The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 306 Scolding a Great Confucian Scholar in the Imperial Court

Many officials in the court looked at the book in silence.

If this book were to actually be published, it would have a tremendous impact on the entire political landscape of the Ming Dynasty.

Then those scholars who came up through the Four Books and Five Classics will be in some trouble.

Surprisingly, no one came forward to speak out about this matter.

Faced with something that meant nothing to them, they could only remain silent.

Lan Yu and Fu Youde, among others, flipped through the contents of the document.

"I think this is great. What's there to object to? Just follow what's written here!"

Everyone's faces turned extremely grim upon hearing Lan Yu's words.

If Lan Yu were literate, it would be fine, but the fact that he's illiterate makes comments about this stuff, which just feels a bit out of place.

The representatives from the four great families of Confucius, Mencius, Cheng Yi, and Zhu Xi were furious.

At this moment, Kong Ximing of the Kong family spoke angrily.

"This is a path that will bring ruin to the country and will never be recognized. If the spirit of the sage in heaven knew this, he would surely punish you. How could the words of the sage be changed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"When Confucius wrote these things, his descendants compiled them so that future generations could inherit his spirit and let more people know what benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness are. But where have you all thrown these things now?"

"You keep saying you represent all the scholars in the world, but do you really represent all the scholars in the world, Confucianism, or your own family of Confucius?"

Kong Ximing frowned upon hearing this, as he did not see any difference between Confucianism and the Confucian school.

"Becoming a member of the Kong family is equivalent to inheriting Confucianism, isn't it?" "What's the difference? My Kong family is a family of sages. Our ancestors included sages. What we are doing now is simply passing on the bloodline of the sages. There's nothing wrong with doing this."

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head.

"Of course not, and it's completely wrong. What Confucianism inherits are the words and knowledge of the sages, not their bloodline!"

“Anyone who can practice benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, from noble families to common people, can be called the inheritors of sages, not you bloodline successors!”

"There are no born nobles in this world. Even my imperial grandfather was just a poor commoner back then, but now he has risen to the position of the supreme ruler of the world!"

"Remember this: the virtues of your Confucius family do not represent Confucius or Confucianism!"

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in shock.

Zhu Xiong Ying's words were extremely ruthless, directly separating the Kong family from Confucianism, which was equivalent to depriving Kong Ximing, the Duke Yansheng of the Kong family, of his highest moral weapon.

Even if the Crown Prince wanted to punish Kong Ximing, he might not face resistance from scholars across the land.

Kong Ximing's face turned red. He wanted to speak, but he didn't know what to say. He almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Zhu Xiong Ying is really cunning.

This statement is entirely aimed at their fear, not at the entire Confucian school. Even if one wanted to mobilize all scholars in the world to resist, there would be no way to do so.

The only course of action now is to see how many scholars in the world are still loyal to the Confucian family.

At this moment, he looked at the civil and military officials and generals in the court, which goes without saying.

Most of those who could stand in this place were Zhu Xiong Ying's close associates. Moreover, they were more than happy that a civil official was in trouble, so how could they possibly oppose him?

As expected, after a long time, no one stepped forward. Thinking of this, he sighed. The Kong family's influence was indeed not what it used to be, and he felt as if he had aged ten years.

He angrily pointed at the officials and said.

“You are all disciples of my Confucian school. Now that you see such a muddle-headed and immoral person stirring up trouble, is there not a single one of you who dares to stand up for justice?”

Upon hearing this, everyone lowered their heads and remained silent, seemingly having already decided to ignore the matter.

Kong Ximing sighed.

"If the scholars of the world were to know that such a illegitimate son is so fearful of me, I don't know what my Confucian sages would do!"

"You people have truly opened my eyes today!"

After speaking, Kong Ximing of the Kong family flicked his sleeves and was about to leave. The other three families were also about to leave when Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile, "Wait!"

"This is the imperial court, not your family's territory. How can you come and go as you please!"

"Kong Ximing, do you still remember how you insulted me just now?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Ximing froze on the spot. He had not forgotten the words he had just heard. Given his status and age, it was nothing serious that he had only uttered a presumptuous remark.

Even if this matter reaches the Emperor, he will be fine.

"How come I, as the current Duke Yansheng, am not even allowed to say a few words to you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook her head.

"Of course, it's impossible for me to be the ruler and you the subject," to insult the ruler as a subject—is this the etiquette you've inherited?

"Or is it that you're not skilled enough and haven't learned much at all?" Upon hearing this, Kong Ximing took two steps back in fright, feeling as if he were about to collapse.

If this gets out or I get punished, my reputation will be completely ruined.

His face turned bright red with anxiety.

"Don't make false accusations! I've never had such a thought!"

"I was just angry, it was unintentional, but it's all because what you did went too far!"

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered.

"What? Just because you're angry doesn't mean you can shirk responsibility for your words?"

"If I ever get angry, could I exterminate your entire Kong family and then apologize to you?"

Kong Ximing's face was grim, and the officials in the court did not say a word. If His Highness the Crown Prince were here, or even if His Majesty were here, they would not be so afraid. At least they would consider some things. But the person in front of them was not necessarily so. In any case, Zhu Xiong Ying was only the Crown Prince, and given his age, he might not care about these things.

Kong Ximing had no other choice but to vomit blood and then faint on the ground.

Seeing this scene, everyone looked at each other.

Zhu Xiong Ying's fighting prowess is truly terrifying; he was able to force Kong Xi Ming, the current Duke Yansheng of the Kong family, to this point.

The crowd was somewhat flustered. After all, Kong Ximing was the Duke Yansheng of the present day. If something happened to him in the imperial court, it would be difficult to explain to the scholars of the world.

Zhu Xiong Ying sighed.

"He's supposed to be the current head of the Kong family, yet his mental fortitude is surprisingly weak. I haven't even started using my powers yet!"

(End of this chapter)