Xu Guangqi and others soon came.

After entering the main hall, they felt that the atmosphere in the main hall was somewhat solemn.

They have been with Zhu Youxiao for so long, and they also know some of His Majesty's temper more or less.

Looking at Zhu Youxiao's expression on his face at this time, they understood that something was wrong.

"Your Majesty, Ministers."

After seeing Zhu Youxiao, Xu Guangqi and others hurriedly bowed and saluted. Although I have something in my heart and know that the matter is more serious, I still have to have the etiquette that should be there, and I can't be rude.

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Everyone, please be exempt." ”

After Xu Guangqi and the others stood up, Zhu Youxiao said directly: "I brought you Aiqing over today, mainly because I want to discuss one thing with you Aiqing. ”

"Regarding the resale of disaster relief food, Jinyiwei has made a breakthrough."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao took out the evidence on the table and said, "Let's take a look at all your love, and let's talk about it after reading it." ”

Chen Hong hurriedly came to Xu Guangqi and others with the confession in his hand, and handed the confession to Xu Guangqi.

Xu Guangqi took the confession with both hands, and after unfolding it, he quickly looked at it.

After reading it, Xu Guangqi's whole expression was not good, and his heart fell directly to the bottom.

Originally, Xu Guangqi thought that even if the case was discovered, he would not make a big move. For Xu Guangqi, it is not a good thing to make a big move.

But after seeing this confession, Xu Guangqi knew that it was impossible not to make a move.

In this confession, it was written in detail about the infiltration of the Confucian family into the whole of Shandong, and even into several surrounding provinces, from the governor's yamen to the yamen of each county, layer by layer. From high-ranking officials such as governors to low-level officials, all of them have infiltrated.

After so many years of development, the Confucian family has spread all over Shandong, that is, because there is also a Lu Wangfu that still occupies a part, otherwise it would have been all the Confucian family. Even so, in officialdom, it is the same as the Confucian family.

Under such circumstances, Xu Guangqi knew that this had touched His Majesty's scales. This time, His Majesty is going to move the Kong family no matter what, and if he doesn't move, the situation will be even more troublesome. What's more, such a situation is something that His Majesty cannot tolerate, and he will definitely move.

handed the confession in his hand to Huang Kezhang beside him, Xu Guangqi stood in place and did not speak.

Xu Guangqi wanted to wait for these two people to read this confession, and then discuss this matter with Zhu Youxiao.

After Huang Kezhang glanced at him, his face became ugly. However, he also learned from Xu Guangqi to stand on the side, without saying a word, but handed the confession in his hand to Zhang Weixian, waiting for Zhang Weixian to read it.

Zhang Weixian also took the confession and read it, didn't say anything, and returned the confession to Chen Hong.

"Done it all?"

Zhu Youxiao's gaze swept over the faces of Xu Guangqi and the others, and asked, "Since you've finished reading it, let's talk about it, what should I do next?" ”

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that this matter is not easy to make a big deal about." After thinking about it, Xu Guangqi took a step forward and said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, is it? Xu Aiqing continued. Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi and said expressionlessly.

Xu Guangqi knew that his words might have angered His Majesty, and if his next explanation could not satisfy His Majesty, I was afraid that his situation would become bad. But that's what Xu Guangqi thinks in his heart, and he also thinks it's best for Da Ming to do this.

So Xu Guangqi continued: "Your Majesty, there are many natural disasters now, Your Majesty has first ascended the throne, and there is no peace in various places; There are anti-thieves like the White Lotus Sect inside, and wild boar skins and tartars outside; The imperial court was short of money and could not make ends meet; Land annexation in various localities is serious, displaced people are everywhere, and the people do not have enough to eat. Under such circumstances, it is really not appropriate to make a big move. ”

"If you make a big move, I'm afraid it will give some people a chance to take advantage of, and it will also cause internal turmoil, which is really worth the loss. Therefore, the minister believes that the current should be based on prudence. ”

After saying this, Xu Guangqi bowed to the ground and said: "This is the minister's heartfelt words, please also ask Your Majesty to be clear!" ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Aiqing is exempt." I summoned Aiqing over today, naturally I wanted to discuss with Aiqing and listen to Aiqing's opinion. Since it is a discussion, then I can naturally listen to it; If I don't listen, I won't consult with you. ”

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao also showed a smile on his face, and said in a soft tone: "Then Aiqing means to let go of the Kong family?" ”

"That's not what the minister meant." Xu Guangqi hurriedly said.

The previous words can still be said, and His Majesty will not blame himself. But if he said that he would let go of the Kong family, then he would be finished.

Although he is a confidant promoted by His Majesty and a talent favored by His Majesty, if he really wants to protect the Kong family, then he will have no chance at all.

His Majesty now seems to be very good at employing people, and he is also very honest with people, and as long as he does things, he will not worry about reprisals and implication. But Xu Guangqi also understands that this is actually His Majesty's imperial technique.

If you really think that Your Majesty is an honest and talkative emperor, then you are not far from death. His Majesty today has a very ruthless side.

Many times, if you don't challenge Your Majesty's bottom line, then everything is easy to discuss; If you challenge Your Majesty's bottom line, then it is really the death of those who follow me and those who disobey me.

This time, the matter of the Kong family made it clear that the Kong family challenged His Majesty's bottom line. Under such circumstances, whoever dares to say that he is protecting the Kong family will be regarded as a fellow party of the Kong family by His Majesty, and the end will definitely not be good.

So Xu Guangqi decisively denied it.

"What does Xu Aiqing mean?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Xu Guangqi and asked with a smile.

"The crime committed by the Confucian family can be said to be extremely heinous. Although he is a descendant of Sage Confucius, he is still an unforgivable sin. Therefore, the minister thought that the Kong family would be severely punished. The Kong family was ordered to return the fields, take out grain for disaster relief, and confiscate part of the family property. ”

"As for Yan Shenggong, he is not strict in discipline and has no way to govern his family, so he is no longer worthy of being Yan Shenggong. ordered him to ask for resignation, and who else should be given the title, it would be up to His Majesty to make a decision. ”

After saying this, Xu Guangqi stopped talking.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, probably understanding what Xu Guangqi meant. It's nothing more than punishing as much as you want. But the punishment from himself was replaced by the Kong family's plea, leaving a face for the Kong family.

At the same time, leave a face for the world's scholars, so that they can understand that they, as emperors, still stand with them.

This is a very good way to soothe people's hearts and not cause too much shock.

So Zhu Youxiao turned his head to look at Huang Kezhang and said, "What does Huang Aiqing think?" ”

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Huang Kezhang chuckled in his heart, took a step forward, and said stubbornly: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that what Lord Xu said is right. ”

Zhu Youxiao nodded again, and his gaze fell on Zhang Weixian at the back.

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

"Back to Your Majesty, I think this matter should not be as Lord Xu said." Zhang Weixian took a step forward and said in a deep voice: "The people of the Kong family are extremely evil, is it because they are the Kong family, do you want to let them go?" The minister thought otherwise, it was precisely because they were from the Confucian family that they had to be severely punished. ”

"They are discrediting Sage Confucius, disgrace the world's scholars, what they did, which point was handed down by Sage Confucius back then? Although the minister does not read much, he also understands what it means to be loyal and honest. But what about the Kong family? The Book of the Sages was passed down to the family, but it turned out to be like this. How can such a person not be punished severely? Lack of severe punishment is not enough to anger the people, and not severe punishment is not enough to set an example. ”

Therefore, the minister thought that not only should the terrorists be severely punished, but also the world should be announced. In this way, we can deter Xiaoxiao, make the hearts of those who are not subservient and fearful, let everyone in the world see it, and let them understand that whoever dares to do such a thing will be severely punished. ”

After hearing this, Xu Guangqi and Huang Kezhang were stunned, is this what the British public can say?

When these words come out of his mouth, is not his heart empty?

However, the two of them also understood that this was probably said by the British public figuring out His Majesty's thoughts, and to put it bluntly, he was patting the emperor's sycophants.

After all, if what the two of them said just now was in line with His Majesty's wishes, His Majesty would not ask the British Duke again. This has already shown His Majesty's attitude, and His Majesty wants to punish severely.

Under such circumstances, the statements of the two of them were enough to make His Majesty unhappy. However, the two of them also admired the courage of the British duke and dared to say such things.

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Zhang Weixian, stood up and said, "The British public said well, and I also mean that." This time, after I went to Shandong, I found that it was really shocking. The people will not be able to survive anymore, and the Ming Dynasty is not full of flowers, but the building will fall. ”

"Even the Kong family is like this, can you expect other people? This time, I want to cure the sins of the Confucian family, and I want to tell all the people in the world not to stretch out their hands, they will be caught; Do not be greedy, for you will be killed. ”

"This time, the trial of the case will be handed over to the three Aiqing. Three Aiqing, you must remember that everything must be interrogated severely and strictly, and there must be no favoritism. I will let the Jinyi Guard cooperate with you, and there will be no mistakes. ”

"When you get back, you get ready and start arresting people right away. The Confucian family's manpower in all the prefectures and counties of Shandong was arrested, and all the food for disaster relief was seized, and I asked Qi Jin to send some people directly to the Confucian Mansion and seal it first. ”

"In addition, remove the title of Yan Sheng Gong and go to prison immediately."

When the three of them heard this, they hurriedly bowed down and said, "Yes, Your Majesty." Minister's Command. ”

n.