Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 338: Yanshenggong

The moon is round and the fireworks are beautiful.

Chen Ce and Mrs. Wu sat quietly on a stone bench by the Wuzhang River, holding fireworks in their hands, quietly watching the splendor of the moment.

Just like Chen Ce’s life, no matter how brilliant a life is, it will soon be extinguished.

The night gradually deepened. As autumn came, the weather gradually turned cooler. Wu Niangzi put the black cloak in her hand on Chen Ce and whispered to him, "Go back."

"Ah."

The two of them walked slowly on Zhengyang Street. The lights on the street were still bright and the crowds were still bustling.

A carriage blocked the way of Chen Ce and Wu Niangzi. A servant got off the carriage and said to Chen Ce, "Our master would like you to go to the mansion."

Chen Ce asked, "Who are you?"

The servant said, "Our master arrived in the capital an hour ago. He is the current Duke of Yansheng!"

Chen Ce said, "Oh," and said to the other party with a cupped hand, "It's late. Let's talk about it tomorrow. I'm going back to sleep."

The servant said in a stern tone: "Our master wants you to go over now!"

Madam Wu scolded unhappily, "I told you I wouldn't go, didn't you hear me?"

"you!"

The servant was very angry. It was true that villains and women were difficult to raise. He questioned Chen Ce, "Mr. Chen, our master is the Duke of Yansheng in the current dynasty!"

Chen Ce said, "I see. It's too late today and I'm sleepy. Please apologize on behalf of your Lord Yansheng."

After saying this, Chen Ce and Madam Wu walked towards Huaihua Hutong.

Madam Wu asked Chen Ce with some concern, "Looking at their arrogant attitude, it seems that they are here with ill intentions. What's wrong?"

Chen Ce shook his head and said, "Nothing special. The Zhou family opened an academy, and now many relatives, businessmen, and dignitaries in the capital are vying to follow suit."

"The academy doesn't teach the Four Books and Five Classics, but rather unorthodox teachings. The orthodox Confucianists can't stand this anymore, so they naturally came to the capital to put an end to this phenomenon. However, they didn't dare to cause trouble for the Zhou family, so they had no choice but to come to me."

Madam Wu couldn't understand. She said indignantly, "Isn't this bullying the weak and fearing the strong? Besides, this has nothing to do with you!"

Chen Ce sighed: "This is a long story, but it's nothing serious, don't take it to heart."

Madam Wu nodded. She had never seen Chen Ce lose in a competition of wisdom and means. Unless the other party used force, Madam Wu really didn't need to worry about Chen Ce.

The only thing I'm worried about is Chen Ce's physical condition.

……

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Hongzhi drank some wine tonight. Liu Wentai found Emperor Hongzhi and said that Chen Ce's condition was getting worse, which instantly sobered Emperor Hongzhi up a little.

"How bad has it gotten?" Emperor Hongzhi asked nervously.

Liu Wentai bowed and sighed, and told Emperor Hongzhi that Chen Ce's health was now like a spent force, and that he had been coughing up blood more and more frequently recently. He planned to increase the dosage of medicine for Chen Ce, but this could only maintain the effect for a short time.

Emperor Hongzhi was silent for a long time, then he looked up at Liu Wentai and said, "Don't tell the Crown Prince about this, and no one else should talk about it."

"besides……"

After a pause, Emperor Hongzhi asked again: "Is there still a chance that he can be cured?"

Liu Wentai shook his head and said, "It is absolutely impossible... I am ashamed. There is no hope of reversing this disease."

Emperor Hongzhi waved his hand weakly and said, "Go." After Liu Wentai left, Emperor Hongzhi sighed deeply. Thinking of Chen Ce's light-hearted words "I'm sick" when he met him before, Emperor Hongzhi thought he was joking.

Later, he gradually learned that Chen Ce was helping Zhu Houzhao with reforms and teaching him how to behave and do things despite his illness. He couldn't help but sigh even more and felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

Although he was still very young, he knew that his life was about to end, but he did not sink into despair. He was still optimistic and worked hard to contribute to the country silently. Thinking of this, even a person with a heart of stone could not help but become soft-hearted.

He was still so young, he hadn’t married or had children yet, he hadn’t seen all the prosperity of the world, but he was about to leave this world...

……

late at night.

Duke Yansheng Kong Hongtai entered the capital in a low-key manner an hour ago and temporarily stayed in his disciple's residence.

As the 61st generation grandson of Confucius, Kong Hongtai is just 50 years old this year, but his body is already terminally ill.

Although Kong Hongtai kept a low profile on this trip, he still managed to attract officials and Confucian disciples from the capital for decades to come to Yan's residence for an audience.

The influence of the Kong family in the Ming Dynasty was so great that when Dong Zhongshu of the Eastern Han Dynasty proposed to abolish all schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone, the political status of the Kong family in the feudal dynasty was established.

By the Ming and Qing dynasties, Confucius' status became even more honorable, and all scholars who took the imperial examinations had to go through the Kong family. Without any modesty, all scholars were disciples of Confucius!
Kong Hongtai was ill and could not meet guests, so his brother Kong Hongxu arranged all the meetings with officials from the capital.

The servant of the Kong family found Kong Hongtai who was resting, and Kong Hongtai asked calmly: "Is he here?"

The servant's answer was obviously beyond Kong Hongtai's expectations. "Master Kong, he said it's too late today and he wants to go back to bed."

Kong Hongtai was slightly stunned. He never thought that he would actually refuse the invitation of the Kong family. Many officials in the capital gave gifts to meet him, Duke Yansheng, which was a luxury. He took the initiative to invite Chen Ce, but was rejected by the other party?
Kong Hongtai was a man of great self-control after all, and said calmly, "Oh, when did he say he would come over?"

The servant shook his head and said, "That...is not what I said."

Kong Hongtai closed his eyes and waved his hand, saying, "Go down."

"Yes."

……

Kong Hongxu was busy until late at night. Finally, he finished meeting with the officials and scholars who came to visit him. He found Kong Hongtai with a tired body and asked, "Is that kid here?"

Kong Hongtai shook his head.

As Kong Hongtai's elder brother, Kong Hongxu should have inherited the title of Duke of Yansheng. However, he was young and powerful, and his father-in-law was a Grand Secretary of the Chenghua Dynasty, so he took advantage of his power to bully others and kill innocent people.

Finally, he was impeached by the Ministry of Education, and Emperor Chenghua stripped him of his title and demoted him to a commoner, and ordered his younger brother Kong Hongtai to inherit the title of Duke Yansheng.

Although he is old now, he still hates evil in his heart. When he heard that a lowly person in the capital was so disrespectful to the Kong family, his face was full of displeasure and gloom.

"Too arrogant!"

"We gave him a chance and had a good talk with him, but he didn't know how to restrain himself? This beast deserves death!"

Kong Hongtai shook his head and said calmly: "Brother, you have been re-appointed, so be sure to be frank in your actions and words. If the officials in the Ministry of Justice hear what you say, they may impeach you again."

Kong Hongxu snorted slightly, appearing extremely displeased.

Kong Hongtai said calmly: "Since he is not coming, let's find a time to look for him."

Hearing Kong Hongtai's words, Kong Hongxu was shocked and said angrily: "This is absolutely impossible! When did my Kong family become so humble?"

"Anyway, don't worry about this matter. I have my own way to force him to come to the Kong family and give us an explanation!"

Although Kong Hongtai was the Duke of Yansheng, he did not have the strong character of his brother. Now he was seriously ill and had no intention of arguing. He could only say, "Don't overdo anything. Many people in the capital are watching our every word and action."

(End of this chapter)