When Shen Hexuan left Beijing, the assessment of the senior officials also began.

Local officials of the second rank and above were mostly governors-general. Unless they had important business that required them to leave their posts, they all had to return to the capital. At this time, the Ministry of Personnel was troubled by one issue, which was Prince Jingyuan Feng Jianping.

Feng Jianping is the first military general in the history of Dasheng to become the governor, which means that he is in charge of both military and political power and is extremely powerful. Now that there is no war in Datong, all the governors have returned to the capital to report on their duties. Feng Jianping is the one who should return the most.

But there was no movement in Datong Prefecture.

This matter was both delicate and dangerous. If the Ministry of Personnel sent a letter to urge him and Feng Jianping refused, Feng Jianping would be accused of being disloyal by not returning to the court with a large army under his command. If no letter was sent, it would be against the rules of the imperial examination. However, the Ministry of Personnel was unwilling to stir up trouble.

Yan Sikong had already noticed this, and even the Minister of Personnel Liu An seemed to be hesitant to speak when he saw him several times, but in the end he still didn't say anything to him alone. He guessed that Liu An wanted to use him to test Feng Ye's attitude, but when he thought of the not-so-decent rumors between the two of them, he gave up.

Yan Sikong knew that this matter was of great importance and was planning to discuss it with Feng Ye. Feng Ye might have heard some rumors as well, so he took the initiative to find Yan Sikong late that night.

Feng Ye got straight to the point and asked, "Does the Ministry of Personnel have any news on how to handle my father's assessment?"

Yan Sikong shook his head: "Minister Liu is in a dilemma. I guess he will go to the teacher to discuss it soon."

"What do you think Mr. Yan Ge will do?" Feng Ye asked.

Yan Sikong thought for a moment and said, "Teacher is the chief minister of the inner cabinet. He should handle the matter impartially and ask the emperor to issue an order to order His Highness to return to the court."

"But?" Feng Ye raised his eyebrows.

Yan Sikong paced back and forth in the room, his face a little heavy: "To be honest, I don't know."

"You mean, Yan Zilian might urge my father to return to Beijing?"

"The imperial examination requires all governors to return to the capital to report on their duties. Now only Prince Jingyuan has not left yet. There are already criticisms in the court. How can the teacher cover up for him at this time?" Yan Sikong sighed, "But, His Highness can't come back."

Feng Ye nodded: "My father can't come back. If he returns to the capital, the emperor will definitely find ways to reduce his military power. No, I have to go see Yan Zilian."

"Feng Ye." Yan Sikong held him back and said sternly, "Feng Ye, he is the chief minister of the inner cabinet. Do you understand what I mean?"

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong steadily.

"As the chief minister of the inner cabinet, how could he tolerate a foreign minister commanding a large army? The only reason he has ignored Your Highness for many years is to control the eunuchs' clique. He and Xie Zhongren do not want to offend Your Highness because they are afraid that Your Highness will lean towards any faction and subvert the entire court."

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes: "So what will he do this time?"

"I said, I don't know. I think the teacher doesn't want His Highness to return to the capital now. The imperial examination plan has already shaken the court. If His Highness comes back, I'm afraid there will be even greater storms, and this mess will be out of control. However, the teacher will definitely not do nothing, otherwise how can he serve the people?" Yan Sikong patted Feng Ye's shoulder soothingly, "I will discuss this matter with the teacher alone. Has Your Highness prepared a memorial stating that the situation in Datong is complicated and that he has important responsibilities and cannot leave? The sooner it arrives in the capital, the better."

“It’s already on the way.”

"That's good." Yan Sikong paused and asked tentatively: "Feng Ye, Your Highness is now more powerful than the Lord, and has a large army under his command. This is not a long-term solution. Have you ever thought about... appropriately giving up power?"

Feng Ye's face was solemn. "Datong is the most important line of defense for our dynasty, because it has defended the people of the Central Plains against the most brutal barbarians. Although the Oirat has been severely damaged, there are still dozens of tribes in the Mongolian region, all eyeing the Central Plains. If the Oirat is defeated, these tribes will lose control, gradually become independent, and regenerate into new forces. Sooner or later, they will make a comeback, so Datong cannot reduce its military. You can say that my father abuses his power or is a tyrant. If my father really wants to rebel, he would not have to wait until now."

Yan Sikong sighed inwardly: "...I'll discuss this with my teacher first." Although he respected Prince Jingyuan's achievements, he was not optimistic about many of Prince Jingyuan's practices. The last time Yan Zilian mentioned Guo Ziyi, who was "so meritorious that the lord did not doubt him," he had actually reminded him that the emperor was very wary of Prince Jingyuan, and if this continued, it would be detrimental to the Feng family.

However, Feng Ye is arrogant and conceited, and his analysis of the situation in Datong is indeed reasonable. It would be extremely difficult to get Prince Jingyuan to take the initiative to give up power.

The current imperial examination has posed a big problem for them.

Feng Ye stretched out his arms and hugged him: "I know what you are thinking."

"Really?"

"Han Xin, Meng Tian, ​​Lu Xun, Yue Fei, you are thinking of those famous generals who died a miserable death because of their great achievements, right?"

Yan Sikong remained silent.

Feng Ye smiled and said, "My dad will never become like them. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"The current emperor is weak and incompetent, indulging in alcohol and sex, and has no interest in government affairs. He is terribly afraid of the Oirat Mongols, and has to rely on my Feng family to guard the border." Feng Ye said frivolously and disdainfully, "Besides, I am a hostage in Beijing. As long as my father does not return to the court, he will never be able to do anything to my Feng family."

Yan Sikong sighed, "That makes sense."

"So don't worry." Feng Ye lifted Yan Sikong's chin, touched his lips, and said softly, "My father has been loyal and brave all his life, and he has never changed his mind. His only wish is to protect the Chinese people from being invaded by barbarians. This ambition is witnessed by the sun and the moon, and God will stand on his side."

Yan Sikong forced a smile: "Very good."

"So..." Feng Ye stroked Yan Sikong's lower lip with his fingertips, and said in a domineering tone, "I will definitely find a way to give Wan Yang to someone else, and you can only be mine."

Yan Sikong looked at the flames burning in Feng Ye's eyes, his heart filled with worry.