Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough and your words are absolutely correct. I have no objection to this."

The title of Duke Yansheng should indeed be returned to the legitimate lineage of the Confucius family.

It has been occupied by the side branch of the Kong family for far too long.

The younger branch of the Kong family is truly despicable. Not only did they usurp the throne, but they also committed such heinous acts.

Violating national laws, violating human ethics, being disloyal and unfilial.

Such a person is indeed unworthy to be the Duke Yansheng.

Song Lian bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and spoke with utmost sincerity.

For Song Lian, this outcome is already exceptionally good.

After all, compared to the Southern Confucian scholars returning to Qufu to inherit the position of Duke Yansheng.

He was even more afraid that the Confucius family would be removed from the list by the emperor.

If that's the case, then the blow would be enormous.

Even if His Majesty said that Confucianism is Confucianism, and Confucius is Confucius, they are not the same as the Confucius family.

These need to be considered separately.

However, the Kong family is different from other families, and has a special significance.

It would be good if someone could inherit the title of Duke Yansheng.

It would be reasonable for someone from the Southern Confucian school to inherit the position.

After all, when it comes to the true lineage of Confucianism, it is indeed the Southern Confucianism, not the Northern Confucianism.

What he cared about was not whether the Duke Yansheng was from the Southern Confucian school or the Northern Confucian school.

However, the Confucius Mansion cannot be allowed to collapse.

Even if the emperor changed one of his sons' surnames to Kong and sent him to the Kong family to inherit the title of Duke Yansheng, he could accept it.

"Are you relieved now?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Song Lian's appearance and spoke with a smile.

"Yes...it is because I am too shallow and too dull, and I did not understand Your Majesty's profound meaning."

Song Lian bowed.

“I’m an open and honest person, and you, Mr. Song, are just as good.”

We know what you're thinking, and we also know about the changes Mr. Song has undergone over the years, as well as his contributions to our Ming Dynasty.

In that case, let's have something to say to Mr. Song today.

We will not destroy Confucianism, nor will we think of replacing it with anything.

Confucianism does indeed play an irreplaceable role in thought and in many other matters.

However, one's mindset cannot remain unchanged.

We need to adapt to the changing times.

Mr. Song could see that Confucianism had actually been changing all along.

The Confucianism of today is quite different from the Confucianism proposed by Confucius in the past.

Even the Confucianism proposed by Mencius and Xunzi, these two Confucian sages, differed greatly from that of Confucius.

As for the later Gongyang and Guliang schools, as well as the Tang and Song Confucian scholars, they have all been constantly changing.

Confucianism has always pursued change throughout history.

Only by changing can we adapt to the development of the times and avoid being abandoned.

When it comes to my Great Ming Dynasty, there must also be corresponding enlightened scholars emerging.

Confucianism must also be compatible with my Great Ming Dynasty.

Only in this way can we achieve long-term cooperation and mutual benefit with the Ming Dynasty.

However, these emerging disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, medicine, and mathematics, are equally important.

However, they are all practical disciplines that require learning to apply knowledge, and they do not concern themselves with ideology.

It may have some impact on Confucianism, but it will not really replace the position occupied by Confucianism.

Now, the Ming Dynasty wants to break through and undergo a major transformation.

Confucianism alone is not enough.

We also need to leverage other resources to develop other disciplines.

But one thing you must remember is that Confucianism is compatible with other disciplines, not opposed to them.

They complement each other and develop together for the sake of the country and the nation.

Confucianism requires a broad mind to be inclusive and tolerant.

Only in this way can we truly develop and avoid being left behind by the times!

This is our honest opinion, and it's a line we've drawn. This isn't something to discuss; it's something that must be done.

Confucianism must adapt to these developments and be able to lead these changes in order to succeed.

We agree with many aspects of Confucianism.

But many things can't be decided by just one person's wishful thinking.

Our goodwill needs to be reciprocated.

Zhu Yuanzhang's words have made many things clear.

Upon hearing this, Song Lian bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang once again.

He said he had taken note of it and would definitely work hard in the future to make Confucianism fit the current Ming Dynasty, not to hold the Ming Dynasty back, and not to disappoint the emperor.

It will promote the development of the other disciplines...

After leaving the Wuying Hall, a huge weight was lifted from Song Lian's heart.

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He knew that change had to happen.

The Confucianism of the future will be very different from that of the past.

In the past, he might have thought of some form of resistance.

However, as things have progressed to this point, he no longer had that idea.

It's not that we haven't resisted, but the current emperor is a man of great talent and ambition, and his methods are exceptionally ruthless.

The resistance was ineffective.

Moreover, the emperor made his position clear and open on such matters.

If he continues to be ungrateful and act this way, the emperor will surely take action to teach them a lesson.

When told to take action to resolve the issue with the Kong family in Shandong, they did so without the slightest hesitation.

He truly believed that if the emperor really wanted to abolish Confucianism, he was capable of doing so.

And it can actually be made.

Now, there is only one way left: to do as the emperor demands.

However, upon further reflection, it seems that one of the most fundamental principles of Confucianism at its inception was to provide emperors and others with corresponding ideas for governing the country.

It is necessary to adapt to imperial power.

Now, it is also about adapting to imperial power.

If done well, it's not impossible for Confucianism to be revived and flourish again after taking a turn in our own country.

I might just make a name for myself in history!
……

"Your subject Kong Xixu pays respects to Your Majesty and inquires about your well-being."

The day after Song Lian left, a man dressed in a Confucian robe bowed respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang in the Wuying Hall.

This person was none other than the 45th generation descendant of Confucius, a contemporary of Kong Xixue.

At this point, the only members of the Kong family who could stand before Zhu Yuanzhang were naturally from the Southern Kong family, not the Northern Kong family.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew about Kong Xixu.

Because in his previous life, he had met Kong Xixu.

Kong Xixue, together with others, wrote to the Ministry of Rites, saying that the ancestral temple of the Kong family was located in their Southern Kong, and that the orthodox lineage of the Kong family naturally belonged to their branch.

This happened in the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

At that time, I made the corresponding judgment based on various considerations.

It is said that the great lineage of ancient and modern times is in Qufu, and its titles still belong to the Northern lineage.

However, they did not neglect Nan Kong.

Instead, the branch of Kong Xixu's cousin was allowed to inherit the title of Doctor of the Five Classics and to worship at the Temple of Confucius.

This eighth-rank official position of Five Classics Doctor continued until the end of the Qing Dynasty before completely disappearing...

In this life, Kong Xixu appeared before him once again. However, unlike in the previous life, this time he planned to make Kong Xixu the Duke Yansheng.

Bei Kong has also been erased by himself.

"How many generations of Confucius's descendants are you?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked a question.

That's obviously a rhetorical question.

"I am the forty-fifth generation descendant of my ancestor."

Kong Xixu quickly responded.

His heart was pounding.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface lies a great deal of joy, excitement, and anticipation.

Those people in Beikong are incredibly audacious; they've done so many things that are simply outrageous!
They suffered a devastating disaster, but the Southern Kong side not only escaped unscathed, but was also summoned by the emperor at this critical moment.

There are so many things that can be revealed here that it's impossible for him not to be excited.

"You know all about what those people from Bei Kong did?"

"Your Majesty, I have heard something."

Those people deserve to die!
As a descendant of Confucius, to do such a thing is truly a disgrace to the sage's family!
Your Majesty, I thank you for upholding justice and bringing those who have tarnished the reputation of our ancestors to justice, thus cleansing the Confucian family and restoring order to the family.”

Kong Xixu spoke, his expression appearing very solemn.

"We are interested in making you the Duke Yansheng and bringing you to Qufu. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Xixu's heart skipped a beat.

coming!

coming!

As expected, my guess was right; this was exactly what he wanted to see!
This would allow them, the main branch of the family, to return to Qufu, inherit the position of Duke Yansheng, and become the legitimate line of the Confucius family.

He had been looking forward to this for a long time and had been secretly gathering strength, preparing to ask the emperor to make a decision.

In his view, this would be extremely difficult to accomplish, with immense resistance.

Who would have thought that before he even took any action, the title of Duke Yansheng had already fallen into his lap?

Kong Xixue, Kong Xichang, and those people really did something terrible!
It helped me a lot!
"It is my duty! I will never fail Your Majesty's great kindness."

After I become the Duke of Yansheng, I will strictly discipline the members of the Kong family and make every effort to change the impression of my Kong family among the world.

Let my Kong family regain its rightful prestige!
I would never be as rebellious as those people like Kong Xixue!

Kong Xixu spoke these words with absolute certainty and an exceptionally firm attitude.

That's exactly what he thought about this matter.

After all, His Majesty is no ordinary person.

If the Northern Kong can be executed today because of this matter, then if the Southern Kong does something excessive in the future, he may also be punished.

So it's best to be honest and behave yourself from now on.

For them, being able to obtain this rightful title at this time would be an extremely good thing.

Where else can I think about anything else?
"What are your thoughts on the vigorous development of emerging disciplines such as physics, chemistry, medicine, and mathematics entering schools?"

What is the attitude towards this?

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Kong Xixu and asked again.

Kong Xixu's heart skipped a beat, and he said with a serious expression.

"These are all valuable lessons for governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people."

The reason why Confucianism was able to develop and grow stronger was never because it sought to dominate, but because it embraced diversity and inclusiveness.

There is a lot of knowledge in the world, and much of it is useful.

Any knowledge that is useful to the country is the best knowledge imaginable.

All of these are worthy of promotion and should be vigorously carried forward.

Those who cling to their flaws are people with ulterior motives.

Those who seek to use the knowledge of their ancestors for personal gain are unacceptable.

After saying this, Kong Xixu stood quietly to the side.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak immediately.

This reaction made Kong Xixu nervous and flustered.

I'm very afraid that at this crucial moment, I might displease the emperor.

This could lead to a major change in the situation.

"You're right, Confucius's teachings have indeed been misinterpreted by many people."

What was originally a valuable field of knowledge has been exploited for profit by those with ulterior motives.

As a result, many of them have lost their original flavor.

Remember what you said today, and don't forget it.

Then we will bestow upon you the title of Duke Yansheng, restoring your status as the legitimate lineage of the Southern Confucian family.”

Upon hearing this, Kong Xixu felt a great weight lifted from his heart.

He knelt down to express his gratitude, and then firmly stated his position on the matter.

He said he would never let the emperor down, and so on...

Kong Xixu left, and I felt a little unsteady as I walked.

This good thing came too suddenly, reaching a point that he had never expected.

He had thought that the position of Duke Yansheng, which was hard to obtain, had come to him.

Thinking about it, it still feels like a dream.

As for what the emperor said today, he naturally kept it in mind.

Although he didn't actually agree with some of the things the emperor said.

Once accepted, it's not actually a good thing; it will put a lot of shackles on the Kong family.

However, compared to the fact that the Southern Confucian School had already been excluded from the orthodox lineage of the Confucian family, this was already very, very good.

These are not things that I have done wrong to the Kong family.

The reason why the Kong family was able to maintain such a high status was primarily because the emperor needed them.

If the emperor no longer needs them, then these things will cease to exist.

From now on, just do your job properly according to the emperor's requirements.

He also carefully studied those emerging fields of knowledge.

I don't understand some of it.

Overall, it's still a craftsman's art, which will have some influence on Confucianism, but not a significant one...

On the third day, the investiture of Kong Xixu as Duke Yansheng and the formal announcement to the world that the former Southern Kong family would return to Qufu to reside were officially proclaimed.

At this time, all the fields in Qufu that needed to be surveyed had been surveyed.

When the new members of the Kong family went there, apart from a small amount of land that the Kong family was allowed to use to worship Confucius, the rest were distributed to the surrounding landless people for cultivation.

Moreover, ownership belongs to the state.

As for whether the Kong family will grow stronger in the future, or whether they will encroach on more land, that's something to be done as needed later...

……

In the southwest, in Kunming, a magnificent palace has been built, where beautiful dancers are performing.

And then the table was laden with delicacies.

Even so, Liang Wang Bazalawar, dressed in a dragon robe, was also absent-minded and found the food tasteless.

"Go down."

He waved his hand irritably.

Therefore, all the dancers present bowed and quickly left.

Only a few people remained in the room.

"My Great Yuan Dynasty has been destroyed, and Zhu Yuanzhang is eyeing us covetously, intending to wage war against our southwest. What should we do?"

King Liang of the Southwest, Bazalawar, looked at the several important ministers present and asked...

……

"Father, won't these people cause quite a stir?"

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao looked at each other and spoke. (End of Chapter)