Chapter 1140

"Empress Dowager, your subject, Censor-in-Chief Kong Rong, has something to say!"

Duan Yu, standing in the front row, turned his head to look at Kong Rong, who had stepped out of the crowd.

Dressed in black court robes, wearing a Jinxian cap, holding a white tablet, he was of medium build and plain appearance.

Duan Yu did not know much about Kong Rong in history.

The only impression he had was Kong Rong's upright and unyielding personality.

And that he often contradicted his superiors, and even often mocked Cao Cao, eventually meeting his death.

But in Duan Yu's own understanding, saying Kong Rong was upright and unyielding was actually just a disguised beautification of his low emotional intelligence.

Early on, Kong Rong was recruited by Yang Ci to become a clerk in the Minister of Education's office.

When he first became an official, Kong Rong secretly investigated corrupt officials among the bureaucracy, preparing to demote and dismiss them.

But later, because he offended the eunuchs, he was eventually dismissed and sent home.

And later, when Wang Yun was the Inspector of Yuzhou, he recruited Kong Rong again.

But at that time, Kong Rong's reply to Wang Yun was: "The summons of the province and commandery, I will not accept."

The general meaning of the reply was that you provincial and commandery officials do not need to recruit me; even if you do, I will not go back.

To put it arrogantly, simply put, you are not worthy.

Later, Kong Rong was recruited by Yang Ci again, just in time for He Jin's promotion to Grand General, and Yang Ci sent Kong Rong with a calling card to visit.

And because the gatekeeper did not report it in time, Kong Rong felt slighted, and on the spot, he snatched back the calling card, tore it up in front of He Jin's mansion gate, and turned to leave, giving He Jin no face at all.

If it were not for the fact that Kong Rong was a descendant of the Sage and famous throughout the world, He Jin's subordinates at the time would have wanted to send someone to assassinate Kong Rong.

As for ability, Kong Rong was not good at being an official; Duan Yu did not remember this guy having any measures.

Instead, when he served as the Chancellor of Beihai, he was beaten and fled in panic.

But such a person had great fame and reputation.

He was a famous scholar in the world.

Killing such a person was more troublesome than killing a hundred Ding Yuans.

It was the same principle as when Cao Cao killed Bian Rang.

"What does Lord Kong have to say?" Empress Dowager Dong rolled her black phoenix robe's wide sleeves.

Kong Rong straightened his neck and looked at Empress Dowager Dong, his gaze not avoiding her at all, saying: "Empress Dowager, the Gao Zu established the White Horse Alliance and said: 'Those who are not of the Liu clan and are kings, the world shall attack them together. If one is not conferred a marquis by the Emperor, the world shall punish them together.'"

"The Empress Dowager's decree to confer a king on the Liangzhou Shepherd, is this not violating the ancestral teachings of Gao Zu?"

Hearing Kong Rong finish, Duan Yu turned around, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

To say Kong Rong had low emotional intelligence was really not wronging him at all.

This guy saying this at this time, this was not going against him, this was going against Empress Dowager Dong.

Sure enough, upon hearing Kong Rong's words, Empress Dowager Dong's face turned black.

"Censor Kong, when did I violate the ancestral teachings of Gao Zu?"

"That Western Regions land originally did not belong to the Great Han; if Censor Kong has the ability, you can also go and conquer the Western Regions and incorporate them into the Great Han territory. If you have such ability, even if the whole world opposes it, I will confer a king title on you."

"The problem is, do you have such ability?"

Empress Dowager Dong glared at Kong Rong.

Kong Rong's neck remained straight, his gaze fixed on Empress Dowager Dong: "Empress Dowager, your subject does not have such ability, but what does this have to do with the White Horse Alliance of the Taizu?"

"If we follow what the Empress Dowager says, does that mean that in the future, whoever can conquer the Xiongnu, whoever can conquer the Xianbei, whoever can conquer the Southern Barbarians will all be conferred as kings?"

"Kong Rong, you have great courage!"

Empress Dowager Dong suddenly stood up from beside the dragon desk and pointed at Kong Rong: "Someone, drag this arrogant fellow out for me."

"Empress Dowager, calm your anger!"

"Empress Dowager, calm your anger!"

"Empress Dowager, Kong Rong is also thinking of the imperial court, please calm your anger."

"Empress Dowager, calm your anger, Censor Kong is loyal and devoted."

Dozens of court officials stood up one after another to plead for Kong Rong.

Duan Yu narrowed his eyes.

Sure enough, famous scholars and Confucianists are different.

Even if they contradict the Empress Dowager in court, so many people still stand up to help Kong Rong speak.

"Empress Dowager, calm your anger, although Kong Rong's words were excessive, he is also for the sake of the country and the people, please calm your anger."

Yuan Kui on the steps also turned his head to plead with Empress Dowager Dong: "The matter of conferring a king..."

"What?"

Before Yuan Kui could finish his words, he was interrupted by Empress Dowager Dong.

"Does the Grand Tutor also think I am too arbitrary?"

Yuan Kui shook his head quickly: "Not at all."

"What the Empress Dowager says makes sense; the Western Regions land was never Great Han territory, and the countries of the Western Regions have always conferred their own kings."

"If the Marquis of Ji can truly pacify the Western Regions, it would indeed be an eternal miracle."

"But this old subject still feels that this matter should be handled with caution; Kong Rong must have meant the same."

"So please, Empress Dowager, calm your anger."

Yuan Kui calmed Empress Dowager Dong's anger quite a bit with a few words.

The officials below the hall also held back Kong Rong, who was still holding his neck straight.

Empress Dowager Dong took a deep breath before slowly sitting down again.

"The Grand Tutor also said that conquering the Western Regions is difficult and arduous, and it may not be a task that can be completed, so my words are just a promise."

"As for whether it can be conquered or not, that depends on Lord Duan."

Empress Dowager Dong cast her gaze on Duan Yu: "Does Lord Duan have confidence?"

Duan Yu lowered his head, smiled slightly, and cupped his hands: "Empress Dowager, your subject is willing to try; as for success or failure, your subject cannot guarantee, but your subject will try his best to expand the territory for the Great Han."

"Good." Empress Dowager Dong nodded with a smile: "Does the Grand Tutor have anything else to say?"

Yuan Kui shook his head to indicate he did not.

"Since that is the case, then this matter is temporarily decided, others need not say more." ===== CHAPTER 1142 =====