I'm really not the carpenter emperor

"Hello grandpa, I have met grandpa."

Since his adopted son Wei Liangqing died in Suzhou, Wei Zhongxian valued this grandson the most. He was also clever and quick-witted, much stronger than Wei Liangqing who could only use rough hands.

"You boy, don't hurry up to accept the order."

Wei Zhongxian beckoned Wei Ximeng to come over, and beside him stood the smiling Eunuch Wang Chengen, Supervisor of Rites and Bingbi.

Chapter 793 Suspending the Imperial Examination

"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

Wei Ximeng, the head of the East Factory, devoted himself to the Wang Gongchang disaster, and canonized as Marquis Zhongmao.

In addition, Wei Zhide, Wei Xikong, and Yang Zuochang have served the imperial court for many years and made great contributions. They were canonized as Linhuai Bo, Kunshan Bo, and Anqing Bo.

Wang Qing and others can still do their best to serve the country and court!This is it. "

When the words fell to the ground, not only Wei Ximeng was so shocked that he was stunned for a moment, unable to speak, even Wei Zhongxian was full of surprise.

However, he reacted quickly and quickly kowtowed:

"Thank you, old slave, for your kindness!"

Hearing Wei Zhongxian's words, Wei Ximeng followed suit, "My minister, Wei Ximeng, has received His Majesty's great favor, and will swear to die to repay the emperor's favor!"

After delivering the decree, Wang Chengen stepped forward with a smile and said:

"I met the factory owner and Zhong Maohou."

Wei Zhongxian received the imperial decree, held it in his hand, waved back, took a silver ingot from the servant's hand, and said:

"What else did His Majesty say when he announced the decree?"

Naturally, Wang Chengen was not an idiot to climb to his current position. He understood what Wei Zhongxian was asking, so he said:

"The emperor didn't say it clearly, but it seems that he wants to reuse your Wei family's meaning."

"Okay, got it." Wei Zhongxian ordered his servants to take Wang Chengen out, and Wei Ximeng couldn't wait to say after the latter left the lobby not long ago:

"Grandfather, what does Your Majesty mean this time?"

"It took six years for the imperial court to ennoble four princes, Xiong Tingbi, Zhu Xieyuan, Zhang Wanbang, and Mao Shuai. Why did you confer on me a current prince today?"

"There is also the third brother and the uncle of the family, each of whom has also been granted the title of Liujue. I really can't figure it out!"

The so-called Liujue means that there is no hereditary inheritance, and a nobleman is only given to others.

In the Ming Dynasty, even if it was such a vassal, if civil and military officials wanted to be entrusted with the title, they all had very high requirements, and it was almost rare.

And in the six years of the apocalypse, four of them were sealed at once!

Being an official in the imperial court, especially at the feet of this Son of Heaven, it is difficult for people to feel that a piece of news is a blessing or a curse.

So Wei Ximeng really didn't feel any joy in his heart now.

Wei Zhide, that is Wei Zhongxian's uncle, and now the oldest member of the Wei family, Wei Xikong, is the same grandson as Wei Ximeng.

As for Yang Zuochang, he is an in-law of the Wei family outside the family, and now he is also an official in the same place.

Wei Zhongxian's complexion was heavy. Obviously, he had read other meanings of Emperor Tianqi from the brief canonization edict just now.

Facing south, he said in a deep voice:

"At this juncture, His Majesty has given us such a favor to the Wei family. There must be something important to do, and we need to do our best."

"It's just that the governor hasn't thought about what the emperor wants to do this time. He needs to use such things as knighthood to open the way..."

Wei Zhongxian could see and read clearly.

The emperor's book is not only to enshrine the Wei family and increase the power of affairs, but also to take the opportunity to express his position and demonstrate to the officials, intending to use his Wei family as a knife to open the way.

Being knighted is a grace that many famous families can meet but cannot ask for, and it will not be given in vain.

Wei Zhongxian picked up a cup of tea and said: "Based on what I know about the emperor, once the imperial edict arrives, the next edict will be imminent. The emperor's mind is beyond guessing, just wait!"

After thinking about it, he ordered again:

"By the way, tell the younger generation in the family who have received grace, as well as my uncle, not to be too happy and arrogant, and spoil the big event. Beware that the governor will kill his relatives righteously."

Wei Ximeng quickly bowed his head and said, "Don't worry, grandpa, this junior knows it well, but your Majesty canonize me as a Marquis, I'm afraid it will be of great use to me."

"The matter of Wang Gong's factory, the younger generation has already found out that it is related to Donglin, but I don't know who it is. I just ordered people to search for evidence in Tongzhou and the suburbs of Beijing. I think it should be fruitful."

"Then I will continue to handle it, or should I leave it to my third brother Xikong?"

Wei Zhongxian also really thought about it, and said: "Wang Gong's factory is also a big deal, and it was temporarily handed over to others, which added to the chaos. You should do your best to investigate."

"As for the imperial lord's will... After the decree comes out, we'll have a long-term plan. Xikong is not as thoughtful as you, so leave it to him to handle it. I'm afraid that Dong Lin will get in and miss it."

Wei Ximeng was as honest as a child, nodded and said:

"Follow your grandfather's orders."

After the grandfather and grandson had finished speaking, a little eunuch came in outside the door, but what this little eunuch passed on was not a decree, but a secret edict.

"Secret edict? Why can't His Majesty personally issue an edict?" Wei Ximeng had already realized the seriousness of this matter, probably beyond his imagination.

Nervously, the little eunuch took out a secret edict and handed it to Wei Zhongxian. After the latter read it, he took it back and burned it himself before leaving with peace of mind.

"Grandfather, what is His Majesty's order?"

After reading the secret edict, Wei Zhongxian's face became extremely ugly, and he sat for a long time before muttering: "The emperor wants to attack the Kong family, and wants us to be the pioneers."

"What!?" Wei Ximeng's eyes widened, even bigger than when he was granted the title just now. "The Kong family has continued to this day, and it has stood firm throughout the dynasties. It can be called evergreen."

"The whole country is full of their teachers and students' acquaintances, how can they be lightly moved?"

Wei Zhongxian nodded, "The governor also knows about this, but judging from the emperor's actions this time, I'm afraid it's been a long time in the making, so I'm ready to do it."

"I can't persuade you to come back, I can only think about it!"

Wei Ximeng sat slumped on the chair, his eyes were dull and he said: "The Confucian family in Qufu, if we dare to go to the door of the Confucian family, wouldn't all the scholars in the world dig up our ancestral graves?"

"Grandpa, what if, I mean what if, His Majesty can't stand the pressure and will kill the donkey, what shall we do?"

"We are the rats crossing the street, everyone shouted and beat us."

Wei Zhongxian never thought about such an ending. After all, he knew that the royal family had too many affairs and had done too much dirty work for the royal family, and there was no turning back.

He sighed and said:

"You can't have this kind of thinking. I belong to the Wei family, and I am deeply favored by His Majesty. You have been knighted at a young age, and it all depends on this."

"Your Majesty has his own calculations, we just do things."

Only then did Wei Ximeng feel relieved, his eyes tightened suddenly, and he said, "Then why don't you just keep doing it and send people to the Confucian mansion day and night to find fault!"

"Grandfather Cai just said that his disciples of the Confucian family are all over the world. How much more people from the Kong family are there than our Wei family?"

"I still don't believe it. There are very few people who have a clue. If they find a clue, they can take the opportunity to make a big deal and set off a big case!"

Wei Zhongxian nodded and said with a smile:

"A few years ago, the Donglin imperial examination case can be brought up again this time. I will instruct Feng Quan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, to request a retrial from His Majesty."

That night, Zhu Youxiao was in the Xinuang Pavilion of Qianqing Palace to review the memorials.

Wang Chaofu stood aside, saw the emperor's face move slightly, and knew that something was wrong. Sure enough, after a while, Zhu Youxiao threw the melody on the ground, pointed forward tremblingly, and said:

"Feng Quan said that there was still fraud in the spring examination this year. In August, Qiuwei was suspended and I will investigate the case thoroughly. If it can't be found, next year's imperial examination will not be held!"

Chapter 794 Is the same as the party

Scholars often say that what the eunuch party relies on is nothing more than the trust of the current emperor, and the method they use to fight dissidents is nothing more than one-big case!

The Donglin Imperial Examination Case in the fourth year of Apocalypse involved a lot of people, digging up a lot of scandals and strange stories about Donglin Qingliu, mixed with true and false, which shocked the entire scholarly society.

The scholars also split into several factions, arguing day and night without stopping.

In June of the sixth year of the Apocalypse, the case of Donglin Shizi, which had been closed for nearly two years, suddenly turned around again. It started with the memorabilia given by Feng Quan, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, and the storm was about to come!

What is most criticized is the muddle-headed act of the current emperor, who can be called a sage king, to enshrine the Wei family.

The Wei family had already been sealed once in the first year of Tianqi, but at that time most of them were just low-level officials such as Weisuo, Dusi, Jinyiwei, etc., without any real power.

Now, there are four knights in the Wei family, and their power is increasing. The government and the public, which were already jittery because of the case of Wang Gongchang, suddenly became turbulent again.

The Donglin Scholars, who had risen in various places because of the Wang Gongchang case, criticized the government, and it became more and more intense. It seemed that the whole world was insulting the Wei family.

The so-called no meritorious deeds, just because of the emperor's favor, they were awarded knighthoods, and the number was even higher than the last imperial court award. Such rumors are on the rise.

However, before the matter was over, another news came, which shocked the whole country.

Feng Quan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, stated that fraud in the imperial examinations has become common this year, and requested a retrial of Tianqi's four-year Donglin imperial examination case.

For a time, the focus of the whole country was on this.

This is a very ordinary day in Qufu, Shandong Province. Qufu is a sacred place in the eyes of Confucian scholars all over the world. Although it is only a county, its scale is several times larger than that of an ordinary state city.

After nightfall, here is the most crowded time of the day.

All the streets, alleys, teahouses, restaurants, brothels, shops... are full of people coming and going. It can be called a magnificent Confucian mansion, and it is even more brightly lit and noisy.

In a teahouse, many Confucian scholars are talking about the two most concerning recent issues, the suspension of the imperial examination and the conferment of the Wei family.

These two things have nothing to do with each other, but they can be linked together, which makes people worry.

Many people think that it is terribly frightening to think carefully. After the Wei family is ennobled, he must show his loyalty to the emperor, and Feng Quan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, is a hardcore eunuch.

This person went to Shushu to retry the Donglin imperial examination case, obviously with ulterior motives.

"...Wei was just enshrined, and an official went to retry the Donglin imperial examination case. I think it was probably instigated by that stray dog!"

"Why is that?" Several people asked in unison.

"If you don't see the court, most of them are under the eunuch party. Feng Quan, the Minister of Industry, probably cannot do without the secret help of the eunuch."

"Valent men such as Li Jiashi, the censor of Huguang Dao, and Zhou Zongjian, the censor of Fujian Dao, were either forced to die as factory servants, or were dismissed from office and salary. They are prepared for danger in times of peace!"

Some people sighed: "The emperor of this dynasty has been known for his literary and martial arts, which can be called Zhongxing, but he is so fond of the eunuchs who have been promoted again and again."

"Could it be that the dog has some crooked ways and bewitched the king?"

"Now that the Wei family has been conferred a title, its power and power can be regarded as the greatest in our Ming Dynasty, unprecedented! How is such power different from an arbitrary court?"

"Exactly!" A Confucian scholar in a green shirt said:

"Then Wei Ximeng didn't make any merit, but only investigated the Wang Gongchang case, so he was named Zhongmao Hou, a majestic Marquis, and a traitor can do it!"

Listening to these Confucian scholars, soon, a group of supervisors sneered. They came to the Confucian mansion to ask for an explanation, and they all became noisy after listening to the Confucian scholars.

"You don't need to stand here and talk without back pain. It's true that the eunuchs are chaotic, but they did a good job in one thing. The scientific research case really should be investigated!"

"In the case of the Donglin Imperial Examination in the fourth year of the Apocalypse, those seemingly noble Donglin great sages were either greedy for money and accepted bribes, or accepted the powerful to make it easier for their disciples."

"Apocalypse has promoted people for four years, and most of them are obtained by Gongsheng!"

"Most of these Gongsheng students are Donglin disciples. I support the retrial of this case. Otherwise, we and other poor scholars will hardly have a bright future!"

Although the supervisors are also students of Confucianism, they are different from traditional Confucian students. Most of these supervisors have received the bonus of the four-year imperial examination case of Tianqi.

The imperial examination case was investigated by Dongchang, and a large number of supervisory students, tribute students, and Juren and Jinshi were exempted. Only when there were vacancies, they were filled.

Confucian scholars always look down on these superintendents who are entitled to sit with them and study with them because of the favor of the court. Hearing this, he immediately retorted, quite eccentric.

"I still don't understand? It's all caused by eunuchs, factory employees cheated, and those so-called evidence can't stand up to scrutiny!"

"You are really born poor, and you actually believe Fanzi's words!"

"Guozijian students! Most of them are just filling in the vacancies. They don't have any real talents and learning at all. You don't need to have the same knowledge as them."

"Brother Wen Ju is right! We talk about our knowledge, and even if these supervising students become officials in the future, most of them are eunuchs."

The students in charge of the prison rose up one after another and reprimanded him furiously.

"what are you saying?"

"At the foot of the Confucian Mansion, the place that the gentlemen of the world yearn for, is it so worthy of shame? It really makes us feel ashamed!"

Hearing the fierce debate between the prison students and Confucian scholars, a middle-aged man who was sitting on the side stood up silently, and went straight to the Confucian mansion after leaving the teahouse.

Today is the 34th birthday of Yan Sheng Gong Kong Yinzhi. In the Confucian mansion, there is the melodious sound of the flute and the debut of the famous opera troupe. It is a beautiful scene of spring flowers and autumn moon.

Kong Yanzhi is the 64th grandson of Confucius, the son of Kong Shangtan, the grandson of Kong Zhenning, and his uncle is Kong Zhenqian, the Duke of Yansheng.