Retreating left and right, only Lu Zhen and Kong Yanjin, the old and the young, were left sitting opposite each other in the study. At this time, Lu Zhen no longer sat in the lower place as before, but sat on an equal footing with the old man.

After being silent for a long time, Kong Yanjin slowly spoke: "The governor is really far-sighted and clever, and he actually set up a poisonous plan to deal with my Kong family early. However, aren't you afraid of causing criticism from all over the world, and even the spurning of all the gentlemen? ”

Seeing that he was still holding on to his identity to oppress people at this time, Lu Zhen couldn't help laughing: "Yan Shenggong, are you angry?" How did you say it all the other way around? If what happened here today is publicized, I am afraid that it will be criticized by others, and it should be your Kong family who is spurned. ”

As he spoke, he sighed twice: "The dignified son of the Confucian family, the person who will take over the role of Yan Shenggong in the future, has actually done such a frenzied act behind his back, and the birds and beasts are not as good as it, I am afraid that the four characters of this master of the world will no longer be able to settle on your Confucian Mansion, right?" ”

"You ......" Such mean words fell into Kong Yanjin's ears, causing him to breathe rapidly again, followed by a fierce cough, and it took a long time to stabilize his mind. It was only then that he knew that this kind of nonsense and intimidation would not scare the young man in front of him at all.

However, the old man still won't bow his head easily: "This is all your Governor Lu targeting my Kong family, the old man believes ......"

"Yan Shenggong, the evidence is conclusive, you still dare to say such things, aren't you afraid of heavenly justice?" Lu Zhen immediately interrupted his words: "The cellar hidden under Kong Chengqing's courtyard, those bloodstains that will only be left over the years, and those women who have been devastated ...... Are these all things that I, Lu Jin, can make and plant on your Kong family's head? Yan Shenggong, accept the facts, all of this is what Kong Chengqing did in private to hide from everyone, and it is a deep sin committed by your entire Confucian sect! ”

These words were upright, and Kong Yanjin was speechless at once. I saw that his face turned pale for a long time, and then he sighed: "It was the old man who taught his son no way, so he taught such a bad beast ......" Finally, he admitted this fact.

But then, he raised his eyes to look at Lu Jin: "But Governor Lu, your role in this matter is not as fair as you say, right?" I'm afraid that all this is planned by you behind your back, if the old man announces this to the public, I'm afraid it will ......"

Without waiting for the other party to finish the threatening words, Lu Zhen had already nodded and admitted: "Yes, this official has indeed made a lot of efforts in this matter, if Yan Shenggong says it at this time, with the reputation of the Kong family, it is enough for me to suffer from it, and it is very likely that I will lose my official position because of this." However, I, Lu Jin, am just alone and have nothing to worry about, but your Kong family is different.

Because of this matter, the reputation of the Confucian family for thousands of years will be completely ruined, and when it comes to the Qufu Kong clan in the future, the first thing that people think of will no longer be the descendants of the Confucian saints, and the Tianxia Sect, but the four words of well-dressed birds and beasts. I just don't know if this is the case, after you return in a hundred years, old man, under the Nine Springs, how should you face your ancestors. ”

"......" Kong Yanjin's face turned pale, and he was completely hit by Lu Jin's words. He is indeed extremely afraid of such a result, he is at this age, he doesn't care about anything else, the only thing he values is the reputation of Kongmen.

He stared straight at Lu Zhen for a long time, and after being sure that the threatening words could not move the other party at all, his tone finally softened: "Governor Lu, why are you doing this?" Being an enemy of my Kong family like this won't do you the slightest. ”

"Then you have to ask Yan Shenggong, you guys." Lu Zhen wanted his attitude, leaned back on the chair, and said with a smile: "It was because you repeatedly ruined your own officials, and even used all kinds of vicious means to put me in a Jedi, so I had to fight back." You have to understand that this opening of the sea and the port is the decree of the Son of Heaven and the national policy implemented by the imperial court. As long as this official does this as it is, I am afraid that Your Majesty will be happy to punish those of you who dare to obstruct the national policy. ”

When the words were completely spoken, Kong Yanjin's spirit perked up a lot: "It seems that it is indeed the old man who underestimated the ability and determination of the governor, and this matter of opening the sea is really imperative?" ”

"Not bad. This is a great thing for the benefit of the country and the people, and it is a great thing for me to be strong, and whoever wants to stop it is to be the enemy of my Lu Zhen and the great tomorrow, and I will naturally do my best to destroy it. Lu Zhen gave an answer without hesitation, and the last four words aggravated the tone and made it seem murderous.

"If the old man can promise the Lord on behalf of the Kong family that he will never interfere in the opening of the sea again, I wonder if the Lord can raise his noble hand, as if this incident has never happened?" After knowing that he had completely fallen into passivity, Kong Yanjin had no choice but to make concessions. Compared with the old-fashioned insistence, of course, the reputation of one's own millennium is much more important.

But Lu Jin's reaction was beyond his expectations. thought that if he said this, the other party would inevitably get off the donkey, and then the two sides shook hands and made peace, but unexpectedly, he shook his head categorically: "If Yan Shenggong was willing to say this yesterday, this official would naturally not be." But this time and that time, and today, it is very different. ”

"But how are you doing?" Kong Yanjin's heart and face sank at the same time.

"After all, this is related to several lives, as an official of the imperial court, how can this official be exposed at will?" Lu Zhen replied righteously: "Of course, I am not an unreasonable person, as long as the old man is willing to agree to a few conditions for me, there is still room for redemption." ”

"Are you using this matter to blackmail the old man and the entire Kong family?"

"Yes, but I believe that as long as the reputation of the Kong family can be kept, the Holy Father of Yan will definitely not refuse any conditions." Lu Zhen actually recognized it directly.

At this moment, Kong Yanjin really didn't know what to say. After being stunned for a long time, Fang said: "Tell me what the requirements are." ”

"The first point, Yan Shenggong also mentioned just now, after today, your Confucian family must no longer obstruct the matter of opening the sea to your officials, whether it is words or deeds, whether it is the head of the family, or the servants of the family, there must be no more opposition to the opening of the sea." Lu Zhen solemnly raised a finger and said.

Kong Yanjin sighed, but still nodded: "The old man depends on you, I will restrain the upper and lower members of the family." ”

"Second, even if this matter is not made public, Kong Chengqing's crime cannot be forgiven. And he has done such a bad deed, he is no longer qualified to be the next Yan Shenggong, the old man should understand what I mean, right? ”

"You asked me to take away all his powers......" Kong Yanjin's face suddenly showed hesitation. In order to train this son to take over the Kong family, he has spent countless efforts in the past few decades. But as a result, he will now be dismissed as a successor because of Lu Jin's words, which makes it easy for him to decide.

But after hesitating for a while, he finally nodded in agreement. Indeed, what Kong Chengqing did was too bad, and it hurt his father's heart too much, such unworthy descendants are indeed not worthy of being the head of the Kong family anymore, otherwise the clan would not be convinced.

"Third," Lu Zhen raised his third finger, "The cost of the diagnosis and treatment of those poor women, as well as all the compensation for the other murdered women, your Kong family must give enough." In fact, thinking of the tragic scene in the cellar, Lu Zhen still hated to let Kong Chengqing fight with his life, but for the sake of the overall situation of opening the sea, he could only make concessions temporarily.

At this point, Kong Yanjin nodded without the slightest hesitation. He also felt that the Kong family should be responsible for this matter, and now it was the lightest to just take out a pen of money to support the dead and bury and compensation.

"Fourth, the Kong family should return the grain that the big families in front of you wanted, right?" Lu Zhen said, picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

Faced with this request, Kong Yanjin frowned: "Lord Lu, I'm afraid this matter is very difficult to do, last night there was indeed a fire in my house, and the grain hoarded in the granary was indeed burned." Now it's hard to even guarantee the amount of food in my house, let alone repay them. "Moreover, if my expectations are good, this fire is clearly what you let people put it, why do you want my Kong family to compensate? Although the latter words were not spoken, the expression on his face was undoubtedly revealed.

But he happened to meet a thick-skinned person like Lu Jin, so he didn't understand his reaction, but said to himself: "Although the grain has been destroyed, it can always be bought, as long as the Kong family is willing to pay, the official guarantees that this is not a problem." ”

The land in Shandong is quite fertile, although it is not as wide as the lake in the south of the Yangtze River, but it is still possible to grow grain for self-sufficiency, and generally no one will think of transporting grain to this side for sale. But now, Lu Zhen actually swore that he could buy food, which made Kong Yanjin think of something, and he glanced at him thoughtfully: "Governor Lu really deserves the four words of foresight." ”

Lu Zhen still didn't pay attention to the four words that were clearly praised, and just smiled: "Of course, Yan Shenggong can also refuse this proposal of this official." It's just that in this way, those people outside will continue to make trouble, and when the time comes, it's hard to say whether they will let the matter be publicized. ”

Speaking of which, can Kong Yanjin still say no? Even if he knew that this was the other party's blackmail, he could only pinch his nose and admit it: "Okay, according to what the governor said, my Kong family will compensate them for all the grain." ”

Lu Zhen smiled with satisfaction: "Yan Shenggong is really atmospheric enough, and this official admires it." As long as your Confucian family can do these four things well, I dare to guarantee that today's affairs will never be leaked, and the Confucian family is still a family of saints admired by scholars all over the world. ”