Hahahaha!
Li Shimin laughed, his laughter filled with killing intent.
Future! What a future!
This Emperor understands, understands everything!
The Confucian teachings state that a gentleman is concerned with righteousness, while a petty man is concerned with profit. You are all nothing but petty men!
Transmit my imperial decree!
The Kong family colluded with mountain bandits and engaged in rebellion. The evidence is conclusive. The verdict is as follows!
Considering the reputation of the Sages, beginning with Kong Yingda, all three generations of his lineage shall be eradicated!
All descendants of the Kong family outside of these three generations shall have their merits and titles stripped!
They shall be exiled to Nanyue Prefecture, Piaozhou Prefecture, Tianzhu Prefecture, Tubo Prefecture, and Yizhou Prefecture!
For one hundred years, they shall not return to the imperial court to serve as officials!
All of them shall be escorted to Laizhou Prefecture. Fill in that valley for me!
Yes!
Li Xiaogong and the others led troops into the city to raid their homes. The Melon King carefully put away the notebook recording the decree and bowed to receive the order.
Your Majesty, you cannot—
*Bang!*
An official had just begun to speak when Li Shimin shot him dead.
My words are not yet finished!
From this day forward, the imperial examinations shall abolish all Confucian content. It may only be used for rudimentary enlightenment!
If you wish to become an official, to rise in status and bring honor to your ancestors, first learn how to farm, how to raise livestock, how to enrich the populace, and how to strengthen the nation!
A single quote from Confucius to enter the imperial court? Never!
Upon hearing this, all the Confucian scholars present were stunned.
They had studied diligently for half their lives, only for the imperial examinations to no longer test these subjects?
*Pfft~~~~*
Kong Yingda, after hearing these words, vomited another mouthful of blood.
Li Shimin! You are so heartless!
A tyrant! A tyrant! Comparable to Qin Shi Huang!
*Pfft~~!*
*Pfft~~!*
As he spoke, he vomited two more large mouthfuls of blood, and then his head drooped.
The Melon King quickly stepped forward to check his breathing and then said, "Your Majesty, Kong Yingda is dead."
Does this "three generations" count from him?
Kong Yingda had the longest lineage within the Kong family. With him dead, a generation was directly lost.
Furthermore, he was the ringleader of this incident. His death felt like a punch hitting cotton to Li Shimin.
Then it shall count from his son, Kong Zhiliang!
If not for the consideration of the Sages, I would have executed ten generations of his clan without hesitation!
Yes!
The Melon King quickly took out his notebook and made the corresponding changes to the recorded content.
One wonders what Kong Yingda would think if he knew that his death would cause another generation of his family to be lost.
No one among the Confucian scholars dared to utter another word. They remained kneeling, awaiting the conclusion of the matter.
Glancing at the sky, it was nearing dusk. Fang Er approached Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should enter the city and rest for today?"
Camp outside the city!
Yes!
The army set up camp outside the city. After a day of work, they began to prepare their meals.
Seeing that Li Shimin and Fang Er were no longer paying attention to them, the Confucian scholars prepared to slink away towards the city with their tails between their legs.
Your Majesty, what about these Confucian scholars?
The Melon King, seeing this, quickly ran over to seek instructions.
Li Shimin turned and watched the actions of the Confucian scholars, scoffing dismissively.
I gave them a chance, and they did not cherish it. Then do not blame me for dealing with them as well!
Arrest them all! Exiled along with the Kong family disciples. All officials who came with them are to be dismissed from their posts!
Upon their return to the capital, they are to be handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for joint interrogation. Those found guilty will be punished, and those found innocent will be exiled!
Yes!
The Melon King turned and led the Hundred Riders Guard to apprehend the people. The Confucian scholars looked at the iron chains in the hands of the Hundred Riders Guard in panic.
Why! Why! Why are you arresting me!
Let me go, this is unjust, I have no connection to the Kong family!
No, don't arrest me, I was unaware, I knew nothing about the national debt!
Please, I was only summoned by the Kong family to study academic matters. This has nothing to do with me!
Silence! The Melon King glared at them and shouted, "His Majesty has given you a chance! Why did you not speak these words earlier? It is too late to say them now!"
At this time, the city was equally bustling, but it was with countless citizens spreading the good news.
The Kong family is finished! The Kong family is finished!
Good news, the Kong family is finished!
He who does evil will surely bring about his own destruction. This is their retribution!
His Majesty is a wise ruler, a peerless emperor!
For centuries, no emperor dared to lay a finger on the Kong family. Now, His Majesty has overthrown them with a mere flick of his wrist. It is immensely satisfying, immensely satisfying!
They deserved to have their families ruined. Did you not hear? They even dared to tamper with the disaster relief bonds. To only eradicate three generations is too lenient for them!
Wang Xuance and Yan Shuangying, who were searching the city, could not find their targets and were walking out of the city empty-handed. It was then they heard the discussions of countless citizens.
Hahaha, my son's great vengeance is avenged! My son, mother is coming to find you, wait for mother on the road to the underworld!
Suddenly, these words caused Wang Xuance's heart to leap into his throat. Someone was going to take their own life.
He quickly shouted to the special forces behind him, "Quick, search for where the person is!"
Everyone immediately spread out, and the doors of houses along the street were kicked open, searching for the woman who intended to commit suicide.
The voice was coming from not far away, otherwise, on such a noisy street, it would have been impossible to hear clearly.
In just a moment, a member of the special forces emerged from a shop on the street, supporting a woman.
Captain, it's her. When I went in, she was tying a white silk noose to the beam.
Wang Xuance nodded slightly and then walked towards the woman.
Young lady, why do you wish to end your life? The Kong family is no more. If you have grievances, His Majesty has avenged you this time. You should live a good life.
The woman wept as pear blossoms in the rain and choked out.
Wuwuwuwu, half a year ago, a member of the Kong family rode his horse and trampled my son to death. My husband went to reason with them, but was dragged into the Kong mansion and beaten to death.
I also ask the official to thank His Majesty on my behalf. I have no one left in my household. I am going to find my husband and my son.
After saying this, she broke free from the special forces member's hand and rushed into the shop.
After all, men and women are not supposed to touch. The member was only holding the corner of her clothes, and when she was caught off guard, she broke free.
If you wish to thank His Majesty, please do so in person. It is inappropriate for me to do so on his behalf.
Wang Xuance shouted loudly at the woman's retreating back.
The woman's footsteps faltered, and she turned to look back, "Can this servant see His Majesty's divine countenance?"
Wang Xuance nodded slightly.
Please wait a moment, official. Allow this servant to prepare.
The woman stopped crying, turned, and went back into the shop. After a while, she came out carrying a basket of food.
Please lead the way, official. His Majesty has avenged me. I am alone now and have nothing to repay him with except these favorite foods. Do you wish to inspect them, official?
As the woman spoke, she handed the basket to Wang Xuance.
Opening the burlap cover, the basket contained some eggs, about a few dozen. The eggshells were stained with something black, and it was unclear what it was.
Wang Xuance casually picked one up, peeled it, and handed it to the woman.
You eat.
He dared not be careless with anything that was to be eaten, especially something the woman intended to send to His Majesty.
After all, the Kong family had just been destroyed. Who knew if this woman was still affiliated with the Kong family?