The uncle and nephew of the Kong family ran to Zuo Shun's door and knelt down.
When the news came out, the scholars in the capital were naturally talking about it, and some wanted to kneel together, but Dongchang and Jinyiwei would not give others a chance.
Xiao Jing, the admiral of Dongchang, personally informed Zhu Youtang of the matter. Zhu Youtang said coldly: "Kneel down if you want. Do you think Bingkuan has wronged them? You have learned how to put pressure on me!"
Dai Yi obviously didn't want to cause conflicts between the emperor and the Kong family. He said, "Could it be that... Duke Yan Sheng wants to admit his mistake for his brother?"
"He is going to plead guilty before the incident happens? I think he wants me to make it clear that if this matter fails, let me punish Bingkuan. What I said in the court, it seems that their Kong family has The door didn’t come in!”
Zhu Youtang was very angry.
Now Dai Yi and the others could see that the emperor was angry because he felt that Kong Hongtai's move was a slap in the emperor's face.
The emperor said it in court that as long as it didn't happen, he didn't want to pursue it.
As a result, you, Kong Hongtai, brought your nephew to kneel down. It seemed that you were admitting your mistake, but in fact, you just wanted to show the world that our Kong family will not be bullied. Even if the emperor said that he would not pursue it, we still wanted to make the matter bigger. Let the scholars all over the world decide for us.
Dai Yi had nothing to say about this.
On the other hand, Xiao Jinghui's eyes were as bright as a torch and he added: "Your Majesty, it seems to me that Duke Yan Sheng will not... go against His Majesty's wishes."
"What do you mean?" Zhu Youtang frowned.
You, Xiao Jing, are so capable, how dare you refute me?
Dai Yi quickly winked at Xiao Jing, meaning can you assess the situation? The emperor is angry with the Kong family, how dare you come out to speak for them?
Xiao Jing said: "Your Majesty, it seems to me that Yanshenggong's move is just to show that this matter has nothing to do with him, so that he will not be angered by the Kong family after the incident really happens. He should be very clear about your Majesty's trust in Mr. Zhang. ...I heard that he came to the house in person today knowing that Mr. Zhang was not at home, intending to pay a visit and seek advice."
"Yeah?"
Zhu Youtang was a little angry before, but when he heard this, he couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere was instantly less tense and depressing than before.
Dai Yixinhu, why didn’t I think of this?
He quickly followed Xiao Jing's words and said: "Your Majesty, do you think we should ask the person to leave now to avoid further escalation of the situation?"
Zhu Youtang said: "No need. Let their uncle and nephew kneel down until tomorrow morning... It is expected that if what happened last night has happened, the news will come out early tomorrow morning. If they don't want to apologize then, they will have to apologize!"
Dai Yi heard this.
The emperor was very sure about Kong Hongxu setting the fire. Could it be that...the emperor had already stumbled. Even if Kong Hongxu had no intention of setting the fire, Dongchang and Jinyiwei could use the opportunity to make the fire burn? That's really true. ...Who should I talk to?
…
…
The next day.
Before going to court in the morning, when the ministers passed by Zuoshun Gate, they saw Kong Hongtai and Kong Hongxu still kneeling there. Some of them wanted to go up and persuade them, but they did not dare to act rashly at this time.
There are also people who are waiting for cabinet ministers and ministers, especially people who are close friends with Kong Hongtai to persuade them, but obviously those top civil servants cannot express their opinions too much before the matter has a definite outcome.
Court meeting.
Zhu Youtang was sitting on the throne, listening to the minister's report on court affairs. The main topics of the day were local military affairs in Nanjing and the issue of grain requisition due to disasters in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
Liu Jian really couldn't bear it, and he didn't want to estrange the relationship between the royal family and the Kong family. He took advantage of the opportunity of the Ministry of Household Affairs to come out and said: "Your Majesty, Duke Yan Sheng is still kneeling in front of the palace gate. Do you want to send someone to invite him?" go back?"
Zhu Youtang said: "I can't bear it, and I don't want to worry about things that haven't happened. But there are many things that it's not convenient for me to go in person. How about Mr. Liu Ge instructing someone to go and persuade them?"
Liu Jian was very embarrassed when he heard this.
He asked the emperor a difficult question, and the emperor returned the ball to him.
You, Liu Jian, have nothing to do to make trouble, and the uncles and nephews of the Kong family want to kneel down. If the chief minister of your cabinet is so nervous, is it because you want to unite with their uncles and nephews to put pressure on me?
"The meeting continues..."
Zhu Youtang's face was still dark.
When the court meeting was about to end, Xiao Jing, who had not shown up that day, came over quickly and hurriedly walked up to Zhu Youtang and said something in his ear. Ma Wensheng, the Minister of War who was doing the following, also stopped.
Zhu Youtang nodded, with an expression as if he had known it would be like this for a long time. He coughed lightly and said: "Dear gentlemen, the news just came from Shandong. It is said that someone set fire to Xuansheng Temple a few days ago. He was captured by Jin Yiwei and handed over to local officials for interrogation, and the culprit is being traced."
"ah?"
Although the ministers present expected that this might be the case, they still felt a chill down their spines after it was confirmed that it had happened.
Was he really fooled by Zhang Zhouyan?
Or was it the emperor or local officials who took advantage of the situation?
If the arsonist is caught, it shouldn’t be the boss of the Kong family who set the fire himself, right? Is it the Kong family? Or is it an unrelated person? How to prove that this person was sent by Kong Hongxu?
Li Dongyang came out, and he was the first to express his position: "Your Majesty, should this matter be treated with caution? If the accusation has not been made and the accusation is extended, I am afraid it will cause trouble in the court."
This sounds like Li Dongyang is speaking for the Kong family.
But Zhu Youtang felt...Li Dongyang was clearly trying his best to clear up the relationship just like Kong Hongtai who was kneeling outside the palace.
The more Li Dongyang helped at this time, the more he seemed to want to add insult to injury.
Zhu Youtang said: "The fire has started, but it only burned a side hall of the Xuansheng Temple. The person who set the fire was captured and interrogated the Naikong clan. They used tung oil and firewood to walk through the courtyard to the front of the Xuansheng Temple in an open and bright manner... Dear Sirs Family, do you think I still need to investigate?"
The emperor is also taking retreat as an opportunity to advance.
The ministers present seemed to understand.
Now, for the Kong family, it is just mud falling from the crotch. If it is not shit, it is still shit.
Zhang Zhou's words came first, and he accurately predicted that someone would set fire to Xuansheng Temple. The second half of Zhang Zhou's prophecy said that Kong Hongxu asked someone to do it, which is almost a proof.
After all, the people arrested were still the Kong family... Couldn't they have been bribed by Zhang Zhou who was far in the northwest?
After all, Tu Jian was on good terms with the Kong family. He even facilitated the marriage between Kong Wenshao and Li Wei. He couldn't help but come out and said: "Even if the person who set the fire is really related to the Kong family, we should investigate it thoroughly. The people who guarded Xiaoxiao used the topic to influence the relationship between the imperial court and the Kong family."
After hearing this, Zhu Youtang looked very unhappy and said sternly: "Tu Qing's family, are you talking about me, or are you talking about Bingkuan?"
"I...I didn't mean that." Tu Yu quickly explained.
"boom!"
Zhu Youtang threw the memorial in front of him on the ground and said coldly, "I made it clear in advance, but it's not enough to save face? What is the meaning of that outside Zuoshun Gate? It is said that someone is instigating the relationship between the imperial court and the Kong family... in the end Can the person kneeling outside the palace represent the Kong family, or can the person who was criticized by Bingkuan in Qufu represent the Kong family?"
This was said with great anger.
They said that the Confucius family wanted to burn down the Xuansheng Temple, but they actually went and burned it. Everyone in the world saw the joke of the Confucius family, and now there are actually people who come forward to intercede for the Confucius family?
It really opened my eyes!
Don't blame me for targeting the Kong family. It's precisely because you, a group of scholars, don't take me or the royal family seriously, and think about how to use the Kong family to win over scholars, or even form cliques, that I have Thinking about this... don't blame Bingkuan. Don't say that he just made a prediction and didn't find anyone to secretly cause harm. Even if he did, I feel that Bingkuan was doing it for me and the Ming Dynasty. Think about the country and the country!
"Since you think that a thorough investigation should be carried out, then send people from the East Factory to conduct a detailed investigation. The Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple and the Metropolitan Procuratorate will all send people to do it. They must not wrong anyone and cannot let anyone go. clues!"
Zhu Youtang ordered with an annoyed look on his face.
Such annoyance.
It can be explained that the emperor told Zhang Zhou's prophecy in advance, but still failed to stop the fire, and the emperor felt angry.
Of course, it can also be said that the emperor was simply angry with the Kong family.
Or maybe it was the anger of Tu Yu and Li Dongyang who spoke for the Confucius family.
Anyway, you are asking for mercy now, and I have not sent anyone to frame you, and Bingkuan has not done this, so are you still afraid of investigation? Then investigate clearly and give an explanation to the world... Let’s see who is the nervous person in the end!
…
…
Before the court meeting was over, the emperor walked away.
All the ministers could see that the emperor was really angry.
On the way out of the palace, the ministers had already been in a quarrel. Even some Liu Keyan officials who thought they were upright were still accusing some young people who were doing evil in secret and took the opportunity to frame and frame Kong Hongxu.
Even Xie Qian couldn't stand listening to these words. He said, "There are some things you should be careful about before saying them out."
“Mr.
Xie Qian also knew that these imperial censors had always believed that they were reasonable rather than emotional, and that they were people who could be martyred for the truth.
But he didn't think these people were very smart.
Xie Qian said: "It seems that you did not hear your Majesty's words clearly. If you suspect that someone is taking advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble, you should give reasonable suspicion to the person...that is Zhang Bingkuan, and his purpose of doing this...what he is targeting, He is just a Duke Yan Sheng who seizes the title. Even if things don't go as he expected, everything can be resolved if the Kong family hand over a sinner. Then what is his purpose?"
"He...he wants to use this to suppress the prestige of the saint lineage!" Tu Dan said firmly, and his tone was very strong.
Zuo Tongzheng envoy Shen Lu smiled and said: "He is organizing an army in the northwest. Recently I heard that the soldiers and horses have left the grassland and are going to patrol the Weining Sea. Before sending the troops, they found someone to go to Qufu just to target a Qianyan Shenggong? How did he do it? Do you think this will definitely suppress the prestige of the Kong family? If you want to frame him, shouldn’t he frame... the person at the palace gate?"
"this……"
Now Tu Dan was a little wilted.
indeed.
It doesn't make sense.
What Zhang Zhou did was a huge waste of time. It’s okay to say that he had ulterior motives, but where was his ulterior motive?
Instead of targeting the current Yan Shenggong, target a former Yan Shenggong?
Besides, Zhang Zhou should be used to target the crimes committed by Kong Hongxu, the sage of Qianyan?
Anyone who knows the past should know what Kong Hongxu once did. Compared with the evil deeds of rape, robbery, and murder, setting fire to a side hall of Xuansheng Temple is a trivial matter.
Originally, a group of people were filled with indignation and said they wanted to settle accounts with Zhang Zhou, but after Xie Qian and Shen Lu cooperated in their analysis, the ministers at the scene immediately became silent.
It doesn't mean that they have given up the suspicion of "framing" Zhang Zhou, but some people have figured it out.
Regardless of whether Zhang Zhou did it or not, the result would be beneficial to the emperor and the royal family. It would be unrealistic for the emperor to send people to investigate in detail, or even blame Zhang Zhou.
And as Shen Lu said, many things cannot be explained.
When Liu Jian saw that the group of people seemed to have calmed down a lot, he deliberately said loudly to Li Dongyang next to him: "Bin Zhi, go to the palace gate to persuade Dongzhuang to return to the mansion early. He will not go out in the next few days! Let’s wait until things come to an end before we discuss anything else!”
"Um."
Li Dongyang nodded.
As one of the few people who can see through the overall situation, Li Dongyang was thinking: "Zhang Bingkuan can be said to be impeccable in his work, so did he really win the prize, or did he want to use this to show his authority? Has Your Majesty cooperated with him in doing anything?"
There are some things that Li Dongyang can't figure out.
From a rational point of view, Li Dongyang did not believe that Zhang Zhou was responsible for Kong Hongxu's arson.
But being more rational, he felt that no matter whether Zhang Zhou was behind it or not, the result was acceptable... at least his beloved daughter finally no longer had to marry the son of Kong Hongxu, who was full of evil.
…
…
That morning.
With Li Dongyang coming forward, Kong Hongtai did not dare to make any more mistakes. Whether it was to plead guilty, apply pressure, or want to clear up the relationship, he knew that he would no longer be able to kneel at the gate of the palace.
The Kong family has become a joke.
It's time to draw a clear line with Kong Hongxu.
Zhu Youtang, on the other hand, was examining his son's knowledge in the Qianqing Palace while listening to Xiao Jing truthfully telling the details of the situation, with a happy expression on his face.
"Father, what makes you so happy? Can you tell me about it?" Zhu Houzhao raised his head with his pen and asked with a grin.
It's like father and son want to have fun together.
Zhu Youtang's face darkened and he said: "I asked you to memorize the silence. What are you doing? Have you finished the silence?"
"Uh... I'm writing. Father, please don't scare me. It's easy to forget this scare. I haven't had Mr. Zhang to teach me recently, and my academic performance is not good..." Zhu Houzhao raised his head before, of course. It's because he didn't study well and wanted to take advantage of troubled waters.
The blame is being passed on right now.
If Erchen did not learn well, it must be because the pillow was too hard, the bedding was too soft, the weather was too dry, and Zhang Zhou was not around...
It’s just my fault for not studying seriously.
Zhu Youtang said: "Just in time, I plan to lock you up in the next few days and punish you to study behind closed doors. You will not be able to leave your room for a month."
"Father, please don't. You want to imprison Erchen. I have no objection, but can you wait until Mr. Zhang sends troops to Weininghai to get the results before imprisoning Erchen? I am concerned about major events in the northwest!"
Zhu Houzhao was not looking for objective reasons for this. He was really overly worried about the seemingly uneventful patrol in the northwest...
In order to understand Zhang Zhou's purpose for doing this, and to deduce whether Zhang Zhou might have the tendency to make the war bigger, he has been walking around the sand table recently when he has nothing to do. The entire East Palace is like a small military department, even the group of regular eunuchs around him , opening and closing your mouth are tactics of war.
Zhu Youtang said angrily: "What nonsense! What does Bingkuan's troops have to do with you? Come, take the prince back to the East Palace and keep him under strict guard!"
"yes."
Xiao Jing responded.
This job is a bit complicated.
Just now I was still looking good for His Majesty, and I was talking about all the good things that made His Majesty happy. Previously, I was still a kind father and a filial son. How come I am now in this situation again after changing my face?
You two, father and son... a current king and a heir apparent, insist on having a disagreement and engage in such tense matters?
"Father, it's not fair! My son is already studying seriously! Isn't it because he didn't memorize it silently for a while?" Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but protest loudly when he saw that eunuchs were ready to come and carry him back to the East Palace.
Zhu Youtang sneered and said: "There is no Bingkuan to deal with you, but there are Wang Xueshi and others. Don't worry, I will lock you in the room to study. There will be teachers to give guidance and supervision every day. If you can't learn, just don't come out!" "
…
…
Inside Kunning Palace.
As if looking for a listener, Zhu Youtang told his wife the truth about the Kong family, especially when he mentioned such a demonstration of the majesty of the royal family, he was even more satisfied.
Empress Zhang was not too concerned about this.
She said: "Your Majesty, the prince is young, why should he be imprisoned again? Once or twice is fine. This is always imprisoning him. I am afraid that he will be resentful."
The couple's focus is obviously on different things.
In the past, Zhu Youtang's emotions and even his thoughts were easily manipulated by his wife, but now he feels that he and his wife have nothing in common.
One only cares about trivial matters within the palace gate, while the other has the world at heart and wants to become a wise king who will shine through the ages...
The realm is different.
"The prince brought it upon himself." Zhu Youtang said with a straight face, "I can't teach him well right now, but I am also prepared to wait for a month or two, after Bingkuan has finished handling the matters at hand, and send the northwest military affairs capital Leave it to Qin Hong, who is in charge of the military affairs of the three sides. When he comes back, he will continue to stay in the Hanlin Academy as a lecturer and teach the prince!"
Queen Zhang said: "Even so, can't we wait until Bingkuan returns to the capital before we impose strict requirements on the prince?"
Zhu Youtang shook his head and said: "If we don't hurry up now, I don't know how long it will take until Bingkuan comes back. It will be difficult to calm down the prince's mood! Queen, I have my own decision on how to educate the prince. You don’t need to ask any more questions.”
"Father, where are you?"
Zhu Xiurong asked with eager eyes.
"Um?"
Only then did Zhu Youtang realize that since he came to Kunning Palace today, he seemed to have ignored his daughter.
Zhu Xiurong is now a five-and-a-half-year-old girl. At this age, Zhu Houzhao had already begun to learn some simple words, and even achieved some success... At that time, it was the emperor who hoped that his son would become a dragon, but it was Zhu Houzhao himself who had always been optimistic about it. Very resistant to learning.
On the daughter's side, it was Zhu Xiurong who wanted to learn, but the father always felt that teaching his daughter too much was useless.
"Xiurong, even if you want to learn, who will I ask to teach you?"
Zhu Youtang should have asked his wife to enlighten his daughter, but he also knew that his wife was knowledgeable... It's hard to explain in words.
Zhu Xiurong said: "My son wants to learn from my aunt."
"Who?" Zhu Youtang looked at his wife.
Empress Zhang said: "It was Yongkang who came two days ago and told Xiurong something, which made Xiurong yearn for it very much."
Princess Yongkang, the younger sister of Zhu Youtang, married Confucian scholar Cui Yuan.
Cui Yuan later won the title of Marquis of Jingshan by welcoming King Shizong, but in the Hongzhi and Zhengde dynasties, he was just a looser. However, Cui Yuan's sister was Zhang Yanling's wife, so Princess Yongkang would often come to the palace through this relationship. Visit Queen Zhang.
This is also mentioned in the epitaph of Kong Wenshao's son Kong Zhenqian: "...My wife's surname is Zhang, the younger brother of the Queen Mother Zhaosheng, the daughter of Yanling, the Marquis of Jianchang. Her mother, Cui, was also the Prince Consort Jingshan Hou Yuanmei..."
"Well." Zhu Youtang nodded and said, "You can't let my imperial sister teach knowledge to my princess, right? Xiurong, if you want to study in the future, I will find a famous teacher for you. I will consider it again as appropriate. Don't worry, you will have a husband soon."
