The next day, during the morning court, mbers of the Crown Prince’s faction continued to propose to the Emperor the matter of commorating Kong Kangda.
At this ti, a minister stepped forward to suggest to the Emperor the matter of honoring Old Master Li. This minister first elaborated on the contributions Old Master Li had made for the Great Zhou, the people, and the scholars. He also stated that Kong Kangda was not qualified to be commorated because everything Kong Kangda did in the past was a disaster caused by the Kong Family.
Kong Taichang and Kong Yuan, listening to the minister speak of the deeds of the Head of the Kong Family in those days, both bowed their heads in sha.
This minister said that Kong Kangda’s clearing the injustices of scholars in the past was simply his duty, and he added that the issue arose because Kong Kangda failed to discipline the Head of the Kong Family properly, leading to the wrongful deaths of those scholars.
He further remarked that aside from this, Kong Kangda had not done anything else to benefit scholars during his lifeti.
Moreover, the person who advocated for the reinstatent of scholars and the continuation of the emphasis on Confucianism was Old Master Li, not Kong Kangda. The scholars of the world should be most grateful to Old Master Li, not to Kong Kangda.
Kong Kangda is far from Old Master Li in achievents; why should the world celebrate his posthumous birthday?
The one truly deserving of grand commoration is Old Master Li, not Kong Kangda.
Other ministers also said that everything Kong Kangda did was rely to compensate for the sins committed by the Kong Family, and he was not entitled to a grand commoration by the court.
mbers of Prince Dai’s faction echoed these ministers’ words, saying that Kong Kangda was not qualified to be honored by the court.
The Crown Prince’s faction strived to refute the idea that Kong Kangda was unqualified for commoration. Of course, they dared not refute the matter of Old Master Li deserving to be honored.
Another minister suggested that if Kong Kangda was to be commorated, then Old Master Li should be honored first.
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, bending his right leg, with his right foot resting on the throne. He propped his right elbow on his right knee, supporting his face with his right hand, watching the ministers below, who were already in a heated argunt, with a sowhat amused expression.
The minister who initially proposed the commoration of Old Master Li was not from the Crown Prince’s faction, nor Prince Dai’s faction, nor a supporter of the Fourth Prince, but from the Neutral Party.
After his proposal, the Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Dai’s faction started arguing about whether to commorate Kong Kangda.
In the previous morning court, when the Crown Prince’s faction proposed the commoration of Kong Kangda, Prince Dai’s faction did not refute it, partly because the Emperor did not agree, and partly because they wanted Prince Dai to gain the support of the scholars. Today, they opposed it because the Neutral minister had proposed the commoration of Old Master Li.
The Neutral Party ministers did not support any prince; they only served the Emperor, aning their stance sotis represented the Emperor’s attitude.
Since the Emperor opposed the commoration of Kong Kangda, Prince Dai’s faction ministers naturally had to counter it and oppose it vigorously.
Originally, Prince Dai’s faction was not inclined to commorate Kong Kangda. Although the Kong Family did not clearly show support for the Crown Prince, everyone tacitly agreed that the Kong Family supported the "Crown Prince." Now, knowing the Emperor’s reluctance, it gave Prince Dai’s faction an open opportunity to oppose.
After the proposal by the Neutral Party minister, seeing the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s factions arguing, he silently retreated to his position, adopting an attitude as if he had nothing to do with it.
Neither the Crown Prince nor Duke Zhen spoke, and neither did Prince Dai nor Marquis Xuanping.
The Emperor watched the scene for a while, then lightly cleared his throat. The court, which had been noisy, instantly beca quiet. The ministers from both the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s factions who had been arguing heatedly imdiately shut their mouths and stood obediently.
"Kong Taichang."
Hearing the Emperor call him, Kong Taichang’s heart skipped a beat, then he stepped forward respectfully and replied, "I am here."
The Emperor looked at Kong Taichang and asked softly, "What do you think?"
Yesterday, hearing the ministers from the Crown Prince’s faction propose commorating Kong Kangda, Kong Taichang felt it was inappropriate. Later, his son, Kong Yuan, persuaded him that Kong Kangda should be grandly commorated by the court, as this could elevate the status of the Kong Family. Moreover, since this proposal ca from the Crown Prince, it was legitimate. He felt his son made a compelling argunt. However, just now, he realized the Emperor did not support the commoration of Kong Kangda. Additionally, he could not deny the statent that Kong Kangda righted the injustices of scholars because the Head of their Kong Family was responsible for the wrongdoings in those days.
"I believe that Mr. Li is the one who should be commorated by the world..." Kong Taichang did not ntion whether Kong Kangda should be honored.
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