Chapter 282: Shi Xiu's Surrender to Yan Shenggong

Stir up the Yellow River and the whole world will rebel!
In this world, Shandong, Shanxi, Jiangnan and Jiangbei, all rebelled.

With the whole world in rebellion, the blow to the Song Dynasty was fatal.

As the officers and soldiers were in a panic, the pressure on Liangshan suddenly decreased.

Therefore, Cao Jie began to reorganize some forces entrenched in his own territory.

For example, taxes. No matter whose descendant he is or what position he holds, he must pay all taxes.

In any dynasty and any country, taxation is of paramount importance, and the Song Dynasty was indeed an era of highly developed commodity trade. Cao Jie valued commercial taxes.

As for the agricultural taxes of civilians, Cao Jie temporarily implemented a reduction or exemption.

The poor people can’t even get enough food to eat, so how can they afford to pay taxes?

Everyone must pay taxes.

Cao Jie wants to use iron and blood to make everyone understand one truth: the two inevitable things in life are: paying taxes and death.

"Brother, we have entered the territory of Qufu."

Qufu is actually just to the east of Liangshan. Cao Jie passed by this place several times when he went to Yizhou, but he did not get close to it.

Confucius, the descendants of the sage, have a huge influence among scholars all over the world. The title of Yanshenggong was conferred by the imperial court in every generation and their status is very respected.

Over the past thousand years, dynasties have changed, but the Kong family has been passed down from generation to generation. Although there have been splits in the past, even after the split, they were still able to thrive. They are of the same lineage as the Southern Taoist Tianshi Mansion, and are both aristocratic families that have been passed down for thousands of years.

At this time, a fierce horse came galloping.

"King of Wei! King of Wei!"

The man who came was none other than Yang Bangyi. Due to the rebellion of Manichaeism in Jiangnan, he could no longer serve as a county lieutenant, so he went to Shandong. However, his junior brother Cao Jie also rebelled, so he had no choice but to join in the rebellion.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Since the rebellion, Zong Ze took on the duties of prime minister, and Yang Bangyi was his deputy.

Compared with the military, the civil service group in Liangshan is actually busier. It is not easy to govern such a large territory.

"King of Wei." Yang Bangyi dismounted and bowed, advising: "The Kong family of Qufu is of high status, King of Wei must think twice before acting! The situation is very good now, don't offend the scholars of the world... As long as you win over the Duke of Yansheng, you can make the scholars of the world work for you..."

Speaking of Duke Yansheng, Cao Jie couldn't help but reveal a sneer, and with a seven-point disdain, he shook his head and said, "Brother, I'm not trying to embarrass the Kong family, but it depends on what choice the Kong family makes. If Duke Yansheng knows what's good for him, I will naturally treat him with courtesy... If he doesn't know what's good for him, then I can only use courtesy first and then force to make him know what's good for him."

Looking at Cao Jie's expression, Yang Bangyi became even more worried.

He couldn't figure out Cao Jie's psychology, but he was very clear about one thing: those who obey me will prosper, and those who defy me will perish. Every founding emperor has killed countless people.

When Yang Bangyi was about to dissuade Cao Jie, in the vast courtyard of the Confucius Mansion in Qufu, the current Duke Yansheng Kong Duanyou and a group of clan elders were sitting in the main hall with solemn expressions.

Kong Duanyou sat in the main seat. He was a dignified middle-aged man with a solemn look. After sweeping his eyes over the elders, he calmed down and said slowly:
"My fellow elders, the Liangshan bandits came straight to my Qufu. What was their goal? I think everyone should know it even if we don't tell them."

One of the elders was tapping the ground with his cane. He was at least seventy years old, with a childlike face and white hair. He was in good spirits. He was the younger brother of the previous generation of Duke Yansheng. He said angrily:

"They are just fishermen in the water, a bunch of monsters and demons, yet they dare to rebel. And that Zong Ze, he should be loyal to the emperor. One day I will go to Liangshan and spit in his face, and ask him where he has read all these books. What qualifications does he have to stand under this bright blue sky, the heaven, the earth, the emperor, the parents, and the teacher..." Duke Yansheng Kong Duanyou simply ignored the old uncle's words and looked at everyone with a wry smile.

"Now the bandits are powerful, occupying Shandong and Hebei. There are also rebellions in Jiangnan Fang La, Hebei Tian Hu, and Huaixi Wang Qing, and it is difficult for the court to quell them quickly. But I believe that when the Western Army comes to help, these bandits will be defeated. However, now is the time when they are showing their strength, and we must not take them lightly. How should we deal with it? Everyone, please tell me."

"My Kong family has been deeply ennobled by the royal family for generations. Even if the dynasty changes, it will not harm my Kong family in the slightest. As long as we pretend to be friendly with the Liangshan bandits for a while, we will be able to survive this disaster."

"My Kong family has been passed down for thousands of years. We have seen all kinds of storms. Even during the Five Barbarians' Invasion, we Kong family was treated with great courtesy. As long as the emperor wants to secure his throne, he must respect our Kong family. Maybe he came to see us because he admires us. After all, if he wants to herd the people, he must use scholars..."

Everyone talked about it, but in the end, no one could come to a conclusion.

However, Duke Yansheng Kong Duanyou had made up his mind.

Faced with such a powerful rebel, we have to be soft.

As the saying goes, a scholar cannot explain his reason clearly when he meets a soldier.

If they were facing the ministers and dignitaries in the court, the Kong family would have no fear. Everyone abided by the rules, doctors were not punished, and scholars were not killed in this dynasty.

However, this is the but I am most afraid of. The young King of Wei is extremely cruel and ruthless, and most of his subordinates are demons. I am afraid it will be difficult to deal with him!

At this time, a young man from the Confucius Mansion rushed into the hall in fear:
"Duke Yansheng, Duke Yansheng, it's bad, it's bad! It's a disaster! It's a disaster!"

"How shameful! Tell me what happened. Can those rebels kill us?"

"The army... the army... surrounded us... all the militiamen were captured... those who dared to resist were beheaded... several uncles who argued with reason were killed..."

"what?"

Kong Duanyou's expression suddenly changed: "The King of Wei ordered to come to my Kong Mansion, why is it that a large army is coming?"

Shouldn't we use courtesy before force? Why did we use force first?
"Duke Yansheng..."

Everyone looked unhappy. After a lifetime of enjoying a good life, their spines had become weak.

"Don't worry, everyone. I think the King of Wei is very wise and will not easily resort to violence against us. Those few must have said something stupid and angered the King of Wei."

"That's right! That's right! The King of Wei has cleaned up the filth in Shandong. He is truly a wise king in ancient times..."

For a time, there was endless praise.

For thousands of years, the Kong family has been able to pass on its legacy as stable as a rock through the changes of dynasties. The way of life they adhered to is the true principle.

As the saying goes, a real man can bend and stretch. Since they can't afford to offend, they should just keep a low profile. There is a saying that goes, "Don't hit a smiling person." Their Kong family has kept a low profile. Could it be that the King of Wei can still deal with their Kong family for no reason?
Whenever there is a change of dynasties, the Kong family will stand on the side of whoever is stronger. This is the Kong family's unbroken and irrefutable truth!

Outside the main hall of the Confucius Temple, a member of the Kong family came running in hastily. He took a breath and said respectfully: "Duke Yansheng, an urgent message from a fast horse! Here we are... The King of Wei will arrive in one stick of incense..."

Kong Duanyou glanced at everyone and shouted in a low voice: "Everyone, this is related to the survival of our Kong family. If anyone causes any trouble, don't blame me for opening the ancestral temple and expelling them from the Kong family."

After saying this, he straightened his clothes and his expression became respectful.

"My lords, follow me to welcome the Holy King!"

(End of this chapter)