Chapter 215

Yet he had overlooked this Son of Heaven, who had secluded himself deep within the palace, single-mindedly devoted to cultivating the Dao.

Jiajing.

Far more formidable than Yan Shifan had imagined.

This one point.

Yan Song knew it.

But Yan Shifan did not, nor was he willing to believe it.

In Jiajing's eyes.

Yan Shifan was a clever man.

Indeed, among the civil and military officials of the entire court—those who had entered officialdom through the proper imperial examination route—very few could match Yan Shifan's brilliance.

But Jiajing knew even better.

Yan Shifan was greedy enough.

Once a person has given way to greed.

There is absolutely no braking the cart.

Yan Shifan's mind raced at full speed. After a long while, he cupped his hands toward Jiajing and said,

"Your Majesty, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Yan Maoqing, has long overseen salt administration—he is fit for great responsibilities!"

Hearing this, Jiajing could not help but let a faint smile surface on his face.

He gave a slight shake of his head and said with a smile,

"No."

"I have already decided upon one man in my heart. Let me ask you—do you think this person is suitable?"

Yan Shifan looked at Jiajing, his face full of puzzlement.

He only heard Jiajing gaze at him and say in all earnestness,

"How about you, my lord?"

"Me… me, my lord?"

Yan Shifan jerked his head up, staring at Jiajing with utter disbelief.

"Your Majesty… me?"

Jiajing gave a slight nod.

"I have already decided. I appoint you to take overall charge of the seven maritime trade offices of our Great Ming, with full authority over all matters concerning the opening of the seas."

Hearing this, Yan Shifan could not help but feel his heart tremble.

Then, looking at Jiajing with an agitated face, he prostrated himself and said,

"This minister shall surely not fail Your Majesty's great expectations!"

Jiajing gazed at Yan Shifan and could not help but give a slight nod.

"Good."

Just at this moment.

Jiajing shot a glance toward Chen Hong, who stood in the distance.

Chen Hong immediately stepped forward and reminded him,

"Master, the food from the Imperial Kitchen has already been brought over."

Hearing this, Jiajing looked at Yan Shifan before him and said with a smile,

"Yan Shifan, stay and dine with me?"

The overwhelmed Yan Shifan was momentarily too stunned to react.

Your Majesty is keeping me for a meal?!

This is an honor only my father has ever received!

Back in the day, my father was kept to dine inside the palace—and that was how he became Grand Secretary.

Now, it's both overall charge of maritime trade and a bestowed banquet.

What does this mean?

Just as Yan Shifan's mind was still racing at full speed.

Chen Hong and Lu Fang had already brought the food before the two men, sovereign and minister.

Jiajing looked at the meal before him.

He could not help but probe in a roundabout way,

"The Prince of Yu left in rather a hurry."

Hearing this.

Yan Shifan's heart gave another audible "thud."

Jiajing's unspoken implication could not have been clearer.

The unspoken meaning was that it should have been the Prince of Yu who came to dine with Yan Shifan!

If one were to swap the Jiajing now before him.

With the Prince of Yu, then the meaning could not have been plainer.

It was plainly indicating that in the future, Yan Shifan was to assist the Prince of Yu!

Thinking this far, Yan Shifan could not help but gather his spirits and steady his breathing.

Father and son, both Grand Secretaries!

This was the very thing he had been pursuing his entire life!

Just as Yan Shifan was still fervently indulging in the hidden meanings within Jiajing's words.

Jiajing soon spoke in a low, gentle tone.

"It is time for Crown Prince Yu to come and share this meal with you."

No sooner had the words left his lips.

Yan Shifan felt as though he were floating.

This was no longer a hint!

This was an explicit command!

Gazing at Jiajing before him, Yan Shifan's throat involuntarily bobbed.

Then, he immediately began to sob.

"What virtue or merit do my father and I possess to earn such appreciation from Your Imperial Father?"

Jiajing looked at Yan Shifan and smiled.

"The world says clothes are better new, and people are better old."

"But I, on the contrary, feel that both clothes and people are better when old."

"Old clothes fit the body well; old people are reliable and reassuring to use."

"I cannot bear to part with them."

With words spoken to such an extent.

Yan Shifan had nothing left to hesitate about.

He immediately set down his bowl and chopsticks and knelt directly before Jiajing.

"Your servant and his father will exhaust every effort, serving the Great Ming and Your Majesty with utmost dedication until death."

Jiajing looked at the solemn-faced Yan Shifan, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily rose slightly.

Yet, the movement of Jiajing's mouth involuntarily slowed.

As if deliberately prolonging this "bestowed banquet."

Just as Yan Shifan had finished the rice in his bowl and was wondering what Jiajing would say next.

Finally.

Lu Fang rushed in from outside the Western Garden in a panic.

He then knelt at the threshold, exclaiming repeatedly.

"Master, there is an uproar outside! Those censors are leading all the officials to prostrate themselves before the palace gates!"

Upon hearing these words.

Jiajing felt as though a stone had been lifted from his heart.

Looking at Chen Hong before him, he asked.

"What are they making a fuss about?"