Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Zhu Yuanzhang ended his official duties ahead of schedule today.

Inside the Kunning Palace, the aroma of wine and food filled the air.

Three large tables were filled with people.

Besides Empress Ma and Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang also summoned Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Crown Princess Chang, his eldest grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, and all his other sons and daughters-in-law who were in the capital.

Everyone gathered together.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally opened a jar of wine that had been sealed away for a long time.

They poured it on everyone present.

Even in front of Zhu Xiong Ying, Old Zhu poured a little bit of it.

"We're all happy today, let's all have a drink!"

He raised his glass as he spoke.

Everyone raised their glasses, smiling.

Zhu Xiong Ying, nestled in Lao Zhu's arms, also picked up his small cup.

Imitating the adults, I brought it to my lips and took a sip.

It is said that Zhu Xiong Ying always thought this wine was very delicious.

Because the adults wouldn't let us drink it, and the adults actually quite liked it, we'd been craving it for ages.

At this moment, she was overjoyed to see that her grandfather had made an exception and poured her some wine.

He immediately held it in both hands, somewhat clumsily brought it to his lips, and drank it all in one gulp.

Then, his mouth stretched into a wide grin, his face contorted in a grimace, and he stuck out his tongue.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter, thoroughly delighted.

At the same time, he hurriedly picked up some food and fed it to Zhu Xiong Ying.

This was a privilege that even Zhu Yuanzhang's sons never received.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang had sons who were about the same age as Zhu Xiong Ying, or even younger.

However, they did not receive the same treatment as Zhu Xiong Ying from Lao Zhu.

That's probably what grandparents and grandchildren's affection for each other looks like.

After filling his wine cup and drinking it, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything else.

The banquet was declared open directly.

"Come on, come on, let's eat! Don't be shy today, eat your fill!"

As he spoke, he picked up a piece of goose meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly.

It left me with a lingering sense of satisfaction.

The girl's cooking skills are getting better and better.

Take another bite of the freshly baked sesame seed cake, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and it's even more fragrant, crispy, and delicious...

The banquet lasted a long time, and Zhu Biao and the others gradually left.

After they left, Zhu Yuanzhang, who was already seven-tenths drunk, sat there and poured a cup of wine for Empress Ma and himself.

"Hey girl, want to have a drink with me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Empress Ma and greeted her.

Empress Ma, of course, would not spoil the mood, so she picked up her wine cup and clinked it with her husband, Chongba.

Not only that, he even took the initiative to suggest that he drink a toast with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was so happy that his eyes narrowed into one.

That night, Zhu Yuanzhang got drunk.

He hadn't been drunk for a very, very long time.

But this time, he was drunk.

He wanted to get drunk.

He enjoyed the process.

This kind of intoxication, it feels so good...

……

The next day, Zhu Yuanzhang made various arrangements.

Have people prepare the necessary money, provisions, and other necessities for the army's triumphant return, and then prepare for the rewards and honors.

After such a great victory, the deserved rewards are naturally indispensable.

Not only that, they also sent people to welcome Xu Da and his group.

Meanwhile, Xu Da was also leading his men back from Beiping.

Of course, all sorts of arrangements were made before returning.

To prevent people from taking advantage of the opportunity to do something to Beiping (Beijing).

Although the possibility is very low, he will not be careless.

On this grassland, Nahachu still exists today.

Besides Nahachu, there were also the Oirat people further west.

This is also a force to be reckoned with.

It is necessary to take certain precautions.

If possible, Xu Da especially wanted to wipe out Nahachu and the Oirat forces as well.

But I know it's impossible.

After a major battle, our energy was almost depleted.

There were no plans to fight there, so naturally no additional operations could be carried out.

Moreover, after such a great victory, the pent-up energy of the soldiers had been released.

Now, many soldiers are thinking about celebrating and wanting to receive the rewards they deserve.

Under these circumstances, it wouldn't be impossible for him to forcefully lead his troops to destroy Nahachu.

The prestige built up over a long period in the military, as well as the corresponding military discipline established by superiors, etc.

The soldiers will surely obey.

However, those feelings of dissatisfaction must also exist in one's heart.

He would naturally not do such a thing.

What are the consequences of doing so? Zhao Guangyi of the Song Dynasty had already provided a very good example through his own experience.

On their side, they absolutely cannot make such a mistake.

Of course, at this time, he would lead a large number of prisoners and others towards the capital.

One reason is that, as is customary every year, he would set off from Beiping to return to Yingtian to see His Majesty during the New Year.

On the other hand, having just won such a great victory, it is the perfect time to present New Year's gifts to His Majesty.

Especially since there was also the living emperor of the Northern Yuan Dynasty.

I've heard that these people on the grasslands are not only skilled in battle, but also in singing and dancing.

Take this opportunity to present him to the emperor. When the grand court assembly is held on New Year's Day and all nations come to pay tribute, he can also be asked to dance to add to the festivities.

At the same time, it also broadened the horizons of the other envoys from various countries.

Let them know the prestige of our Great Ming Dynasty.

Let them know how formidable the Ming Dynasty is.
From now on, we must be more respectful.

Barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue.

Sometimes, when it's time to take action against them, you have to.

You absolutely cannot be indecisive or overthink things.

For these people, nothing is better than slaughtering them and letting the blood flow like a river to teach them a lesson.

As Xu Da led a large number of prisoners, along with a vast herd of cattle, horses, sheep, and other animals that stretched as far as the eye could see behind him, he headed towards the capital.

……

In Qufu, Shandong, a group of members of the Confucius family gathered to discuss matters.

Besides the current Duke Yansheng, Kong Xixue, there were also several elders of the Kong family at that time.

“In Jiangxi, the land survey has been completed.”

It is unknown where the emperor will next conduct a land survey.

Could it be from Shandong?

Someone couldn't help but speak up.

When he talked about this, his expression showed a great deal of fatigue and worry.

Zhu Yuanzhang was ruthless in his efforts to survey and register land.

Especially in Jiangxi, after the story of how the land survey was carried out spread, many people began to have doubts.

Even within the Kong family of Qufu, Shandong, the question wasn't whether Zhu Yuanzhang would conduct a land survey. Instead, they directly inquired whether a land survey of Shandong was imminent…

Once the land survey is completed in Shandong, it will not be a good thing for them.

After all, the Kong family is based in Shandong.

For example, the emperor had previously sent people to survey Jiangxi first.

Then they thoroughly plowed up Jiangxi.

Longhu Mountain was not spared either.

Or rather, after arriving in Jiangxi, the first place they targeted was Longhu Mountain.

Longhu Mountain is in a terrible state.

Many Taoist temples no longer exist.

Many of the people who remained in the Taoist temples have also disappeared.

Only two or three out of ten people remained.

Those Taoist priests who disappeared were eliminated by the imperial court.

Because they lacked a certificate of ordination from the imperial court, they were considered illegal Taoist priests and needed to return to secular life.

Moreover, these people had previously violated the law, so their freedom was restricted.

The imperial court compiled a list of these people and then sent them to sparsely populated areas to farm.

Furthermore, these individuals will be subject to strict control.

If they escape, they will be punished as a family.

He will be sentenced to exile and sent to an even more remote place...

It can be said that many Taoist temples on Longhu Mountain suffered a heavy blow.

It wasn't just a large number of people who were cleared away.

Apart from those with ordination certificates, no fake Taoist priests are allowed to exist.

However, these ordination certificates were still controlled by the imperial court.

Very few were issued.

As a result of this incident, the forces on Longhu Mountain also suffered a great blow.

They did not mock Longhushan's experiences; in fact, they felt some sympathy for him.

Of course, this sympathy was mainly because, after seeing what happened to Longhu Mountain, they were very worried that when the emperor surveyed the land in Shandong, he would do something similar to the Kong family.

If this kind of experience only happened in Jiangxi...

It has nothing to do with the Kong family.

Sympathy and the like will naturally not arise.

More often than not, it's a matter of watching the spectacle.

But now, we can't watch this spectacle anymore.

I always feel that if I mess things up, the trouble will fall on my head.

This is really bad.

"I will set off immediately to the capital to attend the New Year's Day Grand Court Assembly."

"And while we're at it, let's see what the imperial court will do next."

Kong Xixue spoke up and expressed his opinion on the matter.

As the Duke of Yansheng, he was naturally able to attend the grand court assembly on New Year's Day in the capital.

Since it concerns the Kong family, he also has to go there and make some arrangements.

Although they knew that, given the emperor's temperament, if he were truly determined to deal with this matter, he would want to punish them.

Therefore, they will be no exception.

But some things, if you don't figure them out first, you'll never have a clear idea of ​​what's going on.

After hearing Kong Xixue's words, the others all nodded.

I believe that what Kong Xixue said is the right thing to do, and that this is indeed the way it should be.

"When the land survey goes to Shandong in the future, we members of the Kong family must cooperate fully and absolutely cannot be careless in this matter!"
Longhushan has already set an example.

If we act recklessly in this matter, my Kong family could suffer enormous losses!
Give the order: behave properly and make necessary preparations in advance.

Don't make a scene later.

Some places and some things should be given up at this time, so let them be.

My family, the Kong family, is different from other families. We are descendants of a sage, and therefore hold a high position.

Dynasties have come and gone over the millennia.

Countless emperors have vanished like smoke, but my Kong family has stood firm.

Even if the emperor wanted to do something to the Kong family at this time, he had to be patient.

It's impossible for every emperor to be like Zhu Yuanzhang.

If I can endure this for a while and survive Zhu Yuanzhang, then my Kong family will be able to prosper again in the future.

These fields, and even the hidden people, will return again.

Even more than now.

Remember, what matters most to my Kong family is not the land we have now, nor the people we have, nor our wealth, but our identity as descendants of Confucius!

He is the most revered teacher!
As long as this exists, the wealth and prosperity of my Kong family will never cease!

Kong Xixue put on a stern face and looked at everyone with a serious expression.

Upon hearing his words, everyone present nodded in agreement, indicating that they had taken note.

After discussing some more matters, everyone left.

Kong Xixue was thinking about many things and couldn't help but sigh.

However, when I think about everyone's attitudes, I feel that I don't have that much worry in my heart.

This matter is certainly as he said; the greatest wealth of the Kong family has never been land or anything like that.

Rather, it was their ancestors.

It was the prestige and status of the Confucius family.

Even if you suffer some setbacks for a time, as long as you do well, it will be fine in the future.

In normal times, many of these people would be extremely unwilling to cut meat.

But now, the emperor is furious and has become completely inhuman.

With the example of Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi, under these circumstances, if the imperial court were to conduct a thorough investigation of Shandong and target the Kong family in the future, it wouldn't cause too much trouble.

Who isn't afraid of the emperor's sword?

Nothing external is more important than life itself.

……

A day later, Kong Xixue left Qufu, leading a large entourage towards the capital.

After Kong Xixue left, someone secretly made certain arrangements in Qufu, Shandong.

"The imperial court will inevitably have to conduct a land survey in Shandong next."

My Kong family will definitely be targeted.

Be prepared to secretly obstruct the land survey and cause trouble.

However, you must be careful not to leak any information from my side.

And you can't act directly; you need to take a roundabout approach, letting those people do the work!

A man dressed in a scholar's robe looked at the person in front of him and gave instructions with a serious expression.

His voice also sounded somewhat low.

The man nodded vigorously, indicating that he had remembered, and said he wouldn't leave here soon...

Kong Xi's theory is correct; the principle is sound.

The overall interests of the Kong family are one thing, but who specifically becomes the Duke Yansheng is another.

Normally, this Duke Yansheng was someone he could never hope to obtain.

We might as well give it a try while we have the opportunity to survey the land!
He eliminated Kong Xixue and his entire faction, using Zhu Yuanzhang's authority to kill them all.

With the position of Duke Yansheng vacant, someone will inevitably have to inherit it.

So, if we take some further actions, it's not impossible that the consequences will fall on our side.

Even if the Kong family suffered a significant blow and the emperor took the opportunity to take a lot of money away from them, so what?

No matter how powerful the Kong family was before, most of their interests were irrelevant to him.

Similarly, even if the Kong family were to suffer further losses at the hands of Zhu Yuanzhang and become even weaker, the amount of things they might control would far exceed what they have now.

Kong Xixue is right; the most important thing for the Kong family has never been these things.

It is the title of the Supreme Sage and Teacher!
As long as I have this title, as long as the Sage Confucius is alive, and as long as I hold the title of Duke Yansheng, temporary gains and losses are not a problem! (End of this chapter)