Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 49 What are you doing here? (Please read on!)
Zhang Yunxiu was somewhat helpless. He had only come to visit, so why was he suddenly being asked to take the entrance exam?

Of course, Zhang Yunxiu loved to cause trouble and wasn't afraid of it.

He cupped his hands and said, "I did not hear the question clearly, Doctor. Please repeat it."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zongdao and the others were startled and looked at Zhang Yunxiu as if he were a monster.

This kid is really incredibly brave!
As expected, Wang Honghui's face turned green after hearing this.

“Yun Jiye?” He repeated the name, a cold smile creeping onto his lips. “I will remember your name.”

Sitting to the side, Yuan Zongdao, with his sharp eyes, noticed that Dr. Wang's hand holding the ruler was bulging with veins.

What a tragedy! This Brother Yun was far too reckless, like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, completely unaware of Dr. Wang's usual strictness and terror.

Yuan Zongdao and the others were merely nodding acquaintances with Zhang Yunxiu, having fulfilled their duty to remind him.

At this moment, everyone subconsciously moved their butts back, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

"Mencius said, 'The benevolent are invincible.' If you answer poorly, your punishment will be doubled, and you will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane."

Wang Honghui's hand, gripping the ruler, began to turn white at the knuckles. The ruler seemed ready to strike at the arrogant student at the next second.

If he dares to openly defy me, how can I establish my authority in court if I do not punish him?

It is the duty of the Imperial Academy's doctors to instruct and admonish the students. Since those in the hall are not imperial relatives and no one has caused a death, why would anyone else utter a single word of dissent?

He stared sharply at Zhang Yunxiu.

"If you don't answer well, not only will you be punished, but I will also report to the Chancellor and record your disrespect for your elders!"

Yuan Zongdao and the others were practically burying their heads in their pants, terrified that Wang Honghui would think they were in cahoots.

In the Imperial Academy, unless one has a high-ranking official in their family, who would dare to contradict someone like a Doctor?

For a moment, their gazes toward Zhang Yunxiu were filled with a mixture of pity and admiration.

Could it be that this recklessness has a family background? If Yun Jiye's uncle dared to impeach Zhang Juzheng, would he also dare to defy the Imperial Academy Doctor?
Just as the students in the school were feeling sorrow for Zhang Yunxiu.

Zhang Yunxiu finally spoke up and answered.

"Since you asked about 'benevolent governance,' then I will explain it to you. I believe that the essence of benevolent governance lies in the three things mentioned in the Book of Documents: 'rectifying virtue, utilizing resources, and enriching the people.'"

Zhang Yunxiu's disrespectful words only fueled Wang Honghui's anger.

But when he heard him quote the Book of Documents, Wang Honghui became interested and stared sharply at Zhang Yunxiu as he spoke.

What are the meanings of "rectifying virtue, utilizing resources, and benefiting the people"?

Zhang Yunxiu answered fluently, like a ruthless recitation machine.

"'Zhengde' means to cultivate upright character and inspire people to do good; 'Liyong' means to make good use of all resources to promote production and ensure the well-being of the people; 'Housesheng' means to treat the people well and protect their livelihoods."

Citing classical texts is naturally a given.

"Thinking back to the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, the light land taxes allowed the people to recuperate and thrive, which was an act of 'enriching the people'; furthermore, Chao Cuo recruited people to defend the borders, and Zhou Yafu established a strict army at Xiliu. The recruits protected the borders and ensured the safety of the people, while the Xiliu camp deterred unruly elements. This 'nurturing the people' and 'utilizing the people' complemented each other perfectly."

If you asked Zhang Yunxiu to write a traditional essay, he would probably just have to copy what already exists.

But if you ask him to analyze just one point, Zhang Yunxiu has a wealth of knowledge in his mind.

If Wang Honghui wanted to listen, Zhang Yunxiu could talk from day to night.

But Wang Honghui naturally wouldn't let Zhang Yunxiu get away with it so easily. He narrowed his eyes and said.

"You have only spoken of the way of being a ruler, but what about the way of being a subject?"

Wang Honghui's originally ashen face softened somewhat.

Zhang Yunxiu answered almost subconsciously.

"As for loyalty to the monarch, in the students' view, Mencius's saying 'the people are more important than the monarch' is not about disobeying the monarch, but rather a warning to the monarch to match the virtue of Heaven."
In the past, Wei Zheng advised Emperor Taizong, saying, "Water can carry a boat." Therefore, loyalty is not flattery, but rather guiding the monarch; benevolent governance is not indulgence, but rather achieving equality through laws and regulations.

After delivering his message, Zhang Yunxiu looked up at Wang Honghui and said...

"What do you think, sir?"

Wang Honghui was momentarily speechless. He was still thinking of making things difficult for Zhang Yunxiu, but the other party's answer was indeed perfect.

That can be considered the standard answer.

If Dr. Wang himself were to answer, it would convey roughly the same meaning.

As a Confucian scholar, Wang Honghui still had a sense of shame and couldn't bring himself to act shamelessly in front of his students.

"it is good!"

Wang Honghui's brows gradually relaxed, and he exclaimed "Good!" while stroking his beard and smiling.

"It has been a long time since I have seen such a perceptive student. Your understanding is outstanding. You are well-versed in the classics and history and can adapt to changing circumstances. This is truly rare."

Wang Honghui looked sentimental. The Guangye Hall he led was the last of the "Six Halls".

Most of the students who were admitted through donation were assigned to the "Guangye Hall".

Given Wang Honghui's unsuccessful career and his pent-up resentment, it's not surprising that he would frequently beat and scold the students in the Imperial Academy.

But today, he finally found a gem amidst the dust, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, and he couldn't help but be excited.

To encourage the student, Wang Honghui even stroked his beard and said something.

"If you work hard and diligently, it is not a pipe dream if you are able to pass the imperial examination in due time."

Upon hearing this, the students in the hall immediately erupted in an uproar.

Wang Honghui's praise? You wouldn't hear a single word of it all year round!
But then Wang Honghui's features softened, and he turned to look at the students in the hall and said.

"All students should devote themselves to learning, like Yun Jiye, and must not be bound by the past."

One should not be like Zhang Shiyuan, who engaged in strange and frivolous skills and showed no respect for elders.

"I will immerse myself in the classics and history, pursue orthodox learning, and understand the greater principles!" "I will heed your teachings!"

The students in the hall answered in unison.

They then cast envious glances at Zhang Yunxiu, thinking that this kid had a bright future ahead of him, having gained the favor of a doctor.

But Zhang Yunxiu's facial muscles twitched slightly.

You're talking about Zhang Shiyuan again! Did Zhang Shiyuan eat your rice?!
At this moment, Wang Honghui was no longer concerned about his earlier retort.
He then offered words of encouragement to Zhang Yunxiu. After just one exchange, Wang Honghui's attitude changed drastically, and he looked at Zhang Yunxiu as if he were a precious treasure.

It's clear how long it's been since he encountered a student with genuine talent.

When Wang Honghui reluctantly left and moved on to another place to examine the remaining students.

Yuan Zongdao and the others, who had been observing, finally couldn't resist and swarmed forward, chattering all at once.

"Brother Yun is truly a talented man!"

"Brother Yun is a man of profound wisdom, and his insights into benevolent governance are truly incisive and admirable."

"I wonder who your uncle is? I imagine he has given me much guidance?" Yuan Zongdao asked, his eyes burning with interest.

Clearly, the three men's envy was palpable.

"My uncle?" Zhang Yunxiu asked awkwardly. "He used to be a very capable person, but not very famous."

He laughed it off and brushed it off.

After all, there have been so many people impeaching Zhang Juzheng over the years that even the officials in the court cannot remember them all, let alone the students who only rely on rumors.

Following that, Wang Honghui, hoping for the best, examined several more new students, but none of them impressed him as much as Zhang Yunxiu. Frustrated, he slapped the hands of several new students before returning to the lecture hall.

He looked at the students below the hall and said.

"Today we will recite the fourth volume of Mencius from the 'Collected Annotations on the Four Books.' Students, let's begin."

In fact, not only in elementary education, but even in the Imperial Academy, recitation was one of the subjects that never stopped.

Seeing the students quietly taking out their books, he looked towards the corner at the back of the hall and spoke.

"Yun Jiye".

"Yun Jiye!"

"Yun Jiye?"

After three calls, Zhang Yunxiu reluctantly got up and pretended to say, "Mr. Wang."

Wang Honghui had a good impression of Zhang Yunxiu at this moment, and even though he seemed to lack manners, he didn't care much.

He nodded and said, "From now on, you will lead the reading. I see that you have the talent of a top scholar, but you should still pay attention to etiquette. Being too impulsive will cause you to run into trouble when you enter officialdom."

Wang Honghui seemed to be advising Zhang Yunxiu as someone who had been through it all.

Upon hearing the phrase "top scholar's talent," Zhang Yunxiu immediately felt somewhat embarrassed.

Am I really that amazing?

As for leading the reading, Zhang Yunxiu naturally could not agree to that.

He was an honest man, and immediately explained.

"Um... sir, I'm afraid this is inappropriate. I..."

Why is it inappropriate?

Wang Honghui frowned, seemingly somewhat annoyed.

It feels like my good intentions were completely wasted.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

He was about to say something more when he suddenly heard a commotion outside, and a loud voice burst in.

Wang Honghui was somewhat angry, but upon seeing the person who had arrived, he immediately suppressed his anger and spoke.

"When will you, Grand Master Yu, have the inclination to visit Guangye Hall?"

These words seemed innocuous, but they clearly carried a hint of displeasure.

The newcomer was dressed in a bright red, round-necked, right-fastening robe with embroidered clouds and wild geese on his badge. Who else could it be but Yu Youding, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy?
Faced with Wang Honghui's questioning, Yu Youding ignored it and hurriedly grabbed Wang Honghui and said...

"Does Dr. Wang have the opportunity to meet Zhang Shiyuan?"

Upon hearing the name Zhang Shiyuan, Wang Honghui raised his eyebrows and said...

"Zhang Shiyuan is not a student of Guangye Hall, so how could he be in my Guangye Hall? What are you saying, Chancellor?"

Normally, given Zhang Shiyuan's status and position, he wouldn't be found in the worst place, "Guangyetang".

Yu Youding was so anxious that he stamped his feet. He had been entrusted by Zhang Juzheng to teach Zhang Yunxiu well, but as soon as he came out of the duty room, he could no longer find the boy.

He wasn't afraid of Zhang Yunxiu getting into trouble; he was afraid that Zhang Yunxiu would cause trouble for the Imperial Academy.

Yu Youding blurted out anxiously, "Oh dear! This Zhang Shiyuan disappeared without a trace as soon as he entered the Imperial Academy. If he causes any trouble, how am I supposed to explain this to the Grand Secretary?"

“There’s nothing here, Zhang Shiyuan,” Wang Honghui’s beard trembled, his anger rising. He felt that Yu Youding was definitely here to cause trouble.

Just then, a slightly embarrassed voice came from behind Guangyetang.

"That... Uncle..."

Yu Youding stared wide-eyed as a tall, slender young man in a blue Taoist robe walked out.

He was startled and looked at the young man.

"Zhang Shiyuan? What are you doing here?"

　Thank you to "The Fallen One in the Novel" for the 200 Qidian Coins reward!
　　Today's reading is very important, so please, godfathers, be sure to read to the very end!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)