Chapter 1 The Filature of the Song

Yue Fei didn't wait for the Yue Tai Grand Sacrifice in mid-autumn, and returned directly, and early at that, because he had a more important task. Zhao Jiu needed him and his disciplined troops to ensure that post-war Jingdong did not lose order during the autumn harvest, and even more so, needed a proper person to provide absolute military support when Wan Qixie cleaned up unclaimed land in the manner of Guanzhong.

Especially since Zhang Jun, whose reputation was not good, was now in de facto control of eastern Qingzhou after Li Qi broke through with a small number of confidants.

In fact, the reason for holding this grand sacrifice after the Mid-Autumn Festival was not just to make it more grand and therefore require more preparation time, but more so to deliberately mark the autumn harvest as a boundary.

After all, for an agricultural society, the period before and after the autumn harvest, not to mention agricultural issues and the degree of busyness, even people's mental outlook is somewhat different.

Taking advantage of the blank period created by the autumn harvest, and then holding large-scale spiritual civilization activities, is a good way to build on the past and usher in the future.

But to be honest, after the news of the ceremony spread, and everything was bustling and lively, Zhao Jiu was not in the mood, because essentially, the things and words to build on the past and usher in the future seemed to have been done and said as early as Yaoshan and Shaoxing. This time, it was clearly an activity of strengthening and promotion, and he was just going to be a tool.

Even some sonorous and powerful words and declarations seemed to have lost their meaning... Times have changed. The Di Bao (official gazette), which has skillfully mastered regional plate printing technology and has an ever-increasing circulation, now has a better propaganda effect. Ten thousand sentences spoken by him on the spot are not as useful as a formal official document with his signature.

As for choosing temples and Taoist temples, Zhao Jiu was simply iron-faced and selfless. Apart from the Mingdao Palace, even the Shaolin Temple, Lingjiu Temple, Wuyue Temple, Xiangguo Temple, and Dongxiao Palace, which had made contributions to the country, did not receive special treatment. It was simply "those who contributed more" stay, and "those who did not contribute enough" get out.

Of course, these few also seemed to not be short of money.

And Zhao Guan Jia (official family) had not fallen into the monotonous state of an emotionless machine. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached day by day, he still maintained considerable shock at some things and some people... Because some people and things did indeed exceed his imagination.

"The 47th generation direct grandson of Confucius, the Duke Yansheng, Kong Duanyou; the 46th generation direct grandson, Kong Ruogu..." Inside a nameless stone pavilion, Zhao Jiu read these two names repeatedly, put down the list, and then stood like a wooden duck, without any movement for a long time.

At this time, on the stone table in front of him, there were several other similar lists, and opposite him were four prime ministers of the Du Sheng (Department of State Affairs), an Imperial Censor, and two Shangshu (Ministers)... two new Shangshu, Zhai Ruwen, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, and Chen Gongfu, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel. It just so happened that this matter was within their purview, so it could only be said that it was a bit of a coincidence.

As for outside the stone pavilion, several members of the Jade Hall Academy, drafters of the Central Secretariat, recorders of daily life, the Grand Supervisor of the Inner Attendants Province, Lan Gui, the Imperial Guards Commander Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, and so on, were also divided into two groups, standing before and after.

To be honest, the only thing missing was four Shangshu, otherwise they could have gone directly to the Wende Hall.

"Guan Jia (official family)." Liu Ji, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Du Sheng, was in charge of this matter, and after waiting for a long time, seeing that Guan Jia was indeed stunned, he spoke earnestly. "Is there any error or omission in the list?"

Zhao Guan Jia took a breath, which could be considered a movement, but he still didn't say anything.

In all honesty, Zhao Jiu would have never thought that the real Duke Yansheng would appear on this list, because this list was the second list of living "loyal and meritorious officials," that is, the list of nobles who maintained their dignity during the Jingkang Incident! This was specially compiled by the Du Sheng and the Ministry of Rites according to his Guan Jia's ideas.

And according to his Zhao Guan Jia's laughable historical common sense from his previous life, shouldn't the Duke Yansheng family always be spineless traitors? Shouldn't they immediately kneel and lick as soon as there was a shadow of a change of dynasty? In the first year of Jianyan (of the Jin dynasty), the Jin people attacked Jingdong to the east, and in the spring of the second year of Jianyan, they actually controlled the Shandong Peninsula, and established the puppet Qi in the third year of Jianyan. The northernmost part of Yanzhou, where Qufu is located, was an enemy-occupied area for a long time. There was no reason for this Duke Yansheng not to surrender to the Jin people and echo the puppet Qi, right?

Moreover, how did he seem to remember very clearly that when Liu Yu established the state, he specifically went to Qufu to worship the Kong family, and then also issued a proclamation. For this reason, his Zhao Jiu had to bear the indelible black mark for the sins committed by this body (Chen Dong and the Hebei exodus), right?

"How do I remember that the Duke Yansheng recognized the puppet Qi as the legitimate government?" Zhao Jiu came back to his senses and asked seriously. "And issued a proclamation scolding me."

Liu Ji and the newly appointed Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, Zhai Ruwen, exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief. Then, Liu Ji gave a serious answer: "Guan Jia, the one in Jinan is a fake Duke Yansheng. The real Duke Yansheng, Kong Duanyou, has not lost his integrity in the slightest. On the contrary, during the Jin people's southern invasion in the winter of the first year of Jianyan and the beginning of the second year of Jianyan, he took the initiative to take the 'Confucius and Lady Qiguan's Wooden Statues', 'Picture of Confucius's Sword (Wu Daozi's work)', and 'Imperial Seal for Sacrifices to the Sage and Literary King' and other family heirlooms, and led most of the close relatives south, and then stayed in Yangzhou to await dispatch."

Zhao Jiu paused again: "The blessings of a virtuous man last for five generations. Even the descendants of Confucius have reached the forty-seventh generation. They have been pampered and enjoy wealth and glory since birth. How can they be so righteous?"

This time it was Liu Ji's turn to pause. In fact, not only Liu Ji, but the other prime ministers and two Shangshu were also stunned... because this statement was too absurd. According to this statement, your family has also been around for seven or eight generations, so even if your father and brother are 'mere commoners', why can you be righteous?

Of course, the only exception was Prime Minister Lu Haowen, who did not have any "shock"... He has been shocked for four or five years, and the Shocked Department should have closed down.

"Guan Jia, but the fact is that the Duke Yansheng really went south carrying three treasures like Confucius's memorial tablet. Everyone in the world knows this." Sure enough, the Imperial Censor Li Guang couldn't hold back his temper. "Moreover, he has such a special status, and he took the three holy objects to follow Guan Jia and the Empress Dowager south, not leaving them to the Jin people, which is equivalent to fulfilling his duty of loyalty. And everyone in the world knows this... Why does Guan Jia pretend to be deaf and mute?"

Zhao Jiu realized it and was embarrassed for a moment.

"Guan Jia," seeing this, Zhai Ruwen came out to smooth things over. "In fact, there is indeed some other explanation for this matter..."

"Oh?"

"Guan Jia, look at the list, in addition to the Duke Yansheng himself, there is also a 46th generation grandson of Confucius, who is the Duke Yansheng Kong Duanyou's paternal uncle, Kong Ruogu... There are rumors that Kong Ruogu was the one who strongly promoted the Duke Yansheng to abandon the Qufu ancestral temple and follow Guan Jia and the Empress Dowager south. But in any case, the Duke Yansheng's loyalty is beyond doubt."

Zhao Jiu was completely speechless... Now, how could he not understand that he was probably really encountering a freak in the Kong family. Or, conversely, perhaps it was precisely because those who were willing to be loyal went south this time that the people who remained in another time and space developed a family style of following the crowd, and then, like the old woman, they became worse and worse.

In fact, with Zhai Ruwen's detailed introduction, Zhao Jiu learned some more specific information:

For example, when Kong Duanyou and his uncle Kong Ruogu went south, the one who stayed in Qufu to guard the ancestral temple and was taken to Jinan by Liu Yu to control was his younger brother Kong Duancao.

Later, after Qufu was recovered, Kong Duancao was detained in Jinan by Liu Yu, and Kong Duanyou immediately sent his uncle Kong Ruogu back to preside over the situation. Then, after Yue Fei defeated Li Cheng, he personally took the three holy objects and led his family back north quickly.

After he arrived in Qufu and met with his uncle, and learned that his younger brother and Liu Yu had been abducted to Hebei by Elubu, this contemporary Duke Yansheng quickly wrote to the Du Sheng to plead guilty for his younger brother, and pointed out that his younger brother was left to guard the ancestral temple and was forcibly abducted, hoping to be pardoned.

This series of measures, whether Kong Duanyou was the main person or his uncle Kong Ruogu was the main person, didn't matter, because anyone who faced the Kong family's performance from the Jingkang Incident to the present time had to admit that they had done things cleanly and beautifully, and were beyond reproach in terms of righteousness, minor details, filial piety, and kinship.

The way this matter was handled was simply shameful to a certain Guan Jia sitting in the pavilion listening to the story.

In fact, even Zhao Jiu, who was looking at the Duke Yansheng family with colored glasses with nearly a thousand years of thickness, had to personally approve the list with the commendation suggestions for Kong Duanyou and his uncle Kong Ruogu after sighing for a long time, and then pardoned Kong Duancao from afar.

What can you say?

Could he run out and complain that he happened to encounter a Duke Yansheng who didn't mess up? Did he dislike the Kong family for being loyal to the Zhao family?

Really, don't embarrass yourself... Even a fool can see that in the Jingkang Incident, the Kong family had more face than the Zhao family!

"The Kong family is so outstanding, and their family is so special, they should be vigorously commended." After Zhao Jiu finished signing and stamping the last of the thick roster, Lan Da Guan (Grand Supervisor Lan) stepped forward to put the seal on it. Taking advantage of this opportunity, this Guan Jia pondered slightly, and then asked the important ministers in front of him. "But I see that the Du Sheng only gave Kong Duanyou the rank of Purple Robe and Kong Ruogu the Scarlet Robe... Given the Kong family's exemplary role, is this reward a bit too light?"

Liu Ji, who was responsible for this matter, nodded earnestly in response: "To be honest, Guan Jia, the ministers have indeed discussed this matter, and there is this argument. But now that the official positions in the library have been completely abolished, and the national finances have been simplified, there is really no way... We can't let the Duke Yansheng go to administer Qingzhou, right?"

Zhao Jiu nodded slightly and was about to let the matter go.

However, Zhao Guan Jia's finger brushed over another roster on the stone table in front of him, but he suddenly remembered something, and then his heart stirred slightly: "I remember when we were looking at the first booklet just now, we talked about Han Xiaozhou's reward?"

"Yes." Prime Minister Zhao Ding keenly took over the conversation, surpassing Liu Ji. "Han Xiaozhou was originally granted the official position of Chengwulang through grace and served as a recorder in Kaifeng Prefecture. Then he was granted the title of Tongshangshe, removed to Weiyu Shaoqing (Vice Minister of the Imperial Guards), and then sent to Jiangzhou, which can be said to be deeply experienced. And with such qualifications, coupled with his merit in going to the Northern Kingdom to ask for the return of the two Saints and the Empress Dowager, and his integrity in being detained by Nianhan but never losing his integrity, he should always have a reward worthy of him to convince people. However..."

"However, unless he is given the position of Prime Minister, otherwise this background, qualifications, integrity, and merit cannot be properly arranged." Zhao Jiu understood. "But how is it possible to let him be a Prime Minister? And some words, although you have not said them, but I understand in my heart that this person after all occupies a background that others cannot compare with. As an official under the protection of his ancestors in Kaifeng Prefecture, he can be promoted to the Purple Robe and leap to become a Shaoqing. The matter of going on a mission later can also be regarded as opportunistic... Besides, I have also met this person and know that he is an honest to the point of incompetence, and it is impossible to entrust him with important military and state affairs."

Zhai Ruwen couldn't help but cough, apparently not used to Zhao Guan Jia's directness, but seeing that the others were silent, it was clear that Zhao Guan Jia had hit the nail on the head.

"So we have to think of a way to give Han Xiaozhou, the Kong family uncles and nephews, and others who are proper and should be given some explanation, but cannot give a proper position to people who should be given a proper assignment." Zhao Jiu finally said his meaning. "I just thought of it... Aren't we gradually making official positions consistent with their names? Only the Secretariat titles are extra identities, so why not give them an explanation like granting them a seat in the Secretariat?"

"Guan Jia is saying, create a fake Secretariat?" Privy Councilor Zhang Jun immediately woke up and blurted out. "For example, use the old Shangshu (Ministry) office in Xuande Building, which is empty, and create an Outer Secretariat?"

"Although it's outside the palace walls, Outer Secretariat sounds too bad." Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly. "How about using the name Public Secretariat? Allow them, like the Secretariat, to meet every twenty days, and record and archive the meeting, and submit reports to me in the name of the Public Secretariat, and allow them to participate in the Grand Court Assembly to listen to the ceremony, and when the Taixue (Imperial Academy) discusses politics, maybe they can sit by my side..."

"But if they only listen to the ceremony even at the Grand Court Assembly, then what can they say in the Public Secretariat?" Zhao Ding also already felt that it was feasible, but still felt a little hasty and embarrassing... It was too perfunctory, Han Xiaozhou could have been a Prime Minister, and the Duke Yansheng's family ran around with two wooden statues, which was also quite hard, wasn't it?

Besides, there were quite a few people around.

"Put the abbots and Daoist priests who came this time in as well, and talk about sacrificial prayers?" Zhao Jiu continued to tentatively say. "Also, put some prestigious members of the imperial clan to discuss etiquette and the inheritance of titles? Let the two fathers-in-law also go in and talk about repairing roads in Tokyo? And how to distribute houses in Jingyuan? When will the Cuju (ancient football) League start? The great Confucian scholars can also go in to promote Yuanxue (original learning) and discuss Neo-Confucianism? In winter, they can also discuss how to help the poor? Anything can be said, anyway, send it to me in the end, and I'll take a look when I have time, and if I don't have time, I'll send it directly to the Du Sheng... How about that?"

Zhao Ding was embarrassed to nod, but seeing him and the other prime ministers and the two Shangshu looking at each other, it seemed that they agreed in their hearts.

After all, they only discovered when they were preparing these lists this time that there were too many similar people.

In fact, even the close inner ministers standing outside seemed to agree... Who would want these people to come and grab their positions? Just like Guan Jia said, these official positions are now becoming more and more consistent with their names, and they all have real power. Everyone has a feeling of being promoted on the spot, so why should these people directly turn over their heads?

"I am willing to resign from my position as the Chief of the Secretariat and go to be the Chief of this new Public Secretariat." Lu Haowen, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke. "It just so happens that I can concentrate on Yuanxue..."

"Prime Minister Lu can go to be the Chief of the Public Secretariat, but he must continue to be the Chief of the Secretariat." Zhao Jiu quickly waved his hand. "There are some things that still need Prime Minister Lu to make the final decision for me."

Lu Haowen nodded and remained silent in his seat, not knowing if he was thinking about a new Yuanxue theorem. And the remaining people roughly discussed it, probably wanting the Di Bao to cooperate in promoting the importance of the Public Secretariat... and then this matter seemed to be roughly settled.

The gentlemen who came today got a new assignment, which was to draw up a list for the Public Secretariat.

However, before that, there seemed to be one more thing.

"Is this all?" Zhao Jiu touched another roster, and was incredulous for a moment.

"Guan Jia." Zhao Ding and others were helpless and could only get up and bow to each other, even Lu Haowen stood up with them. "We are really helpless... The Jin people are stopped at the Huai River, Nanyang, and Guanzhong, and Hebei and Hedong are still occupied by the enemy, and Jingdong is newly recovered, so in fact only Guanzhong, Zhongyuan, and Huaishang are the three places where effective statistics can be made, and even in these three places, after experiencing multiple bandits, rebels, Jin soldiers, and government soldiers, how can we say for sure?"

"What about those towns in western Henan that were completely slaughtered during the winter of the second year of Jianyan?" Zhao Jiu still didn't understand.

"Let Guan Jia know, since they were completely slaughtered, where would any information remain?" Zhao Ding became more and more helpless. "Besides, the household registration rosters have already been re-determined after Tuduan (land reform), military settlements, and land grants, and we can only remember a list of town names, which are all written in the booklets... As for the rest of the places, we, in the name of the Du Sheng, asked the local areas for the names of righteous and heroic civilian households, male and female, who resisted the Jin, but we could only get that someone organized a rebel army around a certain time in a certain year, and someone else died in battle, but they were all well-known wealthy families in the local area."

Zhao Jiu looked at the several thick registers of meritorious and loyal officials that he had just read... one was for sacrificed and meritorious officials, such as Li Ruoshui and Zhang Shuye; one was for sacrificed and meritorious generals, such as Zhong Shidao and Wang Bing; one was for existing loyal officials, such as Han Xiaozhou and many other veteran officials in the court; and one was for existing loyal nobles and famous Confucians, such as the Duke Yansheng and his uncle... Then he touched the thin register of righteous and heroic civilian households, male and female, in his hand, and thought of the dense memorial arches in the mountain god temple after the battle of Yaoshan.

Even though he prided himself on having seen many things in the past four or five years, he still felt ironic and sad at this time.

Zhao Guan Jia caressed the thin register for a long time without speaking. The several prime ministers and the Imperial Censor, plus the two Shangshu, and those outside the pavilion, were also somewhat embarrassed... They were the true elite of the empire.

They truly understood what national subjugation and the suffering of the people were all about. How could they not know the embarrassment and sadness in this?

But the reality was so clear and straightforward that even sighing a few times felt hypocritical... What can you do?

After a long pause, Zhao Jiu finally opened the register. The several prime ministers and important ministers also sat down at his suggestion, but at this moment, Zhao Guan Jia, staring at the list of slaughtered towns in western Henan on the first page, suddenly seemed to be lost in thought, and then turned to face Yang Yizhong, who was standing on one side of the pavilion: "Zhengfu!"

"Your subject is here." Yang Yizhong was inexplicably flustered.

"Are there any prostitutes in the city?" Zhao Jiu asked seriously.

There was commotion and chaos in the entire pavilion. Even Yang Yizhong was dumbfounded. Everyone knew that the two imperial concubines were pregnant, but how could they tolerate such absurd words from the Guan Jia? But for some reason, after a moment, including Li Guang, who was extremely angry for a moment, everyone became strangely quiet.

As if it were contagious, one person suddenly woke up, and then these imperial elites quickly became sober and understood.

The autumn wind was rustling, the sun was warm and slanting, and in the evening, the entire nameless stone pavilion was silent, with only the faint sound of the autumn wind coming from the mulberry forest in the distance.