I studied in modern times

Chapter 991 Kong Wenzhong: I can't even die?

Chapter 991 Kong Wenzhong: I can't even die?
Jia Yi put down the official gazette in his hand: "I wonder if, after my death, I will be like Lord Bao Xiaosu, leaving a lasting legacy, bestowing blessings upon my descendants, and bringing prosperity to future generations..."

The official gazette published the latest list of dismissed officials.

The first in line was Bao Shou, the son of Bao Xiaosu: Tongzhilang and Tongpan of Xizhou. Due to his above-average performance, he was appointed Fengyilang. He was recommended by the Grand Tutor and Pingzhang for important military and national affairs and was specially granted the post of Mige Xiaoli.

Meanwhile, Bao Shou's sons were all granted official positions last year by the emperor in the name of admiring famous ministers and praising future generations.

Therefore, Bao Shou's two sons were both appointed as stewards of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

It made Bianjing the envy of everyone!
Yet, no one could question or criticize it.

This was because Bao Xiaosu Gong's reputation was so great, and also because the Bao family had so many relatives!
The Ministry of Revenue reported at the end of last year that two to three hundred thousand men with the surname Bao had been identified along Xihe Road.

All of these people with the surname Bao were given names by the late emperor, recognized by the current government, and have even established connections with the Bao Clan Ancestral Hall in Luzhou, exchanging genealogies with the genuine Bao Clan of Xihe Branch in Luzhou.

These people were related to Bao Shou as uncles, cousins, or nephews.

With so many relatives, it would be difficult for Bao Shou not to get promoted.

Even the imperial court has begun to discuss whether a temple should be built for Bao Xiaosu.

Even if it were just to appease the Bao family of Xihe, the imperial court should issue an edict to establish a temple for worship.

“A renowned minister in life, a god for a hundred generations after death…” Jia Yi’s eyes revealed envy.

Lord Bao Xiaosu was a renowned minister revered throughout the land.

He was also the person he had always admired and aspired to be.

But it was precisely because of this that he realized how difficult it was to be like Bao Xiaosu!
Jia Yi leaned back slightly, settling into the chair that had been with him for three years.

The chair was something he acquired at the Wanxing Trade Fair at the Xiangguo Temple when he went to Beijing to serve as an official, using an old hat as collateral.

An old hat, of course, can only be exchanged for an old chair.

Moreover, it was an old chair that had already been owned by countless people.

After Jia Yi got the replacement, it took him time to repair it.

Now, three years later, this old chair is no longer able to withstand the strain.

Even when leaning back slightly, the chair back wobbles a bit, as if it might fall apart at any moment.

Jia Yi leaned back in his chair and looked out at the courtyard.

Living in Bian Jing is not easy.

Even though he has now been appointed as the Left Censor of the Censorate and his official position has been promoted to the rank of Tongzhilang, a rank of the eighth grade, he was still given a special post as a proofreader in the Imperial Academy last year because of his integrity and good reputation.

But he still lived a very frugal life.

If it weren't for the grace of the current emperor, in the first year of the Yuan You era, the former residence of Duke Xu, Zhang Qi, which had been confiscated, would be converted into "public housing" for officials in the capital and rented to them at prices far below market value.

This allowed him to rent this house with three side rooms and a small courtyard of about ten steps for only fifteen guan per month.

Otherwise, with his salary, he would definitely not be able to afford the rent for a house in the inner city of Bianjing.

Of course, as long as he is a little more flexible in his stance, he can live very comfortably in Bianjing City.

For example, he only needs to learn from the practices of many of his colleagues.

He misappropriated the official funds allocated to him by the imperial court for his own private use.

Given his current official rank and duties, his annual official salary would be at least several hundred strings of cash.

And then there's the other income of the Censorate.

One could easily afford the rent for a three-courtyard house in Bianjing (Kaifeng).

If he were even more ruthless, he could have followed the example of Xianyu Zijun (Xianyu Shen) and allowed his nephews, disciples, and relatives to go out and do business and build connections under his name.

Let alone renting a place!
Buying a house in Bianjing is no longer a dream!
but……

He doesn't have it, and he can't!

He strictly adhered to regulations and used the official funds allocated to him by the imperial court each year only for official entertainment and expenditures.

Moreover, he recorded every penny of each expense in his account and then reported it to the relevant departments in detail.

Unlike some of his colleagues in the Censorate, who included expenses such as renting rooms, visiting prostitutes, listening to music, and even hiring maids in the category of public funds, he did not.

Furthermore, there are many relatives and friends outside who use their name to conduct business and intimidate others.

Jia Yi was well aware of these practices and methods of making money.

He was also tempted.

Whenever I see my mother and wife, they can only wear coarse cloth robes and copper hairpins. They can't even afford to hire maids and have to do their own laundry, cooking, and cleaning.

His children could only live with him in this small, three-courtyard house, eating simple meals.

He considered whether he should try to make a little money.

Even if—we could be a little more flexible in our stance.

His mother and his wife and children would not have lived in such poverty.

But he cannot, and he is not allowed to.

Jia Yi slowly stood up and walked to the door.

He watched as his mother and wife taught their child to read and write in a corner of the yard.

He felt as if he had returned to his childhood.

He lost his father at a young age, and his elderly mother stayed at home, spinning yarn bit by bit to earn money to support his schooling.

Sometimes, my mother would have some extra money.

They would give him a little something for pocket money, maybe three coins or five coins.

So that he can buy some food like the other students.

He saw that his mother worked hard day and night, and the money she earned was hard-earned.

So even though he was very greedy, he couldn't bear to spend the money.

Instead, he would save the allowance his mother gave him, and once he had saved up 100, he would give it to his mother.

This would alleviate the burden on the mother.

This matter came to the attention of his mentor, Mr. Yichuan (Cheng Yi).

The gentleman was extremely pleased. He not only praised him but also personally promoted his reputation, exempted him from tuition fees, and provided him with meals, writing materials, and paper for reading.

From then on, wherever he went, people would say, "This is Jia Mingshu, the filial son!"

A mother's kindness is as vast as the sky, and a teacher's kindness is as deep as the sea.

From then on, no matter what Jia Yi did, he had to think of his elderly mother and his mentor.

He can only hold himself to the standards of a saint.

Even so, many times, Jia Yi knew that he was about to give up.

But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Jia Yi didn't know how much longer he could hold on.

Can we, like Bao Zheng, come into this world with a clean conscience and leave with an open and honest heart?

But at this moment, he decided to persevere to the end.

Be a person like Bao Zheng.

Thinking of this, Jia Yi recalled the wavering that had always existed in his heart.

I also remembered the teachings of my mentor and mother.

He also recalled his reputation in Bianjing City today—a contemporary Bao Xiaosu.

So he let out a slight sigh of relief: "As the sage said: 'If something is borrowed for a long time and not returned, how can one know that it is not truly his?'"

"How true this is!"

Jia Yi knew his own.

He had once been a young man who admired women and dreamed of the carefree life of lying drunk among flowers and tearing open a fresh orange with one hand.

I've also fantasized about having 100,000 strings of cash and buying 1,000 acres of land.

He also had his chance.

However, his mother's teachings, his mentor's expectations, and the reputation he had built up since childhood made him neither dare to nor able to do so.

He knew that if he did that...

He was sorry to his mother, his mentor, and those who regarded him as a contemporary Bao Xiaosu.

Therefore, Jia Yi knew that he was not Bao Xiaosu Gong.

He was nothing more than a hypocrite, like the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period as described by sages.

A person who panders to public opinion and puts on a show.

Sometimes, he trembled at the dark thoughts that arose in his mind.

But he wanted to become Bao Xiaosu Gong.

As long as he can keep going until he dies, and keep performing until he dies!
Tuk-tuk-tuk...

There was a knock on the door.

Is Jia Zhengyan at home?

Jia Yi looked in the direction of the sound and saw a figure in front of the door. The voice was unfamiliar.

But Jia Yi still stepped forward.

As his fame grew and spread to local prefectures and counties, more and more people from all over the country, including the Censorate, began to specifically seek him out by name.

People came in droves to cry out for justice, report wrongdoing, appeal, and plead for leniency.

Some clever ones even started waiting for him on his usual route to and from work.

Those with connections would ask someone to bring them to pay a visit.

Jia Yi had already gotten used to it.

But it has never happened before that someone arrives at his doorstep without even sending a visiting card.

Because it is both impolite and undignified.

Moreover, this place was a government-appointed residence for officials.

It's an industry under the jurisdiction of the Street Office!
People who don't live here can't even get through the gate without an invitation!
Therefore, Jia Yi was very cautious and did not open the door. Instead, he asked through the door, "Who are you?"

The person at the door chuckled softly and then slipped a note through the crack in the door.

“You will understand after reading this!” he said.

Jia Yi took the invitation, opened it, and his pupils immediately constricted.

Because the cover of this post, written in regular script from left to right, clearly reads: "Respectfully presented by Tong Guan, Attendant of the Emperor's Palace, to Jia Yi, Left Censor..."

With trembling hands, Jia Yi opened the cover and saw the words inside.

He took a deep breath, then bowed to the person outside the door and said, "I understand!"

"Please inform your master that I will act in accordance with the book!"

"Yes, sir!" The man outside the door bowed and said, "I take my leave now, but I humbly request that you stay!"

"Please take your time, dear guest!"

After seeing the guests off, Jia Yi leaned against the door, panting heavily.

He gripped the visiting card tightly in his hand, feeling his whole body begin to heat up.

At this moment, his mother and wife also turned to look at him.

Jia Yi clutched the visiting card in his hand, remaining silent. After calming himself down, he said to his mother and wife, "Mother, Madam, I have official business to attend to. Please don't call me for meals!"

"Good!" Jia Yi's mother and wife were his full supporters. Over the years, they had never interfered in his career.

Clutching the visiting card, Jia Yi walked back to his house and closed the door.

Then he sat down in the chair, his face flushed, and began to breathe heavily.

Because the last line of the visiting card contained two words: "Bing Qu" (丙去).

It's an imperial brush!
Therefore, this is under the direct command of the government!
Holding the visiting card, I read it carefully once more.

Jia Yi memorized the words on the letter, then followed the instructions, took out a tinderbox, lit the letter, threw it into a brazier, and watched it burn to ashes. He then took a ladle of water and poured it into the brazier, watching the ashes and water mix together.

Jia Yi then sat back down in his chair.

Then, looking at the books in front of him, he began to laugh wildly.

He knew that the path to Bao Xiaosu was open to him.

As a distinguished student of Yichuan Academy, Jia Yi not only studied under his mentor, but also attended classes under his senior master, Mr. Mingdao, where he learned about the active and passive aspects of a gentleman's official conduct.

Unlike my mentor, who diligently pursued the way of the sages and strictly adhered to etiquette and law.

Mr. Mingdao was a humorous and witty person who did not limit his views to the teachings of sages.

Especially when discussing economics and finances, and official conduct.

Mr. Mingdao talks more about expediency and flexibility.

He also cited many examples of the political maneuvering of famous ministers to serve as a model for them, the younger generation.

Among them, Mr. Mingdao told the most stories about Bao Xiaosu's political maneuvering.

Among all the stories of Lord Bao Xiaosu, Mr. Mingdao especially recounted how Lord Bao Xiaosu advised Emperor Renzong not to grant Zhang Yaozuo, the uncle of Empress Wencheng, the titles of military governor, Xuanhui envoy, and Jingling Palace envoy.

In this matter, Bao Xiaosu did not adopt an attitude of irreconcilable enmity with the powerful relatives of the emperor.

Instead, he was very considerate, running back and forth between Renmiao and Zhang Yaozuo.

Ultimately, Zhang Yaozuo voluntarily gave up the positions of Xuanhui Envoy and Jingling Palace Envoy, and only accepted the appointment as Jiedushi.

Inmyeongmyo was also very happy about this.

They believe that Bao Xiaosu was not only a loyal minister, but also a capable minister who could solve problems!

Rather than a stubborn and pedantic person who is righteous but disloyal to his ruler.

This allowed Bao Xiaosu to later spit on Renmiao's face without Renmiao finding it offensive; on the contrary, Renmiao enjoyed it.

In the classes taught by Mr. Mingdao, he always emphasized that it is unacceptable to drift on a raft and float on the sea if one does not follow the Way.

Because if a virtuous and upright person voluntarily gives up the pursuit of justice and righteousness.

Then the imperial court will fall into the hands of villains and their evil ways.

At that time, the people of the world will surely suffer a severe disaster.

A virtuous and upright person, as long as he remains in the court, will certainly be able to restrain the wicked.

At the same time, virtuous and upright people, as long as they can hold an official position in the court or in the prefectures, can minimize the harm suffered by the people.

No matter what, it's better than handing over the emperor and the world to treacherous and wicked people.

Recalling the teachings of Mr. Mingdao.

Jia Yi leaned back in his chair and picked up the imperial gazette again.

He looked at the words in the official gazette and read them softly: "Bao Shou, Tongzhilang and Tongpan of Xizhou, was promoted to Fengyilang due to his above-average performance in the examination. He was recommended by the Grand Tutor and Pingzhang for important military and national affairs and was specially granted the post of Secretarial Scholar."

He was thinking about the Ministry of Revenue's report on the household inspection in Xihe Road, which revealed two to three hundred thousand male households with the surname Bao.

He was also thinking about the matter of Bao Shou's two sons, both of whom were granted the position of Imperial Ancestral Temple Attendant by special imperial decree.

He looked towards the imperial city, his expression becoming incredibly resolute: "Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty, I will surely eliminate the wicked and eradicate evil!"

The words on that post were churning within Jia Yi's heart.

Your Majesty has already despised the petty men of Shu.

We must eliminate them!

Perfect timing! He had already gathered a great deal of evidence against the treacherous members of the Shu faction!

Ever since Sima Guang's funeral, and after Su Zizhan, that villain, spoke ill of his mentor, he had been secretly collecting evidence of those villains' crimes.

He played a role in the demotion of Xianyu Shen, Shangguan Jun, Zeng Zhao, Zhang Shunmin, Kong Wenzhong, Han Chuan, and others.

……

The government office of Qingzhou.

Kong Wenzhong lay on his sickbed, his face pale and bloodless.

An old friend sighed and lamented at his bedside.

"Brother Jing!"

Why are you doing this to yourself?

Kong Wenzhong smiled bitterly: "The sage said: 'If the Way is not practiced, I will take a raft and float on the sea!'"

"I regret that I did not heed the teachings of the sage and went to Bianjing alone..."

"And so it has come to this!"

They spread rumors among ministers and slander Confucian scholars!
The emperor's edicts of reprimand were like knives, cutting into his heart.

Make him miserable.

What upset him even more was that Han Chuan and the others were all demoted to remote military prefectures, and their official documents contained words of denunciation.

Liu Anshi was even ordered to be exiled to Chenzhou and placed under house arrest, with extreme wording added such as "suspension," "replacement," and "not returning even if pardoned."

For the scholar-officials, this was almost the second most cruel form of torture after being stripped of his hemp rope!

That's equivalent to being executed in the autumn.

So here's the question—why are these people being punished so severely?

Kong Wenzhong, who was the highest-ranking and most famous person in that incident?

Was he also like these people, who should have been demoted to the position of county magistrate or military governor in remote prefectures, with written records of his crimes on his record?

Even like Liu Anshi, were they placed under house arrest?

Why didn't he?

The scholar-officials may not say it aloud, but they must have been wondering in their hearts—was it because he, Kong Wenzhong, Kong Jingfu, was a descendant of Confucius that the emperor made an exception and spared him face?

In reality, Kong Wenzhong and Kong Jingfu were the source of all evil and the root of the problem.

For Kong Wenzhong, life was something he could give up.

But one's reputation must never be tainted!

This is the source of his mental anguish!
He wouldn't have gone so far as to seek death.

but……

News came from Bianjing that after dismissing these people, the Emperor began to reform the imperial examination system.

Not only did he fail to restore the system of selecting officials based on their poetry and prose, which he had hoped for.

Not to mention, he abolished the old abuses of the imperial examination system that he considered to be "doubting the scholar-officials" and "not taking into account the virtues of the scholar-officials".

Instead, they strayed further and further down the wrong path.

First, the status of the Legal Studies and Mathematics subjects in the imperial examinations was elevated.

They also strongly encouraged the children of imperial relatives and their families to take the imperial examinations in law and mathematics.

Furthermore, it increased the quota for members of the imperial clan in these two categories.

Moreover, the court's trust in the scholar-officials also declined once again.

In recent days, news has spread throughout Bianjing (Kaifeng) that the reform of the imperial examination system will completely eliminate the abuses of scholars who harbor ulterior motives.

It is said that a villain petitioned the emperor to bestow upon scholars taking the imperial examinations the robes, as well as rhyme books, new interpretations of the Three Classics, and explanations of characters, among other classics.

Meanwhile, the food, writing materials, and paper for the scholars at the examination hall would be provided by the relevant officials.

It is said that when the emperor was having a private audience with a minister, he said to a minister who suggested that officials should be selected based on their moral character: "If officials are selected based on their moral character, why bother with the civil service examination? We should restore the recommendation system of the Wei and Jin dynasties!"

He even said things like, "Those recommended as scholars are illiterate, and those recommended as filial and incorruptible have fathers who live separately. The poor and honest are as muddy as dirt, while good generals from poor and noble families are as timid as chickens."

When Kong Wenzhong heard about these things, he completely gave up hope.

He desperately wanted to die!
Because what he is facing now is not just the problem of the Way not being followed.

His reputation is completely ruined.

Anyone who is interested can see the truth by simply putting together his words and deeds in Bianjing over the past two years, as well as the articles he submitted to the Bianjing Yibao newspaper.

Kong Wenzhong, also known as Kong Jingfu, was the one who consistently advocated selecting officials based on their moral character and their ability to compose poems and essays.

And under the official's decree.

He, Kong Wenzhong, will be a treacherous minister who turns back the clock of history and hopes for the resurgence of powerful clans.

He absolutely cannot bear such a crime.

I dare not bear it.

There is only one option: death!
There is only death left!
Looking at Kong Wenzhong's expression, his old friend already knew why Kong Wenzhong was like this.

He sighed, "According to my father and elder brother, the simplest thing since ancient times is death!"

"Death means the end of everything!"

"But don't you think about the living?"

"Our lord is gracious..."

"But we never show leniency to traitors and criminals!"

"Li Zishen is still disliked by the officials!"

"The late Imperial Son-in-Law Wang Shen is still buried in another place, and no tombstone has been erected for him!"

"Wu Anchi, son of the late Prime Minister Wu Zhengxian (Wu Chong), is still receiving re-education at the Imperial Academy. His Majesty has not forgiven him to this day and still orders the Imperial Academy to strictly discipline him for 'abandoning the teachings of the sages'!"

"Zhang Rongxi (Zhang Qi), apart from his grandson Zhang Shuye, was either imprisoned or beheaded. Even the former residence of the Duke of Xu was confiscated as government property!"

"Father and elder brothers, if we just want to die like this..."

“I fear the Lord’s wrath may implicate others…”

"Chang's father and Yi's father may be implicated... and it might even bring disaster upon the Duke Yansheng!"

Kong Wenzhong listened, his eyes widening: "Can't I even die?"

Is this justified?
Is there no law?
Since ancient times, how could such a thing have happened?

Moreover, isn't this a bit too exaggerated?
It's one thing if his two younger brothers are implicated.

Even the Duke Yansheng of the main family could be convicted?

The man sighed, "Father and brothers... Our lord is no ordinary man..."

"Please, Father and Elder Brother, consider this carefully!"

Kong Wenzhong immediately lowered his head.

He knew that he had been persuaded by this person.

but……