Chapter 351: I Will Punish the Kong Clan, and That Is That

Xu Guangqi and the others arrived quickly.

Upon entering the great hall, they could feel that the atmosphere within was somewhat heavy.

Having spent so much time with Zhu Youxiao, they more or less understood something of His Majesty's temperament.

Seeing Zhu Youxiao's expression, dark as still water, they understood at once — something had happened.

"Your ministers pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xu Guangqi and the others hurriedly bowed in salute. Though they had matters on their minds and knew the situation was serious, proper etiquette still had to be observed; they could not afford to be remiss.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "My lords, no need for ceremony."

Once Xu Guangqi and the others had straightened up, Zhu Youxiao said directly, "The reason I have called you all here today is chiefly that there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

"Regarding the resale of disaster-relief grain, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has made a breakthrough."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao took the confessions from the table and said, "My lords, take a look. After you have read them, we will talk."

Chen Hong hurriedly carried the confession before Xu Guangqi and the others and handed it to Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi received the confession with both hands, unfolded it, and read through it quickly.

After reading it, Xu Guangqi's entire expression turned grim, and his heart sank straight to the bottom.

Originally Xu Guangqi had thought that even if the case came to light, it would not require a great upheaval. For Xu Guangqi, a great upheaval was not a good thing.

But after seeing this confession, Xu Guangqi knew that avoiding a great upheaval was no longer possible.

On this confession was written in detail the Kong clan's penetration of all of Shandong — even the several surrounding provinces were all penetrated as well, from the Governor's yamen at the top down to every county yamen, layer upon layer of infiltration. From high officials like the Governor down to petty clerks at the bottom, all had been infiltrated.

After so many years of development, the Kong clan occupied positions throughout Shandong, high and low. It was only because the Prince of Lu's establishment still held a portion that everything had not already become the Kong clan's. Even so, in officialdom it was still the Kong clan that called the shots.

Under such circumstances, Xu Guangqi knew this had touched the Emperor's reverse scale. This time, His Majesty would move against the Kong clan no matter what; if he did not, the situation would become even more troublesome. Moreover, such a state of affairs was something His Majesty could not tolerate — he would certainly act.

Handing the confession in his hands to Huang Kezuan beside him, Xu Guangqi stood in place without speaking.

Xu Guangqi would wait until these two men had finished reading the confession before discussing the matter with Zhu Youxiao.

After Huang Kezuan took a look, his expression also turned very ugly. But he likewise imitated Xu Guangqi, standing to one side without saying a word, instead passing the confession in his hands to Zhang Weixian, waiting for Zhang Weixian to finish reading.

Zhang Weixian also took the confession and read it through once, said nothing, and returned the confession to Chen Hong.

"All finished reading?"

Zhu Youxiao's gaze swept across the faces of Xu Guangqi and the others as he asked, "Since you have all read it, then speak up — what should be done next?"

"Your Majesty, your minister believes this matter should not be handled with a great upheaval." After thinking it over, Xu Guangqi stepped forward and said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, is that so? Continue, Lord Xu." Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi, his expression blank.

Xu Guangqi knew that these words had likely angered the Emperor. If his ensuing explanation could not satisfy His Majesty, his own position would likely turn unfavorable. But this was what Xu Guangqi truly thought, and he also felt this approach was best for the Great Ming.

So Xu Guangqi continued, "Your Majesty, natural disasters are many at present; Your Majesty has only recently ascended the throne, and the various regions are not yet at peace. Within, there are rebels like the White Lotus sect; without, there are Wild Boar Skin and the Tartars. The court's treasury is depleted, income failing to cover expenditure. Land annexation is severe throughout the regions, refugees rise everywhere, and the common people cannot fill their bellies. Under such circumstances, it truly is inadvisable to launch a great upheaval."

"If we launch a great upheaval, I fear it would give certain people an opportunity to exploit the situation, and would also stir internal unrest — truly more loss than gain. Therefore your minister believes that the current priority should be stability."

After saying this, Xu Guangqi bowed all the way to the ground and said, "These are your minister's words from the bottom of his heart. I beg Your Majesty to examine them clearly!"

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "My lord, no need for ceremony. The reason I summoned you today was naturally to discuss matters with you and hear your opinions. Since this is a discussion, I am naturally able to listen; if I could not listen, I would not have sought your counsel."

After saying this, a smile appeared on Zhu Youxiao's face, and his tone softened as he said, "So my lord's meaning is to let the Kong clan off?"

"Your minister does not mean that." Xu Guangqi said hurriedly.

The earlier words could still be spoken, and His Majesty would not blame him. But if he said to let the Kong clan off, he would be thoroughly finished.

Though he was a trusted confidant promoted by His Majesty, and a talent valued by His Majesty, if he truly tried to protect the Kong clan, he would have not the slightest chance left.

The current Emperor appeared very skilled at using people, and was very candid with others — as long as one did one's work, one need not fear retaliation or being implicated. But Xu Guangqi also understood that this was in fact His Majesty's art of kingship.

If you truly believed His Majesty was a candid, easygoing emperor, then you were not far from death. The current Emperor had a very ruthless side.

Most of the time, as long as one did not challenge His Majesty's bottom line, anything could be discussed; but if one challenged His Majesty's bottom line, then it truly was 'those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish.'

This time, the Kong clan's affair plainly showed that they had challenged His Majesty's bottom line. Under such circumstances, whoever dared to say they protected the Kong clan would be treated by His Majesty as a co-conspirator of the Kong clan, and their fate would certainly not be good.

So Xu Guangqi decisively denied it.

"Then what does Lord Xu mean?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi and asked with a smile.

"The crimes committed by the Kong clan can be said to be heinous in the extreme. Though they are descendants of the Sage Confucius, they remain unpardonable. Therefore your minister believes the Kong clan must be severely punished. They should be ordered to return their lands, produce grain for disaster relief, and have a portion of their family property confiscated."

"As for the Duke Yansheng — having failed to discipline his household and manage his family properly, he is no longer fit to serve as Duke Yansheng. He should be ordered to confess his faults and resign the title. As for whom the title should be given to next, that must be decided by Your Majesty's sole judgment."

After saying this, Xu Guangqi fell silent.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, roughly understanding Xu Guangqi's meaning. It was nothing more than punishing as deserved — but changing the punishment that came from himself into the Kong clan confessing their faults, leaving the Kong clan some face.

At the same time, it left face for the scholars of the realm, letting them understand that he, as Emperor, still stood together with them.

This would soothe people's hearts without causing too great a shock — it could be considered a very good way of handling things.

So Zhu Youxiao turned his head to look at Huang Kezuan and said, "What does Lord Huang think?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Huang Kezuan's heart gave a lurch. He stepped forward and, steeling himself, said, "Your Majesty, your minister believes what Lord Xu said is correct."

Zhu Youxiao nodded once more, his gaze falling upon Zhang Weixian at the very back.

"What does the Duke of Ying think?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Zhang Weixian and said.

"In reply to Your Majesty, your minister believes this matter should not be handled as Lord Xu suggested." Zhang Weixian stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "The people of the Kong clan are guilty of heinous crimes. Should they be let off simply because they are members of the Kong clan? Your minister thinks not — precisely because they are members of the Kong clan, they must be severely punished."

"They are besmirching the Sage Confucius and shaming the scholars of the realm. Of all the things they have done, which single one accords with what the Sage Confucius passed down in his time? Though your minister has not read many books, he still understands what loyalty, righteousness, integrity, and shame mean. But the people of the Kong clan? The books of the sages passed down through their family, and yet this is what they have learned from them. How can such people not be severely punished? Without severe punishment, the people's anger cannot be assuaged; without severe punishment, others cannot be warned."

"Therefore your minister believes that not only must the Kong clan be severely punished, but the matter must also be proclaimed to the realm. In this way, the petty and villainous can be deterred, those who refuse to submit will be struck with fear, and the whole world will see and understand — whoever dares to do such things will be severely punished, no matter who they are."

Hearing these words, Xu Guangqi and Huang Kezuan were both startled — could these really be words spoken by the Duke of Ying?

Speaking such words from his mouth — did his heart not feel hollow?

But the two men also understood that this was likely the Duke of Ying gauging His Majesty's intentions before speaking — in plain terms, flattering the Emperor.

After all, if what the two of them had just said had matched His Majesty's wishes, His Majesty would not have asked the Duke of Ying. This already showed His Majesty's stance — His Majesty wanted severe punishment.

Under such circumstances, their own statements had already been enough to displease His Majesty. Still, the two men also admired the Duke of Ying's courage in daring to say such things.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhang Weixian, then stood up and said, "The Duke of Ying speaks well — this is also my intention. This time, after I traveled to Shandong, I discovered that things were truly shocking to the eye. The common people can barely survive, and the Great Ming's rivers and mountains are not some flourishing tapestry, but a great mansion about to collapse."

"Even the Kong family is like this—how can we expect anything from others? This time, I intend to punish the Kong family, to tell everyone under heaven: do not reach out your hand, for if you do, you will be caught; do not embezzle relief funds, for if you do, you will be killed."

"This time, I am entrusting the handling of this case to my three beloved ministers. Remember this, all three of you: everything must be interrogated with the utmost severity and strictness, and there must absolutely be no bending of the law for personal gain. I will have the Embroidered Uniform Guard cooperate with you—there must not be a single mistake."

"After you return, make your preparations and begin making arrests immediately. Arrest all of the Kong family's people in the various prefectures and counties of Shandong, and seize all of the grain meant for disaster relief. I will have Qi Jin dispatch a portion of his men directly to the Kong mansion to seal it off."

"In addition, strip the Duke Yansheng of his title and throw him into prison immediately."

Hearing this, the three men hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Your servants accept the decree."