The struggle for the throne during the Jiajing reign

Chapter 81 Testing

"That's Xu Wei, the one you had the Ministry of War official send someone to pick up."

Zhu Zaizhen was not surprised, but nodded with a smile: "Your subject thinks this person is interesting, and also a child prodigy."

"A child prodigy." A genuine smile finally appeared in Jiajing's tone, and even through the layers of curtains, one could feel the emperor's calm demeanor, as if he had seen all the talents in the world.

"What our Great Ming Dynasty has in abundance is child prodigies."

This is absolutely true. A scholar like Xu Wei, who only passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of over twenty and was subsequently trapped in the autumn examinations, repeatedly failing, could hardly be considered outstanding.

In the judgment standards of the imperial court and the literati, only those like Xie Jin and Yang Tinghe, who passed the imperial examination at the age of eighteen or nineteen and rose rapidly through the ranks, were qualified to be called child prodigies.

Tang Shunzhi, Zhang Juzheng, Yang Shen, Wang Shizhen, Xu Jie, and others all entered the ranks of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) before the age of twenty-five, which is why they were praised by the court and the public for their outstanding talent.

As for the likes of Gao Gong, Li Chunfang, and Hu Zongxian, they only passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight. If others called them geniuses, they would feel ashamed.

However, Xu Wei was truly an exception. He was one of the three most talented men of the Ming Dynasty, a man who failed to even pass the imperial examinations and ended up destitute.

He was so skilled in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and military strategy that he surpassed Tang Bohu and Wang Shizhen, and was hailed as the most talented man in the Ming Dynasty.

The other two great talents were Xie Jin, the chief compiler of the Yongle Encyclopedia and the most learned scholar, and Yang Shen, the top scholar in the imperial examination of the sixth year of the Zhengde reign and the most well-read scholar. The latter is still living in exile in Yunnan, wandering in the wild and desolate land.

Thinking of Yang Shen, Jiajing's expression softened slightly, and he habitually asked Huang Jin, "How is Yang Shen in Yunnan doing lately?"

Huang Jin bowed and answered in his usual manner: "Your Majesty, Yang Shen is getting old and is now plagued by illness, living a very difficult life."

"it is good."

Zhu Zaizhen remained silent upon hearing this, for his father truly harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Yang family that had persisted for years.

Back then, Yang Shen raised his arms and shouted, "The country has nurtured scholars for 150 years, and today is the day to uphold integrity and die for righteousness!" He led 229 officials to kneel at Zuoshun Gate, crying and remonstrating, shaking the gate, and shouting the temple name of Emperor Xiaozong, openly forcing the emperor to abdicate.

For more than twenty years, the emperor granted several general amnesties, but he always excluded him from the list. He also kept a close eye on him, fearing that he might be doing well or had secretly run back to his hometown.

Yang Shen is a living example. The emperor wanted the world to see at all times that if a child prodigy from a prestigious family, renowned throughout the land, could not please the emperor, he would only be left to die on the frontier for the rest of his life.

For some reason, Emperor Jiajing suddenly remarked: "Xu Wei is mediocre, but Zhang Juzheng is somewhat decent."

""

It seems that Zhang Juzheng submitted that memorial, and it even caught the attention of the Emperor. Zhu Zaizhen was a little nervous, as he couldn't always guess Jiajing's thoughts.

But he still answered decisively: "Zhang Juzheng is a true national hero, and Xu Wei is truly interesting. One is good at governing the country, and the other is a poet and painter. However, Xu Wei can be found by himself, but as for Zhang Juzheng, it depends on Father Emperor's wishes."

Jiajing's tone became more playful, "You came here asking for a cat, and I thought you were a child. Now you open your mouth and want a talented scholar from the Hanlin Academy. You have quite the appetite."

.

Zhu Zaizhen knelt outside the curtain, his back slightly tense; his father was testing him.

Asking for a cat or a painting is a family matter, but asking for a talented scholar from the Hanlin Academy is a matter of the court. He crossed the line between the two a little too quickly.

He must find the perfect balance between intentional and unintentional actions.

Zhu Zaizhen immediately tried to sow discord between his brother and his elder brother: "There's nothing I can do. Everyone in the Hanlin Academy is surrounding my brother and doesn't want to talk to me. Only Zhang Juzheng seems somewhat agreeable and is quite respectful to me."

Upon hearing this, Jiajing frowned. It was impossible for the people of the Hanlin Academy to ignore Prince Jing, but it was also true that they were not doing their best.

He had already heard that the lecturers who entered the palace to teach Prince Yu all devoted themselves to the task, wishing they could impart all their knowledge.

From sunrise to sunset, his schedule was packed with lessons. He meticulously broke down everything, hoping that Prince Yu would absorb all of it and not allow him a moment's rest.

On the other hand, Prince Jing's lessons were always done hastily. As soon as the time was up, the lecturers would immediately take their leave. If Prince Jing did not ask any questions, they would remain silent and would not say a word more.

That's why this brat had the leisure to come to the West Garden to beg for a cat; his studies had already ended long ago.

A flash of anger crossed the Emperor's face. When did it become their place to nitpick over the princes? These mere officials of the Hanlin Academy dared to neglect the princes' studies! It seemed Xu Jie couldn't be allowed to head the Hanlin Academy—

Emperor Jiajing instructed Huang Jin to roll up the painting and then picked up Zhang Juzheng's memorial again: "You want people, but are they willing to go with you?"

"Zhang Juzheng was a pragmatic man. My father appointed me as his tutor, so naturally he had to follow me."

95

"You expect me to give you everything?"

"Of all the living beings under heaven, only what Father Emperor gives to his son truly belongs to him."

"Heh." Jiajing couldn't help but laugh, "You say you're well-behaved, but I've seen you come begging quite often."

Zhu Zaizhen then chimed in, "It's all because Father Emperor's heart is filled with thoughts of the entire land. If I hadn't come, when would you have remembered me?"

Moreover, it is one thing for your son to dare to ask for it, but whether it is ultimately granted or not depends entirely on Your Majesty's will, and your son dares not overstep his bounds in the slightest.

These words made Huang Jin secretly applaud. Although His Majesty is usually unyielding to both soft and hard approaches, he is only soft towards his subjects and sons, and he will always be somewhat swayed by them.

If they really didn't want it, they could have easily retrieved the painting with a simple imperial decree. Why bother with a formal audience? Clearly, they hadn't seen it in a long time and missed it.

Of course, it's also possible that Qingliu has gone a bit too far lately—

"Very well, when you have Zhang Juzheng submit a memorial requesting to come to your side, I will grant your request."

Zhu Zaizhen slowly raised his head and looked at the figure behind the curtain. He wondered if this seemingly generous promise was yet another test.

Jiajing casually stood up and looked down at the figure that had grown even taller.

"What? You dare not stand up for your patriotic pledge?"

Zhu Zaizhen sighed and lowered his head, his tone tinged with melancholy: "I dare not. The promising Hanlin scholar already has someone he loves. How could he possibly want to follow me?"

Upon hearing this, Jiajing frowned. He was pleased with Prince Jing's ability to know when to advance and retreat and to show respect.

Princes may have their own thoughts, but they must not have any ambitions of usurpation; all favors and punishments originate from the emperor.

The promising scholars have all found their place; to whom do they now turn—to Prince Yu?

Hearing this, Jiajing felt somewhat uncomfortable. His son, who seemed clever and quick-witted, was actually only tasked with collecting ancient books, Taoist classics, and auspicious omens with the help of Yan Shifan.

Contrary to his expectations, he did not use the power of the Yan faction to oppress the court and the public, attack Prince Yu, or promote himself.

This non-competitive, even evasive, demeanor both pleased and angered him.

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