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Lu Province, Qufu, the Kong Family Mansion.
The current Duke of Yan Sheng, Kong Ling Yi, and a group of high-ranking members of the Kong family were gathered in Kong Ling Yi's study. Each of them had a grave expression, but many of their eyes showed a desire to try something new.
"Gentlemen, the court has issued an order demanding that our people in Lu Province resist the tyrannical rule of Li's father and son, and prepare to welcome the imperial army. Our Kong family has been deeply favored by the imperial court for generations. The court hopes that we can exert a greater influence. What are your thoughts on this?" Kong Xiang Rong asked.
At this moment, Kong Ling Yi, as the Duke of Yan Sheng, sat idly by, seemingly indifferent to these matters.
"I've heard that the imperial army has been disastrously defeated on the front lines, and the rebel army is powerful. If we respond to the court at this time, it may bring danger to our Kong family!" Kong Xiang Hao, an elder of the Kong family, was very worried.
According to seniority, he was Kong Ling Yu's uncle and held a high position in the Kong family.
"Yes, head of the family. The Beiyang Army is equipped with large quantities of foreign guns and cannons, and their combat strength is strong. It seems that the imperial army is no match for the Beiyang Army! If the court fails, or even if there's a change of dynasty, they'll settle the score with us in the autumn. What will we do then?"
Some high-ranking members of the Kong family also expressed concern about this.
Kong Xiang Rong's face immediately turned grim.
If everyone was afraid of the Beiyang Army and dared not cooperate with the Qing Dynasty, wouldn't his plan come to nothing?
"Our Kong family is the descendant of the Sage Confucius, representing the tradition of Confucian thought. Could Li Hong Zhang dare to do anything to us? Unless he wants to stand against all the scholars in the world!" Kong Xiang Rong said confidently.
"Yes, our Kong family is the leader of the literati, and we are supported by scholars from all over the world. Now, Li's father and son have rebelled, they are simply the shame and scum of the scholars! Our Kong family must naturally distance ourselves from them.
Moreover, although the court is not yet capable of suppressing the Kong family. But the court rules the world, whether in terms of manpower or financial resources, it is far beyond what these rebel forces of Li can compare to.
This old man believes that the court will certainly be able to suppress the Li family rebellion and achieve final victory.
Our Kong family, of course, must stand on the side of the court!"
A white-haired old man said with unwavering conviction.
He was Kong Fan Wen, Kong Xiang Rong's uncle, and the current Duke of Yan Sheng, Kong Ling Yi's great uncle, holding a high position in the Kong family.
Throughout his life, he had experienced both the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Rebellion and the Nian Rebellion.
Even in those turbulent times, the Kong family remained standing.
This made him have a mysterious confidence in the Kong family's golden signboard.
The other high-ranking members of the Kong family nodded in agreement.
As descendants of Confucius, they were incredibly proud and believed they represented the scholars of the world.
Even the rulers could not do anything to them.
Otherwise, it would be offending all the scholars in the world, which would be digging their own grave.
This is why the Mongols in the past, and the Manchu Tartars after entering the Pass, all treated the Kong family well.
After all, whether it was the Yuan Dynasty or the Qing Dynasty, they needed these talented scholars to govern the country. They couldn't rely solely on force or slaughter to rule the entire world.
And the Kong family was the leader of the literati, the representative of the scholars.
This is why the Kong family has been able to continue down through the generations.
At the same time, this was also the Kong family's greatest confidence.
"If you have no objections, then let's contact the surrounding prominent families, even some officials. When the imperial army launches a full-scale attack on Lu Province, we will cooperate with the imperial army, defeat Li's father and son in one fell swoop, and contribute our part to defending the Qing Dynasty.
I believe that the court will certainly not mistreat our Kong family.
In fact, many people can use this opportunity to enter officialdom."
Kong Xiang Rong said to everyone.
The eyes of the high-ranking members of the Kong family couldn't help but gleam with eagerness.
Although they were of noble status, enjoying endless wealth and luxury from birth.
But at the same time, their status also limited their development in officialdom.
Apart from some positions without real power bestowed by the Qing court, they could only stay in the Kong family and live out their days.
If they could use this opportunity to enter officialdom and become officials, it would undoubtedly be the best possible outcome.
After the high-ranking members of the Kong family made their decision, they quickly sprang into action.
One by one, the high-ranking members of the Kong family began secretly contacting prominent families, large landowners, and even some officials in Qufu, the entire Yan Zhou Prefecture, and surrounding prefectures and counties.
For more benefits, higher status, and greater power, these people of the Kong family went completely mad.
They may have thought that what they were doing was secret, that others didn't know.
Or perhaps they were confident, thinking that even if they were exposed, Li Hong Zhang, Li Jing Yuan, and the Beiyang Army wouldn't dare to do anything to them.
However, they never imagined that Li Jing Yuan was not a scholar and had no respect for the Kong family.
Since they dared to jump out, there was no need to make an example of them, just kill the monkeys directly!