On the same day, after going off duty, Yan Song, Yan Shifan and his son took a sedan chair back to Yan's Mansion as usual.
When the sedan arrived less than a street away from Yan's house, Yan Shifan subconsciously opened the sedan curtain and looked towards the door of his home.
Sure enough, the number of people gathered in front of the house today was much smaller than before.
Seeing this, Yan Shifan lowered the sedan curtain angrily and cursed in a low voice that only he could hear.
"Hmph, these wallflowers must be rushing to curry favor with Zhao Zhenji by now!"
Shortly after this, the sedan chair carried by Yan Song and Yan Shifan's father and son entered the Yan Mansion through the side door.
Yan Shifan got off the sedan first and immediately came to the sedan where Yan Song was riding, waiting respectfully.
Not long after, Yan Song was seen tremblingly getting down from the sedan. Seeing this, Yan Shifan hurriedly stepped forward to help him, and kept reminding him: "Father, please slow down and pay more attention to your steps!"
"Um."
Seeing this, Yan Song just responded in a subtle way, and after glancing at Yan Shifan, he stopped talking.
Next, neither father nor son spoke. Just like that, after Yan Shifan helped Yan Song to the door of the study, he stopped, saluted him respectfully and said: "Father, the child has resigned!"
After Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was about to turn around and leave. However, before he could take a few steps, he was stopped by Yan Song.
"Come back, I have something to discuss with you!"
When Yan Shifan heard this, he had to stop, turned around and said respectfully.
"Yes, father!"
Soon after, Yan Shifan was seen following Yan Song's footsteps, and the two of them entered the study together.
Soon after the two entered the study, a maid came forward and poured them each a cup of hot tea.
After the maid finished doing this, she was about to close the door to the study when Yan Song's rather plain voice sounded.
"No need to close the door!"
Upon hearing this, the maid nodded slightly in the direction of Yan Song, and then left with silent steps. After the maid left, only Yan Song and Yan Shifan were left in the study.
Yan Song pointed to the empty seat beside him and gave Yan Shifan these instructions.
"sit!"
"Yes, father!"
After hearing Yan Song's words, Yan Shifan, even though he had all kinds of doubts in his heart, had no choice but to put them down temporarily and sit on the empty seat uneasily.
"Could it be that I did something wrong again? I shouldn't have done it. I obviously didn't do anything today. Could it be that..."
While Yan Shifan was still thinking wildly, Yan Song's voice sounded in his ears.
"Yan Shifan, do you know that you are in big trouble?"
When Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, his heart suddenly thumped, his face was full of horror, and he subconsciously asked Yan Song.
"Father...Father, what do you mean?"
Facing Yan Shifan's puzzled gaze, Yan Song sighed helplessly, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then explained slowly.
"Hmph, can you hide your little thoughts from His Majesty?"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment, and after looking Yan Shifan up and down, he continued.
"If my guess is correct, His Majesty saw through your mind as early as when you mentioned those measures!"
After hearing Yan Song's explanation, Yan Shifan's face was full of disbelief, and he defended himself with the last trace of luck.
"No, this is impossible, I obviously..."
However, before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Song.
"Shut up and listen to me!"
"Yes, father!"
Seeing Yan Song speak, Yan Shifan had no choice but to lower his head obediently, not daring to speak any more.
"Back then, when you mentioned the assessment measures for the clan and nobles, Zhang Juzheng seemed to be hesitant to speak.
If my guess is correct, he wants to propose to His Majesty that the measures you mentioned should be gradually extended to all civil and military officials! "
"But later, Zhang Juzheng seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and immediately gave up the idea. He did not mention the matter to His Majesty until the end of the cabinet meeting. Do you know why?"
After Yan Shifan heard this, he immediately responded after thinking about it for a long time.
"Father, you mean that Zhang Juzheng felt there was no need to do this, so he gave up?"
Yan Song saw that Yan Shifan had understood what he meant, a look of relief appeared on his face, and he immediately spoke.
"Well, that's right, it seems you're not too stupid!"
After that, Yan Song sighed with emotion: "You know, our Majesty is talented and wise, how could he not see your intentions?"
When Yan Song said this, he paused for a moment and then continued to add confidently.
"Because of this, His Majesty's move is intended to take advantage of the situation. If my guess is correct, Your Majesty intends to test the feasibility of these assessment methods on those clans and nobles first."
"Once His Majesty determines that these assessment methods are feasible, he will apply them to all officials with lightning speed!"
"You don't even need to speak in person at that time. After those clans and nobles whose interests have been harmed gain a foothold in the court, they will ask your Majesty to treat everyone equally and apply these assessment methods to all civil and military officials in the court. On your body!"
After Yan Song finished speaking, he glanced at Yan Shifan, with a look of hatred on his face, and spoke unhurriedly.
"So, Yan Shifan, you are clearly asking for trouble and shooting yourself in the foot!"
After Yan Shifan listened to Yan Song's analysis, he was extremely panicked. Immediately, he summoned up the courage to ask Yan Song.
"Father, what should the child do next?"
"Does the child need to do something behind the scenes to make His Majesty realize that those assessment methods will not work?"
After hearing Yan Shifan's idea, Yan Song on the side suddenly became very angry. He immediately slammed the table and scolded him.
"You idiot, can you use your brain?"
"You can also manipulate this matter. Don't you want to live?"
After being scolded suddenly, Yan Shifan fell into a daze. After a long time, he came back to his senses and asked weakly.
"Then...Father, what should the child do next?"
After Yan Song heard this, he glanced at Yan Shifan and then responded.
"You must do your best to handle this matter well. The assessment of those clans and nobles must be strictly in accordance with the previous regulations. There cannot be any mistakes in the middle. Do you understand?"
When Yan Song said this, he may have felt a little uneasy, so he added another sentence.
"Whatever should be done should be done. You must strictly follow the rules. If you fail the three assessments, you will be removed from the official position directly. Even if you offend some clan members and nobles, you will not hesitate!"
When Yan Song said this, he took his eyes away from Yan Shifan and said to himself.
"After all, we just need to stand unswervingly on the same front as His Majesty!"
After Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, a look of enlightenment suddenly appeared on his face, and he said in a deep voice.
"Father, the child knows what to do next!"
"Um."
(End of chapter)
