My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 71 Parents' Love for Their Children

It really worked. Su Ze remembered his Chinese class in high school. He would be extremely sleepy whenever the teacher talked about the contents of the book, but he would become alert when the teacher talked about stories outside the book.

Thinking of this, Su Ze felt that Zhu Yijun at this time was still a six-year-old child and was not the same person as the Wanli Emperor in history.

I can put more effort into the imperial lectures in the future.

Yin Shidan, who was listening in, heard Su Ze talking about ghosts and gods and wanted to stop him, but Su Ze's introduction was so interesting that he couldn't help but listen further.

The person of most interest is Emperor Longqing behind the screen.

The emperors of the Ming Dynasty were all very interested in the theories of ghosts and gods, not to mention that Longqing's father, Jiajing, practiced Taoism all his life.

Su Ze continued:

"I recall that Han Changli of the Tang Dynasty wrote an essay denouncing the Five Poor Ghosts, and Liu Sanbian of the Song Dynasty wrote a ci poem denouncing the Three Corpse Ghosts. So I too picked up my pen to write an essay denouncing the Weary Ghost."

"How did the master write it?"

Su Ze said:

"Heaven and earth gave birth to all things, and creation shaped the human form. Man's head reaches up to the sky, his feet on the earth, and he possesses wisdom and insight within."

"In the past, Dayu's hands and feet grew calluses from his flood control efforts; King Wen of Zhou diligently governed until dusk; Duke Zhou worked dignified and diligently day and night; Emperor Xuan of Han devoted himself to state affairs, forgetting food and sleep. These sages were so focused that even the ghost of fatigue could not disturb them."

"Why am I the only one being harassed by you? You come silently, not like a poisonous insect stinging, but you can make me dream before I sleep, faint before I get drunk, feel tired before I am sick, and sigh before I am sad. It's like a cloud pressing down on my head, like a heavy load making it difficult to walk."

"All this weariness is because of you! I want to emulate the Zhongnan sorcerers in exorcising ghosts, but I lack the magical powers of the Yuedi wizards. I can only prepare my sword and peach wood spear, and swear to drive you out of your body, exile you to the wilderness, and cross you into the void. Go, go, don't stay any longer!"

Hearing Su Ze's plan to expel the tired ghost, and describing it so vividly, Zhu Yijun's face was filled with excitement. He said nervously:
"Did Master Su see the Weary Ghost?"

Su Ze said lightly:
"seen."

"what?"

This time, not only Zhu Yijun, but also Yin Shidan and Longqing behind the screen let out a cry of relief.

Just when Yin Shidan was about to rebuke Su Ze for misleading the prince with his theories about supernatural powers and strange gods, Su Ze immediately said:

"I saw a man striding towards me, head held high, feet dragging, saying, 'I am not your enemy, so why blame me? Do you know that mayflies are born in darkness, and ghosts appear where no one is around? It was when Empress Lü was seriously ill that a demonic dog bit her armpit, and it was when the Duke of Jin was foolish that a yellow bear entered his house. If you were determined, how could I possibly disturb you? You are lazy and unreliable, yet you blame me; you are not knowledgeable, yet you are angry with me. To criticize others and forgive yourself, isn't that just confusing right and wrong?'"

After hearing this, Zhu Yijun actually didn't understand at all, but Emperor Longqing behind the screen understood what Su Ze meant. This was Su Ze using the mouth of a tired ghost to persuade Zhu Yijun to study.

Zhu Yijun was still concerned about the tired ghost, and he asked again:
"Master Su, is this the Weary Ghost?"

Su Ze nodded and continued:
"The weary ghost continued, 'I am by nature quiet and gentle, and I love nothing more than to relax and unwind. I do not associate with the diligent, but rather with the lazy. When Dong Zhongshu studied diligently behind closed doors, I never peeped in; when Sun Jing studied diligently behind closed doors, I took a detour. When Su Qin pierced his thigh with a needle, I avoided its sharp edge; when Kuang Heng dug a hole in the wall to steal light, I protected its bright lamp. Those who use the snow as a mirror in their cold windows or use fireflies to illuminate their books, I retreat when I see them. Only noblemen who indulge in luxury and despise poetry and literature, or foolish children who avoid learning and waste their time, will stick with me.'"

Hearing this, Yin Shidan also shut up.

This story is really interesting, and it uses ancient allusions to encourage learning. Seeing Zhu Yijun so interested, Yin Shidan knew that Su Ze's lectures were probably effective.

Su Ze finally said:
"The weary ghost continued, 'Why don't you reflect on yourself, and instead vent your anger on me? If I'm a ghost, then I'm not mentioned in the Han Xuanshi Hall's discussion of ghosts and gods. If you want to drive me away, who can wield a peach wood sword and hurt me in the slightest? Why don't you use your energy as a blade, your will as a spear, your determination as a thorn arrow, and your strength as a peach bow? If you can do this, I'll say goodbye to you forever. Why keep nagging?'"

Zhu Yijun listened to the words of encouragement to study, but he did not listen to them. His mind was still on the tired ghost. He then asked:

"Master Su, has the tired ghost gone?"

Su Ze smiled and said, "If the tired ghost has not left, how can I pass the imperial examination?" After Su Ze finished speaking, everyone present laughed, even the old-fashioned Yin Shidan smiled.

Zhu Yijun was even happier now. Compared with other officials in the imperial lectures, the ghost stories told by Su Ze were much more interesting than those great principles.

The young child was already interested in the theory of ghosts and gods. He got down from his seat and said to Su Ze, "Master Su, could you please write this article to help me get rid of the ghost of fatigue?"

What a good child! Why did he grow up to be so bad?
Seeing Xiao Pangjun's face full of anticipation, Su Ze picked up the brush and wrote down his article.

Zhu Yijun happily took the article written by Su Ze, thinking that he would have someone copy it today to see if he could see the tired ghost that Su Ze mentioned.

Emperor Longqing behind the screen and Yin Shidan who was listening in actually thought that the crown prince had heard it and wanted to use this article to motivate himself to make progress.

Especially Emperor Longqing behind the screen, he felt that letting Su Ze preach to his son was the right person.

After inserting a short story, Zhu Yijun was obviously more energetic. Su Ze then began to teach Confucian classics. He inserted a few more short stories, and Zhu Yijun listened very attentively throughout the class.

After Su Ze finished his lecture and said goodbye to Zhu Yijun who was reluctant to leave, he had just walked out of the Eastern Palace when he saw a young eunuch from the Eastern Palace chasing him out.

"Su Zanshan, please stay!"

Su Ze stopped and saw the young eunuch taking a deep breath, then said:

"The Crown Prince's decree: 'Master Su has submitted a petition requesting a battle at Xuanda. What are his intentions?'"

Su Ze was stunned for a moment. It was definitely impossible for the eunuch to forge the Crown Prince's order, but this question was obviously not something that a six-year-old child like Zhu Yijun could ask?

Is it Concubine Li? Or the Emperor?

Su Ze thought about it and said in the same tone as he would in replying to the emperor:
"I've heard it said, 'Parents who love their children plan for their future generations.' Emperor Chengzu launched five expeditions into the desert to ensure peace for future generations. I submit this petition requesting war simply because I don't want to leave disaster to future generations."

Zhang Hong took Su Ze's words seriously, then smiled and said:
"I am Zhang Hong, the eunuch who serves the Crown Prince. Su Zanshan will be visiting the Eastern Palace more often in the future."

Su Ze looked at Zhang Hong, thought for a moment, and took out a piece of silver from his sleeve. He stuffed it into Zhang Hong's hand and said:
"I'll have to trouble Eunuch Zhang to lead the way when the time comes."

Zhang Hong was flattered and refused to accept it, but he felt warm in his heart. Among so many lecturers, no one treated him, a eunuch, as a human being. Look at Su Shanzan!

He is so knowledgeable! But he doesn't discriminate against himself at all. Zhang Hong really wants to get close to Su Ze now.

He quickly said, "Next time Su Zanshan comes to the East Palace to give lectures, I will definitely come to the palace gate to greet you."
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After everyone had dispersed and he had listened to Zhang Hong's report, Emperor Longqing murmured to himself, looking at his eldest son:

"Parents who love their children will plan for their future. I cannot leave Altan's affairs to my descendants."

After saying this, Emperor Longqing turned to Li Fang, the official in charge of the Imperial Household Department, and said:
"Instruct the six ministries of the cabinet to discuss war."

"only!"

Emperor Longqing thought for a moment and said:

"Let Su Ze also attend."

Add more, the editor informed Feiniao that this book should be on the shelves on May Day.

It is still very important to read the book before it is put on the shelves. I will try my best to give you more free chapters.

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(End of this chapter)