Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 195 It's not me, it's Chen Ce

Zhang Mao was the Duke of Ying, the chief military officer, and he boasted that he knew some martial arts.

When he saw Wang Shouren, the frail scholar, easily reach out and pull the iron chain to slowly pull up the huge rock in the Wuzhang River.

Zhang Mao was shocked and stunned. For a moment he even forgot that he was here to arrest Wang Shouren.

How can this be?

It is a well-known fact that this huge rock in the Wuzhang River blocked the river's course, forcing ships entering Beijing to change their routes and take detours.

The Ministry of Industry spent a lot of money and manpower, but in the end they were unable to remove the huge rock from the river silt... How did he do it?
When the boulder was pulled out, Wang Shouren looked at the group of surprised craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry and said, "What are you standing there for? Pull the boulder to the shore!"

It was only at this time that everyone reacted. Zhang Mao hurriedly waved his hand and asked the people from the Five Military Commandery behind him to come over to help.

"How did you do it? And so easily?"

Zhang Mao couldn't help but ask Wang Shouren.

Wang Shouren pointed to the pulleys hanging on the tree on the shore and said to Zhang Mao, "Use the pulleys."

What is a Pulley?

Zhang Mao was confused, but now he knew that this was not the time to waste time, so he said to Wang Shouren: "The emperor asked me to take you to the emperor. Let's go to the palace to explain."

Wang Shouren nodded.

Not long after, Zhang Mao brought Wang Shouren to the Fengtian Hall.

Many officials stared at Wang Shouren with unfriendly faces, but Wang Shouren was not afraid at all. He bowed and greeted Emperor Hongzhi with a dignified manner: "Your Highness."

Li Zhi, the director of the Ministry of Works, immediately stepped out and scolded Wang Shouren, "How dare you!"

"It's fine that you misused the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works, but you also disobeyed the emperor's order in public. How can such an arrogant and rebellious person be used by the country in the future?"

"Your Majesty! I request that Wang Shouren be dismissed!"

Li Dongyang stepped out of the line, bowed to Emperor Hongzhi, and then asked Wang Shouren, "Wang Shouren! Do you have any difficulties? Why do you disobey the emperor in public?"

Li Dongyang valued talents. He knew that Wang Shouren was a talented person, so he stepped forward to give Wang Shouren a chance to explain himself.

You kid, you must cherish this opportunity, admit your mistake and strive for lenient treatment. After all, it is disobedience and without sufficient reasons, this matter cannot be easily overturned.

Wang Shouren bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I was busy removing the huge rocks in the Wuzhang River, so I was delayed in seeing you. I hope Your Majesty will understand."

The director of the Ministry of Works sneered, "Haha, the Ministry of Works spent so much money and manpower to remove the huge rock in the Wuzhang River, but it still hasn't been removed. So what? You removed it?"

Wang Shouren: “Yes.”

Ok?
Master Li's lips trembled with anger. He was treating us all like fools.

"Your Majesty, this boy has publicly bullied you! He deserves death! Please punish him!"

Zhang Mao quickly stepped out of the line, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty...it's true."

You, the Duke of England, actually cooperated with him in lying?

Li, the master, was so angry that he said, "Don't talk nonsense, Duke Ying!"

Zhang Mao glanced at Li Zhi and shouted unhappily, "Who do you think you are? I am old enough to tell the difference between truth and falsehood. Or do you think I am also deceiving the emperor?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked!

Emperor Hongzhi was silent for a moment, then said to the Minister of Works Xu Guan: "Minister Xu, go and check again."

After a while, Xu Guan came back with a look of shock on his face, and said to Emperor Hongzhi: "Your Majesty, the huge rock blocking the road in Wuzhang River has been pulled up!" This huge rock has blocked the way for many merchant ships to enter Beijing. If it is removed, the waterway of the entire river will be completely unblocked, and the docks, canals and merchant ships along the way will surely return to their former prosperity, and the economic benefits brought about will be extraordinary.

In other words, Wang Shouren accomplished a great political achievement, which was not only without fault but also of great merit!

For a moment, many people in the court turned their eyes to Wang Shouren!

Talent, this is a talent!

It’s a pity to put it in the Ministry of Industry.

Since your Ministry of Industry does not accept him, we will not be polite.

Zhou Jing, the Minister of Finance, immediately stepped out and said to Emperor Hongzhi: "Your Majesty, since Wang Shouren is being marginalized and distrusted in the Ministry of Works, why don't you come to my Ministry of Finance to observe government affairs? It just so happens that the position of the head of my Ministry of Finance is vacant..."

Minister of War Ma Wensheng also stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I, the Minister of War, can also allow Wang Shouren to observe the government."

Almost all six ministries wanted Wang Shouren, a talent, and they all began to compete for him.

The most embarrassed was the Ministry of Works. Xu Guan looked at Li Zhi, the head of the Ministry of Works, with anger. Li Zhi's face was pale, like a child who had made a mistake. He lowered his head and dared not speak.

However, Wang Shouren still told the Emperor Hongzhi and the six ministries truthfully: "Your Majesty, the moving pulley is not the result of my investigation of things."

"He's a friend of mine who's not really a friend. His name is Chen Ce."

Emperor Hongzhi: “???”

Why is it him again? Why is he everywhere?
Wang Shouren said, "I was studying things at Wuzhang River last night. I thought about it for a long time but still couldn't find a solution. He gave me some advice."

Emperor Hongzhi was speechless, with the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. How many abilities does this kid have that he is hiding?

Several Shangshu looked at each other and fell silent. No one spoke, but they seemed to understand each other's thoughts.

This is a talented person, and we cannot let such a bright pearl be hidden in the dust. If he is a juren, he can come to the government office to be a clerk in advance, and then work hard to become an official, and then become his disciple. It will also be a good thing.

Wait until everyone leaves the hall.

The Minister of War Ma Wensheng suddenly came to Wang Shouren, pulled Wang Shouren, and whispered: "Shouren, where does your friend live?"

The Minister of Rites thought to himself that Ma Wensheng was a shameless old thief!

He was about to walk over, but Cheng Minzheng stopped him: "Sir, I know him. We are friends."

The Minister of Rites was stunned and said hurriedly, "Oh? Tell me about the situation. Who is this boy? Did he pass the imperial examination?"

As long as he is a Juren or above, it will be easy to operate. Isn't it much better to come to the Ministry of Rites than the Ministry of War? Such a talent, any government office will be like a tiger with wings if they catch it!
However, Cheng Minzheng's words calmed the Minister of Rites instantly.

He is not even a scholar... Never mind. Minister Yuan said calmly, "It seems that I have to go out and recruit disciples myself!"

Cheng Minzheng: “…”

This is even better! The other party has not yet taken the imperial examination. If I accept him as my disciple now, when he becomes successful in the future, I can add a good name to my reputation!
If you don't take such a rare gem in as your disciple now, when will you take it in?
All six ministries are competing for talent, except the Ministry of Industry.

Xu Guan stared at Li Zhi with a cold face and said meaningfully: "Master Li, you should think carefully when you encounter things in the future and don't act impulsively."

"If Wang Shouren leaves the Ministry of Industry, it will be a loss for the Ministry of Industry. You can handle it as you wish."

Li Zhi hurriedly said, "Your Excellency, I understand! I will go and apologize to Wang Shouren right now! I will definitely try to keep Wang Shouren here!"

If Wang Shouren left the Ministry of Works at this time, it would not only be a loss for the Ministry of Works, but most importantly, the political achievements he had just made would also be taken to other government offices!

(End of this chapter)