Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 234 Inside Xiaoling Mausoleum! Operation Blue Jade!

Kong Yi stood up, walked to Zhu Wenxi, squatted down, and then said with a serious expression: "In my opinion, everyone pursues different things. Some people pursue the pinnacle of power, some pursue the pinnacle of prestige, some pursue the pinnacle of benevolence and righteousness, and there are countless kinds of pursuits."

"Wenxi".

"My question is not about what I teach you is most important, but about what you yourself need to understand in the future. When you realize this, you will have truly grown."

Kong Yi said earnestly.

visible.

He did not force his own ideas onto Zhu Wenxi, but rather, with the heart of a good teacher, let Zhu Wenxi come to understand on his own what true propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are, and what true morality and ethics are, rather than forcibly instilling them in him.

Listening to Kong Yi's words.

Zhu Wenxi looked small, but he was deep in thought, seemingly having gained some insight.

After a brief pause.

Zhu Wenxi asked curiously, "What has the master realized? And what is the master pursuing?"

Upon hearing this question...

Kong Yi took another sip of wine, and then said without hesitation, "Courage and loyalty."

"I have heard that the court once invited you to serve as an official, but you refused, desiring to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country. Isn't this the kind of loyalty and righteousness you pursue?" Zhu Wenxi asked, puzzled.

Hear this!

Kong Yi smiled and then said, "The loyalty and righteousness I pursue is not just about serving the Zhu family. The loyalty and righteousness in my heart is for the world and for the Han Chinese people."

"This is also the loyalty and righteousness that my entire family pursues."

"If my people are in danger, I am willing to give my life to protect them; if my country is destroyed, I am willing to do everything in my power to serve them."

"The Chinese nation and the Han people will live on forever, and the world will live on forever, but dynasties are not eternal."

"This is the spirit and pursuit in my heart."

Kong Yi said with a serious expression.

Just as he finished speaking...

"Mr. Kong".

"If word gets out, it would be quite disrespectful."

"If the Imperial Guards in my residence heard this, I reckon you would be impeached directly before the current emperor."

This time!

A cheerful voice came from the side.

Hear the sound.

Zhu Wenxi immediately came to his senses, bowed deeply, and said very politely, "Father."

Obviously.

The visitor was none other than Zhu Ying.

Upon seeing Zhu Ying arrive, Kong Yi immediately recognized him. He put down his wine pot, straightened his somewhat disheveled robes, and then clasped his hands in a Han-style salute to Zhu Ying.

"Greetings, Marquis of Champion." Kong Yi bowed to Zhu Ying with a solemn expression, even showing a sense of reverence.

Seeing Kong Yi's serious demeanor, Zhu Ying stepped forward, feeling rather puzzled.

"Mr. Kong, there's no need for such formalities."

"Discuss both the matter and the person."

“I should be the one greeting you, after all, you are a member of the Kong family and also my son’s student,” Zhu Ying said immediately with a smile, and then returned the greeting to Kong Yi.

However, Kong Yi simply turned aside to avoid Zhu Ying's bow, appearing very solemn.

"This humble subject is utterly unworthy of Your Excellency's lavish hospitality."

“This bow just now was not a commoner bowing to the rank and title of the Marquis, but a Han Chinese bowing to a hero who is one of my Han Chinese.”

"This bow is not only for me, Kong Yi, but for everyone in the Kong family," Kong Yi said to Zhu Ying with utmost solemnity.

You can tell.

His serious expression showed absolutely no hint of joking.

And hear this.

Zhu Yingye seemed to understand something.

At the end of the Song Dynasty, the last emperor of the Song Dynasty, led by Prime Minister Lu Xiufu, jumped into the sea at Yai Shan, and 100,000 soldiers and civilians went to their deaths for the country, including members of the Nan Kong clan.

As the current patriarch of the Nan Kong clan, Kong Yi naturally has the clan and the country in his heart.

The old days.

A disgrace to China.

The ethnic group is disgraced.

A century of humiliation.

I will never forget.

And Zhu Ying.

He was a hero belonging to the Han Chinese people. He personally washed away the century-long humiliation of the Han people, wiped away the shame, and once again demonstrated the might of the Han people.

"If this is the case."

"Then I absolutely cannot accept this bow from you."

"Because I am also a Han Chinese, and more importantly, a soldier," Zhu Ying replied solemnly.

Hear this.

Kong Yi's gaze toward Zhu Ying grew increasingly reverent, as if he were truly impressed by Zhu Ying from the bottom of his heart.

"Master Hou."

"Do you know why I came to the Marquis's residence to teach Wenxi?" Kong Yi suddenly asked with a smile, changing the subject.

"Why?" Zhu Ying asked with a smile.

“I have been in Yingtian for nearly ten years. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles have seen that I am the chief of the Nan Kong clan and thought that they could use this title to educate their children and grandchildren and add some prestige to them.”

"But I would rather live a life of poverty than go."

“But Wenxi is different, because he is the Marquis’s son.”

"During the Northern Expedition, the Marquis led our Chinese cavalry to a decisive victory over the Mongol cavalry that had once trampled our Chinese borders, wiping away our past humiliation and cleansing our century of suffering. This is the purpose of my visit to the Marquis's residence."

"Not to mention your steward's invitation, once Wenxi is a few years older, I, Kong Yi, will personally come to ask to tutor the Marquis's son. I ask for nothing else but a broad-minded person who can raise a son who knows etiquette, gratitude, loyalty, and righteousness, thus preserving the Marquis's name for two generations," Kong Yi said with utmost seriousness.

Hear these words.

If it were anyone else, Zhu Ying might have thought this person was just trying to attract attention, but Kong Yi was different.

He was truly indifferent to fame and fortune, and possessed his own temperament and spirit.

I won't bow down for a few pieces of silver.

"To have such a friend as Brother Kong is something I deeply respect," Zhu Ying replied solemnly.

"Haha, to be able to become the current champion marquis, and for my Han people to call him Brother Kong, is enough for this lifetime." Kong Yi immediately laughed.

Zhu Ying also admired the reputation of the Southern Confucian scholars.

"Compared to the subservient surrender of Kong Shixiu in the north, Zhu Ying admires the courage and integrity of Kong Zhong in the south. Therefore, I must have a good drink with Brother Kong today," Zhu Ying said with a smile.

in words.

He made no attempt to hide his disdain for the Northern Confucian school, but genuinely admired the Southern Confucian school.

Not only Zhu Ying.

This matter has been the subject of much discussion in later generations.

Se-shū has submitted a petition!

This is a stain that can never be washed away.

Fortunately, Confucius had descendants of the Southern Confucian School, known for their courage, loyalty, and righteousness, which ensured that his holy name was not lost.

"It is my honor to drink with Your Excellency," Kong Yi said with a smile.

……

Wenyuan Pavilion!
"Yingtian City has been relatively quiet lately."

As Zhu Yuanzhang processed the memorials, he spoke to Zhu Biao, who was standing beside him.

"Quietness is in relation to the imperial court."

"After all, Zhu Ying just arrived, and as the most prominent nobleman in the Ming Dynasty, he is still so low-key and not arrogant at all. This naturally serves as a warning to the ministers in the court." Zhu Biao smiled and said with a knowing tone.

“Biao’er.” “You are indeed good at judging people. Zhu Ying has made great achievements at such a young age and has been continuously favored by the emperor, yet he is so low-key and has no arrogant or domineering personality like a general. This really makes us look at him with new eyes.” Zhu Yuanzhang said with great emotion.

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "As far as my son is concerned, this is the kind of subject I like the most."

"But for Father Emperor, this is a weakness in managing his ministers. Perhaps in Father Emperor's eyes, a person like Zhu Ying would be difficult to control. After all, he is neither greedy nor arrogant, and he is not too interested in beautiful women. He only has one wife now."

Hear this.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and said irritably, "You brat, you actually dare to lecture your old man."

"This is the art of rulership."

“A minister who does not covet anything is either extremely loyal or extremely treacherous, and his ambitions are not small.”

"This is something that has been passed down from the ancient dynasties of our Chinese nation."

"but."

“You have your own way of governing the country, and we have ours. We also believe that you are capable of handling everything in the future court and the world.”

Zhu Yuanzhang naturally trusted Zhu Biao.

"but."

"Judging from what Zhu Ying has shown so far, he is willing to risk his life to fight for the country. In our opinion, he is a very loyal person. After all, even someone as eccentric as Kong Yi can talk happily with Zhu Ying and drink heavily together."

"This Kong Yi is capable; he can distinguish between loyalty and treachery."

“If someone is truly a treacherous person, he will not associate with them,” Zhu Yuanzhang added with a smile.

"Father."

"You're keeping such a close watch on Zhu Ying? If Zhu Ying finds out, he'll be heartbroken." Zhu Biao frowned.

"You really think Zhu Ying doesn't know there are Embroidered Uniform Guards in the mansion?" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head with a smile, then said, "Everyone in the world knows that the Embroidered Uniform Guards are everywhere. Zhu Ying is a smart man; he knows that."

"However, we also find it somewhat difficult to understand Zhu Ying."

"Among his personal guards, not a single member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was able to infiltrate, even with numerous methods. Moreover, within the Zhu residence, not a single member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard could enter their inner quarters; only his personal guards were allowed in."

In this regard.

Zhu Biao, however, did not care at all: "If I were the emperor, I would not monitor my subjects so closely. I would govern the country with benevolence and virtue, and with both kindness and severity."

Zhu Yuanzhang was already tired of Zhu Biao's ideas and was too lazy to argue with him. After all, once he abdicated, he wouldn't care whether Zhu Biao abolished the Embroidered Uniform Guard or not.

One emperor and one courtier.

This has been the case since ancient times.

"And, Biao'er, have you noticed?"

“Zhu Ying is a little different from the officials in the court,” Zhu Yuanzhang said again.

"What's different?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

"He didn't have much reverence for imperial power," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a serious expression.

These words were spoken.

Zhu Biao was even more puzzled: "Father, why do you say that?"

"I could tell from his eyes and from the details of his interactions with us, his father and son."

“Other officials are all trembling with fear before us, afraid of offending us, but Zhu Ying shows no fear whatsoever. He gives us a very strange feeling, as if he has some kind of backing that allows him to be fearless of imperial power.” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly with a thoughtful expression.

This word.

Although it was based on speculation, Zhu Yuanzhang trusted his intuition.

He rose from humble beginnings to become the founding emperor of a vast empire. His vision and ability to judge character were among the fundamental reasons that enabled him to establish his empire.

"father."

You must be mistaken.

Zhu Biao listened, but he was completely unconvinced.

Fearless of imperial power?

What in the world can defy imperial power?
Zhu Biao never expected this.

"Let's just assume we're wrong for now. Anyway, we can't see through Zhu Ying."

“If it weren’t for Biao’er’s appreciation of him, we would have sent even more Imperial Guards to his residence.”

“Generally speaking, people we can’t see through are too dangerous,” Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Father, you're overthinking it." Zhu Biao just shook his head helplessly.

"All right."

"Let's not talk about Zhu Ying anymore."

"I heard you've granted Lan Yu permission to tutor Yuntong?" Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject and asked with a smile.

“Yun Tong is too timid. Perhaps Lan Yu can teach him a thing or two.” Zhu Biao nodded.

"well done."

"Although Lan Yu is domineering, he treats Yun Tong like family. With his guidance, Yun Tong might really be able to make a big change."

"But I don't know what Lan Yu was thinking last night. He went to Chang Mao's residence late at night and went hunting in the city today," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a hint of unease.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard was very good at gathering intelligence.

However, without being able to get close enough, it's naturally difficult to obtain truly accurate information.

"They have just returned from the Northern Expedition, so they naturally need to relax a bit."

"Furthermore, compared to Lan Yu's former arrogance and domineering nature, they have all become much more obedient since Zhu Ying came along."

"This also means that the checks and balances you devised, Father, have taken effect," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"So, you really need to learn about the checks and balances in the imperial court..."

Under the cover of night!

Zhongshan Xiaoling Mausoleum.

outer.

There were guards patrolling the tomb.

However, for some reason, the number of guards patrolling the mausoleum was reduced by half today, and they mainly patrolled the outer perimeter, not approaching Xiaoling Mausoleum.

However, it is inside the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

A dozen or so figures had already gathered in front of a tomb.

However, these people were all dressed in black night clothes, and they only held two torches, not daring to be too high up.

It came into view.

It is a tombstone.

The inscription on the tombstone reads "The Tombstone of Zhu Xiong Ying, the eldest grandson of the emperor who passed away in the past." It also depicts Zhu Xiong Ying's life and his posthumous title of Prince Yu.

"Uncle."

"Did you send me away from the tomb guards just to come and see Xiong Ying?"

"But why didn't you come during the day?"

"And why do we have to change into this outfit? People who don't know us would think we're tomb raiders."

One of the men in black looked at the leader of the group with great confusion.

"It's not grave robbing, it's digging up graves."

Lan Yu replied in a deep voice.

The man in black who had asked the question was immediately dumbfounded.

"Uncle, don't scare me."

"Don't tell me you're going to dig up Xiong Ying's grave?" Chang Sen's voice trembled.

He was the commander of the Imperial Guard and Chang Mao's third brother.

"Otherwise, why would I come here at night?"

"Don't worry, I'm being very careful today. These men around me are all my adopted sons, so this won't be leaked."

"Once it's cut open, it will absolutely not change."

"Alright, let's stop wasting time and get started," Lan Yu said in a deep voice, not bothering to hesitate any longer.

……

(End of this chapter)