Chapter 76: How Could a Daoist Priest Surpass the Duke of the Sacred Lineage?

“Master Zhang, Lord Yansheng, greetings! Master Zhang, it has been some years since we last parted…”

The indifference of the officials made Kong Xixue taste the bitter chill of human relationships. At last, someone was willing to pause and greet the two of them. Yet Kong Xixue noticed that Li Shanchang’s politeness was clearly directed more at Master Zhang, and he himself was merely an afterthought. Were it not for Zhang Zhengchang’s presence, Li Shanchang probably wouldn’t have stopped at all.

“So it’s Prime Minister Li. I greet you,” replied Zhang Zhengchang. He, too, felt the icy warmth of the world. Just yesterday, this very Prime Minister Li had no interest in reminiscing with him. To put it plainly, all the respect he now received standing here came solely from the Emperor’s favor deep within the palace.

Once, Zhang Zhengchang might have felt flattered or even proud to be treated with such deference by the Prime Minister, but after experiencing life’s ups and downs, he had learned to take it calmly.

“Master, every time you come to the capital, you’re always in such a hurry—never any time to catch up. If you are free this time, perhaps you could visit my residence for a chat.”

Li Shanchang’s invitation tempted Old Zhang. He had been through this sort of thing many times during the previous dynasty and was well-versed in such social dances. He was about to agree when suddenly he recalled Zhang Yi’s assessment of the Emperor, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He took a step back and said,

“A humble man from beyond the world of dust cannot afford such exquisite fare. Besides, His Majesty has entrusted me with a task—after my audience, I must leave the capital at once. I’m afraid I will have to decline your kind offer, Prime Minister.

If I have another opportunity to visit the capital, I shall be sure to call upon you.”

To have his invitation refused by Zhang Zhengchang? A flicker of annoyance crossed Li Shanchang’s face, but he quickly masked it.

“Lord Yansheng,” Li Shanchang turned to Kong Xixue, saying, “I am aware of your family's matters. Should the chance arise, I will pay my respects to your esteemed father.”

Kong Xixue’s heart filled with bitterness. He could see through Li Shanchang’s insincerity. Since last night’s news from the palace, he knew the Kong family of Qufu had already been branded in Ming. The Emperor himself had pronounced the charge of traitor. No official with any sense would dare get embroiled in the Kong family’s affairs!

Li Shanchang turned and left, the other officials continuing to stream inside. At last, from afar, Liu Ji approached. As he passed Kong and Zhang, he gave a dignified nod, neither humble nor arrogant, before entering.

In the Hall of Heavenly Mandate, the officials waited in silence for the Emperor to finish his business and announce what he wished to declare.

The matter of Kong Xixue’s investiture, and of Zhang Zhengchang, both required formal proceedings.

Zhu Yuanzhang began, “Li Shanchang, did you see what I sent to the Secretariat yesterday?”

Li Shanchang knew the important part was here. He quickly stepped forward, bowed his head, and said, “Your Majesty, I have not yet had the chance to review it.”

“No matter, I can say it here. Yesterday, the former Lord Yansheng, Kong Kejian, brought his son Kong Xixue to court. I have already received them. Sadly, the old master’s health is failing. I pity him, so I have allowed his son to inherit his title; I grant Kong Xixue the hereditary title of Lord Yansheng, second rank, promoted to Senior Virtue Minister, to be seated after the Chancellor at court. I bestow two thousand qing of ritual land, the annual yield to supply the sacrifices, any surplus as the Lord’s stipend.

What do you all think?”

Li Shanchang glanced at his colleagues, exchanged looks, and bowed his head. “Your Majesty, we believe this is appropriate.”

There could be little fault found with Zhu Yuanzhang’s handling of the matter, even if the previous dynasty might have been more generous to the Lords Yansheng. In terms of law and etiquette, the Emperor had given the Kong family its due, leaving no room for criticism. Besides, the true state of Kong Kejian was well known to these wily old courtiers.

With the northern capital not yet fallen, Lord Yansheng’s arrival in Nanjing had been far from willing. Even with the Emperor’s wrath and the war on the front, he had sent General Xu Da to “escort” Kong Kejian back—showing just how displeased the Son of Heaven was with him. Even so, the old master had dragged his feet, feigning illness and stalling along the way.

Given such a conclusion, Zhu Yuanzhang had already shown great consideration for the face of the ancient sage; what more could the Kong family ask?

“Very well, summon Kong Xixue,” the Emperor said to the eunuch beside him. Kong Xixue, already waiting before the hall, hurried inside.

Zhu Yuanzhang publicly announced the rewards he had promised the day before, and Kong Xixue bowed in gratitude. Not a trace remained of yesterday’s sternness in Old Zhu’s amicable demeanor. Yet the words from his mouth made Kong Xixue feel the chill from the capital to Qufu grow ever colder.

“Beloved minister Kong, now that you’ve inherited your title, you should study your family’s learning diligently. The Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues left by the sage are laws for all generations. Do not let your descendants neglect them…”

Kong Xixue replied, “Your Majesty, I understand.”

“Henceforth, the Lords Yansheng and the sons of the Kong family are to devote themselves solely to the worship of the sage. There is no need to serve as officials in local government. I know your family wished to follow your ancestors’ footsteps and serve the world, but is there not a treasure mountain at home? Why throw away the watermelon to pick up sesame seeds?”

Kong Kejian could only smile bitterly. The glory and wealth of ninety members of the Kong clan had, in the Emperor’s mouth, become fleeting smoke. It was clear that, for a long time to come, the Kong family would have no place in Ming officialdom. As for the Lords Yansheng, to be able to sit securely in the Confucius Temple, continuing the incense of the sage, was already a stroke of fortune. What more could he say, but thank the Emperor?

“I thank Your Majesty. I have already written to Qufu. In these years of the North’s occupation, even in Qufu, many of our ancestral laws have been lost. Only by coming to the capital have I seen the full inheritance preserved in Ming. I beg Your Majesty to allow my son Kong Ne to come to the capital to study—”

“To help me fulfill my filial duty!”

As Kong Xixue spoke these words, a hush fell over the court. To offer up one’s son as a hostage was a deeply humiliating act, but circumstances left him no choice. The Kong family’s position was too clear-cut; they had thoroughly offended the Ming Emperor. With the North unsettled and given the family’s history, it would be difficult for Kong Xixue to leave the capital with dignity without offering some sacrifice.

Everyone knew what this “request” truly was, but all played dumb.

Zhu Biao observed everything, recalling Zhang Yi’s crude saying about the “backsides of scholars.” Some might feel the Emperor had gone too far, but stripping the Kong family of power suited the interests of the court.

Zhu Yuanzhang readily accepted Kong Xixue’s “request,” and Lord Yansheng took his leave.

“Summon Zhang Zhengchang, Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain!”

With Kong Xixue’s matter concluded, it was Zhang Zhengchang’s turn. As the two brushed past each other, Kong Xixue’s expression twisted.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Daoists stem from the principle of tranquility and non-action, a tradition with ancient roots. The Zhang clan of Dragon Tiger Mountain has passed down its teachings since the Han. The forty-second-generation descendant, Zhengchang, is pure of heart, virtuous and harmonious, a worthy heir upholding the orthodox tradition. I commend him, and thus appoint him Grand Master of the Orthodox Unity, Enlightener and Exemplar, of the first subordinate rank, and grant him a golden seal, three thousand mu of land, and twelve yi of gold.”

Zhu Yuanzhang wasted no words with Zhang Zhengchang, conferring the honors directly. Zhang Zhengchang knelt to express his thanks, but just then, an unexpected event occurred.

The Censor-in-Chief, Grand Historian Liu Ji, stepped forward and knelt. “Your Majesty, how can a Daoist receive honors above the Lord Yansheng? I believe this is inappropriate!”

At this, silence descended once more. Li Shanchang suddenly smiled, stepped forth, and said, “I, too, believe it inappropriate!”

(End of chapter)