Great Ming Dynasty Wen Chao Gong

Chapter 71 Concubine Zheng’s thoughts

Zhang Xiao’s second class started as usual.

Zhang Xiao walked into the school, and the eldest son of the emperor was still sitting upright.

"Sir, these are the notes and insights I took after listening to your lecture in the last class. Please take a look." The eldest son of the emperor handed over the notebook.

"Your Highness is interested." Zhang Xiao picked up the emperor's eldest son's notebook. The handwriting in it was neat, especially the Arabic numerals and the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division signs were copied many times.

"The last lesson talked about how after Timur defeated the tyrannical king Hamaruddin of the Eastern Chagatai Kingdom, he began to aggressively conquer many states formed after the split of the Ilkhanate. He entered the homeland of Persia, defeated many powerful countries, and was at the height of his power at that time. There was a conflict of interest in the Ottoman Empire, and the leaders of both sides cursed each other. At this time, Timur not only stopped paying tribute to the Ming Dynasty, but also forcibly detained the envoys sent by our country. The war between Timur and the Ottomans was about to break out..."

"After Timur defeated the Ottoman Empire, his prestige was greatly shaken. It can be said that there were congratulations from all directions, so he set his sights on the Ming Dynasty. However, he suddenly fell ill during the march, and the powerful country established by Timur immediately fell into war. Originally, Timur planned to pass the throne to his eldest grandson, Pilma Heima, but at this time, Pirma Heima was far away. Tamerlane's grandson Khalil, who was in the army, usurped the power, but everyone was dissatisfied. Several of Timur's descendants began to fight against each other. Shaharul, Timur's fourth son, also raised troops from the fiefdom, defeated all competitors and seized the throne of Khan. Timur's tomb is still in Samarkand. It is said that Timur fell Curse, anyone who dares to open his coffin will be cursed with the curse of war."

Zhang Xiao finished telling Timur's story. The eldest son of the emperor was not taking notes, but was listening carefully and thoughtfully.

After the story was finished, Zhang Xiao continued to teach mathematics. Zhang Xiao did not teach arithmetic today, but taught the simplest geometry knowledge, such as rectangles, squares, cones, cylinders and the like.

Zhang Xiao still didn't expect that the emperor who he considered to be a busy man was still listening to the talk, and there was also someone standing next to him, that is Emperor Wanli's favorite woman in his life, Concubine Zheng.

After Zhang Xiao's lecture was over, the emperor did not return to the imperial study. Instead, he was directly dragged to his palace by Concubine Zheng.

"You have listened to Chang Luo's classes. How are you now? Logically speaking, how can a concubine go out at will? I am also responsible this time. I am not allowed to make such requests again in the future. This prince is in class. What do you want to listen to? I just randomly find someone to give Chang Luo lessons. My son is already ten years old. He can’t be illiterate if he continues to behave like this. Wouldn’t the ancestors have to blame him? " said the emperor.

"Your Majesty, do you want to give Chang Xun lessons? If Chang Luo can take lessons, Xun'er will also have lessons. Your Majesty, how about that?" Concubine Zheng said suddenly.

"Xun'er is only six years old. How can I hear this? If she starts crying, it won't be easy to coax her in class. And it's hard to find a teacher now." The emperor quickly explained.

"That's not easy. Whatever Chang Luo learns, Xun'er also learns. Mr. Dong and Teacher Zhang teach two students together, why not?" said Concubine Zheng.

"Don't be so anxious. Xun'er still loves to play so much. It would be nice to let him play for a while longer." The emperor was helpless.

"When should you play, don't dare to neglect your studies. Your Majesty, you promised me that. Now Chang Luo is taking classes, not to mention Master Dong's class, Master Zhang's class can also be considered Let's learn about the emperor. Your Majesty, don't think that I don't understand anything. Of course Chang Luo can listen, and my son should listen even more." Concubine Zheng said.

"No, it's just a story. After all, it's a foreign story, and Zhang Xiao may not be right." The emperor was still trying to forcefully defend.

"That's even better. Xun'er is young and can just listen to the story. Besides, Xun'er can also listen obediently. How about giving me a month?" Concubine Zheng did not continue to be more serious with the emperor.

"That's fine, then I'll let Dong Qichang and Zhang Xiao rest for a month, and then start teaching Xun'er from the beginning. That's better," the emperor said.    …

Just like this, Zhang Xiao, who was still writing books and preparing lessons, was suddenly told that he would have to start class again in a month, and that he would have to start from scratch. Zhang Xiao was also asked to make the course content more simple.

When Zhang Xiao was wondering, Dong Qichang came to the door again.

"Brother Dong, why did someone come to your door as soon as your greeting card arrived? Why are you so anxious?" Zhang Xiao asked in greeting.

"Brother Zhang Xian, why are you not in a hurry? You haven't received any news at all." Dong Qichang was a little excited.

"It's okay, it's okay. There's someone high up who can handle big things. Let's talk about it while drinking tea." Zhang Xiao said as he led Dong Qichang to the main hall.

The two sat down, and Dong Qichang looked at Zhang Xiao's unhurried expression and hesitated a little.

"Brother Dong, why are you so hesitant to speak?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"Brother Zhang Xian, Dong really doesn't want to guess anymore. Brother Xian, are you a fool or are you really ignorant?" Dong Qichang asked.

"What do you know? Do you know why the class will be held a month later? My preparation for the class was not sufficient in the first place. Now His Majesty asked me to prepare for a month and make the content more simple. Isn't that because he was dissatisfied with my previous lectures? That's just right. I have time to prepare more. Maybe for His Royal Highness, the eldest son of the Emperor, I have too many words to speak and write, so it would be better to put more pictures." Zhang Xiao said.

"Brother Zhang Xian, I believe you really don't know anything about it. The reason why we have to suspend classes for a month this time is because His Majesty wants the Third Prince to also give lectures. Not only Brother Zhang Xian, you have to take a month off, but Dong also has to take a month off. ." Dong Qichang said.

"The third son of the emperor is the son of Concubine Zheng? Prince Fu?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"Prince Fu, I haven't heard that the third prince has been crowned king. But the third prince is indeed blessed," Dong Qichang said.

"Yes, yes, heirs of the royal family will naturally be very blessed." Zhang Xiao knew he had made a mistake and quickly followed suit and tried to change the subject.

"You are indeed blessed. No, that's not the point. The point is that Your Majesty didn't train the Emperor's eldest son as a son at all. I'm going to give lessons to the Emperor's eldest son. The Emperor's eldest son is already ten years old and he's just enlightened now. It's all thanks to Your Highness. He also learned from the eunuchs around him so that he didn't know every word. Your Majesty, this is too..." Dong Qichang forcibly swallowed back his complaints about the emperor.

"Huh? Is this considered to be a enlightenment for the eldest son of the emperor? Then it is indeed a little difficult for me. The eldest son of the emperor is indeed a little late for enlightenment." Zhang Xiao also felt a little sympathy for the eldest son of the emperor. No wonder they are so well-behaved. Children who are ignored by their parents tend to mature prematurely.

(End of this chapter)