Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 73 Huang Liji's Attack!

The audience in the Wuying Hall was about to end.

Zhu Youjian was pondering whether he should wash his hands before starting his final "card drawing" after returning to the Qianqing Palace.

This time, it's a real military commander card!
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out from inside the hall.

"Your Majesty, I... have something to report."

Zhu Youjian looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Huang Lijie, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

He stood there, slightly bowed, his expression respectful.

Zhu Youjian stopped his movement to get up, sat up straighter, and showed a perfectly gentle smile.

"Please speak, Minister."

Huang Lijie stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty's ascension to the throne has brought joy to the people and the whole world. I urge Your Majesty to open the Imperial Academy as soon as possible to illuminate the sacred learning and rectify the court."

He paused, then continued, "According to the old system of our Great Ming Dynasty, the Autumn Lectures on the Classics begin on the 12th of August and end on the 2nd of October. Now it is the 30th of August, which is the time for the Autumn Lectures. I hope Your Majesty will open the lectures as soon as possible to appease the people's desire for learning."

The Imperial Lecture?

Zhu Youjian's smile remained unchanged, but his thoughts raced through his mind like wild horses.

The original host's memories have been found!
The so-called "lectures" were, to put it bluntly, a "public lecture of the Ming Dynasty" held for the whole world to see.

Three times a month, without fail.

The class was held in the Wenhua Hall. The only student attending the class was the emperor, but the "parents" who were observing the class numbered half of the court.

The scholars in the cabinet would prepare lecture notes in advance, which were nothing more than certain chapters from the Four Books and Five Classics. Then, a special lecturer would lecture to the emperor in full view of everyone.

The entire process was incredibly ceremonial, with an outrageous amount of red tape.

The lecturers had to bow before class and sit upright during the lecture. Even when turning pages for the emperor, a special position called "Book Turner" was set up.

It was less of a class and more of a political show.

The lecturers read from their prepared texts word by word, while the emperor had to sit upright and listen with great interest.

How is this any different from the most boring open classes in schools in later generations?
A nameless anger rose in Zhu Youjian's heart.

I am a distinguished time traveler!
My goal is to conquer nature and the world. The drought and refugees in Shaanxi are about to erupt, and the Mongols in the north will soon submit to the iron hooves of the Later Jin.

I wish there were 48 hours in a day, how could I have time to play this kind of formalistic childish game with you?

His heart was roaring, but his face still wore that sage-king-like smile.

No, I need to come up with a reason to cancel.

A perfect reason that these old foxes couldn't find fault with.

They'll say that the country is too busy to do anything else, and that "sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood, and that the study of Confucian classics is the foundation of governing a country."

When asked about the mourning period for the emperor's elder brother, they would say, "To comfort the spirit of the late emperor with knowledge is the greatest filial piety."

Zhu Youjian's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through his mind, only to be rejected one by one.

In a short while, a perfect reason came to mind.

He mentally refined his words, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a serious and humble expression.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly.

“I received early education from the family and have a basic understanding of the classics. Now that I bear the heavy responsibility of the nation, I must read one or two volumes of the Zizhi Tongjian every day after reviewing the memorials, and I dare not slack off day or night.”

"However, the path of learning is vast and profound, and what I know is but a drop in the ocean. I am aware that my learning is not yet complete, and I fear that I will be at a loss for words at the imperial lectures and make a fool of myself."

"In this way, not only will it fail to glorify the sacred learning, but it will also damage the dignity of the imperial court."

"In my opinion, it would be better to do this. You may first present me with excerpts from the Four Books and Five Classics, or the Zizhi Tongjian and the Zuxun. I will study them carefully in the palace, and only after I have gained some understanding will we discuss the matter of the Imperial Lectures. What do you think?"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent. Zhu Youjian's words were perfectly flawless.

He adopted an extremely humble posture, demonstrating his diligence and eagerness to learn while subtly declining the proposal to immediately convene a lecture, citing the irrefutable reason that his knowledge was not yet fully developed.

Moreover, he proactively requested his civil officials to excerpts from classical texts or the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government). He adopted an attitude of "I want to learn quietly and then amaze everyone."

Now you can't force me anymore, right?

I am truly eager to learn, but I am ashamed of my lack of virtue and knowledge.

Huang Liji cupped his hands, a gratified smile on his face: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, yet you still find time to study the classics. This is truly a blessing for the country and a boon for the nation!"

He started with a flattering remark, then abruptly changed the subject.

"However, since Your Majesty feels that your learning is not yet complete, it is only right that we, your subjects, explain the classics and answer your questions to help you advance your studies. The matter of the lectures on the classics concerns the national system, so it is indeed advisable to postpone them for a while and resume them next spring."

"However, Your Majesty can take this opportunity to hold daily lectures, with lecturers giving you lectures every day. In this way, Your Majesty's knowledge will surely make great progress in a few months. At that time, we can then hold a formal lecture series on the classics. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

……

Zhu Youjian's smile froze.

It’s over.

No matter how much I planned, I never expected that this old fox would have such a trick up his sleeve.

You said your knowledge wasn't good enough, so you wanted to take a break. But people agreed with you, saying that since your knowledge wasn't good enough, you needed to catch up even more!
The lectures are public lectures, so we can postpone them.

That day was supposed to be a "private tutoring session," which is perfect for catching up on your lessons!

The logic is perfect and flawless.

He could even sense that the other civil officials in the hall were looking at Huang Liji with a hint of admiration in their eyes.

Old ginger is spicier.

Zhu Youjian felt like a primary school student who wanted to skip class. He made up an excuse that "my stomach hurts." His homeroom teacher kindly said, "Oh, then let's go to the infirmary first and let the school doctor take a look at you. You can come back to class after that."

What can he do?
He can only delay.

“That makes sense…” Zhu Youjian’s voice was slightly dry.

He forced himself to calm down quickly, his brain racing again, searching for a new breakthrough.

Got it!

“However,” he changed the subject, regaining control, “since we are going to hold daily lectures, we should also hold supplementary elections for the lecturers.”

"In that case, you should first draft a list of lecturers and submit it to me. After I personally select them, the date for the lectures will be set."

Having said that, he gave Huang Liji no further chance to speak, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall, and asked in a deep voice:

"My esteemed ministers, is there anything else you wish to report?"

There was silence in the hall.

It was obvious to everyone that His Majesty the Emperor was not in a good mood after being outmaneuvered by the Grand Secretary.

Since the major issues have already been decided, minor issues can be addressed by submitting a report. It's best not to provoke any trouble at this point.

However, it's true that the Zhu family emperors inherited a deep-rooted dislike for reading...

Seeing no response, Zhu Youjian stood up and said calmly, "Since there's nothing else, let's leave it at that for today. I'll return to the Qianqing Palace now."

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

The assembled officials bowed in unison, their shouts echoing throughout the Wuying Hall.

(End of this chapter)