To the prefect's yamen, the Huang family was indeed ants.
But for the Ming Dynasty, Duke Yansheng's Mansion was by no means an ant. They had their own huge energy and influence.
Kong Na, the Duke of Yansheng, was walking slowly with his "Analects of Confucius" in his hand. From time to time, he stretched out his hand to stroke his beard. The spring breeze was blowing on his face. It was the time when he was full of scholarly energy and full of economic knowledge.
"Father."
In his early twenties, Kong Gongjian (jian) was in his prime, dressed in scholar's clothes, and respectfully saluted Kong Ne.
Kong Ne put the Analects of Confucius on his back and said with a smile: "How is the repair of the family temple going?"
Kong Gongjian replied solemnly: "Three hundred skilled craftsmen have been recruited. There will be no problems. The repairs will be completed in less than two months."
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Kong Ne nodded with satisfaction, looked up at the sky, and said, "Our ancestors have blessed us, and we can't let them be exposed to wind and rain. Don't worry about expenses. If you don't have enough money, just ask the magistrate to withdraw it. He will always give it to you."
When Kong Gongjian heard about this, his face became a little ugly. He lowered his head and said, "Father, would it be inappropriate for us to manipulate Magistrate Zheng?"
For a twenty-year-old young man, Kong Gongjian yearned more for being upright and upright, and he also hoped to act with courtesy.
But his father seemed to have violated the words of his ancestors, "blackmailed" the place, "demanded bribes" for money, and used the money to repair the Confucius family temple. If his ancestors knew about it, he wouldn't be happy, right?
Kong Na didn't take it seriously and said with a calm smile: "The way of the sage is to educate and restrain all people, but it is not used to educate and restrain your own people. You are still young and cannot see through the truth of this world."
"The truth about the world?"
Kong Gongjian was full of doubts.
Could it be said that the way of sages is only useful to others but has no effect on yourself?
Could it be that the way of the sages is like a hammer? You can take it out when you need it and knock off the thorns, but you can hide it when you don't need it.
Kong Na looked at his son and taught him deeply: "Our ancestor Confucius once said that we can learn from each other, but we cannot learn from each other; we can learn from each other, but we cannot establish ourselves together; we can learn from each other, but we cannot share power." We Although what we have learned is the way of sages, we live in a world that is not full of sages. Therefore, when learning the way and adapting to the way, you should also adapt to it. If you don't know how to adapt, talking about sages and sages will not last long, whether it is a person or a family. Live."
Kong Gongjian looked at Kong Ne half-understanding.
"Don't be stubborn, but change. Keep it in mind."
Konne said seriously.
His son Kong Gongjian had never seen the storms of history. He lived in an era without wars or earth-shaking changes. When he was born, the Ming Dynasty had been established for more than ten years.
The generous and peaceful environment made Kong Gongjian too idealistic and too scholarly.
But Kong Ne knew clearly that the Kong family could never influence the court by relying on scholars. Only by being tied to the people, the place, and the scholars in the world could the Kong family be immortal forever!
The Yuan Dynasty gave the Confucius family unparalleled respect. What happened to the Mongols? They recognized and respected the Kong family, they truly trusted the Kong family, and gave them countless benefits!
Back then, the Kong family supported the Yuan Dynasty in fighting the Red Turban Army and the "rebels" out of "interest" considerations.
It was just that the destiny of the Yuan Dynasty was no longer there, so the Kong family had to take refuge with Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang respected Confucius and respected the teachings of saints, but his attitude and treatment towards Duke Yansheng's mansion were obviously not as good as those of the Yuan Dynasty!
There is also a large family in Yanshenggong's mansion, and they also need to eat, survive, and
Live a nourished life and live a free and unrestrained life. Scholars can't farm the land, but if they only rely on Zhu Yuanzhang's salary, then everyone is worse than a beggar.
The flexible Yanshenggong Mansion expanded its land holdings, and with its own influence and "authority", it controlled Qufu, influenced Yanzhou Mansion, and even had a strong say in Shandong as a whole.
In order to consolidate the status of Yan Sheng Gong Mansion and expand the influence of Yan Sheng Gong Mansion among the people, Kong Ne decided to take a desperate risk and petition the long-tired Shandong people to prevent the imperial court from dredging the Huitong River.
This is a noble goal, for the people, for the common people, and for the Ming Dynasty!
Kong Ne knew the common people's fears, knew that they were afraid of corvee labor and the government, but they were weak and could not and did not dare to resist the imperial court. But if there is a leader, then their fear will be weakened.
As for the people, as long as you say it a few times, they will listen and become their own strength.
In this adventure, Kongne had estimated that the risk would not be too great.
If the imperial court listens to the voice of the people and gives up dredging the river, then Yan Shenggong's Mansion will gain unparalleled prestige and completely gain a foothold among the people.
If the situation gets out of control and the people are in chaos, it has nothing to do with Yan Shenggong's Mansion. The person who should take the blame is the Yanzhou Prefecture's Yamen.
Kong Ne was thinking about the next step when a servant came to report in a hurry: "The imperial court sent an angel with the emperor's order."
"What?"
Kong Ne was surprised.
I haven't done much yet, so why did the emperor send someone here first?
The passerby Si Yanxu Bo entered Yanshenggong's mansion and arrived with the imperial edict in hand. Kong Ne quickly took his family to prepare for the edict, knelt on the ground, and listened uneasily to the content of the edict.
When Yan Xubo was halfway through reading, he took a deep look at Kong Ne and continued reading: "I know very well that Yan Shenggong has great prestige among the people and cares about the people even the smallest things. In order to prevent the people from being harmed by treacherous ministers and to avoid whipping the people in Regarding the dam, Duke Yan is specially appointed as the supervisor of the Huitong River, responsible for dispatching craftsmen and migrant workers, and supervising the dredging of the Huitong River, so as to ensure that all people are worry-free..."
Kong Ne trembled all over, and kowtowed tremblingly: "Thank you for your grace, my emperor, long live long live."
Yan Xubo said with a smile: "The connection of the Supervisory Committee with the river is a major event for the imperial court. Duke Yansheng received this imperial order, which shows that the imperial court attaches great importance to Duke Yansheng's mansion."
Kong Na's face turned pale, he smiled dryly and arranged for the housekeeper to send some silver coins and sent Yan Xubo away.
As night fell, Kong Gongjian brought some dinner to the study.
Kong Ne, who was only in his forties, looked a bit old at this time. Looking at his depressed and decadent father, Kong Gongjian advised: "Father, we have no choice but to obey the orders of the imperial court, so we might as well plan from scratch."
Kong Na looked at Kong Gongjian bitterly, and said sadly: "My father arranged for many people to encourage people to not obey the imperial conscription, so as not to suffer the consequences. But now the imperial court actually asked me to persuade the people to obey the imperial conscription. Let me personally send them into the sea of fire, which is tantamount to killing me!"
Kong Gongjian frowned slightly and did not agree with his father's point of view. He said: "I have studied the court documents and found out that the recruitment of craftsmen and migrant workers this time is not the corvee service in previous years, but the payment of wages. Dredging the river may not be harmful to the people. We can also find a way out for him.”
"What do you know! When the court says it pays wages, it will pay them? The government is corrupt and corruption is rampant. Even though the court allocates millions of dollars, only a few pennies fall into the hands of the people! They don't have enough to eat, they don't live in a warm place, and they have to be beaten. The people are like You are too kind-hearted to allow the court to be so corrupt!"
Konne shouted sharply.
Kong Gongjian looked at his paranoid father and said sadly: "But the imperial edict has been issued, and we can only act according to it."
Kong Na squinted his eyes, with a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, and said, "Please come to Zheng Gang, the prefect of Yanzhou."
"Father, there are some things you can't do!"
Kong Gongjian said eagerly.
Kong Ne chuckled and said: "You are still young and don't understand the affairs of the court. If you want to take up the role of Duke Yan, you will have to wait for a few years. Go and do things."
Kong Gongjian wanted to say something else, but Kong Ne waved his hand and drove him out.
Kong Gongjian did not dare to disobey Kong Na's order, so he had to arrange for someone to set out overnight to invite Zheng Gang.
Zheng Gang, the prefect of Yanzhou who was in Rencheng, received the invitation from Duke Yansheng. Instead of rushing to Qufu, he returned to the backyard, opened an embroidery room, and looked at Guangxiu in purple clothes with a look of desire on his face.
Guangxiu did not go as Zheng Gang intended. A few dodges made Zheng Gang even more impatient. He stepped forward, held Guangxiu in his arms, and wanted to take off his clothes.
"Master Zheng, why are you so anxious?"
Guangxiu stretched out her fingers, blocked Zheng Gang's lips, smiled lightly, and said: "Now that the court documents have been delivered, the recruitment of migrant workers has become a foregone conclusion. Don't you think about how to deal with it?"
After Zheng Gang heard about it, half of the evil fire was gone. He pushed Guangxiu away and walked to the table. He poured a cup of tea and said, "Is the White Lotus Sect still so well-informed? Who is behind you?"
Guangxiu chuckled and said: "White Lotus Sect followers are spread all over the world, and it is not easy to hear some news."
Zheng Gang took a deep look at the woman in front of him, with some worry in his eyes.
It is impossible for ordinary people to see the documents of the imperial court. The documents arrived in Rencheng today. Only a few hours later, they were transmitted to the eyes and ears of the White Lotus Sect. This intelligence ability is evident.
Perhaps there is someone in his own government office who is connected with the White Lotus Sect!
"The imperial court has orders, and the magistrate's office naturally obeys orders. How else can we respond?"
Zheng Gang said in a deep voice.
Guangxiu shook his head slightly, stepped forward softly, and said, "Don't you think this is an opportunity, sir? The Hongwu Dynasty killed countless people, many officials died unjustly, several Northern Expeditions killed many soldiers, and many people died of exhaustion from years of hard labor. !”
"Now the Jianwen Dynasty is targeting the gentry again, seizing their land and paying their taxes. The gentry are very resentful. At this time, the court has to use hundreds of thousands of people to dredge the Huitong River. Under the influence of officials, people will surely resent it. It's boiling. If someone raises his arms and shouts, if there is an uprising and rebellion, great achievements can be expected..."
Zheng Gang looked at Guangxiu, who was approaching, and there was beauty in those mesmerizing eyes.
It's just that she is so perfect, so flawless, so clear and free of impurities.
"The White Lotus Sect's ambition has never been eliminated."
Zheng Gang shook his head bitterly.
"When Maitreya comes to the world, there will be light. If you are willing to do things for Bailian, one day it will come true, and you will be able to bathe in red light and enter bliss."
Guangxiu's charming eyes were as soft as silk, and she gently persuaded.
Zheng Gang thought for a moment and said seriously: "The overall situation of the imperial court has been decided, and the soldiers are powerful. It may not be possible to achieve great things just relying on the White Lotus cultists in Yanzhou Prefecture. Once the imperial army is launched, I am afraid that it will not be able to withstand it for a while."
Guangxiu came close to Zheng Gang's ear, her red lips gently bit Zheng Gang's earlobe, and said with a sigh: "Sir, who said that the White Lotus cult is only in Yanzhou Prefecture? Haha, the current emperor is a mediocre person. He has created many opportunities for us..."
