Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 180: Setting a trap and causing trouble again
For the first time in his life, Lu Sanlang felt like a filial son. Although he didn't say it out loud, his face was filled with emotion.
When Zhang Shou saw that Minister Liu also jumped out, he took the initiative to take charge of the matter. For a moment, the meeting that was originally planned by the children of both sides turned into a meeting that was approved by the elders of both sides. When he saw that Minister Zhao's face was livid and he seemed to want to retort, he took the lead without panic.
"The marriage agreement between the son of the Lu family and the daughter of the Liu family was about to be made. One of them came out of a jewelry store with three or five followers and maids, and the other just came back from a bookstore to buy books. They looked at each other on the street. Compared with the appointments in the back garden in the opera, or the chance encounters at the Buddhist temple or Taoist temple, isn't this more polite? Or does Minister Zhao think that such a simple look is a trap for the Second Prince?"
Minister Zhao would not be easily fooled by Zhang Shou's words, but the Second Prince felt that he had finally caught his chance and shouted, "Yes, this is a trap for me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Shou angrily shouted, "This is ridiculous! Second Prince, do the Lu and Liu families know your whereabouts? The marriage between the two families is a happy event, but you, Second Prince, made a big fuss in public and ruined the reputation of the two families. What good is there in setting a trap for you? Besides... Haha, this is really funny. How can they set a trap for you? Do the Lu and Liu families have a grudge against you?"
The Second Prince was choked by Zhang Shou's repeated questions and was speechless , while the First Prince discovered that the only target of Zhang Shou's aggression was the Second Prince. When he remembered that people had clearly pointed out that it was he who stepped in to stop the Second Prince, he immediately knew what he should say.
The eldest prince strode forward and bowed down to the emperor, saying, "Father, just as Shuntian Prefecture's Prince Dayin said, my second brother's fault may seem minor, but it is actually a big mistake! But not only does he not know how to repent, he also flatters and blames his son first, and then the Lu and Liu families. He is so irresponsible!"
He just realized that his father praised the Minister of War Lu Wan, and the main point was that Lu Wan was responsible and finalized the marriage in front of the emperor and his ministers in the Fengtian Hall. Therefore, he made up his mind to start with the word "responsibility". Therefore, when he straightened up, his face was full of grief.
"Father, as the eldest brother, I failed to take good care of my younger brother. It is my fault. But I can swear to heaven that I will never gossip in front of my younger brother. You should know that the list of the Ministry of Rites' selection of concubines is kept secret. How could I know even a little bit? Moreover, when marrying a virtuous wife, how could I do what my younger brother did, complaining that the Minister was not noble enough in public?"
The eldest prince became more and more passionate as he spoke, and his voice had unconsciously become louder: "Minister Liu also passed the examinations from the level of scholar, juren, and jinshi, and worked diligently for many years before he was appointed as the Minister of Works. Neither I nor my second brother can enter the court because we are of the royal bloodline. How dare we underestimate the talents of the world?"
The second prince's eyes flashed, and he immediately yelled with shock and anger: "Why are you pretending to be a gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest elder brother? Who was the one who mocked Minister Liu for being cowardly and incompetent?" So what if you didn't curse? I just want to drag you down with me!
The eldest prince had expected the second prince to do this, but he did not even frown, nor did he make any more excuses. Instead, he slowly knelt down and said, "It is all because I, as the eldest brother, have not set a good example for my younger brother. I am willing to be punished."
Zhang Shou saw the eldest prince's distressed look and thought it was a pity that he didn't compete for the Best Actor award. He glanced at Minister Liu and saw that his expression was grim. He didn't seem moved at all by the eldest prince's words. He looked at the other officials and saw that their expressions were subtle. Only a few of them seemed to be moved, but it was hard to tell what they were really thinking.
Not to mention that the second prince had already shouted that it was the eldest prince who revealed the news of the princess candidate to him. Even if the second prince didn't say it, how many of these officials in the Chang Dynasty were brainless? Who would realize that there was a fight between the two princes behind this? If he could restrain himself from showing up after the eldest prince instigated him, instead of pretending that he just happened to pass by and scared people away, maybe he could still say such words to deceive people!
The eldest prince of the emperor thinks too simply that everyone in the court is smart!
Zhang Shou was thinking this when he suddenly discovered that Fatty Lu was moving restlessly on the ground. However, because his movements were small, everyone's attention was focused on the eldest prince and the second prince, so most people did not notice this boy's misconduct.
Of course, there was still someone who was staring at Lu Sanlang and occasionally glanced at him coldly. That person was Zhao Shilang of the Ministry of War. Seeing that person's annoyed eyes never left Lu Sanlang, Zhang Shou knew that Zhao Ying, who was eliminated by him during the interview that day and then ridiculed by Lu Sanlang, was the reason why Zhao Shilang was hostile to them.
As expected, before the eldest and second princes could decide who would win again, Minister Zhao suddenly said in a deep voice, "Even if, as Dr. Zhang said, the Lu and Liu families did not intentionally frame him, this is not a reason for the emperor to grant him a name. Otherwise, all the civil and military officials in the court will be able to bring up the marriage of their children in the Fengtian Palace to discuss matters in the future. How can that be a disgrace?"
He became more and more angry as he spoke. He glanced at Lu Wan and Lu Sanlang with contempt, then glared at Zhang Shou provocatively, saying with a fake smile, "Besides, even if Minister Lu's youngest son does have some talent for mathematics, he doesn't seem to have done the same as his teacher, Dr. Zhang, who repeatedly captured traitors, cracked secret letters, and made achievements that others cannot say anything about, right?"
Minister Zhao looked around as he spoke, his tone carrying an unmistakable hint. I have created such a good opportunity for you. Those of you who originally aimed your spearhead at Zhao Guogong Zhu Jing, and those who are not happy with Zhang Shou's lucky advancement, why don't you hurry up?
Just as Minister Zhao had expected, even a Minister of War had stepped out to act as the vanguard. Except for a few high-ranking officials such as the Grand Secretaries and the Chancellors, who continued to watch the fun calmly, the others in the hall were ready to make a move.
At that moment, several officials jumped out, and they all agreed with Minister Zhao, insisting that Sanlang Lu had no merit or background, and should not enjoy the honor of being bestowed with a name by the emperor.
However, Zhou Xun, the chief academician of the Imperial College who also attended the court today, could not help but glance at Zhang Shou who was calm and composed. He suddenly remembered that he seemed to have heard someone talk about such a scene before... but he did not see it with his own eyes, and he could not remember when it happened.
Others did not remember, but when Zhang Shou saw that the person being questioned had changed to Lu Sanlang, he immediately had a sense of déjà vu of the Yuehua Tower literary gathering. At that time, a famous eight-part essay selector in the capital was still shouting that he had no fame or background, but wanted to overwhelm all the seniors in the audience with half an article, so he was too arrogant?
Seeing that Lu Sanlang's face was flushed and he seemed about to explode, he said with a half-smile, "It's not the first time that the emperor has given a name to a newlywed couple. It's not a promotion or a title, but you gentlemen have repeatedly dissuaded him and even went so far as to belittle Lu Sanlang. Do you despise a dandy boy who has always been looked down upon by you, but is now praised and recognized by the emperor?"
As soon as these words came out, many officials who were spitting just now were immediately angry. Dr. Zhang, who looks handsome, what you said is really bad! Who would like to target Lu Sanlang, a playboy! Even if he is a prodigal who has returned to the right path, he has not yet entered the officialdom. We, officials of at least the fifth or sixth rank, are wasting our saliva on him, is it worth it!
Even you, Zhang Shou, don't have the qualifications. If you weren't the future son-in-law of Zhao Guogong Zhu Jing and the last disciple of Grand Tutor Ge, who would care about you!
However, before anyone could retort, Zhang Shou stepped forward and pulled up Lu Sanlang, who was clearly unable to stand up from his kneeling position, and even pulled the dazed little fat boy to show the others: "Don't judge a person by his appearance, and don't measure the depth of the sea by a bucket. Lu Sanlang is indeed fat and was not a good learner in the past, but it is a great honor to admit one's mistakes and improve..."
Zhang Shou first cleared Lu Sanlang's name, and then began to praise him for his excellent performance after the classes in Jiuzhang Hall resumed, especially praising his exemplary role as the head of the hall when supervising the classes.
Not to mention that the others were stunned by Zhang Shou's open praise of his students in such a grand court meeting, even Lu Wan, after hearing these compliments, couldn't help but doubt in her heart whether the person Zhang Shou was talking about was the same person as the youngest son she knew.
Lead by example, be humble, be eager to help others, and not be afraid of difficulties... Can these beautiful words be used to describe Lu Zhu?
The emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully, seeing that Zhang Shou was exactly like a good teacher who protected his students, and Lu Sanlang went from being dumbfounded at first to gradually bursting into tears of gratitude, and finally holding his head high. He thought of the other side of this handsome young man that Zhu Ying liked, his kind and innocent appearance, and his mouth curled up immediately, waiting for someone to be so angry that he lost his mind by Zhang Shou's words.
Sure enough, Zhang Shou used to call him "my teacher" all the time, and no one could do anything to him, but today he was so supportive of Lu Sanlang that someone finally couldn't stand it. The first person to respond to Zhao Shilang's lead and jump out to attack was Chen Zhushi of the Ministry of Personnel, who couldn't help but sarcastically said, "There are so many poor children in Dr. Zhang's Jiuzhang Hall, are they not as good as the former playboy of the Lu family?"
"That's right. Except for Qi Liang, whom I taught since childhood, no one else in Jiuzhang Hall is as good as him."
Zhang Shou said this calmly. Seeing the other party's face full of shock and anger, he laughed and said, "You can go to Jiuzhang Hall and ask, after five days, who else is dissatisfied with their Master Lu? The winner is the king. Master Lu Zhu, does he convince others with his virtue or his talent?"
At this time, Zhang Shou was so angry about the genuine goods that he lost his mind. Chen Zhushi immediately frowned and asked sternly, "Dr. Zhang, since you are bragging about your own products, then I would like to ask you, have you and Master Lu solved the secret box that the Military Equipment Bureau entrusted to you to open at the Jiuzhang Hall of the Imperial College?"
