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

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the Prism mission "Jiahao's Actions"!]

[Ding! You have obtained a Prismatic Treasure Chest!]

[Ding! Skill: Swimming (Beginner) upgraded to Prism Grade - Yellow River Conqueror. Within your stamina range, 99% of the world's rivers and seas will not drown you. When you are on the Yellow River, the success rate of crossing the river with your family and horses on floating logs is 100%.]

Zhu Zhanjun: "..."

Is the task complete?

The entire ship was completely silent.

Everyone was stunned by Zhu Zhanjun's booming voice.

Ignoring the last sentence, what this eldest grandson of the emperor said was truly a gem of wisdom.

Zhu Di stared wide-eyed at his grandson, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

He spent half his life in the military, and although his reading was not extremely profound, he was well-versed in the classics and history. Zhu Zhanjun's exposition on "the mind is principle" and "there is nothing outside the mind" is progressive and logically rigorous. The last four lines of verse are like a morning bell, which is deafening and enlightening.

He subconsciously swallowed and found that his fingers were trembling slightly.

Holy crap, holy crap!

This grandson is a born saint!

Zhang Fu and other distinguished ministers were now dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.

Most of them were military officers and not good at such subtle debates on principles and morals.

But not being good at something doesn't mean you're stupid.

Zhu Zhanjun's few words clearly contain profound philosophical meaning.

Otherwise, how could Yang Shiqi have been rendered speechless?

Civil officials such as Yang Rong, Hu Guang, and Huang Huai fell into a slump.

Yang Rong frowned, repeatedly pondering the four sentences: "The body is neither good nor evil; the movement of the mind is either good or evil; knowing good and evil is conscience; doing good and eliminating evil is the investigation of things."

These twenty-eight characters seem to integrate mind, intention, conscience, and practice, outlining a completely new path of self-cultivation. It is quite different from the "investigation of things and exhaustion of principles" emphasized by Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, yet it seems to be self-consistent.

Hu Guang was secretly shocked. He had read extensively, but he had never seen such a concise and profound summary in the classics.

If this theory was truly "enlightened" by Zhu Zhanjun, then his talent is simply astonishing.

But can one really attain enlightenment in a brothel?

Brothels are great!

You need to learn how to go to a brothel!

Looks like he'll have to go more often in the future!

Yang Shiqi stood there, his face turning pale and then flushed.

He had intended to use this opportunity to suppress Zhu Zhanjun's arrogance and uphold the principles of propriety and social order, but he never expected to be so thoroughly refuted.

As a master of Neo-Confucianism, Zhu Zhanjun's concept of "the mind is principle" was truly groundbreaking.

If a great Confucian scholar had said these words, he would have immediately knelt down and addressed him as "my teacher."

But he happens to be a six-year-old child!

Is this kid six years old?

This philosophical argument that the mind is principle would have been considered on par with other philosophers in ancient times.

Which of the civil officials present is not a genius of extraordinary talent?

But compared to this Prince of Jiyang, he was as incompetent as a mere scholar who had passed the imperial examination.

How could the Ming Dynasty have such a genius?

Of course, this prodigy also has a really sharp tongue.

Yang Shiqi's face turned black with anger when he thought of Zhu Zhanjun's last words.

Zhu Gaosui was already dumbfounded, his mouth slightly open, looking at Zhu Zhanjun as if he were looking at a monster.

Damn it, this nephew of mine just got on the boat and started flirting with the girls, causing all sorts of trouble, and ruined the effects of his medicine.

In just this short time, he actually attained enlightenment?

Is he out of his mind, or is the world just too crazy?

At this moment, the group of teenagers, including Zhu Yi, Zhang Mao, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, Zhu Zhanqi, and Liu Zhong, had reached the peak of their admiration for Zhu Zhanjun.

I couldn't understand the beginning or the end, but anyway, I just wanted Yang Shiqi executed.

In the eerie silence, Zhu Di finally spoke slowly.

"What a wonderful entity, devoid of both good and evil intentions, yet capable of moving with both good and evil intentions!"

"Zhanjun, your reasoning is progressive and insightful, directly addressing the core of your being. It seamlessly integrates self-cultivation, understanding principles, and conduct, truly broadening the horizons of your imperial grandfather!"

"This theory is subtle and profound, forming a complete system on its own."

"Zhanjun, tell your grandfather, have you ever thought about giving this field of knowledge a name?"

All eyes immediately focused on Zhu Zhanjun.

Zhu Zhanjun stood against the wind, head held high, chest out, his expression calm and composed.

Facing the complex gazes of the crowd, he spoke calmly.

"In my opinion, all knowledge in the world revolves around the 'mind' as its core."

"Only when the mind is upright can the body be cultivated; only when the mind is clear can reason be understood."

"Since this rudimentary idea is based on the principle that 'mind is principle,' let's call it the study of mind."

A gentle breeze blew by, and the six-year-old boy stood facing the wind, his delicately sculpted face serene, his clear black and white eyes deep and unfathomable.

This scene was deeply etched in everyone's hearts. They remained silent for a long time, their hearts filled with unease, knowing that they had witnessed history today, and that what His Highness Prince Jiyang said today would surely be recorded in history.

Some of the more attractive women, such as Zhu Yi, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, and Liu Zhong, were trembling with excitement.

Lau is so handsome!

After a while, Zhu Zhanjun suddenly laughed and gave everyone a thumbs-up.

"Isn't my detached, otherworldly, and otherworldly demeanor—the silence, composure, and ethereal coolness I display after enlightenment—incredibly cool?"

[Ding! You have obtained a golden treasure chest!]

Everyone: "..."

Zhu Zhanjun turned his gaze to Yang Shiqi.

"Old Yang, in your opinion, is my philosophy worthy of the experts' approval? Can it resolve your confusion about the 'morality of brothels'?"

Yang Shiqi's expression was uncertain, and his heart was churning with turmoil.

He had been immersed in Neo-Confucianism for decades, yet he was still deeply moved by Zhu Zhanjun's last four sentences.

He remained silent for a while, then exhaled a long breath, straightened his clothes, and bowed solemnly to Zhu Zhanjun.

"Your Highness is a man of extraordinary talent, I admire you greatly."

"The idea that mind is principle is a novel approach."

"The theory of extending innate knowledge is incisive and hits the nail on the head."

"These four sentences of teaching contain profound meaning in a concise manner."

"Your subject...has learned a great deal."

After speaking, he straightened up, turned to Zhu Di, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Prince Jiyang is young but possesses great wisdom. He can understand the profound principles of human nature even while playing. He is truly a treasure bestowed upon the Ming Dynasty by Heaven."

"I was just too bound by the superficialities of etiquette and failed to grasp Your Highness's deeper meaning. My words were offensive, and I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to forgive me."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Di smiled faintly, without revealing his true feelings.

"You flatter me, Minister Yang."

"Debating and clarifying the truth is a good thing."

"Zhanjun is young and has made some progress, so he still needs your wise ministers to correct and guide him."

His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering particularly on Zhu Zhanjun for a moment, and said meaningfully, "Today's events have certainly broadened my horizons."

Hu Guang immediately stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles.

"Your Majesty, I am fortunate to have heard His Highness Prince Jiyang expound the profound truths of 'the philosophy of mind' today. It was truly like a sudden awakening, a revelation that shook the deaf to the core!"

"Your Highness, at such a young age, was able to perceive the essence of human nature amidst the fireworks and music of the Qinhuai River, and to expound the principles of 'the mind is principle' and 'extending innate knowledge.' Furthermore, you used the four-line teaching of 'the mind is neither good nor evil' to encompass the essence of your practice, which is both subtle and vast, proving the Way through the mind!"

"Your Highness's argument is not confined to the traditional Cheng-Zhu school of thought; it opens up a new path, yet it is also harmonious and self-consistent, connecting the concepts of heaven and humanity."

"Given time, as Your Highness's learning deepens, you will surely be able to carry forward this philosophy of mind, establish your own school of thought, and create your own unique perspective!"

Hu Guang bowed deeply to Zhu Di again and said solemnly.

"Your Majesty, tonight's events saw His Highness the Prince of Jiyang discuss philosophy on a pleasure boat, impressing the scholars of the court."

"This scene, this reasoning, and these words will surely become a legendary tale and be recorded in history."

"Your humble servant dares to request that Your Highness's exposition and enlightenment tonight be depicted in a painting titled 'Enlightenment at Qinhuai,' to highlight Your Highness's virtue of understanding the mind and nature, and to leave this beautiful story for posterity."