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

Chapter 456: Worship at the grave

Until late at night, the lights in the Chen Mansion on Zhengyang Street were still bright.

Almost all the guests who came to the wedding banquet have left, and the remaining ones are those who have a very good relationship with Chen Ce.

Tang Yin, Zhu Zhishan, Xu Jing, Fu Yuan, Wang Wubi, Qin Hong, Xu Guan, Hong Zhong, Cheng Minzheng, Zhu Houzhao, Liu Jin, Han Douyin, Zhao Zhongping, Li Zhen, Wei Wenli.

There were three tables of people in total. One table was for Chen Ce's students and juniors, one table was for high-ranking officials of the court, and the other table was for people from the Eastern Palace, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Inner Factory.

Today, Liu Jin was pulled to the table by Zhu Houzhao for the first time ever, but he only dared to sit halfway on the bench, with a look of fear on his face.

Everyone at the three tables was quite drunk.

Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan drank too much and cried like crazy, pointing their fingers at the universe and cursing God.

Xu Jing and Wang Wubi kept persuading the two, but it was impossible for them not to feel sad.

Fu Yuan was much better. He just sat at the table drinking alone. It was supposed to be a happy day, but no one was happy.

They knew Chen Ce's health condition too well. After the wedding banquet, Tang Yin, Zhu Zhishan, Xu Jing and Wang Wubi would continue to serve in local areas. They might never have the chance to see Chen Ce again.

Several senior officials of Qin Hong also drank a lot and were not in a very good mood, sighing continuously.

Zhu Houzhao's face was red and his eyes were filled with tears.

Chen Ce went to the room, drank the wedding wine, and lifted the red veil.

He was wearing a bright red gown today, standing in front of Madam Wu with a smile on his face. He stretched out his hand, wiped Madam Wu's tears, and asked softly, "Why are you crying? It's a happy day."

Madam Wu is extremely beautiful today, with a little makeup on and bright eyes, just like a fairy in the sky.

"Happy." Madam Wu gave Chen Ce a beautiful smile.

Chen Ce ordered the people outside to bring the dishes over and said to Madam Wu, "You eat here for a while. There are a few guys outside. I will go and chase them away."

Madam Wu said "oh". She knew that Chen Ce still had something to say to these people, so she consciously did not disturb Chen Ce.

Chen Ce changed into his regular clothes and walked out with his hands behind his back. He came behind Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan, pressed their shoulders, and said, "Drink less."

Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan looked back, quickly stopped crying, stood up and said, "Teacher, did we disturb you? We'll leave now."

Chen Ce sat next to him and said with a smile, "No bother."

"You will be leaving tomorrow. See you next time. Maybe I won't be able to sit here and chat with you like this."

Hearing this, Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan's eyes turned red again.

Chen Ce taught them a lot and helped them a lot, especially Zhu Zhishan. He knew his level and knew that if he really let himself take the imperial examination, he would probably have no hope of entering the officialdom in his lifetime.

He didn't tell anyone this secret in his heart, as he always felt that his level in the imperial examination was limited.

But it was because of Chen Ce that he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. If it weren't for Chen Ce, his life would at most be that of a bohemian talent.

What's the point of being famous in Wuzhong? If you never pass the imperial examination, you will still be forgotten by the crowd.

His ideal ambition was to govern the country and bring peace to the world, rather than to be a talented scholar who idled away his time and enjoyed the mountains and rivers.

Hearing Chen Ce's sad words, he couldn't hold back his tears again, and choked up and said, "Teacher, don't say that. Your illness will definitely get better, for sure!" Chen Ce smiled and shook his head, patted Zhu Zhishan on the shoulder, and said, "Yunming, everything is fate, there is no need to be sad."

"Birth, aging, sickness and death, isn't this the normal state of life? I just died a few decades earlier than you, it's nothing, don't be sad, don't be heartbroken."

"You still have a long way to go."

"I have always been reluctant to call myself a teacher in front of you. I feel that we are more like friends, but this is the etiquette of the secular world. So today I will be bold and call you a teacher."

"You will be leaving tomorrow. I have something to say to you. Please listen carefully."

Tang Yin and his companions immediately became solemn and listened attentively!
Chen Ce said: "The Southwest is not your place for long. Your achievements in the Southwest are seen by the court and the emperor."

"So in a few years, you might be transferred back."

"When the emperor transfers you back, it will be your turn to assist the crown prince."

"The southwest and southeast have stabilized. Logically, I should have found a way to transfer you back, but I didn't."

"why?"

"Because you are still clean now, you cannot come back. Once you come back, you will participate in all kinds of political competitions. At that time, the emperor will not be able to tell what kind of people you are."

"You are pure now. When you come back, you will be the prince's men."

"In other words, the reason why I let you gain experience outside is so that you can come back and assist the Crown Prince one day!"

Tang Yin, Xu Jing and Zhu Zhishan were all stunned. They never expected that Chen Ce had further plans.

"The prince is different from ordinary monarchs. He is smart, martial, and warlike, but he is also kind, playful, and loyal."

"If this person becomes emperor in the future, he will inevitably have conflicts with the civil servants headed by traditional Confucianists."

"There aren't many people he can use in the court. You will be his right-hand men in the future. No matter what, you must help the crown prince so that the imperial power will not be completely divided up by the prime minister's power."

The greatest frustration of Emperor Hongzhi's life was his experiences in his childhood, which resulted in him having no foundation when he ascended the throne. In order to stabilize the civil servants, he had to cede power to them. Ultimately, in the struggle between Emperor Hongzhi and the civil servants, power favored the civil servants.

These things are difficult for ordinary people to see, just like one knows whether the water is hot or cold after drinking it. Only Emperor Hongzhi himself knows.

So he would never let his son follow his path. Chen Ce trained three sharp swords from the outer court for Zhu Houzhao, Xu Jing, Tang Yin and Zhu Zhishan!
Chen Ce knew that Emperor Hongzhi did not have much time left. When that time came, Zhu Houzhao would lose both him and his father, which would undoubtedly be a huge blow to a young child.

So now Chen Ce has to pave the way for Zhu Houzhao in advance so that Zhu Houzhao will not be confused and at a loss when the time comes.

"Bo Hu and Yun Ming's talents are naturally beyond description, but after entering politics, these talents are almost useless. During these days in the southwest, you must think carefully about how to enter politics and how to fight. In the future, you will face more dangers alone."

"I want you to remember one sentence. This is also the inscription I wrote in the Wanggong Temple. I think you all know it."

Xu Jing and the other two spoke in unison: "For the sake of the country, life and death are of no consequence!"

"Why avoid it because of misfortune or good fortune?"

Chen Ce smiled with relief and said, "Promise me that you will go to my grave to pay homage only if you have a clear conscience in the future. Is that okay?"

(End of this chapter)