Forty-two Unforgivable (Part 1)

  Actually, as an emperor, the highest noble in the country, what he likes to hear most is others' praise and approval of him; however, what he dislikes hearing most is opposing voices. But what he needs to hear most is indeed opposing voices. That's why there are so many ministers who dare to speak out and remonstrate with their emperor, leaving a good name in history and being admired by later generations. Meanwhile, the emperors they remonstrated with often become targets of criticism in historical records.

  Li Shimin was able to attain a relatively high position also because during his reign, there appeared a famous remonstrating minister named Wei Zheng, who lived until his death from illness. Although he was later posthumously stripped of his honors and had his tombstone toppled, he was eventually rehabilitated by the emperor.

  So Li Er's heart is quite broad, and in the early years of Zhenguan, it can be said that he was able to tolerate different opinions. Therefore, Su Ning didn't need to worry that Li Er would get angry because he pointed out his mistakes: "No, Your Majesty, the people who were killed are not just my relatives, but also many others. The world is in chaos, and the common people are suffering. It's hard to avoid this, I won't just set fire to the enemy camp for this reason."

  Li Er was very puzzled, he felt that Su Ning was getting more and more interesting: "What does this mean?"

  Su Ning said: "Anyone who is not of my kind, I will do the same. If you don't offend the Great Tang, it's fine. But if you dare to offend the Great Tang, even a single blade of grass, as long as I have the chance, I will exterminate that tribe, regardless of whether they are male or female, old or young!"

  As soon as the words fell, the entire court was shocked, and even Emperor Li Er was quite surprised. However, he had experienced great winds and rains and had seen all sorts of people. There were those who harbored deep hatred for foreigners, but someone like Su Ning, so young yet filled with such hatred, shouting to slaughter them all, was truly unprecedented.

  Young and vigorous, young and vigorous! Li Er's heart suddenly felt a bit relaxed, suddenly feeling a little happy, his face involuntarily revealing a hint of a smile. This kid can't escape my grasp, what a great opportunity this is! No one will think it's inappropriate.

  Li Jing and Li Shiming, as well as Tang Jian, who had some understanding of Su Ning, didn't think it was strange, but were shocked. To say such things in the imperial court, isn't that asking for trouble? Men, women, old and young? Although many people thought so, no one dared to say or do so! Even Cheng Yaojin, an old rascal, didn't dare say such things in the imperial court. At most, he would vent his grievances and be unreasonable once, but when it came to major issues of principle, Old Cheng always prioritized self-preservation!

  This kid really thinks he's Huo Yuanjia?!

  At this time, only Wei Chi Gong, the black object, nodded and sighed, saying that this was right, this was what he had always wanted to do! However, at this time, Wei Chi Gong would not explicitly support Su Ning, because even he, a wooden-headed person, saw the ominous aura of the literary officials, with a strong black air rising from them, forming a black dragon, ready to launch a fierce attack on Su Ning! It was clear that Su Ning's previous words had provoked the anger of the literary officials!

  Although civil and military officials have been at odds since ancient times, when it comes to the imperial court, military officials are no match for civil officials. The tongues of civil officials in the imperial court can be more deadly than the swords and spears wielded by military officials. Moreover, given the current situation in the Tang Dynasty, civil officials are arguing fiercely among themselves, while military officials merely stand by and watch, unwilling to engage in disputes with civil officials over governance. How much more so when it comes to an issue that civil officials consider a matter of great right and wrong? Even someone as formidable as Cheng Yaojin would be unable to withstand the verbal attacks and written condemnations of the civil officials!

  Chang Sun Wuji was the leader of the civil officials, and at this time he also furrowed his brow. As a former great general, he wouldn't think it was brutal or inhumane, but he understood that in the eyes of those civil officials who had never seen blood, this was absolutely an unforgivable crime! This kid is excellent, but still too young and arrogant! Now it's not good, those old guys, even himself, have to retreat three steps!

  Tang Jian's face turned iron-green as he looked at the many officials beside him who were eager to try, and he also felt powerless. Offending so many people like this, even the emperor couldn't save him! This young man was too young after all!

  "Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present!"

  As expected, after a brief awkward silence, the Wen Guan group began to attack Su Ning. The first one to come out was an old man with gray hair and beard, wearing a light red robe, who should be a fifth-grade official. As soon as he came out, he glared at Su Ning with anger in his eyes. Li Er's voice became somewhat hesitant: "Ah, Gong Ai has something to say?"

  Kong Aiqing? In the early years of Zhenguan, a great minister with the surname Kong, could it be Kong Yingda? The one who wrote "The Correct Meaning of the Five Classics"? He had an extremely important task that had a significant impact on the Tang Dynasty and later generations! He was granted a noble title due to his cultural contributions as a descendant of Confucius! Alas, when the old man mentioned Confucianism earlier, he specifically brought up this old fellow. Now, he is in charge of the position that specializes in refuting imperial decrees. The entire court's literary and military officials think he is most suited for this position, with his identity as a descendant of Confucius, no emperor dares to touch him, such as Emperor Li...

  Kong Yingda and other Confucian scholars of his kind held a very high position in the Tang Dynasty. Their titles were not high, their official positions were not high, but their status was extremely high. In an era when less than one in a thousand people could read, anyone who could recognize characters and had some learning was a treasure, let alone these erudite Confucian scholars. They were highly respected, even the emperor did not dare to rebuke them, besides, they also did not have any reason to be rebuked.

  Can't you see that Li Er is now in a very hesitant situation?

  However, Suning was not afraid of him. He also had a lot to say to Kong Yingda, the representative of Confucian orthodoxy. Just like Emperor Wu of Han prepared to launch a counterattack against the Xiongnu, he held a large-scale debate conference to unify the thoughts within the imperial court, demoting many officials who advocated for peace and promoting those who advocated for war. To fight well and successfully, one must unify their thoughts and not have any opponents, especially in the imperial court.

  Every time the Tang Dynasty launches a war, there are always people who oppose it, regardless of whether it is good or bad for the Tang Dynasty. They all think it's not good, which is not just a problem with Confucian thought, but more importantly, the huge social problems brought about by launching wars, such as increased corvée and taxation, affecting people's livelihoods, causing suffering to the people, and the country spending a large amount of money and grain, which is detrimental to the country. These are all important issues that determine whether the Tang Dynasty can launch a war.

  So Suning is not just refuting that idea, but more importantly, proposing a solution to make the main and harmonious ideology have no soil and supporters to survive, in this way, many things can be changed.

  "Your Majesty, Su Ning of San Yuan County spoke recklessly on the court, repeatedly saying 'kill and exterminate'. Our great Tang Dynasty was founded on benevolence and filial piety. How can such an inhumane person bear Your Majesty's heavy expectations? If such a person is heavily used, how will our vassal states view our great Tang? They will be anxious every day, and it will lead to rebellion! At such a young age, you are so cruel and inhumane, what did your teacher teach you? Have you read the classics?! Benevolence is the foundation of one's character, didn't your teacher tell you that?!"

  As soon as Kong Yingda's voice fell, another official wearing a green robe stood up and said loudly: "I agree! Your Majesty, I also heard that the son of San Yuan County entered the kitchen with his noble status and did such a humble thing! Mencius once said that a gentleman keeps a distance from the kitchen, but the son of San Yuan County actually entered the kitchen. It can be seen that he is not a gentleman! Please ask Your Majesty to punish him severely!"

  Li Er frowned and had not yet opened his mouth to scold this follower when Su Ning suddenly flew into a rage.

  "After being separated from my family for fourteen years, I've finally reunited with them. What's wrong with cooking for my mother and family? In the past when I served my master, I also cooked for him often! Being filial to my master is no different from being filial to my mother, what's wrong with that?! You don't even have a kitchen, what do you eat?! Your body is lazy, your grains are unrefined! And yet you still have the face to scold me? I'm ashamed for you!" Su Ning scolded the green-robed official.

  That green-robed official had not yet spoken, but Kong Yingda spoke first, and it was not to Su Ning, but to the green-robed official: "How dare you! How can you speak such nonsense! The son of San Yuan County serving his mother as a chef is an act of great filial piety! The Tang Dynasty was founded on benevolence and filial piety, with filial piety being the most important virtue! Filial piety is a heavy responsibility! The son of San Yuan County, despite holding a noble position, did not hesitate to serve as a chef to repay his mother's kindness in raising him. What fault is there in this?! Where have you read the classics of the sages?!"

  Su Ning looked at Kong Yingda, somewhat stunned. Wasn't this old man supposed to be firing at him? That green-robed official was clearly helping Kong Yingda fire at him, so why was Kong Yingda speaking up for him instead? Could it be that he truly was a noble character who didn't take sides, but rather focused on the matter at hand with kindness and generosity? Was this really the demeanor of a great master?

  The green-robed official was also quite wronged, originally helping the old man's household, but the old man turned his gun around and fired at him, making him neither here nor there, with a red face, not daring to speak, becoming a laughing stock in public, and besides, his future prospects were uncertain, Li Er's expression was very bad...

  Kong Yingda scolded the green-robed official, and seeing Su Ning looking at him in surprise, he snorted and said: "I have always only looked at whether things are right or wrong when doing things, and I won't determine a person based on one thing. What you said about cooking for your mother and teacher is, in my opinion, a filial act. Today, hearing what you and the Duke of Dai said, I also understand the temptation of good food. I have always had doubts about Mencius' words that 'a gentleman keeps a distance from the kitchen'. Confucius said 'teaching without discrimination', but why did Mencius say this? I couldn't figure it out, and I didn't belittle cooks either. Yi Yin was a cook, yet he helped Shang Tang establish the country. If you have that kind of ability, I would be delighted."

  But why must you speak of slaughter and extermination? And yet, not even sparing the old and young. At such a young age, how can your heart be so cruel and ruthless? From your words and actions, I also know that your master is certainly a great person, but how could a great person produce a disciple who delights in killing like you? You have filial piety, which I commend, but why don't you understand benevolence and righteousness? Don't tell me that your master is someone who delights in killing.

  Su Ning finally understood that Kong Yingda was a true master of learning, who truly understood the Confucian doctrine and put it into practice. The Confucian classics can be divided into four stages: self-cultivation, governing the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. However, most people cannot even reach the first stage, as self-cultivation is not something that everyone can achieve. The Confucian requirements for self-cultivation are extremely high, resulting in countless pseudo-gentlemen emerging over the centuries, yet it's hard to find a single true gentleman.

  But it was clear that Suning saw a true Confucian standing in front of him.

  For a true master with personality and principles, Suning has always been very respectful. The old man looks down on those hypocritical bricklayers, but for a true master who can uphold his own principles, not look at people with colored glasses, and have sufficient knowledge, he is quite respectful.

  So Suning bowed deeply to Kong Yingda, expressing his respect, and then said with great reverence: "Mr. Kong, the junior is not ignorant of benevolence and righteousness, nor is the teacher ignorant of benevolence and righteousness, it's just that the junior really cannot forgive."