Chapter 12: A Lesson That Astonishes All Present
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In the eastern side hall, seated on the teacher’s dais.
Zhang Zhi, recalling the earlier performances of Prince Jing and Prince Yu, now found himself hesitating as he observed the Crown Prince volunteering to recite. He was uncertain just how far the Crown Prince could recite from the chapter of the Great Learning.
Yet, there was no alternative.
Zhang Zhi had no choice but to nod resolutely and say, “Your Highness the Crown Prince may recite at a steady pace; there is no need to rush through it all on the first day.”
Zhu Zaizhou, however, maintained a smiling expression, calm and unhurried, and responded with a gentle “Mm.”
He then began to recite.
“The Way of the Great Learning consists in manifesting luminous virtue, in loving the people, and in abiding in the highest good.”
Inside the hall, the clear and resonant sound of reading echoed.
He had already reached the passage following little bee Zhu Zaijun.
Outside the window, the expression of the Jiajing Emperor gradually softened.
Yán Sōng, who had been unable to utter a word moments before, now showed a smile and whispered, “On the first day of study, it seems that Princes Yu and Jing were not sufficiently prepared. Yet, as the Crown Prince said, this is understandable. With diligent effort in the days to come, they will surely make great strides. But I did not expect His Highness the Crown Prince to be so intelligent. Although he must have been prepared, his recitation is without a single stumble. Truly, I must congratulate His Majesty.”
Lü Ben, standing nearby, joined in with a respectful bow, “I too congratulate His Majesty.”
The situation was finally turning around.
A smile appeared on the Jiajing Emperor’s face, and his satisfaction with the Crown Prince, who was still reciting inside, grew ever deeper.
Yet, outwardly, he did not offer any praise.
Instead, he spoke calmly, “As sons of the Heavenly Dynasty, one must be at the forefront of the world. Merely being able to recite by heart is only fulfilling one’s duty. It is only when one truly understands the meaning of the Great Learning and comprehends Zhu Xi’s preface to the chapter that one can deserve the kind of praise you have received today.”
Having said this, Jiajing’s heart brimmed with joy.
For the sound of recitation inside the hall continued unabated.
Inside the hall,
Zhu Zaizhou spoke fluently without hesitation: “To bring peace to the world one must govern one’s country well. If the elders are respected, the people will be filial; if the elders are honored, the people will be harmonious; if the orphans are cared for, the people will not rebel. Thus, the gentleman follows the path of righteousness.”
Zhang Zhi, seated on the teacher’s dais, now widened his eyes in astonishment.
Soon! Soon!
Only three passages remained, and the Crown Prince truly could recite the entire Great Learning chapter of over two thousand characters by heart!
His gaze flicked briefly to Princes Yu and Jing behind him, then he deliberately blocked them from view, focusing solely on the Crown Prince still reciting.
Zhu Zaizhou’s masterful recitation had already drawn astonished expressions from Sun Sheng, Min Rulin, and Gao Gong inside the hall.
Especially Gao Gong, now a reading scholar at the Hanlin Academy.
Originally, he had been reluctant to serve as the daily tutor for the Crown Prince’s study sessions, deeming it a troublesome task. But after persistent persuasion from his superiors and peers, and realizing that such an experience would accelerate his future promotions, he had reluctantly accepted.
Gao Gong had not expected to witness any prodigious talent.
Yet, now, it seemed he was seeing precisely that.
In the Eastern Side Hall of the Wenhua Palace,
Only the sound of reading filled the air.
“There is a great way to generate wealth: many are born to create, few consume; the creators labor hard, while the users enjoy ease. Thus, wealth remains abundant…”
“...This means a nation does not regard profit as profit, but righteousness as profit!”
Inside the hall, Zhu Zaizhou smiled gently as he closed his mouth.
Yet his words lingered like music, echoing in the ears of all present.
Every face was marked by surprise.
To be able to recite the entire Great Learning chapter on the very first day of study!
Though for one of this age, memorization was not extraordinary—after all, the Crown Prince was already fourteen, and among common folk, prodigies of this age might have passed the imperial examination for the scholar rank or even the juren degree.
But one must not forget, the Crown Prince had never before systematically studied the Confucian classics, and today was only his first day of study outside the palace.
What this demonstrated was not only innate talent but also the Crown Prince’s true dedication to his studies.
And that was the most remarkable of all.
Outside the window,
The corners of Jiajing’s mouth struggled to contain a smile.
He wondered how the weather today had suddenly turned so extraordinarily fine.
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Yan Song observed the emperor’s reaction and whispered, “Your Majesty, earlier you said the Crown Prince must wait until tomorrow to be worthy of the praise we offered, but it seems now that the Crown Prince has already surpassed our expectations!”
Jiajing’s joy was evident as he waved his hand repeatedly.
Lü Ben also stepped forward to offer his congratulations, “Studying is the most patient of endeavors. That the Crown Prince has already reviewed his lessons and can recite the Great Learning chapter by heart shows his steady mind and growing maturity. Whatever he undertakes in the future, success will surely follow. I truly congratulate Your Majesty; the Crown Prince’s wisdom and temperament are exemplary in the world!”
Only then did Jiajing’s smile fully blossom on his face: “It seems this boy has prepared well. Had he failed to recite, I would have had to reprimand him thoroughly today!”
Yan Song and Lü Ben exchanged a knowing smile.
Inside the hall,
Having finished his recitation, Zhu Zaizhou took a moment to catch his breath and stretch his body, unexpectedly catching a glimpse of a shadow outside the window.
A thought flickered in his mind, and he roughly guessed who might be outside.
He chose not to reveal this, instead looking toward Zhang Zhi on the dais: “Sir, I have completed my recitation.”
Zhang Zhi, now filled with nothing but delight, immediately praised, “The Crown Prince has thoroughly prepared and reviewed his lessons; I am truly astonished.”
At this moment, the minister’s eyes shone only for the Crown Prince before him.
Zhu Zaizhou smiled sheepishly at the teacher’s praise.
Zhang Zhi instinctively grew more expectant and asked, “What is meant by ‘manifesting luminous virtue’?”
Immediately, Zhang Zhi regretted his question, silently chastising himself for his scholarly impatience.
He could hardly contain his joy upon seeing such talent.
Embarrassment crept across his face.
Yet Zhu Zaizhou answered without hesitation, “In response to the teacher, ‘manifesting luminous virtue’ is explained in the Kang Gao: ‘To illuminate virtue.’ Tai Jia said: ‘To heed the clear decree of Heaven.’ The Di Dian states: ‘To manifest auspicious virtue.’ All imply clarity.”
A hush fell over the hall once more.
But this time, the shock was deeper and more intense.
Zhang Zhi suddenly stood, eyes wide, mouth agape, utterly at a loss for words.
At that moment, Gao Gong unexpectedly spoke up, “What is meant by ‘renewing the people’?”
Zhu Zaizhou glanced sideways at Gao Gong, then replied with a composed smile, “In response to Master Gao: ‘renewing the people’ is explained in the inscription on Tang’s basin: ‘If each day is renewed, daily renewed, there is constant renewal.’ The Kang Gao says: ‘To create new people.’ The Poems state: ‘Though Zhou is an ancient state, its mandate is ever new.’ Therefore, the gentleman spares no effort.”
Hearing such a flawless answer, Gao Gong exhaled deeply.
Sun Sheng, who sat beside him, rose and inquired, “What is meant by ‘abiding in the highest good’?”
Zhu Zaizhou remained composed and replied, “In response to Master Sun: ‘Abiding in the highest good’ is thus: The Poems say, ‘The gentleman esteems the virtuous and cherishes their virtue; the petty man delights in pleasures and benefits; thus, the gentleman’s virtue is remembered after death.’”
Min Rulin then stood and asked, “What is meant by ‘the root and the branches’?”
Zhu Zaizhou answered correctly once again.
Soon, the Eastern Side Hall of the Wenhua Palace became a scene where Zhang Zhi and three other scholars, led by Zhang, posed continuous questions about the Great Learning, and Zhu Zaizhou answered each in turn without faltering.
What is sincerity?
What is rectifying the mind and cultivating oneself?
What is cultivating oneself and regulating the family?
What is regulating the family and governing the state?
One question after another, Zhu Zaizhou responded perfectly following Confucian interpretations.
Behind him, little bee Zhu Zaijun and fourth brother Zhu Zaizhen exchanged bewildered glances, blinking in confusion before both turning their gaze toward the Crown Prince standing before them.
Their hearts churned with great turmoil but above all confusion.
They were all sons of the same father, with only a year’s difference in age.
They were all starting their first day of study outside the palace.
How was it that he could recite the entire chapter of the Great Learning and answer the scholars’ repeated questions, while they did not even understand the questions themselves?
Even if they were not raised by the same mother,
Were they not still raised by the same father?
It made no sense!
Yet no one paid attention to the thoughts of these two struggling students.
Zhang Zhi, clutching this gem before him, saw in the Crown Prince the flawless jade he had always wished for in a Confucian scholar destined for officialdom.
This was the very image of a ruler Confucian scholars yearned to see.
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Zhang Zhi swallowed carefully and was about to ask the final question concerning the Great Learning chapter.
Creak.
A soft sound.
The hall door opened from the outside.
A figure in a Taoist robe appeared.
Everyone inside the hall’s hearts leapt as they hurriedly rose to their feet.
Outside, the Jiajing Emperor, unable to contain himself any longer, entered the Eastern Side Hall accompanied by Yan Song and Lü Ben, with attendants in yellow silk.
“I was discussing affairs with Elder Minister Yan and Elder Minister Lü and, passing by here, thought to come in and see. You may all rise from your seats,” he said.
Yan Song’s mouth twitched in frustration at this clumsy excuse.
Jiajing, suppressing his overwhelming joy, fixed his gaze on the Crown Prince who had turned to face him, “Explain how to govern the state and bring peace to the world.”
This was the final question of the Great Learning chapter.
After the emperor’s question, Zhang Zhi, Gao Gong, and the others swallowed hard, realizing the emperor had come prepared and likely had already inquired about the study’s progress.
Little bees Zhu Zaijun and Zhu Zaizhen buried their heads deeply, unaware of the situation, only fearing that their teachers and father would scold them.
Zhu Zaizhou bowed respectfully, “Your servant pays respects to His Majesty the Father, and to Elder Ministers Yan and Lü.”
He did not rush to answer but meticulously observed the rites.
Yan Song and Lü Ben returned the bow.
Only then, under the watchful eyes of the venerable Taoist, did Zhu Zaizhou slowly begin, “To report to His Majesty, if one interprets governing the state and bringing peace to the world according to the sages like Master Zhu, it requires great caution from those who govern, else grave mistakes will be made.”
“To obtain the people is to obtain the state; to lose the people is to lose the state.”
“The gentleman follows the great Way by gaining the people through loyalty and trust, and loses them through arrogance and recklessness.”
“There has never been a ruler who loved benevolence above all yet failed to act justly; nor one who loved righteousness but did not see matters through; nor a treasury that held wealth not rightfully belonging to it.”
“A nation does not regard profit as profit, but righteousness as profit.”
Behind him, Zhang Zhi’s face shone with joy.
Correct again! Once more, correct!
The Crown Prince had thoroughly mastered the meaning of the entire Great Learning chapter!
Lü Ben’s heart overflowed with joy.
Such a ruler, such a student, was truly…
No! Ten lives would scarcely be enough to find such a one!
Jiajing raised his brow.
Yan Song and Lü Ben were equally astonished.
For a Crown Prince who had only just begun his study outside the palace at age fourteen to recite the Great Learning chapter was due to diligence.
But to comprehend its meaning so thoroughly was a rarity beyond measure.
Especially without a dedicated tutor.
To call him a prodigy was no exaggeration.
Jiajing found himself at a loss to evaluate his own son.
Today, on a whim, he had wanted to see how the Crown Prince and his other two sons fared on their first day of study outside the palace.
Unexpectedly, this very first day had already brought him so much surprise.
After a moment,
Before Jiajing could speak,
Zhu Zaizhou, restraining the thoughts within, softly ventured, “Your servant wishes to report, Father, that my answers explaining governing the state and bringing peace to the world follow the sages’ interpretations. However…”
He glanced up at Jiajing, whose expression had shifted.
Yet he did not stop.
Instead, he continued in a steady voice:
“But I have observed Your Majesty’s methods of ruling, studied the governance of our ancestors, and learned the sages’ principles. I also have my own humble insights.”