Xu Xianchun looked at Kong Yinzhi and said, "Of course I'm not here to chat with the Duke of Yansheng, but to discuss cooperation with him. This incident is an opportunity for us."
"I wonder what opportunity it is?" Kong Yinzhi said expressionlessly.
"A chance for the Kong family to save themselves, and a chance for me to get promoted and make a fortune." Xu Xianchun said with a smile: "I have already told you how serious this matter is, and now I am the one responsible for investigating this case."
"I don't want to cause too much trouble or make too much noise, so I think we have something to discuss."
"What do you mean?" Kong Yinzhi looked at Xu Xianchun and asked with a smile on his face.
He seemed to have regained his confidence, and he felt certain in his heart. His whole mental state was different.
In fact, this was exactly the case. Xu Xianchun had indeed frightened him just now. Now that Xu Xianchun said these words, Kong Yinzhi understood one thing: Xu Xianchun was just bluffing, and it was very likely that His Majesty had some intentions behind this.
To put it bluntly, the prestige of his Kong family is still there, and the prestige of his ancestors is still there. Although this matter is very serious, it will not really cause him any serious damage. In the end, it is nothing more than a minor punishment and a big warning.
In this situation, what is there to be afraid of? It's just a waste of money, and my family can afford it.
Xu Xianchun looked at Kong Yinzhi and said with a smile, "I don't need to explain the status of the Kong family. Duke Yansheng knows it well. Although I want to investigate the case, I don't want to offend all the scholars in the world. If that really happens, I'm afraid my future will not be good."
"But His Majesty also wants a result, so I want to discuss with Duke Yansheng to reach an outcome and put this matter behind us. This will allow His Majesty to get away with it, while also preserving the Kong family. It's the best of both worlds. Of course, after this is accomplished, the Kong family must also give me a thank-you gift."
After hearing Xu Xianchun's words, Kong Yinzhi felt even happier.
Fear and greed made Xu Xianchun make such a choice. It is not strange, and it is also a good thing for him.
So Kong Yinzhi asked, "Then I wonder what Master Xu plans to do?"
"This matter is very simple. Someone from the Kong family must take the blame, and it must be someone of some importance." Xu Xianchun looked at Kong Yinzhi and said, "I'm sure Duke Yansheng would agree with this, right?"
"Of course." Kong Yinzhi nodded and said, "I wonder who Master Xu has chosen?"
"Kong Shangsheng, the chief steward of your Kong family." Xu Xianchun didn't hide anything and said directly, "This person manages all of your Kong family's businesses. I just interrogated the shopkeeper who resold your grain in Jining. I think his name is Kong Shangli, right?"
"He has confessed that his superior is your family's chief steward, Kong Shangsheng. Everything was arranged by the chief steward. The collusion with officials and the reselling of grain were all done by the chief steward."
"I've already sent people to arrest the chief steward. Now all we have to do is make him confess his guilt and admit to colluding with the White Lotus Sect in rebellion. Otherwise..."
"And he put the blame on the chief steward himself. I'm afraid the Duke of Yansheng will have to take action on this matter."
After hearing this, Kong Yinzhi looked at Xu Xianchun and said nothing.
He was a little hesitant. This matter was too big. The position of foreign affairs steward in his family was too important. Moreover, in terms of seniority, he was his uncle's generation and had many people protecting him at home. He was a legitimate descendant of the Kong family.
If he handed over the housekeeper like this, he would be doomed. His family would probably blame him to death. Moreover, he would be charged with treason, a serious crime. If he took the blame, his wife and children might be implicated, and his reputation would be ruined.
"Can't you just pretend you were deceived?"
After a slight hesitation, Kong Yinzhi said, "Let's say the steward unknowingly sold the grain to the White Lotus Sect, and that the White Lotus Sect was behind everything. That way, things will become much easier."
"Master Xu, don't worry. As long as you can get this done, I will reward you handsomely. Our Kong family will also remember your kindness and will use all our connections to help you get promoted."
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Xu Xianchun sneered. "Now that this matter has become so serious, the White Lotus members in Jining have also been arrested. Won't they talk during the interrogation? What should I do if they open their mouths?"
"Deceiving Your Majesty is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and I will be dead. I will never do such a foolish thing, and you, Lord Yansheng, should not have such illusions. There is no room for discussion on this matter."
"If you can get your chief steward to confess, then this matter will end here. If he makes random accusations, he may not reveal anything. If that happens, your Kong family will be unable to explain, and neither will you. I don't need to tell you how things will develop by then."
Seeing Xu Xianchun's resolute attitude, Kong Yinzhi felt helpless.
Seeing Kong Yinzhi's silence, Xu Xianchun stood up and said, "It seems that everything I said before was in vain. Or is it that the Duke of Yansheng cannot make him confess his guilt, cannot make him willingly take the blame? If so, then I will take my leave and pretend that I have never been here today."
After saying this, Xu Xianchun walked out, looking like he was about to leave, obviously not wanting to continue talking nonsense here.
"Mr. Xu, please stay." Kong Yinzhi thought for a moment and said directly.
"Even so, I want to do this, but I can't do it in my current situation. I want to go out and contact people, but there is no way. I wonder how Lord Xu can help me?" Kong Yinzhi looked at Xu Xianchun and asked this question.
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