Daming: I became Zhu Yuanzhang's eldest son

Three days later, while Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing the memorial, an eunuch came in and reported.

"Qizou Your Majesty, Yan Sheng Gong Kong Xixue has arrived in the palace and is waiting for His Majesty to summon him. His eldest son Kong Jian is also here."

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little surprised. It seems that Kong Xixue is quite sensible, and he came very quickly after receiving the order.

Although he somewhat disapproved of the Kong family, he was a descendant of a sage after all, so he still had to give Yan Shenggong enough face.

At this time, he asked the prince Zhu Biao who was standing beside him: "Biaoer, what do you think of the Confucian Mansion?"

Zhu Biao is also a student of Song Lian, and also a prince who has read a lot of poetry and books. Naturally, he admired the descendants of Confucius and Mencius too much, so he replied.

"Returning to the words of the father, the minister thinks that Yan Shenggong's lineage, since they are the descendants of Confucius, should treat each other with courtesy, let them live with the country and enjoy the same glory with the country."

On the surface, there is indeed no problem with these words. After all, in the early days of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Kong Xixue was conferred the title of Duke Yan by Zhu Yuanzhang, and he was the head of the rank of civil servants, and his rank was higher than that of the chief assistant ministers such as Li Shanchang.

Moreover, Kong Xi, like Duke Yansheng, can walk the imperial way when he enters the palace to meet the emperor, and besides the emperor can walk the imperial way, only the champion, the second place, and Tanhua can walk once during the palace examination high school. It can be seen that Yan Shenggong received high courtesy.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was obviously not satisfied with Zhu Biao's answer, so he asked Zhu Biao who was standing behind Zhu Biao.

"Zhu Yan, what do you think?"

In the past few days, Zhu Yan has been very effective in handling errands, and the relationship with his father Zhu Yuanzhang has long been eased, so when he heard this question, he didn't feel any nervousness.

He replied truthfully.

"My son thinks that this Confucian mansion has two characteristics. One is its speed. For example, it arrived in the capital within a few days after receiving the order. The second is that the white flag is raised quickly. Every time the dynasty changes, the Confucian mansion is always in a hurry. Those who surrender are afraid of being left behind, which also guarantees their longevity over the years, dynasties change, but Yan Shenggong is iron-clad."

Zhu Biao gave Zhu Bing a white look, and thought that the third brother's words were too hurtful, and directly stripped Yan Shenggong's face clean.

But after thinking about it carefully, I felt that what Zhu Yan said was not false, and what he said was not crude.

Every time the dynasty changed, the Kong family was at the forefront of surrendering. Whether it was the Jin Dynasty or the Yuan Dynasty, it did not prevent them from being a high-ranking official and riding a fine horse.

Even during the confrontation between the Jin and Song Dynasties, there were two Yan Sheng Gongs side by side at the same time.

Regarding Zhu Yuanzhang's analysis, Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with it very much. From his heart, he actually looked down upon the sour Confucian scholars of the Confucian family who only know how to play tricks and can't use their energy at critical moments. He just used them to win over scholars. and the hearts of scholars.

In the final analysis, whether it is a sage's family status or the name of this Yan Shenggong, it is nothing more than a mascot.

Before Zhu Yuanzhang, the county magistrate of Qufu had always been concurrently held by the Confucian family, and the official rank was the fifth rank, which was higher than the ordinary seventh rank county magistrate. It was only necessary to ask the imperial court for the Yansheng Gongbao, and there was no need to participate in the selection of officials.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang succeeded to the throne, he has deprived the Confucian government of this privilege, and clearly ordered that successive generations of Yan Shenggong and the direct descendants of the Confucian family had only the right to sacrifice, but not the right to govern the local area.

All selections from Qufu county magistrates to non-introduced classics and histories were collected by the Ministry of Officials, and the Confucian government had no right to recommend, let alone appoint.

Even so, we still have to work hard on the surface, and Zhu Yuanzhang also understands that everyone knows it in their hearts now, but on the surface they still have to give each other face.

That's why he said to Zhu Yan.

"It's good for you to be clear in your heart, but don't talk like this outside. Even if you are a vassal king, if you say that, you will offend the scholars in the world, and you will not be able to get along in the future."

At this time Zhu Yan shook his head, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang resolutely and replied.

"Father, don't worry, although I don't have any great achievements, I don't want to be with those sour scholars. The Confucian family is full of people who fall with the wind. What's the benefit of associating with them? My son only wants to make contributions in the front line , not some scholar prince."

Although Zhu Yan's words were biased, they revealed a true temperament. Zhu Yuanzhang was quite moved by this and appreciated the discussion.

But even though he thought so in his heart, he still gave Yan Shenggong enough face, he ordered the prince Zhu Biao to come out to meet him in person, and took the father and son of the Kong family into the hall.

Kong Xixue had just passed middle age, and he looked quite dignified, with sword eyebrows, star eyes and three long beards, and he was well maintained.

Entering the palace at this time, he and his eldest son Kong Jian bowed down together: "My minister Kong Xixue paid homage to His Majesty. Three days ago, after receiving His Majesty's order, he packed up and set off for Beijing. Fortunately, the trip was not delayed! "

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't show any expression on his face, he just nodded and said with a smile.

"This is the example of a scholar, and this is the example of success in the world. Get up and talk. This journey can be regarded as an exhausting journey. It is really hard work to come to see us before I let you rest."

Of course, Kong Xixue also said politely: "Confucius has received His Majesty's great favor. If you don't do your best, I will feel sorry for myself. May I ask Your Majesty, where do you plan to let you give lectures?"

Zhu Fang and Zhu Biao next to him almost wanted to laugh, but they didn't, but Zhu Yuanzhang said it seriously.

"That's not the intention. If you talk about lectures, you probably won't know how to speak to this person. His knowledge is really high, and it's not something you can handle casually."

In fact, when Kong Xixue was summoned to Beijing, he had already inquired about it. It turned out that His Majesty wanted to make a name for his adopted son, and he just wanted to use his own reputation.

This is actually not a big deal. After all, for the people of the Kong family, it's not like they haven't done things without principle.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, when I give lectures to Your Majesty's adopted son, I will definitely restrain my edge, so that he can be famous all over the world and be respected by scholars."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said to him.

"That's not what we meant. We didn't ask you to give lectures to Zhu Tao, but to ask him for advice. If there is something or something you don't understand, you are here to ask him for advice."

As soon as these words came out, Kong Xixue thought that there was something wrong with his ears, so he froze on the spot.

I am a direct descendant of Confucius at any rate, and the contemporary Yan Shenggong wants to ask a junior for advice. Isn't this a big joke in the world.

Even if he has no backbone and only follows the wind, he can't be so unscrupulous.

If you lower your figure like this, how can you be among the literati and students in the future?