My father is Jiajing

Chapter 220 Mr. Zhang's Opinion

China has been a country of etiquette since ancient times, so when it comes to the marriage of a prince, etiquette is naturally of great importance and cannot be taken lightly.

Therefore, even though Zhu Zaigui had already selected a concubine and studied the driving test manual, it would still take some time before he could actually get married.

Therefore, Zhu Zaigui was naturally free during this period of time.

Of course, given his social environment and social class, he enjoyed great freedom even if he got married.

Because of today's talent show, Zhang Juzheng first congratulated Zhu Zaigui.

Zhang Juzheng said, "Your Highness has already been selected for the imperial examination. I believe that in a few days, Your Majesty will hold the ceremony of crowning for Your Highness. By then, Your Highness will be considered an adult. I would like to congratulate Your Highness."

Zhu Zaigui looked at Zhang Juzheng who was serious, and said with a chuckle, "Thank you, sir. I didn't expect it to be so sudden."

Zhang Juzheng said: "The princes are of noble descent and are different from the common people. Ancient rituals say: King Wen was crowned at the age of twelve, and King Cheng was crowned at the age of fifteen."

"Your Highness is the son of the emperor, so naturally he is of a higher status than the other princes, so he can have his coming-of-age ceremony earlier. The Zuo Zhuan says: 'It is a ritual to have a son after having his coming-of-age ceremony.' Now that Your Highness has been selected, the coming-of-age ceremony is naturally on the agenda."

As Zhu Zaigui listened to Zhang Juzheng's eloquent words citing classics, he suddenly realized that there was such a saying.

Zhu Zaigui sighed, "I am really lacking in these etiquette rules. I didn't even know there was such a saying."

Zhang Juzheng smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to blame yourself. Although etiquette is fundamental, for Your Majesty, etiquette is not fundamental, but a tool."

"Your Highness, you only need to follow the etiquette as naturally as needed."

When Zhu Zaigui heard what Zhang Juzheng said, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart again.

It turns out that those who can make the rules are the ones who can break away from them.

Even this kind of ancient etiquette that has been regarded as the standard by people all over the world can be changed at will as long as one's status is high enough and one's strength is strong enough, and there will even be people who specifically make these principles consistent with themselves.

Power and place are truly intoxicating!

It is no exaggeration to say that “words come true”.

After chatting about these small things, Zhu Zaigui also looked at Zhang Juzheng with a smile, "What lessons did Mr. Zhang prepare for today?"

Zhang Juzheng bowed slightly to Zhu Zaigui, and then said: "A few times ago, I explained to you the edicts of the First Emperor and Emperor Gaozu of Han. Today, I will explain to you the edict of Emperor Wen of Han."

"Your Highness, do you know what kind of person Emperor Wen of Han is?"

Zhang Juzheng asked his first question in class.

Zhu Zaigui thought for a moment and said, "Emperor Wen of Han should be a model of a wise ruler."

Zhang Juzheng smiled slightly: "Your Highness's answer is correct. But it is not comprehensive enough. Emperor Wen of Han is a model of a wise ruler, but his prudence and wisdom are also excellent choices."

"Emperor Wen of Han was the second son of Emperor Gaozu of Han. He had no chance of becoming emperor. But because of the Lü family's rebellion, Emperor Wen was blessed by heaven and became the ruler of the world."

"Before Emperor Wen came to the capital from Dai, he was extremely cautious and was not distracted by the temptation of the throne. Before arriving in Chang'an, Emperor Wen declined three times before accepting the seal to enter the palace as the ruler of the world. This scene is very similar to your majesty's entry into the capital from the Qiandi." "After Emperor Wen entered the palace, he first appointed Song Chang as the general of the guards to command the northern and southern armies, and then appointed Zhang Wu as the doctor-in-charge of the palace to ensure everything was in place."

"This heart and this plan are the best of the time in ancient and modern times. So people all praise Emperor Wen's virtue, but forget his wisdom, which is insufficient."

"Therefore, before I talk about Emperor Wen's edict, I must first talk about Emperor Wen's wisdom. In this way, Your Highness can get a glimpse into Emperor Wen's heart."

Zhang Juzheng's words made Zhu Zaigui nod his head repeatedly.

Emperor Wen of Han was so great!
Then Zhang Juzheng said, "Your Majesty, please read this edict of Emperor Wen:"

Zhu Zaiqi looked down upon hearing this:

"The Lü clan was in power and plotted treason, intending to endanger the Liu clan's ancestral temple. Thanks to the generals, ministers, dukes, and royal family ministers, they were executed and all accepted their guilt. When I first ascended the throne, I pardoned the whole country, granted the people one level of nobility, and gave 100 households of women cattle and wine, and feasted for five days."

After Zhu Zaigui finished reading the Emperor Wen's edict, Zhang Juzheng asked again, "What do you think of the Emperor Wen's edict?"

Zhu Zaigui thought for a moment, then looked up at Zhang Juzheng again, but he didn't say anything.

At this time, Zhang Juzheng continued to explain: "Your Highness, please look at the first sentence, 'The spies, the Lü clan, abused their power... and relied on the generals, ministers, dukes and royal family... all of them were guilty.' This sentence points out the reason and affirms the merits of the generals, ministers and ministers in suppressing the rebellion. This is what the ancients called the principle of being justified."

"The next sentence, 'When I first ascended the throne, I pardoned the whole world, granted the people one rank of nobility, and gave cattle and wine to every hundred women, and feasted for five days.' This sentence further pointed out the authority of Emperor Wen. Only he was qualified to exercise the power of the Son of Heaven, pardon the whole world, and show favor to the people."

"Your Majesty, please do not underestimate this favor to the world, granting people a rank of nobility and other rewards. Although these rewards may seem ordinary, they are also the foundation of Emperor Wen's benevolence and virtue."

"Without this sentence, Emperor Wen only recognized the merits of generals, ministers, nobles, and royal family officials, but did not reward the common people. This is not virtuous, let alone benevolent."

"So Emperor Wen's virtue and benevolence are engraved in his bones and reflected in his daily actions. Therefore, Emperor Wen is a model for future wise rulers to emulate."

Zhang Juzheng explained the imperial edict of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty from the simplest to the most complex, and used the content of the edict as an example to teach Zhu Zaigui the importance of benevolence and virtue, allowing Zhu Zaigui to have a more comprehensive understanding of Emperor Wen's heart.

Zhu Zaigui was also extremely impressed by this point. He believed that Zhang Taiyue was indeed a man of talent who could govern the country and benefit the people.

It is truly amazing that such a simple edict from Emperor Wen can contain so many truths.

After listening to Zhang Juzheng's words, Zhu Zaigui sighed and said, "Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty is truly a role model for all ages. Now that I look back on your Majesty's past, I finally see your good intentions. It turns out that your Majesty is also following the path of Emperor Wen."

"Over the years, whenever there was a disaster in the local area, Your Majesty would immediately exempt the victims from taxes. Your Majesty is such a benevolent ruler. How lucky I am? How lucky are the people of the Ming Dynasty?"

Zhu Zaigui compared Emperor Jiajing to Emperor Wen of Han without hesitation. As soon as he said this, even Zhang Juzheng, who was giving a lecture, was stunned.

He never dreamed that Prince Yu's thoughts would jump so much, directly jumping from Emperor Wen to the current emperor, and actively affirming the current emperor's benevolence and virtue.

This was really beyond Zhang Juzheng's expectations.

Zhang Juzheng was stunned for a moment, then he immediately reacted and said, "Your Majesty is right. The current emperor is no less capable than Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty!"

After hearing this, Zhu Zaiqi's face suddenly lit up with a smile, "Mr. Zhang, that's a good idea!"

(End of this chapter)