Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 578 Final Disposal

Whether it was the ministers in the court or Meng Jun himself, everyone knew that Bai Yongfu's army's entry into Qufu was not a military issue, but a political issue.

When dealing with the Kong family of Qufu, Meng Jun originally wanted to leave some leeway. Therefore, Meng Jun was willing to give the Kong family 100 dan of grain, 100 pieces of silk, and 200 taels of silver every year for the Kong family to use for sacrifices. However, this amount of money did not seem like a privilege to the Kong family, but rather a humiliation.

Even if the army entered the city now, they did not believe that the court would kill them.

After Bai Yongfu's urgent report was sent to the capital, Meng Junqiankun made a dictatorial decision and ordered a thorough investigation of the entire process of the siege of the imperial envoy. The mastermind was ordered to commit suicide, and the accomplices were sentenced to exile.

But in private, Meng Jun secretly instructed the Qingluan Guard to strictly investigate the direct lineage of the Northern Kong clan, and all those who violated the law would be identified as accomplices.

In the court, all the ministers knew that the emperor was extremely angry about the siege and killing of the imperial envoy at the Confucius Mansion. Therefore, many people did not dare to make any remonstrances. In fact, to many officials and gentry, there was not much difference between the Northern Confucius and the Southern Confucius. They just wanted the emperor to respect Confucianism.

Many people could not imagine why the Confucius family would do such a stupid thing as besieging and killing the imperial envoy. To put it in a broader sense, this kind of thing is treason.

Officials in the capital all knew that the Confucius Mansion was finished, but they still believed that the honorable title of Duke Yansheng could not disappear just like that. If even Duke Yansheng was abolished, how could it demonstrate that the court ruled the world with Confucianism?

Therefore, after Meng Jun issued the decree, Liu Xunchun was extremely anxious, so he dressed up and asked to see the emperor. When Liu Xunchun saw the emperor, he fell to the ground and wept and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I risked my life to give you advice. Now Kong Fangyou's act of besieging and killing the imperial envoy is indeed a great treason. His crime is obvious and cannot be forgiven lightly.

However, the title of Duke of Yansheng has lasted for several dynasties and is a symbol of the court's respect for Confucianism and its efforts to educate the people. If this title is abolished because of Kong Fangyou's crime, it may chill the hearts of scholars all over the world, and it will be difficult to show our dynasty's ambition to rule the world with Confucianism."

Meng Jun smiled when he heard this and said, "Duke Yansheng served several dynasties and was highly respected by every dynasty. However, when the country was in danger, Duke Yansheng surrendered to the Yuan Dynasty and surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. With such behavior, how can they be a role model for the enlightenment of the people?"

Liu Xunchun fell to the ground and said, "Confucianism is the most important tool of the country. It is used to maintain the order of the world. Although it is guilty now, we cannot abandon the system of a thousand years because of a small incident. I heard that the Nan Kong lineage also inherited the legacy of the saints and there are virtuous and capable people in every generation. Can we select those with both virtue and talent from the Nan Kong lineage to inherit the title of Yansheng Duke, so that the saintly way will not be cut off and the Confucian style will last forever?"

And this was Liu Xunchun's real purpose. The emperor meant that the Kong family had bad character and had no sense of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Then Liu Xunchun said that since the Northern Kongs were not suitable, then he would choose another person from the Southern Kongs to inherit the title of Yansheng Duke.

Meng Jun had actually considered Liu Xunchun's suggestion, so after a moment's hesitation, Meng Jun agreed with Liu Xunchun's words. Soon after, Meng Jun issued an edict: "I believe that the prosperity of Confucianism depends on virtuous successors to carry on the traditions and to inherit the family tradition. Now the Northern Confucius lineage has behaved eccentrically and has a bad character, and has even attempted treason. It is really difficult for me to bear this heavy responsibility.

I have observed that the Nan Kong lineage has inherited the legacy of the sage and still retains a Confucian and elegant style. In order to ensure that the sage's teachings continue and that sacrifices are not abolished, I have issued this decree to carefully select a person from the Nan Kong family who is both virtuous and talented, loyal and honest, and confer him the title of Chengsi Hou, who will be responsible for all matters related to the sacrifices to the sage, in order to show respect and promote the teachings of the sage. "

Although this plan was not entirely to the liking of the civil officials, it was barely acceptable. As for the Northern Kong lineage, it was like an abandoned pawn, and no one cared about it anymore. The eyes of the scholars all over the world were focused on the Southern Kong lineage.

Meng Jun secretly ordered the Qingluan Guard to investigate whether there were any virtuous people in Nankong. At the very least, he must not allow evil people to deceive the world and ascend to high positions.

As the imperial edict was hurriedly delivered to Bai Yongfu, he was overjoyed after receiving it. He praised his two subordinates several times, saying fortunately they were not fooled.

Under the investigation of the Qingluan Guards, six members of the Kong family were ordered to commit suicide in the case of the siege and killing of the imperial envoy. As for the nominal leader, Tao, the emperor pardoned his crime by considering that he was not the mastermind and that the former Duke Yansheng was still a child who still needed his mother's care.

Qufu.

The sky was still a little hazy, but the Kong clan members had already gathered in the open space outside the city. They were surrounded by soldiers holding weapons, and all of them had stern faces as they stared at these descendants of the saints who were about to embark on the road of exile.

Many people in Qufu were still in disbelief. They had never imagined that the descendants of the saint who had been dominating Qufu for generations would one day have their property confiscated and be exiled.

The people of Qufu were worried, but also secretly happy, because there was a rumor that after the descendants of the saints were exiled, the land in Qufu would be distributed to the people, and they would no longer have to pay the extremely heavy taxes to the Kong family when they farmed the land.

With Bai Yongfu's order, the order of exile was issued, and the soldiers' scolding caused the crowd to suddenly become chaotic, with cries and shouts intertwined. However, under the drive of the officers and soldiers, the Kong clan members had to slowly split into two teams.

One team will be relocated to the bitterly cold land of Liaodong. They drag their heavy feet and look back with every step. They all know that they may never have the chance to return to their hometown in this lifetime.

The other team was heading to the southeast. They were also filled with sorrow. Some of them couldn't help crying loudly. The cries floated in the wind and spread far and wide.

Wu Jinkun returned to Qufu at this time. Looking at the Kong clan members who were exiled to the south and the north, Wu Jinkun could not help but sigh: "The grace of a saint will decline after three generations and will be cut off after five generations. The lineage of Duke Yansheng has been rich and prosperous for more than five generations. It's really greedy!"

Lu Ping was not too touched by this, instead he said happily: "Master Wu, after this incident, I think there will be no gentry in the world who dares to oppose the equalization of land tax and the unified payment of taxes by officials and gentry."

Wu Jinkun nodded and said, "Yes, the place where your Majesty started his career and the direct lineage of the saint cannot stop these tough guys. How can anyone in other places dare to resist?"

After the Kong family's land was confiscated and their family was exiled, the land survey work that had been slow in other parts of the country suddenly became smooth.

While the Qian Dynasty successfully implemented reforms, it also made many gentry realize that Meng Jun, the founding emperor of the current country, could not represent their interests.

The current emperor usually seems to be extremely benevolent, but in his heart he is a person who burns bridges after crossing them. When he was fighting for the world, he never revealed any intention of harming the interests of the gentry, but as soon as the world was stabilized, he could not wait to weaken the gentry. It's just that until now, they are unable to resist Meng Jun at all, and can only cooperate with the reforms under the pressure of the emperor.