Chapter 11: Studying in the Three Halls
Two days later, Zhu Zaiwei finally settled down somewhat.
Until the admonition that the two princes should not meet was broken, he merely visited Yongning Palace every morning and evening without fail, fully embodying the filial son of the imperial house.
Of course, the matter of the younger brothers, Little Bee and Prince Jing, leaving the palace to study was also approved by the Taoist priest.
No matter how much Concubine Kang worried and felt reluctant, she could not stop her sons from moving into Qingning Palace.
According to the emperor’s decree, the Crown Prince, as the elder brother and like a father to his siblings, naturally bore the responsibility of guiding and disciplining Prince Yu and Prince Jing.
Meanwhile, urged by the Western Garden, the Cabinet confirmed the date for His Highness the Crown Prince’s first public study session outside the palace: March 20th, held at the East Annex of Wenhua Hall.
On that day, early in the morning, Grand Secretary Yan Song and the newly appointed minister of the Cabinet, Lü Ben, went to Wanshou Palace to present memorials.
The other minister, Zhang Zhi, was tasked with preparing Sun Sheng, Min Rulin, and Gao Gong for today’s inaugural lecture.
Inside Wanshou Palace, Lü Ben had rarely been there before, feeling a mixture of nervousness and curiosity, yet he dared not look around carelessly.
Yan Song, however, was more relaxed, waiting until the emperor emerged from the inner hall accompanied by the music played by the Imperial Noble Consort.
“Your servants pay respects to Your Majesty,” Yan Song and Lü Ben bowed immediately.
Jiajing waved his hand casually. “No need for formalities. What matter does the Cabinet bring today?”
Yan Song replied, “May it please Your Majesty, earlier this month, on the second day, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhu Wan, who governs Zhejiang and Fujian as Provincial Governor and Overseer of Maritime Military Affairs, submitted a memorial concerning last year’s Japanese envoy Zhou Liang.”
Before Yan Song could finish the full account, Jiajing frowned and raised his hand, interrupting.
The matter of the Japanese envoy had long since occurred and been reported to the court. It involved Zhu Wan, who had once executed the rebel Zhang Zhu, and last March, when the Japanese envoys, including Zhou Liang, lodged at a guesthouse in Ningbo.
An anonymous letter was sent to the guesthouse, stating that the Son of Heaven had ordered Zhu Wan to kill the Japanese envoys, and since the recipients now knew in advance, they could seize the opportunity to strike first by killing Zhu Wan that very night.
Fortunately, Zhu Wan was shrewd, well-guarded, and had spies planted everywhere, learning of the plot in time.
Investigations revealed that the judicial officer Zhang Dexi knew about it but did not inform Zhu Wan because the rebel Zhang Zhu was Zhang Dexi’s nephew.
Since then, the matter caused endless disputes from Zhejiang and Fujian all the way to the central government.
Cut off from speaking further, Yan Song could only look up at the emperor.
Jiajing snorted coldly, “I have already decreed that the Three Departments investigate this thoroughly. I granted Zhu Wan discretionary authority when he governed Zhejiang and Fujian. This matter will be discussed after everything is settled.”
Yan Song immediately ceased his words and glanced sideways at Zhang Zhi, who had come with them.
The emperor’s trust in Zhu Wan was evident; otherwise, he would not have granted such latitude.
Since the incident, the court and officials had been embroiled in heated debate.
Everyone knew that, on the surface, it was merely a matter concerning an envoy and a personal dispute between Zhu Wan and Zhang Dexi.
Yet what secret dealings lay beneath remained unknown.
Jiajing then fixed a deep gaze on Yan Song and Lü Ben and casually remarked, “In recent years, Oirat chieftain and the steppe tribes have repeatedly raided the nine border defenses. I often recall how the Taizu Emperor inspected the border walls annually, and the Chengzu Emperor personally led five campaigns. Now, with these bandits growing bold, I think it fitting to revive the old practice of annual border inspections.”
Lü Ben’s heart trembled.
Yan Song took a deep breath and cautiously responded, “Your Majesty’s wisdom is profound and your wish to emulate our ancestors is admirable. Yet, matters at the frontier can be managed by strict supervision of generals and ministers. The old custom of border tours seems quite different from the present.”
Jiajing’s brow tightened but he suppressed his displeasure, then smiled and said, “I hear today is the day the Crown Prince begins his public studies outside the palace?”
Relieved that Yan Song had dissuaded the emperor from border tours, he silently breathed easier.
Hearing the Crown Prince’s first public lecture mentioned, he pondered and quickly grasped the emperor’s intent.
Bowing with a smile, Yan Song said, “The Crown Prince’s younger brothers, now crowned, have taken on the demeanor of elder brothers, diligently honoring Your Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort, and encouraging Princes Yu and Jing in their studies. Such filial devotion should set an example for all subjects.”
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Lü Ben, also responsible for the Crown Prince’s public lectures, smiled and said, “Your Majesty, today is indeed the first day the Crown Prince and the two princes study outside the palace. Elder Secretary Zhang has already taken Sun Sheng, Min Rulin, and Gao Gong to the East Annex of Wenhua Hall.”
Jiajing smiled but did not rush to respond, instead asking, “Oh? What lesson has Zhang Zhi arranged for this first day?”
Yan Song answered promptly, “Though the Crown Prince and the two princes have not formally studied outside the palace before, they have not neglected studying the classics within. Naturally, lessons on elementary literacy for common children can be skipped. According to the standard curriculum, one begins with the Four Books, then proceeds to the Five Classics. Among the Four Books, one starts with the Great Learning, first understanding the characters, then studying Zhu Xi’s commentary, thus grasping the meaning of the original text.”
At this moment, it was Jiajing’s turn to show his demeanor.
He raised an eyebrow and, with a scrutinizing expression, said, “The Great Learning teaches illuminating virtue, renewing the people, and resting in the highest good. It also instructs on cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. Are the Crown Prince, Prince Yu, and Prince Jing truly able to comprehend such sage meanings? Can they grasp the principle of self-cultivation extending to the welfare of all under heaven?”
To others, this might have seemed like mere doubt.
But both Yan Song and Lü Ben, standing there, understood the emperor’s heart perfectly.
Still, Lü Ben chose to defer, hesitating to seize the moment.
As expected, Yan Song smiled and said, “Since it is the Crown Prince and the two princes’ first public study, and there are no other memorials, if Your Majesty permits, we could accompany Your Majesty to Wenhua Hall and observe how the lecturers handle the classics today.”
Jiajing’s face brightened, and he looked at Yan Song twice.
What was this? Knowing the emperor wished to see how the Crown Prince studied but not mentioning it directly, instead proposing to observe the lecturers’ scholarship — that was loyalty to the Ming dynasty!
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“Your Highness the Crown Prince,”
“Your Highnesses the two princes,”
“Long ago, Zhu Xi separated the Great Learning from the Book of Rites, writing commentaries for the Great Learning and Zhongyong, and annotations for the Analects and Mencius, compiling the Four Books’ commentaries. Henceforth, the term ‘Four Books’ came into being. To study the Four Books, one must first read the Great Learning, understand its meaning, and then enter the path of the Four Books and Five Classics.”
“This morning, by imperial order, we lecture on the classics for the Crown Prince and the two princes. We have previously reported the order of study. May we ask if Your Highnesses have reviewed the material?”
At the East Annex of Wenhua Hall, Minister of Rites and Grand Academician of Wen Yuan Pavilion, Zhang Zhi, who also assisted in the Cabinet, held a copy of Zhu Xi’s commentary on the Great Learning, his face warm and encouraging.
Sun Sheng, Min Rulin, and Gao Gong stood to his left and right.
Before Zhang Zhi, Zhu Zaiwei stood alone at the front, facing a tall table.
Behind him stood Little Bee, Zhu Zaiji, and Prince Jing, Zhu Zaizhen, also before a tall table.
The three brothers nodded in unison.
Zhang Zhi smiled with satisfaction, first looking at the Crown Prince, then turning to the two princes behind him.
“Prince Yu, Prince Jing, who can recite the original text of the Great Learning first? It need not be entire; a few passages suffice. Scholarship is a path that must not be forced.”
After speaking, the scholar looked again at Crown Prince Zhu Zaiwei.
Letting the two princes recite first would give the Crown Prince more time to study the original text.
Given the Crown Prince’s intelligence, he would surely recite more later.
Upon being called on, Prince Jing immediately raised his hand, and upon receiving permission, began to recite:
“The way of the Great Learning consists in manifesting one’s bright virtue, renewing the people, and abiding in the highest good.”
“Good… good…”
“Good…”
Having just finished the opening sentence, Zhu Zaizhen suddenly stumbled, his face visibly flushing.
He eventually began scratching his head and ears in embarrassment.
Zhang Zhi, seated above, was momentarily stunned.
Was this all?
Though prepared, he had not expected Prince Jing to recite only the very first sentence of the Great Learning.
At that moment, outside the East Annex, Jiajing, having arrived just in time under the escort of Yan Song and Lü Ben, darkened his face.
The Crown Prince had petitioned two days earlier for his brothers to study alongside him, which he had approved.
Yet in two days, Prince Jing had only memorized the first sentence? That was no better than not memorizing at all!
Inside the hall, Zhang Zhi had waited long enough and seeing Zhu Zaizhen unable to continue, silently formed a verdict for the student, forcing a smile:
“Prince Jing need not strain himself. Studying is not easy and not everyone is alike.”
Turning to Little Bee, Zhu Zaiji, he thought that perhaps the youngest prince was slow, but maybe the elder Prince Yu could at least recite half the chapter.
Facing the scholar’s gaze, Zhu Zaiji blushed but bowed his head and began softly:
“The way of the Great Learning consists in manifesting one’s bright virtue…”
“…”
“Investigating things to the utmost leads to knowledge; knowledge to sincerity of the will; sincerity of the will to rectification of the heart; rectification of the heart to cultivation of the person; cultivation of the person to regulation of the family; regulation of the family to governance of the state; governance of the state to peace of the world.”
“From the Son of Heaven to the common people…”
“…”
“The Book of Poetry says… says… says…”
Despite Zhang Zhi’s efforts to soothe himself, his expression darkened.
This Prince Yu was only slightly better than Prince Jing, able to recite four passages.
Zhu Zaiji was more compliant, and when unable to recall further, blushed and respectfully said, “Please forgive me, teacher. I can only recite to this point.”
Hearing this, Zhang Zhi felt somewhat relieved.
These were boys barely into their teens; given two days, not even half a chapter memorized!
If not for their identities, he might have resorted to disciplinary measures.
Outside the window, Jiajing was utterly dark-faced.
It was a disgrace!
And to be humiliated before the Grand Secretary and ministers was even more so.
Inside, Zhu Zaiwei had not expected his brothers Little Bee and Prince Jing to be so poorly prepared.
Was memorization not a simple matter?
The original text of the Great Learning was only a little over 2,200 characters.
Was it really that difficult?
To preserve the royal family’s dignity, this could not be allowed to lie flat on the ground in failure.
Zhu Zaiwei immediately clasped his hands, bowed toward Lü Ben, and respectfully requested, “Teacher, my two younger brothers are still young, and this is their first day studying outside the palace. It is understandable if they cannot recite the entire text.”
“May I, the student, now recite the original text of the Great Learning?”
Fully embodying the care of an elder brother, Zhu Zaiwei looked at Zhang Zhi with sincere and earnest smiles.