Chapter 372: Voluntary Surrender

Volume One, Chapter 372 Voluntary Surrender

Rong Luoge wasn't particularly concerned whether Han Xinglan would say such words, but when he actually did, she felt quite pleased.

She rose onto tiptoe and lightly brushed his lips.

Han Xinglan tightened his arms, pulling her into his embrace, and leaned down to kiss her...

The next day, Han Xinglan ordered a covert operation to post the investment invitation notices from the capital outward, insisting they be done swiftly without delay.

The matter of the Ministry of Commerce had not yet been settled in the court when the Song family from Suizhou arrived in the capital.

Marquis Ning Yuan knelt in the court, confessing on behalf of his clan and pleading for His Majesty's forgiveness, speaking with genuine emotion, his eyes reddened, appearing truly repentant; to demonstrate his sincerity, the Song family decided to hand over their ancestral estate.

The ministers: …

Hand over the Song family's entire estate?

Are you mad?

Not only the land, but also all the rights over Suizhou and other territories under Song family jurisdiction are to be surrendered.

The aristocratic families wield great authority; within their fiefs they can appoint officials. When the Late Emperor first ascended the throne, he attempted to curb these families' power, but achieved little; even when the court sent officials to a family's domain, they were mostly ornamental, unable to obtain real authority.

Now that the Song family surrenders its lands, taxes, and rights, appearing truly repentant, Han Xinglan is genuinely satisfied; Marquis Ning Yuan truly is a clever man.

The Emperor feels relieved, but the other aristocratic families in the court wear solemn faces; Ning Yuan's move was too ruthless, catching them completely off guard, almost insane.

Han Xinglan, under the pretext of Ning Yuan's atonement through merit, absolved the Song family of guilt and restored Ning Yuan's title and office.

Marquis Ning Yuan let out a long sigh; although he lost many things, at least his family's lives were spared.

The Song family was only the beginning; the Emperor, having raised his great sword, will not easily lower it.

Xiao Shen led the army but did not return to the capital; instead he completely eradicated Suizhou, and the Song family's remaining forces fell apart. Han Xinglan selected a jinshi of humble origin to serve in Suizhou, and only when the court officials truly settled there and governed the region did the matter truly conclude.

Kang Jinsi returned home drenched in cold sweat, entered his study, shut the door, and did not step out for a long while.

Madam Kang was deeply worried, yet dared not disturb her husband; she waited until the sun set behind the western hills, only to hear that he had gone out, which made her even more anxious.

Official Kang went to find Fu Rizhang.

Fu Rizhang was drinking to drown his melancholy when he heard Kang Jinsi arrive; he rose to greet him, "Brother Kang, why did you come all of a sudden?"

Kang Jinsi followed Fu Rizhang into the study, inhaling the strong scent of wine, and said, "Drinking to ease sorrow?"

Fu Rizhang scoffed, "What else can we do? Our Emperor is truly formidable. Brother Kang, look at the Song family's fate…"

Kang Jinsi looked up at Fu Rizhang and, calmly, asked, "What are you planning?"

Fu Rizhang sighed, "What plans could we have? We boarded the Emperor's ship ourselves; now trying to jump off is impossible. Yet surrendering with both hands, I am not pleased either."

That damned Marquis Ning Yuan—those are the whole clan's lands; you can't just let go like that.

"I've heard the Song family is also in turmoil; Marquis Ning Yuan will have headaches later," Fu Rizhang sighed, then looked at Kang Jinsi, "Brother Kang, you have always been wise; give us a suggestion."

Kang Jinsi gave a wry smile, "I really have no good ideas, but there are a few matters I want to tell you; after hearing them we can discuss further."

"Speak, I'm all ears," Fu Rizhang replied immediately.

Kang Jinsi recounted in detail the information about how his wife was taken out of the palace, then looked at Fu Rizhang and said, "The Emperor and Empress have been scheming for a long time, and their backup is solid and reliable. Rong Yan is ready to set out again; last time he brought back a great amount of gold and silver for the Emperor. Moreover, the matter of the Glazed Tile Workshop must not be underestimated. If the Empress can truly manage the market there, think about it—daily profits of tens of thousands of gold would be nothing at all."

"So, you really are betting on the market?" Fu Rizhang thought Kang Jinsi had gone mad.

Is the market really that extraordinary? The Empress is impressive, having produced looms and jacquard machines, but that is entirely different from commerce; if business were that easy, everyone could become a merchant.

Isn't this a joke?

Fu Rizhang hesitated.

Kang Jinsi sighed, "Brother Fu, we've known each other for years; this is all the advice I can give you. The final decision is yours. Forget everything else; just look at how the Emperor is becoming ever more dominant in the court, with cannons and such weapons—what can we use to resist?"

Fu Rizhang felt deeply hurt; the inventor of the cannons was truly detestable, practically a madman.

"Handing everything over—this is a legacy passed down for generations," Fu Rizhang thought. He had previously placed his daughter beside the Empress in the palace and had simple dealings with the Emperor, but he never truly imagined surrendering the entire clan's assets; it's like meat on a cutting board, waiting for someone to slice it.

"Voluntarily handing it over is still handing it over; with the Emperor it may earn a good impression, and being forced by Xiao Shen brandishing cannons also compels us. At that time the Emperor had little sentiment for us."

Fu Rizhang was truly pained; he looked at Kang Jinsi and said, "Brother Kang, let me think it over again."

Kang Jinsi nodded, "Alright, take your time to think."

Having clarified the pros and cons, Kang Jinsi did all he could and then rose to take his leave.

At the next day's court session, Kang Jinsi stepped forward, returning the Kang family's lands to the throne, shocking the entire court.

Kang Jinsi has gone mad!

Han Xinglan was also startled; he knew Rong Luoge had asked Consort Kang Shufei to persuade Kang Jinsi, but he did not expect Kang Jinsi to be so decisive, handing over authority so readily.

Kang Jinsi knew he would be criticized by many, but what of it? The first to take a crab always reaps the biggest benefit; the Emperor and Empress have treated his daughter so generously—could such favor be so easily obtained?

If he didn't act proactively and wisely, was he aiming to match the Song family, only to be forced to surrender under the Emperor's cannons?

Losing face also means surrendering authority; voluntarily handing it over can earn the Emperor's favor and compensation. Since we cannot win or fight, we must choose the most advantageous path.

Kang Jinsi left the court and hurried back to his residence, ordering the doors shut and refusing entry to anyone.

Consort Kang Shufei received the news, sat in the Jade Shao Palace and let out a long sigh of relief. She hadn't expected her father to be so decisive; her emotions were very mixed, but ultimately she felt more happiness.

The sword hanging over their heads is gone; from now on their family need not fear the cannons arriving.

Kang Jinsi's voluntary surrender set the entire court ablaze, and for a moment the aristocratic families of the capital scurried like ants on a hot pan.

Who knows how many are cursing Kang Jinsi as an old fool behind his back!