Volume 5: Fellow Traveler Chapter 779: Father teaches son, wife talks about husband
I didn't understand. This was the honest answer given by the third prince after he returned to the palace and met the emperor in the Qianqing Palace. After the emperor was stunned at first, he laughed . As a bad father who teased his son from time to time, he certainly expected that Chen Xianzhang might not adjust the content because of the arrival of the prince.
However, since my honest and studious son has such a hard time, are those candidates really any better?
So, after laughing, the emperor gently hooked his hand at the third prince, and after others came forward to stand beside him with guilt, he asked about everything about his visit to the public school today. The emperor was very interested when he learned that Zhang Shou had very considerately introduced Liang Chu, a disciple of Chen Xianzhang, to explain to the third prince, and he also said some insightful words.
He pulled at his moustache and laughed again.
"Zhang Shou knows a lot at such a young age. And Chen Xianzhang is just as my teacher said, he is indeed persistent. After all, with so many people coming, if he changes the scheduled lecture just to make you understand, I'm afraid he would be unworthy of his persistence. But... does he really think that those candidates go there for the lecture, not for a chance to show off to others?"
The Third Prince also agreed with his father's words, and could not help but whispered: "So, I feel that what the teacher said to me was not only for me to hear, but also for others to hear. If the teacher said this, will others stop making random comments outside, saying that what Mr. Baisha said was obscure and difficult to understand?"
"That's right. Since you said in person that Mr. Baisha is a man who can think, then these scholars will certainly think carefully before spreading the news. Because being profound is one thing, but admitting to outsiders that you don't understand is another, which is very embarrassing."
"However, if Chen Xianzhang wants to use this to select suitable students to teach his knowledge, I think it may be a bit difficult. Didn't you also say that during the question-and-answer session afterwards, not many candidates actually asked about the content of the lecture. Most people just introduced themselves and asked some irrelevant questions?"
The Third Prince had been holding back since he began listening to the lecture today, and he was also holding back when he heard other people asking questions. Now, in front of his father, he also wanted to hold back his question, but at this moment, he finally couldn't help it.
"That's right, Father. I think those candidates are the best talents in the world. I can't understand Mr. Baisha's lectures because I'm young. But they can't understand them either. Don't they have real talents?"
"Or did they pass the exam and the chief examiner made a mistake? But if the chief examiner of a provincial exam in one place made a mistake, it would be normal. It is impossible that all the chief examiners of provincial exams in various places made mistakes, right? And if there is something fishy about the provincial exam, this is even more unbelievable..."
The more he spoke, the more he felt that his words were indeed somewhat speculative, but when he thought about it, when he was confused at that time and suddenly looked back, he saw that many candidates had the same confused faces as himself. But as someone noticed his gaze, in an instant, those little eyes like those of lost children all became serious and focused.
If Zhang Shou knew the Third Prince's doubts, he would have told the little guy earnestly that this situation was the same as when a teacher was writing on the blackboard in class, but turned around and found that the students were all wandering... no, wandering in the sky, but after staring, everyone was concentrating. Although he rarely saw this kind of situation in Jiuzhang Hall now, he had seen it a lot in the past.
The emperor was also amused by the third prince's words. But after laughing this time, his expression turned cold.
"Zheng Rong, you have to know one thing. Whether it is the imperial examination or any other form of assessment, it can certainly select some people with outstanding talents, but it will inevitably select another type of people, that is, people who have no skills or abilities, but are very good at coping with this kind of examination."
"Let's call them talents, because being able to take exams is also an ability. And this kind of person puts all his energy into taking exams, into analyzing the personalities, character, writing styles and other factors of the examiners, into imitating various model essays, into studying and learning from various contemporary writers, and into comparing himself with various talented people in the local area and around the world."
"This kind of person's article may be beautiful, and his writing style may even be amazing, but the core or soul of the article is not his, because he does not think about it. But are such people really useless?"
Seeing that the Third Prince was thinking about his words seriously, the Emperor said calmly: "It's like there are a group of people in the Censorate who are only responsible for finding faults, not solving problems, because they have the ability to find faults, but not the ability to solve problems. However, can we say that these people are completely useless? It is true that some censors are like annoying flies, but they are indispensable."
"If these censors in the court become guards and can only obey orders, then all the horses will be silent. In short, as long as there are one-tenth of the candidates who pass the imperial examination, then such an examination will be an effective screening method. Because the imperial examination today is at least relatively fair, and is fairer than the one based on family background or recommendation."
The Third Prince was silent for a moment, and suddenly said unconvincedly: "But what about those talents ?"
The emperor finally smiled again. He was naturally relieved to be able to think of such a question. When he was rebellious in his early years, he thought of this question after he had been living among the people for two or three years in disguise, when he was fifteen years old. But now, the prince he chose was less than ten years old and had already realized this problem.
He used to think that this little kid was shy, timid, and not good at expressing himself, but now, after taking a closer look, he saw that he was like a pearl covered in dust, which was becoming brighter and brighter as it was polished. He nodded happily, and then he continued to speak calmly.
"Throughout the dynasties, the founding emperors were often wise and powerful, but after a few decades, the emperors became increasingly mediocre, and in the end, the emperors were either controlled by women... or by ministers!"
"But some of these mediocre emperors also tried to cheer themselves up and get rid of the old rules and regulations. However, the dynasty was already in deep trouble. They were just average people, but they wanted to turn the tide, but ended up being a joke. The reason why I tell you this is because when something becomes a system, then it is extremely difficult to overthrow it from other aspects, or even to add an exception, even if the emperor takes action."
"Do you think your grandfather, Emperor Ruizong, and the previous Emperor Yingzong, didn't want to recruit more talents from other channels? They recommended, searched, recruited... They actually employed quite a few people, but the vast majority of them were unable to adapt to the big dye vat of the court. In addition, they were excluded, alienated, and even framed by others. It was difficult for them to survive, and most of them simply resigned."
"For example, Chen Baisha's teacher Wu Kangzhai. First, your grandfather, Emperor Ruizong, acted a little more radically. When the throne was passed, I was still young, and the Empress Dowager was in power. She had to flatter and curry favor with the ministers in some areas, and there were many twists and turns in the process. Therefore, a famous scholar like Wu Kangzhai would rather hide in his hometown and avoid getting involved in trouble."
"Zheng Rong, you need to understand that it's not that no one is willing to employ those talents who are not from the imperial examination system, but that they have to spend more energy to gain a foothold in the court. Even if someone protects them, they still have to rely on themselves for many things. Moreover, exceptions are not a system. They can be made once or twice, but not again. Therefore, since such talents come in sporadically, it is difficult for them to form a group like their fellow students from the imperial examination system."
The emperor repeatedly called him by his name instead of calling him Sanlang, so the Third Prince was of course very alert. However, when he heard his father's last words, he felt as if he had grasped something, and he could not help but frown and ponder.
After a while, he finally understood and shouted, "I know, that's why my father values you so much, because although you often ask Grand Tutor Ge and other people for help, you can handle many things on your own! Moreover, your Jiuzhangtang is not an exception, but a system!"
"As long as Jiuzhangtang can continue to operate well, there will be a steady supply of talents different from those in the imperial examinations available in the future!"
"That's right, that's right, this young man is teachable!"
His son had fully noticed and understood his painstaking efforts. The emperor felt extremely happy. He couldn't help but stroke the frown on the third prince's brows. Then he said with a smile, "Moreover, your teacher can bring out more talented people. Lu Sanlang alone is worthy of my support because he dragged Lu Wan into the water."
"So, you don't need to question those candidates, because it is normal for good and bad candidates to be mixed together. If all of them were unprecedentedly talented, could you control them? As for their character and morality, there is no need to be too demanding. Although Cao Mengde's order of selecting candidates based on their talents was criticized in the past, does the imperial examination test morality? No, it only tests classics and history. As long as people with average morality know how to pretend to be good people, it is enough."
"The only thing that can restrain people is the law!"
Starting with Chen Xianzhang, the emperor gave his son a very simple lesson on imperial studies. Also starting with Chen Xianzhang, Zhang Shou returned home after the day's class at the public school and said something different to Zhu Ying.
"This kind of lecture is actually not suitable for the prince to listen to. But since the prince asked the emperor for instructions and the emperor agreed, I knew there would probably be problems. As expected, Chen Baisha is too serious as a teacher, and the prince is too serious as a student. When these two serious people meet, it's not like Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang who get a double negative when they meet. The two of them..."
"That means you have to add two positives to get a negative!"
Zhang Shou saw that Zhu Ying was laughing so hard that she was shaking with joy. It was obvious that Zhu Ying was so close to Zhu that she would become more famous. She was able to accept and understand some simple mathematical knowledge. Naturally, he felt very relieved and immediately made his own prediction.
"I guess that if Liang Shuhou, Chen Baisha's student, passes the imperial examination next year, he might be retained in Beijing. But Chen Baisha himself might go to Ciqing Palace to give a few classes, but he will most likely go back to continue being Mr. Baisha. I think it would be better for him to come back in five years rather than stay now."
Although Zhu Ying did not go to the public school to attend the lecture today, she felt as if she were there when Zhang Shou told her story. Therefore, she listened attentively with her chin in her hand. It was not until Zhang Shou made such a judgment that she could not help laughing.
"Whenever the emperor meets a capable person, he wants to leave him to his son. I think he actually wanted Grandpa Ge to be the teacher of the first and second princes, but he was rejected. Later, he found a few capable teachers, but unfortunately the deposed queen didn't like any of them, so he didn't care anymore."
"Now the Imperial Concubine is the type of person who will do anything the Emperor likes, and the Crown Prince doesn't know how to refuse. Even if you say so, she will definitely stay in Ciqing Palace at least until after the next year's examination. Moreover, the Emperor will put her in the public school, do you believe it?"
Zhang Shou looked back at Zhu Ying in astonishment, and then had to admit that what she said was probably right. He judged such a thing based on rationality, and as for Zhu Ying...she who knew the emperor best, it was obvious that she made her judgment based on the emperor's character.
The couple looked at each other and finally laughed at the same time. After laughing, Zhu Ying suddenly said in a long tone: "By the way, Ah Shou, can you do me a favor?"
"If my lady gives the order, I will naturally obey." Zhang Shou agreed without hesitation , but did not even mention any conditions.
Zhu Ying was naturally very happy with such an answer, and immediately threw out her own story: "The Princess of Hailing planned to be a student in the Girls' School for a while, but her parents and four brothers did not agree. She hoped that Song Benben would ask his parents for help, but Song Benben was almost beaten out by her future father-in-law and uncles."
Seeing Zhang Shou's bad expression, she smiled and said, "The son-in-law couldn't help, so she came to me for help. She felt that she didn't know anything and couldn't rely on a generous dowry to live a life of luxury in the future, so she planned to come here to learn first and become a female teacher in a girls' school in the future. Song Benben, who planned to open sweet soup shops all over the capital, supported her idea very much."
Hearing Zhu Ying calling Song "idiot", Zhang Shou couldn't help but shed tears of sympathy for Mr. Song.
However, thinking about it, only a girl like Princess Hailing who is a gifted girl from heaven is suitable for Mr. Song who likes to make trouble. He couldn't help but feel that this couple is quite a good match. Therefore, he hesitated for a moment, then coughed and asked, "Why don't the Jiangdu King's family agree? The women's school is also funded by the Queen Mother, and those female teachers are all very serious people."
Zhu Ying stuck out her tongue, and then said seriously, "Because Hailing said... he is not interested in needlework, nor is she interested in accounting. She has learned how to manage household servants since she was a child. She wants to learn martial arts from me and Ye. She just thinks that no one in her family is good at martial arts, so her children will have no good role model in the future."
Zhang Shou suddenly fell into a daze. After a long while, he asked with a headache on his face, "Doesn't she know that it's too late to learn now? Moreover, why did Mr. Song support her? Isn't he afraid that if they quarrel in the future, he will be beaten and run away?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Zhu Ying's slightly resentful look and immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing. He immediately continued, "But as a husband, you should also have the awareness to let your wife get what she wants. What's more, the whole family is weak, so this is really not good... Forget it, okay, leave it to me, I'll go back and find King Jiangdu to give it a try."
