The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 406 - 179: A Murderous Intent, Heaven and Earth Overturned (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 406: Chapter 179: A Murderous Intent, Heaven and Earth Overturned (Please Subscribe)

Mr. Feng stepped forward, his spirit soaring as he pleaded for the people. After a moment of silence, an official said, "Mr. Feng, let’s not discuss whether the issue with Duke Yan Sheng’s bloodline is true or false, but his titled position, conferred by His Majesty through imperial decree, there is no doubt about that, right?"

"Indeed," Mr. Feng agreed, sensing unease at the sudden introduction of this topic.

That official spoke to the Emperor, "Your servant believes that it is an undeniable fact that Yansheng Gong Mansion incited the civil unrest and should be severely punished."

Seeing him propose harsh punishment for Yansheng Gong Mansion, Mr. Feng, far from feeling relieved, furrowed his brow even deeper.

However, there was no turning back on this matter. In the Great Yu Dynasty, local officials who incited civil unrest were always dealt with severely. Moreover, there was no precedent in our dynasty for not executing scholars—such grave crimes could well lead to loss of life.

After all, our Grand Ancestor was someone who seized the world through a peasants’ uprising, and our dynasty has always been vigilant against such threats.

Once this tone was set, other officials quickly echoed in agreement.

Truly, it was out of the question for North Kong to shirk responsibility for this affair.

Officials quickly reached a consensus on this matter.

Yet, something didn’t sit right with Feng Xifeng.

After they finished discussing the crimes of North Kong, that official said, "Your Majesty, your servant requests punishment for those who incited chaos among the people."

It was then that Feng Xifeng finally understood what was amiss.

The atmosphere shifted immediately.

The topic was no longer about comforting those involved in the civil unrest, but how to deploy troops to suppress them, capture these individuals, and then decide how to deal with them.

Someone suggested executing them on the spot.

Others proposed sending them to beef up Liao Dong’s defenses.

For to these subjects, rebelling against superiors was the greatest sin of all.

In the eyes of the officials, there was no excuse for the severe treatment by North Kong to justify their rebellion against authority.

Even if Duke Yan Sheng had issues with his bloodline, before his title was contested in the Court, he was still part of the scholars and noble class. Some officials even offered heart-piercing comments: what if one day, the mob, using similar reasoning, attacked members of the Imperial Family or close Princes? What then?

The hierarchy of ritual and status is the paramount principle of the land.

As Court officials heatedly debated, news arrived of urgent matters — the Golden Tent was leading a large army southwards, and there was unrest among the Jurchens in Liao Dong.

At this, everyone immediately spoke in unison.

With the Yellow River flooding, not only was disaster relief for the victims necessary, but military provisions were also crucial. If they were lenient with the rioters from Kong Mansion, capturing them alive, the current Taicang grain reserves would be entirely insufficient.

In fact, the issue of the grain was an excuse.

It was the Ministers signaling their stance: North Kong could be punished, but the rioters who rose against their superiors must not be spared.

This served the common interest of all scholars, nobles, and even the Emperor.

In short, rebellion was a sin, utterly unforgivable!

Even as Feng Xifeng fervently argued his case, he could not sway the will of the Ministers, and the resolution to deploy troops to suppress the civil unrest at Kong Mansion was passed — all those involved in the rebellion were to be executed without inquiry into their reasons.

...

...

After leaving the Court, Feng Xifeng was despondent.

He wondered, if Gongming were here, would he have found a way to change the resolution of the Ministers? He couldn’t think of one.

In truth, the fate of Kong Family was already sealed.

This time, North Kong could no longer enjoy wealth and honor.

After they were prosecuted, their lands, naturally confiscated by the Court, would soon be divided among scholars and nobles. Of course, this process would surely take years, and in the meantime, some benefits might trickle down to the common folk who hadn’t rebelled.

After all, with fewer people, the same lands still needed tending.

Improved treatment was inevitable.

Walking home, he felt profound disappointment in the Court, yet did not know where to direct this frustration. It seemed as if everyone was right, and yet everyone was wrong.

Shortly after returning home, someone from Yanyue Hall arrived, indicating that the Grand Secretary wished to see him.

Thus, Feng Xifeng went to Yanyue Hall.

While he had previously held much respect for the Grand Secretary, today he felt much less of it, yet he also understood him.

"Qiu Yuan, do you feel disappointed that I passed this resolution today?" the Grand Secretary asked bluntly.

"Your subordinate wouldn’t dare."

"Heh, ’wouldn’t dare;’ that means you indeed think so in your heart."

Feng Xifeng replied, "Prime Minister, your subordinate understands your predicament. If those people are not strictly punished, it would be difficult to secure the cooperation of officials in the Court for disaster relief and border crises, which could lead to even greater harm. Even if your subordinate were in the Prime Minister’s position, he could not think of another solution."

The Grand Secretary spoke, "In any decision, personal motives are inevitable. Without pacifying these individuals, the victims of the Yellow River floods and the people on the frontiers would suffer greatly. If we let the barbarians from the grasslands breach the pass, there would be even more who suffer."

He sighed, adding, "Qiu Yuan, I too am human. I indeed haven’t done well enough."

The bitter and weighty emotion in his words left Feng Xifeng at a loss for response, so he bowed and said, "Prime Minister, your subordinate is willing to go to East Mountain Province to appease the people."

The Grand Secretary shook his head, "This issue arose because of your son-in-law. Your going there would only intensify conflict. Now, for the sake of overall stability, you shouldn’t do anything."

Feng Xifeng felt a tightness in his chest.

For the sake of overall stability, the oppressed people forced into rebellion could be sacrificed; not a single chance for survival would be granted to them.

Feng Xifeng suddenly realized that this was indeed the way the Court handled problems at the grassroots level.

Without these rioters, the problem would naturally be resolved.

He couldn’t help but say, "Prime Minister, I still have something to say. The Kong Mansion’s wealth accumulated over many years, countless money and grains, if confiscated for the public use, could indeed address the current difficulties."