Chapter 1195: Flourishing with the State

The people below did not think much of this Kong Zhang. They saw him as a distant branch descendant of unclear origins, disliked by the Grand Lady and her faction, and with his patron gone, not worth any regard at all. But the real head figures managing the Kong Estate still remembered Kong Zhang's name, knowing that shady, inconvenient, and unsavory tasks could be handed off to him.

Precisely because of this, the estate Kong Zhang managed was a world of its own, with no one coming to oversee it at all. It seemed left entirely to its own devices. Occasionally, people from the Kong Estate coming to handle business would see figures of unknown origin coming and going from this estate, people who clearly did not look like upstanding characters. This led everyone to speculate wildly among themselves while keeping a respectful distance.

From the tenth month of the third year of the Tianqi reign, the outsiders coming and going from this estate began to increase again. With good posts in the Kong Estate growing ever scarcer, this estate that raised sheep on grass was already considered a decent position. Some had their eyes fixed on it tightly. After noticing this sign, they immediately went to the Estate's managing grandees to lodge complaints, hoping to get Kong Zhang kicked out so they could take the post themselves. They never imagined that those who went to complain were either reprimanded or found guilty of some offense and severely punished.

No one was a fool. Everyone immediately understood that the anomaly at this estate was likely not Kong Zhang's private affair, and that it was best to mind their own business. Later, when the scholars rioted in Jining City, the killing trap at the Qingjiangpu martial arena, and the several imperial armies converging to suppress Xuzhou, everyone was gleefully looking forward to the future, arguing over the distribution of Xuzhou's properties and positions. No one had any time left to bother with Kong Zhang's estate.

"Master Kong, the heavenly troops are converging to suppress the rebels. The overall situation is settled. We should take our leave as well." Before the estate gates, four men dressed as traveling merchants in cotton robes were bidding farewell to Kong Zhang. Kong Zhang smiled and returned the courtesy, saying, "You should stay a few more days. Allow the Kong family to more fully perform its duties as host."

"We have already troubled the Duke and Master Kong greatly. How could we impose further? Please convey to the Duke on our behalf that once we few return to the capital, we will certainly report the Kong Estate's great righteousness and loyalty to His Majesty and Eunuch Wei. Rewards will surely come then, and Master Kong's loyalty and righteousness will not go unrecognized," one man said with great sincerity.

Kong Zhang thanked them politely and then urged, "You should still keep a low profile. Many people from Qufu travel to the capital, and their experience is broader than elsewhere. You might manage in other places, but in Qufu, it is easy to be recognized as having come from the palace. It will cause some trouble."

"What does it matter if we are recognized? We few are working for the court. It is time we walked openly and honorably. It is only a pity for Eunuch Kuang. To lull the rebels, he willingly offered himself as prey to the tiger and thus died a martyr for the state!" At this, the four "merchants" were all stirred with emotion, constantly wiping at the corners of their eyes.

Kong Zhang echoed with a sigh, "Eunuch Kuang was truly a pity. A man of such great talent and bold vision was destined to take charge of the Inner Court and leave his name in the annals of history. To think he sacrificed himself like that in Jining. What a true pity."

"Our Great Ming does not lack heroes who give their all for the country. Master Kong is also a worthy talent outside the court, buried in obscurity before. Now, Eunuch Wei's side is thirsting for talent and in need of men. In days to come, Master Kong will surely be put to great use." The man who had spoken earlier said this with gravity. Anyone who had been to the capital could easily discern their background. Three of them were pale and beardless, with a soft, feminine air between their brows and eyes—eunuchs from the Inner Court. The one standing at the very back was a stout, strong man. All four looked very haggard, yet there was a look of relief between their brows. Clearly, they had been worried and anxious for a long time and had received good news today.

"Many thanks for your kind words and good wishes. I, Kong, accept them in my heart. I hear word that Grand Commandant Yang's great army is already nearing Dongping Prefecture. If you set out from here, you can just catch up with them. Then all will be worry-free!" Kong Zhang said in a muffled voice.

Smiles appeared on the faces of the four. Shandong Grand Commandant Yang Guodong was Wei Zhongxian's adopted son and would certainly hold eunuchs from the Inner Court in high respect. Once they reached him, everything would turn for the better. Turning to look at the waiting carts and horses to one side, the four were for a moment overcome with a myriad of emotions. One could not help but say, "The gentry and noble houses of Shandong and the Southern Metropolitan Region have received the state's grace for generations, yet they know nothing of loyalty and righteousness. Moved by petty profit or coerced by the sword, in such a great matter as eliminating traitors and killing rebels, they all stood by with their hands tied. Only the descendants of the Sage are different. From beginning to end, they have helped with righteous indignation, without the slightest cowardice or hesitation. It is indeed the House of the Duke for Flourishing with the State. The Kong family does not fail the court, and the court will not fail the Kong family!"

After this impassioned speech, the four men cupped their fists and bowed in unison. Kong Zhang solemnly returned the courtesy. The four turned and walked toward their carts and horses. A journey of about two days by horse and cart would reunite them with the government troops. Seeing them approach, the servants leading the horses and driving the carts hurriedly came forward to meet them. At that moment, the stout, strong man among the four suddenly said, "Something is wrong!"

As soon as he spoke, the footsteps of the servants coming to meet them suddenly quickened. With a flip of their hands, they had already drawn short blades and iron rulers. Who could have imagined encountering brigands right outside the Kong family estate? The four men turned in panic. The eunuch walking at the very front was a beat too slow and was struck on the forehead by an iron ruler, collapsing unconscious on the spot. Another man ran two steps before a blade stabbed into his back. With a miserable cry, he died. The stout, strong man, however, had martial skills and was walking at the back. Seeing something was wrong, he immediately turned to flee.

Kong Zhang, who was seeing them off at the estate gates, was also shocked at this sight. He drew his sword and rushed forward. The stout, strong man among the four shouted, "Young Master Kong, go back quickly and call for help! The villains are fierce. We..."

He knew Kong Zhang's swordsmanship was not bad, but a scholar-official's sword practice could hardly kill a chicken, let alone resist these wolf-like, tiger-like villains. The stout man only wanted Kong Zhang to go back and raise the alarm. But halfway through his shout, Kong Zhang, who had reached him, thrust his sword into the man's chest. The thrust was very accurate, and the timing of the force was perfectly controlled. The stout man's eyes widened. His hand tried to grasp the sword but could never reach it. His body slowly crumpled to the ground. He could never understand why this son of the Kong Estate would kill government agents, why he would dare to kill men of the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Flourishing with the State. You said it so well. But so many dynasties have fallen, and why has the Kong family always remained?" Kong Zhang pulled out his sword, wiped the blood on the dead man's clothes, and said a few words with a cold laugh.

"You... it was you... who betrayed Kuang..." The one still alive had been so terrified he was kneeling on the ground. At this moment, he seemed to figure something out and stared at Kong Zhang as he spoke. But halfway through his words, the men who had rushed over gagged him. Both the living and the dead were tossed onto that cart.

That cart and the servants who had just been so ferocious did not go far away but instead went directly into the estate. One man, passing by Kong Zhang, bowed and said, "Young Master Kong, my master requests your presence this evening. We will also be setting out soon."

"Very well. I will set a table of food and invite your master to share it. We can discuss matters then. Please report back that if it is acceptable, I will make the arrangements," Kong Zhang said with a smile. The "servant" bowed respectfully and then followed the cart away.

The few household servants who had followed Kong Zhang at the estate gate all had expressions of lingering shock. Only after the cart had gone far did two of them regain a normal look. They drew near and whispered, "Ninth Master, these are truly tigers! But can these underworld skills deal with government troops?"

"All you know is to look at these underworld skills. Has your Ninth Master ever bet wrong on anything?" Kong Zhang said impatiently.

After speaking, Kong Zhang turned to look at the bloodstains on the ground and could not help muttering under his breath, "They still needed me to betray them? So many people were scrambling to sell them out. I was late in making my move."

The estate Kong Zhang was in was on the edge of Fangshan Town. Not many people came and went, which was why people would come here to hide. Precisely because there were few people, no one noticed an extra encampment at the foot of Fangshan Mountain. It had about a thousand men and three or four hundred cavalry, very well concealed and under strict guard. Every day, estate servants took fodder and provisions from the warehouses and delivered them in large carts. The people handling these tasks were all Kong Zhang's trusted confidants.

When it grew dark, Kong Zhang went out again to welcome guests. A dozen or so riders in plain clothes arrived, looking like hired escorts or bodyguards. Kong Zhang, however, was very courteous. Smiling, he cupped his fists and said, "Fifth Master, you have endured the elements these days. Truly, you have worked hard. I, Kong, have been a poor host!"

"I dare not accept such a title from Ninth Master. I, Ji, am still young in years. If Ninth Master does not disdain it, how about we address each other as brothers?" The speaker was none other than Ji Xiang. At this moment, Ji Xiang did not look as neat and clean as before. He was quite dirty and disheveled, his face covered in stubble.

Kong Zhang did not mind this at all and simply said with a smile, "Deference is no substitute for obedience. Worthy brother, just follow me. Arrangements have also been made for your attendants."

After dismounting, Ji Xiang did not hand the reins to the estate servant who came to take them. He simply said, "Brother Kong, do not blame me for being cautious. Stranded far from home, one must be careful. Why not pack up this wine and meat and let me take it back? Whatever we have to say, let us say it right here."

"Pack up?"

"Uh, it means putting it in food boxes and vessels to take back and eat. We all say it like that in Xuzhou."

After this slightly awkward exchange, Kong Zhang showed no displeasure at all. He simply smiled and instructed his trusted men to handle it, then stepped forward two paces and said, "The livestock are nearly ready. However, the most I can provide here is one hundred and twenty horses, thirty mules, and forty donkeys. The plow oxen and such are hard to move. This is all I can offer."

"This number is already quite good." Ji Xiang nodded, but then immediately asked, "Brother Kong, with so many livestock being mobilized, won't anyone in the Kong Estate take notice?"

"How could they take notice? I bring out silver and say I want to rent them for a few days. Who wouldn't be happy to earn this extra income? If outsiders found out they neglected public duties for private gain, wouldn't they be punished? Everyone knows the score. Worthy brother, do not worry. During the first month, the Kong Estate does not use many carts and horses in its various departments. Besides, by the time they notice, it will no longer be any hindrance to you, worthy brother," Kong Zhang explained in great detail.

Ji Xiang nodded glumly and said in a deep voice, "The Kong Estate and Xuzhou are ultimately irreconcilable. This operation is also extremely dangerous. If anything really goes wrong, I won't hide it from you, Brother Kong. I can lead my brothers and escape, but Brother Kong will be in trouble."

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