Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 1013 Chicken Soup Master Zhu Su
In addition to using the academy's curriculum to smuggle Ming Dynasty's private goods and using Huang Huai, who had infiltrated the general department, to secretly incite scholars, Zhu Su himself was also not idle.

He continued to give public lectures, and as Le wished, he continued to enhance the status of the new school in Annan. In addition to students of appropriate age, many Annan officials and even retired officials also gathered in Wuqu Port to listen to Zhu Su's lectures. Cheng Zhu was a popular figure in Annan, and many supporters of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism in Annan also flocked to him, hoping to stop the spread of the new school in Annan from Zhu Su.

However, all this was in vain. Not to mention that Zhu Su was eloquent and good at debate, such debates had occurred countless times in the Ming Dynasty when the new learning had just emerged.

The atmosphere of studying classics in the Ming Dynasty was much more inward-looking than that in Annan, where the gentry controlled politics. If the offensive of the Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianists in the Ming Dynasty was like a raging storm, then the offensive of the Cheng-Zhu scholars in Annan could only be regarded as a gentle spring rain.

At the lecture hall, every time someone came forward to challenge Zhu Su to a debate, he would always return home defeated. Facing this group of people who were aggressive but weak, Zhu Su simply didn't know how to lose.

It's like meeting the strongest king in the bronze league, and you can only be ravaged by him.

As the reputation of the new school grew in Annan, Zhu Su's reputation also grew in Annan. Not only did scholars come here to admire his reputation, but even the common people of Annan near Wuqu Port would come to join in the fun.

After all, the young prince from the Ming Dynasty on the high platform made those high-ranking officials either beat their chests and stamp their feet or cover their faces and cry. It is not often possible to see such a good show.

As a result, Zhu Su's reputation began to spread among the people. Even some of the more courageous Annan people near Wuqu had begun to go to the government office of the Wuqu Concession where Zhu Su was temporarily staying to seek justice, asking this seemingly learned prince of the Ming Dynasty to do them justice.

And this is actually what Zhu Su is happy to see... Otherwise, why would he make such a big fuss every time he gave a public lecture?

Le Qui Ly was determined to become the only powerful family in the small Annan court. He wanted to use new learning to unify the Le family and the gentry, so as to achieve his goal of usurping the throne with the support of the gentry.

However, when a person's eyes are only on what he wants, he will often unconsciously ignore other things.

For example, the support of the lower-class people, or the wealthy families and merchants in the middle who want to go further but have no way to do so.

The topic of Zhu Su's public lecture on that day was a famous quote from The Great Learning, "In ancient times, those who wished to manifest the illustrious virtue throughout the world first governed their country; those who wished to govern their country first put their family in order; those who wished to put their family in order first cultivated themselves; those who wished to cultivate themselves first rectified their hearts; those who wished to rectify their hearts first made their intentions sincere; those who wished to make their intentions sincere first sought knowledge, and seeking knowledge lies in investigating things. Only after investigating things can knowledge be achieved."

On the stage, Zhu Su spoke eloquently, and mentioned the core concept of the new learning "investigating things and seeking knowledge" from a sentence in "The Great Learning", and refuted several Annan Neo-Confucianists whose hair had turned gray.

Seeing those old antiques being speechless and about to burst into blood on the stage if no one was supporting them, the audience shouted with excitement and cheered continuously.

Although many of them may not have understood this debate at all, as long as they heard it, they felt that they had been baptized by great knowledge and left with satisfaction.

Zhu Su also walked down the stands and returned to the teaching garden under the escort of the guards. Unexpectedly, he was stopped by several students respectfully on the way. "Your Highness, we are confused about what you just said."

"I dare to ask Your Highness to help me solve my doubts."

The leading student bowed to the ground and spoke with extreme respect.

Zhu Su narrowed his eyes slightly, and recognized that this person was Le Loi, the one he had ordered to pay special attention to. He might be the guy who took advantage of the Ming Dynasty's withdrawal from Annan and became the founder of the Le Dynasty in the future.

Looking at the crowds of people around him, Zhu Su thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Of course. However, this place is really noisy and not a place for studying."

"Why don't you go back to the temple and I will help you solve your doubts?"

Li Li and the others were fine with it, and followed Zhu Su back to the school with great respect. Zhu Su asked people to find a secluded place, sat on the ground with the students, and then said in a friendly manner: "Okay."

"If you have any doubts about what I have said today, please tell me freely. I will tell you everything I know."

"Yes." The students bowed respectfully to Zhu Su again, and Le Loi was the first to speak: "Your Highness, the students' doubts are about this sentence in the University: 'In ancient times, those who wished to spread the virtues of the world first governed their country; those who wished to govern their country first governed their family; those who wished to govern their family first cultivated themselves.'"

“We study not only to cultivate ourselves and our families, but also to use our abilities to make our country of Annan prosperous and to spread virtue to the world.”

"However... although we have been blessed by His Highness and received the teachings of the saints, we are destined to be unable to serve as officials and benefit the people."

"Is there any meaning in studying like this?"

Li Li looked at Zhu Su with burning eyes.

Zhu Su heard this and knew that they were already feeling resentful. This resentment had been pent up for a long time and finally reached the point where they had to express it. He smiled gently and asked, "Why do you have such doubts in your hearts?"

"Could it be that something happened in the garden?"

All the students were silent, with angry expressions on their faces. Le Loi hesitated for a long time before telling Zhu Su that all the students in their ordinary class had failed the Tongsheng exam.

None of them passed the examination for students of higher learning, which was a great shame and humiliation for those who already had a basic understanding of literature and art.

The imperial examination in Annan was nominally modeled after the Ming Dynasty, and there were also three levels: Tongsheng, Xiucai, and Juren. Among them, the Tongsheng test was the simplest, and almost anyone who passed the elementary school could pass the Tongsheng test.

Before they entered the academy, they were already familiar with literature. After entering the academy, they were exposed to the Confucian classics, and it should be a sure thing for them to pass the Tongsheng exam. It happened that the Annan Kingdom held an exam these days, and several ordinary students headed by Le Loi wanted to try to get the title of Tongsheng.

But the facts gave them a resounding slap in the face.

"It's just because we don't have Bao Wen!" Li Li said angrily. "We didn't believe it before, but now we know that without Bao Wen, even if we have the talent of the top scholar, those people will definitely not choose us."

"I thought at least the Tongsheng exam wouldn't be so corrupt, but I didn't expect that there are eighteen of us on this trip, and they don't even want to let one of us pass!"

"Your Highness, we have worked hard to cultivate ourselves, but in the end, this is the result. Is it really necessary for us to continue studying literature?"

Li Li looked at Zhu Su with a sad and angry face.

I thought he might be a founding father, but now it seems that he is just an angry young man who is easily incited. However, it is also possible that he is practicing a self-torture strategy, intending to use his confession to make himself, the king of Zhou, come forward to seek justice for them.

Of course, Zhu Su would not seek justice for them. The monopoly of the imperial examinations was the fundamental lifeline for the Annan nobles to control Annan's political interests. If he were to act as a big shot, he would certainly be excluded by the nobles, and even the Li family would be wary. The Ming Dynasty still hoped that these nobles would continue to commit suicide and push the small Annan court into the abyss, so that the Ming Dynasty could "send troops from the sky".

Therefore, Zhu Su said: "The sharpness of a sword comes from the grinding of the ground, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold. A little depression is not worth your constant lamentation. The world is dark, so you have to avoid it and blend in with the crowd?"

"Self-cultivation, family harmony, governance of the country, and peace in the world are closely linked. Perhaps, Annan does have some problems. But if the country is fine, why would you need to govern it?"

"Accumulate, settle, and stabilize your heart. A gentleman hides his talent and waits for the right time to act. How can you lose your heart to pursue the Tao because of a setback?"

"Just keep your mind high, and one day, you will get the rewards you deserve."

Zhu Su poured them a bowl of thick chicken soup, his face still looking kind.

"Accumulation, sedimentation..." Everyone seemed to be thinking about something, and they felt as if the prince had said nothing, but they were indeed comforted.

When it comes to making chicken soup, Zhu Su doesn't think he is any worse than those old foxes in their seventies and eighties. If necessary, he can even mass-produce thick soup. The chicken soup he makes is rich and fragrant, and anyone who drinks it will say it is good.

Anyway, chicken soup for the soul has been around in China for 5,000 years and has never lost its market.

Because there will always be someone young. As long as you are young, you can "accumulate and settle". All your grievances are because you have not accumulated enough. All the unfair treatments are because you have not settled enough... However, when you have settled enough and accumulated enough, you will find that... the despicable forerunners have occupied everything, and then took out some insignificant things, marked them with prices, and are renting them out.

Do you want it?
If you want it, you have to pay a thousand times the price. As long as young people are willing to humbly pay everything, they will still receive the rewards from the despicable people.

You must bow your head, you must grovel...

Li Li and others, who had just suffered a setback, had not yet realized the meanness of the mean people, but Zhu Su's chicken soup for the soul undoubtedly comforted them. Many people's expressions became excited again, and they said excitedly: "Your Highness, I understand."

"As long as we persist in our faith, one day, we will be able to use what we have learned throughout our lives to benefit our country and the world."

"But if you give up now, you will definitely waste your life. Now is the time to settle down and not blame others."

"The boy is teachable." Zhu Su said with a smile without comment. It is too early for these students to cause trouble now. At least we have to wait until Li Jili starts a rebellion and the Ming Dynasty begins to intervene. Only then can these students and the class they represent become the power of the Ming Dynasty.

Now, if they fail to pacify them, the Li family and the nobles might see the threat and free up their hands to purge these awakened students first.

"I heard that your results in the second monthly exam were very good." Zhu Su changed the subject. Of course, not everyone was willing to accept the seemingly plausible chicken soup. For example, Li Li still looked a little skeptical. Zhu Su felt it was necessary to give these people a dose of chicken blood after the chicken soup. "Fan Huai from your general department has won the top spot in our teaching garden twice in a row."

"It's not easy for him, a son of a merchant, to achieve such a great result... I have promised before that I will accept Fan Huai as my disciple in the next few days."

As Zhu Su finished speaking, a low cheer rang out among the students. Fan Huai, who came from a merchant family, was accepted as a disciple before the elite students. This was really exciting for them. Zhu Su smiled and looked at Li Li, saying, "I heard that you also did well this time and have improved to seventh place."

"Keep up your efforts. If you can make further progress, I will accept you as my disciple."

Li Li was in high spirits, and felt a surge of blood rushing to his head. He said excitedly: "Thank you, Your Highness, King Zhou, for your kindness. Li Li will definitely live up to your expectations!"

In her excitement, she had completely forgotten her doubts about Zhu Su's words, and her mind was filled with the joy that His Royal Highness Prince Zhou might be willing to accept her as a disciple.

Sure enough, at least in this church, everything is fair. There is no distinction based on family background... Li Li thought to himself.

...It would be great if other places could be like this.

Zhu Su was not just trying to appease the students. Huang Huai had once again topped the list. With such a brilliant performance, he had enough reasons to accept him as a disciple without being suspected by the Annan nobles. If he accepted Huang Huai as a disciple, he would undoubtedly become a hot commodity in the eyes of the Li family and other nobles. The nobles would definitely compete to win over Huang Huai in order to gain the political power behind him as their master.

This is also the second phase of Huang Huai's undercover plan.

After sending away the students who were full of confidence and had drunk chicken soup and had their heads held high, Zhu Su called Sanbao and instructed him, "The day after tomorrow, call the representatives of the Nguyen and Li families to the government office."

"They have been wandering here for a long time, and we have always avoided seeing them... Now it is time to meet them."

Zhu Su said.

"Yes." Sanbao bowed and replied. Then he said to Zhu Su: "Your Highness, tomorrow's disciple-taking ceremony has been fully prepared."

"Since you are going to meet with the two envoys tomorrow, should we postpone the matter of accepting a disciple for the time being to avoid overwork?"

"No need." Zhu Su said. "Speed ​​is of the essence in war, there is no need to delay any longer."

"It just so happens that in order for me to accept a disciple, I also need one of the two families to bleed."

"The two families are competing with each other, so I can just sit back and reap the benefits, right?"

Sanbao retreated in bewilderment, not knowing what the "involution" that His Highness meant.

But one can vaguely guess that His Highness wants to choose the one with the highest bid among the two companies and "sell" his disciple "Fan Huai" for a good price.

Then, it was the next day, when Zhu Su announced in the morning class that he would accept "Fan Huai" as his disciple.

(End of this chapter)