Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 78: The inheritance of the torch depends on the eunuch party?
Concubine Yu's narration was simple and clear, and Zhang Shou understood it without much effort.
At that time, when the current emperor had just taken power and was still young, he liked to go out incognito with Zhu Jing, Duke of Zhao, who was much older than him but was considered his cousin. When Concubine Yu and Lady Zhao were both pregnant, the two of them were even more excited to accompany them to worship - even though the Zhu family already had two sons and the emperor had a son and a daughter.
Unfortunately, someone took the opportunity to rebel. The two women resolutely left all their guards to the man, and escaped together. Then they met his biological mother, Widow Zhang, who was also very tough. It was not known whether the large number of people attracted the attention of the rebel army, the three women were too powerful, or the rebel army was too useless, but the three women managed to escape successfully.
The three of them hid in the widow Zhang's house, and widow Zhang also found a midwife next door. In the chaos, the three of them gave birth to children. Concubine Yu and Zhu Ying's mother gave birth to daughters one after another, but his mother, widow Zhang, gave birth to the child at all costs due to premature birth and dystocia, and eventually died.
Zhang Shou recalled the past with mixed feelings, a little dazed, but his mood suddenly relaxed.
Born with both parents dead, this kind of life experience would be considered by some people as a hard fate that brought bad luck to both parents, but he didn't care at all. He would go to pay tribute to his poor scholar father, to pay tribute to his respectable widow mother, and to take good care of Wu, who raised him and whom he always regarded as his mother. To be honest, as long as he knew that there was no hidden danger behind his life experience, he would be satisfied.
"Ah Shou?"
Awakened by the sudden voice, Zhang Shou raised his head. Seeing that Concubine Yu was looking at him cautiously, he smiled and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I just couldn't help but think back to that thrilling scene. My mother is very tough and strong. However, such a mother puts a lot of pressure on me as a son. I am afraid that I am not worthy of the life she exchanged for her life."
If it was her real son, she might be indignant and demand justice, commendation, or even a memorial archway, but he was different. What the mother wanted was probably that her son lived in peace and happiness. So leave those for later.
Concubine Yu was stunned when she heard the words. Not only her, but even Ge Yong beside her couldn't help but pull his beard lightly.
"When I learned that Duke Zhao had been raising my son and me all these years, I felt very strange and asked Yingying about it, but unfortunately she didn't know either. Now I finally have the answer. These years, I have lived a peaceful and happy life, just like the old soldiers in the village who were taken care of by Duke Zhao. I am very content. Of course, I am not without regrets."
At this point, Zhang Shou paused for a moment, then looked at Ge Yong: "I can read and have been educated. It is impossible for me to live a monotonous life like those villagers. I have always wanted to leave the village, but unfortunately my mother won't let me, and the villagers are also staring at me, so I can only teach the children so that their horizons will not be limited to the fields. But I have always wanted to walk around and take a look."
"Now, this wish is coming true. Concubine Yu, teacher, I am not worthy of such a beautiful position as the Imperial College Doctor. I don't care about other people's criticism, but I am not interested in it. Moreover, in addition to the classics and mathematics that my teacher taught me, I have come into contact with many unorthodox things by chance. If I teach them all, the Imperial College will definitely be in chaos in the future."
Ge Yong was about to speak when a slow voice suddenly came from the stairs behind him.
"It's better to have chaos than to have a dead state."
"When Emperor Taizu was in power, the Imperial College was thriving. It had subjects such as mathematics, physics, civil engineering, and naval architecture...all kinds of subjects were available. Emperor Taizu often said that if a place was stagnant, a catfish should be put in. But now, the Imperial College is mostly populated by corrupt scholars who are obsessed with contemporary literature and art, and it is lifeless."
Zhang Shou was so dumbfounded that he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Emperor Taizu, you are really amazing. You even created the catfish effect!
However, if the Imperial College was really built like a modern university, why would the reversing be like this now?
Seeing that Chu Kuan walked up the stairs alone, while the others seemed to have disappeared without a trace, he knew without thinking that it was someone else who created the opportunity for him to meet Concubine Yu.
When he caught a glimpse of Concubine Yu looking normal, while Chang Ning, who was standing beside her, had a flattering smile on his face, he realized that the Eunuch Chu in front of him must be of a much higher rank than Chang Ning. After a moment's hesitation, he asked his question directly according to Zhu Ying's previous address.
"Then may I ask, Eunuch Chu, are the subjects of mathematics, physics, civil engineering, and naval architecture still available in the Imperial College?"
Chu Kuan sneered and said nonchalantly, "During the time of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, those subjects existed and many talents were cultivated. Unfortunately, Taizu abdicated early and Taizong did not live long. In Taizong's later years, his sons fought for the throne and chaos broke out. Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne at a young age, and his empress and biological mother, Concubine Jing, both died young. Even the eunuchs close to him were supported by certain officials."
"Two teachers from the Imperial College were framed, and Emperor Gaozong was led astray by some people with ulterior motives. In addition, the overseas merchant ships returned and said that the customs of the barbarians were strange, they did not know etiquette, and they were far inferior to our Ming Dynasty. Some people felt that it was unnecessary to accept those Western scholars and foreign books. The people trained by the Imperial College in the early years were gradually squeezed out because of this."
"Then the successor, Emperor Sejong, was weak and sickly, and power was also lost. He listened to the cabinet in almost everything, and had a vague understanding of Emperor Taizu's teachings. Gradually, these subjects became just a name, and there were almost no students. Emperor Taizu had set up iron signs everywhere to open the sea and encourage learning, but now there are still people who, for their own selfish interests, clamor to ban the influx of foreign barbarians and foreign books."
"Emperor Yingzong wanted to revive the former power of Emperor Taizu, but unfortunately he was already over fifty when he ascended the throne, and his will was there but his strength was not. When he passed away, the crown prince suddenly died, and the sons quarreled and the situation became . It was not until grandfather Ruizong led an army to conquer the country and made use of famous scholars such as Grand Tutor Ge and Grand Chang Qi who were proficient in various fields that things started to turn around. Unfortunately..."
His face turned stern, and even his tone became sharp: "It's a pity that Grandpa Ruizong passed away early. When the posthumous title was decided, he was actually named Ruizong. What is Rui? It's a beautiful posthumous title, a superior posthumous title. What is Rui? It's called "Rui" to be a saint, "Rui" to think deeply and foresee the future, "Rui" to be a saint who knows everything, "Rui" to be a comprehensive thinker... But how many Ruizongs have there been in history?"
"Grandpa Ruizong made only one mistake in his life. He trusted those guys who surrendered and didn't kill them all! The Queen Mother almost wanted to fight to the death at that time, but in order not to repeat the mistakes of Emperor Gaozong, the few of us persuaded the Queen Mother to give in and rule the country from behind the curtain. However, we were still constrained from time to time. The Emperor had just taken power when he encountered the rebellion of the common people. Humph, how could it be such a coincidence!"
Chu Kuan finally sighed deeply: "There are only a few books left for the subjects left by Emperor Taizong, and the people who understand these books are almost all in the palace's inner library! It's a pity that Emperor Taizong was concerned about the people and was unwilling to use more disabled eunuchs. Otherwise, if there were more people in the palace, there wouldn't be only a few left now."
Zhang Shou was sure that if he wasn't keeping a straight face at this moment, his expression would be very funny.
Chu Kuan wanted to show that all civil officials in the world are treacherous and only the eunuchs are loyal? Did he understand this correctly?
Glancing at Ge Yong's disapproving face, he knew that Chu Kuan's words probably had some truth, but they were definitely targeting the eunuch group, so there was some water in them. However, the other person had already said so much in front of him, if he still insisted on refusing the position of Imperial College Doctor, he would definitely be in trouble for not knowing what was good for him.
After hesitating for a moment, he asked tentatively: "So, as a doctor of the Imperial College, am I going to be a catfish and stir up the stagnant water of the Imperial College?"
"You can't say that. You are the disciple of Grand Tutor Ge. The emperor naturally hopes that you will revive the Imperial Academy."
Seeing that Chu Kuan spoke righteously, Zhang Shou simply stopped keeping a straight face and showed an expression that said, "I think you're kidding me."
Even more outspoken than him was Ge Yong. The old man scolded him with a straight face: "Chu Kuan, stop saying these nonsense and just speak your mind!"
Chu Kuan saw Concubine Yu's eyebrows drooping and she was in a daze, so he said sincerely, "Grandmaster Ge, the emperor really said that. Zhang Chen, Lu Sanlang and other guys used to have a good reputation in the capital, but what about now? Since Zhang Shou can manage these people, then what about the others? The emperor said that it is considered a subject, and Zhang Shou is allowed to recruit other students."
Hearing this last sentence, Zhang Shou suddenly became very excited. He asked without hesitation: "Are you serious?"
Seeing that Zhang Shou was clearly moved, Chu Kuan immediately smiled and said, "The emperor's words are true, so I take them seriously."
"Regardless of age, regardless of origin?"
"Of course, the emperor wants results, and heroes don't ask where they came from!"
"Okay." Zhang Shou laughed and said casually, "Then please, Eunuch Chu, find those people who blocked my teacher's house yesterday. I gave each of them a book yesterday. I think these people are quite suitable."
Seeing Chu Kuan's surprised and confused expression, he smiled and said, "If these people can pass the exam, plus Lu Sanlang, then the first batch of students will be complete!"
If you want me to be a teacher, you must first find all the students for me! All the people in my Cuiyun Room were given to me by Miss Zhu. Except for Lu Sanlang, almost no one can learn mathematics!
