Luo Jindong was the first to speak: "How does Kong Zhixian County think this matter should be handled?"
Kong Chengping cursed in his heart, old fox, if the ball is kicked at your feet, you still have to kick it back?
"This case involves the Confucius family. I should avoid suspicion because of my humble position. I hope the prefect will handle it impartially. If the fault is really the Confucius family's fault, how should I be punished according to Ming law? No matter what the punishment is."
Luo Jindong still had a smile on his face, but he began to curse in his heart.
When it comes to dealing with things fairly, isn’t it just asking me to protect your Kong family?
Over the years, the Kong family has done less things of bullying men and dominating women?
However, for the sake of Duke Yansheng, no one dares to touch your Kong family.
However, these people don't know what it is, and they actually know how to use Da Gao to complain, and they vaguely feel that this matter is not simple.
How could five people come to sue the same defendant at the same time?
What's more, these five people are not involved in the same case at all, and many of them are old cases, some from ten years ago, some from five years ago, and some from three months ago. In short, things are very strange. p>
Could it be that someone wants to target the Confucius family?
However, who in the world has the courage...
Luo Jindong thought about it, but still couldn't figure it out. To be honest, he didn't dare to offend the Kong family. It seemed that the matter could only be suppressed.
Kong Chengping seemed to have seen through the other party's intention, and said: "But if someone deliberately framed me, I just ask the prefect to clear the name of the Kong family."
Luo Jindong cursed in his heart, this guy is not prepared to leave a way for others to survive!
Isn’t it enough for me to suppress the matter for you Kong family? Do you have to kill them all?
Kong Chengping was leisurely and contented. If he didn't give these people some delicious food, would he still think that Kong's Mansion was a vegetable market, where he could come and leave whenever he wanted?
Luo Jindong thought for a long time and then said: "That's how it should be."
Kong Chengping stood up and said: "That's enough work for me. I'll take my leave!"
Luo Jindong hurriedly said: "I came all the way here. Don't leave in a hurry. I will arrange accommodation and meals right now. Let's leave early tomorrow morning!"
Kong Chengping said politely: "As a humble official of the imperial court, you should understand the principle of 'your salary is your salary, and the people are fat and the people are anointed'. When you go out, you should keep everything simple so that you will not cause trouble to the prefect."
Seeing that he insisted on leaving, Luo Jindong had no choice but to say: "Kongzhi County is really a role model for me. In this case, I will not retain you. Please tell Kongzhi County to tell Duke Yansheng that this case will be handled impartially. Please also ask Duke Yansheng."
Just wait for the good news."
"Farewell!"
When Kong Chengping came out of the prefect's Yamen, Zhao Quan, the Yamen servant, came forward and asked, "Sir, did things go smoothly?"
Kong Chengping suddenly felt like he had fallen into an ice cave again.
This is Jin Yiwei's badge. Jin Yiwei... What are you doing to catch yourself?
"You are the county magistrate, and I am a hundred households. In terms of rank, we are at the same level, so don't be arrogant in front of me. Come, let me meet some acquaintances for you!"
As he was talking, he heard a commotion outside the door, and then he saw several people, dressed in ragged clothes and with bruises on their bodies, being dragged in front of them.
Kong Chengping took a closer look and saw that the one at the front turned out to be the county government’s accounting office!
Looking behind him, there were his own servants and county government servants. These people all had a common characteristic. Then, another person was thrown in front of him. This person was covered with injuries, and they were all new.
He was staring at himself with resentful eyes.
Isn’t this Zhao Quan?
"Do you understand?"
Kong Chengping couldn't help but tremble and asked: "Ming...understand what?"
"They have searched for all the dirty things you did, and the confession has been written for more than ten pages. I just happened to come and take a look. Do you have anything to add?"
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Kong Chengping looked at the stack of confessions in front of him, his face turned pale, his eyes darkened, and he drew away.
…………
At dusk the next day, a fast horse arrived at Jining Mansion.
Zhengjiazhuang is a stronghold of Jinyiwei. The person in charge is a Baihu, and there are only a few people under his command.
However, recently, a large number of people have been dispatched from the capital, and the small Zhengjiazhuang has become overcrowded.
"I've met Lord Qianshi in my humble position!"
Zhu Ji got off his horse and followed hundreds of households into Zhuangzi.
"How did it go?"
"My lord, that county magistrate Kong Chengping is a coward. He hasn't even been punished yet. He's just like pouring beans on him. He even revealed that when he was a child, he peeked at the widow next door taking a bath!"
"Do you have the evidence?"
“The witnesses and evidence are complete!”
"Well, take me to meet him!"
…………
Kong Chengping had long lost his previous arrogance. He knelt down in the hall and said with snot and tears: "I'm willing to say anything. I just ask you to spare my life..."
Zhu Ji sneered, I braved the wind and snow and came all the way from the capital to watch you beg for mercy?
He knew very well that this person had no intention of actually confessing, and these confessions were just a temporary measure.
Just wait for the limelight to pass and use the power of the Shenggong Mansion to get rid of any crime no matter how big it is.
However, I am afraid I will disappoint you this time!
"I have read all your confessions. For these crimes, it would not be an exaggeration to behead you immediately. Now I ask you, do you want to die or live?"
Hearing this, Kong Chengping's eyes immediately ignited with hope, and he quickly bowed his head and said: "I want to live, I want to live, please forgive me, I'm willing to explain everything!"
Zhu Ji stared at Kong Chengping and said calmly: "Do you know anything about Yanshenggong Kong Yanjin's intention to rebel?"
"Ah?"
Even if Kong Chengping was prepared, even if he was asked to plead guilty to a few trumped-up charges, he would admit it as long as he could survive.
However, it’s really hard to hold on to this hat!
At this moment, he suddenly remembered that it seemed that not long ago, Jin Yiwei had just issued a driving invitation to Yan Shenggong.
This incident caused a sensation for a while, and later Yan Shenggong personally went to Beijing to do the work.
It turns out that their target is not themselves, but Duke Yansheng.
And he... became the pawn used by Jin Yiwei to bring down Duke Yan.
At this moment, he quickly thought about a question in his mind: Who gave Jin Yiwei the courage to overthrow Yan Shenggong?
Suddenly, a thought appeared in his mind, and his face instantly turned pale...
Who else can command the Jin Yiwei?
Zhu Ji saw that he didn't answer, so he asked: "Let me say it again, do you know about Yanshenggong Kong Yanjin's intention to rebel?"
Kong Chengping suddenly felt like a quail that had shed its feathers, trembling and saying: "I don't know... I don't know..."
Because... I really don’t know!
How could Duke Yansheng rebel?
But he saw Zhu Ji looking at him with a look that could make people fall into an ice cellar.
"It seems that you don't want to fulfill yourself..."
Zhu Ji's eyes became pitiful, and Kong Chengping was full of grievances. Although he was only a county magistrate, because of the Kong family's background, no one had ever looked at him with such pity in his life.
In the end, he gave in and said with a cry: "I know a little... I know a little..."
Zhu Ji nodded with satisfaction and said, "Then tell me everything you know!"
Kong Chengping's face was extremely ugly, and he thought to himself, what did I say?
"This...this..."
"Forget it, let me ask!"
Zhu Ji thought for a while and asked the first question: "Have you participated, how much have you participated, and who is the mastermind?"
"No, no, no...I don't dare!"
Kong Chengping waved his hands repeatedly and said with fear: "I don't know anything. I just heard some hidden meanings from Yan Shenggong's words."
"What's the implication?"
"He said... things are going to change. He also said... I don't know how many people inside and outside the court are scolding the emperor behind his back."
"Why did you curse?"
"I don't know..."
"Huh?"
"I have heard some things, generally speaking about great achievements, cruelty and unkindness, especially those expressing dissatisfaction with the emperor's implementation of the New Deal."
Zhu Ji looked at him with interest: "It seems you agree with this."
Kong Chengping quickly denied it and said: "The emperor's implementation of the new policy is based on the principles of integrity. All people in the world admire the emperor's kindness, and I also admire the emperor... I admire him..."
Zhu Ji smiled even colder: "In that case, why don't you report it to the court immediately?"
Kong Chengping was trembling with fear and did not dare to say anything.
Zhu Ji added: "It seems you are still unwilling to tell the truth."
Kong Chengping's heart trembled again, and he kowtowed as if he was pounding garlic: "Say, I say... spare me..."
After that, he burst into tears again, and then he said in a clear voice: "Actually... I actually have some complaints against the emperor. The emperor ascended the throne, re-appointed Wang Zhen, and established a guard eunuch in Shandong... The land of the Kong family, Although it is not included in the collection of mining tax and commercial tax, but...but..."
"But the interests of your Kong family are also harmed?"
"Yes...yes..."
"Any more?"
"There is also... the New Deal. I have also said that some of the New Deal are not..."
Zhu Ji continued: "No matter what happens, no one will blame Yan Shenggong, but you are different. Although you are from the Confucian family, you are also an official of the imperial court, and now you are being used by others without knowing it! ”
Kong Chengping said quickly: "I know I was wrong. Please give me a chance. I am willing to expose Duke Yansheng Kong Yanjin's treason!"
Zhu Ji said coldly: "This is your last chance. If you don't explain the matter, I won't be able to help you!"
Kong Chengping seemed to have made up his mind and said: "Yanshenggong Mansion set up a private execution hall, and people's lives were taken lightly. Kong Yanjin once raped a woman. At that time, a victim came to the county government to file a complaint. The lower officials did not dare to accept the case because of Kong Yanjin's power. In this case, people were driven away."
"Is that person still there?"
"According to the lower official, the sufferer has been killed by Kong Yanjin's men!"
"Is there any evidence?"
"There is no evidence, but there are witnesses. There is a servant in the Kong family named Li Er. He is actually the killer raised by Kong Yanjin. He is usually responsible for killing people and stealing goods. Your Excellency, you can arrest Li Er and you will know at the first trial! ”
Zhu Ji nodded and asked: "Is there any more?"
"And..."
Kong Chengping thought for a while and said: "There are still a few cases. A few days ago, they went to the county government to file complaints, but the lower officials did not hear them. So these people took the imperial edict and came to Jining Mansion to redress their grievances. These cases are actually Chen's case.
The old cases were also committed by Kong Yanjin."
"This is not enough, I need you to provide evidence of Kong Yanjin's rebellion!"
"Conspiracy..."
Kong Chengping was really stumped. He was asked to report Kong Yanjin's many dirty things about bullying men and dominating women. However, when it came to treason, I really didn't know what to say...
As a descendant of the most holy teacher and the number one scholar in the world, there is no reason...
Because no matter who becomes emperor, the Kong family will not be able to go further, so why do they want to rebel?
Zhu Ji said slowly: "You must have heard about the White Lotus Sect's rebellion three months ago, right?"
"A little...a little knowledge!"
"Kong Yanjin has never had any contact with the White Lotus Sect?"
"I've never heard of this..."
"Huh?"
Zhu Ji's face was extremely ugly, and his tone was full of doubts.
Kong Chengping changed the topic: "I haven't heard of it, but it doesn't mean I haven't. As far as I know, Kong Yanjin has been secretly in contact with the White Lotus Sect very early. The White Lotus Sect has rebelled, and it is absolutely inseparable from Kong Yanjin!"