Daming: The system rejected my request for salted fish

"Yes, I'm talking about the White Lotus Sect!"

As soon as Zhu Biao finished speaking, Wei Wu immediately nodded in affirmative response, and then immediately said:

"Brother, the White Lotus Sect rebelled against the Yuan Dynasty and restored the Song Dynasty. Now, in my Ming Dynasty, they are using the same slogan to rebel against the Ming Dynasty and restore the Yuan Dynasty."

"They are a bunch of out-and-out traitors. They destroyed the Kong family. Naturally, scholars all over the world hate them."

"At most, people would blame the imperial court for not being able to eliminate the rebels in advance. No one would think that this matter had anything to do with the imperial court."

After listening to Wei Wu's plan, Zhu Biao did not agree, but frowned.

"This method seems flawless, but it's actually difficult to implement. You also said they are rebels and won't be manipulated by the court."

"Secondly, attacking the Kong family in Qufu would not benefit them in any way. It would not only be risky but would also leave them with a bad reputation."

"No matter what organization it is or what banner it flies, the ultimate goal is to overthrow the imperial power and replace it."

"If the White Lotus Cult attacks the Kong family, they will be condemned by the entire world. Even if they conquer the country, they will not be able to sit firmly on the throne."

Speaking of this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but sigh.

"This is also the reason why the superiors of every dynasty have to treat the Kong family with courtesy, because they represent the literati of the world."

"In the second year of the Hongwu reign, my father issued an edict: 'Spring and Autumn Sacrifices to the Confucius Temple will only be held in Qufu, and there is no need for them to be offered throughout the country.' Everyone in the world thought my father was targeting the Kong family."

"But who knew that it was actually the Kong family who were disrespectful first? Back when the empire was not yet settled and the Ming Dynasty was not established, my father went to Qufu alone."

Hearing this, Wei Wu was surprised and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Did Mr. Zhu ever travel alone to Qufu to meet the Kong family? Why have I never heard of this in later history?"

As soon as Wei Wu finished speaking, a flash of anger appeared in Zhu Biao's eyes.

"Because they humiliated him, my father suppressed the matter to save face. Among all the civil and military officials in the court, only the late Earl of Chengyi knew about it."

"Father originally wanted to gain the support of the Kong family, but the Kong family member didn't even open the door, leaving only a question: 'You, the emperor?'"

"Father understood that the Kong family looked down on his background, but they didn't hold a grudge against him. After all, he was born into a peasant family."

"Besides, the empire was still unsettled at the time, and my father wasn't really an emperor, so it's reasonable for people not to want to see him."

Having said that, Zhu Biao picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and then continued:

"What really made my father angry was that the Ming Dynasty had already been established, but no one from his Kong family showed up for the founding ceremony."

"My father believed that they did not recognize the Zhu family's rule, so he ordered the current Duke of Yansheng to come to Beijing to meet him, but he claimed to be ill and could not come."

"In the end, they only sent a younger member of the family. This action completely infuriated my father, so he issued that imperial edict."

Hearing this, Wei Wu nodded secretly. He had to say that this was indeed in line with Zhu Yuanzhang's temper.

The title of Duke Yansheng sounds impressive, but if you really count it, this family has been traitors for more than a dozen times.

With Zhu Yuanzhang's pragmatic personality, he would not have a good impression of a family that recited the teachings of sages and made surrender petitions.

He was able to save face twice because of the Kong family's ancestors.

But the other party not only refused, but also humiliated him again and again. In that case, he might as well just ignore him.

As the ruler of the world, although he cannot destroy the Kong family, it is very easy to suppress them.

For example, the edict that Zhu Biao mentioned, and the fact that except for Duke Yansheng, no descendant of the Kong family could get an official position.

For thousands of years, the Kong family has been treated as guests of honor by emperors. Now, not only are they not treated with courtesy, but they are also being targeted and suppressed.

Then they naturally hope to replace the emperor who will not target them.

But the Ming Dynasty had already established itself, and it was impossible to overthrow it, so the only option was to start with the successor.

If this is the conclusion, then it makes perfect sense that they instigated the Lu family to take action against Zhu Xiongying.