People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 472: Fighting for the Right to Execute Scripture, New Confucianism

Kongne is in Jiaozhou?
Zhang Yi hasn't heard from him for a long time.

A heartfelt smile appeared on his face, and they hadn't seen each other for a while.

"Master Kong has been fulfilling his promise. After returning to the Kong family, he asked for his life and started traveling around to study!
Although His Majesty the Kong family didn't say it explicitly, everyone knew that there was no chance of an official career!
Therefore, Mr. Confucius put all his energy on knowledge and education!
Wherever he went, he visited local great scholars. Through these visits, he gained a good reputation in the North...

People say that the Kong family has truly produced a descendant with the character of Saint Kong..."

Like Longhu Mountain, 80 years of wealth is enough for the Kong family to forget many things.

Compared to Longhu Mountain, the Kong family has actually been criticized more.

They not only surrendered to the Mongols, but also to the Jin people.

As for the later generations of Manchus who entered the Pass, the Kong family felt less pressure when they knelt down.

Therefore, those in the Yanshenggong lineage who were later scolded as eunuchs were definitely not unjust.

Konne may not have done well enough, but what he could do was much better than his ancestors.

From Zhou Tong's tone, Zhang Yi also knew that the emperor's surveillance of the Kong family had not diminished.

But for Kong Ne, the emperor admired and approved of it.

The experience in Yingtian Mansion during those years made Kongne's bond with the Ming Dynasty even deeper.

"It's just that this young master of the Kong family seems to have a disdain for the learning of saints. Many great scholars have opinions on this!
Master Kong’s theory is to return to the original classics of Kong Sheng and does not advocate over-interpretation of the classics! "

Zhou Tong was not an erudite person, and he struggled to explain Kong Ne's actions. However, Zhang Yi's expression became more and more strange as he listened.

Isn’t Conne’s theory the Protestant Reformation that will be popular in Europe in the future?

Is this guy using his identity as a member of the Kong family to start attacking Neo-Confucianism?
What he had to do to take back the right to interpret the classics from the hands of the great Confucians was no easier than any political reform, and it would even be easier to arouse opposition from the scholar group.

It started with Dong Zhongshu deposing hundreds of schools of thought and only respecting Confucianism.

In fact, each dynasty has different interpretations of Confucianism.

The great Confucians raised Confucius to the altar of the most holy teacher, and also took away the power of exegesis.

In line with the development of the times, different academic theories were derived and dominated a generation.

Although Zhang Yi does not like Neo-Confucianism, he must admit that Neo-Confucianism played a life-saving role in the development of Confucianism.

In the face of the theoretical erosion of Buddhism and Taoism, Cheng Zhu's deification of Confucianism was the best response.

The right to interpret scriptures was the foundation of the entire scholar-bureaucrat class.

If Kongne tries to do this, the pressure he will bear will not be less than Zhu Yuanzhang who tries to suppress the prime minister.

The scholar-officials elevated the Confucius family to a high position in order to better interpret scriptures, rather than letting others take away their power.

If Kong Ne is not good, his status as Duke Yansheng may not be guaranteed, and his life may be in danger.

"When did this kid become dissatisfied with Neo-Confucianism? He shouldn't be affected by me, right? No way, right?"

Kong Ne had a rare moment with him, but Zhang Yi was sweating on his forehead.

This kid is usually submissive, but when he really gets into trouble, he has to wipe himself out in cold sweat.

"What does Your Majesty think of this matter?"

"Well... I don't know about this little one..."

Zhou Tong didn't dare to answer Zhang Yi's question directly, so he blurted out.

Zhang Yi didn't ask further questions. Anyway, he would be able to see Kong Ne soon.

"Does he also know about my mission?"

"That's right!"

Zhou Tong's answer confirmed Zhang Yi's suspicion.

If you want to revitalize Zhang Sanfeng's identity, you must have the cooperation of the heir apparent of the Kong family.

This is also Kong Ne's vote for the Ming Dynasty on behalf of the Kong family.

"This kid, the poor guy underestimated him!"

Zhang Yi felt very happy to be able to witness the growth of his friend.

"Your substitute has been in Jiaozhou recently, so if Mr. Kong is here, it's time for you to visit him!
After [you] came back, Mr. Kong solved a lot of troubles for you..."

Zhou Tong specifically explained to Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi nodded slightly. He believed that someone would naturally explain to him later.

Zhang Sanfeng's identity was originally unintentional, but now, fate has played a trick on him, and he has become a pawn that can influence the fate of the empire.

Since you've been involved, let's have a good game and it won't be a waste of these few months of hardship.

Zhang Yi changed his clothes to suit his identity.

He knew that he would soon return to the attention of some people with this identity.

"After the real person meets Mr. Kong, it's time for us to leave!

But don’t worry, we will send people to protect your safety secretly!

His Majesty said that even if the operation fails, the safety of the real person must be guaranteed! "

Zhou Tong patted his chest to reassure Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yi laughed at himself:
"Is Pindao's life that important?"

Zhou Tong smiled, he was not sure.

Zhang Yi himself was not sure. If it were before the auction, he believed that his weight in that person's heart would be like this. However, with the deepening of the layout, this matter has been involved in the future national destiny of the Ming Dynasty.

Whether the Mongols can be lured out of Mobei is very important.

It is so important that even if the emperor may be that person, there is still a chance that he will sacrifice himself.

Don't take yourself too seriously, Zhang Yi warned himself this way no matter in his previous life or in this life.

He did not embarrass Zhou Tong, and after cooperating to clean up the matter, he went to visit Kong Ne.

Shandong is, after all, the hometown of saints.

Although Jiaozhou is far away from Qufu, the writing style here is not bad compared to other places in the north.

At this time, Kong Na was in a restaurant in Jiaozhou, meeting friends through literature.

Zhang Yi changed his clothes and went to visit his young master alone.

As soon as I went upstairs, I heard Kong Ne arguing with others.

The voices of controversy arose one after another.

Zhang Yi stood at the stairs and listened quietly.

He was not very familiar with the content of science, but he could tell that Kong Ne's combat effectiveness was quite high.

This guy is submissive in front of him, but when he really leaves Yingtian, he can show a different scene.

"It's unspeakable..."

Kong Ne made the old gentleman opposite him so angry that he almost turned his face.

"Sir, don't blame me, the student is wrong!"

After Kong Ne was so angry that he was half-dead, he was not at all proud. He just lowered his head and apologized.

As a member of the Kong family, even if the Confucian scholar was furious, he had to accept Kong Ne's apology honestly. After the atmosphere between the two parties eased, Zhang Yi went upstairs and walked to Kong Ne:
"Meet Master Kong!"

"You came!"

Kong Ne turned around, his eyes full of joy!
"Master Kong, who is this?"

The other Confucian scholars looked at Zhang Yi with some confusion.

Kongne introduced it very enthusiastically:
"Friend, Zhang Sanfeng!"

Zhang Yi quickly smiled and said:
"Young master, you are overstating me. I am just a former servant of the Kong family. The young master lowered the curtain and gave me my freedom. Now I just do some small business!"

Once they heard that Zhang Yi was a servant, the attitude of others was somewhat subtle.

The few people who originally wanted to get close to Zhang Yitao suddenly took up their positions.

Kong Na didn't notice it at all and just asked Zhang Yi to sit down:
"You kid, you returned to Shandong, but instead of looking for me, you went to Jiaozhou to do business?"

Zhang Yi smiled bitterly and said:
"Master, I don't have your family background, so I can only work hard to make a living..."

The tacit understanding between the two people for many years has not disappeared. In just a few words, the two people have clearly explained Zhang Yi's identity.Zhang Yi even spoke the same dialect as Kong Ne, and no one present doubted his identity.

Kong Na said:
"I'm not telling you. When you left, I told you to read more books!

You have learned a lot from me over the years, and there are many noble people in the capital who appreciate you.
I am willing to recommend you!
If you do good things..."

Zhang Yi lowered his head and listened carefully to Kong Ne's teachings.

Those scribes who originally looked down on Zhang Yi became envious again when they heard that he had access to Longmen.

"The Kong family is indeed a family of saints. Do even their servants have such talents?"

The Confucian scholars who had been dismissive of Zhang Yi just now became friendly again.

Zhang Yi naturally kept the faces of these people in mind.

He smiled secretly in his heart. Kong Ne still didn't feel that in the capital, but after leaving the capital, his EQ and IQ were indeed much better than these people.

Scholars in the Ming Dynasty were generally divided into two categories.

One type is those who are committed to the court and are unwilling to serve the court. These people are not even willing to take part in the imperial examination. This is why Zhu Yuanzhang was angry because he could not find good talents in the first two imperial examinations.

But at the same time, there is another kind of person.

They did not hesitate to leave their hometown in order to take the imperial examination and high school.

The Confucian scholars in front of Zhang Yi were probably like this. He could clearly hear some southern accents in their voices.

Imperial examination immigration is like the college entrance examination immigration in later generations.

It is a profit-seeking behavior.

Although the emperor could immigrate the people on a large scale, he would not take the initiative to touch the landowners.

These people are willing to leave their hometowns in search of fame and fortune.

Now that they heard that Zhang Yi was expected to become famous, it was not surprising that they changed their minds.

The scholars who had just fought with Kong Ne over the cause of justice immediately became enthusiastic.

Zhang Yi was not a lofty person, so he quickly fell into disgrace. Before long, these people were almost brothers with him.

"If Brother Zhang becomes rich in the future, don't forget us people!"

"Brother Chen is serious, I am just a lowly person born as a servant..."

"How can there be such a thing? I think Brother Zhang has a well-connected family, and Brother Kong has already said that there are many young masters from noble families in the capital who admire you..."

After drinking the wine until noon, Zhang Yicai said goodbye to these people.

When only Kong Ne and Zhang Yi were left, they looked at each other and laughed.

"Sure enough, no matter where you are, you are more popular than me!"

"I never thought that Brother Kong would be so amazing after leaving the city gate of Yingtian Mansion!"

"Perhaps I'm used to being aggrieved in Yingtian. During these parade days, I can't stand this or that..."

Kong Ne would probably be so relaxed and talk about everything only when he was with Zhang Yi.

"When I was in Yingtian, I always felt that what you said was unreasonable!
But after walking through the mountains and rivers of the Central Plains in person, I agree more and more with what you said!
Compared with the lofty and down-to-earth talks of those great Confucian scholars, I prefer to practice the ways of my ancestors and implement them into teaching and educating people!
However, I have also been thinking about the essential meaning of education!
What the ancestors seek is the way to govern the country!

It is also the way to educate, but what is the meaning of education?
The foothold is still above the common people...

But today's Confucianism has gradually become a superior knowledge..."

Kongne drank a little too much and spoke incoherently.

Zhang Yi’s mouth is still very poisonous:
"Then do you understand that without them, your Kong family is actually nothing?

Most of your current status, Kong Ne, was given by the Holy Master.

And the Holy Master was carried up by them, was it just because of his good character...? "

His words were considered vicious.

Kong Ne's face turned red with anger, and he was about to fight him desperately.

But after a long time, he breathed a sigh of relief:

"Perhaps the world that our ancestors dreamed of does not need a Kong family to be held up to the altar..."

cough~
Even though Zhang Yi was well-informed, he was choked when he heard Kong Ne's words.

He coughed desperately and stared at Kong Ne dumbfounded.

Kong Ne, the future Duke Yan.

What he was thinking about was actually erasing the Kong family from the long history?

It may not be right to say erasure. The ideal world in Kong Ne's mind is one where he relies on his own ability to gain recognition.

Not because of blood!
"People-oriented, you always say that productivity determines production relations...

If the current Neo-Confucianism restrains the people, it would not be a pity if it disappeared!

The knowledge passed down by our ancestors and the right to interpret the Bible should not be in the hands of anyone!

Including our Kong family..."

"Brother Kong, great justice!"

Zhang Yi put away the smile on his face and bowed to Kong Ne solemnly.

He felt that Kong Ne was childish and even a little obsessed. Nothing he did could shake this cruel world.

Even if he persists, the biggest possibility is that he will fall from the position of Yan Shenggong.

But there will always be some people who are willing to do stupid things.

"As long as Brother Zhang doesn't think I'm a lunatic..."

"No, because I am too!"

Zhang Yi and Kong Ne looked at each other and laughed.

"After that, I must trouble Brother Zhang to help me!"

"Good talk!"

Some crazy ideas flashed through Zhang Yi's mind.

Confucianism is not without merit. As a Chinese, even in later generations, Confucianism still best represents Chinese culture.

However, Confucianism’s right to interpret Scripture does not require others to annotate it.

Returning the power of understanding the classics to the people may be the moment when a new Confucianism is born.

Zhang Yile saw this happening.

"I will solve the productivity problem, Brother Kong just goes there..."

The two sides chatted for a while, and Kong Ne finally fell asleep due to too much alcohol.

Zhang Yi came out of the hotel, but was stopped by a man.

"Mr. Chen!"

He knew this Mr. Chen, the old man who had just argued with Kong Ne.

People from Suzhou and Hangzhou were also Confucian scholars who came to settle in the north because of imperial examination immigration.

Zhang Yi just didn't understand why this person stopped him. He was obviously waiting for him.

"Brother Zhang, can you take a step to speak!"

Zhang Yi followed the gentleman to a secluded corner without comment.

The two ordered a pot of tea to sober up, and Zhang Yi got straight to the point:
"I wonder what you want from me?"

The other party didn't speak, but just placed an object in front of Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi's face changed slightly.

It's time to come, it's coming.

(End of this chapter)