Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 282 Why Shouldn't a Man Carry a Wu Hook? (Thanks to Yong Su for being the Alliance Leader)
I've heard that Song Yan has peculiar tastes; he's not interested in girls around fourteen or fifteen years old, but prefers women older than him. Judging by that, my eldest daughter, born out of wedlock, perfectly fits the bill. She's eleven years older than Song Yan, quite beautiful, and has a graceful figure. If Song Yan takes a liking to her, I wonder if the five million taels of silver could be reduced a bit?
Kong Xingye did not think there was anything wrong with this idea.

I raised her for twenty-seven years. Now that the family is in danger, isn't it only right that I let her make some sacrifices?
He is a businessman.

For a merchant, everything is available for trade.

If there's enough money, it wouldn't be impossible for him to sell his elderly mother or wife.

The second and third legitimate sons are both dead.

The eldest son was missing an arm.

A powerful family like the Kong family would never choose a disabled person to be the head of the family. In other words, the entire direct line would be rendered useless. Thinking about the money spent on the three people over the years, Kong Xingye felt a pang of heartache.

He wasn't too heartbroken, after all, he had many sons, and even though three had died, there were still quite a few left. He usually valued these three because aristocratic families all valued their eldest sons, so he followed suit. Perhaps there was also a reason for Ji Wanqiu's death, since that woman was truly remarkable... Now, however, he was somewhat agitated. So what if they died? If the deaths of his three sons could bring benefits to the Kong family, it wouldn't be a bad thing. But their deaths only brought trouble.

Kong Lingyan's matter is actually not very important. Once a person dies, their debts are settled, and at least it won't involve others.

The real trouble is that Kong Lingyun kidnapped Luo Caiyi. Fortunately, it hasn't spread yet. If it were to reach Emperor Ninghe's ears, the Kong family would probably be executed along with their entire clan. Furthermore, the pig iron on those six carriages is irrefutable evidence of the Kong family's collusion with the Jurchens, another crime punishable by the extermination of their entire family.

Five million was used to buy Song Yan's forgiveness for Luo Caiyi's kidnapping and smuggling offenses.

Let alone five million taels of silver, even five million copper coins would be a painful loss for Kong Xingye. Even though the Kong family's business was very large, five million taels of silver represented several years' worth of profits.

But unfortunately, he had no choice but to pay this money.

"Evening Glory".

Kong Xiyan finally raised her eyes and stared at Kong Xingye, as if asking her father what was wrong.

This attitude is rather rude.

However, Kong Xingye could understand Kong Xiyan's anger to some extent. After all, she had finally gotten the chance to get married, and to a high-ranking and promising man, but it was ruined by those two idiots, Kong Lingyan and Kong Lingyun. No one would feel good about such a thing.

"Go to Pingyang City again tomorrow and tell Song Yan that I am prepared to give six million taels of silver."

Kong Xiyan's expression was strange. She didn't expect that Kong Xingye, who was always stingy, would not only not bargain, but would even offer an extra million. Had he lost his mind?

"However, besides Kong Lingchen and Kong Xinghuai, I also want the Kong family's six carriages, and the goods on them."

Important evidence cannot remain in Song Yan's hands indefinitely.

Although Kong Xiyan didn't know Kong Xingye's purpose, she still nodded: "Is there anything else?"

"If possible, I would like to meet with Song Yan. You can try to arrange it."

Kong Xiyan's long eyelashes trembled. She didn't answer, but quietly got up and left.

Kong Xingye watched Kong Xiyan's back quietly until she disappeared from sight before he looked away... He didn't say anything sentimental or try to salvage the relationship between father and daughter.

After all, there's really no real affection involved.

He was probably just a naturally cold-hearted person.

Although he had many sons and daughters, watching them being born and growing up little by little, he was never moved in the slightest. For Kong Xingye, the growth of his children was far less attractive than the piles of silver.

Even Ji Wanqiu, the most beloved woman, seemed unable to compare with money... Moreover, was that really love?

Kong Xingye was not entirely clear either.

It's less about pampering and more about putting on an act of pampering to make yourself look more like a normal person.
Kong Xiyan understood him well; under such circumstances, saying those mushy things would only make them dislike each other more, and would ultimately be of no use.

Eh.

Kong Xingye sighed and slowly walked out of the study. He felt inexplicably depressed, a feeling he had never had before in many years. Looking at the huge Kong Mansion in front of him, although it was crowded with people, wives and concubines, and countless children, he could not suppress the feeling of being all alone.

Living like this, I wonder if it counts as a failure?

Hehe... Kong Xingye chuckled lightly. Perhaps it was too much to spend six million taels of silver at once, and he had become a little sentimental. Now was not the time to think about such things. Even if six million taels of silver could win over Song Yan, the channels through which the news could be leaked were not limited to Song Yan's side.

There was another person in the Confucius Mansion who knew the truth.

Ji Wanqiu.

She has a bit of cleverness, but that cleverness is only good enough to cause some trouble in the inner quarters; it's ultimately not good enough for a proper social occasion.

Moreover, Ji Wanqiu also doted on those three children, perhaps thinking that these three legitimate sons would definitely be able to inherit the Kong family's vast fortune. Now that Kong Lingyan and Kong Lingyun are dead and Kong Lingchen is crippled, inheriting the family business has become a pipe dream.

Years of planning have ultimately come to nothing.

Given Ji Wanqiu's personality, she's probably going crazy.

This woman is already eccentric, and with such provocation, no one can guarantee what might happen. She might even go around yelling and shouting.

If that's the case, then the six million will have been wasted.

So, let's deal with it anyway?

Coincidentally, there was another good excuse: because all three of his sons had gotten into trouble, he became depressed and died of worry, which was quite normal.

To be honest, I've gotten a bit tired of Ji Wanqiu over the years, so this is a good opportunity to switch to someone else.

With that thought in mind, Kong Xingye put on a faint smile and went to the back of the house.

……

Dingzhou City.

Compared to Pingyang, Dingzhou is located further south. Although the winters are still cold, it is much warmer than Pingyang. The light snow a few days ago did not affect Dingzhou. The sun was high in the sky, and even wrapped in cotton clothes and animal skin cloaks, one could still feel a bit hot at times.

In the governor's mansion.

A table.

A pot of wine.

Two people.

The wine was Sanlejiang, a fruit wine said to have been introduced to the Central Plains from Persia. It was made from three fruits—Amala, Pili, and Heli—and brewed with white honey. The wine was amber in color, with a sweet and mellow taste, slightly acidic, and considered a fine wine in that era. Even royalty and nobility would drink Sanlejiang with Persian silver jugs and glass cups to display their status. Song Yan was trying this wine for the first time. He took a small sip and found it surprisingly delicious, around 20% ABV. Compared to modern spirits, it was less spicy and more like fruit juice. Considering that distillation technology hadn't yet developed in this era, this 20% ABV was quite remarkable.

Jiao Junze was a complete pauper when we first met. He only borrowed ten taels of silver, and Jiao Junze was still thinking about making him pay it back. Now that he has confiscated the property of a branch of the Fan family, he has become quite arrogant. He is even willing to bring out expensive wines like Sanlejiang to entertain his guests.

This is a sign of moral decay.

Song Yan was heartbroken.

"Brother Jiao, what exactly are these fruits, Amala, Pili, and Heli?" Song Yan asked casually after finishing his cup of wine in one gulp.

"Who knows? The names given in the Arab world are all so strange and bizarre." Jiao Junze pursed his lips and picked up a edamame to accompany his drink.

For Song Yan, this was just a small matter, and he didn't particularly care. The flippancy on his face gradually disappeared: "Brother Jiao, what do you think of my previous suggestion?"

Jiao Junze swallowed the edamame in one gulp, and his expression became serious: "Brother Song, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but as you know, Ningguo has its own laws."

"As the Prefect of Dingzhou, my mission is to protect Dingzhou. Although Dingzhou has 15,000 soldiers, they cannot leave Dingzhou without an order from the imperial court."

"If I dared to lead the Dingzhou garrison into the Jurchen territory, not to mention how many heads I would behead, the mere fact that this operation would be a crime I could not bear."

“You have powerful connections. Your mother-in-law is a princess, a woman who fears nothing. You have close ties with the Fang family, so they will speak up for you. Even His Majesty, you can call him uncle, which is perfectly normal… With such a background, you can act recklessly, leading your troops to burn, kill, and plunder in the Jurchen territory. But I can’t do that. I have no one in power. I don’t want to lose the official position I worked so hard for for no reason.”

Song Yan came to Dingzhou Prefecture with only one purpose: to borrow troops.

The internal strife among the Jurchens presents a golden opportunity.

It's a piece of fat that drives people crazy.

But this piece of fatty meat is a bit too tough; at least Song Yan alone can't finish it.

Unfortunately, his forces numbered less than 20,000 at most. Even though the Jurchen cavalry were exhausted after a fierce battle, they could hardly achieve any significant results. If they could borrow 10,000 troops from Jiao Junze, bringing their total to 30,000, they could barely form a fan-shaped encirclement. Even if they couldn't wipe out all the remaining Jurchen soldiers, they should be able to take down tens of thousands.

Jiao Junze refused without hesitation.

Song Yan had expected this answer, so he wasn't too disappointed.

Song Yan scoffed at Jiao Junze's excuses: "Brother Jiao, at this moment it's just the two of us brothers, it's pointless to continue with this. Given the current situation in Ningguo, how can you claim you have no one backing you and still hold the position of Governor of Dingzhou? Do you think I'm a fool?"

Jiao Junze's face suddenly stiffened.

This kid is definitely not someone to be easily fooled.

Is it really okay to say these things so bluntly?
At least be a little more tactful.

Song Yan chuckled: "I'm not quite sure who's behind you. Maybe it's His Majesty, maybe it's the Prince of Fu? Maybe it's some powerful family?"

"But none of this matters."

"The important thing is your own opinion, Brother Jiao."

"Brother Jiao was able to repel the Jurchen cavalry under the walls of Dingzhou, which shows he is capable. He was also able to gather the refugees from Pingyang Prefecture, which shows he cares about the people."

"Within Ningguo, I have met many officials, but Brother Jiao is the best."

"But are you satisfied with this?"

Jiao Junze frowned, remained silent, and continued drinking his wine in silence, as if he hadn't heard Song Yan's voice at all.

"You were put up this position as governor by someone else. If one day that person finds that someone is more obedient than you, do you think your position will be replaced?"

Jiao Junze paused slightly in the hand holding the wine glass.

"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. In this day and age, it's always better to have some status to rely on... Brother Jiao, you might want to think about this: if you became an earl, marquis, or even a duke, would the people behind you still have the power to replace you at will? Even if you have a close relationship with that person and such a thing doesn't happen, wouldn't your higher status and greater influence be more beneficial to them?"

"Heh... a title isn't something you can just get easily." Jiao Junze shook his head.

Song Yan smiled and asked, "Brother Jiao, have you ever heard of a poem?"

"Why don't men carry a Wu hook?

They took control of fifty prefectures in Guanshan.

Please ascend the Qilin Pavilion for now.
What if a scholar became a marquis?"

Song Yan's voice was flamboyant, bold, and even arrogant.

At the same time, it is also full of seduction.

Even Jiao Junze's eyes couldn't help but turn red.

Qilin Pavilion!
Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!
Jiao Junze naturally knew all this. The Qilin Pavilion was built by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and was located in front of the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an. Inside the Qilin Pavilion hung portraits of twenty-eight marquises, and below them were the biographies and achievements of the twenty-eight marquises written by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty himself.

It's important to understand that during the Han Dynasty, the rank of Marquis was the highest nobility. Those who could enter the Qilin Pavilion were the highest of the marquises; without the merit of conquering a country, one wouldn't even be qualified to knock on the door of the Qilin Pavilion.

Since then, military generals of all dynasties have regarded the Qilin Pavilion as the highest honor.

This poem was probably not written by Song Yan himself; he truly possesses unparalleled poetic talent.

“Brother Jiao, guarding Dingzhou and repelling the Jurchens is indeed a meritorious deed, but this merit is ultimately insufficient. After all, as the Prefect of Dingzhou, it is your duty to defend Dingzhou, so this merit will be greatly diminished.”

"If you want to be ennobled, you must recover lost territories and expand your territory."

Song Yan's lips curled into a smile: "Brother Jiao, you might want to think about it. The Anchegu tribe is one of the seven major tribes of the Jurchens."

"Population of over 100,000."

"This time, the Great Khan of the Jurchens, Wanyan Guangzhi, is making an example of them. The Anchegu tribe is destined to perish."

"Putting everything else aside, just these 100,000 people—you with 50,000, me with 50,000—that's an immense achievement."

"His Majesty is currently trying to win over his court officials. If you have the merit of beheading 50,000 people, His Majesty will definitely reward you handsomely, at least with a viscount title."

"Brother Jiao, what are you still hesitating about?"

(End of this chapter)