Chapter 69: Ignorant of Fate, Removing the Firewood from Beneath the Pot

At fifty, one comes to understand destiny. Destiny refers to comprehending the laws and principles of nature, and by extension, knowing what cannot be controlled by human effort. Kong Kejian, feigning madness and stupidity, almost failed to keep up the pretense when he heard this—he nearly revealed his true self. The emperor was clearly mocking him for being unable to see the greater trends of the world, and for his unwillingness to relinquish the glories and riches of the former dynasty. The Northern Expedition of the Ming was heaven’s will, an act in accordance with the great current of fate. If Kong Kejian could not see this, if he could not let go, then the fifty years he had lived might as well have been wasted on a dog.

Kong Kejian’s body trembled slightly; he almost dropped to his knees before the emperor to beg for mercy. He was seventy percent certain that his act had not fooled the emperor at all, that the emperor was simply affording the Kong family a measure of dignity by not exposing him on the spot. But not exposing the truth did not mean Zhu Yuanzhang would allow them to treat him as a fool. That was why the emperor had spoken so pointedly, accusing Kong Kejian of failing to understand destiny.

Only then did Kong Kejian realize that in the presence of the Son of Heaven, his petty cleverness amounted to nothing. Still, he dared not beg for forgiveness directly. All of these were merely his suspicions—if he guessed incorrectly and broke his own cover, an enraged emperor might well kill both him and his son. Because of their bloodline from the Most Sacred Sage, the emperor would not lightly harm the Kong family, but the Kong clan was not limited to just Kong Kejian’s branch. In their history, there had even been instances of internal power struggles. Kong Kejian himself had only become Duke of Yansheng under such circumstances. If the emperor were pushed to the limit, he could just as easily replace him with another branch.

At this point, regret consumed Kong Kejian so thoroughly that his hand, hidden beneath the table, gripped his thigh with such force that bruises appeared. Meanwhile, Kong Xixue had already fallen to his knees, shivering and speechless.

“The Kong family has always known to follow the will of Heaven. When the Jin invaded, you submitted to them; when the Mongols came, you welcomed them eagerly. No matter the dynasty, Han or barbarian, it never impeded the incense burning bright at the Confucian temple in Qufu. Such skill, I must admit, fills me with envy! But now, with the Ming’s Northern Expedition underway, your Kong family hesitates to return to the Ming. Does this mean that in your eyes, neither I nor the Ming are the mandate of Heaven?”

At this, Zhu Yuanzhang turned and smiled at Zhang Zhengchang. “Back then, you said I was the chosen one of destiny, but it seems the mandate of Heaven as understood by Dragon-Tiger Mountain and by the Confucian temple at Qufu are not the same! I wonder, does Heaven prefer the incense of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, or does it bow to the destiny of the Kong family?”

Zhang Zhengchang lowered his head in silence, not daring to speak. If, by now, he still failed to see that the emperor was using him as a rod to chastise the Kong family, then his years had also been wasted. The emperor’s words were gentle in tone but heavy in reproach—he stopped just short of calling Kong Kejian and Kong Xixue traitors to their faces. Still, though the emperor rebuked them, Zhang dared not join in. The Kong and Zhang families were both millennia-old lineages; their future depended not only on serving the present emperor. In some ways, offending the Kong family was even riskier than offending the emperor himself.

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang was not trying to implicate him. After he finished, his gaze fell upon Kong Xixue. By now, Kong Xixue was trembling uncontrollably on the floor. Only today did they realize that the Ming sovereign before them was different from all emperors past.

The reason the Kong family had enjoyed the favor of emperors for generations, besides their ability to read the times, was above all the protective shield of their descent from the Most Sacred Sage. With this bloodline, they held an inviolable license to live. But the emperor before them was different—he dared to overturn the table.

Kong Xixue kept his head down, afraid to meet the emperor’s gaze, yet he felt the monarch’s eyes on his back, cold as ice—murderous intent.

“Your Majesty, may your insight be clear. You are the enlightened sovereign whom our Han people have awaited for centuries. Of course, the Kong family will obey your every command! You are the true mandate of Heaven—not the destiny of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, nor of the Kong family, but the destiny entrusted by the people, by all under Heaven!”

Kong Xixue was terrified that, if he spoke too late, neither he nor his aged father would leave the palace alive. Zhu Yuanzhang, hearing his near desperate declaration of loyalty, gave a low laugh.

“Lord Kong, rise.”

The title “Lord” made Kong Xixue’s back instantly break out in cold sweat—had he passed the test? He felt as though he had survived a great calamity.

“I grew up poor and never had much schooling, but when I was young and herded cattle past the gentry’s private school, I would hear the sound of reading within and always admired the Sage. Later, once I learned to read myself, that feeling only grew stronger. I have always held great respect for the Sage.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s words brought Kong Xixue to the verge of tears with gratitude. But the emperor’s tone suddenly shifted, and the smile froze on Kong Xixue’s face.

“Today, I requested an audience with the Duke of Yansheng to witness the bearing of the Sage’s descendants myself. It pains me deeply to see the Duke in such a state. Lord Kong…”

“At your command!” Kong Xixue replied, scarcely realizing he was being led by the nose.

“I see you are in your thirties already. As the saying goes, at thirty one stands on his own. You are no longer a child—how can you bear to leave all burdens on your father’s shoulders?”

At these words, Kong Xixue flushed deep red and hurriedly bowed his head. “Your Majesty’s rebuke is just—it is my own lack of filial piety!”

“In that case, since Duke Kong Kejian is gravely ill, it is only fitting that he retire and enjoy his remaining years. Kong Xixue, hear my decree!”

“Your servant awaits!”

Kong Xixue immediately knelt, awaiting the imperial favor.

“Kong Xixue, by hereditary right, shall be Duke of Yansheng, ranked as second grade, promoted to Senior Advisor, and at court shall stand after the Grand Chancellor. I grant you two thousand great qing of ritual land, with annual income for sacrifices and additional revenue as the Duke’s stipend.”

At this proclamation, both Kong Kejian and Kong Xixue were left in shock. Especially Kong Xixue—he had never imagined the emperor would bypass his father and directly appoint him Duke of Yansheng. This was a move to pull the rug out from under them, catching the Kong father and son completely off guard.

The Kong family still harbored hopes for the Yuan dynasty in the north. The reason Kong Kejian had feigned madness was because, as Duke of Yansheng, he did not want to pledge himself to the Ming too easily. If the Mongols in the north—especially the forces of Köke Temür—could turn the tide and suppress the Ming’s Northern Expedition, then as long as Kong Kejian did not surrender, the Kong family would still have room to maneuver. But Zhu Yuanzhang refused to play by the rules. You wish to play the fool? Then I will simply remove you from your position and install your son.

By putting his son in the role of Duke of Yansheng, Zhu Yuanzhang had effectively cut off the Kong family’s last avenue of retreat. Only now did they realize that, in a contest of wits with this emperor, their own schemes were not even worth mentioning.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty…” Kong Xixue was completely panicked. He could not help but look back at Kong Kejian, but his father kept his head down, not daring to meet his eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang took all of this in, but said nothing. He merely maintained a stern face and said, “Lord Kong, are you over thirty and yet still as a babe in arms, letting your father bear all burdens for you?”

At this point, refusal was no longer an option for Kong Xixue. He knelt and cried out, “Your servant, Kong Xixue, thanks Your Majesty for this great favor!”

“And furthermore…”

Zhu Yuanzhang had not finished, but even the mere beginning of his next words sent terror through the Kong father and son.

Second watch!

(End of this chapter)