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13 Windfall

"Since Shen Ge always talks about the rules of sage and sage, I will tell His Highness the mistakes of madness and stupidity... starting from the wine pool and the meat forest!" It seems that Wang An is not talking nonsense, Shen Li is indeed facing Shen Yiguan in everything.People talk about how the emperor worked hard to govern, but he insists on talking about how arrogant and extravagant the emperor is.

"Does Master Shen know how big the world is?" Although the two bachelors have very different personalities and political opinions, Hong Tao believes that they have something in common and they can serve as teachers!So it shouldn't be difficult to continue interrupting and lead the topic to what you want to know.

"Heaven is the top of the sky. The highest is above, from the first. The bottom is the bottom. Under the whole world, is it the king's land; on the shore of the land, is it the king's ministers. Who is the emperor, the head of the world? What is the top? .The barbarians are the only ones in the world, so what are they? The next level."

After a brief conversation of more than ten minutes and a small question, Hong Tao had a basic understanding of the temperament and work style of this cabinet bachelor.

Shen Li's answers were very standard and dogmatic. They were all read from ancient books without any personal understanding.In terms of education, he is not as thorough as Shen Guanyi, and he is not as good as Zhang Juzheng in explaining things in simple terms. He is not a qualified teacher.

Of course, my job is not to be a teacher, so there is no need to think about how to please the prince.From this aspect, he is relatively pure, unlike Zhang Juzheng and Shen Yiguan who are deliberately trying to seize power.

"Your Majesty's self-ringing bell comes from the Western countries. It is very exquisite in workmanship. There must be some truth in it. Do you know, Master Shen?" Now that he has seen through it, there is no need to continue to test it. Hong Tao doesn't want to listen to children's books anymore, or does it? Let’s get some good stuff.

"This...I don't know!" Shen Li's expression was a little embarrassed, but he was not angry, nor was he embarrassed by being questioned by a student.After a short period of thinking, I simply admitted that I didn’t know.

"I heard from Wang An that the Monk Xi who donated the self-ringing bell has not left the capital yet, but I don't know where he has been arranged to live. Can University Scholar Shen help the students find out a few things and let Monk Xi explain the truth face to face?"

This performance improved Hong Tao's perception by several levels. As an official and a member of the imperial court, being able to admit that he didn't know in person not only did not lose points, but it was also a very valuable character.

It is not difficult to know how knowledgeable a person is, but it is difficult to have the courage to admit that he does not know.The former is a matter of ability, which is easier to enhance through hard work; the latter is a matter of character, which is more difficult to cultivate.

"...Why is Your Highness focusing on this?" At this time, Shen Li may have forgotten everything he should say. This was his first face-to-face contact with the prince. Before, he had only heard that the eldest son of the emperor had a cowardly character and a dull expression. , The talent is mediocre, and it was true when we first met.But after just two-quarters of an hour of conversation, it seemed that was not the case.

"I want to figure out how to make this thing, and make one for Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the concubines. If Bachelor Shen can help me, I can also get one as a gift!"

At this time, Hong Tao really looked like an honest child with no scheming. His expression was extremely sincere and childish but he deliberately pretended to be mature. He half-understood and offered what he thought were very attractive conditions in an attempt to bribe important officials in the court.

"Alas... Your Highness is purely filial, but it is inappropriate to allow Monk Xi to enter the palace. I can recommend someone to help His Highness clear up his doubts." Hearing this reason, Shen Li couldn't help but sigh.

The experience of the prince in front of me is very pitiful. Because of the conflicts between the emperor and the ministers, he wasted his studies for many years, so that when he grew up, he could not understand much truth. He only knew how to please the emperor and the harem in order to protect himself.It’s deplorable, pathetic, pitiable and annoying!

But not only can I not control this matter, I can't interfere with it. After all, the emperor has already conferred the title of prince. If I continue to dig up the old accounts and quibble endlessly, not only will I not get the emperor's forgiveness, but I will also be attacked by the courtiers. .Although it is not his decision to let Xiseng enter the palace to give lectures to the prince, and he needs to go to the emperor and obtain the approval of the cabinet, he can find a compromise to relieve some trouble for the poor prince.

"Where is this person?" This answer was a bit unexpected for Hong Tao. His original intention was to find out where Xi Monk lived and then find an excuse to explore the possibility of giving lectures. Unexpectedly, Shen Li actually knew someone who could make a self-ringing bell.

"This person also joined the East Palace and served as the concubine of Zuochunfang in Zhanshi Prefecture. His surname was Ye Mingxiang and his courtesy name was Jinqing. He was from Fuqing, Fuzhou Prefecture and was a Jinshi in the 11th year of this dynasty. It was he who came to Beijing to pay tribute this time. Accompanying and recommending me, I was able to regain His Majesty’s use.”

Shen Li twirled his beard and gave a general introduction to the resume of the recommended person. As he spoke, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, as if he had thought of something ridiculous, but it was fleeting.

"Why have you been reinstated by His Majesty? Could it be that he is a guilty person!" Unfortunately, the prince's face seemed dull, and his observation ability hidden behind the mask was very strong. He immediately caught the abnormality and heard an important part of these words. There was an immediate reaction.

"This person once petitioned the Shu to strike the mining tax and remove the mining supervisor. His Majesty was not happy with it. He was transferred to Nanjing's Minister of Rites the year before last, but actually returned to Fuzhou Prefecture to rest." Seeing the somewhat panicked expression on the prince's face, Shen Li waved his hand. Don't worry.Now that His Majesty has restored Ye Xianggao to his post, everything should be fine.

"When can I see Zuo Shuzi?" Hong Tao also remembered who Ye Xianggao was. This guy served as the chief minister of the Wanli Dynasty, but he didn't know who he was acquainted with European missionaries.

It makes sense when you think about it. His hometown of Fuzhou is an important port. Since Europeans have arrived in Macau, there is no reason not to visit Guangzhou and Fuzhou.I’ve seen a lot, so it’s not surprising that I know a few of them. Maybe his family also has a maritime trade business, so it’s even better to know him.

"No hurry, no rush, Zuo Shuzi will come to give lectures to His Highness tomorrow."

At this time, in Shen Li's eyes, the prince was just a poor man who had been in the cold palace for a long time, extremely lacking in father's love, and very insecure.Even though he is an adult, he is mentally the same as a teenager.Faced with this situation, you must not act too hastily. If you struggle with your studies every day, you may do the opposite.

"Aren't Mr. Shen Ge and Master Shen here to help the students clear up their doubts?" Hong Tao is asking questions knowingly. Wang An has already explained what the Xiao Jing Yan is.Yes, there is a cabinet bachelor who personally teaches, but it is not full-time but part-time.

Their work is too busy and they can't spare time to be teachers every day. They just show up from time to time for fun. Most of the teaching work is done by officials of Zhan Shifu.

Although those people's titles are not as prestigious as the bachelor's degree, they are all 100% Jinshi. They have been in the Hanlin Academy for several years, and their academic qualifications are no worse than anyone else.

However, Hong Tao believed that ten Zhanshifu officials could not speak as effectively as one bachelor, so he still had to do enough superficial things, such as expressing his reluctance to part with his teacher.

To make a teacher feel the attachment of his students is as great an achievement as academic success, and he must feel happy.Moreover, this kind of virtue is not just for Shen Li to see. He will have to do it again when he has the opportunity to meet Shen Yiguan.

(End of this chapter)