Chapter 002: The official drinks wine every evening
However, the meaning is clear; it is merely that the emperor wishes to invite everyone to breakfast
Thus, as Zhu Yijun arrived, he was first greeted by a fragrant aroma
It is impossible to play around in the sleeping quarters, as Zhang Juzheng would require him to recite what was discussed the next day. If he recited smoothly, he would naturally receive praise; however, if he struggled, he would face severe reprimands, and even be reported to Empress Dowager Li through Feng Bao. The Empress Dowager is even harsher than Zhang Juzheng and would directly make him kneel for a long time.
At this moment, Feng Bao had also walked directly to the Chief Minister Zhang Juzheng and whispered a few words in his ear
Now that Emperor Longqing has passed away, Zhu Yijun has ascended to the throne. In order to demonstrate her virtue of propriety, Lady Li has allowed Zhu Yijun to first pay respects to his biological mother before coming to greet her, his birth mother.
However, in the eyes of the officials, the Emperor's performance at this time could be described as nothing short of perfect
Creak
Zhu Yijun, squinting his eyes, felt considerably more relaxed after meeting Empress Dowager Li, as if he were listening to music while hearing this sound, seemingly already entranced by it
Having thoroughly memorized what was discussed today, one must also practice writing. Zhu Yijun did not spend too much time on this either
The term "Jingyan" literally means not only the lecture of scriptures but also a banquet.
Seeing that he remained silent, Lü Diaoyang felt it was inappropriate to speak further.
Therefore, Zhu Yijun is now able to concentrate better while practicing calligraphy, and as a result, he writes faster
How could there be a headache? Quickly send for the imperial physician
Zhu Yijun watched everything as if he were viewing a documentary, perceiving it from the audience's perspective, feeling only a sense of novelty without the slightest impatience
Returning to the conversation, upon hearing Empress Dowager Li's inquiry, Zhu Yijun replied: "The Crown Prince has already departed, and Mother has even rewarded him with a special treat."
After all, he had only heard about the system of the Imperial Lectures during the Ming Dynasty, but he did not know what the lectures were actually like
It seems that all the suffering they endured from hunger and cold that morning was not in vain! Each one of them was invigorated, as if they had put on a grand display before the emperor, feeling immensely pleased, and as if they had received great favor from the emperor, moved to the core.
Upon arriving at the Wenhua Hall and sitting down facing south, as waves of fragrant incense wafted in with the cold wind, Zhu Yijun finally opened his eyes
After the officials of the Honglu Temple led the ministers in a ceremonial greeting and announced the commencement of the lecture, two lecturers then emerged from the eastern and western ranks, standing before the imperial lectern facing north. They bowed and prostrated themselves, preparing to begin the lecture
At this moment, Zhu Yijun saw the official in charge of the documents step forward, unfolding the scroll in front of the imperial desk for Zhu Yijun. The lecturer standing on the eastern side then began to report to Zhu Yijun the contents of the Four Books to be discussed today. Following this, the lecturer on the western side also approached to report which sections of the classics and histories would be covered.
After Zhu Yijun completed his audience, he returned to the Qianqing Palace accompanied by the eunuchs, preparing to attend the scripture lecture at the Wenhua Hall
Zhang Juzheng nodded
As the officials of the Honglu Temple knelt during the ceremony, the lecture was only considered concluded after the praises were finished, at which point the officials from both ranks turned to the north
This statement is dictated by the regulations of the imperial court, which require the emperor to speak at this time. Zhu Yijun also does not understand why he refers to the officials as 'gentlemen'.
Moreover, for him, whose psychological age is no longer that of a young adolescent, writing no longer feels as tedious and boring as it does with picture books, and his playful spirit is not overly strong.
Lü Diaoyang raised his eyes and smiled, saying: "Your Majesty's dedication to learning is profound, resembling that of a sage ruler!"
Then, Lü Diaoyang looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "Uncle Da, this is a good omen"
As soon as he stepped out of the palace gates, Zhu Yijun realized that the eunuchs Sun Hai, Wei Chao, and others from the inner court were already kneeling outside the hall
Due to Feng Bao's framing of Minister Wang Da for the case against Gao Gong, the civil officials had long harbored dissatisfaction towards Feng Bao. Therefore, when Lü Diaoyang spoke to Zhang Juzheng in such a manner today, Zhang Juzheng was not surprised.
After Zhu Yijun made this statement, the ministers attending the imperial lecture knelt to accept the decree, and then proceeded to the Wumen Gate to have breakfast prepared by the Palace of Glorious Food
Zhang Juzheng raised his thick eyebrows upon hearing this: "So early?!"
Zhu Yijun remained silent, merely observing the officials arranged in two rows on the east and west sides, while relying on the memories of the original owner to search for Zhang Juzheng
To serve you in the spirit of Yao and Shun is the highest ideal of the civil officials and scholars, and the realization of this ideal begins with enabling Your Majesty to conduct a successful imperial lecture.
At that time, the chief eunuch Feng Bao had already received the decree from Empress Dowager Li and was on his way to the Wenhua Gate
Zhu Yijun secretly felt that throughout the entire process, he was still like a puppet, merely mechanically completing a teaching activity with these lecturers
Therefore, Zhu Yijun can only review his studies and practice his calligraphy first
At this time, Zhu Yijun had returned to the Qianqing Palace, and was preparing to review his studies and practice calligraphy
However, Zhu Yijun did not wait long outside the hall before Empress Dowager Li had someone open the hall door: "Your Majesty, please come in"
The content taught also involves understanding the Four Books and the Classics according to Zhu Xi's interpretation of the concepts of harmony, diagram, and text.
Therefore, both Zhang Juzheng and Lü Diaoyang were pleased with Zhu Yijun's enthusiasm for the imperial lectures
Therefore, when Zhu Yijun was still the crown prince, he would first pay his respects to Emperor Longqing and Empress Dowager Li
Zhu Yijun only later realized that the officials on the east side lectured on the Four Books, while those on the west side lectured on the classics and history. After the east side finished lecturing on the Four Books, the west side would then lecture on the classics and history
It is worth mentioning that during the reign of Emperor Longqing, the then Empress Dowager Chen harbored animosity towards him, which led to Emperor Longqing issuing an edict for her to relocate to a separate palace, effectively relegating her to a cold palace. In contrast, Empress Dowager Li enjoyed greater favor and frequently accompanied Emperor Longqing.
The officials did not tolerate eunuchs, especially those who wielded power, a phenomenon that has existed since the beginning of the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty
The breakfast at the imperial banquet was not appetizing, yet today Lü Diaoyang ate with great relish and quietly said to Zhang Juzheng, who was seated beside him at the Grand Secretary's table: "Uncle Da, although the Son of Heaven is still young, he already exhibits the qualities of a wise ruler. A person like Feng Bao should be dismissed!"
Zhang Juzheng was aware of this as well, but he had other considerations at the moment, making it inappropriate for him to respond to Lü Diaoyang at this time
Empress Dowager Li nodded her head and then inquired, "Can we go to the Ciqing Palace now?"
Fortunately, Zhu Yijun is not lacking in diligence in the present day, and he quickly memorized what was discussed today. Moreover, relying on his commendable memory, he noticed that the speaker made an error during the lecture.
As it was his first time attending the imperial lecture, he naturally felt a sense of curiosity. Therefore, Zhu Yijun listened attentively. When the lecturer asked him to read, he read; when asked to explain, he explained.
The first to speak was an official from the Honglu Temple.
Therefore, nowadays, when Li and the Empress Dowager Tu first inquire, it is not whether Zhu Yijun is hungry or has slept well, but rather whether he has gone to pay respects to Empress Dowager Chen.
Zhu Yijun, upon arriving at Empress Li's palace, heard from those attending her that the Empress had a slight headache. Consequently, he pretended to be concerned after waking up a bit later than usual
Zhu Yijun was naturally unaware that his performance in the imperial lectures aligned too closely with the psychological expectations of the civil officials, leading Lü Diaoyang to begin hoping that Zhang Juzheng would rally the civil officials to oppose Feng.
However, Zhang Juzheng remained silent
For Zhu Yijun, who has been conditioned by society to focus solely on utilitarianism in later generations, the gains are limited, and the symbolic significance of rituals outweighs their practical significance
The Chief Minister Zhang Juzheng remained composed as ever
At first glance, he saw a desk in front of him, with officials entering in succession, some wearing bright red robes and others adorned in green and embroidered garments, all strikingly eye-catching amidst the swirling snow.
In the era of Ariake, officials attending the imperial lectures were required to bathe and incense themselves before participating in the lectures
The imposing generals guarding the imperial carriage, wielding golden halberds, marched in unison over the scattered jade and broken gems, escorting Zhu Yijun towards the Wenhua Hall
After finishing his writing, Zhu Yijun exited the palace gates, preparing to stretch his muscles and bones
Creak.
Historical records indicate that Empress Dowager Chen often expressed joy upon hearing the sound of footsteps when Zhu Yijun came to pay his respects
The ministers attending the imperial court are now waiting here, and only after seeing Feng Bao, the head eunuch, come out did they all raise their heads
Zhu Yijun could not help but ask: "Why are you kneeling?"
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Zhu Yijun also secretly sighed that, thanks to the original owner's reading since the age of four, and with the assistance of the eunuchs, he had already established a foundation in Confucianism. Therefore, at this moment, he was able to respond with composure.
Zhang Juzheng did not notice that the emperor was watching him; at this moment, he silently stood to the side
Zhu Yijun finally spoke at this moment, saying: "Every official should have a drink in the evening"
Lü Diaoyang, a sensitive person, looked at Zhang Juzheng with tears in his eyes and said: "The Son of Heaven is only ten years old, yet he participates in the imperial lectures with such seriousness, and his voice is resounding, his demeanor dignified! His spirit and wisdom are truly extraordinary, a gift from Heaven!"
Then, Zhang Juzheng whispered to the Grand Secretary Lü Diaoyang beside him: "Just now, the old gentleman conveyed the Empress Dowager's kind message, stating that the Emperor has risen early for the morning lecture and has already gone to pay respects to the two palaces, and is now on his way to the Wenhua Hall"
The other officials were the same, all raising their heads to gaze ahead, allowing the snowflakes before them to fall freely, while their eyes were fixed intently on the vermilion gate, waiting for the appearance of their emperor
Unlike his biological mother, Empress Dowager Li, who was very strict in raising him and lived with the Emperor in the Palace of Heavenly Purity, his adoptive mother, Empress Dowager Chen, preferred to favor Zhu Yijun and did not interfere much in the education of the Emperor
Zhu Yijun then entered and saluted Empress Dowager Li, saying: "Your son wishes to pay his respects to Mother!"
Empress Dowager Li then smiled and said: "My son knows propriety!"
Empress Dowager Chen was also indifferent to state affairs, thus she actively chose to reside in Ciqing Palace, which is farther from Qianqing Palace, in order to avoid sharing the same palace with the other empress dowager
Zhu Yijun had two mothers, one being his legitimate mother, Empress Dowager Chen, and the other his biological mother, Empress Dowager Li
Empress Dowager Chen was perceptive, and Empress Dowager Li was also respectful, not daring to allow her own imperial son to neglect the formalities towards Empress Dowager Chen, and she herself maintained a sense of respect towards her.