Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 692 - 632: Who is Framing the Loyal and Good?

Chapter 692: Chapter 632: Who is Framing the Loyal and Good?

On the following day, atop the court.

The morning assembly had just begun when a minister stepped forward and knelt on the ground, kowtowing and crying as if he had suffered the death of his mother.

Emperor Kaihuang was in a relatively good mood today since his health had shown considerable improvement lately.

However, seeing this minister kowtowing and crying as soon as he came forward, he felt somewhat unlucky.

"Speak your mind! Speak... quickly!"

Emperor Kaihuang realized that after spending some time in the army, he seemed to have become a bit crude himself.

No, as the ruler of a nation, I must be more dignified.

It was at this point that the kneeling minister began his tearful complaint.

The issue he accused was that Zhang San had publicly insulted a Great Scholar and killed the Grand Preceptor at the Imperial College yesterday.

No sooner had these words been uttered than there was an uproar in the Imperial Court.

After all, not everyone was well-informed about everything that happened in the Capital.

At the same time, more ministers stood up to angrily denounce Zhang San’s actions from the day before.

They hoped that Emperor Kaihuang would severely punish Zhang San.

Zhang San asked Shen Wei in a low voice, "What’s going on with these people?"

Shen Wei replied, "They’re all Confucians."

Zhang San couldn’t help but wonder, "How come I haven’t noticed before that there are so many Confucians? Are they even more formidable than our Legalists?"

Shen Wei shook his head slightly.

"When it comes to Rune Arrays, Confucianism is inferior to our Legalism. Even in terms of Techniques and other areas, they are no match for us. It’s just that the emperors like the Confucian ideas of ruler to ruled, father to son, and so forth. Plus, whenever there’s an issue, they slap on the big accusations of disloyalty, undutifulness, inhumanity, and injustice. That’s why they can maintain their footing in the Imperial Court. Basically, every time there’s turmoil, they cower behind, and once it’s over, they start preaching benevolence and righteousness again."

Zhang San got it; these were just a bunch of useless people who only knew how to talk.

At this moment, after a group of ministers had knelt on the ground and finished their complaints as if in mourning, Emperor Kaihuang understood and glanced at Zhang San beside him.

Although he had heard about the incident from Cao Demeng’s report yesterday, since the ministers had brought it up in public, he naturally had to deal with it.

"Zhang San, they are accusing you. Explain yourself."

Standing up, Zhang San bowed to Emperor Kaihuang and then said, "The event of yesterday was a result of a Great Scholar at the Imperial College publicly slandering me for collaborating with the Tujue. This person has already admitted that everything was orchestrated by Minister of Rites Kong Youde."

"Additionally, Grand Preceptor Zhang Qingwen of the Imperial College attempted to assassinate me in public, and I executed him on the spot."

"I am unaware as to why anyone would use the Imperial College, a place for teaching and nurturing talents for the country, to spread rumors and slander a soldier who has served the Great Sui and shed blood for Emperor Kaihuang. Presumably..."

At this point, Zhang San glanced over at the group of Confucians kneeling beside him.

"Presumably, either the Tujue has bribed them to undermine the Great Sui from within, or some martial power has infiltrated certain factions within the court, trying to defame me as a means of attacking the Town Martial Office."

"Therefore, I request a thorough investigation into this matter!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Youde, who had been in the background, immediately stood up and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, your discerning eye will see, I have been utterly loyal to both you and the Great Sui. This Zhang San is slandering the loyal and the good! He... he has no evidence!"

At that moment, Shen Wei stood up.

"Your Majesty, as of yesterday, my Ministry of Punishment has already initiated an investigation into the assets of Zhang Qingwen, Grand Preceptor of the Imperial College, and Minister of Rites Kong Youde."

"According to the salaries these two receive from the Imperial Court, as well as their original family backgrounds, the wealth they now possess does not align with their incomes."

"Regarding Zhang Qingwen’s assets, because the amount is excessive, they are still being investigated and accounted for step by step. But the assets that have been discovered so far far exceed the range that Zhang Qingwen could legally acquire. As for Minister of Rites Kong Youde, after all, he is only suspected, so we have only conducted a preliminary investigation and found that his income exceeds the legal limit. However, exactly how much private property and abnormal income Kong Youde has is still unknown."

At this moment, Kong Youde felt his entire world crumbling.

For many years, Confucianism has been unable to overcome Legalism precisely because the Legalists can investigate you as long as they find an excuse.

And for Confucianism to contend with Legalism, it’s far too difficult.

Merely talking things through, after all, truly does no harm, and sometimes it even results in ridicule.

"Kaihuang, you are the paragon of wisdom! How could I, your loyal subject, possibly accept money from the Tujue people?"

Kong Youde crawled forward on his knees on the ground and cried out in anguish.

If it weren’t for Kaihuang sitting above, able to see that not a single tear was shed by Kong Youde, one might have actually believed he was truly crying.

Zhang San immediately added, "Since Minister Kong claims he hasn’t taken money from the Tujue people, naturally, I believe him."

Kong Youde was puzzled about why Zhang San would help him. Could it be that he had also learned the so-called ’core techniques’ of our Confucian feigned benevolence and righteousness?

Just then, Zhang San continued, "Then Minister Kong must be colluding with martial forces opposed to the Imperial Court. I request that the Town Martial Office cooperate fully in the investigation!"

I freaking knew it!

At this moment, Kong Youde almost crushed his yellow teeth in anger, wishing he could curse out loud right there and then.

At this point, all Kong Youde could do was kneel on the ground and loudly proclaim his innocence, pleading for Kaihuang to uphold justice on his behalf.

And this time, Kong Youde really did burst into tears.

Not because his acting skills suddenly peaked at that moment, but because he had just noticed a look in Kaihuang’s eyes that seemed agreeable to Zhang San’s request.

In these times, what official could withstand an investigation!

So, at that instant, Kong Youde was truly scared into crying.

Kaihuang answered coldly, "Since indeed a lot of money has appeared, can you, Minister Kong, provide a clear explanation for it? If not, then drag him away and behead him! And then execute everyone in the Kong family as well!"

Hearing these words, Kong Youde was so frightened he nearly passed out.

The officials who had been kneeling on the ground, accusing Zhang San, now lay flat with their heads down, hoping Kaihuang would not notice them.

Even the Crown Prince, who had been silent all day, had a layer of fine sweat on his forehead.

Minister of Rites Jiang Huaiyuan and Minister of Rites Kong Youde were both individuals he had recently drawn to his camp.

Was he about to lose one of them now?

But the Crown Prince knew that if he were to speak up and plead now, not to mention that his father the Emperor would certainly be displeased, more importantly, Zhang San would definitely take the opportunity to hammer down on Kong Youde and possibly even implicate him.

Kong Youde, rest assured, if you die, I will definitely take good care of your wife and daughter!

After all, with something like the execution of an entire family, there are plenty of ways to swap out a few people.

Especially when it comes to female relatives.

Kong Youde, don’t worry, although I can’t save the males in your family, I, the Crown Prince, will ensure that your female relatives are preserved as much as possible.

At this moment, Kong Youde truly panicked and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, although my family wealth has increased slightly, I have merely committed embezzlement, truly not colluding with the Tujue people! I beg your Majesty for mercy, please spare my family members!"