The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror-Chapter 428 - 187: Kill North Kong for the Greater Good (2nd Update, Please Subscribe)_2

Can this still be done?

But he has already received the letter delivered by Xu Qing’s swift messenger, arriving just a bit later than General Yu’s petition, hence before attending court, he already knew this was yet another scheme by his son-in-law.

Mr. Feng had to admit that Gongming indeed found a way to plead for the people.

In terms of talent for helping the world, he did not match up to Gongming.

This method was very bold, yet the approach was particularly clear.

Moreover, the petition straightforwardly proclaimed the ironclad evidence discovered of North Kong collaborating with the Hu people and Eastern Yi people.

Ironclad evidence, solid as a mountain!

Send tens of thousands of troops, and even without ironclad evidence, you will create it.

Therefore, none of the Ministers of the Court questioned this point.

In fact, North Kong’s departure from the historical stage was already a foregone conclusion, General Yu’s petition was nothing more than the final nail in the coffin, ensuring their inability to overturn the situation.

The only unfortunate thing was that these rioters could not be taught a lesson.

After all, they were clear that this was, by all means, an act of defiance against those above.

For the Grand Secretary and the Emperor, there was also an unfavorable aspect—having already decreed the extermination of the rebels, this new development would undoubtedly damage the Court’s prestige and lose face for the Emperor.

The image of the Emperor carried the heaviest burden in the whole world; once face is lost, it would be as unpleasant as swallowing a fly.

The key point was, not handling it this way would be detrimental to quelling civil unrest in East Mountain Province.

The current strategy, though perhaps not the best, indeed constituted a good plan, albeit sullied slightly.

What else could be done?

Seeing the officials in heated discussion, the Grand Secretary knew that the sooner this matter was settled, the less loss there would be. He gave Feng Xifeng a meaningful glance.

Given orders by Xu Qing, Mr. Feng refused to take the lead, acting as if he were a lost soul on the spot, like a wooden pile.

The Grand Secretary silently cursed, then glanced at Chen Fu.

Chen Fu sighed silently but did not refuse. He was indeed the man for the dirty work, his role clearly defined.

But constantly doing dirty work, he was not pleased.

In the official circle, such disgusting affairs were indeed too common; Chen Fu could only grit his teeth and push for the Court to strictly punish North Kong, to bring justice to the righteous citizens of East Mountain Province.

As for mutinies, they were nothing new in the Great Yu Dynasty. Incidents of mutinies over unpaid military salaries in the Nine Borders were too many to track. It was practically impossible to investigate each one.

With Vice Minister of Ministry of Revenue of such high rank taking the lead in this matter, the pressure on others lessened greatly; if not echoing the view, at least no one opposed.

Even if some Pure Stream scholars spoke in favor of North Kong, everyone else acted as if they hadn’t heard.

And these defenses, in reality, were the Pure Stream adhering to their image, regardless of the situation they had justified the silver from North Kong.

Could they really lose their lives over such an amount of money?

Once the overall situation was set, the Cabinet immediately drafted the document.

...

...

After leaving court, the officials discussed heatedly.

"Alas, who would have thought that Yansheng Gong Mansion, with a millennium of heritage, would end up like this."

"This matter concerns the overall situation, we’ve all tried our best."

Some Pure Stream scholars hesitated to speak, as it was always the small figures who were sacrificed for the greater good – when has a figure of Duke Yan Sheng’s stature ever been the sacrifice?

It’s like defying the order of the heavens!

But these things couldn’t be voiced.

After all, you may think as you will but you cannot speak out.

Does it mean that the small figures are deservedly sacrificed for the greater good?

If such words were spoken, could anyone face themselves?

Even though the Pure Stream always acted unprincipled, they wouldn’t dare to openly discuss this matter.

The officials seeking fame, however, displayed outright righteousness, "How could one family’s crying compare to many along the road?"

Directly quoting the words of the sages to polish their reputation.

Some officials echoed: "We hear of executing the rebel Kong family but not of executing the descendants of Saints."

These voices gradually took the mainstream.

After all, to execute the descendants of Saints brought considerable mental pressure to those in the Confucian sect; now everyone citing classics and scripture, realized that, indeed, the Confucian classics had long provided explanations.

Suddenly, everyone felt much more at ease; self-comforted.

The atmosphere was filled with joviality.

What relation do the scholars and powerful families of East Mountain Province have to them?

Some officials were already calculating how much they might benefit from the inventory of Kong Mansion’s properties after the pass through their hands.

Seen in this light, it wasn’t such a bad thing.

...

...

Yansheng Gong Mansion.

Under siege by the rebels and Rebel Army, after initial chaos, Yansheng Gong Mansion had calmed down.

The Kong family had their own Martial Artists and house servants, plus Yansheng Gong Mansion was a formidable fortress, with the surrounding Rebel Army nothing but a motley crowd.

Even with the formidable figures, the mansion had masters to deal with them.

There would be enough food in the mansion to last a year and a half.

The situation wouldn’t descend into total chaos.

Moreover, they had already received news that the Court was sending troops to suppress the rebellion.

Although they were uncertain of what the Court would ultimately do with them, from the information they had, these rioters had committed the act of rebellion.

This alone was enough.

"Once the siege on our mansion is lifted, we must settle the score with these lowlives."

"I have an idea, to let these lowlives know that their demise was caused by Xu Gongming; if not for Xu Gongming’s slander, they wouldn’t have rebelled, nor would they have met such a fate."

"Yes, when we go out, we must reveal the true face of this hypocrite Xu Gongming."

"I’ve heard that troubles have arisen at the borders, and the Eastern Yi people are also attacking the coastal State of our province, the Court probably has a massive headache now. I reckon the Central authorities are quite critical of the trouble Xu Gongming has caused."

Some of the clan elders took delight in the disaster.

Duke Yan Sheng also regained his composure.

Everything was within his plans.

Clear to him, the Court would surely punish North Kong, but in a world witnessing frequent chaos, would the Court still dare to continue punishing them harshly?