Sui Dynasty: I, Yang Guang, am both scrupulous and stable

Chapter 277 The old turtle doesn’t show its head
Yang Guang created the scene of the entrance ceremony of the imperial examination candidates and students into the capital, and achieved the ultimate sense of ritual.

Although many noble families are not very fond of the imperial examination system now, the construction of schools in various places has made the imperial examination system a necessity. Moreover, most of them are descendants of their own major families. They feel that it is equivalent to changing the situation. No dressing change.

So Yang Guang made the ceremony grand, and their opinions were not big. At most, they were just as jealous and disdainful as the young master who was with Yang Xuangan before.

What would you do when someone with a lower level than you suddenly gets better treatment than you?

Of course it's derogatory.

Why should he stand taller than me?

He can accept such cheers, I should do more.

Sense of superiority and arrogance, just like the down-and-out old aristocrats will always look down on the new rich people who gorge themselves on food. The nobility that is born to be superior to others is most obvious when you despise the inferior people.

When Kong Yiji was in the tavern, he said things that others couldn't understand, causing the whole room to burst into laughter. Wasn't he also laughing at those who were laughing at him?

Otherwise, why would you always go to that pub to look for people to laugh at?

……

That night, a group of different guests were invited to Yang Guang's house.

There were five people in total, including Wang Long, who were all at least old enough to know destiny. They were all Confucian masters, scholars and professors, and old gentlemen who came from Qufu to observe the imperial examination.

If it is said to the outside world that it is for the imperial examination, no one will doubt it.

Wang Long introduced them one by one to Yang Guang.

"This is Mr. Li Wen, the president of Shandong University and a great scholar at home."

"This is Mr. Dong Bihai, the principal of Youzhou University Hall and Confucian clan member."

"This is the 22nd generation grandson of Confucius, Kong Sheng."

"This is also the 22nd generation grandson of Confucius and the younger brother of Kong Sheng, Kong Bo."

After the four introductions were completed, Yang Guang saluted several people with the courtesy of a scholar. This made several old scholars very satisfied, and they praised Yang Guang's appearance and virtue with a smile.

"His Royal Highness, Prince of Jin, conducts himself upright, is honest, has a dignified appearance, and has a radiant face. He is like a cloud, a dragon, and a virtuous man, soaring into the sky."

"Elegant in manner and as gentle as jade, he is truly a handsome man that is hard to find in the world."

"Excellent in talent and elegance, his elegance is as graceful as a god descending to earth."

"A man of extraordinary talent will surely become a peerless person sought after by thousands of people! With one sentence today, he will skyrocket to [-] miles and become famous throughout the ages."

I have to say that when an old man praises someone, it sounds nice, and his speaking tone is slow, which gives people a very comfortable feeling. Of course, once this group of people curses, it will be extremely unpleasant.

Yang Guang looked at the four people in front of him. The two principals of the school were both Confucian. It was obvious that Wang Long had selfish motives in selecting people, but there was nothing he could do about it. To develop the school, Wang Long must be so conscientious and responsible. For someone who is so obsessed with academics to do it, and he is a Confucian, it is expected to appoint a Confucian scholar.

Yang Guang chatted happily with the others. After getting to know each other, he asked Wang Long: "Master Wang, I wonder if some of you were present when the name was changed to Qufu?"

"We are all here. Mr. Dong Bihai came all the way from Youzhou to Qufu to participate in this name change ceremony. Your Majesty respects Confucianism and Taoism, so we naturally have to do better what your Majesty has told us."

Dong Bihai immediately stood up and said: "Qufu has been renamed to respect Confucianism and Taoism. Your Majesty has changed the world and swept away the haze of hundreds of years ago. He is truly a wise king through the ages."

This may sound like flattery, but it is real and genuine, because it involves the beliefs they have learned, and it is obvious that the praise of Yang Jian's behavior is definitely not just a show of words.

Yang Guang glanced at Wang Long, he must have called everyone here for that important event today.

Wang Long understood deeply and said to Kong Sheng, the 22nd generation eldest grandson of Confucius: "Your Royal Highness, Mr. Kong Sheng is the 22nd generation eldest grandson of Confucius and is now the patriarch of the Kong family. He is in charge of many businesses of the Kong family in Qufu and is also in charge of this. We will coordinate with the Ministry of Rites on all matters related to the enshrinement of Mount Tai as ordered by His Majesty."

Kong Sheng maintained his identity and smiled slightly at Yang Guang. Because he was the grandson of Kong's family, no matter it was the previous Northern Qi Dynasty or the current Sui Dynasty, the emperor was quite respectful to him. He also had a habit of being arrogant and arrogant. He treated Yang Guang Smiling gracefully and making pleasantries is the most polite way.

Yang Guang didn't care and said first: "I have heard about Mr. Kong for a long time, but I have never been to Shandong or visited him. I hope you won't be surprised."

"His Highness is a young and talented man, while we are dull and dull. It is my honor to talk to His Highness."

"I wonder what's going on with Mr. Kong's Taishan enshrinement?"

Yang Guang doesn't want to talk in circles anymore, because if you talk to this group of people in circles, you can really go for an hour or two without saying anything different.

Faced with Yang Guang's question, Kong Sheng actually knew what he wanted to ask. He looked at each other with the people behind him, and then said with a smile: "Your Majesty intends to enshrine Mount Tai, but right now it's just a little planning. If you really want to grant the title of Zen to Mount Tai, Your Majesty will have to wait until the great cause of the unification of the Central Plains has been achieved. What I am doing now is just some preliminary planning work."

The old turtle didn't show his head easily. Wang Long saw that Kong Sheng didn't seem to want to talk about that matter, so he walked up to him and said: "Mr. Kong, you are an orthodox Confucian. We all read the books of the sage Kong, and we should be sincere and sincere." , I don’t know about sir’s preliminary planning, but have you sent people to climb Mount Tai?”

"I was old and lacked leg strength, so I sent a few young and strong people to survey and observe on Mount Tai. They often lived on Mount Tai. At the same time, I also sent many civilians to repair roads on the mountain and make preparations in advance."

"Mr. Kong has thought carefully, what next?"

Seeing that Kong Sheng was hesitant to speak, his brother Kong Bo stood up and said: "His Royal Highness, King Jin, the people we sent up reported that one day, His Highness the Prince climbed a mountain all night and bowed to the sky at sunrise. , there was an alchemist beside me, who said that the one who sacrifices to Mount Tai first will be the Lord of the Central Plains."

Kong Sheng hurriedly stopped his younger brother: "Your Majesty, King Jin, don't blame me. My younger brother is talking nonsense without any evidence."

Yang Guang looked gloomy: "Is it because there is no evidence or do you dare not say it?"

Li Wen, the president of Shandong University Hall, stood up: "To be honest with His Highness the King of Jin, Weichen was in Qufu during those days, and Weichen's physical strength was still good, so Mr. Kong asked Weichen to go with the explorers. After some observation on Mount Tai, I found out that this is a personal witness, I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears!"

Hearing Li Wen stand up and say this, Kong Sheng sighed: "Hey, Xiao Li, you shouldn't say anything about this. In our opinion, this may be just a matter of transgression, but to His Highness the King of Jin, it is not such a small matter." matter."

Then he looked at Wang Long: "Old Master Wang, you called us here today. I originally thought it was for the imperial examination, but now it seems that you are waiting for us here. Now that the words have been spoken, what should we do? That's the best thing to do!" Kong Sheng sighed instantly, his face full of distress.

Dong Bihai supported Kong Sheng and said: "Mr. Kong, His Highness the King of Jin and Confucius Wang asked today. It must not have been impulsive. Your Highness is smart and smart and will not do anything rash. You know Confucius Wang's character well." Yes, don’t be angry or anxious.”

Kong Bo, who had told the story, seemed much more relieved than his brother, and said, "Since Mrs. Wang and His Highness Prince Jin both want to know the details, what if we tell them? Your Highness and Mr. Wang can still harm us. No."

Kong Sheng sighed: "Hey, we are all scholars, wouldn't it be better to be less involved in these things?"

Master Wang gave Yang Guang a look, which meant that Yang Guang had to take a stand.

Yang Guang looked at these old foxes. Didn't they know the relationship between Wang Long and him when they informed Wang Long of the matter? Didn't they tell him specifically through Wang Long?

At this time, several people were playing tricks. It was obvious that they were doing it for themselves, and they also wanted to build a relationship with themselves through this matter, and completely stand on their side.

According to what Wang Long said before, because these old masters had been with Yang Yong for a period of time, and Yang Yong had many arrogances, they were very disrespectful to them, so they were very dissatisfied with Yang Yong.

Out of his understanding of his brother, Yang Guang knew that Yang Yong should be inseparable from offending them. Yang Yong would definitely be able to do this kind of thing. After all, these old scholars have many rules and a lot of nonsense. Yang Yong's I can't stand it anymore and want to quarrel with them.

Once a young man quarrels with them, they will definitely feel that their dignity has been provoked, but Yang Yong doesn't care about provoking these people.

Therefore, they should have discussed the matter in detail before informing Wang Long, because Wang Long and Yang Guang's good relationship was not a secret, especially after Yuan Xiaoju was cheated in Luoyang, it was almost known to everyone.

Choosing Yang Guang was their unanimous decision, and they also hoped to use Yang Guang to fight against Yang Yong.

To put it nicely, it means choosing a camp; to put it worse, it means trying to kill people with a borrowed knife.

Are these people useful?Of course it is useful. At worst, they are absolutely prominent families in the local area and have a strong voice. At worst, the more prosperous the imperial examinations are in the future, the higher their status will be, and Yang Guang will also need more people. Cooperate.

It’s the same old saying.

We must make many friends and few enemies.

Yang Guang said with a smile: "Masters, I just want to ask briefly. This matter cannot leave this room. Only the people in the room will know what you said. Moreover, I guarantee your safety. At the same time, Yang Guang is very grateful to you all for being able to have a heart-to-heart relationship with me, Yang Guang."

I thought my statement was sincere enough, but now this group of people are not satisfied with this statement.

Kong Sheng said: "Your Highness, Prince of Jin, it was my younger brother and Xiao Dong who were talking nonsense just now. Please, Your Highness, Prince of Jin, please don't blame me."

Yang Guang was a little confused. Didn't these people want to surrender to him?What else do you want?

Li Wen said: "Mr. Kong, His Highness the King of Jin is a man who understands etiquette. It is best to talk to His Highness about this matter."

Dong Bihai sighed softly: "Mr. Kong, if you don't tell His Highness the King of Jin about this matter, who should you tell it to?"

The old turtle Kong Sheng lamented and said: "But everyone, this is a crime of treason committed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the dynasty. Will this be something that will shake the foundation of the country? If it doesn't work, we will be caught and beheaded." "

"But Mr. Kong, we will do anything for the Sui Dynasty and the world."

Watching them continue to sing, Yang Guang understood that the other party was dissatisfied with the fact that the chips he offered were not enough.

They believed that this was something that could overthrow Yang Yong. Once Yang Yong was overthrown, Yang Guang would become the crown prince. They believed that this would help Yang Guang ascend to the throne.

Just getting Yang Guang's heartfelt words of gratitude and gratitude is not enough.

Yang Guang didn't expect that this group of people would take this matter so seriously. There should be real evidence, and it might really be possible to bring down Yang Yong.

But at this time, Yang Guang frowned slightly. He was worried about two main things. First, if this matter was really enough for him to bring down Yang Yong, then no matter how careless Yang Yong was, the counselors around him were not. I can't stop him from being stupid, so I can always make plans safer for him so that these old guys won't find out the evidence.

Secondly, Yang Yong and Goguryeo are now at war in the northeast. Although it is a small-scale battle, if you file a complaint from the rear, can you really take down Yang Yong?If something goes wrong, will someone sue me for falsely accusing the prince?

Yang Guang sat down to drink tea leisurely and said: "Masters, please sit down first. Let's talk slowly if we have something to do. I will pretend that I have never heard of this matter. When the imperial examination begins the day after tomorrow, Okay, do you guys have any opinions?"

Since we have to negotiate conditions, I will not express any opinions before you state your own conditions.

In negotiations, the person who reveals his trump card first loses.

Kong Sheng and others were a little surprised, but the wily ones didn't show it and sat back in their seats. Kong Bo instead bowed: "Your Highness, King Jin, we made a mistake about this matter. Please forgive me and don't spread the word. "

"Naturally, naturally, it won't be of any benefit to me to tell the outside world about things that have no basis or evidence. The most important thing to invite a few people to come today is to talk about the imperial examination. The scientific examination will be held in front of the palace this time. , so it is called the Palace Examination, and the Emperor Father will personally invigilate the examination for one hour. During the rest of the time, our princes in Beijing will take turns to supervise the examination with all the masters and the six ministers to eliminate any favoritism and malpractice."

Yang Guang really started to talk about the imperial examination. After all, the worst result so far about Yang Yong's Taishan sacrifice to heaven is to pretend that nothing happened. If he missed an opportunity for Yang Yong to be stupid, he would not have any consequences for himself. loss.

He can afford the loss, and he believes that such an opportunity will still exist.

So we chatted with them word by word. Obviously, Kong Sheng and the other old masters didn't expect Yang Guang's attitude.

In the imagination, there was an opportunity to overthrow the prince. Even if King Jin was not impatient, he should be impatient.

Wang Long sighed, as expected, these people still despised His Highness King Jin. This His Highness was not a mortal.

In desperation, after talking about a lot of things, Wang Long spoke first: "We have almost discussed the matter of Mr. Kong's imperial examination. Let's talk about the matter we mentioned before."

"His Royal Highness the King of Jin respects Confucianism and has a pure heart. You should tell His Highness the truth."

Kong Sheng knew that if he didn't speak, even if he and others left today, there might not be a follow-up.

Finally he spoke: "His Royal Highness King Jin, what do you think of the prophecy that the foreign scholar said that the one who first made Mount Tai the Lord of the Central Plains?"

(End of this chapter)