Zhu Yunwen studied dialectical thinking and looked at problems from multiple perspectives. He always looked at Yan Shenggongfu and Confucius separately.
Yes, the role played by Yan Shenggong Mansion in ancient history is not glorious. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are traitors and garbage. This is also an ironclad fact.
But all of this has nothing to do with Confucius himself. We cannot pour dirty water on Confucius just because his descendants like to be grandsons too much.
In fact, from the Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, Confucius was worshiped and respected in all dynasties. As for the people in the Yanshenggong Mansion or the Confucius Mansion, at best they were given official positions and status in order to attract people's support. Let them guard the tombs and temples of their ancestors, and learn from Confucius' knowledge. Unfortunately, this group of people have never traveled around, they only indulge in enjoyment, and they will bow their heads to anyone who gives them enjoyment.
In the words of later generations, if you have milk, you are your mother, and if you have money, you are your father. As for reputation, integrity, integrity, and morality, they are all emissions. To the Confucian family in history, these comments are by no means an emotional vent by Zhu Yunwen, but a rational reality.
Zhu Yuanzhang despised Yan Shenggong's Mansion from the bottom of his heart, especially when he thought that Yan Shenggong's Mansion once suggested that the Yuan Dynasty kill the Red Scarf Army as soon as possible, he hated Yan Shenggong's Mansion even more, so when he recruited Yan Shenggong to surrender, he didn't even think about it. Give the other person face.
But Zhu Yuanzhang also knew very well that Yan Shenggong's face could be withheld, but Confucius's face still had to be given.
"The way of Zhongni is vast and long-lasting, and is integrated with heaven and earth. Therefore, in future generations, all people in the world will pay tribute and perform their rituals."
"The words of Confucius are true teachers for all generations."
"Confucius taught the emperor the way to teach future generations, so that kings, ministers, fathers, sons, and sons can always follow the correct principles, and Yi Lun is in order, and his merits can be seen in heaven and earth."
These are Zhu Yuanzhang's original words.
Duke Yansheng was of little use, but Confucius' teaching power and ethical principles were necessary for the rule of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang made a great sacrifice to Confucius, and even ordered all scholars in the world to sacrifice Confucius in the 17th year of Hongwu. The starting point was to maintain the rule of the dynasty.
Since we are going to offer sacrifices, we have to mention the Confucius family and Yanshenggong Mansion.
Zhu Yuanzhang worshiped Confucius in Nanjing many times, but he never went to Qufu to worship him. As for the reason, it is hard to say, but Zhu Yuanzhang did send officials to Qufu to worship Confucius. In order to show the court's respect for Confucius, he not only spent money to repair the Qufu city wall, but also Yan Sheng Gong Mansion was built for Lao Kong's family. Yes, Yan Sheng Gong Mansion was built by Lao Zhu in the 10th year of Hongwu.
But these actions are just to win people's hearts, and they do not mean that Zhu Yuanzhang really attaches great importance to Yanshenggong's mansion. One of the most intuitive manifestations is that although Zhu Yuanzhang recognized Yanshenggong, he did not give him official positions, except for the magistrate of Qufu...
You must know that Duke Yansheng was a hereditary duke in the Yuan Dynasty, with an official rank of second rank, and had actual positions such as Minister of Rites and Shi Yushi. By the Ming and Hongwu Dynasties, only dukes and seventh-rank county magistrates were left.
Xia Yuanji asked the caretaker of Yan Shenggong's Mansion to notify the capital that a visitor was coming, and then introduced to Zhu Yunwen: "After Confucius left, his descendants lived next to the temple for generations to guard the temple and take care of Confucius' relics. However, the Confucius Mansion was scattered around before. Unzhang, Grandpa Taizu ordered the construction of Yan Shenggong's Mansion, which resulted in the current Nine-Jin Courtyard, with the government office in the front, three halls and six halls, and the inner chamber in the back."
Zhu Yunwen nodded calmly. Although this place is quite different from later generations, the overall layout has not changed much. As the servants were introduced, they faced the second door. Usually people only walked through the armpit door and the main door was not opened to show solemnity. Most of them only had emperors. Open only when you arrive.
The lobby of Duke Yansheng's Mansion is where Duke Yan does his daily work, reads out imperial edicts, meets with officials, hears cases, and declares family and clan rules. It is also the place where rituals are held on important festivals.
At this time, Kong Gongjian was writing quickly, with the tip of his pen flowing, and in the blink of an eye, the handwriting was already written:
Honest and courteous.
Looking down at the handwriting, Kong Gongjian nodded with satisfaction. At this time, a servant came to report: "Mr. Yan Sheng, the guest has arrived."
"please."
Although Kong Gongjian didn't know who it was, he didn't dare to neglect it at all. This is not because Kong Gongjian is hospitable or polite to others, but because Song Zhengchen, as the censor of Qiandu, has been wandering around Shandong and Beizhili. This guy is like a hedgehog. When he encounters unfair things or people, he will attack them. Suddenly, wherever it passes, there will always be screams.
Prince Lu's Mansion is now as honest as a quail. Now Song Zhengchen visits every day to thank guests behind closed doors and never goes out again. Kong Gongjian was worried that if he neglected his guests and the news reached Song Zhengchen's ears, and he would be labeled as "ignoring etiquette and talking about Confucius and Mencius in vain", then the Duke Yansheng's Mansion would be in trouble...
Kong Gongjian looked at Zhu Yunwen, Xia Yuanji, Yang Shiqi and others who came in. Although they were strangers, he still politely arranged to sit down and serve tea, and then asked: "I wonder why you came to Yan Shenggong's Mansion? "
Zhu Yunwen looked at Kong Gongjian. He was about the same age as himself, but he was a talented person with a lot of scholarly spirit. He said: "Since October last year, Duke Yansheng has been writing to the court repeatedly, hoping that the people in the Kong family can help the court to worry about it, and he is willing to give birth to Mr. , enter social studies, county schools, and government schools to teach and solve doubts."
Kong Gongjian rectified his mind and looked at the young Zhu Yunwen. He could tell the contents of the official document, which meant that this person was from the imperial court. However, there were not many such young officials in the imperial court. Could he be a Jinshi in the Xingren Division?
Reading with rice balls
"I haven't asked for advice yet..."
Kong Gongjian's attitude became more humble.
Zhu Yunwen waved his hand and did not answer, but asked: "There is no need to ask about my identity. Let's just talk about it. Is Duke Yan writing this letter really to educate the people and promote Confucianism, or does he have other motives?"
Kong Gongjian looked stern and retorted solemnly: "As Duke Yansheng, after Confucius, I have the duty of educating, enlightening the people, and promoting literature and art. What is there to do?"
Zhu Yunwen leaned back on the chair, his posture was somewhat "uncle", he tapped the table with his fingers, and said slowly: "The imperial court is promoting culture and education and does not use people from the Duke Yansheng's mansion. Aren't you worried that after thirty years, Yansheng The Duke's Palace has been completely marginalized, and the world only knows Confucius, but not the Duke Yansheng's Palace?"
Kong Gongjian's face turned pale.
Zhu Yunwen continued: "The imperial court captured Annan, changed it to Jiaozhi, and used seventy-two sage descendants of Confucius, except those from Yanshenggong's mansion. Don't you feel the crisis?"
Kong Gongjian broke into a cold sweat. He was as naked under those eyes, and his thoughts did not escape his prying eyes.
Yes, Kong Gongjian was an ambitious man. He was not willing to let Yan Shenggong's mansion be trapped in Qufu by the imperial court. He was just a small seventh-grade magistrate. Although he had great influence here, he did not have many rights after all. Only this Qufu family!
Kong Gongjian saw Zhu Yunwen's great promotion of education, and thought he would activate the people in the Confucius family. After all, there were many people in Qufu who were literate, and there were many gentlemen named Kong. As long as Zhu Yunwen opened his mouth, it would not be a problem to take out three hundred gentlemen at once.
But Zhu Yunwen didn't speak. He spent a lot of effort recruiting teachers in Jiangnan and attracted many teachers in Jiangxi. He never even glanced at Qufu from the beginning to the end. Even those who went to Jiaozhi to preach and teach only chose Confucius's seventy-two sages, such as Yan Bao, Ran Zhong, etc., but there were no people from the Confucius family. This is an unusual signal and also indicates that Yan Shenggong's family will It might just decline.
When it comes to authentic education, it is naturally the way of Confucius and Mencius. As the direct descendants of Confucius, the Yanshenggong Mansion and the Kong family in Qufu have no connections or opportunities to devote themselves to the Jianwen education strategy. This is a torture for Kong Gongjian, who is ambitious and unwilling to be mediocre!
Kong Gongjian did not want Yan Shenggong's mansion to be marginalized, and he did not want to be unable to occupy a few positions in the Ming Dynasty. He was eager to appear in front of the world, and through the efforts of the Kong family, he wanted to let the world see the Kong family again, support the way of education, and persist in The leader in knowledge in the world!
These thoughts are very deep, but they are clearly exposed in front of the person in front of you.
Kong Gongjian's hands trembled slightly, he quickly put them behind his back, stared at Zhu Yunwen and said: "The great development of culture and education is the emperor's policy. As the Kong family in Qufu and the Yan Shenggong Mansion, it is our unshirkable responsibility. The matter in Jiaozhi has nothing to do with Kong, we will wait. I just want to be loyal to the imperial court, promote culture and education, enlighten wisdom, and spread the teachings of saints to do my best!"
There was amusement in Zhu Yunwen's eyes. Kong Gongjian's words were high-sounding, but he just wanted to use education as a springboard to put Yanshenggong's mansion and the Kong family on the political stage again.
No matter how great the Kong family is, they are the first family in China. This is all the result of the support of the imperial court. If no one speaks to them in the imperial court, decline is to be expected.
If you want to study the teachings of Confucius and Mencius and worship Confucius, you don’t necessarily have to go to Qufu. You must know that there were Confucius temples in the schools of the Yuan and Ming dynasties. You can just take a walk to pay homage to Confucius, Yan Sheng Gong, and Yan Sheng Gong’s Mansion. Who cares? It’s not that the court gives them flowers, it doesn’t matter where they put them...
"What do you think?"
Zhu Yunwen looked at Yang Shiqi and Xia Yuanji.
Xia Yuanji did not express his position. Yang Shiqi was in charge of the Imperial College and could be said to be the highest person in charge of culture and education in the Ming Dynasty. His opinion was the most important.
Yang Shiqi had been under pressure for two years. When he saw Zhu Yunwen's question, he added: "The Holy Father has said that education is the foundation of the country. To promote education and enlighten the people, Confucian teachers should take the lead. At present, Yan Shenggong and the disciples of Qufu Kongshi Middle School, They should be entrusted with their duties and put them to good use, preaching, teaching, solving doubts, and practicing the teachings.”
Although Yang Shiqi also knew Kong Gongjian's intentions, he had to support the Kong family at this time. The pressure on the Imperial College is too great now, there are not enough teachers, and even a group of outstanding candidates have been sent to other places, which makes Yang Shiqi have to shed blood.
The road to culture and education cannot be separated from the guidance of teachers. The rapid expansion of social studies, county schools, and government schools has made teachers who are familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics become scarce. In addition, the assessment of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the assessment of the top 100 counties in the top ten prefectures have increased. The intensity of educational assessments has been reduced, and teachers and Confucian teachers are being sought everywhere. Yang Shiqi really can't bear it anymore. The purpose of shelving the power of the Confucian government has been achieved, and it's time to put it to use.
