be said that when Yan Song lowered his head and concentrated on writing, he was very charismatic, as if a master was writing in front of him. He exuded a sense of righteousness, just like the words he wrote, which were powerful, full of righteousness, and could be felt through the paper.
The handwriting reflects the character of the person
Looking at the calligraphy words written by Yan Song that were full of righteous spirit, and thinking about the blood debts Yan Song had left in history, Zhu Ping'an felt a sense of sighing and resentment in his heart.
"My adoptive father's calligraphy is like the purple air coming from the east, full of vigor and vitality, which makes people look up to him even more." Zhao Wenhua watched Yan Song's poems from the side and praised him highly, and highly respected Yan Song's calligraphy.
Yan Song smiled without saying anything, then looked at Zhu Ping'an.
"Ping'an thought that his calligraphy had reached the highest level. Today, when he encountered the great work of the Prime Minister, he realized that there are always better mountains than mountains and there are always better skies than skies. Ping'an is just a frog in the well, looking at the sky from the bottom of the well." Zhu Ping'an also highly praised Yan Song's calligraphy.
"Zihou is young and brave, so don't try to flatter me." Yan Song glanced at Zhu Ping'an with a smile and shook his head slightly.
Zhu Ping'an understood it clearly and knew that he had to get to the point and touch Yan Song's heart.
So, Zhu Ping'an shook his head and said in a serious tone, "The Prime Minister has wronged me. When I appreciate calligraphy, I appreciate three aspects. The first aspect is the beauty of form, the second aspect is the beauty of spirit, and the third aspect is the beauty of emotion. The beauty of form is the layout of strokes; the beauty of spirit is the charm and grace; the beauty of emotion is the realm. Let alone the beauty of form and spirit of the Prime Minister's calligraphy, the realm of righteousness that leaps off the paper is far beyond the reach of Ping'an."
After listening to Zhu Ping'an's explanation, Yan Song's eyes were brightened by Zhu Ping'an's three words of appreciation for the book. The last four words "righteousness" made Yan Song stroke his beard.
As the saying goes, handwriting reflects the character of the person.
The noble spirit in calligraphy has always been what Yan Song boasted about. He has always firmly believed that he is:
A loyal minister who loves his emperor and his people.
A man of benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom.
A husband who is loyal to his wife.
A father who dotes on his children.
It is because of this that I, Yan Song, have cultivated a great and upright spirit and can write such a great and upright calligraphy.