Chapter 522: Loyalty

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

It was undeniable that Yan Du and Yan Fu felt warmth in their hearts. This made them develop a good impression of Qi Xiuyuan and Qi Haoran.

Although the officials’ and commoners’ attacks on the Yan family had decreased greatly because of their father’s death, they pretty much ignored the Yan family these days.

Most of the friends and relatives he had been on good terms with in the past had cut ties with him. Seeing that they did not attend his father’s funeral, it was impossible for him not to be disappointed.

Naturally, this made the Qi family’s attendance much more precious, especially since they rarely associated with them previously.

The Yan family members sincerely bowed slightly to thank Mu Yangling. Yan Fu said, “Reverent Lady Qi, please thank General Qi and Assistant Commander Qi on our behalf.”

Mu Yangling nodded slightly. After walking out of the Yan Residence, she turned around and looked at the entire Yan Residence. She wondered how long the Great Zhou could last without such a pillar.

Would the unstoppable West Xia agree to the peace talks?

Mu Yangling, who had just left the Yan Residence, could not stay outside for long. Almost as soon as she left the house, she was invited into the carriage by the accompanying palace maids to return to the palace.

However, Fan Zijin had already received the news. After a moment of silence, he said, “Get someone to set up a roadside sacrifice on the way to the funeral and put the Fan family’s name on it.”

Stunned, Yanmo said, “Old Master will probably be angry if he finds out.” Fan Zijin sneered. “Then change it to my name. Go, be quick. Make sure it’s done before the coffin is carried to be buried.”

Yanmo agreed.

The streets were a little quiet. There were only six families that had set up roadside offerings throughout the entire street, including Minister Qin’s white banner sacrificial shed, which was set up far away. Yanmo sighed and chose a spot to instruct someone to set up the shed and arrange the offerings. Grand Tutor Yan had been a legend all his life. As the Yan family was a scholarly family, he’d started studying at a young age. Also, he was very talented. At the age of 21, he became a jinshi and an official in the court. In just 15 years, he got promoted to a second-grade official. His promotion speed was the fastest before the emergence of General Yuan and Qi Xiuyuan.

Moreover, he was a civil servant, and civil servants were promoted at a famously slow speed.

He had stayed in the position of Grade zA minister for eight years. Later, he was dismissed because of his strong support for the war against the Jin Kingdom. Subsequently, after he regained his position, he persuaded the late Emperor to be tough on the Jin Kingdom and helped Li Zhengye break through the Jin Kingdom’s large-scale attack.

During the previous Emperor’s reign, the three large-scale attacks of the Jin Kingdom were blocked by Grand Tutor Yan and Li Zhengye. Such a great achievement made him a prime minister before the age of 50. After that, he retreated to the Imperial Academy to teach.

It was not until the Jin Kingdom invaded again and the princes fought for the throne in a chaotic battle, coupled with the defeat at the front line that made the late Emperor die of illness, that he came out to take power again.

At that time, the Great Zhou Dynasty was in chaos. The princes who went to war with the army either died or fled. The remaining princes in Chang’an were also in chaos. Thus, Grand Tutor Yan took another path and helped the grandson of the Emperor Duzong, King Qin, to the throne. That person was the current Emperor Jingyan.

Emperor Jingyan ignored Grand Tutor Yan’s persuasion and insisted on moving the capital to Lin’an City. Because of this, he even gave up half of the northern land. This was also the reason why the commoners and some officials reprimanded Grand Tutor Yan. Many people wondered if the Great Zhou would have been better off if Grand Tutor Yan had chosen one of the late Emperor’s sons. At least, they would not be in the awkward state of losing half their territory, causing so many commoners to become second-rate citizens and be bullied by the Hu people.

However, Grand Tutor Yan had always been pro-war, and had shielded General Yuan and other pro-war generals. Also, he was strongly against extravagance and corruption. Therefore, he had a good reputation among the people and was regarded as a breath of fresh air. In addition, he had been in charge since he arrived in Lin’an City. After that, he had been the chief examiner of the Spring Quarter Examinations many times. Because of this, he was almost the teacher of all the officials who had become jinshis in the past 20 years.

Before coming to Lin’an City, Grand Tutor Yan had already had many students. For example, Minister Qin, Fan Siwen, and the others had all attended his classes. In fact, he was even the main examiner when Minister Qin, Fan Siwen, and Qi Feng passed the Imperial Examinations.

Such a respected elder who had countless students had passed away, but his funeral was cold and cheerless. There being only a few families that set up roadside offerings for him, it was quite a sad scene.

It was also because there were very few people who did so, that everyone looked over when Fan Zijin set up the roadside offerings. Other than Minister Qin, those who came to set up the roadside offerings were all students who still respected Grand Tutor Yan as their teacher. When they saw a jinshi who was unrelated to Grand Tutor Yan do this, they felt angry and uncomfortable. Even a young child knew how to respect the Grand Tutor, but those who had been personally taught by the Grand Tutor misunderstood him.

It could be said that most of the people who set up roadside offerings for Grand Tutor Yan were his die-hard fans. When Fan Zijin finished dealing with the matters at hand and rushed over, he received some friendly nods.

Fan Zijin was a little confused as he replied politely. Seeing that the shed had just been set up and the white banner had yet to be hung up, he hurriedly hung the white banner up himself. Those who had been paying attention here now had an even better impression of him.

The Yan family’s funeral team came from afar in a very low-key manner. Although the people were angry, fortunately, no one caused trouble. Fan Zijin followed the Yan family’s team to Yongfu Temple outside the city. The Yan family wanted to send Grand Tutor Yan back to his ancestral home for burial, so the coffin could only be temporarily stored in Yongfu Temple.

Minister Qin rushed into his study the moment he returned from Yongfu Temple. No matter what, he had to be the one to facilitate this peace treaty. His aide was puzzled by this. “Sir, even the Yan family can’t withstand the rumors. I’m afraid it’s not good for you to get involved too deeply.” Minister Qin said indifferently, “I have my own plans for this matter. You just have to draft up the contents of the peace talks with me.” Minister Qin snorted coldly in his heart. The Yan family had suffered such a huge backlash because of the huge contrast between their previous image and current actions, but Minister Qin had been pro-peace from the beginning and had long been labeled as a traitor. If he did it again, it would only make people who already hate him hate him a little more. There would not be much backlash.

“Your Excellency, the court has already reached a conclusion regarding the peace talks. We just have to wait for the Emperor to send someone over. If you take the initiative to take on this task, won’t you shoulder all the infamy?” The advisor could not help but persuade him. After all, since they were working under Minister Qin, they would live well if Minister Qin lived well.

Minister Qin frowned unhappily. “Just go if I tell you to. Why are you talking so much nonsense?”

The aide choked and could only accept his fate and retreat.

Minister Qin looked at the pen holder on the desk in a daze. If he could, he would not take the initiative to take on this job. However, in order to protect his life and the Qin family, he had no choice but to do this.

Grand Tutor Yan advocated peace for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty. He also did it for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but his fundamental goal was to protect the Qin family.

With the Great Zhou around, the Qin family could survive. Otherwise, it would be better to fall into the hands of the Hus than the rebel army.

If Great Zhou were to perish in the hands of the rebel army, the Qin family would probably be the second family to be wiped out after the royal family. At the end of the day, previously he was still too young and rash in the past and was not thorough in his considerations. For the sake of his career, he had destroyed his reputation with his own hands. Otherwise, he would not be so worried now.

However, who would have thought that the Emperor would make such a foolish move and completely ignite the bandits of the entire Great Zhou, causing them to turn from bandits to rebel army and even form an alliance?

Otherwise, with his support, it would not be a problem for the Great Zhou to last for another 30 to 40 years. At that time, the Qin family would have accumulated enough capital and could resign and return to their hometown in glory. Under the chaos of the court, who would still remember the silent Qin family in a few years or more?

Unfortunately, since everything was ruined now, he could only try his best to deal with West Xia, hoping that the Great Zhou could turn the tide. If it really didn’t work, he could also help West Xia or the Jin Kingdom divide the Great Zhou. As long as he could capture all the rebel army in the country in one fell swoop, the Qin family would still have a way to survive.