Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 656 The Confucian Family Divided into North and South

Why would even a barbarian state like the Jin Dynasty bestow honors upon the Confucius family of Qufu?

It wasn't because Confucius possessed any lost teachings, but because Confucius was inextricably linked to Confucianism. Only by venerating Confucius could scholars across the land believe that the government would still appoint Confucian scholars to official positions.

One important way to honor Confucius is to bestow titles and honors upon his descendants. As a result, the Kong family not only holds the title of Duke Yansheng, but also the position of magistrate of Qufu County.

Theoretically speaking, Qufu was the fiefdom of the Confucius family.

This is precisely where the difficulty lies. Considering how helpless the Italians were against the Vatican in modern times, one can imagine the status of the Confucius family in Qufu.

It's not that it's impossible to deal with them, but it's not worth it for most political leaders. The Kong family is just a relatively large and powerful clan, and they're only on the fringes of a prominent family. At most, they can only cause trouble in a county, and they can't pose a major threat at all.

Scholars throughout the land respect Confucius, but they do not blindly follow the example of the Duke Yansheng. It is impossible for them to rebel with Confucius.

However, if the situation is handled improperly and causes political instability, then the losses outweigh the gains.

However, for Liu Huai, not to mention that this was a crucial moment for Confucian reform, he also had to severely suppress the Confucius family in order to ensure the implementation of a series of policies in Shandong.

One of the most important reasons why a series of policies, such as land surveying, land distribution, and land granting, were able to be implemented despite setbacks was that countless people, starting with Wei Sheng, took the lead.

Needless to say, Wei Sheng and Liu Huai, after He Boqiu brought a group of powerful people from Yizhou to join him, also measured out the land of the manor that was originally in his hands and distributed the land according to the number of households in the surrounding area.

Take Xin Qiji for example. The Xin family's ancestral property was located in Sifengzha, Jinan Prefecture, which had by then been recovered. Xin Qiji even still possessed the land deeds issued during the Song Dynasty, but he made no attempt to claim them.

If Liu Huai makes an exception for the Confucius family in Qufu today out of respect for Confucius, what if a general points to his scars tomorrow and asks Liu Huai to make the same exception?
If everyone does this, what's the point of having laws?

As if they knew Liu Huai's intentions were not good, Kong Zheng and Kong Su, who had been waiting in the cold wind for several hours, did not dare to return to the city. Before long, their faces were covered in snot and they began to cry in the wind.

Sure enough, the two old men were overjoyed to see the enemy army, and they couldn't help but shed tears.

"I told you long ago not to send anyone to cause trouble, not to send anyone to cause trouble, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what's happened, trouble has arisen. What do you suggest we do?"

When he grew impatient, Kong Zheng, the current head of the Kong family and Duke Yansheng, couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath.

Faced with his elder brother's accusation, Kong Shu said with some shame and anger, "That fellow Kong Duanqi left without saying goodbye to anyone. What could I do? Did you expect me to watch over him for twelve hours a day?"
When he returned, he had already made contact with the bandit leader Geng Jiedu. Shouldn't our Kong family yield to the powerful figure blocking our door?

Later, Kong Duanqi even became Geng Jiedu's chief strategist, so we had to curry favor with him even more. Brother, you know all this, so how come it's all my fault now?”

Kong Zheng was speechless and could only stomp his feet in frustration, unsure of whom to hate for a moment.

Even now, the two brothers still believe that Liu Huai is coming to the Kong family to demand an explanation because of Kong Duanqi's rebellious act.

This time, I must say, I'm bleeding heavily.

"You say Liu Dalang is now a Song general, how come he's still so arrogant?" Kong Su muttered a few words, then his eyes lit up: "Brother, do you think we can make contact with that branch in Jiangnan? Shandong is all under Song control now, wouldn't we be able to suppress these ruffians through the Song Dynasty?"

Kong Zheng glared at him: "Then who will be the Duke of Yansheng, the Northern Kong or the Southern Kong? I'm useless for not having a son. The position of Duke of Yansheng will be yours sooner or later. This is a title that my grandfather earned through enduring humiliation. Do you really want to give it up so easily?"

Kong Shu pursed his lips and remained silent.

During the Jianyan era, the brothers Kong Duanyou and Kong Duancao separated their assets to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket. One stayed in Qufu, while the other followed Zhao Gou south.

Ultimately, whether the Northern Dynasty was dominant or the Southern Dynasty was dominant depends on whether the Northern Dynasty was prosperous or the Southern Dynasty was powerful.

If the Jin dynasty were to unify the world, then the Northern Confucian scholars would endure humiliation and remain in the north to spread education; while the Southern Confucian scholars would be cowardly and flee in disarray.

If the State of Song could recover the Central Plains, then the Northern Confucian scholars would be seen as treacherous and acting as accomplices to a tyrant; while the Southern Confucian scholars would be seen as steadfast and unyielding, protecting their king as he fled south.

The Song state would definitely not recognize the Northern Confucianism bestowed upon them by the Jin state! If the Southern Confucianism were to return to Qufu to acknowledge their ancestry, the Northern Confucianism would all become collateral branches.

The troops led by Liu Huai were nominally Song soldiers, but most of them were local Shandong people, which gave Kong Zheng room to maneuver.

"They're here! They're here!" A servant came running up, shouting loudly, "Cavalry is coming from the west!"

Kong Shu let out a long sigh: "Come on, come on, it's bound to happen eventually."

Soon, more than a hundred Han soldiers rushed over. Liu Huai was protected by armored cavalry in the middle. He was slightly stunned when he saw the 'Han' character flag flying high on the city wall in front of him.

Although I knew that the Confucius family of Qufu had a tradition of 'completing the submission of petitions for generations,' it was still a bit unsettling to actually see it in front of me.

"Your subject Kong Zheng (Kong Shu) pays respects to the General!" Kong Zheng, dressed in the full ceremonial robes of the Duke of Yansheng, which he only wore when offering sacrifices to his ancestors, led a group of people to bow respectfully to Liu Huai: "We have been looking forward to the General as withered grass looks forward to sweet dew, as infants look forward to their parents. Now that Shandong has been restored, it is all thanks to the General. Please accept our bow."

Liu Huai, with a stern face, looked at Kong Zheng, who was leading the group: "You are the current Duke Yansheng?"

Kong Zheng's heart skipped a beat: "Exactly."

Liu Huai did not dismount, allowing the members of the Kong clan to maintain their bowing posture in front of him. He clapped his hands with his riding whip and said, "I have heard that there is also a Duke Yansheng in the State of Song. Which one is real and which one is fake?"

Although he had expected it, Kong Zheng still felt a little dizzy upon hearing the question. He said breathlessly, "Those who stay in Qufu to worship at the ancestral temple are naturally the main line of the Kong family."

Sure enough, after only a few words, Kong Zheng brought up Confucius.

Liu Huai smiled slightly, finally dismounted, and then said calmly, "Get up."

Kong Zheng had just breathed a sigh of relief and straightened up, but before he could even straighten his aching back, he heard Liu Huai say, "Since we've come to Qufu, we must pay our respects to the Sage Confucius and the Duke Yansheng. Please lead the way."

Kong Zheng looked somewhat dazed.

Liu Huai had the demeanor of a martial artist. Kong Zheng had thought a lot about what he wanted to do, but he never expected that Liu Huai's first request would be this.

But... it seems Kong Zheng really had no room to refuse.

Even though Liu Huai was a bit rough around the edges, not wearing formal attire and not being properly secured, for a military leader in chaotic times, this level of achievement was already quite good. What more could one ask for?

Therefore, Kong Zheng led Liu Huai directly to the ancestral hall, and the Kong clan members quickly prepared sacrificial offerings and put on their ceremonial robes.

Liu Huai arrived at the ancestral hall with more than ten personal guards, still wearing their armor, clearly there to cause trouble.

Sure enough, just as Kong Zheng was setting up the incense table, Liu Huai pointed to the altar behind it and said, "Why are there so many empty spaces there? What is that empty space behind the tablet of Confucius? Also, why is there no portrait of Confucius?"

As he spoke, Liu Huai looked at Kong Zheng, who was already covered in sweat, and sneered: "Also, where is the seal of the Holy King Wenxuan? Don't try to fool me with the title given to you by the Jin traitors!" If Liu Huai's initial inquiry about the empty space after the memorial tablet was somewhat understandable, since such a large empty space was indeed a bit incongruous, his later two questions were targeted and hit the nail on the head.

Because behind the memorial tablet was originally a 'wooden statue of Confucius and Lady Qi Guan', which is said to have been carved by Zigong.

The painting that originally hung on the wall was "Confucius with a Sword," an authentic work by Wu Daozi.

As for the 'seal' that Liu Huai wanted, its full name should be 'Red Seal for the Temple of the Supreme Sage and the King of Literature,' which was bestowed upon the Confucius family during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang.

The temple seal is different from the Duke Yansheng's seal. The temple seal is the official seal of the Duke Yansheng, who presided over the sacrifices at the Confucius Temple and managed the affairs of the ritual system. It was used on sacrificial texts, official documents, genealogies, etc., and symbolized the orthodox right of sacrifice.

All three treasures were taken to the south by Kong Duanyou when he followed Zhao Gou south.

Kong Zheng did possess a newly carved 'Temple Sacrifice Seal,' bestowed upon him by the former Jin emperor, Wanyan Dan. Even if he had the audacity of a bear and the courage of a leopard, he wouldn't dare to produce this seal in front of Liu Huai!
Kong Zheng was already sweating profusely: "General... during the Jingkang era, the world was in chaos, and Qufu was also attacked by bandits, and treasures were lost. But the Kong Mansion and the Confucius Temple cannot be faked."

"Qufu cannot be faked, nor can the Confucius Temple," Liu Huai said loudly. "Does that mean your Confucius family cannot fake it? Who knows whether you are a true direct descendant of Confucius or a collateral branch, a usurper?!"

As Liu Huai's words became increasingly absurd, Kong Shu said indignantly, "General, the Kong family has a genealogy collection. If you don't believe me, you can carefully look through it and compare it one by one."

Liu Huai crossed his arms, looking at Kong Su with a cold smile, until he forced the man to lower his head, sweating profusely, before finally saying, "You know I'm a general, and in the army, they recognize credentials, not people. You either take out the temple's official seal now, or... hmph..."

Kong Zheng was completely convinced. Liu Dalang's change of attitude was as easy as turning the pages of a book. Just a moment ago they were chatting and laughing, but after only a few words, he was about to strike.

But faced with the knife, Kong Zheng could only yield, and even couldn't wait to speak frankly: "General, this old man is dull-witted and cannot guess what you are thinking. I hope you can give me some pointers."

Liu Huai finally smiled slightly: "Since you do not have the 'temple seal,' what gives you the right to preside over the sacrifice to the Sage Confucius? If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper."

That's a bit much.

For Kong Zheng and Kong Shu, Confucius was not only the Sage and Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations, but also the ancestor of the Kong family.

You control everything, but what right do you have to control my ancestral worship?
Both Kong Zheng and Kong Su were startled, but then they both realized something.

It turns out that Liu Huai came here to seize the right to offer sacrifices at the Temple of Confucius.

Sure enough, Liu Huai's next words were: "I will establish a Confucian temple in Xuzhou, with Confucius as the main deity and sages from all dynasties as secondary deities. From now on, the ancestral halls in Qufu can only serve as family temples, understand?"

This wasn't actually Liu Huai's original idea. Starting from the Tang Dynasty, Confucian temples had sprung up everywhere like mushrooms after rain.

Throughout history, dynasties have also feared that Confucius's descendants would use his identity to make a fuss.

But who else is as ruthless as Liu Huai, showing absolutely no mercy?

However, circumstances forced Kong Zheng to reluctantly agree under Liu Huai's intense gaze.

He worried that if he refuted Liu Huai, Liu Huai would use the pretext of a minor branch of the family entering the main branch, or even that bandits were impersonating descendants of Confucius, to arrest all the heads of the Confucius family.

The charges are already prepared.

He was appointed a subject of the Jin dynasty by the Jin invaders and received the Jin dynasty's seal of office.

Isn't this reason strong enough?
Don't say this is disrespectful to Confucius; it's clearing the way for Confucius's lineage. Besides, there's still a lineage of Confucius in the south! At worst, we can invite the Southern Confucian scholars back.

Thinking of this, Kong Zheng suddenly panicked: Could his title of Duke Yansheng be revoked?
Sure enough, Liu Huai's next sentence was: "As for the position of Duke Yansheng..."

Kong Zheng and Kong Su held their breath, looked up at Liu Huai, and awaited his judgment.

"Logically speaking, I am irreconcilably opposed to the Jin invaders, and I do not recognize their official positions." Liu Huai looked up at the plaque of "Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations" and said slowly, "But I cannot disregard Confucius's reputation."

"Kong Zheng, are you aware of the policies I implemented in Shandong? Do you know what the most crucial point is?"

Kong Zheng swallowed twice: "Reporting to the general, it is a land survey and land allocation."

"Truly clever." Liu Huai praised, but his expression remained blank. "So, does someone as clever as him know what to do?"

Kong Su finally lost his temper and said angrily, "General Liu, don't push your luck! We are descendants of Confucius! We are the true direct descendants of the Duke Yansheng! These fields belong to the most revered teacher, Confucius, how can they be divided up?!"

"Oh?" Liu Huai said with a half-smile, "A direct descendant of Confucius who doesn't even understand the distinction between Chinese and barbarians? Should I write a letter to the State of Song and let the officials in the court comment on which of the two branches of Confucius, the North and the South, is the true direct descendant?"

"Ah, shut up!" Kong Zheng scolded, then bowed to Liu Huai: "General, we are indeed the direct descendants of Confucius, there is no doubt about that. The reason we stayed in the north and were granted titles by the Jin invaders was simply because we saw the hardship of the people in the Central Plains and wanted to do our part to quell the war in the world."

Now that Shandong has such a great hero as the General to set things right, how can my family, the Kong family, not contribute our modest efforts? We will certainly abide by the General's laws!

Upholding Confucius is a consensus between Southern and Northern Confucianism, but there is also a subtle relationship between the two.

This was no longer the era when Kong Duanyou and Kong Duancao were brothers who were kind and cooperative. They had been estranged for decades, and even the closest of relationships had faded.

Putting everything else aside, if Liu Huai were to bring Nan Kong back, not only would he have to give up his land and property, but he would also certainly lose his title of Duke Yansheng.

Since we're going to lose farmland anyway, we might as well maximize our profits.

Liu Huai nodded in satisfaction: "In that case, I will send a new magistrate to Qufu the day after tomorrow. Seventy percent of the Kong clan members will be sent to other places, and I will also relocate refugees to Qufu to distribute land. The Kong clan will divide the family property, and the majority of the clan property will be registered and distributed according to the number of households."

"Kong Zheng, your title of Duke Yansheng will be temporarily held in my hands. If you fail to handle it properly..."

Liu Huai didn't mention the consequences, but the cold smile on his face revealed everything.

Kong Zheng felt his heart bleed, but he still bowed and agreed.

Kong Shu, who was standing to the side, bowed and agreed as well, but he was extremely angry.

Are you not afraid of disappointing scholars all over the world by being so harsh on Confucius?
Liu Huai nodded in satisfaction, and then said, "After the spring plowing this year, I will begin the provincial examination in Shandong. I still hope that the Duke Yansheng can offer me some advice at that time."

Kong Zheng shuddered and dared not respond.

Kong Shu looked up in astonishment, utterly horrified.

This Liu Dalang really isn't afraid of discouraging the scholars of Shandong! He's going to hold the imperial examinations again!
(End of this chapter)