When Zhu Si came back from the exam, he looked lucky that he would be lucky if he survived the catastrophe. He walked up to Zhu Hao and looked at him with pitiful eyes.

After Tang Yin communicated with Chu Yu and others, he happened to hear the conversation between Zhu Hao and Zhu Si when he came back.

"It was too difficult, just like the real imperial examination. I was so nervous at the time, my palms were sweating while holding the pen, but fortunately I finished writing both articles."

When Zhu Si said this, he breathed a long sigh of relief and finally had a smile on his face.

No matter what, Zhu Si finally completed the first formal exam in his life under many-on-one situations with a group of people watching.

And I also finished writing the article, which is really commendable.

Zhu Hao asked: "What topic? Do you still remember what you wrote?"

"Two questions, one question from the Analects of Confucius, 'Youzi said: The use of etiquette, harmony is the most precious. The way of the ancient kings, this is the most beautiful, small and large, follow it. If something is not done, know how to be harmonious, and do not use etiquette.

, it is also not feasible. 'This question is relatively simple, but the later Mencius question is a bit more difficult, 'Say: If you give it to me, you will receive it. If you don't know, how can it be continued forever?'"

When Zhu Si said this, he felt a little regretful. Maybe he didn't perform very well on the second question.

After Zhu Hao heard the topic, Tang Yin happened to come over, but Tang Yin didn't say anything. Zhu Si quickly saluted Tang Yin: "I have met Mr. Tang."

Zhu Hao said: "This Zhang Tixue sets the questions very neatly. It seems that he didn't deliberately ask simple questions for you to answer. It just depends on how your article is rated by him."

Tang Yin listened to the two questions and nodded, agreeing with Zhu Hao's statement.

If an ordinary assistant envoy to ask questions was given to the prince, the prince was only a ten-year-old child, and the questions must be simple. However, from the perspective of setting the questions, these two questions are not considered "rushed".

"That kind of question, especially the second question, is a bit "over the top" for a ten-year-old child, especially the Crown Prince Xing.

The first question focuses on the application of etiquette and law, which means to advise and guide Zhu Si on how to govern the country in the future. It can also be said to teach Zhu Si how to manage the palace well in the future.

The second question is about raising people. You can’t expect people to thank you every time you give gifts to others. This is not raising people but charity. If you want to reuse them, you shouldn’t just give them food, clothing, housing and transportation.

Official positions should be given...

From the perspective of a courtier, the two questions Zhang Bangqi asked were appropriate. They did not go beyond the duties of a courtier, but they were secretly teaching the prince how to behave.

Zhu Hao felt that Zhang Bangqi answered these two questions very well.

…

…

Then it was time for Zhang Bangqi to grade the papers and give comments.

In the afternoon, Yuan Zonggao, Zhang Jingming and others returned to the palace after entertaining Zhang Bangqi, and took Tang Yin, Chu Yu and Zhu Hao with them to see King Xing.

Yesterday, Zhu Hao passed the exam and had not gone to thank King Xing. After all, King Xing was not in good health recently and did not have much time to see outsiders.

When he arrived at the study, Yuan Zonggao smiled and handed over the original manuscripts of Zhu Si's two articles and four essays, and conveyed Zhang Bangqi's evaluation.

Yuan Zonggao said: "...Zhang Xuedao commented that the prince's knowledge and talent are very worthy of recognition. If he takes part in the imperial examination, even at ten years old, he will not be inferior to ordinary children and students. His articles can already make a difference in the imperial examination.

.”

"Really? Ahem."

Zhu Youqi coughed while carefully studying his son's article.

This father has been in poor health in the past two years. He is no longer as hands-on in supervising his son's studies as he was in the first few years. After reading his son's article, he was surprised: "Is this really written by the prince? It is indeed different from the previous one." It’s different. Why does it feel like he has grown up overnight?”

The father never expected that his son would make such great progress in his studies.

Yuan Zonggao looked back at Tang Yin with a smile: "The teachings from the Wangfu are still good."

This is not simply praising Tang Yin, but also praising Chu Yu, who has been in the palace for less than a year. It is more like saying to King Xing that Tang Yin’s teachings were just like that before. It was not until Chu Yu came that the crown prince’s knowledge improved by leaps and bounds. , doesn’t this explain the problem?

"Okay, okay, the teachings in the palace should be commended. Several gentlemen have worked hard...including Zhu Hao. The prince usually relies on you to supervise his studies. The prince has told me this all the time."

Zhu Youqi particularly praised Zhu Hao with a look of appreciation on his face.

Yuan Zonggao looked very embarrassed.

What I emphasize here is that the arrival of Chu Yu has greatly improved the crown prince's academic performance. Why do you praise Zhu Hao instead? It sounds like the crown prince is praising Zhu Hao in front of King Xing. Then... this is not easy to predict. Judgment, who would have thought that the prince would not praise his husband, but instead express his merit for his classmates?

Zhu Hao stepped out of the queue and replied: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. This is what students should do."

Zhu Youqian said with emotion: "My original intention was for you to go to the Imperial College of Nanjing to study after you take the exam to be a high school student, to accumulate knowledge as soon as possible and pass the provincial examination. But the prince's studies really cannot do without you, so you will have to work harder in the future." , while preparing for the provincial examination, I will continue to tutor him in his studies. I am very grateful here."

King Xing attached great importance to his son's education. In order to let his son get the best education, he even did not hesitate to plead with a child like Zhu Hao as a student's parent.

This made Yuan Zonggao even more embarrassed.

Zhu Hao hurriedly bowed respectfully and accepted his order.

Tang Yin watched from the sidelines and felt happy in his heart.

You, Yuan Zonggao, want to sow discord between our master and apprentice and the Crown Prince, but the problem is that Prince Xing is not a mediocre and incompetent person who is closed-minded and incompetent. He has a clear understanding of the Crown Prince's academic situation and understands that I am not the one who provides the most guidance for the Crown Prince's homework. , it’s not the new teacher Chu Xi, but Zhu Hao. Who is Zhu Hao who is the classmate who grew up with the prince, the teacher who tutors him every day, and also serves as a role model?

"Cough cough cough..."

When Zhu Youqian said this, he coughed violently again.

Zhang Zuo looked concerned: "Your Majesty, you should rest more. There will be no problems with the two elders here. The prince's studies will also be taught by several teachers, including Zhu Hao, a young teacher. There will be no delay.”

Zhu Youqian's cough subsided slightly, he looked at everyone present with gratified eyes, nodded and said: "I know my condition well. I just hope that you will cultivate the prince well and help him to go on the right path."

…

…

Zhu Hao and Zhu Si, one behind the other, also took part in the exam held by Zhang Bangqi.

Zhu Hao won the honor, and Zhu Si was affirmed by Zhang Bangqi, which made Zhu Youqi very happy. After that, Prince Xing's Mansion did not slack off the crown prince's studies. Instead, because Prince Xing knew that the deadline was approaching, he demanded stricter requirements for the crown prince's academic performance.

Maybe the father is thinking, if I leave and my son has less control, then whether he will be willing to study is another question.

Just like my emperor's nephew, after his father passed away, wasn't it like a wild horse that no one could hold back? What if my son is like this in the future?

So...

Zhu Si entered a study life that was almost like a devil's training, waking up early and working late at night.

Instead of studying basic classic theory, he specialized in writing articles. Zhu Hao was still the one who gave the most guidance.

It’s already the end of August in the blink of an eye.

On this day, King Xing suddenly summoned the main officials and staff in the palace to discuss matters in the study, and specifically asked Zhu Hao to go with him.

When Tang Yin and Zhu Hao went there together, they were filled with emotion: "It seems that King Xing feels that you are destined to become the crown prince's right-hand man in the future. I hope that from now on, you will be more involved in the daily affairs of the palace. This is a preparation for the future inheritance of the throne."

Prepare."

This kind of thing can only be discussed in private between the old and the young.

The palace's unified statement to the outside world is that King Xing's illness will gradually improve.

When I met King Xing this time, he was still the same, coughing non-stop. Of course, his condition did not appear to have worsened, and he seemed to be in a slightly improved state of mind.

After everyone arrived, Yuan Zonggao explained the purpose of convening the meeting.

"... On the first day of this month, the present Holy One suddenly appeared in Changping incognito. He wanted to leave Jiayuguan. He was blocked by Zhang Qin, the patrol censor. He would rather die than let the Holy One pass the gate. Now that His Majesty has returned to the capital, it seems that he will leave the pass again.

"There are many discussions in the government and the public because now Jin Shaofu, an important minister in the cabinet, has taken office, and Yang Gelao, the first assistant scholar, has not returned to the court. It is difficult for the world to dissuade His Majesty from his actions."

Tang Yin asked: "What does Yuan Changshi mean by submitting a remonstrance to Prince Xing's Mansion?"

Among the people present, Tang Yin seems to be the only one who can directly raise the question like this.

He is an alternative in the Xingwangfu system. He does not need to be bound by those rules and regulations, and his questions are always so straightforward.

Yuan Zonggao glanced at Zhu Youqi and found that King Xing had no special expression, then nodded: "That's what he meant."

Zhang Zuo obviously participated in the secret discussion with King Xing in advance and said: "Everyone, the Holy One has not appointed a crown prince yet, and the current move is very unexpected. At this time, Prince Xing's office should persuade the Holy One to put national affairs first, and not to raise troops when there is no need to raise troops.

Such rash actions will disrupt the great principles of the Ming Dynasty."

Having said this, the problem becomes a bit more acute.

Maybe Zhang Zuo didn't have much knowledge and just said whatever came to his mind, but the situation was that the emperor was in high spirits. Who dared to go to court to persuade him? Prince Xing's Mansion couldn't come forward, especially the fact that the emperor didn't appoint a prince. Otherwise,

Is this clearly telling others that Prince Xing's Mansion covets the throne?

Zhu Hao heard some obscure meanings from the sidelines.

Historically, on the first day of August in the twelfth year of Zhengde, Zhu Houzhao failed to leave Jiayuguan. Then on the 13th of the month, he returned to the capital in a depressed mood, thinking that he would stop. As a result, on August 23rd, he went west again, taking advantage of the inspection of the pass.

When the imperial censor inspected Baiyangkou and was not at Jiayuguan, he went straight to the pass and arrived at Xuanfu on the first day of September.

It is already August 29th. If nothing else happens, the emperor and his entourage are expected to have declared the city gates in sight by now.

Prince Xing's Mansion is actually still discussing whether to admonish the emperor?

You are really too late to realize...

However, I thought that in this era, the speed of news transmission was not that fast. In addition, the imperial court would not dare to announce the emperor's departure from Jiayuguan this time, for fear that the Tatars would find out and send troops to intercept and kill him. Naturally, Prince Xing's palace was kept in the dark.

－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Chapter completed!