For the first time since he could remember, Kong Yinzhi felt strange to the Kong family.
Not only the Confucius Mansion, but also the Confucius Temple, Qufu, and even Yanzhou and Ming Dynasty suddenly began to have clear deviations from Kong Yinzhi's understanding.
Princes, eunuchs and women from the capital, members of the Lu vassal and musicians from Yanzhou, farmers from the old land of the King of Qi, descendants of the so-called Ge Lao from the south, as well as those gentry and gentry in the county who are not surnamed Kong.
The rich... Kong Yinzhi felt that these people were like ghosts blown by the cold wind. In just a few days, they weaved a giant carpet of dancing demons and enveloped this place, which is revered as a sacred place in the hearts of scholars all over the world.
With this feeling like falling into a nightmare, Kong Yinzhi walked under the moonlight and followed the angry eldest son Zhu Youxiao and the general Zhu Yipai into the guest house where Zheng Haizhu lived.
When he saw the arrangement of everything from people to objects, and when he heard Kong Shangyi, who had his robe stripped off, explaining that he was being framed, Kong Yinzhi finally realized that this time, Yan Shenggong's Mansion could not escape.
The empire has no shortage of courtiers who are good at frame-up, but this is the first time Kong Yinzhi has encountered a courtier who is so ruthless that he directly stabs himself and then frame him again.
"Ji Ye failed to pay bribes, but still ignored the emperor's advice from Qingtian. The prince's master reprimanded him, and Kong Shangyi actually hurt someone. The banknotes and murder weapons were all there. The county magistrate made an inspection, and found ink marks on the handle of the knife, ink gas, and stains on Kong Shangyi's palms and robe sleeves.
Mo Xianhe. The prince has violated the law and is guilty of the same crime as the common people. How can the descendants of Xuan Sage relax his shackles? Master Wang, if you don't write this urgent report, I, Prince Lu, will write it and send it to the capital."
Zhu Yipai's unquestionable words awakened Wang Song, the head of the Ministry of Rites, who was at a loss.
The self-cultivation of a fourth-grade civil servant made him quickly understand that even with such a situation, the matter would eventually reach the capital. If he didn't write this urgent letter immediately, wouldn't he have exposed the political enemies of Donglin in the capital?
What is the excuse for criticizing the collusion between the Ministry of Rites and the Confucian government?
Wang Song hurriedly agreed to Zhu Yipai, then walked up to Kong Shangyi who was lying on the ground and cursed, "You are arrogant and lawless because of your kindness." Then he bowed and saluted to the emperor's eldest son who was watching the imperial doctor bandaging Master Zheng.
: "Your Highness, I will return to the official post immediately and submit a letter to Long live and the cabinet department overnight."
In the next dozen hours, in order to protect themselves, those who dumped Kong Yinzhi's uncle and nephew, as well as Kong's own family members, were Kong Shangxi who had been exploited by Kong Shangyi the day before yesterday and made him pay.
Just after midnight the next day, Kong Shangxi sent his eldest son to the Qufu County Yamen to register and admitted that the five thousand taels of silver notes came from his own house, but not voluntarily.
He himself came to see Zhu Yipai.
Due to the marriage relationship between the Kong family and the Lu family, and the Zhenlun generation, Kong Shangxi was regarded as the father-in-law of Zhu Yipai's cousin.
At this time, he treated Zhu Yipai as carefully as a junior would treat his elders, saying bitterly: "General Zhenguo, we in the fifth house have always been dissatisfied with the arrogance and extravagance of Kong Shangyi in the third house. He has brought trouble to the village, so sometimes he has to say a few words.
If I tried to persuade him to be kind, Kong Shangyi would hold a grudge in his heart. This time he forced me to pay him five thousand taels of silver, and said that if the prince's master refused to drink the toast, he would give her a fine drink. Amitabha, who would have thought
, being punished with alcohol means directly using the knife."
Zhu Yipai said in a loud voice: "The fifth master is an honest man. I didn't expect at the time that the imperial censor came to investigate afterwards. If you dare to testify, you will not be a gentleman in vain."
"Dare, how dare you not," Kong Shangxi said solemnly, "Quinzi is leaving a confession at the Qufu County Yamen right now."
"Well, that's right. You'll find your way back when you've lost your way," Zhu Yipai nodded and said calmly, "Da Lang is as honest as the Fifth Master. My brother-in-law is quite capable of making a fortune, right?"
Kong Shangxi knew that the Bodhisattva in front of him was going to take advantage of the imperial court's influence to trim the bones of Lu Fan's concubines (Yibin). He quickly and knowingly confessed: "Erlang's bastard was killed by his cousin."
I didn’t know until now that it was a trap. General Zhenguo, don’t worry, Erlang, I’ll fix all the holes in Erlang’s place that were made by the Xibei goods from the royal palace’s jewelry.”
Zhu Yipai became more and more serious: "This world belongs to the Ming Dynasty, not to me, Lu Fan. The fifth master can't just repair the holes in our palace, right?"
Kong Shangxi understood what he meant, and put on a simple gesture of abandoning the dark side and turning to the bright side: "General Zhen Guo, please show me how our fifth house can get out of the fields."
"It's very simple. Cao Youxun, a householder in Yanzhou Prefecture, comes over. Your elder brother will lead the way and clear out the fields. As much as our Lu Mansion pays, your branch should also pay as much."
When Kong Shangxi was making trouble, it actually hurt his heart. But thinking that he was the first to give in, not only could he escape from the accomplices this time, but he could also settle the past with Zhu Yipai and compete with the ruthless people in the capital.
After establishing friendship, I immediately felt that this transaction was not a loss of blood.
As soon as Kong Shangxi rebelled, the officials in Yanzhou began to clear the fields, and all branches of the Kong family heard the news and took action.
It's like replaying Zhang Juzheng's drama. If there is some blood, there will be some blood. Otherwise, I will become the second Kong Shangyi, which is not worth it.
Kong Shangyi was placed under house arrest in his residence, waiting for the censor of Shandong Province to come for review. Each branch of the Kong family followed Kong Shangxi to express their loyalty to the court.
Kong Yinzhi, who had become a lonely man, was not ready to be stubborn and soon went to see Zhu Yipai.
Duke Yansheng's Mansion is willing to follow the wishes of the imperial court and clear out private fields with various names such as sacrificial fields and gate god fields, including the labor of tenants. The condition is that in the entire Yanzhou, those wealthy families who are not surnamed Kong will also
The acres of land must be cleared in proportion.
Zhu Yipai gave Kong Yinzhi reassurance: "Even if you Yanshenggong Mansion doesn't mention it, we Lu Fan will think of it. Otherwise, brother Kong Xian, the whole Shandong Province will point at you and my family and give money to the Ministry of Household Affairs.
It makes sense, right?"
"What the general said is true, but what if they don't want to?"
"That's an affair with the Wenxiang Sect. We, Lu Fan's soldiers, and Denglai Governor Tao Langxian's Biao camp can be strangled by the combined forces."
Kong Yinzhi stared and opened his mouth without knowing it.
Zhu Yipai took the initiative to pour him tea and said with a smile: "You should know by now that Master Zheng and Eunuch Cao actually gave you more face for Yansheng Duke's Mansion, right?"
"Yes, yes." After Kong Yinzhi was stunned, his tongue moved again, "Long live my Lord, I have virtuous ministers and a virtuous king. I, the Ming Dynasty, will surely be able to consolidate our country forever."
…
Zhu Yipai stayed in Qufu to keep an eye on Qingtian, while Zhu Youxiao and his party set off for Mount Tai a few days later.
Zhu Yipai remembered that Zheng Haizhu asked him for help from Zhu Yuewen, so he found an excuse to observe the rituals and music of sacrifices and asked Zhu Yuewen to continue to follow him.
Zheng Haizhu stabbed the tip of her knife, which had been roasted and sterilized by Huang Zude on the fire beforehand. She had practiced controlling the wrist strength of the blade for several years, and she knew how to use it. In addition, the risk of infection from stab wounds was much lower than that from dragging and slashing wounds.
Thanks to the timely application of medicine and bandage by the imperial physician to stop the bleeding, the injury was much less serious than when Mu Zaohua used a cruel trick to deceive Derge, and he did not have to delay his carriage on the road.
Two hundred miles north of Qufu is Mount Tai, passing through Wenshui River in the middle.
The "Book of Songs" records the ancient river "The Wen River is surging". It has flowed for thousands of years, and the scenery on both sides of the river is naturally good.
Thinking that Master Zheng was still injured, Zhu Youxiao deliberately slowed down his pace, so he ordered Wang Song to rest for two days on the bank of Wenshui River outside Tai'an City.
In the evening of May, the sunset is like fire, and the water surface is reflected like brilliant clouds.
Zhu Youxiao's interest increased greatly. Accompanied by Cao Huachun, Lu Xiangsheng and others, he boarded an official boat sent by Tai'an officials and cruised around the lake to enjoy the scenery.
Zheng Haizhu took advantage of this rare leisure time and leaned on the shore to relax.