Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 140 Down with the Confucian Temple
What was most important in the seventeenth century?

Talent!

Or rather, regardless of which century it is placed in.

Talent is a key factor that determines whether a country that wants to keep moving forward can prosper.

Zhu Youjian currently feels somewhat powerless in this regard.

It's not that the Ming Dynasty lacked talent or anything like that.

China is a vast country with a population of over 100 million, and the Han people are the most superior race in the world.

The Ming Dynasty could not possibly lack talented people.

But here's the thing.

Zhu Youjian was unable to discover these talents in a short period of time and then use them to benefit the Ming Dynasty and drive the empire forward.

The main reason is that although Zhu Youjian was a time traveler from the future, he did not know much about the history of the Ming Dynasty.

For example, he knew nothing about the famous scientists, intellectuals, loyal ministers and generals who lived during that era in the Ming Dynasty.

Otherwise, we would have already followed the map and searched for them one by one.

He did know a bit about world history.

For example, Galileo, Fermat, Descartes, and Newton, a top-tier all-rounder who wouldn't be born for another ten years or so.

If we could bring all these talented people under the Ming Dynasty's control...

Then the Ming Dynasty will surely achieve a qualitative leap in a short period of time.

Well, although all of these people are of different races.

But as long as they are given the title of honorary citizens of the Ming Dynasty, everything will be fine.

Zhu Youjian was very clear that one person's strength was ultimately limited, and at this moment he was no longer as stubborn and self-willed as he had been in his previous life.

of course.

If the aforementioned individuals were unwilling to submit to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youjian would not hesitate to find them one by one and slaughter them all.

If the Ming Dynasty cannot obtain such talent, then no other country deserves to possess it either.

What if it threatens the rule of the Ming Dynasty?
The wisdom of later generations should absolutely not be trusted.

However, all of this is a story for later; the Ming Dynasty at present is still a long way from achieving this goal.

Thinking about these things, Zhu Youjian rubbed his temples.

After returning to the capital this time.

We need to implement further measures to try and select a new batch of talented individuals.

Although he had promoted physics and mathematics in the capital before leaving it.

But that was ultimately just enlightenment.

The purge of the monopolistic class could certainly allow fresh blood to flow into the Ming Dynasty.

However, compared to the world today, where maritime plundering culture is highly developed, it is somewhat inadequate.

Selecting talent is imperative.

After thinking for a moment.

Zhu Youjian slowly put these thoughts out of his mind for the time being.

What needs to be done now.

Let's deal with the remaining troublemakers in Shandong first, and we can deal with the rest later.

the other side.

After Mao Wenlong left, Kong Yinzhi had completely calmed down.

After secretly exchanging some things with a few trusted confidants, he remained inside the carriage and began to write.

The paper was covered with the same words, written in dense strokes: "A towering mountain to be admired."

Kong Yinzhi wrote with utmost concentration, stroke by stroke.

If it weren't for the tense atmosphere conveyed between the lines...

If others saw this scene, they would probably just think that Kong Yinzhi was concentrating on practicing calligraphy.

Only Kong Yinzhi himself knew the immense torment he was going through.

soon.

Time comes to night.

When Tian Hong and Zhang Zhuo heard Kong Yinzhi say that he had something important to discuss with them, they immediately turned back from the middle of the road.

Unfortunately.

Before the two men and their entourage even saw Kong Yinzhi's face, they were ambushed on the way.

The heads of two powerful and prestigious clans.

And so, he closed his eyes forever, dying a humiliating death without any explanation.

However, if they knew Kong Yinzhi's fate from beyond the grave, they would only be glad that they died more easily.

Sometimes, dying easily is a kind of relief.

Especially under the current Ming emperor's rule, if one doesn't die early on, then later on, it's really impossible to die even if one wants to.

now.

Kong Yinzhi looked at the two corpses and sighed deeply.

He waved away his attendants, stood alone before the two corpses, and said calmly:

"Brother Tian, ​​Brother Zhang, don't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame that beastly emperor for his debauchery and tyranny."

“He used my entire Kong clan as leverage, so I had no choice.”

"But please rest assured, I will avenge you."

Done.

Kong Yinzhi's gaze suddenly turned sharp.

He drew a sharp blade from his waist and, as if cutting rice paper, cleanly severed the two men's heads without the slightest hesitation.

The blood stained Kong Yinzhi's Confucian robe, creating a stark and horrifying contrast.

then.

Kong Yinzhi, expressionless, carried the two heads to Kong Yinchang.

Kong Yinchang trembled inwardly as he looked at his elder brother's expression.

My elder brother is usually gentle and refined.

He's never even killed a fly, let alone murdered someone.

But ever since the emperor came to Shandong, my elder brother's personality has undergone a complete transformation.

Kong Yinchang almost didn't recognize him; this was still the kind and polite elder brother he once knew.

He swallowed and looked at Kong Yinzhi: "Elder brother."

Kong Yinzhi forced a smile and pressed Kong Yinchang's shoulder firmly:

"The emperor is ruthless, so we can only survive if we are even more ruthless than him."

"Only in this way can my Duke Yansheng's mansion continue to be passed down from generation to generation, and continue to thrive."

Kong Yinchang, whose face still bore a hint of childishness, nodded vigorously: "I understand, elder brother."

"That's good." Kong Yinzhi smiled and then plunged the sharp blade in his hand into Kong Yinchang's chest.

Kong Yinchang's face turned pale instantly.

He looked incredulously at the sharp knife stuck in his chest, clutched his chest, took two steps back, and fell straight backward.

The sharp knife plunged directly into the heart.

So in just a few moments, Kong Yinchang, who had fallen to the ground, convulsed a few times before all his life force was gone.

Even after he died, his eyes remained wide open, staring intently at his brother.

Kong Yinzhi remained expressionless as he stared at his younger brother's corpse.

He stepped forward, reached out and closed Kong Yinchang's eyes, then cut off Kong Yinchang's head as well.

He had no choice but to get rid of the emperor.

Only Kong Yinchang died along with Zhang Zhuo and Tian Hong.

Only then could he maximize his efforts to unite the Tian and Zhang families to deal with the emperor.

Kong Yinzhi wiped the blood from his hands with his clothes, then put Kong Yinchang's head into a box and calmly instructed a trusted aide:

"Go and deliver my brother's head to the Tian and Zhang families."

“Tell them that I have used the deaths of my own younger brother, Tian Hong, and Zhang Zhuo as bargaining chips to get the emperor to leave Shandong, so that I can ensure temporary peace.”

"After the emperor leaves Shandong, only through the wholehearted cooperation of our three families can we preserve our family lineage."

"Otherwise, the fate of those three today will likely be the fate of the three great families of Shandong in the future."

The trusted confidant responded and left.

Kong Yinzhi watched as the wooden box containing his younger brother's head gradually disappeared, and slowly closed his eyes.

That was the younger brother he had raised since childhood, and now he had killed him with his own hands... The pain he felt was indescribable.

And all of this is because of that beastly emperor.

Thinking of the emperor's face, Kong Yinzhi only wished he could rush up and tear his flesh off piece by piece.

He swears he will not be a man if he does not avenge this!

Just wait, Zhu Youjian.

I, Kong Yinzhi, will make your Zhu family pay a price thousands of times over!

Unfortunately. Given the current situation...

Kong Yinzhi's grand ambitions ultimately did not have the chance to last long.

Because the delivery time has arrived.

Kong Yinzhi was just internally swearing an oath that he would not only ruin Zhu Youjian's reputation but also confiscate his property and exterminate his entire clan.

Then news came from his men: Mao Wenlong has arrived.

Kong Yinzhi had no choice but to force himself to calm down, change his clothes, and then take the heads of Tian Hong and Zhang Zhuo to meet Mao Wenlong.

After receiving the goods.

Mao Wenlong glanced at Kong Yinzhi.

Without pausing, he turned and left.

In Mao Wenlong's eyes, Kong Yinzhi is now as ridiculous as a clown.

There's no need to waste words with such a clown.

So this time.

This gave the Duke Yansheng of the Ming Dynasty ample time to continue making oaths and devising strategies.

Not long after.

Mao Wenlong then returned with the heads of Tian Hong and Zhang Zhuo.

As Mao Wenlong successfully completed his mission, Zhu Youjian appeared among the disaster victims without any pause.

Although it was already dark, the group of disaster victims were still excited and showed no signs of fatigue.

They had just finished dredging the waterway with the emperor during the day; they were working alongside the emperor!
This is a feat that you can talk about with your descendants for half your life.

This is the only thing that can't help but excite you.

So when Zhu Youjian appeared, the crowd of disaster victims immediately surrounded him.

In front of numerous disaster victims, Zhu Youjian dropped a bombshell:
There is now concrete evidence to prove this.

The breaching of dikes in fifteen counties in Shandong overnight was orchestrated by the Duke of Yansheng's mansion, with the aim of making the emperor bear the infamy of being tyrannical.

The once noisy and excited crowd instantly fell silent.

If someone else had said this, they would have scoffed at it.

The Duke Yansheng's mansion has existed in Shandong for over a thousand years, although we haven't heard of them doing any great good deeds.

But I've never really heard of them having too many bad reputations.
So if the story of a son being born without an anus was said to be the work of the Kong family, they really wouldn't believe it.

But these words were spoken by the emperor himself.

The emperor himself stepped into the mud with them to repair the river, so how could we possibly lie to them?
After a moment of silence, the crowd immediately began to discuss the matter heatedly.

"I knew long ago that someone was behind this. How could the river embankments in fifteen counties, which hadn't suffered any disasters or floods, all collapse overnight?!"

"Just two days ago, the Duke Yansheng was weeping bitterly in front of us. Could it all have been an act?!"

"That's exactly what I think. These old men are the best actors!"

"."

Facing the angry and disgruntled masses of disaster victims.

Zhu Youjian offered no further explanation.

Instead, he led the well-prepared army directly towards Qufu.

Following Zhu Youjian's actions, the remaining tens of thousands of disaster victims hesitated for a moment before silently following suit.

People have a herd mentality, especially now that they are following the emperor.

Anyway, let's go and take a look first.

Some of those who followed genuinely took the opportunity to hate the Kong family, because they needed an object to vent their hatred after their families were destroyed.

Most of the rest were there just to watch the show, thinking they might as well go and get a free meal.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that many people in the crowd simply want to see those of higher status than themselves suffer.

Zhu Youjian didn't care what the crowd thought; as long as it worked, that was fine.

As the army set off.

Not long after, Kong Yinzhi, who was still standing nearby, heard the news.

Upon hearing that the group was heading towards Qufu, Kong Yinzhi collapsed in the carriage as if his spine had been removed.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he felt nothing as his fingernails dug into his palms with his clenched fists.

Could the emperors of the Ming Dynasty really be so shameless and despicable?!
I just handed him the kills he wanted, and the next moment he's going to send troops without a second thought?!
Is this still a fucking human being?
Is there no humanity left in this world?!
To attack the Duke Yansheng's mansion, which has a history of over a thousand years, doesn't he know how devastating this will be for the Ming Dynasty?!

What exactly was his purpose in acting so rebelliously?

Kong Yinzhi, who was slumped on the ground, terrified his men.

A group of people were busy patting their chests and trying to catch their breath, almost causing Kong Yinzhi to die of anger.

Having caught his breath, Kong Yinzhi no longer harbored any illusions. He raised his hand and said weakly:

"Quickly, go back and tell your families to run as fast as they can, and don't take any money or supplies with them!"

"Take me to the Tian and Zhang families again. I'm going to fight that beast to the death!"

Zhu Youjian's first stop was not far from Qufu.
So, after traveling for about half a day, the group arrived at their destination.

Upon arriving at their destination, the group discovered that the Kong family members were fleeing in large numbers.

Good grief, if you have nothing to hide, why are you running away?!

The breach in the dike was truly caused by you bunch of childless bastards!

Since that's the case, what's there to say? Let's start the killing!
That night.

Bloodshed shook the heavens within the city of Qufu.

Almost all the direct descendants of the Kong family in the Duke Yansheng's mansion were slaughtered overnight.

But that's not the most important thing.

The key point is that after killing the people, the group rushed into the mansion.

They discovered countless treasures of gold and silver inside.

Just how much wealth did the Duke Yansheng's mansion possess?

Many rooms and cellars contain silver gourds the size of winter melons.

The number of these silver gourds is so great that they are countless, dazzling the eyes.

With so many eyes witnessing it, the image of the Duke of Yansheng's mansion, built up over many years, collapsed in an instant.

This one silver melon might be the entire life savings of an ordinary person.

With so many silver gourds inside the Confucius Mansion, how many lives were buried behind this splendid mansion?!

Damn it, is this the dignified Duke Yansheng of the Ming Dynasty?
Looking again at the huge "High Mountain Respect" plaque in the ancestral hall inside the mansion, everyone found it both laughable and glaring.

Public anger was ignited almost instantly.

The crowd spontaneously chanted slogans: "Down with the Confucian Temple!"

The massive scale of the event not only shook the entire city of Qufu, but also caused surrounding towns to witness the anger emanating from the grassroots.

It was to be expected.

What happened tonight will spread throughout Shandong and even the whole country in a very short time.

The so-called Duke Yansheng will be thoroughly nailed to the pillar of historical shame.

And at the same time.

Kong Yinzhi had just found the Tian and Zhang families.

After Kong Yinzhi recounted the emperor's attempt to launch a surprise attack on Qufu, neither family immediately led their troops to fight the emperor to the death, as Kong had predicted.

The two companies' ideas were quite simple.

With so many disaster victims surrounding the emperor, how can we fight?
Not to mention, it was your house that we went to, not mine.

Even Kong Yinzhi's attempt to leave with his troops was temporarily thwarted by both families.

Since things have come to this, let's wait for the specific news to come out tomorrow before making any further comments.

soon.

The time came the next day.

To the surprise of the Tian and Zhang families, the emperor uprooted the entire Duke Yansheng's mansion overnight.

Not only that.

The emperor also issued an imperial edict ordering the Tian and Zhang families to take charge of gathering the refugees who had joined the riot.

We're not even an official government; are you expecting us to take in refugees?!

Is there any heavenly principle? Are there any laws?
But the emperor's edict is the golden rule, and even if they don't want to do it now, the hundreds of thousands of disaster victims in Shandong will not agree.

What began because of them will ultimately end because of them.

Besides this imperial edict.

The Tian and Zhang families also received an additional piece of intelligence: the deaths of Tian Hong and Zhang Zhuo were entirely due to Kong Yinzhi using their heads to make a deal with the emperor, betraying his friends for personal gain.

The gazes of everyone from the Tian and Zhang families toward Kong Yinzhi instantly turned icy.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kong Yinzhi will not have to worry about his safety for a long time.

Because he will experience what it truly means to wish for death but not be able to.

And this time.

Zhu Youjian, the instigator of everything, had already loaded a large amount of spoils onto a cart and embarked on his journey back to the capital.

The main theme is to accomplish something and then leave without a trace, concealing one's merits and fame.

(End of this chapter)