Chapter 281 Severe Punishment (6100 words long chapter)

Chapter 281 Severe Punishment (6100 words long chapter)

"This Holy Duke Kong Yan is really ruthless. Do you think I will let it go because of this?"

Zhu Houzhao put down the memorial of Kong Yanshenggong. He knew that now Kong Yanshenggong did this, which meant that he could no longer blame Kong Yanshenggong for the sins Kong Wenyun had done. By the way, he paid 300,000 stone grain. There is a kind of bribery in the name of donation. It feels like spending money to beg forgiveness from the emperor myself.

However, Zhu Houzhao did not want to forgive Kong Yanshenggong so easily.

There were many powerful people in the Ming Dynasty, and Shenggong Kong Yan was just one of them.

Although Zhu Houzhao knew that these powerful people were parasites attached to the people of Ming Dynasty, they were the culprits that aggravated social conflicts.

The more ruthless Zhu Houzhao is to these powerful people, the better it will be for his own country.

After all, now is not the time to conquer the world, and he no longer needs the support of these powerful people.

But Zhu Houzhao also knew that he could not attack these powerful people casually, at least not without reason. Firstly, many powerful people did because their ancestors had contributed to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. Secondly, once the powerful people were forced to die, they would support new masters. .

What's more, many powerful people are his confidants, and they are the basis for him to effectively rule the Ming Dynasty.

But Kong Yanshenggong and Zhu Houzhao must be moved.

First of all, Shenggong Kong Yan is not his confidant, and there is no need for him to keep him as his lackey.

What's more, Zhu Houzhao also knew that Duke Kong Yan could not be a loyal lackey and was only suitable to be a faggot, relying on the reputation of his ancestor Confucius to beg for mercy from the rulers of various dynasties to obtain a respected status.

Secondly, Duke Kong Yan did not abide by the rules.

As for whether he had done other crimes that the gentry and powerful men could do, such as annexing land, lending money, manipulating officialdom, etc., Zhu Houzhao didn't know yet, but at least what Zhu Houzhao can confirm now is that the people from Kong Yanshenggong's mansion were involved in manipulating grain prices in the capital.

If a family of martial arts master who is not one of his confidants and has no meritorious service to the Ming Dynasty has committed a crime, he, the emperor, can naturally take action.

Of course, Zhu Houzhao also knew that the real obstacles to his efforts to move Kong Yanshenggong's palace were some of the so-called Neo-Confucian officials in the court. In their eyes, Yanshenggong, who became a powerful figure because of Confucius's academic and ideological status, was comparable to those who relied on the influence of Confucius. The military honors that have made him a powerful person must be pure and noble.

After all, respecting the status of the Holy Duke Kong Yan is equivalent to respecting the status of Confucianism, which is also equivalent to maintaining their status as the official officials of Neo-Confucianism.

Of course, Zhu Houzhao also knew that in addition to himself, the emperor possessed by the time traveler, emperors of the past dynasties would also respect the status of the Holy Duke Kong Yan.

After all, the emperor also needed to maintain his Confucian status to ensure the stability of his rule and to enslave the people of the entire empire for a longer period of time.

What Zhu Houzhao wanted was to free Ming Dynasty from the farming and civilized society under Confucian rule, not just to be the largest slave owner in the world. Therefore, it was destined that he could not tolerate the Confucian family having such a high status.

"According to the Ministry of Rites, Kong Wenshao failed to restrain his clan members and almost caused turmoil in the capital. I was very disappointed and deprived him of the hereditary title of Yanshenggong and demoted him to a common people!"

As soon as Zhu Houzhao's words came out, even the chamberlain Liu Jin opened his mouth in surprise. He thought that Duke Kong Yan asked Kong Wenyun's father to hang himself, and then paid 300,000 stone grain to calm the emperor's anger, but he did not expect that the emperor would actually want to The hereditary title of Duke Kong Yan was removed.

"Obey!"

Liu Jin did not dare to resist Zhu Houzhao's decision, and as a minister, he did not have much protection for the Kong family.

Zhu Houzhao's decree to remove Kong Wenshao from the hereditary title of Shenggong Kong Yan reached the cabinet. Liu Yu, the chief minister of the cabinet, was also shocked when he saw this, but he was the chief minister who only obeyed the emperor's orders, and he also knew that he did not need to disobey the emperor for the sake of the Kong family, so naturally he also No objection was raised and the order was accepted.

Zhu Houzhao could also expect that although there were civil servants in the court who protected or respected the Confucius family, and even believed that the existence of the Duke of Yansheng was orthodox, these civil servants who were wise and protective did not dare to openly resist the emperor's will.

Therefore, in this way, it became an established fact that the Dukedom of Kong Yansheng was deposed.

"I accept the decree!"

When Kong Wenshao received this imperial edict, his face was ashen. He did not expect that his family's hereditary dukedom would be lost. Naturally, he had complaints about Emperor Zhu Houzhao in his heart, but he also knew that Ming Dynasty was still the greatest emperor, and His position in the Kong family was originally given by the emperor, but now that the emperor wants to take it back, he cannot complain.

Kong Wenshao could only hope in his heart that the title of his Kong family would be restored when the new emperor came to the throne. He couldn't help but said in his heart: "Now that His Majesty the Emperor does not value Confucianism and even harbors hatred, he will naturally not allow himself to do so." There is something wrong with the Kong family, and so is Wen Yun. They must do business and make profits while this tyrant is in power!”

Zhu Houzhao knew that he was treating the Confucius family without any mercy. The Confucius family and many Neo-Confucian officials would be very dissatisfied with him, but he was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Even if the Confucius family and many Neo-Confucian officials were dissatisfied, they could only be dissatisfied in their hearts. You can't do anything to yourself.

However.

Before Zhu Houzhao planned to end it, two million stones of grain were burned by Kong Wenyun, a descendant of the Confucius family, and others, which almost caused turmoil in the entire capital due to the food shortage. It also caused a lot of losses to the Ming court, and even made him eat sweet potatoes for a long time. , I can't let it go just because the Kong family sent 300,000 shi of food.

"Password! Although the house where Kong Wenyun lived has been expelled from the family tree by his father, Kong Wenyun was still a descendant of the Confucius family of the Beizong when he burned two million stone grains, and his family cannot expel him because of the Kong Wenyun incident. Escape from punishment by revealing your genealogy

The two million stones of grain burned by Kong Wenyun were the emergency supplies for the capital. However, they were burned by Kong Wenyun, which almost led to turmoil in the capital and the destruction of the Ming Dynasty. The consequences were very serious. Although it did not happen, it should be severely punished! The Confucius family paid compensation of 7 million silver dollars, of which 6 million was based on the price of grain in the capital at three yuan per stone at that time, and 1 million was the interest that the Confucius family failed to compensate in time after Kong Wenyun burned the grain! The court happily accepted his donation of 300,000 shi of food! ”

After Zhu Houzhao's order was conveyed to Kong Wenshao, Kong Wenshao almost fainted.

He originally thought that the emperor would easily spare his Kong family, but he did not expect that Emperor Zhu Houzhao not only dismissed the hereditary duke of his Kong family, but now he also wanted his Kong family to pay compensation of seven million silver dollars!

Kong Wenshao had nothing to say about the removal of the title, and he could not object. After all, the title was given to him by the emperor Zhu Houzhao.

But Kong Wenshao couldn't accept it, and he didn't want to accept it if the Kong family was asked to compensate the court with seven million silver dollars!

Because seven million silver dollars is an astronomical sum for the Kong family.

If he really wants to pay seven million silver dollars, it means that all the land acquired by the Kong family over the years will be sold, and all the male and female servants in the family who have been converted from slaves to long-term workers will have to be fired. All the property must be sold, which means that the Kong family will completely become an ordinary family.

"The imperial court has already taken away the title of my Kong family, and now it wants to take away the property of my Kong family. In this way, my Kong family will become a completely powerless common people! Brother, we cannot compensate for these seven million silver dollars. , even if we have to pay, we can’t pay so much! It’s okay for the concubine’s family, they can still farm their own land, but it’s hard for us, the direct family members, to farm too!”

Kong Wenshao's younger brother Kong Wenli also said excitedly at this moment.

"For the current plan, I can only go to Master Futai to think of a way and seal three thousand silver dollars quickly!"

A few days after Kong Wenshao said this, he went to Pan Zhen, the governor of Shandong: "Master Futai, please save our Kong family! Your Majesty actually wants us to pay seven million silver dollars! Our Kong family can't afford to sell the iron even if we sell it. when We can only sell the temple property (Confucius Temple), but I really can’t bear to sell the temple property. I am also a descendant of Confucius and Mencius. How can I bear to see the most holy master unable to offer sacrifices to his descendants? "

"Although you are ineffective in disciplining your tribe, the imperial court has really gone too far in this matter. I am afraid that it is caused by treacherous ministers, but in any case, I will help you once and intercede on your behalf. After all, the Holy Saint A teacher has no fault!”

Pan Zhen accepted Kong Wenshao's silver coins, but she didn't say she wouldn't help Kong Wenshao.

When Kong Wenshao saw this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed: "Thank you, Mr. Futai. If the compensation can be waived or reduced, I will be very grateful!"

Pan Zhen didn't say much, and just asked her master to write a memorial and send it to Beijing according to her own wishes.

"I heard from your majesty, Pan Zhenqi, the governor of Shandong, that your majesty wants the Kong family to compensate the Kong family for seven million silver dollars! But as far as I know, the Kong family cannot afford this huge sum of money, and I am worried that if the Kong family pays such a large amount of silver dollars, the Kong family will The direct descendants of the Confucius family may be guilty and should be punished with bankruptcy, but the concubine branch of the Confucius family is essentially As for the people of Qufu, if I lose my family and property because of this, I may undermine your majesty's original intention of loving the people, and it will only increase the resentment of the people, and may make Shandong uneasy. Therefore, I boldly advise you, but out of consideration for the people, your majesty Can I reduce the compensation by one or two dollars at my discretion?”

Zhu Houzhao read Pan Zhen's memorial and felt that what Pan Zhen said was somewhat reasonable. He couldn't help but said: "I ignored the issue that Kong Wenshao would transfer the compensation of 7 million silver dollars to the people of the Kong family. This Shandong Pan Zhen put the issue to the point!”

"Then your Majesty means to agree to the advice of Shandong Governor Pan Zhen and lower the compensation?" Kang Hai, the cabinet scholar on duty, asked. Although he did not dare to directly persuade Zhu Houzhao to spare the Kong family, he could now persuade Kong He did not forget to get off the donkey when he was given the opportunity to reduce his punishment.

But Zhu Houzhao was not an emperor who was easily fooled by the officials below. He admitted that what Pan Zhen said was reasonable, but he would not really lower the compensation, because legally speaking, the Kong family had to pay so much. As an emperor, he neither overcalculates nor undercalculates.

Therefore, Zhu Houzhao said directly:

"You are not joking! The imperial edict issued has been signed by your cabinet. How can you say that if it is withdrawn and lowered, it will be lowered? Seven million will still have to be compensated, and if it is delayed for one more day, there will be an extra day of interest! Besides, the Kong family is required to compensate seven million The silver coin is a matter of law! How can we, the Ming Dynasty, treat it leniently just because the people of the Kong family will be implicated?”

Kang Hai did not expect that His Majesty the Emperor was still unwilling to be lenient, so he could only nod his head and said: "What Your Majesty said is that I am a little old and confused. How can the law be changed due to human feelings? It's just that the common people of the Kong family are just ordinary people in Qufu. If you really want to increase the reward for these seven million silver dollars, it is not His Majesty’s original intention.”

"I will issue another decree to only order the clan members of the third service of the Kong family to make compensation. In addition, I will send Jin Yiwei to go to the Kong family to collect compensation. They will first check the Kong Wenyun clan. If it is not enough, then check the Kong Wenshao and Kong Wenli clan. If it is not enough, Seven million silver dollars, and there is still interest, then we will escort Kong Wenshao, Kong Wenli and other three tribesmen to serve in Mobei until we pay enough!”

After Zhu Houzhao said this, Kang Hai solemnly replied: "Your Majesty is wise." At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "Your Majesty is really ruthless! Just copying the clansmen in the third server of the direct line of the Kong family is equal to the direct line of the Kong family. No one was spared, while the people of the Kong family We will not be implicated in any way, so we can avoid the direct clan members of the Kong family from threatening the Kong family to cause trouble because the imperial court wants all clan members with the surname Kong to make amends, and directly send the Jinyi Guards there, which can also prevent the government from secretly helping the Kong family. "

Zhu Houzhao was indeed worried about the Shandong government. He was worried that if he directly asked the Shandong government to search the Confucius family, he would probably let the Shandong government protect the Confucius family. So he sent Jin Yiwei directly, so he didn't have to worry about this problem.

Kong Wenshao was struggling. He thought that a Shandong governor could help him to avoid bankruptcy. But what he didn't expect was that Emperor Zhu Houzhao would never tolerate anyone shaking the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. Compensation of seven million silver dollars was just right. It's just a punishment for the Kong family regardless of national interests.

Only when Jin Yiwei appeared in Qufu City did Kong Wenshao truly know that he was completely finished.

Because Zhu Houzhao only demanded compensation from the direct clan members of Confucius, most of the common people surnamed Kong in Qufu were not organized by Kong Wenshao. Of course, the sudden appearance of the Jin Yiwei also made it impossible for Kong Wenshao to organize them. What's more, the common people surnamed Kong were not organized either. He will definitely be willing to follow his direct clan members to rebel against the imperial court.

Therefore, Kong Wenshao only invited the Jinyi guards into Kong's mansion with his head downcast.

Jin Yiwei was naturally not polite, and confiscated all the property of Kong Wenshao, Kong Wenli, Kong Wenyun and other direct clan members as quickly and thoroughly as possible. But what surprised Jin Yiwei was that the assets of the Kong Wenyun family alone were no less than two million, plus The assets of the two brothers Kong Wenshao and Kong Wenli were worth eight million silver dollars.

Of course, these assets include all land deeds, shops, etc.

Zhu Houzhao did not expect that the Kong family could really seize so much property. He thought that seven million silver dollars could wipe out the Kong family's fortune and eventually become a common people. However, he did not expect that his family's wealth was so rich that all members of his direct lineage had no less than eight hundred silver dollars. Thousands of family assets! You must know that eight million silver dollars is not much different from more than six million taels of silver. This is more than three times the revenue of the national treasury in the early years of Zhengde.

Pan Zhen, the governor of Shandong, did not expect that his advice would actually cause His Majesty to find another way to ask the Kong family for compensation, directly using the Jinyi Guards and searching only the direct lineage members.

All of a sudden, it was like Pan Zhen, the governor of Shandong, had received benefits from Kong Wenshao, but he had not helped Kong Wenshao, and instead caused Kong Wenshao to suffer greater losses! There was not even a chance to transfer the compensation to other tribesmen.

Of course, Pan Zhen, the governor of Shandong, did not feel any guilt about this.

In his opinion, he, the governor, made a good suggestion to him. He also received three thousand silver dollars from him. As for the Kong family being raided, he naturally didn't care too much. He could only sympathize with it and regret it at the same time. For a moment, it was a pity that the emperor did not let him, the governor, inspect the Confucius Mansion, so that he could get more benefits from the inspection.

Zhu Houzhao also knew that no one in office was a good person. He could guess that Pan Zhen, the governor of Shandong, might also have some connection with the Kong family, but he could not provide evidence for the time being. Even if he was the emperor, he could not put the whole thing together at once. The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty became as clean as water. Confucianism used literature to disrupt the law, and chivalrous people violated the law with force. The emperor himself could not use imperial power to be dictatorial. Before the misdeeds of these officials were revealed, he would question them because of suspicion.

But Zhu Houzhao will naturally not forgive those who have been proven guilty, otherwise it will be enough to warn dishonest people.

Kong Wenyun was sentenced to Lingchi by Zhu Houzhao.

Other prisoners who conspired with Kong Wenyun to manipulate grain prices and destroy grain crops were also sentenced to lingchi.

Even the Marquis of Yongchang was sentenced to death.

Zhu Houzhao did not let go of Nie Zhen, the Minister of Punishment, and directly criticized:

"As the Great Sikong of the Ming Dynasty, he was in charge of the law, but he knew the law and violated it, and murdered others in prison. He also tried to shield the suspects and deceived the emperor. If the crime was increased, he would be sentenced to death! His home would be confiscated, and his parents, wife, and children would be confiscated. Eliminate them all!”

"Your Majesty, after all, Nie Zhen is an important minister of the imperial court. Although he is guilty, he should not be treated so harshly. I risk my life to plead for Duke Nie, and I beg your Majesty to take back his life!"

At this time, Kang Hai crouched in front of Zhu Houzhao and replied, because in Kang Hai's view, it was common for officials not to be punished, and even those who committed the most heinous crimes would abandon the city and beheaded at most. After all, Nie Zhen was the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and he was not treason. Regicide, directly breaking up the car is not unkind!

At this time, Ouyang Dan, the Minister of Rites, who came with Kang Hai to report the matter, also prostrated:

"Your Majesty, I also risked my life to plead for Duke Nie. Although he knew the law and violated the law and deceived the emperor, he should not be so harsh! Severe punishments and laws are not the good governance of the country, Your Majesty!"

"I originally intended to gradually reduce the severity of the laws and not rule the country with harsh punishments. However, Nie Zhen's incident made me realize that the uneducated people not only refer to the uneducated people, but also you and the people who are trying to help. The Minister of Punishment, Nie Zhen, who is evading his guilt and trying to deceive his subordinates, is also ignorant! You all stand up for me!”

Zhu Houzhao pointed at the several cabinet ministers kneeling in front of him and shouted.

Kang Hai and Ouyang Dan had no choice but to stand up. For a moment, they didn't know why His Majesty said that they, the court officials, were also immature.

"As the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, Nie Zhen should only know how to deal with it according to the law. It is precisely because of this that when he advised that Kong Wenyun and other suspects should be transferred to the Ministry of Punishment according to the procedures, I agreed with him, but he relied on himself It was because of the official position of the Minister of Punishment that he assassinated the suspect and wanted to protect the Kong family! Is he a minister of the Ming Dynasty or a slave of the Kong family? "

"This kind of minister of the Ministry of Justice means that the people are not enlightened and do not know the concept of governing the country by law! They also do not know the concept of the supremacy of national interests! They only care about maintaining the orthodoxy! In addition, you, why, think that you are important ministers of the imperial court, and then kneel down to me Please, I should be greatly moved and treat him Nie Zhen leniently

You are already a first-class official. Is it difficult for me to ask you to stand up? You have to kneel down at every turn. Is it possible that you just like to kneel down? ! ”

Zhu Houzhao roared angrily. He had really discovered that the so-called uneducated people's wisdom did not only refer to the common people. Aren't these knowledgeable Jinshi and civil servants in the court not uneducated people's wisdom?

Even the cabinet bachelors in front of them, when they had disagreements with the emperor, only thought of kneeling down to force the emperor to compromise, thinking that they could make the emperor surrender by giving up their dignity, instead of making suggestions based on rigorous logical analysis.

Kang Hai and Ouyang Dan both stood up. They did not expect His Majesty to be so angry, and they couldn't help but feel a little scared. But what frightened them even more was that they didn't know who and why His Majesty was angry. Therefore, they decided to act decisively now. Cowardly, he tightened his neck and waited for Emperor Zhu Houzhao's next instruction.

Zhu Houzhao saw that his two close ministers looked confused and frightened. He didn't know how to reprimand him for a moment, so he had to directly order: "Listen to the order! The great scholar Kang Hai is in prison and Nie Zhen will be executed immediately!"

"According to the order!" Kang Hai replied.

Now he doesn't know what to do with his cabinet ministers. It seems that kneeling down to plead for mercy is not possible, and standing and singing against the emperor seems to be impossible. Therefore, he thinks that he might as well just be a yes man and do whatever the emperor tells him to do. .

Kang Hai even came up with the idea of ​​resigning because he found that he really couldn't figure out his Majesty the Emperor.

"Woo, I don't want to die yet!"

When Kong Wenyun and his accomplices were all being punished by Lingchi on the execution ground, Nie Zhen, the dismissed Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment, was also brought up. He did not expect that he would let his people get away with it just because he revealed some information to the Kong family. He accidentally killed someone and was sentenced to being broken into pieces. Therefore, he couldn't help but struggle hard and loudly asked Kang Hai, who was in prison:

"Mr. Ge! Why are you trying to break things up with Nie! Nie is not treasonous!"

"Your Majesty said that when the people are still ignorant, severe punishment is the only good medicine to stop lawlessness and disorder! If I don't kill you Nie Zhen today, the next Minister of the Ministry of Punishment will dare to continue to use his power to manipulate judicial justice!

This is not only a helpless move by the court, but also the only most effective way!

His Majesty said, Mr. Nie, you should be happy, because your death today will be an example for future ministers of the Ministry of Punishment to take warning from! Your death fulfilled the justice of Ming Dynasty law! ”

Liu Yu followed Zhu Houzhao's instructions and then ordered: "Execution!"

"Ah!"

After a scream, Nie Zhen was cut into pieces by five horses.

Zhu Houzhao also issued an edict after the Mid-Autumn Festival in the 15th year of Zhengde's reign, instructing the Provincial Procuratorate and the Beijing Sanfa Division to strictly enforce the law and not condone anyone who commits crimes. He also required all provinces to inspect the censors and strictly investigate corruption. Once verified, , peel off the real grass!

After all, it is indeed unjustifiable for officials to be corrupt even after Zhu Houzhao had greatly improved the treatment of Ming officials. Moreover, Zhu Houzhao had to admit that before the people's wisdom was fully enlightened, that is, before the people could form effective civil supervision due to the improvement of education and literacy, harsh punishments and laws were imposed. It is indeed the only way to maintain the cleanliness of officialdom.

(End of chapter)