I want to ruin the country

At this moment, someone came to report outside.

"The prefect, Lord Sun, is here!"

Although Kong Xiangguo was a general of the second rank, his rank was not as valuable as that of a prefect of the fourth rank.

Besides, the prefect Sun Jiashang and Kong Fanhao had a close relationship and they treated each other like brothers. Kong Xiangguo also respectfully called him Uncle, so he also came out to greet him.

Everyone greeted each other, sat down and served tea. Kong Fanhao asked,

"Brother Sun, how come you have time to come here today?"

Sun Jiashangdao,

"Brother Yanshenggong, the Imperial Envoy Chen Fuen sent a letter to our government, saying that he will come to visit Yanshenggong tomorrow!"

Kong Fanhao was stunned again. Why did the imperial envoy come so quickly, and what was the purpose of coming to see him?

He pretended to be confused and asked tentatively,

"Brother Sun, what is this Imperial Envoy?"

Sun Jiashang looked at Kong Xiangguo and laughed.

"Duke Yansheng didn't even know the Emperor had sent an imperial envoy. Doesn't the general know either?"

Kong Xiangguo said hurriedly,

"I have family matters, so I've been on leave for the past two days and haven't left the house. I don't know what the imperial envoy's business is. Please tell me, Lord Sun!"

Sun Jiashang understood the reason and said with a smile,

"The Emperor has sent Lord Chen Fuen as the Imperial Commissioner for Grain Purchase and has issued an edict strictly prohibiting the sale of grain at high prices. Otherwise, you will be charged with aiding the enemy and rebelling!"

Kong Fanhao pretended to have just heard the news and said,

"I see! But I've already signed documents with several grain merchants, and they've already paid the money, but they haven't had time to ship it out yet. What should I do?"

Sun Jia rolled his eyes a few times and laughed.

"Haha, that depends on how you look at it. How much food did they buy?"

Kong Fanhao pretended to be worried and said,

"I didn't ask the exact amount, but it must be around 200,000 or 300,000 stones!"

Sun Jiashang pretended to be surprised.

"There are so many. If the imperial envoy knew about this, I wouldn't be able to explain it!"

Seeing that he was acting mysterious, Kong Fanhao knew what he meant and gave Kong Xiangguo a look. Kong Xiangguo then said he had something to do and left.

Kong Fanhao took out a silver note of 20,000 taels and handed it over.

"Brother Sun, although I have done nothing wrong to the imperial court, people are two-faced, and some things can be difficult to explain to those with ulterior motives!

Here is some money. Please go back and help me to comfort my brother. I beg you to do that!"

Sun Jiashang pretended to evade the request.

"Brother Yanshenggong, what are you doing? We are brothers. Your business is my business. Why do you need this?"

Kong Fanhao said,

"Don't refuse, dear brother. As long as you don't spread rumors that smear the great sage master, I will reward you handsomely in the future!"

"It would be disrespectful to refuse, and I would be ashamed to accept. I have no choice but to do it reluctantly!"

Sun Jiashang put the banknotes into his sleeve.

Kong Fanhao asked,

"My dear brother, what do you think the imperial envoy's visit to our place means?"

Sun Jiashang smiled and said,

"Haha, even someone as insightful as Duke Yansheng can't see that the Imperial Envoy is also a disciple of the Great Sage Master. How could he not come to pay his respects when he came to Shandong?"

Kong Fanhao felt relieved when he heard what Sun Jiashang said.

"According to Brother Sun's suggestion, how should we welcome him?"

"The imperial envoy is also a human being. At most, he can have a meal and drink with me, and prepare a gift when he leaves!"

Kong Fanhao said,

"This is what it should be!"

Sun Jiashang asked,

"It's been a while since the Emperor ascended the throne, but Duke Yansheng hasn't come to the capital to pay his respects, right?"

Kong Fanhao said,

"The itinerary has been booked, and we're leaving soon!"

Sun Jiashang also clasped his hands and said,

"If the emperor asks, please speak kindly to me, Lord Yansheng!"

"Easy to say, easy to say!"

The next day, Chen Fuen came as expected.

Moreover, he came in a very high profile, with a full set of stewards of the imperial envoy, and came to the Confucius Mansion with a large crowd of people following him, looking very majestic.

As a Confucian disciple, it is necessary to pay homage to Confucius.

After all the ceremonies were completed, Kong Fanhao had already prepared a banquet to entertain them.

Chen Fuen did not intend to stay for dinner and said,

"Duke Yansheng, the Emperor has assigned this imperial envoy the task of purchasing grain at a fair price to help the hungry.

The Kong family has gone through more than 70 generations over 2,000 years since the time of the great sage Kong. Some people say that the Kong family is as rich as a country. Although this cannot be fully believed, it is an indisputable fact that the family is well-off.

I have also heard that Duke Yansheng has extensive land and property, so he must have a lot of grain stored. How does Duke Yansheng plan to support the court and save the people from disaster?

Kong Fanhao was a smart guy. When he heard what Chen Fuen said, he felt something was wrong. Why did he speak like that right at the beginning?

But Chen Fuen represented the emperor, so he didn't dare to refute anything he said, and hurriedly said,

"Your Excellency, the Kong family may appear wealthy and powerful to outsiders, but their reputation doesn't live up to their reputation. Although they have a small income, their expenses are huge. Even in lean years, they can hardly protect themselves!"

Chen Fuen sneered in his heart and said,

"Can I understand what Duke Yansheng said as a reply to the Emperor?"

Kong Fanhao waved his hands hurriedly.

"Your Excellency, the Imperial Envoy has misunderstood. My Kong family has been blessed by the state for generations. The court is in trouble, and no matter how difficult it is, the Kong family will stand together to overcome the national crisis. We have discussed it and decided to donate 500 dan of grain to help the court overcome the difficulties!"

Chen Fuen was extremely disgusted. The Kong family, which was as rich as a country, donated 500 dan of grain. Isn’t this a bit of a joke?

He smiled and said,

"Duke Yansheng, five hundred dan of grain can save a lot of people! The emperor will definitely be overjoyed when he hears about it.

"It's just that the Emperor wants Duke Yansheng to take the lead in selling grain at a fair price. Let's forget about the mere 500 dan, lest someone accuse the Emperor of exploiting the gentry!"

Kong Fanhao originally planned to give Chen Fuen a few hundred taels of silver and some food to get rid of him, but he didn't expect Chen Fuen to refuse.

The situation was a bit awkward, and Sun Jiashang hurried out to smooth things over.

"Duke Yansheng, let's invite the Imperial Envoy to take the table first!"

Kong Fanhao was also unhappy. I haven't even taken out the gift I prepared for you, but you're already being so aggressive. Isn't that a bit too much?

Since ancient times, many emperors from all dynasties have come to Shandong to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. Whether they went to Mount Tai or to Confucius Mansion, they were all polite!

Our Kong family has helped you rule the world for thousands of years. Even if we have no credit, we have worked hard!

As an imperial envoy, you are acting so arrogantly. Aren't you overestimating yourself? Even if you want benefits, you shouldn't be so greedy!

But even if he thought about it, he really didn't dare to offend the imperial envoy too much. After all, he came on behalf of the emperor. Since Sun Jiashang had spoken, he took advantage of the situation and said,

"Your Excellency, the banquet is ready. Please take your seat. The donation is easy to discuss and will surely satisfy the Emperor!"

But Chen Fuen didn't give him this face.

"Duke Yansheng, I am busy with official duties, so I will not be seated!

But I have something to ask Lord Yansheng to remember: the Emperor is serious this time!

If anyone disrupts the Emperor's plan to purchase grain, I'm afraid it will end badly. Don't say I didn't warn you. Farewell!