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When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, he opened his eyes and looked up, only to see that Concubine Tian was slightly flustered or embarrassed. Including the other concubines, there were also some panic expressions. When they saw him looking over, they quickly pretended to be playing cards and mahjong. Obviously, these concubines are paying attention to themselves and the queen.

Emperor Chongzhen knew this very well, and at this time, he had made a decision in his heart. Although he knows that the prince is basically the prince for life, others don't know that many people will miss the prince's position. Instead of confusing people, it would be better to cut off the root cause as soon as possible.

In the eighth year of Chongzhen's reign, Emperor Chongzhen announced a major decision as the first thing he did when his ministers went to court after taking a rest. He established his eldest son, Zhu Cixiang, as the prince, and found several masters for the prince, including Xu Guangqi, the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Sun Yuanhua, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Song Yingxing, the minister of the Qing Dynasty of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

This incident immediately shocked the world. Of course, more of the officials and scholars were shocked.

The first one is that the current emperor has finally established a prince. This is no surprise. Legally speaking, the eldest son is the prince. However, the master who taught the prince was very famous. Whether it is Xu Guangqi, Sun Yuanhua or Song Yingxing, they are all representatives of scientific and technological knowledge. As the future imperial masters, it is self-evident what this means!

At the end of last year, some news that had been circulated and discussed across the country spread crazily again. The scope and intensity of the discussion were even worse than last year.

"Brother, looking at this trend, the emperor must have made up his mind. Sooner or later, the content of this imperial examination will no longer be the Four Books and Five Classics!"

"Actually, we should have known this a long time ago. Think about it, this scientific and technical knowledge was compiled and promoted by the emperor himself. Mr. Xu is appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. When evaluating officials, he must understand some common sense of scientific and technical knowledge. This is actually a hint, right?”

"No, you see, the children's schools built by the imperial court in the past two years all have basic scientific and technical knowledge to learn. There are also county schools and the Imperial College. If the content of the imperial examination does not change in the future, I will I’ll take the head off and show it to you!”

"..."

Whether it was foresight or hindsight, most scholars in the Ming Dynasty were forced to accept the fact that one day in the future, the content of the imperial examination will no longer include the Four Books and the Five Classics, and there is a high probability that it will be included The scientific and technological knowledge compiled by the emperor.

As a result, naturally many readers who focused on the Four Books and Five Classics were unwilling to accept it and gathered together to complain about this matter.

"Since the beginning of the imperial examination, Confucianism has been the kingly way. Scientific and technical knowledge is just the study of craftsmen. How can it be compared with the Four Books and Five Classics!"

"Yes, half of the Analects of Confucius governs the world. Can scientific and technical knowledge be enough? It's just a small trick!"

"There are traitorous ministers in the court! They are crossing the river and destroying the bridge one by one. Why doesn't the court let them take the science and technology knowledge test again?"

"No, this must not happen. How about we submit a letter together? The teachings of Confucius and Mencius must not be invaded by miscellaneous scholars!"

"Yes, I don't believe it anymore. All of us scholars wrote a letter to oppose it and asked the court to give an official explanation!"

"..."

There are many similar discussions in all parts of the country. In fact, the debate about Confucius and Mencius and scientific and technological knowledge has long existed. At the beginning, the status of scientific and technological knowledge was not high, and it was mostly supported by some craftsmen. However, with the passage of time, a considerable number of scholars and officials have changed their support, and therefore, the debate has intensified.

There are also other voices in these debates, especially in the Jiangnan region where the debate is most intense.

"Don't dream. The imperial court will definitely change the content of the imperial examination in the next few years. It's best to read more about science and technology now!"

"The content of the imperial examinations in the Ming Dynasty must be changed, but I haven't heard of it in the vassal state! Moreover, they treat scholars very favorably there and are eager for talents. As long as they are literate, they will usually get official positions!"

"Yes, several vassal states are robbing people now! Huh, if you don't stay here, you will have a place to stay! Let me tell you, let's go to the vassal state together. Being an official is not an official!"

"..."

Among these remarks, let alone some scholars are indeed tempted. Isn't Hanchuang studying hard just to be an official? Looking at the situation now, there will definitely be a restructuring in the Ming Dynasty. If you cannot pass the Jinshi examination before the restructuring, you will have to learn scientific and technological knowledge from scratch. In this case, there will be no advantages at all. It is really better to become an official in a vassal state. Come on!

At the beginning of the eighth year of Chongzhen's reign, discussions on the reform of the imperial examination system were in full swing with the news of the establishment of a prince. At this time, a group of more than ten people arrived at the gate of Kong Yanshenggong's Mansion in Shandong.

Confucius Mansion is the holy place in the hearts of scholars all over the world, and it is the hereditary place of the eldest descendants of the sage Confucius. Since the second year of Zhihe in the Song Dynasty, the title Yanshenggong has been used throughout the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and other dynasties. In fact, after the sage Kong, he had been canonized by the court as early as the twelfth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty and enjoyed glory and wealth. However, the title of Yan Shenggong only started in the Song Dynasty. In other words, the descendants of Confucius, starting from the Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, have enjoyed blessings because Confucius proposed Confucianism.

Of course, the reason why it has been able to survive for thousands of years and maintain its aloof status regardless of the change of dynasties is also related to its lack of backbone. Otherwise, he would have been killed by a certain emperor long ago. Of course, you can also put it another way. The Kong family does not care about the family name, but only cares about the Confucian and Taoist traditions of China. However, in the history of thousands of years, there were many times when barbarians took over the Central Plains.

The title of Yanshenggong was equivalent to an eighth-grade official in the Song Dynasty, and was promoted to a third-grade official in the Yuan Dynasty. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was a first-grade civil official, and later became "the first civil official in the class." As far as the Confucius House is concerned, it also received considerable attention in the Ming Dynasty.

In the 10th year of Hongwu's reign in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the construction of a new residence and the authority to set up official offices. During the Hongzhi period, the Confucius Temple suffered a fire. Therefore, in the 16th year of Hongzhi, the emperor ordered major repairs to the Queli Confucius Temple and Yanshenggong Mansion. Confucius' mansion was rebuilt again. During the Jiajing period, in order to protect the Confucius Temple in the Confucius Mansion, the emperor ordered the relocation of Qufu County and the temple to the city. The status of the Kong family is getting higher and higher.

Kong Mansion covers an area of ​​about 180 acres and has 463 buildings of various types. The palace is lined with buildings, long corridors, intricate and intricate, carved beams and painted buildings, and is magnificent. It is the largest building complex except the two imperial palaces in the north and south of the Ming Dynasty, and is known as "the first in the world".

It has to be said that the Ming Dynasty was very kind to the Kong family. However, in the original history, when the Manchu and Qing Dynasties entered the Pass, the Confucius family immediately changed their banner and supported the Manchu Qing rule, thus continuing to receive the Manchu imperial edict.

Having said that, the soldiers at the gate of the Confucius Mansion saw about ten people on horseback, and quickly stepped forward to stop them, shouting loudly: "This is Yan Shenggong's Mansion, who dare to come here on horseback? Get off your horse quickly, don't do it." rude!"

These ten or so people were not scolded by the soldiers at all. They dismounted until they reached the door. One of them reached out and took out his waistband, flashed it in front of the angry soldier, and shouted at the same time: "Lead the way, we have to Meet the Holy Duke Yan!"

The soldier was stunned for a moment, and after taking a closer look, he immediately lost his arrogance and quickly nodded and bowed, leading these people through the door. When another soldier saw this situation, he guessed who was coming without even looking at the badge, and hurriedly ran inside to inform him first.

The soldiers of Confucius usually scolded some scholars, no matter how high they were as officials, they would be obedient. But it was completely useless to the group of people in front of me. These people had already been taught this lesson the last time they came to Confucius Mansion. It is said that the soldier who was on duty last time was still injured from his injuries! These people are like wolves and tigers. When Yan Shenggong sees them, they must be respectful. Who dares to offend! In other words, no one in the world dares to offend them!

Confucius Mansion is divided into front hall, middle residence and back garden. The front hall is the official office, which is divided into the lobby, the second hall and the third hall. It is the place where Yanshenggong handles official business. Before the group of people reached the front hall, they saw Yan Shenggong hurriedly leading a group of officials to greet them.

"I don't know which angel has arrived. Some of them are far away to welcome them, some are far away to greet them!" Yanshenggong had a smile on his face, and he had already greeted him before he greeted him.

The dozen or so people in this group were all in casual clothes, but they were all very imposing. Seeing Mr. Yan Shenggong leading the people to greet him, one of them whispered to the young man they were surrounding: "Mr. Factory, after what happened last time, Mr. Yan Shenggong really understands the current affairs!"

This young man is one of the famous people in front of the emperor, Wang Chengen, the admiral of Dongchang. He listened and just nodded, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"The Imperial Envoy Governor Dongchang Official School's administrative eunuch is here, why don't you come and see me soon!" A servant shouted coldly, which was a response to Yan Shenggong's question.

During the Tianqi Dynasty, the Admiral of Dongchang was the famous 9,000-year-old Wei Zhongxian. Although he was finished, Dongchang's reputation was still there. Furthermore, the factory guards in this plane were not like those in history who were restrained by Emperor Chongzhen and could not leave the Forbidden City. In the Chongzhen Dynasty, the factory guards were equally prestigious and had handled several major cases.

For example, the Shanxi-Shanxi merchants' case of treason caused all the businessmen in Shanxi to hide in their homes and tremble in fear; there was also the case of Jiangnan treason, which also resulted in the death of many people.

The factory guard is the sharpest knife in the emperor's hand. If the Confucius Mansion had a natural suppression on literati, it was of no use to these factory guards!

When Duke Yan Sheng heard that this time it was the Admiral of Dongchang who came in person, he was startled. He felt that nothing good was going on. He became even more nervous and lowered his posture. He quickly said: "It turns out that it is Lord Dongchang who is here in person. I'm so rude! "

Wang Chengen glanced at him coldly, and without saying a word, he strode towards the lobby. The subordinates he brought quickly followed and went in first without ceremony.

The affairs of Yan Shenggong are all in their hands. I heard that a man who established himself in the world by preaching benevolence, justice, etiquette, wisdom and trust, what is the difference between what he does in daily life and ordinary people? In this life of being a local emperor, I am living a cool life!

However, this is a gift from the emperor. Instead of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, he wants to unite with those savage scholars in Fushe to resist the emperor's science and technology. What a daredevil! These Dongchang servants, including Wang Chengen, can give It's strange that Yan Shenggong has such a good face.

Duke Yan Sheng and his subordinates had no choice in this matter. They didn't even dare to show their dissatisfaction. They just looked at each other and hurriedly followed.

Arriving at the lobby, Wang Chengen calmly sat down on the main seat, surrounded by servants on both sides, all looking coldly at the people who followed him.

With a smile on his face, Duke Yan Sheng took a few steps closer and asked, "I wonder if the factory master is here in person. What advice do you have?"

Wang Chengen did not speak, and still laid out the score. One of his men took a step forward and shouted loudly: "Except for Yan Shenggong, everyone, please step back!"

When the others heard this, they couldn't help but look at each other and didn't move for a moment. Looking at the menacing appearance, what is Dongchang going to do?

After hearing this, Duke Yan Sheng saw that the officials under his command had not moved yet, so he waved his hands quickly and said, "Didn't you hear that? Why don't you step back quickly?"

At this time, his men all came to their senses and quickly bowed and left. In just a moment, they were all gone, leaving Yan Shenggong alone to face a large group of Dongchang soldiers who looked like wolves and tigers.

After the hall became quiet, Wang Chengen took out a roll of paper from his sleeve and stretched it forward. At the same time, with a cold face, he said in the eunuch's unique sinister tone: "In the past few days, Duke Yan Sheng will press the button." This means that I should go to the capital in person, report it to the emperor, and ask for permission."

Seeing this, a guard next to him immediately bowed to take it and handed it to Duke Yansheng.

When Yan Shenggong heard this, his heart skipped a beat. Although he didn't see what was written on the paper, he had a vague guess in his heart and couldn't help but secretly complain.

When I got it in my hand and took a closer look after unfolding it, I suddenly cried out in my heart. His guess was indeed correct, he would come to whatever he was afraid of. It seemed that the emperor was determined, but his identity...

This has happened before. But at that time, it was not a public statement at least, it was just a private rumor, so just don’t deny it here. In that case, just pretend that you don't hear what's going on outside the window, and just get by. But now...

Thinking like this, he looked at the thing in his hand again and felt it was very heavy. He raised his head and discussed with Wang Chengen with a wry smile: "Mr. Factory, look at my status, I represent the Confucian scholars in the world..."

Unexpectedly, before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Chengen in a cold voice: "Why, you are still thinking about bargaining? With what we have in hand, let alone abolishing Yan Shenggong, at least let Yan Shenggong be replaced by someone else. It should be no problem, right? Let me tell you, don’t toast or eat as a penalty, this matter has to be done by Yan Shenggong, if it’s not you, it’s the next one!”