Ming Dynasty: What's wrong with being a leisurely crown prince?

Chapter 24 Foundations and Team

Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Gaochi, and at that moment his impression of Zhu Gaochi was completely refreshed.

Zhu Gaochi had never treated him like this before, especially the oppressive feeling he had just experienced; he had only ever seen it with Zhu Di.

In his eyes, Zhu Gaochi never seemed to have any authority. He was subservient to Zhu Di and would only mutter a few words to him at most. He was never so assertive and was always the one being suppressed in front of Zhang Yan.

He hadn't really respected Zhu Gaochi in the past, and the past two days had only made him more respectful towards him.

In fact, it was clear from the day Zhu Zhanji went to Zhang Yan to complain that Zhu Zhanji truly didn't have those thoughts in his heart.

Only now did he realize that Zhu Gaochi at this moment was both unfamiliar to him and somewhat comfortable to him.

If you insist on saying Zhu Gaochi was in charge, actually these were all decided by Zhang Yan for him.

When Zhang Yan was about to hit him, it was Zhu Gaochi who stopped her.

But to say that Zhu Gaochi didn't care is an understatement; at this moment, he was indeed keeping him in check.

But instead of just telling him what he read in books as usual, she left him speechless and unable to find anything to refute her.

Zhu Zhanji felt a mix of emotions. Upon reflection, he realized that Zhu Gaochi's way of interacting with him had subtly changed in the past two days, without him noticing it.

Just as Zhu Zhanji was feeling complicated, he suddenly started to feel a headache.

"Dad, you hit me again. Mom, look at Dad, he bullies me all day long."

Looking at Zhu Gaochi's smile, which seemed to be the same as before he mentioned this matter, Zhu Zhanji stopped thinking about it and simply immersed himself in the moment.

He felt very comfortable spending time with Zhu Gaochi these past two days, especially since Zhu Gaochi and Zhang Yan seemed to be getting along much better, and he gradually stopped having so many thoughts about Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi glared at Zhang Yan and immediately said, "You brat, why are you thinking so much at such a young age?"

Those things you can't figure out, you won't figure out no matter how hard you try right now.

Don't think about anything else. Just remember one thing: follow the plan your mother made for you from now on.

I can tell you in advance that you only need to stick to this plan for five years. After five years, you won't need to follow this plan anymore.

Zhu Gaochi interrupted Zhu Zhanji to prevent Zhu Zhanji from overthinking.

If Zhu Zhanji were to continue thinking about what he just said, it would drive him into a state of depression.

For Zhu Zhanji at his current age, what he taught was already beyond the curriculum; the questions were all beyond the curriculum.

If Zhu Zhanji had understood things at that time, history wouldn't have turned out the way it did.

To truly understand those things, without going astray or becoming extreme, one needs to experience them thoroughly to grasp their meaning.

At this moment, Zhang Yan also spoke up.

"You too, you should have just listened to your father, now you've gotten beaten up."

Zhu Zhanji felt even more pained upon hearing this. Zhang Yan, who had always helped him, was no longer helping him?

Zhu Gaochi laughed even harder after hearing this, and was about to say something when Zhang Yan's voice came again.

"You too, you're such a grown man, yet you're still so unserious. You still talk about being a child, but I think the children learned it from you."

Zhu Gaochi's lips twitched. He glanced at Zhu Zhanji, and seeing that the other was smiling, his expression immediately turned serious.

"Is it funny? I think the plan your mother made for you is too loose; it should be tightened up a bit more."

"Dad, no, I was wrong. I wasn't laughing; I was just sad."

Zhu Zhanji was immediately terrified. Zhang Yan's plan was already enough to kill him; if it tightened any further, he couldn't even imagine what kind of days it would be.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi quietly took a step back and looked at Zhu Zhanji with amusement.

"Kid, you've gotten yourself into trouble."

Zhang Yan's voice slowly drifted out under Zhu Zhanji's bewildered gaze.

"Son, are you upset because you think I'm bullying you? Can't your mother say a few words to you?"

Zhu Zhanji watched as Zhang Yan slowly approached, a smile on her face, but she was filled with fear, because Zhang Yan had taken out that bamboo stick at some point.

Zhu Zhanji looked at Zhu Gaochi with pleading eyes, but Zhu Gaochi ignored him, which made Zhu Zhanji even more desperate.

"Mother, how could that be? You've always said that your scolding was right, and that you were very good to your son..."

Zhu Zhanji kept begging for mercy, trying to awaken Zhang Yan's maternal love for him and get her to give up.

Zhang Yan watched this scene with immense joy, but she could only suppress it.

Actually, she wasn't angry at all. After Zhu Gaochi persuaded her, she was completely relieved.

She couldn't resist joining in when Zhu Gaochi was teasing Zhu Zhanji.

However, upon hearing Zhu Gaochi's laughter, Zhang Yan couldn't hold back any longer. She glared at him and then stood aside, laughing as well.

Zhu Zhanji saw the two of them laughing and laughed along with them.

After a long while, the group's expressions returned to normal, and Zhu Gaochi slowly said, "Since you've made up your mind, then do it. However, I will find you another teacher."

One was Huang Huai, the Left Vice-Minister of the Left Spring Palace and concurrently a Lecturer in the Hanlin Academy; the other was Hu Guang, the Right Vice-Minister of the Right Spring Palace and concurrently a Lecturer in the Hanlin Academy.

The two of them will take turns teaching you the Four Books and Five Classics, and you will learn these from them.

In addition, you will be assigned another person, Jian Yi, Minister of Personnel and concurrently Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

Jian Yi is very busy, so he won't be here often, but he will tell you some stories about various dynasties.

As for learning martial arts, it would be a bit lonely for you to learn alone. I plan to have Tan Zhong, the son of Marquis Chongjing, and Xu An, the son of Marquis Yongkang, learn with you, and then have Marquis Longping teach you martial arts.

As for reading in the evening, you read historical records of various dynasties and the Book of Changes.

The Book of Changes (I Ching) comprises three parts. The Zhouyi (周易) part is within the Four Books and Five Classics, which you don't need to read in the evening. Instead, focus on reading the other two books, Lianshan (连山) and Guizang (归藏).

When you read a book, you should not only read it, but also gain some insights after reading each part.

Remember, if you don't study diligently and are caught slacking off, you'll face the consequences. Even your imperial grandfather couldn't save you then.

In order to lay a solid foundation for Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Gaochi had thoroughly searched his memory before he could come up with a definitive answer.

Huang Huai and Hu Guang are both current cabinet ministers, and they are indeed talented and learned, but their expertise lies mainly in the study of classical texts.

The current cabinet has no real power; the real power lies with the ministers of each department.

If we consider the current cabinet as Zhu Di's personal advisory group, then there's no problem.

All these privileges were granted by Zhu Di.

For example, in history, Zhu Di bestowed upon these people the official robes of the fifth rank and the second rank, etc., which meant that these people received the same treatment as ministers, but did not have the power of ministers.

However, the cabinet had one advantage: it was always by Zhu Di's side, offering advice and strategies. They could be summoned by Zhu Di at any time, and they were able to know about and make suggestions on important national affairs.

As for Xie Jin, he was not suited to be a teacher.

As for the Three Yangs, Zhu Gaochi never intended for them to be the instructors.

These people are all employed by him in the Eastern Palace; in other words, they are all part of the Crown Prince's faction.

Jian Yi, on the other hand, was a pragmatist who was honest and impartial in his official duties. Having Jian Yi teach him from time to time was also to let Zhu Zhanji see a truly pragmatic person and the prevailing social atmosphere.

However, as the Minister of Personnel, Jian Yi had many more things to do and could not have as much time as Huang Huai and Hu Guang.

The military generals appointed, Tan Zhong and Xu An, were all part of Zhu Gaochi's preparations for Zhu Zhanji's future, as he needed to have his own foundation when he grew up.

In addition, he also cultivated two promising talents, which he could use himself in the future.

Zhang Xin was specially arranged by Zhu Gaochi. He was a rare military officer who did not get close to Zhu Gaoxu, and his abilities were truly remarkable, as he fully proved during the Jingnan Rebellion.

The purpose of having Zhu Zhanji read books was to cultivate his character and to help him understand the past and present, as well as the rise and fall of dynasties.

If a person can read books attentively over a long period of time, it can truly cultivate their mindset, making them more composed, calm, and mature.

He himself was a firsthand witness.

To understand the past and present, and to comprehend the rise and fall of dynasties, is to use each dynasty as a mirror.

The descendants of small countries outside do not have the historical depth to stand on the shoulders of giants.

But the Han people have this advantage, and we must make use of it.

The I Ching is not the Zhou Yi.

The Book of Changes has three parts, including the Zhouyi.

The reason Zhu Zhanji was shown this was because it was a foundational object for many scientific disciplines, and it was intended to broaden Zhu Zhanji's horizons.

This Book of Changes was something Zhu Di greatly liked and valued.

The emperors of the Ming Dynasty valued firearms and technology, and this was inextricably linked to these factors.

Now, Zhu Gaochi's goal is to solidify Zhu Zhanji's foundation.