Ancestors, please don't crawl out again.

Chapter 64 Confucius of the Golden Rat Tail
The Qing troops on the Feixian battlefield did not escape...

This is also a mountain corridor. Although it is much wider than the stone gate and there are more roads around it, it is still a corridor in essence.

Just block both ends.

To the east were the imperial camp and tens of thousands of young and strong men from Yizhou who followed Yang Feng.

To the west is Wang Jun’s nearly 10,000 volunteer troops.

The thousands of Qing troops, completely disorganized and unable to effectively organize themselves, faced not only attacks from both sides but also the flaming dragons that periodically swooped down overhead, and the Emperor Taizu Gao, who constantly chipped away at them. Even the rhinoceros charged frantically among them, while the two Fairy Boys and the Maxim machine guns were carried by the young and strong men, constantly shifting their firing positions...

When the latter faced a stubborn enemy, he would quickly invite the fairy boy over.

Then serve the fruit dessert.

The fairy boy can then shoot the enemy to pieces for them with great satisfaction.

They went to pick up heads again.

In the final analysis, even if the Qing army collapsed, they were all well-trained. Many of them had fought hundreds of battles and were just scared to death by Yang Feng. But in terms of combat effectiveness, they still crushed these young and strong men. Even if the latter had several times the number of troops to attack them, as long as they were not alone, even if there were dozens of Qing soldiers, they would not be wiped out by one or two hundred young and strong men.

But if Maxim had given them a belt of ammunition first, there would have been no problem at all.

How could thousands of Qing troops withstand such destruction? By nightfall, except for a small number who fled into the ravines, the rest were completely wiped out. The people in Fei County also dealt with the gentry in the city. Wang Jun was pinned down by Zhang Cunren because he could not break the defense of these gentry and their militia.

but now……

The militia was the first to defect.

The next day Yang Feng continued to move forward.

The imperial army that followed him on his northern tour was expanded to 10,000.

However, Wang Jun stayed. He actually had an official identity given to him by Yang Weiyuan, the Lieutenant General of Yizhou, and Cao Wusheng was the Lieutenant General of Juzhou. In theory, they were both under the control of Zhuang Nai, the Military Governor of Yandong. Although the latter had no fame, he was a son of a noble family after all, so he was granted the same status as a Jinshi and then appointed as the Military Governor.

As for the issue of him never having participated in the imperial examination, this was not a problem for the King of Qi. The Jinshi degree was a very serious title for civil officials, but the King of Qi could not be expected to take it seriously.

Why can’t it be given?

The top three were originally granted the same status as Jinshi, right?
Strictly speaking, only the three in the first class are real Jinshi.

He passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi.

They passed the exam based on their own abilities.

The second place means that the emperor has shown mercy and feels that although you did not pass the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, you are talented enough, so he grants you the status of a Jinshi.

The third class means that you are not even at the level of a Jinshi, but you are still barely qualified. When the country recruits people, it still needs to open up opportunities for talents, so you will be granted the equivalent of a Jinshi status. Remember, you are not actually a Jinshi, but the emperor appreciates you and gives you the equivalent of a Jinshi treatment, so it is called the same as being granted the same as a Jinshi status.

Since you are all granted the same Jinshi degree, there is no need to take the exam. The King of Qi will grant you the title if he thinks you are suitable.

Since you all think this is inappropriate, I will just appoint you directly. It's not like you have to be a Jinshi to be an official, so in the end, the civil officials thought about it and decided to let him grant it. After all, this way, at least he is a civil official in theory and can still be in the civil official system. If he directly appoints him, then there will be no distinction between civil and military officials. Therefore, among the civil and military officials appointed by Yang Weiyuan, many civil officials are of this kind of Jinshi background.

The recipient is also very happy!

Those who come from gentry families are still very enthusiastic about the word "Jinshi".

The title of Jinshi granted is also a Jinshi.

Everyone was so proud of their literary talent that they never considered themselves to be unsuccessful. It was simply because of the war that they missed the exam. Otherwise, they would have already passed. Now, they were simply being given what they deserved. There was no question of whether they deserved it or not...

Which scholar would think that he is not talented enough to pass the imperial examination?
Otherwise, what else would they read?

In short, the Ming government in southern Shandong used Zhuang Nai, the military governor of Yandong, to control the two lieutenant generals of Yi and Ju.

Yang Feng promoted Wang Jun to a higher position.

He was granted the title of Earl and appointed as the deputy general to guard Yizhou, and stationed in southern Shandong.

Then, this old rebel who had robbed the imperial court's supplies and found a dragon robe to wear for fun, prostrated himself on the ground with tears of gratitude to thank the Divine Emperor, and confidently led his subordinates to wipe out the Qing army that had fled into the southern mountainous area. This mountainous area was originally occupied by him, and his generals were also the kings of the mountains. Otherwise, how could he be called the King of Nine Mountains!
Those fleeing Qing troops actually walked into a trap.

Next stop: Pingyi.

But at that time there was no Pingyi, it was Maoyang Inspection Office

Before Yang Feng reached Maoyang, the local officials and gentry had already abandoned the city and fled. They did not even flee west, but fled directly north to Mengyin.

The people welcomed Taizu with joy.

Then go forward to Si Shui.

Still unobstructed.

The people rebelled, purged the gentry, and then welcomed Taizu.

then……

Qufu.

Yanshenggong Mansion.

"Hurry up, hurry up!"

Lady Tao, the wife of Duke Yansheng, led her thirteen-year-old son, Kong Xingxie, the original successor Duke Yansheng, and walked anxiously towards the front door.

Following behind him was a large group of servants.

Two of them were carrying stretchers.

Tao suddenly pushed open the door and met her husband's eyes.

The Duke of Yansheng, who had been paralyzed in bed, had somehow landed on the floor, lying next to the charcoal brazier. He held a piece of paper in his hand, which had been ignited by the charcoal fire. He stared at his wife in astonishment. The couple seemed to be in sync. Tao suddenly realized what was happening and rushed forward to grab the paper. The Duke of Yansheng also came to his senses and hurriedly moved the burning paper towards himself.

His clothes immediately caught fire.

But Tao had already arrived and snatched the still burning paper away and threw it away.

"You damn old thing, do you want to kill us mother and me?"

Tao screamed.

Then she raised her foot and stepped on the flames on her husband.

If he stepped on it a little harder, even Duke Yansheng would twitch.

Of course, it could also be that the fire burned the meat.

"Why don't you hurry up!"

Tao screamed as he stomped on it.

Her son quickly stepped forward and stomped on his father as well.

"We are husband and wife, please let me die quickly and painlessly. If I fall into the hands of that demon, I will be tortured to death for months. Please let me die quickly and painlessly!"

Duke Yansheng wailed.

"Father, please be patient. If you commit suicide out of fear of punishment, he will have to look for me."

His son said as he stepped on the flames on him.

It was just a flame that had just been lit, but it was extinguished by the mother and daughter in just a few steps.

The half-paralyzed Duke of Yansheng could do nothing but lie on the ground, demonstrating filial piety with his son. After stomping out the flames, Mrs. Tao immediately called for her servants to dress Duke of Yansheng in Ming Dynasty court attire. Resistance was futile. Although there were Qing troops in Yanzhou, they had already cowered in fear and were unlikely to come to their rescue. In fact, the Qing troops in Yanzhou were already planning to flee.

There was an Eight Banners Manchu army there, mainly the Yuyuan Army in western Shandong and northeastern Henan, which was causing great trouble and needed the Eight Banners Manchu army to suppress it.

But the Eight Banners Manchus are even more afraid of that monster!
Not as good as the Eight Banners Army.

The unruly people in the city were even more restless and could not wait to take action.

These unruly people!

So now we can only welcome Taizu happily.

The Yansheng Duke's family would not make a mistake on this issue, but the problem was that if they welcomed Taizu, then the Yansheng Duke would not be able to commit suicide.

He needs to wait for Emperor Taizu to come and execute him.

If he died, it would be suicide out of fear of punishment, and his son would become the de facto successor, bearing the wrath of Emperor Taizu Gao for him. Duke Yansheng himself was actually aware of this truth. He also knew that for the sake of his son, who was his own son, he had to bear the wrath of Emperor Taizu Gao for his son.

but……

Three months of slow slicing!

Sun Zhixie was tortured to death for three whole months! He couldn't bear it.

So in the end he couldn't bear his own weakness and tried to commit suicide, but his wife reacted in time.

"Poison, poisonous woman!"

He lay on the ground and looked at Tao with hatred.

Of course, Mrs. Tao had no time for this. She urged her servants to dress Duke Yansheng in court robes, quickly cut off his rat-tail tail, found a wig, and put on his official hat, essentially restoring him to his former status as Duke Yansheng of the Ming Dynasty. Then, he was carried out on a stretcher, and the ceremonial procession for his arrival was prepared. Under the astonished gaze of the common people outside, along with the other families who had been waiting for him, who had also cut off their tails and put on their old official uniforms, they gazed at the Duke Yansheng on the stretcher with delight.

It is indeed a joy.

After all, Duke Yansheng is in charge.

They marched out of the city in a mighty procession, and not far away, they saw the vanguard cavalry of the imperial camp...

Half an hour later.

Outside the city gate of Qufu.

"Gong Yinzhi?"

Yang Feng looked at the Duke Yansheng on the ground with great interest.

The latter seemed like a different person in an instant and struggled to roll off the stretcher.

"Emperor Taizu Gao, Emperor Taizu Gao, I am wronged!"

He lay on the ground as if he had seen his relatives, crying with a heart full of grievances.

"What's your grievance?"

After Yang Feng finished speaking, he sat down on the chair.

"Emperor Taizu, I surrendered because I mistakenly believed the Qing invaders were seeking revenge for Emperor Chongzhen!
I thought that the rebels had captured the capital and murdered Emperor Chongzhen, and that I had an irreconcilable feud with the emperor and father. Moreover, the capital had fallen and the country was overthrown. Whoever could avenge me at this time would be my master. I surrendered because the Qing demons entered the pass to recapture the capital and avenge me. I never thought that the Qing demons were determined to conquer the Ming Dynasty!

Duke Yansheng wailed.

"But I heard that you also pretended to be the Emperor of the Great Shun Dynasty and would come to welcome the rebels?"

Yang Feng said.

"Uh?"

Duke Yansheng was stunned for a moment.

"Emperor Taizu, this is a rumor. I have never said anything like this!"

He quickly explained.

"Tell me, has he ever faced a rebellion?"

Yang Feng looked at the people around him who were also kneeling.

"Replying to the Great Ancestor, before the rebel arrived, he had already ordered each family to prepare their tablets and be ready to welcome him."

"Grandpa, he first faced the rebels, and then the Qing monsters."

……

The people shouted.

We are not stupid. As long as the Kong family falls, everyone will have enough to eat.

Amid their shouts, Yang Feng looked at Duke Yansheng who was lying on the ground.

The latter was sweating profusely and shivering as he lay there.

"When the Jin people came, you knelt to welcome them. When the Mongols came, you knelt to welcome them. When I came, you knelt to welcome me. When the rebels came, you knelt to welcome them. When the Qing demons came, you knelt to welcome them. Then I really want to know, if the red-haired people come in the future, will you also kneel to welcome them?
If the Japanese come, will you also kneel down to welcome them?

The Qing demons are coming, and you're shaving your heads and changing your clothes. Does that mean your ancestral images have to be changed too?"

Yang Feng said.

"Replying to Master Taizu, the master has indeed prepared a portrait of Confucius with a golden rat tail. When the Qing demons send someone to announce the decree, he will put it on to show his loyalty to the Qing demons."

A maid said cautiously.

"You slut, you're slandering me, Master Taizu! This slut has just been punished. She deliberately framed my family! She framed my family!"

Tao shouted anxiously.

"Go, bring it to me for a look!"

Yang Feng said.

Zhuang Nai immediately stepped forward and left with the maid.

This place was actually just outside the city, so less than five minutes later, they returned. Zhuang Nai then presented a portrait to Yang Feng, who opened it and smiled at the portrait of Confucius in the shape of a golden rat tail. He then stood up and showed it to the crowd. The crowd immediately erupted in laughter, including the locals. Duke Yansheng continued to lie prone on the ground, his face pressed against the ground. After all, this was still quite embarrassing.

He was actually forced.

He had not originally prepared this, but Dorgon hinted to him to do so in order to force him into having no choice.

Of course, in reality, he had to take the lead and force the gentry in various places to replace all the portraits of Confucius in the Confucian Temple with rat tails. This would completely bind the two sides together in the Confucian system, leaving them no room for wavering.

"Confucius of the Golden Rat Tail, this is your integrity!"

Yang Feng said.

The next moment, he suddenly hit Yanshenggong on the head with the portrait in his hand.

The latter screamed and rolled to the side.

"Lingchi, do it for me, do it for Confucius, do it for the law of the land, do it three times, once in front of Confucius' mausoleum, and twice in Nanjing."

Yang Feng said.

Duke Yansheng could only cry.

The Tao family and other hereditary doctors of the Five Classics from families like Yan, Zeng, and Dongye visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"This woman tried to deceive me. For the crime of deceiving the emperor, she shall be tortured to death!"

Yang Feng pointed at Tao and said.

Then he looked at the other Pentateuchal doctors.

"Took off their official hats and wigs."

He said.

The soldiers immediately stepped forward and knocked off the men's official hats and ripped off their wigs, revealing their bald heads that had just had their tails cut off.

"Let's torture their ancestors to death. All sacrificial land will be reclaimed and given to those who cultivate it. All private land will be confiscated and given to those who cultivate it. The worship of Confucius cannot be abolished, and all local people with the surname Kong will worship him publicly. The Duke of Yansheng's mansion and other properties will also be publicly owned by the Kong family. Their money will be confiscated to pay for my northern tour. The same will be done to all other families. The Duke of Yansheng and all other hereditary officials will be abolished."

Yang Feng said.

"Emperor Taizu, spare my life!"

"Emperor Taizu, spare my life!"

……

The hereditary doctors of the Pentateuch howled in horror.

Yang Feng ignored them and looked at the slightly damaged portrait in his hand.

This thing certainly couldn't be made of paper, so it wasn't broken, just a little damaged, but the Confucius with the Golden Money Rat Tail was still intact.

"You're really quick. You've already done it in less than two years. Is this what your ancestors looked like?"

He said with a sneer.

Then he raised his foot and stepped on Kong Yinzhi.

"Taizu, please spare my life, Taizu, please spare my life..."

The latter held his head and screamed.

(End of this chapter)