Chapter 43: This Is My Prodigy Son
Chapter 43: This Is My Prodigy Son
Emperor Hongzhi only needed to listen carefully for a moment to recognize that what Zhu Houzhao was reciting was the chapter “Mencius – Bo Yi Avoided King Zhou”. Usually, Zhu Houzhao was playful and had only studied the basics of the Book of Rites. As for the Mencius from the Four Books, Emperor Hongzhi knew that his son had not even started learning it yet. This was because many essays in Mencius contained knowledge about the Art of Rulership. In the view of the Hanlin Academicians, it was better to begin teaching easier texts like the Book of Rites and the Analects first. With a foundation in the Book of Rites and the Analects, studying Mencius would become much easier.
In the past, Zhu Houzhao had not even grasped concepts like the Spring Official and Summer Earl from the Book of Rites. Yet now, he was reciting “Bo Yi Avoided King Zhou” fluently and without any errors.
Emperor Hongzhi felt a sudden shock in his heart as he watched Zhu Houzhao recite earnestly, without the slightest pause. Every word was clear and audible, with no mistakes or omissions: “It is said that King Wen of Zhou was good at caring for the elderly. He allocated farmland, taught them planting and animal husbandry, guided their wives and children to support their elders. At fifty, without silk, one does not feel warm; at seventy, without meat, one does not feel satisfied…”
By now, it was not just Emperor Hongzhi; even the Hanlin Academicians serving in the House of the Crown Prince had bright eyes.
Before them, the frivolous Crown Prince had vanished. In his place was a clever and diligent child, proudly showing off his knowledge.
Yang Tinghe was so astonished that his jaw nearly dropped. What shocked him was that he had never taught this essay to the Crown Prince. So, where had the Crown Prince learned it?
Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes, growing increasingly amazed. Even after Zhu Houzhao finished reciting the several hundred words, Emperor Hongzhi remained in a state of disbelief, as if the Zhu Houzhao before him had become a different person. He instinctively asked, “What is the meaning of this essay?”
Yang Tinghe and the others also perked up, staring intently at the Crown Prince. Being able to recite the essay was already a rare achievement for His Highness. However, to understand the deeper meaning of the text required a diligent and studious person; otherwise, one might not be able to explain it properly.
Zhu Houzhao hesitated and said, “Your Son and Servant is afraid of explaining it poorly.”
After hearing Zhu Houzhao recite the essay “Bo Yi Avoided King Zhou”, Emperor Hongzhi had already felt numerous doubts rising in his heart. Now, hearing Zhu Houzhao say he was afraid of explaining it poorly, he felt somewhat disappointed. Yet he could not help but console himself: being able to recite it still counted as learning. But where had he learned it? Would his own son take the initiative to study?
But then, Zhu Houzhao shrank his neck and said, “The central idea of this essay is simply the issue of basic needs.”
“The issue of basic needs?” Emperor Hongzhi was taken aback, pondering Zhu Houzhao’s words.
Zhu Houzhao continued, “Yes, Mencius used King Wen of Zhou as an example to express his views on the issue of basic needs. He believed that only when people’s food, clothing, housing, and transportation are resolved, when the common people have land and homes, and can produce grain and engage in sericulture as side occupations, will the world be peaceful and prosperous. This is what is called a golden age…”
Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes lit up. This explanation was proper and accurate, exactly the intention behind Mencius writing this essay.
Who would have thought… Who would have thought…
For no apparent reason, Emperor Hongzhi suddenly felt overwhelming joy.
Just as he had been furious earlier because the Crown Prince showed no desire to improve and lacked learning, which deepened his worries about the future. But now…
Zhu Houzhao added, “However, if we only explain it this way, Your Son and Servant thinks it is still insufficient. There are two more thought-provoking aspects to this essay.”
He actually found it thought-provoking.
And there were two aspects.
Not only had Emperor Hongzhi not expected this, but everyone in the Warm Pavilion was also astonished.
The essays of the Sage should not be interpreted arbitrarily. If you were a Great Scholar, that would be one thing, but you are just a child who has not even fully studied the Four Books and Five Classics. If you misinterpret the classics, wouldn’t that lead you astray?
Zhu Houzhao thought for a moment and said, “For example, in this essay, the line ‘If there is someone in the world who is good at caring for the elderly, then benevolent people will turn to him’ highlights the theme of filial piety. It is said that among all virtues, filial piety comes first. As a son, one should be filial to one’s parents, just as a subject should be loyal to the ruler. Here, Mencius subtly implies that if loyalty and filial piety are promoted throughout the world, then great order is not far away. But how can loyalty and filial piety be promoted? Your Son and Servant humbly believes this relates to the issue of Moral Education. If Imperial Father and the Hundred Officials lead by example, then people everywhere will follow suit. Wouldn’t loyalty and filial piety then be widely spread?”
“…”
Emperor Hongzhi, who had earlier been grim-faced with bulging veins and an uncontrollable urge to act, now relaxed his expression and repeatedly said, “Good, good. As a son, one should be like this; as a subject, one should be like this. Similarly, as a father and a ruler, one should also lead by example. It seems you have truly understood this book.”
Zhu Houzhao hung his head but did not yet feel happy, as he vaguely remembered something else. He then said, “There is more. While this essay promotes loyalty and filial piety, it also clearly states the principles of a Sage Monarch governing the world. As a ruler, governing the world, the quality of the world fundamentally lies with the people. As the essay says, only when the common people are well-fed and clothed will they accept Moral Education. Once they accept Moral Education, they will understand reason. Therefore, the essence of everything lies in whether the common people can have enough to eat and wear. Thus, when ancient Sage Monarchs faced dissatisfaction from the people, their first action was not to question why the people rebelled but to reflect on their own faults and issue edicts blaming themselves. If everyone had enough to eat and wear, the people would be too busy enjoying their lives to become rebels or troublemakers. Through this essay, Your Son and Servant realized that governing the world can be both difficult and easy. The difficulty lies in the fact that the ruler may not be able to understand the people’s situation. The ease lies in the fact that as long as the Son of Heaven can understand the joys and worries of the military and civilians and address them accordingly, why worry about the nation not being well-governed?”
“…”
The Minglun Hall was extremely quiet.
Everyone held their breath, looking at Zhu Houzhao in disbelief.
The Crown Prince… had become enlightened…
With just a small essay, he not only recited it fluently but also explained its original meaning. He even expanded his thinking, interpreting the essay through the concepts of loyalty and filial piety. What was even more remarkable was that he directly extended it to the core of how a monarch governs the world, clearly articulating these principles.
Emperor Hongzhi was momentarily dazed. Suddenly, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead. He slammed the Imperial Desk, causing the brush holder and Inkstone on it to scatter noisily.
A white jade brush holder fell to the ground with a crash.
This startled Zhu Houzhao, making his heart skip a beat. He quickly shrank his neck. Had he explained it incorrectly?
At that moment, Emperor Hongzhi suddenly burst into laughter: “Haha… Haha…”
This laughter was completely uncharacteristic of Emperor Hongzhi. He looked around and then fixed his gaze on Zhu Houzhao, saying, “This is my prodigy son.”
As a father, Emperor Hongzhi felt immensely proud at this moment. His son had achieved something! He had improved! This excitement was no less than that of an ordinary family whose child had passed the imperial examination.
He quickly stood up and walked solemnly to Yang Tinghe.
Yang Tinghe was still wondering where the Crown Prince had learned all this.
Then he saw Emperor Hongzhi bow deeply to him.
Yang Tinghe was stunned.
How could a Monarch Father bow to his subject? He hurriedly knelt and said, “Your servant deserves death ten thousand times.”
But Emperor Hongzhi did not feel he had done anything excessive at all. Instead, he said excitedly, “I entrusted the Crown Prince to you, Minister Yang. You have taught him and guided him to become talented. Although I am the Son of Heaven, I also know the importance of respecting teachers and valuing their teachings. I bow to you, Minister Yang, on behalf of the Crown Prince, to thank you.”
Everyone present looked at Yang Tinghe with envy.
Expositor-in-waiting Yang had taught the Crown Prince to such a level! Who would have thought the Crown Prince could be so knowledgeable and reasonable? No wonder His Majesty bowed to Expositor-in-waiting Yang.
This was a bit awkward!
Yang Tinghe, however, felt as if he wanted to die. How could he be so shameless? He said with a wry smile, “Your Majesty, your servant… your servant deserves death ten thousand times. Your servant did not teach the Crown Prince Mencius…”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Hongzhi was startled and frowned as he looked at Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao stammered and said, “Imperial Father, it was Fang Jifan who taught Your Son and Servant.”
“…”
Earlier, not many people had paid attention to that minor Chief Banner Officer of the Imperial Forest Guard.
But as soon as these words were spoken, countless intense gazes fell upon the infamous scoundrel of the Capital.
Fang Jifan had only been working in the House of the Crown Prince for a few days. Counting on fingers, it had only been half a month. In less than half a month, had he really made the Crown Prince, who usually disliked studying, recite Mencius fluently and even speak such profound truths?