The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 467 I only wish your heart were like mine, then my longing would not be in vain.
Mr. Zhong was not surprised at all when Kong Shangde lowered his head.

Heh, this was all part of his plan.

The Kong family has recently offended the Emperor and the Crown Prince quite badly—they caused trouble during the court's disaster relief efforts, and they led the opposition to the policy of requiring officials and gentry to pay taxes together.

After Kong Yujin's death, the imperial court was even more ruthless, demanding an explanation from the Duke of Yansheng's mansion and also promoting the head of the Southern Kong family.

Isn't this signal obvious enough?!
All these signs are enough to show that the imperial court clearly intends to promote the Southern Kong family to the position of Duke Yansheng, replacing the Northern Kong family!
For ordinary descendants of the Kong family, who becomes the Duke Yansheng may not be so important, but for Kong Shangde, the "prospective Duke Yansheng," it is a matter of utter devastation.

Once he loses the title of Duke Yansheng, he will go from being the heir to the "Number One Family Under Heaven" to just another nobody.

From now on, I won't be able to walk sideways when I go out, and I won't be able to stand in an important position when paying respects to my ancestors.

Can we tolerate this? Absolutely not!

Mr. Zhong said with a smile, "Young Master Kong, do you know who most wants to take away your position as Duke Yansheng?"

Kong Shangde hesitated for a moment, then finally clasped his hands and said, "Please forgive my ignorance, sir. Please enlighten me."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhong gave a cold laugh that seemed to say, "I knew it," and said in a nonchalant tone, "Since Young Master Kong doesn't know, there's no need to say anything more."

"Farewell!"

After saying this, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around, and was about to leave.

However, they walked incredibly slowly, practically taking three steps for every one step they took.

Sure enough, Kong Shangde's face changed immediately. He was flustered and didn't know what to do. Kong Yushen, who was next to him, quickly smoothed things over: "Mr. Zhong, please wait!"

"Shangde didn't mean to hide it, he just dared not say it!"

Mr. Zhong didn't turn his head, but subconsciously pricked up his ears: "You don't even dare to mention your names, yet your Kong family still wants to take back your titles?"

"It seems my trip was in vain!"

"Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Farewell!"

Seeing that he was about to reach the door, Kong Shangde stamped his foot, gritted his teeth, and shouted, "Mr. Zhong is talking about... the Crown Prince, right?"

Mr. Zhong paused, turned around, and stared directly at him: "Young Master Kong, am I right?"

Kong Shangde, however, calmed down and decided to throw caution to the wind: "Sir is right! It is the Crown Prince who wants to sever the lineage of our Duke Yansheng's Mansion!"

“He not only took away our Kong family’s million mu of sacrificial land, but now he’s even going after our noble titles.”

“My father begged the court for mercy by taking his own life, hoping to settle all those past matters.”

"But the Crown Prince still wouldn't let it go..."

After saying this, Kong Shangde breathed a sigh of relief and quietly waited for Mr. Zhong's reaction.

Mr. Zhong clapped twice: "Young Master Kong truly lives up to his reputation as the future Duke Yansheng; he has a clear understanding of the current situation."

"But Young Master Kong, have you considered that if the Crown Prince is already preparing to strip you of your right to inherit the title of Duke Yansheng, what will happen in the future?"

“Once he ascends to the throne, I’m afraid the position of Duke Yansheng will be completely out of your family’s reach.”

"By then, let alone titles, even the lions at the gate of the Confucius Mansion will probably have to change their surname to 'Nan'!"
Kong Shangde's lips twitched a few times; he wanted to refute but had nothing to say.

These words may be harsh, but they are the truth.

The Crown Prince already dislikes them, how can he possibly have a good life in the future?

He couldn't help but glance at Kong Yushen.

Kong Yushen also had a gloomy expression.

While Kong Yushen was secretly shaking his head, Kong Shangde's mind was already racing with calculations:

Although the Southern Confucian family is considered part of the same clan, inheriting the title of Duke Yansheng signifies that the lineage of the sage will continue unbroken.

But those are distant relatives separated by so many generations!

Who would be willing to let them inherit the family business?
With the title of Duke Yansheng, the Kong family was the "number one family under heaven"; without it, who would bother with you?

Perhaps in a few decades, this lineage will fade into obscurity and become completely unknown.

Even worse, the newly enthroned Nan Kong is likely to treat them like thieves and will try every means to suppress them, preventing them from taking back their titles.

Power is something you can't give up once you've tasted it, especially imperial power.

How many fathers and sons, brothers, have fought each other throughout history for the supreme throne?
Although the title of Duke Yansheng cannot compare to imperial power, it is still a highly coveted title in the world!

"Please, Mr. Zhong, show me the way!"

Kong Shangde gritted his teeth. He knew that this Mr. Zhong must have a backup plan, otherwise he wouldn't have come on behalf of Tong Guowei.

Mr. Zhong smiled slightly: "There is only one way to keep the title—change the crown prince."

"Otherwise, even if we manage to keep it this time, it will all be for nothing in the end."

Kong Shangde had a premonition, but when he actually heard the words "replace the crown prince," his heart still pounded, he froze on the spot, and his mind went blank.

After all, this is a matter of utmost importance that could shake the very foundation of the nation!

The Kong family has always been unwilling to get involved in such power struggles, after all, they are already extremely wealthy and powerful, and there is no need to take such a big risk, which would not bring them any benefits.

But now, the situation is pressing...

He couldn't help but look at Kong Yushen again.

Kong Yushen was his uncle, and he was more experienced than him. Before his father left, he told him that if he was unsure about something, he could consult with Kong Yushen. Kong Yushen's face darkened even more.

He had long anticipated that Mr. Zhong had grand ambitions, but he hadn't expected him to be trying to replace the crown prince.

If the emperor wanted to change the crown prince, the Kong family would definitely support it, but to ask them to personally get involved in this matter?

It could very well lead to the extermination of the entire family!
Thinking of this, Kong Yushen shook his head: "Mr. Zhong, our Duke Yansheng's Mansion has never participated in royal disputes."

"So, we appreciate your kindness, but we cannot interfere in this matter. Rest assured, we will keep this matter a secret and will not let anyone else know about it."

Mr. Zhong wasn't angry; instead, he smiled and said, "Mr. Kong is indeed very cautious."

“What a pity,” he added slowly, “It’s a pity that before long, you will no longer be the Duke Yansheng’s mansion, but just stray dogs who have lost their title.”

"I've heard that you've offended quite a few people in Mount Tai. Will those people come looking for trouble once the new Duke Yansheng takes the throne?"

"Since we can't see eye to eye, let's part ways here."

After saying that, he made a move to leave.

Kong Shangde thought about how the Emperor hadn't seen him today, about the upcoming joint trial by the three judicial departments, and about the Crown Prince's cold face... Kong Shangde's heart was twisted into a pretzel.

This title must not be lost!
That meant that reconciliation with the Crown Prince was impossible.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally hardened his heart and said, "Mr. Zhong, let's cooperate! But... I wonder what benefits we'll get?"

"Didn't I just mention the benefits? You can continue to be the Duke Yansheng, and the million acres of sacrificial fields will be returned to their rightful owner." Mr. Zhong smiled calmly. "I think that's enough."

Kong Yushen wanted to stop him, but he opened his mouth and didn't say anything.

This is a risky business, but now they have no other choice.

The Crown Prince is clearly an enemy; if we don't bring him down, we definitely have no chance of getting the title.

Kong Shangde looked around and lowered his voice: "Then... what do you need us to do?"

"Young Master Kong is so straightforward!"

Mr. Zhong stopped beating around the bush and took out a piece of paper from his sleeve.

The paper is of very good quality, and on it, written in a rounded style, is a line of words: "I only wish your heart were like mine, then my longing would never be in vain!"

Upon seeing this line, Kong Shangde was taken aback: I know this love poem well, but why are you giving it to me? To show your loyalty?
Does this mean I should treat them with sincerity?

He shook the paper, looking completely bewildered: "Mr. Zhong, what... does this mean?"

“Young Master Kong, on the surface it looks like a love poem, but it can also become something that makes people's imaginations run wild.” Mr. Zhong lowered his voice. “The key is—who wrote it.”

Kong Shangde held the paper, looking at it from left to right, pondering for a long time. He felt that the handwriting looked very familiar, but he couldn't remember whose it was.

"Who wrote it?" Kong Yushen asked first, his expression serious.

Mr. Zhong uttered two words calmly: "Crown Prince".

"And it was written by the Crown Prince to Lord Kong Yujin a few days ago."

"Unfortunately, Lord Kong did not respond, so the Crown Prince became furious and began to take revenge on the Kong family."

"Reclaiming the sacrificial fields, smearing the Kong family in the disaster relief case, and the fact that Lord Kong Yujin committed suicide because he couldn't bear the pressure and wanted to prove his innocence with his death... He had no other choice but to resort to such a desperate measure."

At this point, Mr. Zhong's lips curled up, quite satisfied with his statement.

Kong Yushen and Kong Shangde felt a chill run down their spines.

The two exchanged a quick glance, both seeing the same despair in each other's eyes:

This is hardly cooperation! This is clearly an attempt to drag the Kong family onto the pirate ship of framing the Crown Prince!

Once exposed, there will be no turning back.

Kong Yushen took a deep breath: "Mr. Zhong, we can support you, but the Kong family will never participate in this kind of frame-up!"

"Lord Kong, you no longer have a choice."

Mr. Zhong added another sarcastic remark, "Do you really think no one knows the cause of Kong Yujin's death?"

"Isn't it just because the Kong family's dirty deeds can no longer be covered up, and they want to use his death to play the victim card so that the court will stop investigating?"

"Unfortunately, your plan didn't work out; this tactic won't work."

"You only have a chance to survive if you do as I say. Otherwise, once the truth comes out after the joint trial by the three judicial departments, you will lose even more."

Kong Yushen remained silent. Kong Shangde paused for a moment, then asked, "Based solely on this poem, can the Emperor truly believe that the Crown Prince is forcing our Kong family to pledge allegiance?"

Mr. Zhong laughed: "Young Master Kong, you are a well-read scholar, don't you understand—sometimes murder doesn't need solid evidence, a fabricated charge is enough!"

"The Crown Prince has the motive, the ability, and the possibility to do this."

"When all of this is put together, in the Emperor's eyes, it was him who did it."

Kong Shangde hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Mr. Zhong, I'd like to know, how did this poem end up in your hands?"

Mr. Zhong paused for a moment, then adopted a frank and open attitude: "I shouldn't tell you, but to show my sincerity, it's alright to say it."

"A person might not be able to imitate something perfectly in a short time, but there are indeed masters in this world who, through five or ten years of hard work... can create something so realistic that it's indistinguishable from the real thing!"

　Hey everyone, here's the second update for today! Please support me and vote!

　
(End of this chapter)