The title of "Yanshenggong" began in the Song Dynasty and was abolished by the government of the Republic of China in later generations. The Kong family in Qufu has inherited the title of "Yanshenggong" for a total of 880 years.
In the second year of Zhihe of the Song Dynasty, Renzong of the Song Dynasty granted Yan Shenggong and made him hereditary. Although the official rank is not high, it is very valuable. Compared with previous titles such as "Bon Cheng", "Bang Zun", "Zong Sheng", "Feng Sheng", "Chong Sheng", "Gong Sheng" and "Bang Sheng" etc. The highest realm of Kong Chongsheng.
After the title "Yanshenggong" came out, the Jurchens and Mongols rushed to steal it to win over people's hearts.
Historically, Song, Jin and Yuan each had "Yanshenggong", one in Hengzhou, one in Kaifeng and one in Qufu.
After the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty went south, the contemporary Yanshenggong immediately put on Hufu and took refuge. Although there were some strong-minded people in the Kong family, they moved south in anger, forming the Northern Sect and the Southern Sect. However, as the Mongols fully invaded China, the Southern Sect eventually The three words "Yan Sheng Gong" and "Yan Sheng Gong" became the weapon used by the Mongolian colonists to rule China.
Historically, in the first year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty, the slave chief recognized all the privileges enjoyed by Duke Yansheng in the Ming Dynasty. Kong Yanzhi, the sixty-fourth generation of Duke Yansheng, still served as Duke Yansheng and the crown prince and tutor. During the court meeting, Duke Yan was still listed above the cabinet ministers.
The close relationship between Yan Shenggong and the Manchu colonists reached its peak during the Qianlong period. Emperor Qianlong visited Qufu many times and issued imperial letters such as "Participate with Heaven and Earth", "At the moment of neutrality", "It became a long-lasting \"Wait for the plaque and rebuild the Lingxing Gate, turning wood into stone.
It can be seen that most of the Dukes of Yansheng in the past dynasties were spineless people. They had no idea what dignity, what was family and country, and what was national justice. Benefits as gifts,
It was given to the Mongols, to the Jiannu slaves, and later to the Japanese invaders. It can be regarded as an example of betraying the country and seeking glory for thousands of years!
Under the escort of Miao Shao's troops, Liu Yan rode his horse all the way to Qufu County. However, what surprised Liu Yan was that the Qufu magistrate and other officials did not come to greet him outside the city gate. Only the common people and merchants came and went.
"Master Governor, my subordinates have sent people to notify Qufu County Magistrate in advance. Do they dare to come to greet you?"
Liu Yan sneered and said: "After I took office, I did not come to see Duke Yan immediately. It can be seen that Duke Yan is very angry. This is to show authority to this governor."
Miao Shao said angrily: "This Qufu magistrate is also an idiot. He doesn't know whose subordinate he is? He is willing to obey Yan Shenggong's orders."
"Of course he knows, but in his heart Yan Shenggong should be second only to the emperor!"
Then Liu Yan said coldly: "This governor does not need such subordinates. Immediately send a horse to inform the Government Affairs Department of the shogunate and tell Wang Wenzhen to immediately remove all officials below the magistrate of Qufu from their posts and throw them all to the store of the Ministry of Commerce. Be a shopkeeper and a man."
Miao Shao accepted the order with a smile and said: "I will tell Minister Wang to pick some tough guys who are not stingy and come here to make Duke Yan Sheng comfortable!"
"Enter the city!"
Miao Shao immediately rode his horse to clear the way in front, and the Shandong Governor's guard of honor drove into the city in a mighty manner. The people on the street took cover and watched Liu Yan go directly to the Confucius Mansion under the protection of hundreds of armored troops.
Yanshenggong Mansion, also known as Confucius Mansion, is located in Qufu City, on the east side of Confucius Temple. It is a ducal mansion.
The current scale of the Confucius Mansion was formed in the 16th year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty. It has the main gate and the Yimen.
It consists of a lobby, a second hall, a third hall, two wings, the upper front room, the inner gate and the East Road newspaper hall. From front to back, there are the main gate, Saint Gate, Chongguang Gate, Naizhai Gate, and then the main hall.
Confucius Mansion occupies a huge area and has magnificent buildings. There are 480 buildings, divided into nine courtyards, front and rear, and three roads in the middle, east and west.
Confucius Mansion is divided into front hall, middle residence and back garden. The front hall is the official office, which is divided into the lobby, the second hall and the third hall. It is the place where Yanshenggong handles official business. Yanshenggong is a first-grade official, ranked first among civil servants, and enjoys greater privileges.
The front hall also has six offices including Zhiyin, Zhangshu, Classics, Siyue, Guangou and Baihu Hall to serve the Confucius Mansion.
The middle residence is the inner house and the back garden, where the Duke Yan and his family members lived. The front and back floors of the inner house are the residences of the master, wife, young master and young lady.
The last entrance is the garden, also known as Tieshan Garden. The garden is equipped with rockeries, fish ponds, flower docks, bamboo forests and various flower bonsais. What is particularly rare is the "Five Cypresses Holding Sophora japonica" tree. An ancient cypress tree has five branches, including a Sophora japonica tree, which is rare in the world.
In addition, the Confucius Mansion also has many precious cultural relics collected from the past dynasties, such as Shang and Zhou bronzes, Yuan and Ming Dynasty clothes, ancient calligraphy and paintings, celebrity ink ink, bamboo carvings, jade carvings, porcelain enamel, etc. In addition, there are a large number of documents and archives from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Liu Yan's guard of honor stopped outside the gate of Confucius Mansion, and a large building with large scale and gorgeous architecture appeared in front of him. However, the door of Confucius' Mansion was closed tightly at this time. Even if the soldiers of the New Army came to call the door, no one answered.
"Supervisor?"
Liu Yan frowned at this moment. A family of traitors from all ages dared to be so arrogant.
. If it weren't for Yan Shenggong's transcendent status at this time, which greatly assisted his new policies and rectification of military affairs, Liu Yan would have no intention of wasting time here.
"Go and call the door again. If no one answers, the governor will tear down the door!"
"yes!"
Miao Shao excitedly rode forward and called the door himself.
"Open the door! Liu Yan, the governor of Shandong and Dinglubo, has arrived. Open the door immediately!"
After calling a few times, the excitement on Miao Shao's face became more and more intense. He immediately waved to his subordinates and was about to open the door. At this time, he heard the sound of dense footsteps coming from inside, and someone shouted: "The Duke Yan Sheng is here." !”
Miao Shao sighed regretfully, and then led the people to step aside. Liu Yan frowned slightly and sat on the horse without saying a word.
Soon, the door slowly opened, and a man named Yanshenggong, who was wearing a first-grade crane patchwork red official uniform, strode forward. Two teams of servants in silk and satin clothes ran out, then stood on both sides and lowered their hands respectfully, shouting: "Millennium The first family in Qufu to have connections with saints. Duke Yan has arrived!"
Miao Shao raised his eyebrows and said to Liu Yan in a low voice: "Tch! I don't have the ability to fart, but the ostentation is quite grand!"
Liu Yan sneered and said: "The ostentation is indeed very big. According to the rules, you and I have to salute him. After all, he is the highest among the officials. He is the Duke, and I am the earl!"
The dissatisfaction on Miao Shao's face became even stronger. He looked coldly at the smiling Duke Yan Sheng in the distance, seeming to be thinking about something.
Then Liu Yan got off his horse and Miao Shao followed.
"Liu Yan, the governor of Shandong and Dinglupa, has met Duke Yan!"
This generation of Yanshenggong is the 64th generation grandson of Confucius. His name is Kong Yinzhi, with the courtesy name Maojia. He succeeded to the title of Yanshenggong in the first year of Qi tomorrow and is now fifty.
Although he is 30 years old, his face still looks very young, as if he is in his thirties, and his true age cannot be seen at all.
"Haha, Liu Duchen is a famous general in the world. When I see him today, he is indeed extraordinary!"
Liu Yan looked at the servants of the Kong family on the left and right, and said: "The battle of Yan Shenggong does not look like welcoming guests, but more like a demonstration!"
Kong Yinzhi was stunned for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, Liu Yan jumped in and said with a smile: "I came here from Japan today to ask for something. I wonder if there is any good tea at Yan Shenggong's house?"
"Haha, of course there is, please!"
Liu Yan followed Yan Shenggong and walked inside, while a large group of soldiers and horses were waiting outside. Only Miao Shao accompanied him wearing armor.
Entering the Confucius Mansion, Liu Yan saw the luxury of the Confucius Mansion along the way. Whether it was the Prince De's Mansion in Jinan Fucheng or the Prince Zhou's Mansion in Kaifeng Fucheng, they were not as grand and luxurious as the Confucius Mansion. It was indeed a family that had lasted for thousands of years.
In the main hall, Kong Yinzhi sat down, and Liu Yan and Miao Shao also sat in the guest seats. A maid brought tea. Liu Yan took a look and saw that this was eight-treasure tea. In addition to fine tea leaves, it also contained deer antlers. , ginseng, tiger tendon, etc. are made into fine dried products after drying.
Liu Yan couldn't help but sigh: "The wealth of Duke Yan Sheng is indeed the best in the world. It is estimated that Emperor Chongzhen's level of luxury is not as luxurious as that of Duke Yan!"
"Haha, Governor Liu said that he wanted to ask for something today. I really don't understand what else a provincial governor can ask of me. You know, although I am Duke Yansheng, I never get involved in political affairs. It will only go to court when His Majesty has an edict."
Liu Yan took a sip of Babao tea. To be honest, the taste was just average. It just highlighted a luxurious and valuable character.
That’s all.
"Gong Yansheng should have heard that the governor is implementing the new policy in various parts of Shandong and has begun to rectify the local guards and the vassal guards."
"Well, I have heard about it, and I also heard that the vassal kings from various places seem to have strong opinions on this."
"This is what I want to ask you for today."
Liu Yan said: "I would like to ask Duke Yan to come forward and persuade the vassal princes from various places to cooperate with the Governor's Office to complete the reorganization of the entire Shandong army as soon as possible."
After saying that, Miao Shao stood up and handed over a gift list.
Liu Yan knew that Yan Shenggong might be better than the vassals everywhere in terms of financial resources, and he was at least the richest man in Shandong, so Liu Yan was bleeding money on this gift list.
There are many valuable items on the gift list. There are three complete sets of glazed wine sets, tea sets, and tableware. Together with other gifts, the total value is about four thousand silver coins. It is the largest gift list Liu Yan has given out in recent years. .
But after Kong Yinzhi saw it, there was no particularly happy look on his face. He just said lightly: "Liu Duchen is interested."
"The gift is too light!"
Liu Yan couldn't help but sigh at Kong Yinzhi's arrogance. He didn't even look down on the gift of four thousand silver coins. How rich was he?
"If you hadn't been using the name Yan Shenggong, I would have raided your home today. Maybe I could use your wealth to help all the governments in Shandong go directly to the well-off society!"
"You're welcome, Mr. Yan Sheng, but as for what I said?"
"This matter is very difficult to handle. Should Liu Duchen go the way of the imperial court? I heard that Mr. Hong Ge has an old relationship with Liu Duchen, so maybe it can be done."
Liu Yan laughed loudly and said: "This town is also a straight man, why don't Yan Shenggong directly put forward the conditions?
Let's talk face to face, and if it's appropriate, we'll help each other. If it's not, I'll go back. "
Kong Yinzhi was stunned for a moment, and he threatened Liu Yan, not only because Liu Yan did not come to see him in time, but also because he heard that Liu Yan was in Qufu, and guessed that Liu Yan might beg him for the rectification of Shandong's troops.
So Kong Yinzhi deliberately gave Liu Yan some color in order to ask for a high price, but he didn't expect Liu Yan to be so direct, and Kong Yinzhi's words were directly held in his mouth, unable to be said.
After a while, Kong Yinzhi put away his smile and said: "The governor is so happy, I won't beat around the bush anymore. This rectification of Shandong's soldiers and horses will offend the vassal kings everywhere. Even I have to think about it. But I didn’t expect the governor to be so bold and dare to risk the disapproval of the world!"
"Ha! This town has been fighting in the south and north for many years, and the mountains of corpses and seas of blood have passed the chance. Naturally, we won't care about this. Just tell this town, can we help you with this matter?"
Kong Yinzhi said: "Of course it is possible, but the governors and ministers must be exchanged."
"Return it for what?"
"I heard that there are many properties in the governor's shogunate. How about giving 10% of the income every month in return?"
Miao Shao suddenly became angry and stood up suddenly, about to have a fit, but Liu Yan glared at him and stopped him.
"Haha, the general under the command of the governor is too hot-tempered and will easily suffer!"
Liu Yan stood up slowly and said: "Three hundred thousand silver coins. If Yan Shenggong agrees, I will immediately order someone to transport it. If you don't agree, just pretend that I haven't been here today!"
"But one thing, I would like to remind Mr. Yan Sheng: After receiving the money, you must help others to eliminate disasters. If the vassal kings everywhere still disagree, this town will ask for that Yan Sheng.
It’s a public question! "
An hour later, Liu Yan and Miao Shao left the Kong residence. Kong Yinzhi personally sent them out and said, "I will take care of this matter. Within a month, I will definitely have the letter."
"Then I will thank Duke Yansheng. Three hundred thousand silver coins will be sent to Qufu County within fifteen days."
"good!"
Kong Yinzhi smiled and was about to speak, but heard Liu Yan say: "In addition, the magistrate of Qufu County and others are embarrassed, so I took them away first. The new officials will arrive soon. When the time comes, I will also invite Duke Yan. Train him well!"
Kong Yinzhi was stunned.
