My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

They had expected today's discussion to be either about the handover of the premiership or the awarding of prizes, but instead, they were given this unexpected response. Had they been mistaken? Was this trip not for what they truly desired?
The next second, Zhu Cilang's calm yet penetrating voice rang out clearly in the secret room, like a depth charge dropped into their ears:
"As you all know, although the court has just recovered Liaodong and Korea, relying solely on military force is ultimately only a temporary solution. To truly transform that land into the eternal territory of our Great Ming, and to make the people there, whether Han, Manchu, or Korean, wholeheartedly identify with the Great Ming and regard themselves as subjects of the Great Ming, is not something that can be accomplished in one generation; it requires decades of gradual and subtle influence."

He paused, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at the two of them:

"Therefore, after repeated discussions between myself and my father, it has been decided to relocate the lineage of the Duke Yansheng to Liaodong and Korea!"

"what?!"

Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou jumped up from their chairs almost simultaneously, their expressions instantly freezing from anticipation and excitement into utter astonishment and disbelief.

Their pupils contracted sharply as they stared intently at Zhu Cilang, as if they had heard some fantastical tale, or even some outrageous and treacherous statement.

What did they hear? This Crown Prince, who had just achieved unparalleled merit and whose prestige was at its zenith, actually said he wanted to relocate the lineage of Confucius to Liaodong?!
This is utterly ridiculous! If Confucius were to go to the desolate and harsh Liaodong, what would become of all the scholars and Confucianists in the world? What would become of the Confucian tradition? What would become of civility? This is not only absurd, it is tantamount to shaking the foundations of the nation and desecrating the faith of all scholars!
The next second, Xue Guoguan, the seasoned and prudent Grand Secretary, disregarded etiquette and blurted out urgently:

"Your Highness! This is absolutely unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!"

Hong Chengchou, standing to the side, disregarded any pretense of being about to assume the position of Grand Secretary and quickly echoed, his voice trembling slightly:
"Your Highness! This matter is of utmost importance, concerning the cultural heritage of the entire nation. It is absolutely unacceptable!"

Seeing the two leading civil officials of the court turn pale and look extremely anxious, Zhu Cilang was not surprised.

He understood the psychology of these literati all too well; Confucius was their root, their spiritual totem.

Now that someone wants to move this statue to the harsh, cold land beyond the Great Wall, it's no wonder they're jumping up and down in a panic.

Zhu Cilang remained unmoved, maintaining that unsettling composure, and slowly waved his hand:

"My two ministers, please calm down. Although I say this, how could I not know the weight Confucius holds for the scholars of the world? Therefore, what I want to relocate is not the direct line of Confucius, but the collateral branches, those distant descendants who have long since become parasites and are merely empty shells."

However, the two of them did not relax at all upon hearing this.

Because they are all too familiar with the "testing" and "precedents" in officialdom. This may only be the first step. Today they relocate collateral branches, tomorrow will they relocate the Duke of Yansheng? Once this door is opened, the blame will be placed on them sooner or later.

A descendant of a sage going to Liaodong? This is an unprecedented and utterly shameful disgrace!
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Xue Guoguan's forehead, and he quickly said:
"Your Highness, why must it be this way? Even if we truly wish to educate the people of Liaodong and Korea, it is not necessary for the descendants of Confucius to go there. We can directly select impoverished scholars, even those who have passed the imperial examinations or the provincial examinations, from all over the Ming Dynasty, provide them with generous salaries, and send them there. This will achieve the same goal of promoting education!"

Hong Chengchou also nodded hurriedly:

"That's right, Your Highness! The key to education lies in finding the right people, and it doesn't necessarily have to be this one school. I urge Your Highness to reconsider! Reconsider!"

Zhu Cilang looked at their mournful expressions and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

He stopped beating around the bush, his gaze suddenly sharpening as he looked directly at the two of them and said:
"My father and I have given this matter careful consideration, so please stop trying to persuade us. Besides, do you really not know what the descendants of Confucius are like in the Ming Dynasty?"

He paused, lowering his voice, but each word was as firm as a hammer blow:
"Let me tell you the truth. Recently, I have sent people to investigate in detail. In Qufu, the Kong family bullies men and women and disregards human life. It's commonplace for them! You all know about these things, but you turn a blind eye and a deaf ear! Because they are 'descendants of sages,' you feel that you can tolerate and protect them even if they commit numerous evils!"

Zhu Cilang suddenly stood up, approaching the two step by step, his tone carrying a hint of mockery and an undeniable chill:
"But what you probably don't know is that the Kong family lineage has already shown goodwill towards the Jurchens, hasn't it? There are even signs of collusion!"

"what?!"

These few words struck like a bolt from the blue, leaving Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou instantly ashen-faced and drenched in cold sweat. They exchanged a horrified glance, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Zhu Cilang gave them no chance to breathe. He snorted coldly, walked straight to his desk, pulled out a pre-prepared letter from the drawer, and slammed it heavily onto the table in front of the two of them with a "thud".

"Pick it up and take a look."

Zhu Cilang's voice was as cold as ice.

With trembling hands, Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou bent down and cautiously picked up the letter.

When they saw the salutation and contents of the letter, the two felt dizzy and their vision went black; they almost collapsed to the ground!

That was actually a personal letter from the current Duke Yansheng to Nurhaci, the rebel chieftain of Jianzhou! The humility in the tone and the subservience in the wording were outrageous, even subtly addressing Nurhaci as "Emperor"! How could this be a descendant of a sage? This was clearly a complete and utter traitor!
"This...this..."

Xue Guoguan's lips trembled, and he could barely speak.

Hong Chengchou was even more pale, and the letter in his hand trembled like a leaf in the autumn wind.

Although the Jurchens have been completely wiped out, this letter may seem "useless" now, but if it is made public, it will be irrefutable evidence of "treason and collusion with the enemy"! At that time, let alone the Duke of Yansheng, even if Confucius himself crawled out of his grave, he would not be able to save the lives of this clan!

Before the two could offer any explanation or plead for mercy, Zhu Cilang's voice rang out again, calm yet ruthless:
"This letter was found in the archives when we captured the Shengjing Imperial Palace. The handwriting has been confirmed as that of the Duke Yansheng. The reason I haven't taken action against them yet is because I still value their influence over scholars throughout the land."

Zhu Cilang's gaze was sharp as he stared at the two of them:

"You should all know why the Duke Yansheng's lineage has remained powerful for a thousand years. It's nothing more than their ability to curry favor and change course with the wind. I can understand that. But—"

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning menacing.

"Before my Great Ming Dynasty was even destroyed, they were already eager to collude with the Jurchens. This is utterly rebellious and treasonous!"

"Therefore, in order to punish them and for the long-term educational plan of the Ming Dynasty, we will relocate some of the collateral branches of these parasites who only know how to suck blood to Liaodong and let them educate the local people. This can be considered as making a final contribution to the Ming Dynasty. This is very fair."

These words completely silenced Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou.

Now, the two of them were completely speechless.

At this point, anyone who speaks up for the Duke Yansheng would be considered a blatant "collaborator with the enemy," and no one could save them.

Xue Guoguan sighed deeply, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, and said dejectedly:

"Since Your Highness and His Majesty have already reached a decision, I...I have nothing more to say."

Hong Chengchou remained silent, but his pale face and slightly trembling fingers said it all.

He dared not speak, nor dared he look Zhu Cilang in the eye.

Just then, Zhu Cilang changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the two faces, his tone returning to calm, yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness:
"I have summoned you here today to discuss with you when to take action on this matter."

As soon as he said this, Xue Guoguan immediately understood what Zhu Cilang meant.

This was a life-or-death question, and also a calculated move in the transfer of power. Simply put, Zhu Cilang wanted to ask:

Should the blame for "offending all scholars" fall on the current prime minister, Xue Guoguan, before he steps down? Or should it fall on Hong Chengchou, who is about to take office, after Xue Guoguan steps down?
If this had been done before Xue Guoguan stepped down, then the charge of "persecuting the descendants of a sage" would have been pinned on him, a stain he would never be able to wash away for the rest of his life.

But if it was done later, then the blame should be placed on Hong Chengchou.

For a civil official who has just ascended to the position of Grand Secretary, to be burdened with such a huge infamy so soon after taking office is undoubtedly a huge political stain, which is extremely detrimental to his future governance and also to the stability of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom.

In an instant, Xue Guoguan found himself in a dilemma.

He instinctively didn't want to take the blame; he just wanted to retire peacefully and go home to hold his grandchildren.

But he also knew that this seemed unrealistic.

If Hong Chengchou were to take the blame for this, he would be burdened with a "bad reputation for all time" right after becoming the Grand Secretary. This would indeed be detrimental to the political stability of the Ming Dynasty and might even cause Hong Chengchou to lose all prestige.

Hong Chengchou's current mood is actually not much different from Xue Guoguan's.

He also knew the gravity of the situation; this was a heavy burden, and whoever took the blame would be in trouble.

Zhu Cilang did not urge him, but simply sat there quietly, picked up his teacup, and gently skimmed off the foam, as if waiting for a predetermined ending.

He actually preferred to let Xue Guoguan take the blame, since Xue Guoguan was about to retire and his influence was limited.

But he couldn't say this outright; he could only let Xue Guoguan figure it out for himself and weigh the pros and cons.

Of course, if Xue Guoguan really didn't want to, Zhu Cilang had plenty of ways to make him "have no choice" but to take the blame.

The silence in the secret room lasted for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Finally, Xue Guoguan let out a long sigh, his voice filled with endless weariness and resignation.

He raised his head and looked at Zhu Cilang, his eyes no longer filled with the previous excitement, but only with a gloomy look:
“Your Highness, I understand. I will bring up this matter to Your Majesty at the court assembly tomorrow, and I will strongly argue against it and earnestly request Your Majesty’s wise decision.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang burst into laughter, a laugh that conveyed the ease and satisfaction of a successful scheme.

He put down his teacup and said with a smile:

"Your Excellency is indeed a loyal minister who has devoted himself to the Ming Dynasty. But rest assured, I will not put too much pressure on you. By tomorrow, many people will 'follow the will of the people' and agree to this matter. At that time, Your Excellency will only need to go with the flow and do a favor."

Upon hearing this, Xue Guoguan smiled bitterly to himself and could only helplessly cup his hands in greeting:

"This old minister... obeys."

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou breathed a sigh of relief, but his relief was mixed with a bit of sympathy and relief.

He looked at Xue Guoguan, cupped his hands, and said:

"Grand Secretary Xue is so insightful and righteous, willing to bear the infamy for the sake of the court's overall interests. I admire him greatly."

Xue Guoguan gave a wry smile, said nothing, and simply waved his hand to indicate that he was tired.

Afterwards, Zhu Cilang briefly explained the details regarding "appeasing people's hearts" and "gradually advancing" before waving them away.

The night was cool and still.

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, Hong Chengchou eagerly bowed deeply to Xue Guoguan and said in a sincere tone:
"Grand Secretary Xue, today's events have truly put you in a difficult position. This eternal infamy should be..."

Xue Guoguan waved his hand, interrupting Hong Chengchou.

He looked up at the majestic outline of the palace, his eyes clouded, his voice hoarse yet unusually firm:
"It's better for me to take the blame for this. We can't let you bear this infamy so soon after becoming Prime Minister, can we? As for me..."

He paused, a desolate smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I don't care anymore. As long as the Ming Dynasty is doing well, what does it matter if this old man takes the blame?"

Hong Chengchou felt a surge of emotion, and even a sense of guilt.

He also knew the price Xue Guoguan had paid for the smooth transition of the Ming Dynasty, sacrificing his posthumous reputation.

"Your Excellency..."

Hong Chengchou wanted to say something more, but Xue Guoguan stopped him again by waving his hand.

"Let's go back and prepare. Tomorrow, we're going to have a big battle."

After Xue Guoguan finished speaking, he got into the sedan chair without looking back and drove away into the night.

Hong Chengchou stood there, gazing in the direction the sedan chair had disappeared. After a long while, he sighed, turned around, and got into his own sedan chair.

He knew that from this moment on, the leadership of the Ming Dynasty's civil officials had quietly been handed over, and the ensuing storm would erupt completely at the morning court the next day.

The next morning, while the sky was still shrouded in darkness, a group of civil and military officials were already waiting outside the palace gates.

Today is the first court assembly after the emperor's triumphant return, and no one dares to be careless in the slightest; most of them got up very early.

Unaware of what was about to happen in the court, most people were discussing Chongzhen's triumphant return, and compliments were endless.

Only Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou, who knew the inside story, looked uneasy and apprehensive.

Seeing them like this, onlookers were naturally very curious and wanted to ask what had happened.

However, Xue Guoguan and Hong Chengchou simply claimed to be unwell and quickly moved on from the topic.

After all, if this were said now, everyone here would probably explode! (End of Chapter)