"I'm going to go to Qufu myself!"
As soon as these words came out, the room in Huangji Hall suddenly became quiet.
The eyes of the ministers were also full of surprise. They really did not expect that the emperor would go to Qufu in person.
From the First Emperor to the present, there are many emperors who have visited the Confucius Temple, such as Gaozu, Emperor Guangwu, and Emperor Zhang of Han in the Han Dynasty; Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty in the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties; Gaozong and Xuanzong in the Tang Dynasty; and Guo Wei, the Taizu of the Later Zhou Dynasty in the Five Dynasties. Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty and others went to Qufu to offer sacrifices in person.
Especially in the first year of Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty went to the Confucius Mansion to worship Confucius' father in person, and even went to Confucius Forest to worship.
Three days later, Confucius, his parents, and his wife were given posthumous titles, and then they were given sacrificial fields, money, silk, books, etc.
The entire sacrificial ceremony was very solemn, exceeding the standards of previous emperors, which shows that the Confucius family valued it in the eyes of previous emperors.
But after the Ming Dynasty, everything changed.
So far, among the fifteen emperors, no emperor has ever been to the Confucius Temple in Qufu. Although he was polite to the Confucius Mansion on the surface, he was not cold to the Confucius Mansion in his heart.
In particular, Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang first kicked Yasheng out of the Confucius Temple.
Then, taking advantage of the fact that the fifty-fifth generation Sun Kong Kejian refused to come to Nanjing for an audience, he abolished the ritual system of universal sacrifice since Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and then ordered that no one from the Confucius family be allowed to serve as an official.
When Emperor Jiajing arrived, his methods were even more ruthless than those of Taizu.
Directly reforming the Confucius Temple and worshiping Confucius, in addition to "destroying the statues and using wooden masters", "reducing the number of sacrificial vessels", "all those who worshiped have their titles reduced", etc., they also declared that "Confucius will not be king" and changed his name to "Confucius will not be king". The most holy teacher."
The deposing of King Wenxuan, who had been ennobled since Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, was a major blow to the civil service group.
Now the emperor is going to the Confucius Mansion. With the current development of things, the Confucius Mansion has been abolished.
"Yuan Keli, summoned the world that there will be no big sacrifices this year. We will make a decision after everything is sorted out!"
"Li Ruolian, send someone to inform the people in Nankong to meet me at the Confucius Temple. Just go to the Confucius Temple before the Spring and Autumn Festival!"
"Retreat!"
After Chongzhen made arrangements, he immediately got off the platform and walked out of Huangji Hall, without giving the ministers a chance to speak.
In the Huangji Hall, the ministers looked at each other with helpless expressions, and then looked at Yuan Keli in the front row.
Liu Zongzhou, the Minister of Rites, said softly: "Mr. Yuan Ge, we still don't know whether the matter in the Confucius Mansion is true or false. There is no harm in checking it out.
But the Spring and Autumn Festival is to worship Saint Confucius. This is a major event for the scholars of the world. If we don’t allow the sacrifice, will this cause dissatisfaction among the scholars? Can you please advise Your Majesty? "
"Yes, Mr. Yuan Ge, even if there is a problem with the bloodline of the Confucian family now, and His Majesty wants to abolish the title of Yanshenggong, he still has to worship Confucius afterwards, and there will be a stalemate with the world's scholars. This is not good! "
"Mr. Ge, although Taizu issued an edict to abolish the universal sacrifice of the world in the second year of Hongwu, it was restored in the fifteenth year of Hongwu. Taizu was so strong that he was unwilling to oppose the world's scholars.
Nowadays, all kinds of wastes are prospering, the Ming Dynasty has the appearance of resurgence, and your majesty has the appearance of a holy king. If you are in trouble with the scholars all over the world, the records in the history books will be ugly in the future! "
…
"Have you detailed any changes in the matters His Majesty decided in the two years since he took the throne? Do your job well and don't force His Majesty to get angry and deal with you all!"
"Don't spread the word about what happened in the court today, so as not to cause trouble later."
Yuan Keli shook his head helplessly.
This group of people simply didn't use their brains at all. Didn't they see that this matter was basically a foregone conclusion?
But he was also a little worried, wondering if the emperor had any back-up plan to deal with the world's scholars.
Li Ruolian grinned, turned around and stepped out of Huangji Palace.
The emperor has a good temper, but do you really think that the emperor dare not kill his ministers?
Students dare to make trouble? Let them make a scene and see if the emperor dares to kill him?
Kill him first, and then take the opportunity to abolish the six privileges of scholars set by Taizu.
In Kunning Palace, Chongzhen held Zhu Cixiang in his arms and said to Queen Zhou: "Queen, do you want to go back to Suzhou?"
"Suzhou?"
Zhou Yufeng, who was busy making tea, chuckled and said: "Your Majesty, concubines are not allowed to leave the palace without any reason. This is a rule that has existed since ancient times. As a queen, I naturally have to set an example.
It is impossible to return to Suzhou. Even if His Majesty allows it, I will not go back.
The land route from Beijing to Suzhou is more than 2,000 miles. If you take the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, it is estimated to be more than 3,000 miles. The round trip takes three to four months. There are at least one or two thousand followers and guards accompanying you all the way, and the cost is tens of thousands of taels at least. ,
This does not include the expenses of the coastal government, etc., as well as disturbing the people, using trackers, etc.
Although His Majesty has been working hard to obtain money since he ascended the throne, and the national treasury has become increasingly abundant, there are many ways to use money.
The autumn harvest is about to begin in the land south of the Yangtze River. His Majesty has been worried about food since he ascended the throne. If I go now, won't I be causing trouble for Your Majesty?
Let's wait a moment. When the world is stable and the people are rich, I will take Xun'er back to the south of the Yangtze River to have a look. I thought, this day is not too far away. "
"Queen!"
Listening to Zhou Yufeng's words, Chongzhen's heart was full of courage, and he was worthy of being a virtuous empress.
"Queen, I'm going to Jiangnan in a few days, and I'm just on the way. You can also take the opportunity to go back to Suzhou!"
"Really? Is your Majesty trying to make my concubine happy?"
Queen Zhou was instantly shocked by this sudden surprise and was stunned on the spot.
Her family was poor, and her mother was her father's stepmother. She took care of the housework since she was a child, and then moved to Beijing with her father.
In the sixth year of the Apocalypse, Zhu Youjian, who was still King Xin at the time, selected a princess for his wedding. Queen Yi'an Zhang Yan selected the fifteen-year-old Princess Xin as her eldest sister-in-law and surrogate mother, and became Princess Xin.
As Chongzhen ascended the throne, she became the queen. At this point, it had been almost ten years since she left Suzhou.
It is impossible to say that I miss my hometown.
"Of course it's true. There are some things to deal with in the south. I have to go there!"
"Your Majesty, you are going to deal with state affairs. If I follow you, will it have any negative impact? This..."
"It doesn't matter. When the time comes, I'll be busy with mine and you can play with yours. It won't affect you."
"Yeah, great!"
After receiving Chongzhen's approval, Zhou Yufeng cheered: "I want to eat Taihu crabs, old-fashioned wontons, Tongli Zhuangyuan's trotters, pickled cabbage hearts, red bean porridge...
Your Majesty, the local red bean porridge in Suzhou is delicious. It tastes sweet but not greasy, and it also has the taste of bean paste. It has been passed down for thousands of years. When the time comes, you have to try it..."
At this moment, Queen Zhou looked like a little girl, her eyes full of expectation.
"I thank you, Your Majesty!"
Empress Zhou playfully bowed to Chongzhen, then chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, if you take your concubines, what will you do with the sisters?"
"I have been bored in the palace for so long. You can ask them later. If you are willing to go together, you can go together. If you are not willing, just stay in the palace!"
"I would like to thank Your Majesty on behalf of my sisters!"
"Well, I still have some things to deal with. It may take as little as four or five days or as long as half a month to set off. You should be prepared!"
After a few words of advice, Chongzhen returned to Dongnuan Pavilion.
