"Wha...what!"
After listening to the servant's report, Kong Shangxian's pupils suddenly shrank, and his face was covered with fear.
Immediately, he ignored the butler beside him and stood up from his seat. He took three steps at a time to come to the servant and lifted up his collar.
After that, Kong Shangxian looked at the slave with a selective look and asked.
"What did you just say? Say it again!"
Suddenly frightened by this, the slave couldn't even speak clearly. He hesitated for a long time before he finally said clearly what he wanted to say intermittently.
"Old... Master, I... what I said is all the truth. There are... there are really many soldiers outside!"
"In addition, Cao Feng, the governor of Shandong, and an unknown official are also waiting outside!"
When Kong Shangxian heard this, the expression on his face suddenly became extremely gloomy. Immediately, he turned his eyes to the butler aside and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"You go with me and check out the situation!"
Facing Kong Shangxian's order, the housekeeper did not dare to show any hesitation and had no choice but to bow his head and say yes.
In this way, Kong Shangxian and the housekeeper walked out of the room under the guidance of the previous servant.
…
Confucius Mansion is located in the center of Qufu City, facing south. There are a pair of two-meter-high stone lions on the left and right sides in front of the door. The red-edged and black door is inlaid with Suan Ni Pu heads, and there are also useful blue hangings hanging on the door. The word 'Confucius' is written in gold.
At this moment, Hai Rui looked at the magnificent gate of Confucius Mansion in front of him, and couldn't help but turn his eyes to Cao Feng, the governor of Shandong, who was standing aside, and asked curiously.
"Master Cao, this Kong Mansion is really impressive. As the governor of Shandong, have you been here before?"
Cao Feng, who was on the side, heard Hai Rui's words and couldn't help but secretly increase his vigilance. Immediately, he pretended to think about it for a moment and responded.
"My lord, to be honest, I have been the governor of Shandong for so many years and I have only been to the Confucius Mansion once."
"That time was in the thirty-eighth year of Jiajing, when Kong Shangxian attacked Feng Yanshenggong, I was invited to come once!"
Hai Rui saw the expression on Cao Feng's face and immediately said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Mr. Cao, you don't have to be nervous. I don't mean anything else, I'm just out of curiosity!"
When Cao Feng heard this, he had no choice but to laugh a few times to ease the awkward atmosphere.
At this moment, Kong Shangxian was seen coming out of the axillary door with the housekeeper and several servants of the Kong family.
When Kong Shangxian saw Cao Feng, the governor of Shandong, and Hai Rui, who was chatting and laughing with him, a look of shock flashed across his face, but he quickly calmed down and came to the two of them.
When Hai Rui and Cao Feng saw the arrival of Kong Shangxian, the contemporary Duke of Yan, they quickly stopped talking and bowed respectfully to him.
"I've seen Mr. Yan Shenggong!"
Seeing this situation, Kong Shangxian had no choice but to squeeze out a smile from his face and immediately spoke.
"You two, please get up quickly!"
After that, Hai Rui and Cao Feng looked at each other and stood up respectively.
At this moment, Kong Shangxian turned his gaze to Hai Rui, a look of curiosity on his face, and asked Cao Feng.
"Master Cao, who is this?"
After hearing what Kong Shangxian said, Cao Feng immediately introduced him with a smile.
"Mr. Yansheng, this is the one sent by the imperial court to investigate the case, the left deputy censor, Shi Hairui!"
"He is Hai Rui. It was he who personally led his people to raid the homes of several other families!"
After listening to Cao Feng's introduction, Kong Shangxian could remain calm on the outside, but he was already in a turmoil inside.
At this moment, Kong Shangxian was shocked and angry after learning Hai Rui's identity, and he didn't know what to do next.
What Kong Shangxian didn't expect was that Hai Rui, who was sent by the imperial court to investigate the case, would be so bold. Without saying a word, he would send troops to raid the homes of the remaining families of the "Four Sages and Three Sages" without showing any mercy. !
Moreover, Kong Shangxian couldn't figure out for the time being what kind of medicine was being sold in Hai Rui's gourd, and why did he come here at this time?
Immediately, Kong Shangxian's face showed a look of embarrassment. He turned his gaze to the soldiers wearing robes and armor and asked.
"Two adults, this is..."
When Hai Rui saw this, an inexplicable smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he immediately responded.
"Don't be nervous, Mr. Yansheng. These soldiers are just to protect our safety along the way!"
When Hai Rui said this, he turned his attention to Cao Feng, the governor of Shandong, and confirmed.
"Master Cao, are you right?"
When Cao Feng heard Hai Rui's words, even though he was unwilling to do so, he had no choice but to agree.
"That's right, Duke Yansheng, these soldiers are only responsible for protecting our safety, they have no other meaning!"
Although Kong Shangxian scoffed at this explanation, he still had to pretend to be very convinced of it.
"Well, if that's the case, then I'm relieved!"
When Kong Shangxian said this, he immediately changed the subject and spoke immediately.
"But no matter what, this is the Kong Mansion. With so many soldiers gathering here, is there anything inappropriate?"
After Kong Shangxian finished speaking, he glanced at Hai Rui and Cao Feng one by one.
When Cao Feng heard what Kong Shangxian said, he naturally chose to watch his nose and heart and try not to get involved in this matter.
After hearing what Kong Shangxian said, Hai Rui, who was on the side, also believed deeply, nodded, and immediately responded.
"Well, since Duke Yan Sheng thinks there is something wrong with this, then I can just let them leave!"
"So good!"
Immediately, under Hai Rui's order, the soldiers all left in neat steps and retreated far away from Yan Shenggong's mansion.
Seeing this situation, Kong Shangxian nodded his head in a subtle way, and an indescribable feeling arose in his heart.
"Hmph, is this Hai Rui who was sent by the imperial court to investigate the case? It's nothing more than that!"
"In front of Holy Duke Benyan, you have to submit obediently!"
Kong Shangxian thought this, and his mood became much happier. Immediately, he turned his attention to Hai Rui again and got down to business.
"I wonder what the reason why the Imperial Censor came to visit today?"
As soon as Kong Shangxian finished speaking, Cao Feng, who was standing beside him, also turned his gaze to Hai Rui curiously. After all, Hai Rui had not revealed the purpose of his trip to him before coming.
Facing Kong Shangxian's rather curious gaze, Hai Rui pondered for a moment before speaking out in a leisurely manner.
"To be honest, the reason why I came here specifically to visit you is just to bring you a message for Your Majesty, Duke Yansheng!"
When Kong Shangxian heard Hai Rui's words and combined with the previous events, he suddenly felt a bad premonition in his heart.
Afterwards, I saw him forcefully shake off all the chaotic thoughts in his mind, and after carefully considering his tone, he asked.
"What exactly is your Majesty asking for?"
"Yes, sir, what exactly did Your Majesty ask you to bring to Duke Yan?"
After Kong Shangxian, Cao Feng couldn't control his curiosity and asked Hai Rui.
Hai Rui, however, had no intention of answering the two's doubts face to face. He just looked away from the word "Kongfu" written in gold letters on a blue background hanging on the door, and said to himself.
"There are many people here, and this matter is of great importance. Please forgive me for not being able to talk about it here!"
After Hai Rui finished speaking, he leaned down and saluted Kong Shangxian respectfully.
When Kong Shangxian heard what Hai Rui said, he quickly reacted. A belated expression appeared on his face at the right time. He turned his gaze to the two of them and immediately spoke.
"In that case, you two adults, please come with me!" (End of Chapter)
