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Chapter 12 Bachelor Shen
Emperor Jiantu said that this book was read by Hong Tao in later generations. It was not the original version, but a re-annotated version by a Wanwan writer. It was classified as a children's book.When Zhang Juzheng wrote the book, he also wrote it as a children's book. It not only contains text but also includes many illustrations, which is a bit like the little book of later generations.

This book is divided into two volumes. The first volume is called Sage Fanggui, which tells the story of the emperors of the past dynasties who worked hard to govern, a total of 81 stories.The second volume is called "Crazy Fool's Mistakes", which tells the story of 36 rebellious actions of emperors in the past dynasties.

When Emperor Wanli was still young, Zhang Juzheng used this book to teach the young emperor.The purpose should be similar to Shen Guanyi's. They both wanted the emperor to follow the emperors who worked hard in the book as examples and follow suit, and never imitate the emperors who were rebellious.

In other words, it is to influence the emperor's three views from an early age and let the emperor try his best to act according to the standards of a saint.In this way, the courtiers will feel relaxed, because saints can never defeat politicians, and it is not slanderous to call it a brainwashing textbook.

"Is this person Emperor Yao?" Hong Tao would definitely not listen to children's books honestly, but he also didn't want to offend the chief minister of the cabinet, so he used his favorite trick from school to interrupt.Shen always spoke a few words, and he pointed at the characters in the picture and asked questions.

"Exactly!" Shen Guanyi saw that the prince had listened and interacted with him, twirling his beard with pride.

"Why doesn't he wear a leather bean and a crown uniform?" Unfortunately, the old man in the cabinet was deceived by the soul of hundreds of years hidden in the young prince's body, followed by another question.Compared with the previous question, it is not so easy to answer, and you have to spend a few more sentences.

"Does the dynasty have remonstrance drums and slander trees?" A quarter of an hour later, Shen Yiguan just finished talking about the costumes of the past dynasties like lotus flowers. The prince pointed to the two objects in the picture and asked a third question.

"...Well...does Your Highness know the Sixth Section and the Supervisory Censor?" Shen Yiguan had no time to take a sip of tea and had to explain the dynasty's institutions in detail.As a prince, if you don’t even know what departments in your dynasty you will have on how to be an emperor in the future, you must make up for it!
An hour is not a long time, but it is not a short time. If you just listen to historical allusions, you will be bored to death, but if you want to listen to a chief minister of the cabinet who is well versed in the officialdom of this dynasty explain the work procedures of various departments of the court, the time is a bit short.

"Lao Ge's sutra banquet is very interesting. I hope to come here to learn from you every day. Please pay homage to me as a disciple!" When the bronze bell of the Forbidden City rang, Hong Tao stood up and gave Shen Yiguan a great gift. What he said and his facial expression were exactly the same.

"Your Highness can teach you. This is your Majesty's blessing and this dynasty's blessing. I will work hard and die without hesitation!" This move made Shen Yiguan a little confused, but at the same time he felt extremely proud, and there was even a little water in his eyes.At that moment, he also shook his robe and bowed it to the end in the direction of Qianqing Palace with a solemn expression.

In fact, the progress of this class was far behind expectations, and the prince's performance was not up to par with his talent or basic skills, but it made him feel very happy.

As a teacher, even if it is only part-time, being recognized by students is a great achievement in itself.If this student still has the possibility of becoming an emperor, the sense of accomplishment will definitely be doubled.

As for whether talents can be cultivated through teaching, didn't Confucius say that there is no distinction between people if they are taught?There are no stupid students, only unqualified teachers.In terms of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude, Shen always felt that he was not far from the sage Confucius!

The chief minister of the cabinet walked away with a relaxed pace, and an old man in red robe came in outside the Wenhua Gate. He was dressed similar to Shen Yigui, except that the pattern on his chest was different.Shen Guanyi is the prince's young master, from the first rank, and the pattern is a crane.These are two pheasants, no matter how heavy, tall or famous they are, they are inferior to the cranes.

"Shen Li, the Grand Scholar of Dongge, the Minister of Rites, has met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Different from Shen's usual tepid and sophisticated attitude, the fat old man was full of energy, his movements were precise, and he didn't look like a teacher at all. It's more like going to court.

"Students have seen Bachelor Shen..." Hong Tao also found out who Shen Li was from Wang An.This small official of the Sixth Bureau of the East Palace has great energy, and he knows the resumes of cabinet personnel very well.In other words, there should be higher-ranking eunuchs standing behind him, such as the eunuch Bingbi, the eunuch and the admiral of Dongchang, Chen Ju.It was this eunuch who recommended Wang An to Jingyang Palace back then, so he would definitely not ignore him forever.

Shen Li and Shen Guanyi have the same surname and age, but they are not from the same hometown.He came from Yucheng, Guide Prefecture, Henan Province. He was a Jinshi in the first period earlier than Shen Yiguan and entered the Hanlin Academy three years earlier.

In terms of seniority, Shen Li's conditions were better than Shen Guanyi's. Gao Gong, then Minister of Rites and Bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, was from the same hometown as him.The ancients did not have the habit of shooting fellow villagers in the back when they saw them. Generally speaking, rural party members are still very popular among Beijing officials.

As long as Shen Li is willing to show a positive attitude of getting closer first, Gao Gong will definitely give him a hand quietly.But Shen Li didn't say anything and just went to the Hanlin Academy to rank according to seniority.

Perhaps due to good luck or genuine talent, he was soon favored by Emperor Longqing and appointed as a scholar in the East Palace, specializing in giving lectures to Emperor Wanli, who was still the prince.

Emperor Wanli was less than ten years old at that time, and he was deeply impressed by this upright and talented teacher.So after he ascended the throne, he immediately promoted Shen Li to Dr. Zuo Zanshan of Zhan Shifu.

Originally, he would be able to advance further in this position if he had more qualifications. After all, he was an official of the East Palace. As long as he was not disliked, he would be promoted very quickly when the prince became emperor.

Unfortunately, fate played a trick on people, and just when Shen Li's career was going smoothly, his old father passed away.There is no choice but to go home and stay in Dingyou for three years.As a result, it took him six years to leave. More than two years later, his mother also passed away, and he had to remain filial piety for another three years.

It was not until the ninth year of Wanli (1581) that Shen Li returned to the capital. Emperor Wanli did not forget this teacher, and immediately gave him the position of a lecturer. Then he progressed one step at a time, and three years later he became the Minister of Rites. Great officer!

But, Shen Li is a bit like Hai Rui. He ignores reason and ignores others. He is outspoken and has offended many colleagues.During Zhang Juzheng's heyday, he dared to confront the emperor and did not give the emperor any face. He would immediately criticize anything that did not meet the standards of Yao and Shun.

Since people think dogs are unwelcome, why can they still hold on to their official positions and not be demoted but instead be promoted?Wang An had no explanation for this, so Hong Tao could only deduce based on experience that it should be the emperor's balancing technique.

Emperor Wanli was not confused. Ever since Zhang Juzheng passed away, he had noticed the secret trend of cliques in the court.In order to fight against the officials who huddle together to keep warm, iron broad beans like Shen Li have become popular.Of course, not too many. No emperor wants to be scolded.

The chief minister Zhao Zhigao died in office, and the cabinet was extremely short of personnel. Emperor Wanli had to use Shen Yiguan.In order to check and balance this political veteran who was very good at sticking together in the court, Shen Li was simply included.

The effect...according to Wang An's description, it should be very effective.Shen Yiguan and Shen Li had already begun to confront each other a few months after they entered the cabinet. As long as the bachelors in the cabinet could not unite, the emperor could take a breather.

(End of this chapter)