In the back garden of Prince Yi's Mansion, there are willow trees, dancing pavilions and singing platforms, winding paths leading to secluded areas, exotic flowers and plants, and fragrant fragrance.
In a waterside pavilion near the lake, Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, was copying and writing. The surrounding maids and servants were performing their duties, and everyone was cautious and silent.
"...I have repeated these words three times. Although the sage Jing Xing has no moral teachings for the people, he loves to punish the common people all over the world. Alas, the Master is gone and he says nothing, and heretics arise but they are righteous and obedient..."
Guozi Xuelu Zheng Qingzhi looked at the writing of his disciple Zhao Guicheng, nodded slightly, and showed admiration in his eyes.
"Your Highness, your handwriting looks more and more like Emperor Gaozong!"
Zheng Qingzhi was Zhao Guicheng's teacher and a fellow villager of Shi Miyuan. He went to serve as a lecturer in Prince Yi's Mansion to teach Zhao Guicheng and study the classics and history of etiquette. It was also Shi Miyuan's recommendation.
"The green mountains are still there, and the sunsets are red several times. No matter how good Mr. Zheng's handwriting is, he is still not as talented as Zhao Hong!"
Zhao Guicheng threw down the wolf hair angrily, and the paper was immediately stained with black. He quickly said apologetically:
"Sir, the student is arrogant and impetuous. Please forgive me, sir!"
Zhao Guicheng is still very respectful to Mr. Zheng Qingzhi.
Yu Tianci, an aide to Prime Minister Shi Miyuan, took him out of Shaoxing and went to Siming first. He stayed at Yu Tianci's home for half a year. Yu Tianci and his mother Zhu taught Zhao Guicheng bathing, calligraphy, etiquette, etc.
When he arrived in Lin'an City, he was taught by Shi Miyuan's fellow countryman, Guozi Xuelu Zheng Qingzhi, a great Confucian scholar.
Zheng Qingzhi was gentle and elegant, and his articles were splendid, and he was deeply respected by Zhao Guicheng.
"Your Highness, Duke Ji's literary talent is outstanding and unparalleled in the entire Song Dynasty. A ruler is long and an inch is short. Your Highness is honest and steady. You have your own merits. You must not belittle yourself."
Zheng Qingzhi gently persuaded Zhao Guicheng.
Not as good as a chance!
Having said such words, it can be seen that Zhao Guicheng is really anxious and depressed inside.
However, it is an indisputable fact that Zhao Hong is coming fiercely.
"Mr. Zheng, I heard that Zhao Hong smelted fine iron in Kuaiji Mountain, Shaoxing, and made top-grade weapons and armor. In this way, he has won the favor of the officials!"
Sure enough, when Zhao Hong was mentioned, Zhao Guicheng's expression became unnatural.
Zheng Qingzhi nodded lightly. It seems that the young and mature Zhao Guicheng is also ambitious and unwilling to be left behind.
This is not in vain for Shi Miyuan and his own painstaking cultivation.
"Your Highness, you must cultivate your moral character, stay calm, and not be disturbed by external factors."
Zheng Qingzhi looked at his students with a hint of worry in his eyes.
Since the beginning of spring, some of Zhao Hong's poems have been published in tabloids from time to time, such as "Spring Snow in Qinyuan", "Linjiang Fairy", "Autumn Thoughts", "Seven Words. Jiuzhou is Angry and Relying on the Wind and Thunder", etc., and even "Laughter" "Proud Jianghu" and "Linjiang Fairy" are also repeatedly sung by restaurants, singers and Goulanwazi.
The tabloids are full of poetry and articles by Zhao Hong, and every one of them is a masterpiece. To be honest, those poems are majestic and have profound artistic conception. Each one of them is an eternal masterpiece. Even when he read it, his heart was swaying, not to mention that he always wanted to read it. Zhao Guicheng and Zhao Hong are the best.
In addition, Zhao Hong smelted good iron and created powerful gunpowder. Although people died, it did not hinder his rising reputation.
It seems that all this has deeply affected his young student.
"Mr. Zheng, you said that Zhao Hong killed two people and injured one when he made gunpowder. Why would the court only fine him a small salary?"
Sure enough, Zhao Guicheng asked immediately.
Although the pig-killer Tian Yi was beaten to the end, everyone knew that Tian Yi was just a pawn and Zhao Hong was unscathed.
"Your Highness, there is nothing we can do about it. After all, Duke Ji has created more powerful gunpowder, and everyone in the court knows it."
Zheng Qingzhi was also helpless.
If Zhao Hong was really punished for such a trivial matter, it would probably chill the hearts of the people all over the world. After this, who will dare to do anything? Who is willing to compromise with Shi Miyuan?
"Mr. Zheng, what exactly is Prime Minister Shi's plan? Is he just going to watch Zhao Hong win favor with others and secure his position as the prince step by step?"
Zhao Guicheng stood up, walked to a strange flower in full bloom, and squatted down to watch.
"Your Highness, please be careful with your manners! Don't be seen by the princess, and don't be seen by the servants!"
Zheng Qingzhi frowned slightly.
This Zhao Guicheng has brought back the same tricks he used to do in the countryside.
"She doesn't care about anything. She only knows how to eat fast and chant Buddha's name. She knows how good she is! She never cares about me."
Zhao Guicheng stood up, his face full of anger and a hint of frustration.
It seemed that he had been harmed a lot by those tabloids, and his heart was in a state of confusion.
"Your Highness, you are now the heir of Prince Yi. You must be polite to the princess. Zhao Hong was raised by the princess since he was a child. Of course, there is a deep love between mother and son. Your Highness, please be patient."
Zheng Qingzhi gently advised his students.
Zhao Hong has lived with Princess Yi since he was three or four years old, and spent thirteen or fourteen years in Prince Yi's mansion. Zhao Guicheng came of age and became the heir to Prince Yi's palace. Naturally, his status in Princess Yi's heart was not as high as that of Zhao Hong.
"Sir, stop talking, I know!"
Zhao Guicheng waved his hand impatiently.
"Sir, Shi Xiang will help me!"
"How could I guess what Shi Xiang was thinking?"
Zheng Qingzhi raised the topic in an understatement and calmly.
"Your Highness, do you know Prince Jingxian?"
It's no use just in case, just sensationalizing. From these words, it can be seen that Zhao Guicheng has a guilty conscience and is giving up.
"I know, the late prince. Sir, what's the matter?"
Zhao Guicheng looked at his husband in confusion.
Isn’t the Prince of Jingxian, Zhao Xun, already dead? Sir, when you mentioned Prince Jingxian, what did you mean?
"Zhao Xun, the prince of Jingxian, was adopted as an adopted son by the current official family at the age of six. In the second year of Jiatai, he became the envoy of the Mighty Army and was granted the title of Duke of Wei. Two years later, Zhao Xun was established as the prince. Si, was granted the title of King of Honor and lived in the East Palace."
Zheng Qingzhi looked at the confused Zhao Guicheng and smiled slightly.
"After Zhao Xun, the prince of Jingxian, became the prince, he was made the prince two years ago. Zhao Hong, the Duke of Jiguo, became the prince in the 13th year of Jiading. It has been four years now. Has the official mentioned the matter of making him the prince? ?”
Zhao Guicheng suddenly understood, nodded heavily, and became excited.
"Sir, what you are saying is that Zhao Hong is not favored by the officials!"
"It is unpopular with the officials and the queen."
Zheng Qingzhi smiled and nodded, and his words were meaningful.
"Your Highness, don't blame others. Winning the position of prince or even prince is all about human effort. People's hearts are full of flesh. You should visit the queen often and get closer to her."
"Wusun thanked Mr. Wusun! Mr. Wusun was so enlightened by his words that he will remember them in his heart!"
Zhao Guicheng bowed respectfully.
No matter how high your literary talents are, the most important thing is the prince and the throne.
"Your Highness, if I tell you good news, you will feel more at ease."
Zheng Qingzhi looked around, spoke softly, and continued to encourage Zhao Guicheng with serious words.
"Sir, that's right!"
Zhao Guicheng was refreshed and stood up straight unconsciously, feeling full of confidence again.
What I learned from Zheng Qingzhi must be no small matter.
"Does Your Highness know that Duke Ji's wife, Mrs. Wu, has returned to Lin'an City?"
"Sir, what good news is this? Zhao Hong and Wu are reunited. This is for..."
Halfway through, Zhao Guicheng looked at Zheng Qingzhi in surprise.
"Sir, what you mean is that Zhao Hong and Wu are going to have something unexpected happen?"
If not, where would joy come from?
"Your Highness is smart and can understand everything at once."
Zheng Qingzhi nodded, stroking his beard and speaking.
"Your Highness doesn't know that Duke Ji Guo wants to save the Wu family, the Wu family, and the Wu family, but he doesn't want to have anything to do with Zhao Hong. If my prediction is correct, Duke Ji Guo will part ways with the Wu family soon. In this way, Queen Yang’s side…”
"Queen Yang and Zhao Hong have no room for relaxation!"
Zhao Guicheng's eyes shone and he blurted out.
Wu is Yang Guizhi's grandniece. The Wu family and the Yang family have an irreconcilable relationship, and Yang Guizhi will never give up easily.
Yang Guizhi controls the palace, Shi Miyuan controls the court, and Zhao Hong is attacked from both sides. Is there a way out?
"Your Highness, it's better to take care of yourself. Don't be discouraged and unable to recover. This is a taboo for a wise man."
There was a hint of worry in Zheng Qingzhi's eyes.
"The teacher has good intentions, and the students will definitely live up to his expectations!"
Zhao Guicheng said solemnly, politely and with confidence on his face.
No matter how powerful Zhao Hong is, he is just busy with the minutiae and does not help the big things.
But luck and the general trend are still on your side.
"Sir, Queen Yang is too shrewd and may not be easy to deal with."
When talking about Yang Guizhi, Zhao Guicheng frowned slightly.
"Your Highness, no matter how shrewd and powerful Queen Yang is, she is only in the harem. The court and palace guards are still under the control of Prime Minister Shi. Besides, Yang Guizhi hates Zhao Hong deeply, and she poses no threat to you, Your Highness. .”
Zheng Qingzhi said softly and frowned unconsciously.
Shi Miyuan valued Zhao Guicheng so highly, could it be said that he really wanted to depose Zhao Hong and push Zhao Guicheng to the throne of emperor?
Be loyal to others when entrusted by others. He and Yu Tianci were both from the same hometown of Shi Miyuan, and their prosperity and wealth all came from Shi Miyuan. Now that things have happened, even if this is the case, he has no way out.
"Sir, I'm still a little worried about Yang Guizhi. Zhao Hong is a prince established by the official family. I'm afraid she won't depose him easily. Besides, now that Zhao Hong has become famous, she may be even more afraid of Zhao Hong."
Zhao Guicheng has his own thoughts.
No matter who is the emperor, Yang Guizhi is also the queen mother, so why should she do these thankless and troublesome things.
Especially since she and Yang Guizhi have only met each other a few times, why should she help her?
"Your Highness is worried. But..."
Zheng Qingzhi looked around and smiled slightly.
"Does Your Highness think that Queen Yang is a person? Behind her, there is the entire Yang family. As for those dudes in the Yang family, including Yang Gu, Yang Shi, Yang Yi, and Yang Fan's grandson, Yang Junsun, none of them have become talented. The Yang family wants To enjoy eternal wealth, I’m afraid Zhao Hong is not suitable..."
Zheng Qingzhi hesitated to speak. The master and the disciple looked at each other and laughed.
"Sir, I listen to you!"
Zhao Guicheng said enthusiastically, turned around and returned to the chair in Shuixie, picked up his pen and continued copying.
Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be very serious.
At dusk, on the way back to his residence, Zheng Qingzhi met Princess Yu of Yi, dressed in plain clothes, coming alone. Zheng Qingzhi couldn't avoid it and hurriedly paid tribute to Mrs. Yu.
"I have met the princess."
Mrs. Yu looked around and said in a low voice:
"Mr. Zheng, I have something to say. I don't know whether I should say it or not?"
The Yu family was the sister-in-law of Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, and even the queen Yang Guizhi had to give in three points. Zheng Qingzhi is the same, respectful and respectful.
"Princess, please speak. I am all ears."
"Mr. Zheng, Duke Ji Guo is the prince, and the heir is the emperor's nephew. Mr. Zheng must understand the difference between a son and a nephew."
While Zheng Qingzhi was frightened, Princess Yi continued.
"Mr. Zheng is a great Confucian, and his writings and morals are impeccable. Just teach him well when he teaches you, and don't let your wild thoughts harm the two children. There are gods three feet above your head, Mr. Zheng, think twice."
Yu left, leaving Zheng Qingzhi on the spot, his face flushed and his ears dripping with sweat.
