Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

In a dramatic court meeting, the title of Yansheng Duke was abolished, shocking many officials. Sima Guang argued that Confucius's legacy could be honored without the Kong family's presence, labeling them a fraud. Lv Gong Zhu defended the Kong family, emphasizing their historical significance and connection to scholars. However, Wang Ning An revealed that the Kong family had committed serious crimes, including the murder of officials and oppression of locals. This led to a consensus among several ministers that the Kong family should be punished, resulting in the revocation of the Yansheng Duke title. The young emperor, Zhao Shu, felt empowered by this decision, recognizing the Kong family's influence over Confucianism and the need to assert his authority. He tasked Wen Yan Bo with investigating the Kong family's crimes. Despite his initial reluctance, Wen agreed, realizing the potential benefits of seizing the Kong family's wealth. Meanwhile, Pang Ji and Han Jiang, who had planned to manipulate the situation, found themselves outmaneuvered and desperate as their allies failed them. They resolved to reclaim control and sought to confront their adversaries, only to be blocked by Zhang Heng, who urged them to await the court's decree.

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