King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

Wang Hua can be said to be Zhu Houzhao's teacher. Now the prince should go to the East Palace to study, but he actually ran to the street. This is not a big deal, but a big event.

Especially since there was his second uncle with a bad reputation next to him, Wang Hua had an urge to speak up.

However, before Wang Hua could take any action, Zhu Tan and Zhu Houzhao had already walked in.

Zhu Tan clasped his fists and bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet Master Wang Hua today. Ah Shou, you get to see Master Wang Hua too."

Zhu Houzhao bowed to the two men as a student. Seeing how respectful they were, Wang Hua had no choice but to return the greeting and then introduced himself to Wang Shouren.

Zhu Tan realized that his guess was correct and couldn't help feeling excited.

Fortunately, his acting skills are pretty good and he didn't show it.

By the way, he also said that he was here to hold a birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager, and he went along.

Wang Hua didn't know what to say. Filial piety is the most important virtue. Since the prince is so filial, he should be praised.

Zhu Tan was racking his brains, thinking about how to make friends with Wang Shouren.

Jia Zhang and Zhang Laoliu came back with a group of people with blood on their faces. They were Qi Yanming who had been caught before. They had been arrested.

"What the hell are you doing, you bunch of idiots?"

Chu Deng was so angry. He was just proud of the Ming police force! It was so useful!
Just turning around and letting the person go, how embarrassing!

Jia Zhang said with a sad face, "There were so many of them, hundreds of them, and they started throwing dust on us. We couldn't see anything, and they didn't do anything at all."

Seeing the miserable appearance of Jia Zhang and others, Zhu Tan snorted and said, “Take my name to Shuntian Hall and send detectives and constables to arrest them.”

Wang Shouren interrupted him and said, "This place is near the south of the city. They should have escaped from the city. We can't catch up with them. Otherwise, we should rush to the counties in the capital as fast as possible. There are more than a hundred people there, so it will be easy to find them."

Zhu Tan once approached Wang Hua, but unfortunately Wang Hua had a prejudice against him and did not take him seriously.

Wang Shouren actually made such a request. It seems that meeting a big shot is also a good start.

"What Prince Wang said is absolutely right. We have all heard it. Let's act now."

Zhu Tan clasped his fists towards Wang Shouren and was thinking about how to communicate with him, but Wang Shouren interrupted him again.

"My Lord, what's going on with those people in red clothes?"

When Wang Shouren was walking outside, he noticed several groups of people wearing red clothes.

They were neither officials nor guards, but people who had walked out of the market. They seemed to be familiar with everything here.

Some people were pooping on the roadside, some were setting up stalls on the roadside, and some were catching thieves. All of this made him very curious.

Zhu Tan immediately perked up.

"This is the organization I founded, which is dedicated to helping the government solve social order problems. I call it the City Manager, and they can intervene in everything that happens on the streets. However, I don't belong to the government, and I am also making a contribution to the capital."

Wang Shouren's eyes lit up: "Interesting, it's really interesting."

Zhu Tan was worried that Wang Hua would use his parental status to not allow Wang Shouren to play with a mischievous child like him.

Without waiting for Wang Hua to speak, he continued, "This is just an experiment. If it succeeds, I will apply to the emperor for a quota. Mr. Wang, after you have read it, can you give me some advice?"

Wang Shouren's mind moved, and he had indeed thought of this method.

"This incident is too conspicuous. Many things were done deliberately, which makes people panic. What's more frightening is that these people are a mixed bag and have become accomplices of bad friends. They must be strictly disciplined, otherwise, over time, they will become a workshop."

Wang Hua's face darkened. He knew his son very well. He had a bad temper and spoke rudely.

Once these words are spoken, Marquis Jianchang will definitely be offended to death!

To Wang Hua's surprise, Zhu Tan applauded and even forced Wang Shouren to drink.

Wang Hua naturally didn't want his son to get too close to Marquis Jianchang, but since Zhu Houzhao had said so, Wang Hua couldn't say anything more.

If I could establish a relationship with Wang Shouren, it would definitely be a hundred benefits with no harm in it!
Wang Shouren had not originally planned to participate. He had a really bad day today, and he did not have absolute confidence in the upcoming assessment, so he was a little worried.

However, since Chu Tian was so enthusiastic and the prince was there, he couldn't refuse.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Wang Hua was talented enough to pass the imperial examination. This was a great opportunity to recommend his son to the emperor.

Although the prince was still very young, as his mentor, he knew the prince's wisdom, so after thinking about it, he agreed.

They arrived at Guangle Tower again. Zhu Tan reserved the second floor for Wang Hua and his son and set up the most expensive banquet. He also ordered people to find several singing groups to add to the glory.

No matter what Zhu Tan's reputation and prestige were, Wang Hua and Wang Shouren could feel how much he valued people.

Although he didn't have a good impression of Zhu Tan, he couldn't express his disappointment.

Zhu Tan first served Zhu Houzhao his favorite dishes.

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Thank you, second uncle. All the food you picked up are my favorites."

The uncle and nephew have a deep relationship. Wang Hua and his son looked at each other and saw each other's thoughts.

The relationship between Second Uncle and His Highness Jun is not that simple!

Zhu Tan stood up and poured a bowl of wine for Wang Hua and Wang Shouren, and Wang Hua had no choice but to drink it.

"Mr. Wang is my teacher. It is not easy for him to teach me so many things. I will drink it all in one gulp on behalf of the prince. Mr. Wang, please do as you please."

Zhu Tan acted humble and toasted Wang Shouren again.

"I have heard of Prince Wang's name a long time ago. It is said that Prince Wang swore to be loyal to the country when he was young and to avenge the humiliation of Tumu Fort. When he was fifteen, he made suggestions to the emperor and proposed a plan to quell the rebellion. In the same year, he also visited Juyongguan and Shanhaiguan for more than a month. He is truly a role model for our generation!"

After Zhu Tan learned that he was from the same era as Wang Shouren and Tang Bohu, he investigated them.

There were not many of the four great secretaries, but Wang Shouren had stayed in the capital with Wang Hua for such a long time, so he naturally knew some things.

Wang Shouren did not expect that Zhu Tan actually knew some things about his childhood, and he felt that he was being valued.

He put down the cup and said, "Your Majesty, you don't have to call me 'Young Master Wang' anymore. My name is Bo'an, and I'm not much older than you. You can just call me Bo'an."

Zhu Tan smiled secretly, this was a very good start.

"I don't have a cousin either. I feel embarrassed if Brother Bo'an calls me that. If Brother Bo'an doesn't mind, you can just call me Marquis. My sisters all call me that."

Drinking is indeed the best social tool. After Wang Hua took two sips, the tension on his face eased a lot.

This was the first time he met the Marquis of Jianchang, and he realized that this notorious uncle of the emperor was not as arrogant as the legend said. Zhu Tan ignored Wang Hua and just chatted with Wang Shouren, telling him what Wang Shouren was proud of.

For example, he looked at a bamboo and wanted to explore the mystery of knowledge.

When Wang Shouren was seventeen years old, he fell ill and could not get up yet. This made him begin to question the "investigation of things" and laid the foundation for his own philosophy.

The two of them drank and sang songs, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

As they talked, the topic naturally turned to this year's imperial examination.

Zhu Tan immediately learned and repeated what he had heard from Ye Shen, which might be the prediction of Li Dongyang as the examiner this year.

Hearing Wang Chong's words, Wang Hua and Wang Shouren both frowned slightly.

Wang Shouren passed the imperial examination when he was in his twenties, but failed for two consecutive years. Li Dongyang also tried to comfort him.

If the examiner this time was Li Dongyang, Wang Shouren would most likely get into trouble, regardless of whether it was because of superstition or not!

Wang Hua glanced at Wang Shouren. His child was already 28 years old. If he failed the imperial examination this time, it would definitely be a huge shock to him as a father. He might not even have the confidence to be an official in the future.

"My Lord, are you telling the truth?"

As the saying goes, a parent’s kindness is the best gift for his child. Wang Hua’s attitude towards Zhu Tan has also become much better for the sake of his child.

"You can say that! My uncle Xu Qiong was demoted to the Minister of Rites, and my uncle Li Dongyang was demoted to the Minister of Punishments. They are likely to be the chief examiners of this examination. As for the new Cheng Minzheng, he is likely to be the deputy chief examiner."

Li Dongyang and Cheng Minzheng were both important figures in the imperial court and outstanding Confucianists.

Wang Hua believed it a little, but was more disappointed.

Li Dongyang was very close to him, while Cheng Minzheng was not very close to him.

If Cheng Minzheng became the deputy examiner, wouldn't his son be expelled?

Wang Shouren was also a little worried. The reason was that Cheng Minzheng's biggest characteristic was that he was best at studying some unpopular subjects.

In the county examination that year, he had given a question that made people grit their teeth. It seemed that he should take some less popular papers.

Zhu Tan had no idea of ​​what Wang Hua and his son were thinking, and he praised Wang Shouren highly, saying that Wang Shouren would definitely pass the imperial examination this time.

Finally, he also wrote some poems about Wang Yangming's thoughts.

"There is no good or evil in the body, but there is good and evil in the body. Know what is right, what is right, what is right, and what is right."

Zhu Tan muttered these four words.

"I heard all this in my dreams, it was all hazy, but today when I met Brother Bo'an, it all became clear to me. What do you think, Brother Bo'an?"

This is the essence of Yangming's Theory of Mind. Although Wang Shouren had not yet attained enlightenment in Longchang, his heart was moved when he heard these four words.

He didn't have an epiphany, but he understood that his state of mind, his state of mind, was wrong.

"Bo An accepted the teaching, and the two dragons made a loud and clear sound."

After saying this, Wang Shouren fell into a very strange state. He felt as if he had a hint of enlightenment, but he couldn't grasp it.

Zhu Tan is determined to become a six-cornered warrior and to join forces with Wang Shouren, who can be compared with Confucius, Mencius and Zhu Xi. Even if he has to pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger, he will still pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger.

Otherwise, Wang Shouren would have put him on the blacklist long ago, just like Xu Guangzuo and Guo Ning, who made money while having fun and visiting brothels.

Zhu Tan looked at Wang Shouren's thoughtful expression and didn't care about his urging.

His first priority was to win over Wang Shouren, so he "enlightened" Wang Shouren.

"Brother Boan, I have been having a dream recently. I dreamed that someone told me to seek the truth from my heart. The truth comes from human beings, and the truth is born from the truth. Human beings are elegant, and the human heart is also elegant."

Seeing Wang Shouren's look, Zhu Tan continued, "The connection between knowing and doing is that we need to know and do. We need to do while knowing and know while doing. This is the combination of knowing and doing. These two concepts are interrelated and cannot be separated. Knowing must be reflected in action, otherwise it is not called truth."

After hearing Wang Chong's words, Wang Shouren felt his mind go blank, as if he had been struck by lightning, and he was speechless for a long time.

He suddenly stood up, bowed deeply to Zhu Tan, and said, "Thank you Erlang for your enlightenment. Bo'an is very grateful. I'm really sorry, I won't accompany you. If Bo'an can pass the examination by chance, please give me some advice."

Wang Shouren had no idea that what Zhu Tan said was exactly his lifelong understanding and perception of Taoist thought. At this moment, there were countless thoughts churning in his mind, and he needed to return to his body and calm himself down.

He keenly realized that this was a spiritual cleansing, equivalent to a complete transformation.

Zhu Tan did not expect Wang Shouren to leave directly. Wouldn't that leave him alone?

Wang Hua, on the other hand, was filled with excitement.

However, Zhu Tan's words implied the way of the saints and principles, which made him have a new understanding of Zhu Tan, completely breaking away from his previous image of lawlessness and unruliness.

"My Lord, I feel like Bo'an has gained some enlightenment from your words. It is really a great enlightenment. Wang Hua thanks you. I will drink this cup first as a token of my respect."

Wang Hua raised his glass to Zhu Tan. He had a strong feeling that his child would definitely be admitted to university.

After Wang Hua finished his toast, he also left in a hurry. Zhu Tan seemed to be entertaining guests.

However, Zhu Tan was in a good mood. Wang Hua's opinion of him had changed, and Wang Shouren's opinion of him had also changed. His hexagonal warrior plan seemed to have great potential!
Zhu Houzhao's belly was so bloated that he couldn't hold on any longer.

"Second Uncle, when should we deliver the gift from the Queen Mother?"

Zhu Tan smiled and said, "Let's go. Second Uncle is in a good mood. You can ask for anything Ah Shou wants."

Zhu Houzhao clapped his hands and said happily: "Second Uncle, these people sing really well. Why not let them enter the palace? I want to listen more too."

Zhu Tan curled his lips and thought to himself, you guy, you really think you are the cultural backbone of the Ming Dynasty!

But since he's a singer, then it must be correct, so he slammed the table and said, "Okay, Second Uncle will help you find a troupe. I'll tell him when I get back that learning can't just be about studying. You have to learn how to study, learn how to entertain, learn how to entertain, learn how to entertain, learn how to entertain!"

Zhu Tan took great pains to prepare for Empress Dowager Zhou's birthday.

Zhou was also a figure. She was the wife of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Qizhen, and the daughter-in-law of Zhu Zhanji. She lived very close to the founding of the Ming Dynasty.

There are rumors that Emperor Xianzong Zhu Jianshen was not Zhou's son, but the daughter of Zhu Qizhen's favorite concubine Liu, and Zhou forcibly brought him here.

Based on what Zhu Tan saw in the palace, this rumor might not be entirely unfounded, but no one could be sure what exactly happened at that time.

Zhu Qizhen, the most famous general of the Ming Dynasty, was indeed a man of talent. Many palace secrets were buried in history books. (End of this chapter)