Daming: I became Zhu Yuanzhang's eldest son

Zhu Bian, who went to Qufu, also worked very hard. After receiving this errand, he brought only two entourages and guards, beat his horse and swung his whip, and rushed to Yan Shenggong's mansion overnight.

At this time, it was Kong Xixue, the descendant of Confucius, who was in power. Hearing that His Royal Highness King Jin had come down to Qufu, he naturally dared not neglect, opened the middle door and fired a salute to welcome him.

The two met each other with equal courtesy, and then Kong Xixue let Zhu Bian into the main hall, and after serving tea, he asked a little puzzled.

"I heard that His Royal Highness King Jin is already in Datong. If you have time to come to my little Qufu, my humble house is full of splendor, but I don't know why you come here?"

Seeing Kong Xi's literary and polite speech, Zhu Bian felt a little uncomfortable. He was born in the battlefield and had a hot temper, so he spoke directly.

"This time I was sent by His Majesty. I came here to read a decree to Duke Yansheng, but the Emperor said that there is no need to make a big fuss and put on airs in front of Confucius, so I did it lightly and did not bring a guard of honor. They rushed over with only two bodyguards."

It may not be impossible to place a guard of honor in front of Confucius' gate, but this is the emperor's courtesy to the descendants of saints. Kong Xixue naturally knew it very well, and he hurriedly said in fear.

"With such kindness from the Holy Majesty, my Kong Family naturally wants to do the work of a dog and a horse. Please read out the will of Your Highness!"

Zhu Yan didn't talk nonsense, and said directly: "Your Majesty asked me to bring a message. Please invite Yan Shenggong to come to Beijing for an audience. There is a great sage in the capital who is good at debating academic excellence. The emperor's intention, please Yan Shenggong go. Meet this person, learn something from this person, and make the Confucian family even more famous."

At the beginning, Kong Xixue thought that His Royal Highness King Jin was going to read the decree, that he was going to give lectures or hold some enlightenment ceremony for these princes and grandchildren.

After listening, he realized that he was asked to be a student. Isn't it unreasonable? The Confucian Mansion has been called "the first family under the Son of Heaven" since ancient times, so should they be taught by others?

Ever since Confucius traveled around the world, recruited disciples, and wrote books and lectures, the teachings of Confucius and Mencius have been invariable classics for scholars throughout the ages. Is there anyone else who can give lectures to the contemporary Yan Shenggong.

So after listening to Zhu Yan's words, although he didn't dare to violate the imperial decree, Kong Xixue's face was also a little ugly.

After a while, Kong Xixue smiled and said to Zhu Yan.

"His Royal Highness Jin, although I have the intention to go, but I just fell ill not long ago, I'm afraid it will be difficult to travel, why don't you ask for an order on your behalf, and wait until the minister recovers, and then go to Beijing to see you?"

Zhu Yan knew very well in his heart that Kong Xixue didn't mean that he was recovering from a serious illness and couldn't travel far, but that he felt that he couldn't lose this role, so he didn't want to go.

However, this time he didn't intend to leave other options for Yan Shenggong, so if he didn't eat the toast, he would be given a fine wine.

"Your Majesty once said that the Confucian Mansion is the number one mansion in the world, and the head of the civil servants of Yanshenggong Banlie. If you want to take the lead in resisting the decree, wouldn't all the civil servants be able to defy the emperor's decree that day? You can't take such a head!"

As he said that, Zhu Yan looked at the two guards behind him intentionally or unintentionally.

In fact, Kong Xixue had just woken up and received Zhu Bian when the sky was dark, and he didn't pay attention to the two guards behind him.

Only then did he glance back, that is, this one glance, which almost scared him enough, it would be a lie to say he wasn't scared.

These two guards were all wearing flying fish suits and embroidered spring knives, obviously the clothes of Jin Yiwei.

One of them is holding a gold medal arrow with the inscription "Like I'm here in person"; while the other is holding a Shangfang sword that can lead the emperor to life and death.

Zhu Bing looked at the two guards with his eyes from time to time, in fact, he was implying that Kong Xixue, be obedient and have nothing to do, if he doesn't listen to the greeting, he can do things cheaply.

The so-called doing things cheaply means that with the permission of the emperor, no matter what you do, you don't need to ask for additional instructions.

Zhu Yan's meaning is actually very simple, if Kong Xixue is willing to cooperate, then he will treat him with courtesy, if he still pushes back and forth, not to mention being tied to the capital, even if he cuts him with a sword, it is within his authority.

Kong Xixue is the contemporary Yan Shenggong and a descendant of a sage, so his mind is naturally clear. He can already see the other party's true intentions from Zhu Yan's eyes.

So Kong Xixue had no choice but to take back what he said just now, he said to Zhu Bian with a smile.

"Since this is the case, I can't make His Majesty and His Royal Highness Prince Jin feel too embarrassed, so I will reluctantly set off. Please Your Highness go back first. Within three days, I will definitely feel that I will see you in the capital."

Since he could get this promise from Kong Xixue, Zhu Yan naturally didn't want to stay here any longer.

This Qufu is the hometown of the sage, and I feel aggrieved here, and there are many things I am not used to, so I should leave as soon as possible.

So when he heard Kong Xixue say this, he didn't think it was an order to chase away guests, but he felt relaxed, so he got up and said.

"If that's the case, then I'll go back and inform Honglu Temple to make some preparations. You should leave early, and we'll see you in the capital."

In fact, the fact that Yan Shenggong went to Beijing to meet the emperor was a very important event, and it had to be prepared by Honglu Temple.

Zhu Yan was also not afraid of being tired, he didn't take a break, he hurried back to the capital, informed the cabinet and Honglu Temple, and then met his father Zhu Yuanzhang, saying that Kong Xixue was coming to Beijing soon.

After Zhu Yan left, Kong Xixue was also very depressed. He was the direct descendant of Confucius, the contemporary Yan Shenggong.

How many Hanlin scholars dare not pretend to be arrogant in front of themselves. If there are any great sages who are qualified to give lectures to themselves, isn't that a big joke in the world?

But now, after all, is the era when the imperial power exceeds the sky, if he publicly resists the decree, then there is no reason to prevaricate.

Even if King Jin has returned to Beijing, any imperial envoy who comes here can tie himself into the well, or even directly execute the Fa on the spot.

He also knew very well in his heart that Yan Shenggong, the leader of the class of civil servants, was actually just the mascot of the prosperous people of the dynasty, especially the Hongwu Emperor, who was able to remove Mencius from the Confucian Temple. Can't you touch your ancestor Confucius?
Thinking of this, Kong Xixue felt a little afraid, he already understood that he was completely unable to resist the court's arrangement.

If this is the case, then it is impossible to maintain the last stubbornness, and it is necessary to set off for an audience in Beijing immediately. If it is too late, disaster may be imminent.

So after Kong Xixue arranged the affairs of his family, he asked his son Kong Fang to manage all the affairs of the family, and took his son Kong Jian to the capital.