Chapter 1036: Who Is One of Us

The overwhelming weight of public opinion goes without saying. As the current generation's clan head, the Duke of Yansheng also held the post of Qufu County Magistrate, and he could not oppose the will of the majority of his clansmen. Moreover, the arguments of those clan elders were indeed reasonable. Left with no choice, he could only summon Kong Zhang back. When Kong Zhang left Qufu, it was just master and servant, carrying two bundles. When he returned, it was with over a dozen large carts and several dozen horses. The sight made everyone red-eyed with envy, grinding their teeth in resentment.

However, since the man had already come of age and would not be competing with everyone for anything, and since he had been called back from a lucrative post, some explanation had to be given. Kong Zhang was placed in the most obscure branch of the clan, barely ranked as the ninth son. Still, he was not entered into the clan genealogy. After returning, he had to be given some duty. The Qufu County Magistrate's yamen was entirely the private domain of the Kong estate, but the Kong family studied the books of sages and did not concern themselves with worldly affairs. They handled the yamen's official business very clumsily and often had to hire legal secretaries from Shaoxing outside to assist. Yet they always suspected those men of tampering but could never uncover it. Since their own clan had such a talent, they assigned him there.

Kong Zhang worked in the Qufu County yamen for seven years. Taxes, grain, criminal law — everything was managed single-handedly by him, all in perfect order. Those were the seven best years of the Qufu County yamen's operation. The Duke of Yansheng and the clan's prominent figures all thought this man was outstanding. But after he had done the job for a long time, idle gossip outside grew. Everyone said that the matters in the yamen were trivial tricks, exceedingly simple. The reason we do not do them is not that we cannot, but that we disdain to. If we did them, we could do just as well. And this Kong Zhang, having been in the yamen so long, who knows how many benefits he has skimmed off.

Yet over those seven years, Kong Zhang had also built up his own network of connections and favors in Qufu. The Duke of Yansheng and the clan's leading figures felt they could not do without him, so the rumors and slander could not affect him. But worldly affairs are unpredictable. The current Duke of Yansheng fell ill the year before last and became bedridden. Household matters were decided by the Duke's wife, the heir, and the second young master. They had always found Kong Zhang rather disagreeable. They immediately seized on a pretext to drive Kong Zhang out of the Qufu County yamen and replaced him with people they trusted and were close to.

And so Kong Zhang was left idle. The current Duke of Yansheng, still ill, met with him once, but after the meeting, there was no promotion or reinstatement. Kong Zhang remained idle, often traveling to visit mountains and rivers. Only when the clan had some troublesome duty that required someone to step forward would it fall to him. Meanwhile, the Qufu County yamen had descended into utter chaos. The men put in place were driven out for plundering too ruthlessly. The next wave was the same. In a short three years, seven batches of people came and went. The account books were a complete mess, and the various factions of the Kong clan fought each other relentlessly.

A great clan that had endured for over a thousand years had its own deep reserves and experience. While everyone fought among themselves, they were all very wary of Kong Zhang, fearful that he might reap the benefits as the fisherman when the snipe and clam fought. For a time, they even dispatched Kong Zhang to an estate in Jinan Prefecture. But once there, Kong Zhang reduced rents for the tenant farmers, befriended the local gentry and powerful families, and opened shops and businesses. He quickly made a name for himself. This made those who had sent him out very uneasy, and they hastily summoned him back.

"... Now within the Kong estate, no good thing falls to this Kong Zhang, yet whenever a difficult or tangled matter arises, they can only send this Kong Zhang to handle it. Even the shopkeepers and waiters at roadside tea stalls have dealt with this Kong Zhang and all feel indignant on his behalf..."

"... Kong Zhang has now returned to his own private residence. For some unknown reason, he has not taken a wife, but he has taken concubines and fathered three children. In Qufu, from public office to private business, one sees Kong clansmen at work everywhere. Yet Kong Zhang's private residence employs no one from the Kong clan, nor even anyone from Qufu itself or the surrounding area. Our men have gathered information from all over Qufu, but on the matter of Kong Zhang's household, they have reaped little. They are extremely vigilant. It seems this Kong Zhang is indeed on his guard..."

"... News gleaned from the Kong clan grain merchant in Jining says that the Kong clan side now wants to audit Kong Zhang's accounts. But many people say the real intent is to make Kong Zhang pay money to avert disaster..."

Everyone listened with rapt attention. The lineage of the Sage Confucius — that name still held a kind of sanctity in their hearts. Hearing of the scheming and infighting within his clan felt strikingly novel. Wang Zhaojing's mouth had gone somewhat dry from speaking. He picked up his tea bowl and took a few sips. Liu Yong then took over, saying, "Qufu has convenient transport links to the outside, and the roads are smooth and level. Yet for some reason, the men we sent all say that Qufu is extremely insular. Anyone with a modicum of status is unbelievably arrogant, believing it to be the finest place under heaven. And yet they have no defenses whatsoever. I don't know if they've studied themselves stupid or what. The guards against thieves are merely some stout fellows with clubs. Their swords and blades are probably just for show. In the entire sprawling Qufu County and the Kong estate, we saw hardly any men of martial valor. A place like this..."

At this point, Liu Yong paused to choose his words, then said with a laugh, "This place is a piece of fat meat. You only need to go over and you can eat it, and eat your fill at that."

Apart from Wang Zhaojing, everyone else burst into raucous laughter. Ruhui laughed along briefly before breaking into coughs again. Wang Zhaojing hurriedly stood up, his expression solemn and about to speak. Zhao Jin gestured for him to be patient, shaking his head with a smile. "We are not bandits, nor do we rely on the wealth of Qufu. Besides, if we truly made a move against that place, we would truly be making enemies of all under heaven."

"I was merely saying." Liu Yong gave Wang Zhaojing an apologetic smile. He had not expected Wang Zhaojing to react so strongly. Wang Zhaojing also breathed a sigh of relief. But Zhao Jin turned toward him and continued, "Do you know why Qufu is undefended? First, the civil authorities and the government troops give that place special protection. Second, it does not fear dynastic change. No matter who sits on the imperial throne, their clan will go and pay homage, and those on the throne will treat them well and grant them titles and rewards — whether it is us Han Chinese or some foreign race."

These words made Wang Zhaojing start, and then he too covered his mouth and coughed. Zhao Jin went on, speaking his mind, "Brothers, this Kong Zhang was born to wealth and nobility, with no worries about food or clothing. Why would he take the initiative to show us goodwill, even revealing an intention to join us? It is because he has no path forward within the Kong estate. This Kong Zhang clearly has a world of his own to conquer, yet he is constantly suppressed within the Kong estate. He is unwilling to accept this but has no way out. And if this continues, this situation will remain forever. From those rumors, we can also tell that this Kong Zhang is a man with ambition and drive. Naturally, he would take a risk and seek us out, hoping to open a new path."

The men nodded slowly. Zhao Jin continued, "Do not think it is some monumental thing for a member of the Kong clan to come to us. He does not represent the Kong estate. He is merely a frustrated man, with no path forward anywhere under heaven, and so he can only turn to us. The talents of today only turn to us because of their frustration. And many frustrated men do not even have their hearts set on us. Wasn't the chaos in Shandong this time precisely like that, with those men of scholarly background?"

"This subordinate is exactly that sort. I saw no path forward in Cloud Mountain Temple, never imagining that my lord here offered even greater prospects," Ruhui added with a smile. Zhao Jin nodded and continued, "Mister Cao is not wrong. To put it bluntly, why did Ma Chonghao, Li Dajin, and that Xie Mingxian choose to join us? It is because they had no other road to take, and yet were unwilling to simply hide away for a lifetime. That is why they sought us out. I say all this to tell everyone what kind of people can be trusted, and what kind will waver. As things stand now, the people truly loyal to us are still those from our own native soil of Xuzhou, those who have benefited from us and whom others cannot offer greater benefits."

Everyone nodded again. Those seated here all knew why Zhao Jin was saying this. The core leadership of the Zhao Character Camp and the various affiliated parties all had opinions about the camp being filled with people from Xuzhou and Pizhou. They felt that if the Zhao Character Camp wanted a grand and distant future, it absolutely had to be inclusive and not confine itself to the local region. The world was so vast — over a dozen provinces, several hundred prefectures, thousands of counties and districts — while Xuzhou and Pizhou were but a few thousandths of that. With the world so large, who knew how many outstanding talents there were? They should be absorbing and recruiting these people, and only then would the camp grow and strengthen. Even Wang Zhaojing had always said this, and his father, Wang Youshan, had consistently held this attitude. Zhao Jin's words were his answer to that.

"Now, the farming and trade operations are being separated. Your side is bound to be in chaos, but you must keep a close watch. Absolutely do not let those people seize this opportunity to stir up trouble. Shandong is a lesson in that." Before everyone dispersed, Zhao Jin gave one more admonishment.

The men took their leave. Wang Zhaojing still had many documents and reports to sort through. Liu Yong went to arrange matters in Shandong. By protocol, only Ji Xiang remained at Zhao Jin's side. As Chen Sheng was about to leave, Zhao Jin called him back and said, "Dasheng, I am arranging for you to go to Shandong. You will go and hold the situation in Yanzhou Prefecture."

Chen Sheng was taken aback. He glanced at Ji Xiang, then shook his head with a smile. "Let Daxiang go instead. He hasn't wanted to be managed by us for many years now."

The moment Zhao Jin made the suggestion, Ji Xiang had grown anxious. Hearing Chen Sheng say this, he became embarrassed and scratched his head. "I am willing to follow the arrangements of my two elder brothers. There's no unwillingness to be managed."

"It's better that Daxiang is managed. I can't rest easy if he's not by my side. If someone were to send him a woman, his mind probably wouldn't be on proper business anymore," Zhao Jin said, as if in jest. Ji Xiang's body gave a great shudder, and his expression immediately changed. He stood there, not daring to make a sound.

Chen Sheng shot a glance at Ji Xiang. Regarding Ji Xiang's conduct in Qingjiangpu, Liu Yong had only reported it to Zhao Jin; the others did not know. Chen Sheng found it strange but did not press the matter. Zhao Jin's meaning had already confirmed that he was going. Chen Sheng pondered for a moment, then spoke, "It's no problem for me to go, but there are two difficulties. First, if the First Regiment leaves, Xuzhou will be left empty. Second, my regiment alone in Jining is far too small a force. Too few men to hold a place as large as Yanzhou Prefecture. Furthermore, if the imperial court truly attacks, with the combined forces of Northern Zhili and Shandong, one regiment will be somewhat strained."

"This expansion and reorganization is precisely for that. I have already made the arrangements," Zhao Jin replied. Chen Sheng nodded, then said to Ji Xiang, "It's good that you stay by Big Brother's side. Your nature is too flighty. Without someone watching over you, I wouldn't be at ease either."

Nine days of double monthly tickets, brothers have supported Old Bai for nine days, produced two Alliance Masters, cast over a thousand monthly tickets. Old Bai bows in thanks here. Allow me to catch my breath. Once I'm ready, we'll fight again.

Thanks to the old friends "User Cold Night, Goodbye Someone, User Dongfang, Qi Sanwen, Yuan Heng Li Zhen, Yawning Feifei, Dragon King in the Clouds" for their tips. Thank you all for your subscriptions and monthly tickets. Thank you for your support.