The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 362 Even the donkeys in the production team shouldn't be treated like this!

Although this quote is from Mencius, Kong Yujin, as the Duke of Yansheng, had naturally read Mencius.

When the Crown Prince mentioned "the blessings of a virtuous person will last for five generations," Kong Yujin's expression darkened for a moment.

However, he quickly relaxed again.

This statement might be true for ordinary people, but since he is a descendant of a sage, it doesn't apply to him at all.

His ancestors were saints!

Throughout history, the Confucius family has only become more and more respected and favored; there has never been any reason for them to lose their favor.

So what is there for him to panic about?

So he smiled and said calmly, “Your Highness, the saying ‘The blessings of a virtuous person last only five generations’ comes from Mencius. It means that the virtue of a virtuous person will be exhausted after five generations.”

"However, this refers to a 'gentleman'."

Kong Yujin specifically emphasized "gentleman," implying that this does not include descendants of sages like himself.

Looking at Kong Yujin's relaxed expression, Shen Ye knew that there was no point in continuing the conversation today.

This Kong Yujin won't shed a tear until she sees the coffin!

He won't obediently bow his head unless you beat him until it hurts.

So Shen Ye picked up his teacup and looked at Kong Yujin without saying a word.

As the Duke Yansheng, Kong Yujin was always a distinguished guest in front of Emperor Qianxi. How could he have ever received such treatment from the Crown Prince, who treated him like a guest being "served tea and seen off"? His expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.

But he knew in his heart that what he had just said had indeed disobeyed the Crown Prince's wishes.

However, Kong Yujin did not regret it—because in his opinion, the matter that the Crown Prince had proposed was simply impossible to accomplish.

If they were to follow this advice, the Kong family would suffer enormous losses.

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. I will take my leave now." Kong Yujin stood up and said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I have something else to say, which may be inappropriate, but it comes from the bottom of my heart!"

His voice was solemn: "Your Highness, you are the heart and soul of all the people under heaven; you must not let them down!"

Shen Ye understood.

This is a warning!
He was warned not to offend the gentry of the land, otherwise, there would be no benefit whatsoever.

Shen Ye smiled slightly and replied, "Duke Yansheng, then I'll also give you a piece of advice—the trend of the world is vast and unstoppable; those who follow it prosper, and those who oppose it perish!"

Kong Yujin's expression changed, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she bowed respectfully and strode away.

Watching his retreating figure, a cold smile appeared on Shen Ye's face.

Someone who's been treated like a memorial tablet is not worthy of talking to him about "the hopes of the world"!
After taking a sip of tea, various thoughts began to surge in Shen Ye's mind.

The Confucian family is enshrined on a memorial tablet, but moving it is not an easy task.

After all, most of the civil and military officials in the court were scholars.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Ye had an idea.

However, before doing this, he still had to go to Emperor Qianxi first, since this matter ultimately required Emperor Qianxi's approval.

This time, when Shen Ye arrived outside the Sizhi Study, he saw that there were many more court officials waiting to be summoned by Emperor Qianxi.

Not only was Zou Yunjin, the Minister of Personnel, there was also Chen Tingjing, the Left Censor-in-Chief, and others.

Seeing Shen Ye approach, Zou Yunjin gave a wry smile.

He was doing a good job as the Minister of Personnel, but unexpectedly, the Crown Prince's criticism of Zhen Yan put him in the eye of the storm.

Zou Yunjin felt that he had only watched from afar as two unrelated people fought, but in the end, he was the one who got hurt the most!

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Despite harboring some resentment towards Shen Ye, the instigator, Zou Yunjin still respectfully came forward to pay his respects.

After all, it's a matter of etiquette.

Shen Ye said calmly, "Minister Zou, there's no need for such formalities."

Zou Yunjin said with a bitter expression, "Your Highness, these past two days have been like being roasted on a stove!"

Hearing Zou Yunjin's complaints, Shen Ye glanced at him and said, "Minister Zou, didn't you give me a big 'surprise' this time during the capital inspection?"

"If it weren't for Shen Zhumo and Zhen Yan, I really wouldn't have known that I had so many things going on during the capital inspection!"

Upon hearing the hidden meaning in Shen Ye's words, Zou Yunjin's expression changed.

He could understand the meaning behind Shen Ye's words.

He immediately straightened his posture and said, "Your Highness, I am utterly loyal to you!"

"Although I am the Minister of Personnel, my tenure is still too short. As for the Ministry of Personnel..."

Just then, Liang Jiugong came out and invited Shen Ye inside.

This time, Emperor Qianxi looked even better. Upon seeing Shen Ye, he smiled and said, "Crown Prince, do you know how many people have petitioned for severe punishment of Zhen Yan?"

Shen Ye smiled as he looked at the somewhat gloating Emperor Qianxi and said, "There should be quite a few."

There are at least four or five hundred people.

At this point, Emperor Qianxi's tone turned serious: "It seems that making officials and gentry pay taxes like commoners will face considerable resistance!"

Shen Ye thought to herself, "You're obviously trying to take money out of other people's pockets. How can the resistance be small?"
Even the usually submissive Duke Yansheng now dares to recklessly issue warnings to me!
Thinking this to himself, he said seriously, "Father, if we want this matter to proceed smoothly, we can only make an example of someone to scare others."

Emperor Qianxi understood immediately upon hearing this.

Some things can't be resolved by persuasion alone; you have to use some methods.

So he asked in a deep voice, "Whom do you want to harm?"

"Your subject believes that the Duke Yansheng is the perfect age and carries the weight of this matter," Shen Ye said with a smile. "Moreover, he is the one who opposes this matter the most." Duke Yansheng!
Emperor Qianxi's expression hardened!
Even emperors hesitated when it came to harming the descendants of sages.

He hesitated for a moment and then said, "Can't we choose another one?"

Shen Ye said, "Your subject has spoken with the Duke of Yansheng. He said that the ancestral system cannot be changed, otherwise, we will lose the support of the gentry and scholars of the land."

“If Father Emperor does not want to implement tax reform, then the Duke of Yansheng can naturally remain unchanged.”

Emperor Qianxi's expression changed.

For him, moving the Duke of Yansheng was indeed not the best option.

After a moment, Emperor Qianxi asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Shen Ye calmly replied, "Your subject plans to have someone impeach the Duke Yansheng, and then start a debate in the court."

"The main point of the debate is that the blessings bestowed by a virtuous person will only last five generations!"

"No matter how profound the legacy of Confucius was, it could not surpass that of ancient sage emperors like Yao, Shun, and Yu."

"Moreover, Confucius advocated frugality throughout his life, and he certainly couldn't bear to see ordinary people suffer!"

"Furthermore, the Duke Yansheng's mansion has too many people; it's time for them to split up!"

"Or to put it more politely—that is, to send them to different regions to spread the sage's fame!"

A hint of a smile flashed across Emperor Qianxi's eyes as he listened to Shen Ye's words.

The Crown Prince's move was exactly what he wanted; it was a move to dismantle the Duke Yansheng's mansion into eight pieces.

He had long been dissatisfied with the Duke of Yansheng's mansion's possession of a million acres of fertile land and its control over a region.

However, because there were too many scholars in the world, he was unwilling to make any trouble and never took action.

Taking advantage of the tax reform, it's not bad to deal with the Duke Yansheng's mansion in the process.

No wonder people always say that the Crown Prince is as cunning as a beehive!

Look at him, no matter how difficult the situation, he can always find a new way to solve it. His young mind is really sharp!
"Have you decided who should submit the memorial?" Emperor Qianxi asked, picking up a memorial.

Shen Ye hadn't really thought it through yet, and truthfully replied, "Your subject hasn't decided yet."

"No need to think about it anymore, let Zhen Yan do it!" Emperor Qianxi toyed with the memorial in his hand and said with a smile, "Doesn't he want to be Hai Rui? Then let him have his fill!"

Upon hearing the candidate recommended by Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye just wanted to shout at the emperor: "This is not how you use donkeys in a production team!"

One book criticizes the emperor, another beheads the gentry, and yet another sweeps away the descendants of sages!
This leaves no way for people to survive.

Thinking of Zhen Yan's appearance, Shen Ye silently mourned for him for a few minutes, then smiled and said, "Father is wise. Your son seems to see a divine sword of our Great Zhou rising slowly."

Emperor Qianxi also laughed and instructed Shen Ye, "In the future, the Infantry Commander's Office should strengthen the protection of this Zhen Yan."

"We absolutely cannot let anything happen to him."

"I've heard that quite a few scholars and students from the Imperial Academy in Shuntian Prefecture are now blocking his door and cursing him."

"Zhen Yan doesn't even dare to leave the house now."

Seeing Emperor Qianxi's expression of enjoying the show, Shen Ye was very suspicious of his true motives for not letting Zhen Yan cause trouble.

Since Emperor Qianxi had given his approval, Shen Ye had no more concerns.

However, when Shen Ye thought of Emperor Qianxi's words about "making good use" of Zhen Yan, another idea came to mind.

He solemnly said, "Father, I mentioned to you before that it is a big deal to have officials, gentry and commoners pay taxes together, and all my brothers should be involved."

"Your Majesty, I believe it is time for them all to contribute their share."

"Why don't we gather all the brothers together and assign them some tasks?"

Emperor Qianxi smiled at Shen Ye. He understood Shen Ye's purpose: to drag his brothers down with him and share the blame.

However, he does not object to it.

So he waved his hand and said, "Since this matter is entrusted to you, you shall take full responsibility."

“You did a good job criticizing the casting last time, so you'll be in charge of directing things again this time.”

Shen Ye wanted to hear those words. Seeing that Emperor Qianxi had agreed, he didn't say anything more and simply bowed and took his leave.

"By the way, take these memorials back with you first, and let Zhen Yan take a look when he arrives."

Just as Shen Ye met with Emperor Qianxi, Kong Yujin had already arrived at the residence of the Third Prince, Prince Cheng.

Because Prince Cheng was both learned and skilled in martial arts, and was known for his love of learning, Kong Yujin and Prince Cheng had a long-standing friendship.

Having disobeyed the Crown Prince this time, he immediately went to pay a visit to Prince Cheng, hoping that the Third Prince could give him some support.

After listening to what Kong Yujin said, the Third Prince smiled and comforted her: "Don't worry, Duke Yansheng, the court has always valued the Duke Yansheng's mansion."

"Neither His Majesty nor the officials in the court will allow anything to go wrong."

"Don't worry, if anything happens, I will definitely speak up for you."

Hearing the Third Prince's words, Kong Yujin felt much relieved.

He solemnly said to the Third Prince, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful."

The two talked for a while longer before the Duke of Yansheng took his leave.

The Third Prince's smile deepened as he looked at the generous gift list presented by Kong Yujin.

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(End of this chapter)