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

Two days later.

The philosophy of mind expounded by Zhu Zhanjun, the Prince of Jiyang, on a painted boat quietly spread among the nobles and civil officials accompanying him, gradually causing ripples in his mind.

After returning home that night, the sons of the Duke of Yingguo, the Duke of Chengguo, the Duke of Weiguo, and other noble families couldn't help but excitedly mention the "squad leader's" astonishing act to their fathers and brothers.

For a time, nobles and civil officials of the Ming Dynasty were excitedly discussing "the philosophy of mind".

A considerable number of officials who were involved in feudal superstition believed that the emergence of a sage in the Ming Dynasty was an auspicious omen from heaven, indicating that God approved of Emperor Yongle's governance.

This statement received high praise from Emperor Yongle.

A few more days passed.

In the early morning in Nanjing, the shouts of newsboys echoed loudly through the streets and alleys: "Newspaper! Newspaper! Special edition of the *Da Ming Xin Bao*! His Highness Prince Jiyang pioneered 'Mind Learning,' and his four-sentence teachings have astonished the world!"

People stopped to look, exchanged copper coins for newspapers, and unfolded them to find a long article on the front page entitled "An Initial Explanation of the Philosophy of Mind - A Record of Prince Qinhuai of Jiyang's Discourse on the Dao".

Of course, the article cannot say that the Prince of Jiyang went to a brothel.

These parts must be disregarded.

However, the image of the Prince of Jiyang was portrayed as that of a sage reborn.

The newspaper caused an uproar throughout the city.

In teahouses and taverns, scholars and literati eagerly passed the book around and discussed it.

"This idea that 'the mind is principle' seems quite different from Zhu Xi's 'investigating things to understand principles,' yet it forms its own unique style... How wonderful!"

"A six-year-old child making such a statement? If it weren't for the Da Ming Xin Bao's notoriously rigorous approach, I would have truly believed it to be fabricated!"

"I heard that Scholar Hu has been painting, so it seems that this matter is indeed true."

"The philosophy of mind emphasizes introspection and downplays external seeking, which may lead to empty and unorthodox Zen practices and deviate from the true learning of the sages."

"..."

Zhu Zhanjun was not a Yongle Tongbao coin, so of course not everyone would like him.

However, this does not affect the fact that the philosophy of mind is firmly linked to the Prince of Jiyang, becoming the key to Nanjing's popularity in recent days.

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

Three more days passed.

Main hall.

"Your Highness, you've caused me so much suffering these past few days," Zhu Yi said with a pained expression.

Zhu Zhanjun glanced at him.

"What's wrong?"

Zhu Yi shook his head and said.

"Ever since you attained enlightenment at the Qinhuai River a few days ago..."

"I won't have a good time when I go home."

"My dad forces me to write every day."

"He told me that he didn't expect me to be as smart as His Highness Prince Jiyang, but at least I should practice my calligraphy and make it presentable."

"My goodness, I've practiced more calligraphy these past few days than I have in a whole year."

Zhu Zhanjun's lips twitched.

He said with a deep expression.

"That was indeed my fault."

"I don't actually want to be this outstanding."

"I wonder what window God closed for me, given my handsome face and unparalleled talent?"

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

Zhu Yi, Zhang Mao, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, Zhu Zhanqi, Liu Zhong: "..."

Listen to what people are saying.

Zhu Yi's lips twitched, and he pulled a thin booklet from under the table, coughing lightly.

"Your Highness, this is the calligraphy I've practiced over the past few days."

"I consider myself to be quite skilled in martial arts."

"Look at this..."

Zhu Zhanjun took it and glanced at it a few times, then his lips twitched.

"I didn't see a dragon, nor a phoenix, I only saw something flying."

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

Zhu Yi: "..."

Zhang Mao, Li Heng, Zheng Yu, Zhu Zhanqi, Liu Zhong, and others immediately chuckled.

Zhu Yi shook his head and said.

"Your Highness, although the differences between people are great..."

"But if I persevere, I believe my calligraphy will eventually surpass yours!"

Zhu Zhanjun patted Zhu Yi on the shoulder.

"Old Zhu, you're so old, yet you still cling to such unrealistic fantasies."

"Okay, I'll ask you a question. If you can answer it, I'll admit you have the potential to catch up with me."

Zhu Yi immediately became excited.

"Your Highness, please ask as soon as possible."

Zhu Zhanjun shook his head and said.

"I'm asking you, if your hands and feet were to fight, who do you think would win?"

Everyone looked at each other.

What's the problem?

Zhu Yi shook his head and said.

"Your Highness, you underestimate me too much."

"This question is too simple."

"A kick with the foot is much more powerful than one with the hand."

"I think it's the foot!"

Zhang Mao whispered.

"Yi-ge'er, I don't think His Highness's question is that simple."

"I think it might be a hand!"

Li Heng stared wide-eyed.

Me too.

Zhu Yi sneered.

"You just don't understand."

"A person as intelligent as Your Highness would not ask such a simple question."

"This question must be a trap!"

"On the surface, everyone will choose the foot!"

"Who am I, Zhu Yi?"

"His Highness's right-hand man, our class's executive vice class monitor."

"Therefore, I believe that Your Highness's answer will be the opposite of what is expected."

"But Your Highness is so clever, you must have anticipated that we would be the ones to do the opposite."

"Therefore, the real answer should be to do the opposite, and then do the opposite again."

"Therefore, I choose the foot!"

"Your Highness, am I right?"

Zhu Zhanjun's lips twitched, and he shook his head.

"Yi-ge'er, you've guessed wrong."

"Should be a player."

"What?" Zhu Yi exclaimed in shock. "Why?"

Zhu Zhanjun said calmly.

"Because when hands and feet fight, you'll definitely hit the feet in order for your hands to win."

Everyone: "..."