Chapter 596
What was bound to happen has finally happened!
He is about to take over as prime minister, and his future governance requires a relatively "clean" background and sufficient authority. He must not be associated with stigmas such as "persecution of the descendants of saints" or "leaking secrets of the forbidden country" at such a sensitive time.
Therefore, he gritted his teeth and firmly denied it, putting on an innocent look that said, "I really don't know anything. Don't ask me, go ask Grand Secretary Xue."
Seeing his unyielding and feigned ignorance, no one believed him at all.
However, Hong Chengchou held a superior position and was about to rise to a higher level, so they couldn't force him too much.
Just as the standoff was reaching its conclusion, Fan Jingwen and the others were about to try a different approach to continue their questioning when the tightly closed door to the living room was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
A high-pitched voice, tinged with a hint of amusement yet carrying the reserved air typical of palace women, peeked in at just the right moment:
"Oh my, the Xue family residence is quite lively today. I could hear voices from far away, and I wondered who it was. It turns out that all the Grand Secretaries and Ministers are gathered here."
The sound seemed to possess a magical power, instantly silencing the noisy living room. Everyone turned around and looked towards the doorway.
The newcomer wore a forked hat, a scarlet inner garment, and an imperial bullfighting robe. He was fair-skinned and beardless, with the enigmatic smile typical of palace eunuchs. Who else could he be but Wang Chengen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial and the most trusted advisor to the Emperor?
Upon seeing the emperor's closest advisor, the Grand Chancellor, arrive suddenly, everyone was startled and quickly suppressed their excitement, bowing respectfully in greeting.
"So it's Eunuch Wang."
"I am deeply sorry for not being able to greet you properly, Eunuch Wang."
Wang Chengen returned the greeting with a smile, his gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone in the living room, finally settling on those faces filled with anxiety and doubt. He continued in his gentle tone, asking:
"Gentlemen, what brings you all here today? Have you all gathered at Grand Secretary Xue's residence? Could it be... that you've all come to inquire about Grand Secretary Xue's health?"
This question left everyone feeling awkward, and they looked at each other, unsure how to answer.
They should have been handling official business in their respective government offices at this moment, but instead they gathered at the Grand Secretary's private residence, which was already somewhat "illogical," let alone at such a sensitive time. If someone with ulterior motives were to accuse them of "forming cliques and discussing private matters" or "spying on the inner palace," it would be a real problem.
Wang Chengen seemed unconcerned about their predicament, and continued to speak with a smile:
"Alright, alright. Since you gentlemen can't get into Grand Secretary Xue's house, then I'll be so bold as to take you all in with me. That way, you won't have to wait here in vain."
After saying that, without waiting for anyone's response, he walked straight to the inner door leading to the backyard, raised his hand, and knocked three times, neither too hard nor too soft.
"Tap, tap, tap."
The knocking was clear and steady.
Immediately afterwards, Wang Chengen cleared his throat and said loudly to the person inside the door:
"My master, Wang Chengen, has come to inquire on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince. Please inform Grand Secretary Xue."
The words "Your Highness the Crown Prince" were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples in everyone's hearts. Everyone, including the ever-calm Hong Chengchou, felt a slight tremor in their hearts.
They heard it clearly: Wang Chengen said "by the Crown Prince's oral decree," not "by His Majesty's decree!" This meant that Wang Chengen had just been to the Eastern Palace and had been sent by Crown Prince Zhu Cilang! The Crown Prince had indeed learned everything that had happened in the court and had reacted immediately!
Just as everyone was filled with doubt and uncertainty, the inner door, which had remained unmoved no matter how much pressure Fan Jingwen and the others applied, suddenly creaked open from the inside.
Several servants from the Xue family appeared at the door, their faces showing obvious fear and unease, and they quickly bowed and made way for them.
Just kidding. If other ministers came to visit, and the master ordered that the doors be closed to guests, they would naturally dare to stop them.
But the people who came were from the palace, and they were the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, representing His Highness the Crown Prince to ask questions! They wouldn't dare to be negligent or obstructive in the slightest, even if they had ten times the courage.
Wang Chengen ignored the servants' panic, stepped over the threshold, and went inside. After taking a couple of steps, he seemed to remember something, stopped, turned to the side, smiled slightly at the ministers still standing in the living room, somewhat at a loss, and gestured for them to enter.
"Gentlemen, now that you're all here, why don't we go in together? Perhaps it's better to clarify some things in front of everyone."
Having said that, how could anyone refuse?
Moreover, their thirst for the truth had already overwhelmed everything else. Fan Jingwen was the first to react, lifting the corner of his robe as he said in a deep voice:
"Since Eunuch Wang has given the order, then we will take the liberty of disturbing you."
After saying that, he went inside, and the others quickly followed.
Hong Chengchou hesitated for a moment, his eyes meeting Wang Chengen's seemingly gentle but unfathomable gaze. He sighed inwardly, knowing that there was no way to avoid it today, and could only follow.
Xue Guoguan's study.
Almost at the same time that Wang Chengen knocked on the inner door and introduced himself, a quick-witted and agile servant of the Xue family rushed into Xue Guoguan's study in the backyard, where he was alone, and immediately reported everything that had happened in the front hall to Xue Guoguan, who was sitting at his desk with a pale face.
Upon hearing the words "the Crown Prince's oral decree," Xue Guoguan felt his head buzz and his vision go black, as if the sky were about to collapse!
The thing he feared most had finally come to pass, and it came so quickly!
In fact, on his way back from court, and until he locked himself in his study, Xue Guoguan was tormented by endless regret, fear, and inner conflict.
He regretted it, regretted that he had acted impulsively and made such a drastic obstruction in the court, in front of everyone.
This is not merely "disobeying the imperial decree," but a breach of trust! He has broken his promise to His Highness the Crown Prince, with whom he had just held a secret meeting the day before and made a commitment! Moreover, the Emperor was clearly aware of this, and his actions amount to disobeying both the Emperor and the Crown Prince simultaneously! In any dynasty, this would be an extremely dangerous act, capable of bringing about a great disaster.
He knew all too well the Crown Prince's methods. Young in age, yet shrewd and decisive, he possessed the formidable military achievements of sweeping through Liaodong and annihilating the Jurchens, along with his soaring prestige. His own "last-minute betrayal," disrupting the Crown Prince's entire plan and putting him and the Emperor in a passive position in court, was not something the Crown Prince would easily let go of.
Perhaps, considering his years of assisting in government and his advanced age and declining health, they won't take his life. But to retire gracefully and peacefully as he had previously envisioned, returning home in glory, is probably just a pipe dream and wishful thinking.
Upon thinking of this, Xue Guoguan felt his heart burning with anxiety and could not live a day without fear.
But he also has his own difficulties and insurmountable psychological barriers.
The sage's way of Confucius has been passed down in China for more than two thousand years, and has long been integrated into the blood and become the cornerstone of civilization.
Throughout history, regardless of who ruled the country, all revered Confucius and Confucianism, regarding him as the "Supreme Sage and Teacher." Scholars throughout the land regarded Confucius as their spiritual idol and pillar of faith. As a result, the lineage of the Duke Yansheng, as the direct descendants of the sage, enjoyed a thousand years of honor and privilege, almost becoming the secular symbol of the "orthodox tradition."
Now, the emperor is going to publicly read aloud in the solemn court, in front of all the civil and military officials, a secret letter that proves that the current Duke Yansheng is colluding with foreign enemies and shamelessly serving the barbarians! This is not just a trial of Kong Yinzhi personally; it is as if the faces of all scholars in the world who believe in Confucianism and Mencius have been stripped off, thrown on the ground, and then trampled and rubbed on!
Xue Guoguan had studied the classics for sixty years and served as a court official for thirty. His very being was imbued with the belief that "a scholar can be killed but not humiliated" and "upholding the dignity of the Confucian tradition." He simply could not bear to watch that letter, which was enough to tarnish the reputation of the sages and destroy the spiritual pillar of the scholarly community, be made public!
In that instant, his blood boiled, and his years of faith and sense of responsibility as a civil servant leader overwhelmed his fear of power, leading him to make that impulsive, reckless move. But after the impulse came the cold reality and endless troubles. It was too late for regrets.
Xue Guoguan sighed deeply, a sigh filled with the sorrow and helplessness of a hero's end. He knew that what was coming would eventually come. He straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, straightened his back, which was slightly hunched from years of working at his desk, and walked slowly toward the door of his study with heavy steps.
When he opened the door, a large group of high-ranking officials, including Wang Chengen, Fan Jingwen, and Hong Chengchou, had already entered the small courtyard outside the study.
The sunlight was a bit too bright, making Xue Guoguan's vision blur for a moment.
Upon seeing Wang Chengen, Xue Guoguan forced out a smile that was more like a grimace, and slightly bowed:
"I am deeply grateful for your presence, Eunuch Wang. I am also honored to welcome you. My colleagues are also here."
Wang Chengen maintained his professional smile, returned the greeting, and spoke in a calm tone:
"You're too kind, Grand Secretary Xue. I'm just following orders."
Xue Guoguan stepped aside, made a "please" gesture, and said in a hoarse voice:
"Eunuch Wang, gentlemen, please come into the study to talk."
The group entered the study in turn.
Xue Guoguan's study was quite spacious and elegantly furnished, with shelves full of books and the faint scent of ink.
But at this moment, a dozen or so high-ranking officials dressed in scarlet and blue robes suddenly flooded in, making it extremely crowded and even turning around was difficult.
The servants who followed him in were at a loss. They wanted to move chairs and serve tea, but Xue Guoguan sternly stopped them with his eyes.
Who would be in the mood for tea at a time like this?
After the last person entered, Xue Guoguan personally stepped forward and slowly closed the heavy, carved wooden door of the study. The slight creaking sound of the hinges turning was particularly clear in the silent room, as if it were closing off some possibility.
With a "click," the latch fell.
The air in the study seemed to freeze instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes were on Xue Guoguan and Wang Chengen.
Xue Guoguan turned around to face Wang Chengen and the room full of his colleagues.
He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength to support his aged body, his voice trembling slightly, yet he tried his best to maintain the composure of a high-ranking official:
"Eunuch Wang, what instructions does His Highness the Crown Prince have? This old minister is all ears."
Wang Chengen nodded, his usual smile fading, his expression becoming solemn and serious.
His gaze swept over everyone in the room, pausing slightly on the faces of Fan Jingwen, Hong Chengchou, and others, before he spoke clearly. His voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight, striking a chord in everyone's heart:
"His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered me to come and convey a few words to Grand Secretary Xue and all the other officials."
He paused, then continued:
"His Highness said that although there were some twists and turns in what happened at the morning court, it should be put aside and not mentioned again. As long as the matter of 'relocating some of the collateral branches of the Confucius family to educate Liaodong and Korea' can be carried out smoothly according to the original plan, then all other details are insignificant. What His Highness wants is the result, a result that is beneficial to the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty's borders."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the study varied.
Fan Jingwen and the others looked puzzled, clearly not understanding why the Crown Prince was so "magnanimous" in so easily overlooking Xue Guoguan's act of disobeying orders in court. Hong Chengchou, however, lowered his eyes, understanding perfectly—the Crown Prince was giving him a way out, but also drawing a line.
The matter must be done; everything else can be discussed.
Xue Guoguan felt no relief, but rather a heavier burden. He knew that the Crown Prince's "not pursuing the matter" was not magnanimity, but conditional, a transaction.
Sure enough, Wang Chengen changed the subject, reached into the sleeve of his crimson robe, and slowly took out a letter.
The letter was ordinary, but at this moment, it seemed to exude an invisible, heart-pounding pressure in everyone's eyes.
Wang Chengen held the letter in his hand, but did not hand it over immediately. Instead, he looked at Xue Guoguan and slowly said:
"Besides that, His Highness the Crown Prince has another item that he wants me to personally deliver to Grand Secretary Xue. His Highness said that this item is to be handed over to Grand Secretary Xue... for full disposal."
Wang Chengen emphasized the words "full authority to handle" a little too much.
After saying that, he stepped forward and handed the thin envelope to Xue Guoguan with both hands.
Xue Guoguan's pupils contracted sharply the moment he saw the envelope! He was all too familiar with this envelope! This was the very "secret letter" that Wang Chengen had taken from the wooden box on the imperial desk during the morning court session, and which the emperor had ordered to be retrieved after Xue Guoguan's desperate attempts to stop him!
The Crown Prince... actually entrusted me with this letter, a letter powerful enough to cause an earthquake? And he even said he had "full authority to handle it"?
Xue Guoguan's hands trembled uncontrollably.
The study was deathly silent.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Xue Guoguan and the letter.
Although they did not yet know the specific contents of the letter, judging from Xue Guoguan's ghost-like reaction and Wang Chengen's solemn attitude, even a fool could tell that this letter must contain the ultimate answer to all the mysteries of the day, as well as a secret that could bring the Confucius family to ruin and turn the court upside down!
In the end, Xue Guoguan's hand, covered with age spots and bulging veins, trembled as he accepted the secret letter from Wang Chengen.
The moment the thin, yet seemingly immensely heavy envelope fell into his palm, Xue Guoguan felt all his strength drain away, his mind went blank, and for a moment he was speechless, simply staring blankly at the envelope. (End of Chapter)