The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Chapter 44 Zhu Zhanjun: All I can say is, you are not our brother!

[Ding! Successfully used!]

A virtual attribute interface filled with text suddenly appeared in front of him.

Name: Xue Xuan

courtesy name: Dewen

Place of origin: Hejin, Shanxi

Biography: Xue Xuan was a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar and writer of the Ming Dynasty, known as "Xue Hedong". He served successively as Censor, Vice Commissioner of Education in Shandong, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He was famous for his uprightness, incorruptibility, and strict enforcement of the law, and was known as "Iron Man".

Capability Rating:

Scholarship in Neo-Confucianism: ★★★★★ (He deeply studied the principles of human nature and morality, wrote extensively, and pioneered a new school of thought in scholarship)

Administrative ability: ★★★★ (Having served in both local and central government positions, he was upright, outspoken, and implemented beneficial policies)

Literary cultivation: ★★★★ (His poetry and prose are elegant and refined; the complete works of Xue Wenqing have been passed down to posterity.)

Moral integrity: ★★★★★ (Upright and self-disciplined, known as a "true Confucian scholar")

Current status: Currently engrossed in studying for the imperial examinations.

Name: Kuang Zhong

courtesy name: Bolu

Place of origin: Jing'an, Jiangxi

Biography: Kuang Zhong was a renowned upright official of the Ming Dynasty, known for his competence, incorruptibility, and outstanding achievements. During his thirteen years in Suzhou, he vigorously reformed the tax system, reduced exorbitant levies, suppressed powerful clans, and promoted water conservancy, bringing great order to the city. The people called him "Kuang the Upright Official." His integrity and strict enforcement of the law earned him widespread popular support, and he is considered one of the "Three Outstanding Officials of the Ming Dynasty," along with Zhou Chen and Yu Qian.

Capability Rating:

Administrative skills: ★★★★★ (Proficient in finance and criminal law, adept at handling complex cases, with outstanding political achievements)

Economic governance: ★★★★★ (Equalizing taxes and corvée labor, dredging the canal, and boosting the local economy)

Judicial judgment: ★★★★ (Exceptional insight and brilliant judgment, known as "the reincarnation of Judge Bao")

Advocating for the People: ★★★★★ (Repeatedly submitted memorials to reduce the heavy taxes in Jiangnan and alleviate the suffering of the people)

Current status: Clerk of Rites in Jing'an County (a minor official in the county government), diligent in his duties, but with little reputation.

Name: Wu Yubi

courtesy name: Zifu (also written as Zichuan)

Place of origin: Chongren, Jiangxi

Character Profile:

Wu Yubi was a famous Neo-Confucian scholar and educator in the Ming Dynasty, the founder of the Chongren School, and a man of noble character who was content with a simple life. He refused to serve the imperial court despite repeated summons to his court and was known as "Master Kangzhai".

Capability Rating:

Neo-Confucianism: ★★★★★ (Founded the Chongren School, emphasizing self-cultivation and forming its own unique school of thought)

Education and training: ★★★★★ (He lived in seclusion and taught, many of his students became great scholars, and his influence spread throughout the world)

Moral Exemplar: ★★★★★ (Indifferent to fame and fortune, self-sufficient through farming, admired by scholars)

Current status: During the Yongle era, he was living in seclusion in Chongren, Jiangxi, where he devoted himself to farming, studying, and teaching, and his reputation was beginning to emerge among local scholars.

Zhu Zhanjun was amazed.

He didn't know much about the history of the Ming Dynasty, only a little about the Zhu family.

Apart from Yu Qian, Hai Rui, and Zhang Juzheng, little is known about the other so-called famous officials.

The three characters revealed by the system's "Famous Officials Card" are equivalent to orange-tier cards in the game.

These three cards are such a great deal.

Zhu Zhanjun touched his chin.

He needs to find someone quickly to recruit these famous officials and bring them under his control.

.............................

The next day.

Main hall.

Zhu Zhanjun yawned as he entered the classroom.

As soon as they entered, a bunch of mischievous kids gathered around, chattering away.

"Third brother, you're finally here!" Zhu Zhanxi grabbed Zhu Zhanjun's arm, his eyes wide. "I heard that Grandfather allowed you to open that damn 'Broad Learning Hall'? What's that for?"

Before Zhu Zhanjun could answer, Zhang Mao spoke up in a loud voice.

"Hey class monitor, isn't that Bowen Museum the one that specializes in making amazing gadgets like telescopes? Can I join them?"

"Go away, Zhang Mao, what are you pushing for!" Li Heng gently nudged Zhang Mao aside with his elbow. "Class monitor, my dad said your museum can hire its own people? Do you hire people who can write poetry, paint, and understand music? I know several..."

"Come on, Li Heng, the class monitor is doing things like physics, arithmetic, and craftsmanship, not running a poetry club!" Liu Zhong said, pursing his lips.

Zheng Yu shouted.

"Get out of the way! Our squad leader just got back and you've all surrounded him. Aren't you thirsty?"

"Class monitor!" Zheng Yu pushed through the crowd and barged in with a grin. "I made some honey water, please try it."

The rest of the mischievous kids looked at each other in bewilderment.

That brat is such a smooth talker.

Zhu Zhanjun calmly took the water, tasted it, and then said.

"I will recruit some talented and extraordinary people for this museum in the future."

"As for what we'll do, you'll find out later."

"By the way, I have a question for you. Do you know what the sixteenth floor is?"

He spent the whole night thinking about how to recruit talent, and early this morning he sent someone to the Prince of Han's mansion to recruit famous officials using his father Zhu Gaoxu's connections. He forgot to investigate the matter of the sixteenth floor.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhu Zhanxi scratched his head.

"Hey, that sounds familiar."

"But I can't remember where I heard it before."

Li Heng pondered for a moment.

"It sounds like a territory, with sixteen buildings?"

Everyone fell silent.

"Nonsense, who couldn't tell?" Zhu Yi rolled her eyes. "Class monitor, how about we go ask the others for you?"

Zheng Yu suddenly snapped his fingers.

"Hey, I've got it."

"I remember now, I think I've heard my dad mention this name before."

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze fell upon him.

Liu Zhong slapped him on the shoulder.

"Stop keeping me in suspense, just tell me."

Zheng Yu grimaced.

"Hey you, go easy on me."

Liu Zhong pursed his lips.

"Weakling."

Zheng Yu glared at him, then turned to Zhu Zhanjun and said.

"Squad leader, I remember a few days ago when my father was hosting a banquet at home, some of my uncles and aunts were talking about the sights and sounds of Beijing, and they mentioned the 'Sixteenth Floor'."

"Those appear to be the sixteen government-run restaurants in Kyoto!"

Zhu Zhanjun raised an eyebrow: "A government-run restaurant?"

"Yes!" Zheng Yu quickly replied. "My father said that it was built by imperial decree during the reign of Emperor Taizu. It was located in various prosperous areas of the city, each with its own name, such as 'Crane Cry Tower,' 'Drunken Immortal Tower,' 'Gathering of Worthies Tower,' 'Joyful People Tower'... a total of sixteen towers! It was said to be built 'to entertain officials and the people, and to promote commerce and benefit industry.'"

Zhu Zhanxi, who was standing next to him, suddenly realized and said, "Now that you mention it, I remember! I've heard people say that these restaurants are very grand, with singers and dancers, and the food and drinks are exquisite. Civil and military officials, gentry and merchants often hold banquets and gatherings there."

Zhang Mao interjected, "Isn't that just a place for drinking and listening to music? Squad leader, why are you asking this?"

Zhu Zhanjun spoke calmly to Zheng Yudao.

"Is there a building called 'Danfenlou' on the sixteenth floor?"

Zheng Yu's expression immediately turned strange.

He let out two strange laughs.

"Of course!"

"The sixteenth floor is directly managed by the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), and each section has its own function. Some are specifically for receiving foreign guests, while others are open to merchants and ordinary people..."

"Among them, Qingyanlou and Danfenlou are located on Xiguan South Street inside Jiangdongmen, near Qinhuai, facing the legendary old courtyards of Qinhuai River."

"I've heard..." Zheng Yu winked, "that the top courtesans of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district) there are even more beautiful than the beauties in the old brothels of the Qinhuai River."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately let out a strange cry.

Although they were a group of kids who might not be interested in women, they had long admired the Qinhuai River, a top-tier entertainment venue, but had never been there before, so they were quite excited.

Zhu Zhanjun's expression was strange.

So, isn't that just a government-run brothel?

Zheng Yu coughed lightly.

"Squad leader, why are you asking this?"

"Could it be... hehe?"

All eyes fell on Zhu Zhanjun, filled with curiosity.

Zhu Zhanjun smiled faintly.

"I'm thinking of going to check it out tonight, do you guys want to come?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Although they were enthusiastic about making a ruckus, they were still quite apprehensive about actually going.

It's not just the little kid's unfamiliar fear of the legendary adult world, but also the worry that if his parents find out, he'll get a real spanking.

Zhu Zhanxi couldn't help but say.

"Third brother, are you really going?"

Zhu Zhanjun stood tall and proud.

"good."

"Second brother, will you come with me?"

Zhu Zhanxi gritted his teeth.

"Okay, I'll go too!"

Zhu Zhanjun's gaze fell on the rest of the group.

He didn't necessarily want to drag them into it, but the law doesn't punish everyone.

If people were to discover that this Prince of Jiyang was going to the Qinhuai River to have fun, there would be no reasoning with him.

If you bring along a bunch of kids, someone can share the blame.

He said calmly.