The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 401 - 177: Heaven’s Murderous Intent, Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations (Seeking Subscriptions)_2

Chapter 401: Chapter 177: Heaven’s Murderous Intent, Shifting Stars and Changing Constellations (Seeking Subscriptions)_2

Duke Yan Sheng had no idea how to refute.

The main problem was that Xu Qing had cited classics and pointed out those archaic phrases of surrender in their family records, which any somewhat historically grounded aristocratic family could verify, and the Imperial Family surely had corresponding records.

These stale and trivial matters would have gone unmentioned and forgotten by everyone.

Which aristocratic family hadn’t surrendered?

But the issue was that the article was bluntly accusing the North Kong, in their faces, with rationale and evidence.

"Duke Yan Sheng, this won’t do. Xu Gongming, on his own, infiltrated the East Sea Gang’s ship and emerged unscathed, showing the bravery of a Middle Ages’ tiger from Jiangdong, and with Jiangning Prefecture thousands of miles away, how can we possibly execute him?" An elder soberly stated, clarifying the stakes.

Other elders also began to come to their senses.

In the rumors, Xu Qing’s martial prowess was astonishing, and his writing was acclaimed as that of a reincarnated Saint.

Such a character was truly hard to deal with.

They couldn’t help but discuss fervently.

Duke Yan Sheng almost spat out another mouthful of blood.

Previously, when these old fools were affected, each of them treated Xu Qing like meat on the chopping block, thinking they could handle him as they pleased. Yet now, when it came to action, not a peep could be heard.

Duke Yan Sheng suppressed his rage, now he became very clear-headed, and said, "Everyone stop thinking of compromising with Xu Qing, this matter can’t be resolved amicably."

He understood very well that if Xu Qing’s slander had been about something else, even if it was about his affair with his aunt in his early years, it would not have hit the foundation of Kong Mansion.

But in the article, two major issues were raised, striking at the vital points, the very foundation on which North Kong stood in the world, and were unavoidable.

First, how to explain their lineage and heritage?

Second, concerning the submission records, how could they speak of loyalty and righteousness between sovereign and subject?

Especially the latter issue, it was extremely lethal.

Fearing these elders still did not understand the bigger picture, he earnestly explained the risks.

Only then did the elders realize that there was no room for compromise in this matter; either Xu Qing would fall, or North Kong would fall.

And even if they managed to refute Xu Qing, if the Emperor and the Grand Secretary protected him, at most they could label him as a maverick, but what then?

Wasn’t Chu the Mad still regarded as a wise man for openly mocking Master?

This was the most infuriating part.

At this moment, bringing up the origin of Jiangning Xu Family was no longer persuasive.

This kind of significant event was something the Yingtian Gu Family would surely not dare to raise their heads about. They were very clear about the behaviors of scholars and nobles - they only needed to look in the mirror.

Additionally, at such a time, to mention Xu Qing’s background only made North Kong seem like a cornered dog jumping over the wall, thereby acknowledging their faults, hence they were trying to smear him forcefully.

After all, Jiangning Xu Family was exterminated, leaving behind an orphan to be defamed as they liked.

An elder suggested, "The submission was justifiable. Didn’t other families do the same? In my opinion, the bigger the commotion..."

He made it clear, they needed to let the world know that it wasn’t only Kong Mansion that composed submission records, others did as well.

Stir the waters murky, wouldn’t the problem be solved?

Duke Yan Sheng’s face darkened upon hearing this, "You old fools, always claiming to be wise, but at the critical moment, only crap advice is given." He interjected, "Our foundation lies not in the title Duke Yan Sheng, but in the recognition of the scholar community. If we act as you suggest, wouldn’t we just offend those great families and lose their support and willingness to speak for us in the future?"

He became more agitated as he spoke; the great families have no shame.

Acting like this, we’ll have no friends.

Do they really take the others for their Kong Family’s serfs?

Actually, Duke Yan Sheng felt that Xu Qing was even more unreasonable. The Kong Family hadn’t made a move, yet he pulled such a stunt, and this article was definitely premeditated with someone’s guidance.

Who could it be?

Duke Yan Sheng felt that there was more depth to this than initially met the eye.

The leads in Xu Qing’s article suggest that without the support of a major power providing information, how could he, a lone Xu scion, gather it all?

Duke Wei Mansion?

Unlikely.

He thought of Duke Wei’s deep enmity with Xu Qing, and there was no conflict of interest with Duke Wei Mansion.

South Zhili’s Wang Family or Lu Family?

Duke Yan Sheng thought over and over again but couldn’t find a reason for these families to target them.

Eventually, his suspicion fell on the Grand Secretary and the Emperor.

"Must you, Zhang Tai’a, be so ruthless in your dealings?" Duke Yan Sheng believed he had found the "truth".

He was quick-witted, knowing that if they openly debated the errors in Xu Qing’s article, whether they won or not, they’d still lose.

The matter was indiscussable and indefensible.

Duke Yan Sheng composed himself and continued, "The problem started with Xu Qing, but the root of the problem is not Xu Qing himself."

He shared his analysis, hoping these old fools would understand and grasp what real wisdom is, so they wouldn’t always rely on their seniority to provide him with rotten advice.

After the elders understood, they became even more anxious; dealing with Xu Qing was one thing, but now the Grand Secretary and the Emperor wanted to force them into a corner.

They had only committed a mistake that any nobility in the world could make; was it so serious?

"So, Duke Yan Sheng, what do you intend to do?" an elder asked with a slightly trembling voice.

The current Emperor was well known for being petty; if he truly targeted them, it would be quite troublesome to deal with.

Duke Yan Sheng sighed and said, "Go back and make it clear to your subordinates, also communicate with the scholarly community, that the Emperor and the Grand Secretary want our Kong Mansion to cooperate with the land survey. Xu Gongming’s article is just dirty water they deliberately spilled to target us. A subject must die when his ruler wishes it, or else he is disloyal."

Facing towards the Capital, he removed his headdress and gave a deep bow.

The elders finally understood, it has to be Duke Yan Sheng after all.