Red Mansion: Incense and God Road, starting from the City God of Shenjing

Chapter 68: Scholars disrupt Confucianism and resolve the dilemma

Chapter 68: Scholars disrupt Confucianism and resolve the dilemma
"The law does not favor the rich, and the rope does not bend."

"I will not listen to those whose words are not in accordance with the law!"

"He who does not follow the law is not high!"

"If something is not in accordance with the law, don't do it!"

The death of the second master of the Kong family was such a big deal that it was enough to shock the entire Yangzhou city.

All the staff in the Yangzhou government office came out in full force.

There is a sentry at every five steps and a post at ten steps.

Two Confucian scholars of the second level who were practicing legalism were present at the scene, holding literary treasures, hoping to find some clues using Confucian and Taoist magic.

"Greetings to Lord Lin, and greetings to the Marquis!"

The face of Lord Zhao De'en, who originally wanted to claim illness and stay at home, was almost twisted into a bitter gourd.

No matter how hard he tried to hide, he still couldn't escape this disaster.

Zhao De'en knew it without thinking.

When the news comes out tomorrow, a bunch of imperial envoys in the court will definitely take the opportunity to impeach me.

It is hard to say whether he can keep the position of Yangzhou prefect at that time.

"Master Zhao, stop talking nonsense and tell me the situation first."

"Yes, Lord Lin!"

"Half an hour ago, the night watchman found Mr. Kong's carriage on this street."

"Twelve guards, a scholar, and Mr. Kong, a total of fourteen people, all died."

"One of the guards was shot dead by a crossbow."

"Mr. Kong was killed by a sharp sword."

"According to the survey conducted by the legalists and Confucian scholars in the government office, the time of death is no more than an hour."

"There is no other clue."

Don’t underestimate Zhao De’en, he is the fourth-rank prefect of Yangzhou.

But everyone in the court knew that as soon as Lin Ruhai finished his term and returned to Beijing, he would be appointed as a third-rank minister.

Now he has broken through to the realm of a great scholar.

If nothing unexpected happens, it is a foregone conclusion that he will be promoted to the position of prime minister in the future.

Zhao De'en was respectful.

"Order people to block off several nearby neighborhoods and check every household nearby. It is better to kill the wrong person than to let him go."

"If you are short of people, go get the city guards."

Jia Cong took a look at Kong Chengxiang's body.

The divine power burned, and a faint light flashed in his eyes.

He said calmly.

"I obey your orders."

Zhao Chengen quickly followed Jia Cong's instructions.

Personnel were dispatched to block off several nearby neighborhoods.

Check door to door.

……

"Brother Cong, have you found any clues?"

After returning home, the two came to the study.

Lin Ruhai asked.

"The other party is very careful and swift, so how could they leave any clues behind?"

"Even if there were any clues left at the scene, they were fake."

Jia Cong recalled the scene when he used his divine power to investigate before.

He opened his mouth and answered.

"This is trouble."

“The Kong family died for no reason after a conflict with you.”

"If this matter gets out, I'm afraid it will shock the scholar community and arouse the indignation of scholars all over the world."

"We must find a way to solve the case as soon as possible."

Lin Ruhai frowned, but Jia Cong looked relaxed.

It was as if he didn't take this matter seriously at all.

"Jiangnan salt merchants, gentry, Bailu Academy."

"Beijing Prince's Mansion, Yi Zhong Prince's Mansion or other forces."

"Since the other party has done this, he must have already cleaned up all the tails."

"If nothing unexpected happens, the perpetrator has already been silenced."

"But since it's coming for me."

"Then just wait for the other party to come to you."

"Brother Cong can always see the essence of a problem."

When Lin Ruhai heard this, he immediately felt enlightened.

But then he smiled bitterly.

"What if a few days later, scholars from Jiangnan gather and block the gate of the Salt Administration Office? What should we do?"

"That's perfect!"

"I promised Sister Lin that I would go south to Jiangnan this time."

"We should slaughter three thousand people and build a memorial to comfort Aunt Min's spirit in heaven."

"I was originally worried that I wouldn't be able to gather 3,000 people. Wouldn't it be better if someone came to my door?"

Jia Cong stroked the sword at his waist.

A murderous tone.

Even Lin Ruhai, a great scholar who achieved enlightenment with his theory that "human nature is evil", was shocked.

……

Zuixianglou

"Kong Chengxiang is dead?"

The masters of Bailu Academy gathered together, and Zuo Hongyi couldn't help but exclaimed when he got the news.

Then he subconsciously looked at the people around him.

"Zuo Gong, it's not us who are responsible..."

The great scholar named Wu, whose face was still pale, hurried to explain.

"We are where we are today because we read the books of saints. How dare we attack the bloodline of saints?"

"Brothers, you worry too much."

"I am not doubting you, I just think the timing of Kong Chengxiang's death is really strange..."

Zuo Hongyi put aside his suspicions after hearing this.

"He just had a conflict with Jia Cong, and then was assassinated..."

"What did Zuo Gong say?"

Another great scholar who came with them had his eyes light up.

"Jia Cong, relying on his title as an imperial envoy, has been tyrannical and committed many evil deeds."

"Now I'm finally getting my comeuppance!"

"With public opinion boiling over, can the royal family still force Jia Cong, this villain, to stay in Jiangnan and continue to cause trouble?"

"You must know that the people are the most important, and the country is second..."

After saying that, Zuo Hongyi picked up the teacup.

"Mr. Zuo's opinion is brilliant. The resentment among the officials is boiling. If Jia Cong doesn't die this time, he will be skinned alive."

"We are powerless to avenge the bloodline of the Great Saint Master, but we can make this matter public."

"Even if it's the royal family, they can't stop the criticism from scholars all over the world, right?"

After looking at each other, they instantly reached a consensus.

……

Starting from the second day, the news of Kong Chengxiang's assassination spread from Yangzhou City at an extremely abnormal speed.

Even the scene at Qian's house that night was reproduced in a very realistic manner.

Within a day, the academic circles in the south of the Yangtze River were shaken.

Scholars study the teachings of Confucius and Mencius and continue the teachings of the great sage and teacher.

The Kong family has a very high status.

His status among the officials is even higher than that of the royal family.

Otherwise, the title of Yanshenggong would not have been maintained throughout the dynasties.

Just as Lin Ruhai guessed.

Everyone was outraged and criticized the incident.

……

"The wicked are in power, and the evil thieves are rampant!"

"The evildoers are rampant, and the government and the people are in turmoil!"

It was only the third day.

Thousands of scholars gathered outside the Yangzhou Salt Administration Office.

This number is still increasing rapidly.

Countless scholars gathered together with their friends.

The shouting was deafening.

"Master, we have to think of a solution quickly. There are more and more scholars blocking the door outside."

"The surrounding streets were completely blocked off."

"If we delay any longer, we might be instigated by someone with ulterior motives to attack the government office."

Butler Lin was worried.

In just one morning, the number of scholars outside the door exceeded three thousand.

The servant who went out to inquire came back and said that even the inns in Yangzhou City were full.

Deafening shouts.

Even in the mansion it could be heard clearly.

"Brother Cong, stay in the back hall for now. I will try to drive those scholars away."

Lin Ruhai glanced at Jia Cong who was drinking tea calmly.

He stood up and soothed her.

As he said this, he walked out the door.

The gate of the Salt Administration Office opened.

Watching Lin Ruhai come out.

The scholar who was originally shouting passionately suddenly became quieter.

"Meet Mr. Lin!"

Most of the scholars gathered here are young, vigorous and passionate.

Facing the great scholar.

No matter how dissatisfied you are.

At least there is no lack of etiquette.

"I know why all of you students are gathered here."

"I am also deeply saddened by the murder of the bloodline of Duke Yansheng."

"It's just that the murderer is not Marquis Zi Yi."

"Students, please don't let others incite you..."

"Mr. Lin was nominated for the imperial examination and won the third place in the imperial examination. He also wrote passionately and eloquently in the Censorate."

"I can't tolerate any sand in my eyes."

"Why are you protecting the treacherous villains of the dynasty today, the murderers who murdered the bloodline of the Great Saint and First Master!"

Lin Ruhai wanted to defend Jia Cong.

He even used some Confucian and Taoist tricks when speaking.

It’s just that there are a lot of scholars here, and they have preconceived ideas.

Most of the literati in Jiangnan dislike Jia Cong.

In addition, there are people with ulterior motives mixed in the crowd.

There was a shout from behind.

The scholars, who had just calmed down a little, were immediately ignited with anger again.

"That's right, sir, you are a great scholar of the time, but you must not forget whose principles you are studying and whose writings you are studying!"

"If Jia Cong is not removed, there will be no blue sky in Daqian!"

"Even if there is really another truth, Jia Cong should come out and explain himself. If he has a clear conscience, why doesn't he dare to come out and see others?"

The scholars were talking to each other.

The sky is filled with boiling water.

Lin Ruhai's voice was immediately drowned out.

……

"Humph!"

"It is true that Lin Ruhai is good at business, but when it comes to winning people's hearts..."

A master of the third realm can sense clearly even if he is miles away.

At this time, in a window-side private room of a teahouse several miles away from the Salt Administration Office, Wu Ziren, a great scholar named Wu who had suffered a loss at the hands of Lin Ruhai before, sneered.

"If even one tenth of the hundreds of thousands of scholars in Jiangnan came, it would be enough to tear down his salt administration office."

"Based on the character of the Purple-Robed Marquis, I'm afraid there will be a river of blood today."

Today, not only a few people from Bailu Academy are present.

The remaining seven major salt merchants were also all present.

The news was able to spread so quickly, thanks in large part to the seven major salt merchants whose stores spread across the south of the Yangtze River.

Not only that, just when everyone in Jiangnan was paying attention to the death of Kong Chengxiang.

The eight major salt merchants have suspended the daily operation of private salt and official salt.

In just three days, the price of salt on the market has increased by as much as 10%.

If it lasts another half month, there will be a salt shortage.

"Isn't it just the right time to take action?"

"Slaughtering tens of thousands of scholars..."

"Even if the royal family wanted to recruit Jia Cong, they would not dare to risk the public's disapproval and protect him."

"Otherwise, if the news gets out, the situation will be turbulent and the country's destiny will be unstable."

Zuo Hongyi had been continuously improving his plan over the past two days, blocking all the possible paths Jia Cong could choose.

There are only two options before Jia Cong.

Or they could rise up in resistance and kill the scholars outside the Salt Administration Office.

This would be a great crime that would go against the will of the world, and the royal family would certainly strip him of all his official titles and issue a wanted notice.

At that time, they can directly ask the great scholar Wen Bao to kill him.

Or he would hide in the Salt Administration Office and never come out.

But how long can I hide?

The end result is always the same.

"By the way, Master Zhang!"

As he spoke, Zuo Hongyi looked at the head of the Zhang family, the leader of the seven major salt merchants.

"What do you want, Zuo Gong?"

"We are raising the price of salt because we have no choice but to deal with the treacherous officials in the court. We must not go too far."

“After half a month, the salt was released to prevent the people from suffering.”

"Mr. Zuo is a man of benevolence and righteousness. I admire him. Merchants have been buying low and selling high since ancient times. They will never affect the livelihood of the people."

Patriarch Zhang hurriedly bowed in response.

But I was secretly complaining in my heart.

Half a month later, a salt shortage occurred and the price of salt at least doubled.

The profits can be imagined.

They claim to be concerned about the suffering of the people, but in fact they are eyeing the profits here and are asking for benefits.

……

It seemed that the purpose of this trip was about to be achieved, and in half a month he would receive a large sum of silver as a tribute.

At this moment, Zuo Hongyi's feeling of frustration from the consecutive setbacks in the past two days was suddenly swept away.

He regained the demeanor of the dean of Bailu Academy, picked up the teacup, and put on airs in a hypocritical manner.

"It is already rare and precious for a mere child to be able to achieve this level."

"I do admire him a little."

"It's a pity that with such talent, he went astray and didn't follow the right path."

"It is said that those who do too much evil will eventually perish!"

The voice just fell.

The back hall of the Salt Administration Office.

A familiar scene appeared again.

Under the bright sunny sky, a majestic literary spirit rises into the sky.

It is colorful, connecting heaven and earth, and the vision is amazing.

There was a crisp "click" sound.

Zuo Hongyi, who was confident of victory, dropped the teacup from his hand.

This kind of scene can only be seen when a Confucian scholar of the second realm gathers his literary mind and becomes a great Confucian scholar, gaining recognition from the literary spirit of heaven and earth.

will appear.

"Is there anyone else who has gathered his literary mind and become a great scholar?"

"Are there any second-level Confucian scholars in the Salt Administration Office?"

Zuo Hongyi hurriedly asked the seven major salt merchants living in Yangzhou.

"This……"

"In reply to Mr. Zuo, the entire Salt Administration Office has been infiltrated by us with silver."

"The only people I have never dealt with are those close to Lin Ruhai."

"But there is absolutely no possibility that a Confucian scholar close to the third level is hiding among them."

The head of the Zhang family spoke.

"Then this is..."

Looking at the majestic energy rising into the sky, a bad omen suddenly appeared in my heart.

……

“The Master said: ‘If virtue is not cultivated, learning is not taught, if one cannot change after hearing what is right, and if one cannot correct one’s bad habits, then this is what worries me.’”

"The Master said: 'Be determined in the Way, be grounded in virtue, rely on benevolence, and enjoy the arts.'"

“The Master said: ‘If wealth can be sought, I shall be a whip-wielding official, and I shall do it. If it cannot be sought, I shall follow what I like.’”

"Confucius said: A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried and depressed!"

Jia Cong's voice rang out in the void.

Accompanied by the great spirit, he recited the scriptures of saints.

"The Analects of Confucius: Shu Er Chapter" This is impossible!

"How can this little Jia Cong have Confucian and Taoist cultivation?"

At this time, Zuo Hongyi and his companions could no longer sit still.

They stood up suddenly and came to the window one after another.

Looking at the majestic literary aura not far away, the uneasy feeling in my heart became stronger and stronger.

……

"The noble literary spirit, this is a great scholar who has broken through the realm."

"You broke through the realm with the Shu Er Pian. Sir, you are so righteous!"

"I am so lucky to witness the birth of a great scholar with my own eyes."

"I never thought that there was a great scholar hidden in the Salt Administration Office."

At this moment, the scholars who gathered outside the Salt Administration Office to protest were also attracted by this strange phenomenon.

"Shu Er" is a chapter that occupies a very important position in the Analects of Confucius.

It mainly talks about the educational thoughts and learning attitude of the great sage.

There is also further explanation of important moral categories such as benevolence.

At this time, the scriptures recited in the void are the contents of the third part.

Benevolence, righteousness, and morality!

Especially the last sentence "A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried and concerned."

It was so deafening that it made the hearts of the scholars present feel moved.

The great scholar broke through the realm with this "sentence".

His high character is evident from this.

"I have been studying in various places in Jiangnan for three years. All the second-level Confucian scholars in various places who are close to the great Confucian scholars know him, but I have never heard of anyone being on good terms with Mr. Lin."

"Could it be Mr. Wang from Gusu Academy?"

"No, I have heard Mr. Wang give lectures before. He was studying the Mohist doctrine of universal love, not the Analects."

"Mr. Du from Langya Library has edited the Shu Er Pian, but he is still a long way from being a great scholar."

"Could it be Mr. Ouyang who lives in seclusion in Jinling?"

A group of students began to discuss in low voices and speculate about the identity of the new scholar in the Salt Administration Office.

Just now.

The door of the Salt Administration Office opened again.

Jia Cong walked out slowly.

Under the operation of divine power, all things evolve.

A majestic literary aura lingers all around him.

It was clearly a sign of a great scholar who had just achieved a breakthrough.

"This……"

"Zi Yihou!"

For a moment, there was silence.

Everyone looked at the scene in front of them in disbelief.

Just now, many scholars have basically guessed all the famous Confucian scholars of the second realm in Jiangnan.

But no one thought of it.

The one who broke through was actually Jia Cong.

Refining the spirit at the age of nine!

The talent is already terrifying.

But what if you study Confucianism and Taoism at the same time?

This talent is so terrifying that it is hard to describe it.

"I heard inside that you want to see me?"

Jia Cong's voice sounded faintly.

But none of the scholars present dared to speak, and everyone was still immersed in shock.

"Kong Chengxiang's death has nothing to do with this duke."

"If this Marquis wanted to kill him, he would have done it right here in Qian's mansion."

"Why would we need to hide our heads and leave our tails exposed and then ambush and kill them midway?"

If Jia Cong had said this before, no one would have believed it.

But the "breakthrough" that just happened is still fresh in my mind.

You must know that when practicing Confucianism, it does not matter what you did before.

And what other auxiliary methods can be used to protect one's own literary mind in the future.

At the moment of breaking through.

The spirit, energy and mind must be consistent with the words of breaking through the realm, and must not go against one's heart.

Otherwise, there is no possibility of becoming a great scholar.

in other words.

After breaking through with the words "A gentleman is open and honest, while a villain is always worried and concerned".

Even if there is no evidence to prove his innocence.

Jia Cong's words were enough to convince the vast majority of the scholars present.

Combined with the rumors I heard about Jia Cong before.

If they disagree, they will draw their swords!
There was much killing and many heads were rolling!

However, among these rumors, there has never been any case of secretly hurting anyone.

I have always been straightforward.

This just proves the saying "A gentleman is open and honest"!
"Marquis Zi Yi, if you say it is innocent, then it is innocent. How can the bloodline of the most holy teacher be killed for no reason?"

"That's right. Many people in the Qian Mansion witnessed the conflict between Marquis Zi Yi and Kong Chengxiang that day."

"We are all gathered here today, and Marquis Zi Yi must give an explanation."

"Are you trying to get rid of Jiangnan scholars like me with just a few words?"

At this time, people with ulterior motives mixed in the crowd saw that the situation was not good.

He hurriedly started to incite again, just like he did before when facing Lin Ruhai.

"Humph!"

Jia Cong was too lazy to say more!

Reach out a little.

Sword energy interspersed!

More than sixty heads flew into the sky and blood gushed out.

They were all the people who had just started inciting.

After the killing, Jia Cong put his hands behind his back.