The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 304 The Surrender of the Worldly Cultivators to the Duke of Yansheng

"Of course, there were also some shameful people who submitted surrender documents and surrendered to the Yuan people. Is this what you call the Celestial Empire?"

"The soldiers in the south fought bloody battles, and now they've lost the land they finally captured. How can we face the soldiers who fought so hard at the front?"

"Since Goryeo has always wanted to be a vassal state of my Great Ming Dynasty and has always said that they admire the culture of the Central Plains, if that's true, then why bother dividing it up with you? I'll just annex them directly!"

"By my order, the territory of Goryeo will be divided into three parts, establishing three major provincial administrations: Jeolla, Dongpyeong, and Anbong. All government orders will be subject to the orders of my Great Ming. As for local customs, they may be modified as appropriate. Language and writing must be unified. If anyone rebels, their entire clan will be exterminated!"

The crowd erupted in uproar after hearing this; Zhu Xiong Ying not only wanted to annex Goryeo.

This was entirely about allowing the Goryeo people to be completely integrated into the Central Plains.

If His Highness the Crown Prince really does this, I'm afraid that within a few generations, these Goryeo people will no longer know about Goryeo, nor will they know their own language and script.

This behavior made them frown, somewhat like Qin Shi Huang's standardization of cart axles and written language.

However, none of these people dared to speak, after all, Zhu Xiong Ying's power was undeniable in this place.

After a few other reports were finished, an official came out.

"Your Majesty, today we have distinguished elders of high moral character and learning, namely Meng Ziru of the Meng family, Kong Ximing of the Kong family, Zhu Ying of the Zhu family, and Cheng Daoan of the Cheng family, who have come to Yingtian Prefecture to guide the scholars of the world!"

"It is a great honor for us scholars to have such a son. I wonder if we may summon these people to the palace to commend them?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled.

"I've only heard of these so-called great scholars, but I never imagined they'd come here to give lectures. Master, please let me see just how much these so-called great scholars really know?"

The civil officials in the court frowned upon hearing Zhu Xiong Ying's words, as Zhu Xiong Ying's attitude was indeed somewhat disrespectful.

Soon, four old men arrived directly at the palace.

The four men bowed slightly to the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying.

"This old man pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

When the Crown Prince Zhu Xiong Ying heard this man's words, he couldn't help but frown.

Without saying a word, the men, bowing low, seemed not to have heard Zhu Xiong Ying's order to rise. They were all very puzzled. What did Zhu Xiong Ying mean? Did he not want them to get up? The officials in the court were also puzzled, and felt that this was a bit too impolite. Just then, the officials sitting at the front cleared their throats, as if to remind Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying remained seated in the same spot as if she hadn't heard anything.

The civil officials in the court frowned, wondering what the emperor meant, but none of them dared to offer any advice, lest it affect them and cause trouble.

Kong Ximing and the other three all looked extremely ugly. Zhu Xiong Ying was truly despicable. Making the four of them, who were highly respected elders, bow and wait in this place was truly hateful. They had always been respected wherever they were before, and when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

The others wanted to remind Zhu Xiong Ying, but they didn't have the courage. After a while, as if remembering these people, Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"Please rise, gentlemen. I was just thinking about something interesting and my mind wandered. I'm sure you are all highly respected elders and won't mind!"

Upon hearing this, the group members were all speechless. How could they not mind? They were all old and frail, yet they were being treated like this. It was truly outrageous.

I really don't know what the Emperor and the Crown Prince were thinking, letting this guy oversee the country.

The men were furious, but with so many civil and military officials in the court, they couldn't say anything; their faces were simply grim. At that moment, Zhu Xiong Ying yawned, seemingly unconcerned about them.

"I heard that four great scholars have come from afar to guide scholars across the land. This is truly a good thing!"

"In that case, you may return to your studies and offer your guidance. I will not see you off any further!"

Everyone was extremely surprised to hear this.

These men were all role models among scholars, and now they were being treated like this. At this moment, these men were all somewhat embarrassed, and some civil officials were even very angry, including these four old men. The eldest of the four, Meng Ziru of the Meng family, spoke up.

"Your Highness, we are scholars."

We have come to Yingtian Prefecture intending to guide the scholars of the land and observe the current state of affairs in this new Qing Dynasty. Unfortunately, the court has greatly disappointed us. Even Your Highness, the Crown Prince, shows such disrespect for talented individuals; what kind of state is this court truly? We are utterly heartbroken!

Zhu Xiong Ying curled her lip. These guys really thought highly of her, even feeling extremely heartbroken. What did it matter to her whether they felt heartbroken or not? They really thought she was someone important.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and said "Oh".

"Since you are all so distressed, then I will find a royal physician to examine you!"

Hearing this, Lan Yu and the others almost burst out laughing. This Xiong Ying was indeed interesting, actually talking to them like that. They were probably going to be furious.

At this moment, Kong Ximing of the Kong family did not say much to Zhu Xiong Ying, but simply stood in the court and spoke.

"His Highness the Crown Prince's policies of converting poll tax into land tax and other measures are all ways to bring disaster to the country."

"There must be some treacherous and wicked person influencing Your Highness. I urge Your Highness to execute this villain and abolish this system!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of displeasure flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"Why should I, the Crown Prince, listen to you? Or does the entire court need to listen to you?"

Kong Ximing straightened his back and said firmly.

"It is not that I am only like this, but that I am honored by the respect of the world and scholars. My family, the Confucius family, has held a highly respected position since a thousand years ago, and has been the leader of scholars in the world. I think I am still qualified!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes were full of disdain when she heard this.

"Do you have the qualifications? When the Yuan people came and you presented your surrender document, did you ever imagine that this day would come?"

"I dare not confront those Yuan people, but I dare to confront you. It's true, do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying's immense killing intent spread out.

The sheer killing intent emanating from this person sent a chill down everyone's spine. This person looked quite young, yet possessed such a terrifying aura of killing intent.

Kong Ximing's face turned extremely ugly upon hearing this; these were the very words he hated hearing most these days.

At the time, it was only for the sake of family sentiment. Besides, the imperial court was already gone, so why should their family stay? Moreover, if they surrendered to the new imperial court, they could receive even more rewards.

(End of this chapter)