Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Oh!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was so angry he laughed, pointing the shoe at Zhu Di and saying, "Come on, continue."

"Since you can't give me a straight answer today, we'll send you to Fengyang to farm."

"Father!"

Immediately, everyone present changed their expressions.

If word got out that a prince of the highest rank was going to Fengyang to farm, he would become a laughingstock.

"The support and assistance of a nation must come from loyal and virtuous officials. If capable people are appointed, the world will govern itself."

"Therefore, Yao appointed the Four Mountains and Shun appointed the Eight Worthies to achieve the prosperity of humility and to praise the way of reverence and enlightenment."

"Your subject believes that the vassal kings do not need to govern their territories personally; they only need to select virtuous and capable officials."

Zhu Di spoke again, completely disregarding Zhu Yuanzhang's threat.

"Excellent!"

Song Lian's cloudy old eyes became exceptionally clear and bright, staring at Zhu Di as if he were looking at a precious treasure.

Upon hearing this, the expressions on Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's faces changed.

Others may not know, but they will certainly know that these words come from "The Model of the Emperor". Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, can be regarded as a model of a ruler, and his book "The Model of the Emperor" has been the basis for the rule of emperors throughout the dynasties.

"Fourth brother."

"Do you know how to be a good feudal lord?"

Zhu Yuanzhang put down the shoes in his hand and said with a complicated expression.

Zhu Di continued, "The breadth of a ruler's virtue depends solely on his broad knowledge. Establish county-level education to educate people through methods. Respond to matters appropriately and govern things with principles."

"wonderful!"

Zhu Biao couldn't help but praise Zhu Di's answer.

"His Majesty."

"This old minister believes that His Highness Prince Yan need not come to the main hall anymore."

Song Lian's sudden remark caused the atmosphere in the room to freeze.

"Mr. Song."

Zhu Biao was somewhat surprised and wanted to intervene on Zhu Di's behalf.

"What did you say?"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, and an invisible sense of oppression enveloped the main hall.

Unexpectedly, Song Lian glanced at Zhu Di and said with a firm look in his eyes, "His Highness the Prince of Yan is exceptionally intelligent, proficient in all arts, including rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics."

"This old minister is ashamed; I am no longer able to teach His Highness Prince Yan."

Wow!!!

The main hall was in an uproar.

The princes all understood the implication in Song Lian's words: the current Zhu Di was someone he could not teach.

Who was Song Lian? He was one of the Four Gentlemen of Eastern Zhejiang, the tutor of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and was ordered to compile the History of Yuan. He rose to the position of Hanlin Academician and Imperial Edict Drafter. He single-handedly created the Ming Dynasty's etiquette system, and was respected by scholars and admired by everyone in the court and the public.

How could it not be shocking that such a great Confucian scholar would personally admit that he could not teach Zhu Di!

"Father."

Zhu Biao realized that his fourth brother was indeed extraordinary, and quickly looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Fourth brother."

Zhu Yuanzhang said expressionlessly, "Mr. Song said that if we keep detaining you, it will make your father seem heartless."

"From today onwards, you no longer need to come to the main hall to study. You can do whatever you want."

"Only one rule: no one is allowed to bully the common people."

"Yes."

Zhu Di replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"snort!"

Zhu Yuanzhang flicked his sleeves, turned around and left the main camp, with Zhu Biao following closely behind.

That's all for today's lessons.

Song Lian then announced his dismissal and left.

"Wow!!!"

"Fourth Brother, you're amazing."

"You've even convinced Father."

"........."

The princes present surrounded Zhu Di, cheering with joy.

The straightforward Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, stepped forward and patted Zhu Di on the shoulder, saying admiringly, "Fourth brother, you're really lucky. You don't have to come to the main hall for classes anymore. Poor me, I still have to suffer here."

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, standing to the side, stared at Zhu Di in the crowd, a hint of jealousy flashing in his eyes.

From a young age, he studied literature and classics under Song Lian and calligraphy under Du Huan, and believed that his literary and military talents surpassed those of all the princes.

Who would have thought that Zhu Di's actions today would overshadow his own, and even a great Confucian scholar like Song Lian would give him such high praise.

................

On the other side, after leaving the Great Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang went directly back to the Qianqing Palace.

"Someone come here."

"Song Lian was granted the title of Senior Fourth Rank Official, and was awarded 10 taels of gold and 3 bolts of brocade."

"Yes."

The eunuch immediately accepted the order and went to draft the decree.

"Boss."

"We just asked the Imperial Guard Commandery."

"That bastard fourth brother is never at the main hall two out of three days a year."

"He either goes fishing at Xuanwu Lake, or he hangs out with those privileged young men, walking chickens and fighting dogs, riding horses and hunting. I don't know where he picked up this spoiled attitude."

"We can see that his mind is not on studying at all."

Zhu Yuanzhang muttered curses under his breath, but his face betrayed his smugness.

Since he became emperor, there has been much discussion among scholars. People say that this monk emperor who came from a beggar background is illiterate. Who would have thought that he would have a son that even the great Confucian scholar Song Lian admitted he couldn't teach? This feeling is indescribably wonderful.

"father."

Zhu Biao was also filled with mixed emotions, and said, "My fourth brother's usual behavior is probably not that he is unruly and incompetent."

"Now it seems as if I can't use my skills at the Grand Hall."

"The son was thinking about whether to arrange for his fourth brother to enter the court to listen to government affairs, so that he could be enfeoffed in the future."

"inappropriate."

Zhu Yuanzhang flatly refused him.

According to the order of seniority, Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, and Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, were older than Zhu Di and had not yet entered the court to participate in government affairs. How could Zhu Di enter the court first?

Moreover, with the Northern Yuan still not pacified, and the Hexi, Hehuang, and Liaodong regions still in the hands of the Mongol Tartars, the Zhu family's sons could not be enfeoffed to their respective regions for the time being. Their presence in the court would only cause unnecessary trouble.

"Yes."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had made up his mind, Zhu Biao did not bring it up again.

"If your Uncle Xu leads the troops on this northern expedition and returns victorious, his merits will be immense."

"Your mother told us that she would give him a son."

Zhu Yuanzhang brought up the matter of the second northern expedition.

"Give it to your son?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, somewhat confused.

"Boss."

"Your mother is right, there's nothing left to reward us with, what should we do?"

"I can only give him a son."

Zhu Yuanzhang plopped down on the couch, his posture resembling that of an old farmer in the fields.

"That's why Dad took his son to the main hall."

Zhu Biao immediately realized that this was probably the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang had gone to the main hall earlier.

"That brat, the fourth one, I'll break his legs sooner or later."

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of Zhu Di's confident demeanor in the main camp, showing no regard for him as the emperor, and he became angry again, saying fiercely.

"Pfft."

Zhu Biao couldn't hold back anymore.

"Stop laughing, give me an idea."

"Which of your younger brothers will you send to the Xu family?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Biao for his opinion.

"Uncle Xu has two daughters, but the younger one is still very young, so it's naturally inappropriate for her."

"Then it can only be the eldest daughter, considering her age."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and replied, "Among all my brothers, I'm afraid only my third, fourth, and fifth brothers are suitable."

"The third one won't do."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "I have already chosen Xie Cheng's eldest daughter for him."

Xie Cheng was a meritorious general who followed him in founding the country. He served as Vice Commander-in-Chief, Left Assistant to the Prince of Jin, and Chancellor. At the beginning of the year, he also served as Commander of the Taiyuan Garrison, responsible for expanding Taiyuan City and building the Prince of Jin's residence.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin married Xie Cheng's eldest daughter, which played an ineffable role in his later enfeoffment and consolidation of power in Shanxi.

"That must be my fourth brother."

Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"Fourth brother, that brat."

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed and fell into deep thought.