Ming Dynasty: Traveling through the harem, Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded

Chapter 113 The Glorious Deeds of Jianwen's Three Fools

"Goodbye sir!"

"Goodbye sir!"

"Go and have fun. Remember the after-school assignments I gave you. I'll check them tomorrow. If any of you don't finish them, you won't get any rewards at the end of the month!"

After Zhu Xiongying said goodbye to Zhu Bo and Yang Chen, Yang Chen once again gave instructions to the two children.

Hearing this warning, Zhu Xiongying quickly raised his head and chest and assured him.

"Don't worry, sir! Xiong Ying will definitely not forget the task you gave me!

Uncle Twelve, let's go find grandma."

"Uh-huh."

Zhu Bo is a slightly older man, and he is half a head taller than Zhu Xiongying.

The two of them walked out happily, carrying backpacks containing textbooks and some tools.

Yang Chen packed up these things last and prepared to return to his mansion.

The two children just walked out the door when they met four people.

"My child pays homage to his father!"

"Little Twelve has met my brother."

The person who came was Zhu Biao, who was wearing golden prince's attire, and behind him were three men with Confucian temperaments.

They are all dressed in luxurious clothes and full of knowledge. If an ordinary woman sees them, she will definitely fall in love with them.

"Xiong Ying, Twelve Brother, did you two just finish class?"

Zhu Biao touched his son's head, then half-knelt down and asked.

The two of them naturally nodded subconsciously, and Zhu Xiongying even showed off to Zhu Biao what he had learned.

"Yes, Father! I'm telling you, I learned a lot today. You don't need a torch, you only need the sun to light dry grass. The secret is truly magical. My uncle and I pondered for a long time before we finally understood a little bit."

"Yes, big brother! You don't know, Mr. Yang is very knowledgeable. If it weren't for Mr. Yang's patience with us, most people would definitely be unwilling to teach us."

The two of them told each other everything that had just happened.

The four people in front of him couldn't help but feel curious.

"Really? Did Mr. Yang teach you any different knowledge today? Did he give you any homework?"

"Mr. Yang taught us the poem "Mercy for the Peasants" today. However, Father, the poem Mr. Yang taught us is completely different from what we have learned before."

"Oh? What's the difference?"

Zhu Biao seemed very interested in this, while Zhu Xiongying found the textbook written by Yang Chen in his bag.

It was handed over and Zhu Biao opened it.

Before he started talking, the three people behind him couldn't help but move closer.

The one on the left just took a look and couldn't help but preach:
"Prince, could the author of this book be the Mr. Yang mentioned by the Crown Prince?

The handwriting I use at work is completely different from what we learned before. Some characters have fewer strokes, and some characters have half of the strokes removed.

If the Crown Prince hadn’t said that this poem was one of the poems about pity for farmers, I’m afraid none of us would have been able to guess it for a while.”

"Yes, this is against the law of your majesty's unified documents. How could this person be so bold?"

"If His Majesty knew about this, he would definitely be punished."

The three of them were talking at once, all belittling each other.

Zhu Xiongying below was not convinced.

"Father, Mr. Yang said that these characters are called simplified characters, which means that the simplified characters are easier to write and easier to recognize.

Not only that, in order to help us learn to read quickly, Mr. Yang also taught us a set of formulas, using symbols similar to numbers for me and my uncle to memorize.

Uncle Twelve and I memorize very quickly!"

"Yes, my royal brother, Mr. Yang Chen's skills are amazing. I couldn't learn things in the past, but after he taught me, my nephew and I learned them very quickly."

The two children's words instantly aroused the competitive spirit of the three.

But no one spoke first.

Zhu Biao returned the textbooks to the two of them.

"Is that so? I'll go check it out later. Where are you two going now?"

"My nephew said he wanted to go find Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

Zhu Bo answered while holding Zhu Xiongying's hand.

He was not born to Empress Ma, but a prince born to a concubine, because Empress Ma was addressed as Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

"To find the Queen Mother? Fine then. Remember to be safe on the way when you two go."

"understood!"

After explaining some things, the two children walked together on the official road, accompanied by many people.

Standing between the three people, Zhu Biao said calmly:
"You have seen that Yang Chen is quite capable. When you go over there later, remember to be humble. If he says something that doesn't meet your expectations, you must not be rude to him."

Zhu Biao knew Yang Chen's temper very well, and he also understood that the three people he had found had their own pride.

However, this is also a helpless move. In the entire Imperial College, the people responsible for handling educational books are almost all old guys.

These people are already old, and I'm afraid they are completely unable to accept new things.

To avoid disputes, he simply looked for young and knowledgeable people.

The three people in front of him had once been praised by his father, and when they heard the prince's request, they naturally signed up bravely.

"Since this person was able to write a book on his own, there must be something about his abilities that we don't understand.

Since we are so polite to the prince, we naturally know what we should and should not say.

Please rest assured, Prince."

One person spoke, and the other two followed suit.

After setting the rules, Zhu Biao led the three people out of the classroom.

"Brother Yang?"

After a tentative call, Yang Chen, who was halfway through packing, did not move his feet to go out and greet him. He just responded by sitting on the chair and shouting:
"come in."

Afterwards, Zhu Biao brought the three of them in at the same time.

Yang Chen seemed a little surprised to find that there was more than one person coming.

"Hey, why did you bring guests today?"

"Oh, have you forgotten what happened yesterday? Didn't you say that you would translate all the textbooks you wrote into vernacular Chinese? It would be best if you could translate all the knowledge into books that children can understand?

I have found three capable scholars for you. They are young and can talk to you.

I can feel at ease doing these things.

Come, let me introduce them to you. From left to right they are Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, and Fang Xiaoru. They are all...”

When Zhu Biao introduced the names and origins of the three people, Yang Chen's face instantly became extremely wonderful.

He didn't expect that Zhu Biao could have looked for anyone else but had to look for these three idiots of Jianwen.

For a moment he had no idea how to deal with these guys.

At the same time, feeling Yang Chen's strange gaze, the three of them felt something was wrong.

You have to know that at the beginning Zhu Biao asked them to do things as the crown prince.

I thought it was something that would leave a great mark in history, but I didn't expect that it would be to translate profound and mysterious books into storybooks that even young children can understand.

What they didn't expect was that the person they were working with was actually a young boy.

Not to mention that the other party is an octogenarian, at least he should be heavy and stable, right?

But what about this handsome and elegant man in front of me?

As Zhu Biao introduced the process, the looks on the faces of both parties were very interesting, showing disappointment, helplessness, and even expectation!
As a middleman, Zhu Biao was worried that Yang Chen would not be satisfied, so he specifically pointed at the three people and introduced each other's deeds.

"Brother Yang, don't underestimate these people.

My teacher was Song Lian, a great scholar at the time, and Fang Xiaoru was quite famous throughout the capital.

In a sense, he and I are from the same school.”

"Your Highness, please do not speak nonsense. Although I have won the love of my teacher, I cannot boast of my reputation as a fellow student of yours."

Fang Xiaoru was very humble. When faced with Zhu Biao's suggestion, he actually waved his hand to refuse.

Zhu Biao smiled and said nothing, then quickly introduced the next person.

"Huang Zicheng was a bachelor of the previous class. My father once said that he was young and promising and would make great achievements in the court in the future.

The same goes for Qi Tai. Now the three of them are still inexperienced and cannot participate in court affairs, so I called them here to cooperate with you.

I wonder what Brother Yang thinks?"

The three of them were originally indifferent to Yang Chen, but now they couldn't help but become alert. Who is Zhu Biao?

The favorite son of Emperor Hongwu!
Throughout the Ming Dynasty court, all the old hands in the officialdom knew that the prince was deeply loved by the emperor.

To this end, he did not hesitate to make a completely different choice from the other emperors and use his own power.

Just ask about this treatment, it is unique in all dynasties.

There is a tacit agreement in the current court that any matters should be reported directly to the Crown Prince.

If you insist on bothering Zhu Yuanzhang, it will only lead to unpleasantness.

Such a prince actually takes the initiative to ask for other people's opinions when doing things?

"Why did this man deserve the respect of the crown prince? And he became the teacher of the crown prince's grandson. Could he be a student of some hermit scholar?"

It would be a lie for Fang Xiaoru to say that he was not envious.

He was hailed as a genius since he was a child, and after becoming a student of Song Lian, he studied hard.

In the end, his success was not as good as that of the imperial court, but he was even appreciated by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Through various signs, he could see that the emperor appreciated him. As long as things went well in the future, he would be old enough and the crown prince would grow up.

He will definitely become the teacher of the Crown Prince, and it will not be a dream for him to become the Prime Minister in the future, second only to the Emperor!
But now, Cheng Yaojin suddenly appeared and Fang Xiaoru felt a crisis.

In response to Zhu Biao's question, Yang Chen nodded for a long time and gave him a look.

During the time they became friends, Zhu Biao always knew that the other party was a man who spoke his mind.

You can tell something is wrong by looking at this look.

So he sent the three people away and went outside alone with Yang Chen.

"No? Brother Yang, what's going on with you?"

After making sure that the three people couldn't hear it, Zhu Biao immediately asked about the cause and effect.

Facing Zhu Biao's question, Yang Chen pretended to be having a hard time making a decision, and then said:
"This is a long story. Do you still remember the request I made to you yesterday?"

Although Zhu Biao didn't understand why Yang Chen asked this, he still answered honestly.

"Remember! You told me that you needed young people, preferably those who can communicate. Am I not doing everything according to your request?"

Covering his face, Yang Chen sighed and continued:
"I told you this, but I remember I also told you that the person who comes here should not be too arrogant, otherwise he will not listen to me and act according to his own pride and refute me.

Do you think this can be accomplished?
Take simplified Chinese for example. My purpose is very simple, which is to make the text less unnecessarily complicated. Simplified Chinese is a reformed font.

The learning process is not only for children. Even if one has been a farmer for twenty years, as long as he has a quick mind, he will be able to learn it at a glance and write it down after learning more.

How tiring it would be for me to translate all the texts into simplified Chinese by myself!

That’s why we asked you to find people who can read and are willing to learn and improve.

But look at who you found for me?

When they heard you say that the text needs to be translated into vernacular, they all wanted to leave immediately!

If you weren't here, I'm afraid these guys would use all their life's learning to point at me and scold me, saying that I was unworthy of the literature of our ancestors and so on.

Well, I don't mind if you find someone arrogant, but why did you find these three guys?"

"what?"

Zhu Biao didn't understand what was going on, so he followed Yang Chen's gaze and looked at the three people standing at the door who were also talking in low voices.

He wondered, wouldn't these three people be enough?
It doesn’t make sense!

You know, they are the most famous scholars in the entire court.

Be it ability or talent, it's absolutely perfect.

Why do these three guys seem to be all idiots in Yang Chen's words?
"Brother Yang, can you tell me more details?
Could it be that the three of them have offended you? If so, I will replace them immediately!"

Zhu Biao felt that there must be something here that he must understand, otherwise he would definitely not be able to sleep tonight.

For a moment, Yang Chen didn't know how to say it.

After wasting some time, he put his arm around Zhu Biao's shoulder, and the two of them stood with their backs to the three people at the classroom door.

"Ahem. Ah Biao, those three guys didn't offend me, but I have to tell you first, these three guys were called the Three Idiots of Jianwen in later generations."

"Jianwen Three Idiots? Does this have anything to do with Zhu Yunwen?"

"Obviously, it has something to do with him!"

Yang Chen paused, then continued:

"Well, you already know about your son Zhu Yunwen's reduction of the feudal system, but do you know who instructed him to do so?
It’s Huang Zicheng!

According to the records of my later generations, Huang Zicheng was eventually personally instructed by your father to become Zhu Yunwen's teacher, that is, Minister Gu Ming.

This guy has since become very knowledgeable, and seeing that Zhu Yunwen is young, he wants to become the Zhuge Liang of the Ming Dynasty.

When your father died, he immediately proposed to reduce the power of the princes.

The key point is that this guy clearly had no military talent, but relying on his closeness to Zhu Yunwen, he let Zhu Yunwen personally select soldiers and generals, and selected some incompetent generals to reduce the power of the princes.

There is also the fool Fang Xiaoru. His head is full of ancient sages. As soon as your father passed away, he advocated the restoration of ancient systems such as the well-field system.

In his opinion, he only needed to teach Zhu Yunwen how to govern a country according to the principles of governing a country in ancient books.

The result was that not only did Emperor Jianwen's reign fail to make the Ming Dynasty better, but it made it even more chaotic.

The fourth son of your family was the first one to break through Nanjing City and enter the Imperial City. He immediately sent people to capture Fang Xiaoru.

Questioned the other party why they wanted to join forces with Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai to reduce the power of the feudal lords.

And guess what? "

"What's wrong?"

At this moment, Zhu Biao felt very ashamed of how he had praised these three guys just now.

For the first time, he felt how embarrassing it was to have made a mistake.

Now Zhu Biao is hesitant, whether he should tell his father about this matter?
After much thought, Zhu Biao felt that it would be better to talk about this matter later.

What’s important now is what Fang Xiaoru did to make Yang Chen find it so funny!
If nothing unexpected happens, it must be a very stupid thing to do.

Yang Chen tried his best not to laugh and began to talk about the great things Fang Xiaoru had done.

"Yongle rushed into Nanjing City, caught this guy on the spot, and interrogated him why he wanted to stir up trouble in the relationship between the Zhu family.

As a result, this idiot not only answered the question irrelevantly, but also took advantage of Yongle's most angry moment to insult him. In short, all the dirty words you can think of were used by this guy on Fang Xiaoru.

It's just a matter of saying that Yongle was not born to Empress Ma.

Later, Yongle thought that Fang Xiaoru was a great Confucian scholar and it would be inappropriate for him to kill him, so he gave him a way out.

As long as Fang Xiaoru wrote him an edict of accession to the throne, he would be considered to have inherited the orthodox tradition.

His own killings have already made life miserable for the people of the Ming Dynasty. If he were to be accused of having gained the throne illegitimately, Yongle would really have trouble sleeping.

But Fang Xiaoru said in front of all the officials

'Hahaha! You unworthy descendant Zhu Di! You seek power and usurp the throne, yet you still hope to inherit the orthodoxy! The late emperor is watching you in the underworld! Just wait to repent as a ghost!'

As soon as he said this, Yongle asked the other party if he was so awesome? Wasn't he worried that he would kill all his clans?
Fang Xiaoru was a very brave guy. Not only was he not afraid, he also said with blood in his mouth that he was not afraid even if his entire clan was executed.

Now, Yongle could no longer bear it and directly ordered his men to capture Fang Xiaoru’s disciples and kill them all!

What do you think? Is this something a normal person would do?
The key point is! During the reign of Zhu Yunwen, this guy also asked his disciples to spread the word that he was the top scholar in the Ming Dynasty.

I have never seen such a shameless person!"

The more Yang Chen spoke, the more sweat appeared on Zhu Biao's forehead. He really didn't expect that there would be such a weirdo in his court.

It's a pity for those students who studied under him, who suffered the first death of ten clans in history innocently.

"Now you can understand why I lost my composure after I learned about the identities of these three guys, right?"

"understand."

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly. At this moment, he wished he had not praised the other party just now.

Just as Yang Chen said, no normal person would ever do what Fang Xiaoru did.

After knowing the truth, Zhu Biao made two decisions in his heart.

First of all, he must make his father aware of this matter. These guys with only bookish brains must not become officials of the Ming Dynasty. Otherwise, how many people will be harmed?

Second, the teaching qualifications of these guys must be revoked afterwards, and they are not allowed to hold any positions in either the Imperial College or the Chancellery.

Especially to keep the other party away from his son Zhu Xiongying. My goodness, according to Yang Chen, if his son was taught a thing or two by the other party.

I'm afraid that an excellent son will also become a waste.

This must not happen!

"Brother Yang, if that's the case, how about I change a group of people for you? This time I plan to test the other party myself. If they are too arrogant, I will definitely not bring them to see you.

I've learned my lesson this time, and it won't happen again!"

Zhu Biao raised his hand and made reassurances.

(End of this chapter)