"Mr. Lin is offering wine...the assistant minister, Eunuch Xiao, the supervisor of etiquette, Bingbi Bingbi, and Bachelor Cheng are here to visit."
Just when Lin Han was about to teach his daughter a vivid lesson on thrift and housekeeping, someone came to the door to deliver a message.
Lin Han looked at his nervous daughter and said, "Since it's from your future husband's family, accept it and treat it as a make-up gift. You don't have to keep anyone in the house. As a father, I can't give it to you." Too many additions.”
"yes."
Lin Yi was so happy that with her father's consent, these things really belonged to her.
Lin Han said: "In the next few days, your family members in Fujian and your younger brothers and sisters will come together. There is enough place for them to live in the capital. They are not like before where they can only find places to rent..."
When Lin Han was promoted, the emperor also understood that most of his family members, especially his concubines and children, were in his hometown, so he sent people to bring Lin Han's family to the capital.
Although the official residence was not a given house and the property rights did not belong to Lin Han, it could be regarded as Lin Han's residence in the capital for some time to come. The place was naturally spacious and bright.
This reflects the emperor's high regard for Lin Han.
"Finally the family is reunited." Ruan said.
Mrs. Ruan has never had children in her life, but her husband has always been able to flourish. However, in recent years, due to the pressure of life, the Lin family has returned to their hometown one after another... Mrs. Ruan will not fight for anything at this age.
…
…
Lin Han explained the moving matter.
Then he came out to see Xiao Jing and Cheng Minzheng. Seeing that they were very cautious, Lin Han couldn't think of anything related to it with his political thinking.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "That's it. Although Bachelor Cheng has been reinstated and is going to Nanjing to take charge of the affairs of the Southern Hanlin Academy, he may still be delayed for half a month before leaving... There is a matter involving the inheritance of Zongzuo's etiquette. His Majesty wants to Let two respected old gentlemen take the lead."
Lin Han's expression also darkened.
Although Zong Zuo was not necessarily talking about the royal family, but the eunuch and eunuch who was responsible for the ceremony came out to talk about Zong Zuo, what is it if it is not a royal matter?
The emperor has already established a prince... What does this mean?
"I don't quite understand." Lin Han could only wait for Xiao Jing to explain to him in detail.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Don't get me wrong, it has nothing to do with the royal family, but involves the inheritance of the nobles and nobles in the court. Your Majesty's intention is to form a custom, that is, brothers will succeed to the brothers."
Lin Han was puzzled and looked over at Cheng Minzheng. He could tell that Cheng Minzheng should have learned what was going on from Xiao Jing before coming to the Imperial College.
But at this time, Cheng Minzheng lowered his head and did not look at Lin Han.
"Father and son inherit each other. If there are no children, brothers will succeed to each other. Is there any doubt about this?" Lin Han felt that Xiao Jing's words seemed unnecessary.
Xiao Jing said: "There is no doubt. It's just that if you are an elder brother and your title is reduced due to a crime, then there will be no heirs after your brother dies, and there is no need to pass it back to the eldest son."
"Um?"
When Lin Han heard this, he immediately felt that the emperor was referring to someone in particular.
Among the nobles of the current dynasty, those who were deprived of titles due to crimes include Kong Hongxu, who is from the lineage of Yan Shenggong, and Zhang Yuanji, the 46th generation of the Zhengtang Celestial Master, who was titled "Great Master".
The Zhang Yuanji and Kong Hongxu cases occurred in the same year, but Zhang Yuanji was more vicious, killing more than 40 people, and a family of three. In the end, he was demoted to a commoner, and his cousin Zhang Yuanqing succeeded to the position of Tianshi. He is the 47th generation Heavenly Master.
Now that Zhang Yuanji has long passed away, Zhang Yuanqing's position as Celestial Master is very stable. He once married the daughter of Cheng Guogong Zhu Yi, who was Zhu Feng's aunt.
But later this daughter died early and left no heirs. Zhang Yuanqing's eldest son Zhang Yanyi was not born until the third year of Hongzhi, and it was not until the fourteenth year of Hongzhi that he came to the court for the first time to pay tribute.
If the emperor was not talking about Zhang Yuanqing, he could only be talking about Kong Hongxu.
Lin Han was quite straightforward and asked: "Isn't it already decided that the inheritance of Yanshenggong should be inherited by the eldest son of the current eldest son?"
"Mr. Lin, don't be so direct." Xiao Jing was speechless after hearing this.
As expected, the two men, Weng and son-in-law, have similar personalities, and even their words are so non-circular.
Lin Han asked: "Is there another family?"
When he looked at Cheng Minzheng again, Cheng Minzheng was also smiling at him, as if to say, after hearing these words, I had already guessed that it was the old Kong family, but I am embarrassed to point it out, but you are still awesome.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "It is this family. His Majesty's intention is to ask the two of you to pass on the title of this family and set the rules, so that no one will follow suit again, thinking that being guilty can also make your own body or The heirs inheriting the family title violates the rules."
"Um."
Lin Han nodded.
It still sounds reasonable.
If a person commits a crime, even a capital crime, he does not have to die, and his heirs will still have the opportunity to inherit the title again. This in itself is disrespectful to the Ming Dynasty title inheritance system.
But because the Kong family is still too special, just like when Kong Hongxu committed a crime, he was not escorted to the capital, and he was not shackled, which is enough to show the royal family's fear of the Kong family.
The current emperor's father, Emperor Chenghua, was so afraid of the Confucius family. How come the current Emperor Hongzhi, who founded the country with benevolence and filial piety, seems to be so strong on the Confucius family?
Xiao Jing asked: "Mr. Lin agreed?"
Lin Han knew that Cheng Minzheng was not qualified to refuse in this matter, and he was the only one who could raise objections now. He said: "With Confucianism as an example for scholars and literati, and the establishment of a country through imperial examinations, if it is changed easily, will it... "
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "Lin always feels that times have changed and it is too late to investigate and change it now, right?"
"Yeah." Lin Han still didn't hide it and nodded, "That's exactly what I'm worried about."
If Kong Hongxu's crimes were used to change the inheritance of the title, it would be a bit like settling old scores.
Because in recent years, both the Kong family and the imperial court have regarded Kong Hongxu's son Kong Wenshao as the next generation successor to Duke Yansheng. Otherwise, why would Kong Hongtai bring this nephew with him every time he came to Beijing? Why do you have the shamelessness to marry Li Dongyang, a great scholar?
Xiao Jing said: "What if this former Yan Shenggong may have unpardonable sins in the future?"
"ah?"
Even though Lin Han was in a good mood, he couldn't help but be shocked after hearing this.
What is this word?
Are there any unpardonable sins in the future? Then just kill the person! Also used to ask about the inheritance of titles?
Xiao Jing said: "Both of you, don't hide it. There is a man in the northwest who is proficient in astronomy and calendar, and is also good at asking about heavenly secrets. He predicted that major events will happen in the Queli Xuansheng Temple in the next two days, which may affect the inheritance of the Duke of Yansheng. ?”
"Zhang...Bingkuan?" Lin Han had already stood up from his seat.
Is Zhang Zhou crazy?
Forget about confronting the civil servants of the Manchu Dynasty, now you want to attack the Kong family?
Is he trying to be at odds with the entire literary force?
Xiao Jing nodded and said: "It's Mr. Zhang. The incident happened suddenly, and it was difficult for your Majesty to ask for countermeasures. Previously, he only asked Mr. Li Ge for advice. Seeing that things are about to happen in the next two days, for the sake of the stability of the country, your Majesty can only ask Famous and respected Confucian scholars came out to set rules for the inheritance of Duke Yan Sheng and even the title of Ming Dynasty. Only two of them were invited."
Lin Han frowned and said, "Such a secret statement may not be credible."
Cheng Minzheng asked weakly: "What will happen to the Xuansheng Temple in Queli?"
Xiao Jing said with a smile: "Just wait and see for these two days. But this matter must involve the Holy Duke Qianyan, so that... His Majesty has to be prepared in advance for the public opinion between the government and the public."
Now Lin Han and Cheng Minzheng seemed to be on the same side. They looked at each other and thought, hasn't Kong Hongxu, who once committed a crime, changed his mind? What else is he trying to do? Zhang Zhou actually figured it out?
This is incredible!
Lin Han said: "Your Majesty just... informed the two of us before it happened?"
Just say, aren't you afraid that we will inform the Kong family and let the Kong family notify Kong Hongxu in time so that nothing can happen?
But when Lin Han asked, he seemed to understand.
When the incident is only one or two days away from happening, and it is made public, it seems that even if it is leaked now, it will be too late to notify Kong Hongxu, what should happen will still happen...
The emperor is trying to trick Kong's family!
Xiao Jing sighed: "You two, things have not happened yet. Your Majesty does not want to cause trouble in advance. If things fail in the end, is it because Mr. Zhang failed to predict it? Or is it because someone stepped back from the cliff in time?"
Cheng Minzheng sighed: "If this kind of thing is really going to happen, there is nothing wrong with reporting it like this... From my point of view, there is nothing wrong with it."
After Cheng Minzheng experienced the previous turmoil in the examination room, he became wiser.
I stand on the side of the civil servants, just waiting to be cheated. Now I can only stand on the side of the emperor and Zhang Zhou. I can do whatever the emperor asks me to do. I am not like Lin Han. Want to put on airs.
Xiao Jing said: "So let the two of you make preparations in your mind. After drafting it in the past two days, we will present it together. There are still people in our family who want to meet, so I won't bother you too much."
"Is this also for this reason?"
Lin Han stood up to see off the guests. Hearing that Xiao Jing was going to meet someone else, he naturally wanted to ask.
He also didn't understand what it meant when the emperor asked Xiao Jing to come out to publicize the matter in advance instead of looking for them afterward.
Xiao Jing smiled and shook his head, meaning that this matter should not be told to others.
…
…
After Cheng Minzheng and Lin Han learned that something might happen in Qufu, everyone in the capital seemed to know about it that day.
The news spread so fast that even Xiao Jing, who was responsible for delivering the news, was a little surprised.
Li Dongyang had a day off that day and was about to go to the palace for night duty at sunset. However, Kong Hongtai came to visit anxiously. Although Li Dongyang felt guilty at this time and did not want to meet Kong Hongtai, he seemed to know that avoiding was not an option and could only take advantage of the situation. Before going on night duty, I met Kong Hongtai.
"...Mr. Li Ge, something bad is going to happen. It is said that Mr. Zhang, who can know things about ghosts and gods, prophesied that my brother will commit crimes in Xuansheng Temple. This matter is of great importance. Can you please We must think of a countermeasure!"
When Kong Hongtai said what he said, Li Dongyang was completely confused.
What?
Even Kong Hongtai knew about it before it happened? Could it be that the four Directors of Ceremonies leaked the information, and someone wanted to blame me for the leak?
Li Dongyang pretended to be calm and said: "Dongzhuang, you don't have to worry. How can the prophecy be accurate?"
Dongzhuang is only Kong Hongtai's nickname, but because Kong Hongtai usually calls himself Dongzhuang, everyone in the capital is accustomed not to call him by his title or cousin. People who are familiar with him refer to him as Dongzhuang, and scholars also treat each other as Dongzhuang. Call him "Mr. Dongzhuang" to show your closeness.
Li Dongyang neither said yes nor did he say no, only that it was unbelievable.
Kong Hongtai said: "It is being spread throughout the government and the public. It is said to be news released from the palace."
After hearing this, Li Dongyang was horrified.
I took a nap during the day, why was everything turned upside down outside? Did the palace take the initiative to release the news? This...this is so cruel!
Li Dongyang was resourceful after all, and he immediately figured out the trick.
Aren’t you, Li Dongyang, worried about being blamed by Kong’s family afterwards for not reporting what you knew in advance? Would the Kong family also complain that the emperor and Zhang Zhou hid the matter and waited to see the joke?
Then wait until the incident has not happened, but it is too late for the news to be transmitted back to Qufu, and then leak the matter and let everyone in the capital know that Zhang Zhou predicted that Kong Hongxu would commit adultery... and then Almost everyone in the capital and even the whole world became witnesses...
We all know that you, Kong Hongxu, are going to commit adultery, but only you, Kong Hongxu, don’t know, and then you, Kong Hongxu, really commit adultery!
Then please ask.
Whose responsibility is this?
Do you blame the emperor for not notifying you of the Kong family in advance? Or do you blame yourselves?
The whole world is watching the Kong family’s jokes, but you Kong family members still want to criticize you?
"Mr. Li Ge, are you...are you listening?"
Kong Hongtai didn't expect that Li Dongyang was completely stunned.
Li Dongyang forced himself to calm down and said, "I'm thinking."
Are you thinking of countermeasures?
of course not.
Li Dongyang was thinking, before I was worried that I wouldn't be able to explain it to Dongzhuang and the Kong family afterwards, but now I don't have to worry because the emperor has explained everything clearly in advance.
Not only did Li Dongyang know about this in advance, but you, Kong Hongtai, also knew about it in advance? Even everyone in the capital knows about it.
Everyone is a prophet and a witness, so there is no question of who bears responsibility.
Blame Zhang Zhou?
Zhang Zhou knew about it, why didn't he tell him in advance?
If Zhang Zhou was harboring bad intentions, he wouldn't have said anything and just waited to watch the excitement afterwards and add insult to injury.
If it is indeed true, then all the responsibility lies with the person who committed the crime. How does it mean to blame others?
"Dongzhuang, if you are really worried that this may happen, is it still too late to send someone to notify you?" Li Dongyang tentatively gave an idea.
He said this, but in fact Li Dongyang already knew it and it was too late.
Because the time Zhang Zhou predicted that the thing would happen was that night, no matter how fast the horse was, it would not be possible to run more than a thousand miles in six or seven hours. This is also based on the fact that the thing happened before dawn.
Which is to say... things look irreversible.
Unless Kong Hongxu doesn’t do it.
If you do it and it is right, then you will really be laughed at by everyone in the world.
Kong Hongtai said with a mournful face: "After I learned the news, I sent someone to inform me to go back, but it will take at least two days of long journey... without sleep to get the news across. How... is this possible?"
Li Dongyang said: "It's not an option to be anxious. I think your brother won't do anything to harm the imperial court, right?"
At this time, Li Dongyang seemed very calm.
Before, he was still looking forward and backward, but now, like the think tank of the Kong family, he is still offering words of comfort.
"Zhang Bingkuan has many things he said about God's will, but this time it involves human affairs. How could my brother follow what he said and do what he predicted?" Li Dongyang continued.
Kong Hongtai said: "Mr. Li Ge, is there no way...to tell His Majesty in advance?"
Li Dongyang took a breath and said, "What did you say?"
"this……"
Li Dongyang thought to himself, why are you in Dongzhuang so stubborn? Your brother's crime seems to be a blow to the Kong family, but it will be helpful to you.
This will establish your position in the Kong family.
Who doesn't know that you are now the head of the family in name, but you are suppressed by your brother in every aspect? The so-called benevolence and filial piety have tied you down, and you have had no heirs for so many years. Is it because you really can't give birth, or is it because of something else that you don't care about?
Li Dongyang said: "The matter has come to this, and I have nothing to say. If Zhang Bingkuan's words are really true, it will be brother Ling's responsibility. You don't have to blame yourself then."
"I……"
Kong Hongtai looked at Li Dongyang eagerly.
It seems to be saying, I knew about this in advance, I witnessed it with everyone in the world, and I watched my brother’s jokes together. How could my family not regard me as a sinner of the family?
Or maybe they would think that I was deliberately stumbling upon my brother in order not to return the title, or even be an accomplice!
However, Li Dongyang could see that this was probably the purpose of the emperor and Zhang Zhou.
We must not only retain your title of Kong Hongtai, cheat your brother and your nephew, and suppress the reputation of your Kong family to maintain the imperial authority, but we must also keep you, the current Duke Yansheng, from alienating your family and completely siding with the emperor.
At the same time, he bribed me, Mr. Li...
I can't even count how much this kills two birds with one stone.
"You can go back with peace of mind. I will ask questions for you when I enter the palace," Li Dongyang said.
"Then... then please."
Kong Hongtai's expression of pleading also made Li Dongyang see that Kong Hongtai really regarded him as a friend. At this time, he actually thought that Li Dongyang would help Kong Hongxu and his son?
Not to mention that Zhang Zhou predicted that Kong Hongxu would set a fire today. Even if it didn't happen and it was only Kong Hongxu's bad deeds, I, Mr. Li, don't want to get involved with your Kong family!
…
…
Li Dongyang entered the palace gate and went to the cabinet to check in, but neither Liu Jian nor Xie Qian left.
There was a lot of news from the outside, and Liu Jian and Xie Qian were not closed-minded. Liu Jian had felt that the matter might be related to the Kong family before, but now the rumors have confirmed his guess.
"Binzhi, aren't you going to make it clear to us?" Xie Qian said with a smile.
Xie Qian didn't think anything of it, but Liu Jian looked serious.
Perhaps only Liu Jian's identity and status would consider what impact it would have on the imperial power and the power of the Kong family if it really happened.
As the chief minister, I don't want to see him end up in this situation.
Li Dongyang said: "You already know this, what else do you need me to say?"
"What crime is that?" Xie Qian asked with a smile.
"Set fire." Li Dongyang said.
Liu Jian frowned and said, "Burn the Xuansheng Temple?"
"Yeah." Li Dongyang nodded.
Liu Jian took a breath, sighed and said: "If you had said it in advance, it would definitely not have happened... But I also understand your situation. If the news hadn't come from the palace, let alone you... Even if it was you... I can’t open this mouth either.”
(End of chapter)
