Li Yuan looked at his people with his hands behind his back and sighed.
The system's voice sounded.
Congratulations to the host for obtaining the achievement of being admired by the people. You have received a system reward and triggered a side mission-Subduing the famous reclusive official Kong Yuxiu.
Kong Yuxiu, a reclusive official, lived in Longxi County. His talent was rare. Emperor Yang once offered him ten thousand taels of gold to come out of the mountain, but Kong Yuxiu refused to meet him. This angered Emperor Yang and he even threw him into prison and threatened his family's life. Kong Yuxiu still refused to submit, so Emperor Yang could only let it go.
The host's path to becoming the first emperor in history is long and difficult. He needs the assistance of a famous minister. I hope the host can subdue him.
Li Yuan was slightly stunned when he heard the system's voice.
Kong Yuxiu was a descendant of Confucius. When he came to Longxi County, Eunuch Lin had given his information to Li Yuan, but he thought that he was just a pedantic scholar.
He didn't expect the system to give him such a high evaluation. If he didn't know, then so be it. Since he knew, he definitely couldn't miss it.
Li Yuan thought for a moment before his gaze fell on the countless people in front of him.
Since ancient times, the imperial power had always been high and mighty.
The Son of Heaven was the revered one, the True Dragon Son of Heaven.
Starting from Qin Shihuang, all the emperors seemed to have to maintain a sufficient sense of mystery because in their eyes, the emperor needed to be respected. However, Li Yuan was more clear that the world belonged to those who won the hearts of the people.
The commoners in this world were very simple and simple. As long as the higher-ups allowed them to eat their fill and wear warm clothes, there would not be so many battles to fight.
Give them peaceful days.
They would live their ordinary lives honestly.
However, ever since the Sui Dynasty, wars became more and more serious day by day, and taxes became more and more severe day by day. This made the people of the world unable to stand up straight.
Longxi's Li Clan was the local tyrant.
Almost the entire county city supported the Li Clan. They did not have to worry about their livelihood, deceiving their superiors and subordinates. They were like giant blood leeches lying on the Great Tang's massive body, sucking mouthful after mouthful of blood.
Li Yuan's gaze swept across the tens of thousands of people. He raised his hand and said in a clear voice,"From this day forth, Longxi's Li Clan is destroyed. From this day forth, Longxi County will be exempted from all taxes for a year.”
"From today onwards, Longxi County will set up a hundred private schools. All the children of the Humble Class who wish to study and pledge loyalty to me one day will be able to attend free of charge.”
"We have allowed Longxi's Li Clan, Li Xu, and the others to commit crimes in Longxi County for many years.”
"It is indeed a sin of negligence, causing the people to suffer.”
As Li Yuan's voice rang out, all the commoners 'eyes were filled with disbelief. At the same time, tears welled up in their eyes.
They weren't excited because Li Yuan said it was tax exemption.
It wasn't because Li Yuan said that Longxi County would set up 100 private schools.
Instead, Li Yuan admitted his negligence and said that they had suffered.
In the hearts of most people.
They were like the lowest dust, while Li Yuan was the star in the sky. They could only pray for Li Yuan's blessing. How could Li Yuan make a mistake?
At this moment, not only did Li Yuan's figure not become a speck of dust in the hearts of the people because of his oversight, but he was even more like a god. With such an emperor, they knew that good days were coming.
At this moment, in the crowd.
A white-haired old man was supported by a few people as he walked out.
All the commoners looked over.
"Elder Kong, why are you here?”
"Elder Kong is probably already past his eighties this year.”
"Elder Kong is also here to pay his respects to His Majesty, right?”
"I'm not sure. According to the laws of the Great Tang, elders are respected. Even His Majesty treats Elder Kong with great courtesy.”
"I heard that the previous emperor personally came to Longxi County to invite Old Master Kong to come out of seclusion. Old Master Kong refused to meet him, but I didn't expect him to take the initiative to come today.”
There were some discussions in the crowd, but most of them were curious.
Li Yuan looked at the old man in front of him with respect in his eyes. He walked forward and wanted to personally support this old man Kong.
However, just as he walked in front of the old man, he saw that the old man had already arrived.
The old man stood still and asked the student beside him to let go. He tried his best to straighten his body, as if he had exhausted decades of studying the Confucian classics.
His face flushed red as he tidied up his Confucian robes. He respectfully bowed to Li Yuan like a young student and solemnly said,"Kong Yuxiu greets Your Majesty on behalf of the people of Longxi County and all the Humble Class students.”
"Zicheng will forever remember Your Majesty's grace!”
Kong Yuxiu's literary name was not only in Longxi County.
He was even more famous in the world. At this moment, he bowed, causing everything around him to fall silent.
Li Yuan looked at him and quickly went forward to help him up."Old Master Kong, what are you doing? Hurry up and bring a stool for the old master.”
Kong Yuxiu's hair and beard were all white, and the wrinkles on his face were like ancient trees.
Li Yuan could feel that Kong Yuxiu was as thin as a skeleton under the Confucian robe. However, he seemed to see endless spirit in Kong Yuxiu's eyes.
Eunuch Lin immediately brought a stool over.
Kong Yuxiu didn't sit down. He stood there and said to Li Yuan,""Your Majesty, Confucius had three thousand books in the past, and all the scholars in the world had books to read.”
"The same goes for the Humble Class disciples, but there have been many years of war.”
"This old man is determined to teach. I want to teach countless students so that these Humble Class disciples can change their own destinies, but I've worked hard for thirty years without achieving anything.”
"Your Majesty, your words today have allowed this old man to have the honor of seeing the prosperity of a scholar before I close my eyes. This way, even if I die, I can rest in peace.”
Hearing Kong Yuxiu's words, Li Yuan's understanding of him deepened.
He looked at the people and said,""Commoners, Old Master Kong is already very old. If he stands here and talks, Zhen is afraid that he is ill.”
"Now I want to enter the courtyard to have a long talk with Old Mister Kong.”
"You can leave this place and do your own things. There's no need to wait.”
After Li Yuan finished speaking, he personally helped Kong Yuxiu into the courtyard.
Eunuch Lin found a soft cushion for Kong Yuxiu. Li Yuan only sat down when he saw Kong Yuxiu sit down. Eunuch Lin served them a cup of tea and walked out.
"Elder Kong, please." Li Yuan raised his hand slightly.”
Stroking his beard, Kong Yuxiu smiled and reached out to pick up the teacup. He took a sip and said with a strange look in his eyes,"Your Majesty, this old man has never seen such tea before.”
"Not just what?"
Li Yuan put down the teacup and said with a bit of pride,""This is also tea, but it's green tea. Zhen really can't get used to drinking that tea.”
"This thing is fragrant. It tastes bitter at first and then sweet. The tea leaves rise and fall like life.”
"It's refreshing. If Elder Kong likes it, you can take some with you later.”Kong Yuxiu looked at Li Yuan. He found Li Yuan more and more pleasing to the eye. He had lived for more than 90 years and had experienced several dynasties.
He had become much more indifferent to everything.
He also put down his teacup and said,"Your Majesty, I'll accept it shamelessly."”
"However, this old man came to pay his respects today because I wanted to see what kind of person His Majesty who destroyed the Li family was. However, this old man now has a presumptuous request that I hope Your Majesty can agree to.”
Li Yuan had expected this from Kong Yuxiu. He was most annoyed by people who talked in circles.
Longxi's Li Clan had existed for thousands of years. Kong Yuxiu had definitely interacted with them. Li Xu's death and Li Yuan's arrival in Longxi County had both piqued Kong Yuxiu's curiosity, but he had wanted to take a look from afar to ease his curiosity.
At Kong Yuxiu's age, he did not think about entering the court as an official.
No desire, no desire.
However, the gifts Li Yuan had mentioned were equivalent to opening a path for the Humble Class disciples in the world. That was why he had walked out without any scruples.
Kong Yuxiu knew that if he missed this opportunity, his lifelong dream would follow him into the grave.
Li Yuan knew everything about Kong Yuxiu, so he naturally wouldn't stop him."Old Master Kong, there's no harm in speaking frankly."
Kong Yuxiu's eyes were filled with hope. He looked at Li Yuan and said,""Your Majesty, although this old man is old, I have been teaching and educating people all my life.”
"Your Majesty has now set up a hundred private schools in Longxi County. I wonder if I can settle down in one of them.”
"I will definitely serve Your Majesty with Yu Sheng.”
Li Yuan smiled. He looked at Kong Yuxiu and poured him a cup of tea."Old Master Kong, even if you don't say it, you'll still be fine.”
"Zhen will personally go and invite him.”
"To be honest, what I want to change is the general trend of the world. Longxi County is only a county, and compared to the Nine States of the Great Tang, it is too small.”
" However, the situation in the Great Tang is very complicated. I need to start from Longxi County, then Qinghe, Xingyang, Taiyuan, Zhao County, Fanyang, Boling, and other seven places.”
"Only in this way can we inject vitality into the Great Tang at the smallest cost.”
"Let all the scholars in the world have a way to advance. What I wish for is to be like you, a farmer in the morning and ascend to the Hall of the Emperor in the evening!”
Li Yuan's voice was not very loud.
But to Kong Yuxiu, it sounded like the words of a saint. He had never admired anyone in his life, but now he was completely convinced by Li Yuan's words.
Just a few sentences.
The ending of the five surnames and seven Wangs seemed to have been decided.
Just a few sentences.
The plan to promote the Humble Class had been completed.
These words were like a giant hammer, smashing hard on Kong Yuxiu's heart.
It made his old body burst with fresh blood.
In the twilight's eyes, endless fighting spirit was born.
Kong Yuxiu looked at Li Yuan with burning eyes and said respectfully,""Your Majesty's actions are comparable to Yao and Shun, and even better than the ancient saints. I'm willing to use my remaining body to serve Your Majesty.”
Li Yuan raised his teacup and smiled. He touched Kong Yuxiu's teacup and said,""Longxi County has a hundred private schools. Above the private schools, there is a school that manages the studies of all students.”
"Kong Yuxiu, I confer upon you the position of principal of the academy. You are a third-grade official, and the Imperial Court is offering you the position of consecrator.”
"Are you willing?"
Hearing Li Yuan's words, Kong Yuxiu stood up with his hands on the stone table. He bowed and said,""Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
This time, Li Yuan didn't help him up because he was the ruler.
Kong Yuxiu is my subject! At the same time, the system's voice also fell into Li Yuan's ears.
Congratulations, host. You have completed the side mission of subduing the famous reclusive official Kong Yuxiu. Please receive your reward as soon as possible. Li Yuan also stood up and said,"Principal Kong, I will stay in Longxi County for at most one more day. You can go back and settle this matter as soon as possible.”
"Your Majesty, I understand." Kong Yuxiu bowed again.”
Li Yuan ordered his men to escort Kong Yuxiu out. He then looked at the system reward in front of him and gently tapped it…
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