Ten days later, in the Wenhua Palace.
At this time, Zhu Houzhao was sitting in the center, and on both sides and at the lecturer's position, standing or standing, were more than a dozen lecturers from the Hanlin Academy.
That day was the day when Zhu Houzhao finished his retreat and took the exam. Zhu Youtang specially arranged such an assessment to examine his son's progress in the Four Books.
At this moment, in the inner curtain of Wenhua Hall, Zhu Youtang also invited Zhang Zhou, who had been teaching his son in Wenhua Hall for the past ten days. Dai Yi and others stood behind him to witness together.
Wang Hao had just been promoted to the bachelor's degree, and he took the lead in the exam that day. Next to him were Li Jie, the bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, and Jiao Fang, the bachelor of the Hanlin Academy.
"Wan Zhang asked: What is the purpose of socializing? Mencius said: Gong."
Wang Hao gave me a starting point. This is the part of "Mencius". The way of examination is a bit like the examination questions.
It is relatively easy to examine the meaning of the classics. Basically, you give a paragraph and then ask the prince to compare it with the "Annotations to the Four Books" to make some understandings. Now Zhu Houzhao has not learned to write articles, let alone eight-legged essays. In fact, he can It is very rare to memorize the corresponding collection of notes.
Even Wang Hao didn't dare to think that this child could really recite it?
I'm afraid I can't even recite the original text of the Four Books.
This section is a conversation between Wan Zhang and Mencius, a question and answer method. Mencius explains the principles of life, and this part is about how to make friends and give gifts to each other.
Zhu Houzhao said: "Ji means to receive. Communication means that people exchange money and silk with rituals."
Let's start with Zhu Xi's annotations in "Collected Commentary on Mencius".
Zhang Zhou explained the meaning of the Four Books to him, and it was exactly like this. He first listed the original text, then listed the annotations, and then explained it again using ancient grammar, and then explained it again in vernacular. Some even extended a story and used allusions to illustrate this paragraph. the actual meaning of the words.
This allowed Zhu Houzhao to see an unprecedented way of understanding the Four Books.
Because in the past, even if someone explained something to him in vernacular, it was very rare, but he still took the initiative to ask.
Like Zhang Zhou, he picked out paragraphs, sentences, and words to speak bit by bit in a popular way. This was something that no gentleman from the Hanlin Academy or even the Ming Dynasty would do.
"It is disrespectful to refuse other people's gifts repeatedly. Why? Mencius said: When the venerable gives a gift, you have to think about whether the gift is in line with righteousness or not, before accepting it. It is disrespectful, so it is inconvenient to refuse." Wan Zhang said : I said, I don’t need to refuse his gift with words, I refuse with my heart, saying in my heart that this is the ill-gotten gains he got from the people, and then use excuses to refuse, isn’t it okay? Mencius said: He interacts with me according to the rules, and he interacts with me according to the rules. Contact me with etiquette, so that even Confucius would accept the gift."
Zhu Houzhao almost used the most popular tone to explain a complicated-sounding "but irreverent" truth.
The general meaning is the last two sentences. When someone interacts with you according to the rules and gives you a gift, you don't need to consider whether his gift is from a legitimate source, just accept it.
Of course that doesn't mean it's absolutely right, but that's how it should be with friends.
Zhu Houzhao talked about this, and then turned around and gave the best explanation in the "Collected Commentary of Mencius": "But, it means not accepting it but giving it back. Furthermore, it is not clear. In the midst of thousands of chapters and doubts, if there is something to give up, people will Why do you think it is disrespectful? Mencius said that it was a gift from the venerable, but he secretly calculated why he got this thing. He did not know whether it was consistent with the meaning, but it must be consistent with the meaning, and then he could accept it. Otherwise, he would reject it, so he did it. It’s disrespectful.”
When Wang Hao heard this, he already looked at Zhu Houzhao with admiration.
He also didn't expect that this naughty kid might not even be able to memorize the original text of the Four Books ten days ago, but after more than ten days, he would be like this?
The emperor initially asked us to go to the East Palace to give lectures to the prince, but then he refused to let us go... So what exactly did the prince go through in the past ten days that allowed him to make such rapid progress in his studies?
Listening to the meaning, the prince understood it very well, and he could speak both popular and unsophisticated words.
I have a pretty good grasp of "Mencius". Let me give you another "Analects" question first to see if you are cramming.
Wang Chao said: "The next question comes from the Analects of Confucius. Confucius said: Hui is not the one who helps me. He says everything to me."
Zhu Houzhao said confidently: "Say, Yin Yue. Help me. If Zi Xia starts to give, we will learn from each other because of doubts. Yan Zi understands the words of the saint silently and has no doubts. Therefore, Master Yunran , if there are any regrets in his words, in fact, he is very happy about it. Hu said: Master Hui, how can he really help me hope for it? In order to show the humility of the saint, he also expressed his deep praise for Yan..."
…
…
In the Wenhua Hall examination room, the lecturer and the prince were asking questions and answering questions.
In comparison, Zhu Houzhao talked more, and after experiencing thirteen days of confinement, Zhu Houzhao burst out with a vigorous vitality. His speech was full of energy, and his voice was almost the only one in the entire hall. Echoing.
Zhu Youtang hid in the inner curtain and listened. He was very nervous at first and clenched his fists.
He was also worried that his son would not study well and would be scolded by his husband for failing the exam today, which would not only embarrass him as a father, but also let him live up to his hard work.
But after seeing the content of this exam and my son’s on-the-spot performance...
Zhu Youtang's heart gradually relaxed.
So far, Zhu Houzhao can answer all the questions fluently.
The confidence on his son's face was not fake.
There was no collusion between examiners and candidates, because Zhu Houzhao came to take the exam right after getting up in the morning, and Zhang Zhou and not even Zhang Zhou had the opportunity to come into contact with these East Palace lecturers.
Besides...it doesn't mean anything to Zhang Zhou and Zhu Houzhao.
"Bingkuan, Prince... you have learned very well."
Zhu Youtang couldn't help but think of Zhang Zhou, the biggest contributor to this incident.
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty, in fact, the prince is smart, but he just doesn't study at ordinary times. It's OK to study in a closed room. If you use it once in a while, it's okay. If you use it too much, I'm afraid it won't be effective again. Instead, it will make him feel tired and disgusted, and he will not be interested in studying in the future." unfavorable."
"Yes." Zhu Youtang smiled and nodded, then asked, "How did you let him learn it?"
It is difficult for Zhang Zhou to answer this question.
"I just teach with my heart. Most of the time, the prince is reciting the meaning of the scriptures, while I prepare for the exam. This sets a kind of example. As long as I am attentive, he has to be attentive."
"Oh. Role model." Zhu Youtang remembered it in his heart.
Zhang Zhou seemed very humble.
Teaching and educating people also requires experience. Zhang Zhou used to think that he was just a teacher. If he came to Ming Dynasty, this skill would be the last to be used, and he might not even use it in his lifetime.
As a result, it has now become his trump card.
Teaching is nothing more than treating others with sincerity. Don't put yourself in a superior position as a teacher. Discuss with the students, and sometimes even ask the students for advice, and then make progress together... You are teaching, but also making friends, and having a heart-to-heart relationship. It's useful to talk about truth.
And this student Zhu Houzhao is really smart.
It’s just that my mind is too complicated and I don’t want to learn.
Besides, after one year, I had ten classes a day, all of which were Chinese, and all of them were memorized by rote.
It would be strange to get him to concentrate.
It's hard for Zhu Youtang to set a goal for himself. His only brother is dead and he doesn't even have a competitor. What can he do after he learns? If you don’t learn from me, I won’t be able to be the emperor?
Letting others stay with Zhu Houzhao in a small dark room for ten days may not have any positive effects.
That is Zhang Zhou...
In fact, he had finished teaching in seven days, and in the remaining three days, Zhang Zhou continued to teach Zhu Houzhao knowledge that did not belong to this era while doing mock exams, so that Zhu Houzhao was not in a hurry to go to his father to take the exam, because Zhu Houzhao was also used to Zhang Houzhao. Zhou was by his side telling him interesting things.
Zhu Youtang said with a satisfied look on his face: "Bingkuan, you are not a Jinshi, but you know how to cultivate disciples better than the Imperial Academy in the East Palace. If you become a Jinshi in the future, you will definitely become a model for literati in the world."
That's right to say...
I haven't even passed the Jinshi exam yet, and you still want me to arrange for me to enter the Hanlin Academy?
We all have different ideas. Perhaps in the eyes of your emperor, becoming a Jinshi is very easy, and you can pass the exam casually, because all you see are Jinshi.
This is called survivorship bias.
Have you ever seen those failed students who shed tears looking at the gold medal list all their lives?
"Your Majesty is so complimentary."
"Bingkuan, it's been a long time since you entered the palace! Go back and see your family as soon as possible. The Empress Dowager has also mentioned you recently, so I will go see you in my spare time and give you my best wishes."
"yes."
"Xiao Jing, send some things to Bingkuan." Zhu Youtang said, "Bingkuan, you don't have to refuse. They are all for daily expenses and can be used. You have been working really hard these days! I can't bear it. I can't help but want to witness the day you entered the Hanlin Academy..."
…
…
Zhu Youtang wanted to stay and encourage the East Palace to be an official and encourage his son.
The father and son have not seen each other for nearly half a month. Later, Zhu Youtang planned to take his son to meet the queen and princess, and to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager Zhou and the Queen Mother. At the same time, he would also take Zhu Houzhao to meet the deposed Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother. But the Wu family was still filial to Zhu Youtang.
After the Wu family was deposed as queen, because of her kindness in raising Zhu Youtang, she was treated like a queen mother even though she had no title.
The biological mother is not as old as the adoptive mother, which is especially obvious in Zhu Youtang.
Zhang Zhou left the palace under the guidance of Xiao Jing.
"Eunuch Xiao, look at the reward given by His Majesty..."
Zhang Zhou is an open-minded person, and he often does things like asking for rewards on the way, which even Xiao Jing found strange and ordinary.
Xiao Jing would feel awkward if he didn't ask for it.
Xiao Jing smiled and said: "You have to give people time to prepare, right?"
Zhang Zhou said: "Your Majesty didn't say how much he would give you, he just asked you to give it, right? Then Eunuch Xiao..."
Shameless!
It's not enough to give, but do you want to ask for more or more?
"Your Majesty did not set a certain amount, but he said it is your daily expenses, so don't expect too much. If our family can give you more, we will give you more. But it is not impossible. You will have to report it later. .”
"Oh, please give me more. I haven't had much income recently. It looks like spring is about to start next year, and it will take a long time. Prices in this capital are really expensive!"
"hehe!"
Xiao Jing pointed to the palace gate in front: "It's right there, just go over there. Everyone in the palace knows you, so just go! Let's prepare things to send to your house first?"
"Thank you!"
…
…
Someone went to notify Zhang Zhou early in the morning that he would return home that day.
When Zhang Zhou came out of the palace, Zhu Feng came to wait for him early. Behind Zhu Feng was Zhang Lun, the British duke.
"Brother Zhang!"
Zhu Feng was very happy to see Zhang Zhou. He came over and wanted to hug Zhang Zhou, but Zhang Zhou pushed him away.
Zhang Zhou looked at Zhang Lun and said, "Why are you here?"
Zhu Feng said: "Brother Zhang was a little forgetful when he entered the palace. Didn't the British Lord ask this son to run with you in front of you and behind you?"
Zhang Zhou thought about it for a moment, frowned and said, "Did the British Lord say that?"
Zhang Lun cupped his hands and said, "It is an honor for students to study with Mr. Zhang."
"Hey! He can talk!" Zhu Feng ignored Zhang Lun's previous hostility and whispered into Zhang Zhou's ear, "He has been with me these past few days. He is a bit silly, which is quite fun."
Zhang Zhou felt a chill in his heart after hearing this.
What does the so-called "fun" mean?
Zhang Zhou really wanted to remind Zhang Lun, don't follow this guy's bad example. The old Zhang family is still waiting for you to pass on the family line. Anyway, the Chengguo Palace has no plans to pass on the title to this guy, but he doesn't know that he He will just inherit his brother's title in the future.
The three of them walked towards the carriage together.
Zhang Zhou said: "Zhijie, you are not young anymore. Why haven't you given birth to a child after so many years of marriage?"
Zhu Feng couldn't help being startled after hearing this, then grinned and said, "There's no rush."
Zhang Zhou asked: "Does your brother have any children?"
"Yes, I have a son and a daughter, but my son just died last year. In the past two years, my father has given my brother several concubines. I heard that there was something wrong with his stomach, but I didn't ask in detail."
Zhu Feng obviously did not think about inheriting the title.
It's also because Zhu Feng's brother Zhu Lin is not infertile. In these days, if he has given birth, even if he hasn't given birth for a few years, if he takes care of himself and takes in a few more women, why can't he still give birth?
Are you going to hang yourself from a tree like Zhu Youtang?
Besides, the disease of "Xu" is not hereditary. Wouldn't Zhu Houzhao be more alive and kicking than anyone else when he grows up?
"Then your wife..."
"My wife is very nice. She even asked about you. I said I would like to let you have a cup of tea or something when I have time. She also heard about your writing of peach blossom poems and was very interested in it. She also said that she would like to learn poetry from you. .”
Zhang Zhou thought to himself, should he ask for advice on poetry or the next chapter of "Sister Jin Lian Defies Heaven and Changes Her Fate"?
Seeing the carriage in front of him, Zhang Zhou said: "No need to send it off, I know the way home, it's only a few steps! You should go back quickly and discuss the birth of the child with Mrs. Ling!"
"What?" Zhu Fengren was a little confused.
This jump in thinking is a bit big. Should we discuss this in broad daylight?
"Brother Zhang, are you staying in there for ten days? It's a bit..."
"By the way, Zhijie, do you know anyone with the surname Chen? Is he fairly close to your Duke Chengguo?"
"Does this... Miss Chen from the Lianghuai Yanyun family count?"
"oh."
Zhang Zhou nodded.
Zhu Feng asked nervously: "Brother Zhu, have you figured out something? Don't hide anything from me."
Zhang Zhou patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Work hard!"
"What's the effort?"
Zhang Zhou didn't answer and went straight to his carriage.
According to historical records, Zhu Feng's son, Zhu Xizhong, who rescued Zhu Houcong from the fire with Lu Bing during the Jiajing period in the future, and Cheng Guogong, the generation after Zhu Feng, were born to the Chen family.
That means that Zhu Feng has not given him any sons now.
As for who this Chen is, Zhang Zhou has not investigated in detail. Who knows if it is the Miss Chen who failed to find a son-in-law, or a young lady from a guard commander or a local official's family.
Right now, Mrs. Zhu looks very unhappy.
…
…
Zhang Zhou's carriage creaked as it arrived at the door of his house, only to see a carriage parked at the door. It seemed that he had been waiting for a long time.
Zhang Zhouzheng was curious who it was.
As soon as he got off the carriage, he saw a familiar figure also getting off the carriage. His old face was wrinkled horizontally, and the wrinkles on both sides were very uneven. He trotted towards him.
"My dear son-in-law, I finally see you again! Stay safe!"
It's Jiang Dezhong.
Zhang Zhou's heart skipped a beat.
The old guy knew he was coming out of the palace and came to block him in advance.
Then Zhang Zhou saw the wine jar that Jiang Dezhong’s servant had brought down from the carriage...
hiss.
Come again?
(End of chapter)
