In the Ming Dynasty 1498, my restaurant connects two worlds.

Chapter 103 Xiao Yi's Heated Debate at Wenhua Hall (Part Two)

After Song Xiaoyi completed the registration procedures, Zhu Houzhao had just finished his daily course on classics and history. The next course would be Song Xiaoyi's turn.

The Crown Prince's tutor, Cheng Minzheng, assigned Song Xiaoyi the subject of Tang poetry. Song Xiaoyi secretly rejoiced, "Luckily it's Tang poetry. If it were any other subject, I probably wouldn't be able to handle it myself. It would be more likely that he would teach me."

Tang poetry is different. Modern parents and language teachers are finding all sorts of ways to make students memorize Tang poems, and there are all sorts of "detoxifications" of Tang poetry online. Song Xiaoyi uses stories made up by modern people and his own understanding to "detoxify" Tang poetry for the prince.

The novel interpretation made the eunuch Wei Bin roll his eyes, but Zhu Houzhao's interest in Tang poetry really increased. He read "The Farmer's Song" with great skill and actually listened attentively for the whole class.

After finishing today's lesson on Tang poetry, the school course is considered over. Next, Song Xiaoyi plans to trick Zhu Houzhao into leaving the school.

"Your Highness, today's lessons are finished. How do you feel?" Song Xiaoyi asked with a gentle smile, leaning down as if she were a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up, and he immediately sat up straight, replying crisply, "Replying to Mr. Song, I have learned very well today. I have remembered what you said about 'who knows the hardship behind every grain of rice on the plate'."

"Your Highness is wise." Song Xiaoyi nodded approvingly, then changed the subject, lowering his voice and adding a touch of mystery and allure, "Your Highness, the principles in books are certainly important, but does Your Highness know that there is a kind of knowledge in this world that cannot be found in books, yet it is intimately connected with the fate of our Great Ming Dynasty and the well-being of its countless people?"

This kind of temptation is familiar to me! Gu Dayong's tone from the beginning indicates that there's something new and interesting to be had!

Zhu Houzhao's curiosity was completely piqued. He looked around and saw that besides the two of them, there were only a few eunuchs standing with their hands at their sides, eyes downcast. He leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Oh? What kind of knowledge is it? Mr. Song, please tell me quickly."

"This field of study is called the study of people's livelihood." Song Xiaoyi straightened his clothes and cleared his throat. "Your Highness, you are the future emperor, and you will be governing the entire world."

"This world is not just about the majestic Forbidden City, but also about the bustling world outside. The hardships of farming in the fields, the skills of craftsmen in the marketplace, the trade routes of merchants, and the clash of swords and the thunder of soldiers guarding the borders—"

"Swords and spears! Mr. Song, I want to hear about swords and spears! Tell me about them..."

'

"Eh~, Your Highness, I haven't finished speaking. It's impolite to interrupt someone!"

Sitting in the distance on a grand chair, pretending to be asleep, Wang Shu, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and Minister of Personnel, a veteran of three reigns, had actually been eavesdropping the whole time. However, upon hearing this, he felt that everything was normal, so he did not rush to stop them.

Song Xiaoyi continued his charade, "What I just said is the very foundation of our Great Ming Dynasty. If Your Highness only knows the saying 'the people are the foundation of the state' from books, but doesn't know how the people actually live, how they work, and the reasons for their joys and sorrows, how can you truly understand the people's plight and make decisions that benefit the country and its people?"

Zhu Houzhao listened intently, his little face full of longing. "Mr. Song means... he wants to take me to see? No, to learn from him?!"

"Exactly!" Song Xiaoyi gently tapped the table. "As your teacher, I naturally hope to take Your Highness out of the palace to see the diverse lives of ordinary people and experience their crafts. Even if it's just a trip to the weaving workshops in the capital to see how the weavers weave cloth, or a trip to the farms on the outskirts of the capital to see how the farmers grow wheat, Your Highness can see with your own eyes how the dragon robe you wear is woven from a single thread, and how the rice you eat three meals a day grows from a single seed."

"Only then will Your Highness truly understand the meaning of 'the people's livelihood,' and only then will you have truly entered the realm of 'governing the country.'"

Zhu Houzhao listened with great interest, his little fists clenched, his eyes sparkling with excited anticipation: "Great! Mr. Song, when shall we go? Right now?"

"No! How dare you, Song Xiaoyi!"

Just then, a calm, aged voice, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority, echoed from the depths of the Wenhua Hall, "Your Highness, you mustn't!"

Song Xiaoyi's heart skipped a beat. He looked in the direction of the sound and thought, "Damn it, why did you have to show up now of all times!"

You've ruined my resolve! No, you've ruined my plans! How hateful!

An old man, dressed in a crane-patterned robe, with white hair and beard, a sharp face, and piercing eyes, walked steadily towards them, followed only by one attendant.

Wang Shu approached and bowed deeply to Zhu Houzhao, saying, "This old minister, Wang Shu, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Although Zhu Houzhao was young, he still held Wang Taibao in awe, who was known for his uprightness and integrity and had great prestige in the court. He quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Wang Taibao, you may rise."

Wang Shu straightened up, his gaze sharp as he glanced at Song Xiaoyi, his eyes filled with scrutiny and displeasure. "Young Master Song, your words just now, though polite, were absolutely wrong. You shouldn't have, you absolutely shouldn't have, persuaded His Highness the Crown Prince to leave the palace!"

After reprimanding Song Xiaoyi, Wang Shu turned to Zhu Houzhao, his tone heavy with sorrow and earnestness: "Your Highness, this old minister just overheard the suggestion made by Junior Chamberlain Song in the inner palace. This old minister believes this proposal is absolutely unacceptable! Please, Your Highness, reconsider!"

What do you mean by "vaguely"? You old fox, you were clearly eavesdropping!

Zhu Houzhao hesitated for a moment, glancing at Wang Shu and then at Song Xiaoyi, before asking in a low voice, "Wang Taibao, why not? Mr. Song said that seeing the hardships of the common people would greatly benefit my future governance."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shu's expression became even more serious. He turned to Song Xiaoyi, his tone questioning, "Young Master Song, let me ask you this: the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, a man of immense importance. How can he so easily venture into dangerous places? Leaving the palace is no small matter. If anything goes wrong, can you and I bear the responsibility?"

Sigh, this old guy is difficult to deal with. It seems I need to waste some breath arguing with him. But according to the historical records I checked before, Wang Shu is just stubborn and old-fashioned, but not a bad person. I can't confront him like I would a treacherous minister. If I offend the old guy and he gets sick, I won't be able to explain myself.

Song Xiaoyi quickly considered the matter, then bowed respectfully, saying, "What Grand Tutor Wang says is absolutely right. The safety of the Crown Prince is indeed a matter of national importance. However, 'Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles' is an ancient proverb. If, out of fear of risk, the Crown Prince is locked away within these deep palace walls like a precious jewel, isolated from the world, that would be the real danger."

"If the Crown Prince is ignorant of the hardships and suffering of ordinary people, how will he be able to distinguish right from wrong and how will he be able to govern his ministers? Theoretical discussions are ultimately superficial. Only by seeing and hearing things firsthand can one truly understand them. I am willing to guarantee with my life that I will protect the Crown Prince."

"Hmph!" Wang Shu sneered. "Protect the Crown Prince? You're just a scholar, powerless as a chicken. How can you possibly protect the Crown Prince?"