Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 151 I like Mencius's Annotations
After the candidates from all over the country came to Beijing, they found that everyone was talking about Mencius during their exchanges with students in Bianliang, and the "Collected Annotations of Mencius" also entered their field of vision.

Logically speaking, Mencius was just a supplementary classic in the imperial examination and should not have caused such a sensation.

But this collection of annotations on Mencius, which was polished by Zhang Dun and Su Zhe and revised with great effort by Su Yun, is really wonderful!
For students with a solid foundation in classics, it is as attractive as nectar.

Although the score ratio of the combined classics was not high, it was too brilliant, and it made people salivate when reading it, leaving a lasting aftertaste, which made the candidates who came to Beijing fascinated by it.

But the greater the praise, the greater the criticism that follows.

Some people commented that the Collected Annotations of Mencius was the most brilliant annotation of Mencius since the Spring and Autumn Period, but some people criticized the Collected Annotations of Mencius as "sensational", "one-sided", and "heresy". Some even criticized Su Yun personally as "arrogant and rampant", "misinterpreting the words of the sage", and "a scholarly thief". The criticism was very sharp and harsh.

For a time, both praise and criticism were extremely fierce, and both sides started quarreling, and even a large-scale fight broke out inside the Imperial College.

Wen Huanghua, Yang Bing and others are naturally the protagonists.

They were already Su Yun's most loyal followers, so naturally they would not allow anyone to criticize "The Collected Annotations of Mencius" and Su Yun. As everyone knows, there were many factions in the Imperial Academy. Even if some factions secretly read "The Collected Annotations of Mencius", they would never approve of it in public. They would also constantly demote or even attack Su Yun in public.

How could Wen Huanghua and others allow this, so a large-scale fight was naturally inevitable.

Chongzheng Hall.

Zhao Xu's face was pale and he looked very unwell. He had had some health problems recently and had been bedridden for a while. He only got better in the past few days and was able to receive some court officials.

After today's morning court session, he came to Chongzheng Hall to meet with several court officials, and he felt a little exhausted.

He looked a little worried.

Sun Sigong came in and brought a bowl of lotus seed and black fungus soup. Zhao Xu took a few bites and felt nauseous, so he put it on the table.

Sun Sigong looked a little worried. The emperor's health had never been very good, and in recent years, because of the repeated deaths of princes, the young emperor had suffered great physical and mental torture.

After the Chinese New Year this year, the official's health has been getting weaker and weaker. He fell seriously ill at the beginning of summer and now looks a little sick.

Zhao Xu took a sip of strong tea, sighed softly, and asked, "What's new recently?"

Sun Sigong pondered for a moment and said, "Recently, there was a fight among the students of the Imperial Academy, and it seemed to be quite a big fight."

Hearing this, Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly condensed and he said, "The court spent a huge amount of money to support them in their studies, but instead of studying hard, they learn to fight?"

Sun Sigong nodded and said, "Yes, it's outrageous."

Zhao Xu took a look at Sun Sigong's expression and said, "Oh, it seems there is something hidden?"

Sun Sigong quickly took out a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Xu. Zhao Xu took it and looked at it. He exclaimed, "Mencius's Annotations? Is there such a book? Why have I never read it before?"

Sun Sigong said: "This Mencius Annotations is a recently published book, and the author is also familiar to the emperor, Su Yun, who wrote the Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

Zhao Xu was somewhat surprised when he heard this. He said, "Su Yun annotated Mencius? He has such an attainment in the interpretation of the classics? Isn't this nonsense? How old is he? It's good enough for him to understand Mencius. How dare he annotate Mencius?"

Sun Sigong nodded and said, "That's right, that's why there are so many critics. Many students don't like Su Yun, so they are attacking him.

But some students thought it was well-written, so the two sides began to debate. When the debate failed, they started to fight.

No matter what, fighting is wrong, and the government should reprimand them."

After hearing this, Zhao Xu looked at Sun Sigong with a half-smile and said, "Su Yun bribed you, so why did he ask you to come and beg for mercy?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Sigong immediately knelt on the ground and said in a sad voice, "Your Majesty, I dare not do this. I have never had any contact with Su Yun, let alone any relationship with him. Your Majesty, please understand clearly!"

Zhao Xu laughed and said, "Get up. I know you have nothing to do with him, but I am curious, why would you beg for mercy for him?"

Sun Sigong quickly got up and said with a flattering smile: "I like to read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Su Yun writes well. I can't help but want to defend him.

Su Yun did not participate in the fight at the Imperial College, but he was the one who wrote the Mencius Annotations after all, and those who defended him also expressed what I wanted in my heart, so I couldn't help but be inclined to it. I really deserve to die!"

Zhao Xu laughed when he heard this. This old servant really knew how to please others. Knowing that he liked the Three Kingdoms, he would bring up the Three Kingdoms from time to time. However, it was normal for the subordinates to follow the likes of their superiors, and he could not be blamed.

Zhao Xu shook the Annotated Mencius and asked, "Have you read this book?"

Sun Sigong smiled awkwardly and said, "I read it, but I fell asleep after reading only a few pages, hehe."

Zhao Xu couldn't help laughing and said, "You are ignorant and incompetent!" Sun Sigong cried out, "Your Majesty, this is not my fault. Although I can read, I learned to read so that I would not be blind. The meaning of the classics can only be learned by real scholars.

Moreover, I have heard that the quality of this collection of annotations is extremely high, and even many scholars of the classics have come out to comment on it publicly. Although many of them are very sharp criticisms, I think that if the quality of this book is not high enough, it may not cause even the slightest waves.

Therefore, it is normal for me not to understand it. It would be strange if I could understand it. "

Zhao Xu scolded him, "Isn't it unfair to say that you are unlearned and incompetent? Humph, I will punish you by making you copy the Mencius's Annotations and reflect on yourself."

Sun Sigong suddenly looked worried.

Zhao Xu chuckled. This actually aroused his interest. However, he felt tired and had no intention of reading. He leaned back in his chair and flipped through the books casually.

But as he turned over the pages, he sat up straight involuntarily.

He watched from noon to night, even eating dinner while watching. Sun Sigong was a little worried about Zhao Xu's health and advised him to take a rest several times. Zhao Xu got annoyed and directly drove Sun Sigong out.

However, his energy was insufficient after all. After reading half of the book, he was dazzled and had no choice but to put the book down.

Sun Sigong peeked at the door for a long time, and when he saw Zhao Xu put down the book, he quickly brought in a cup of tea.

Zhao Xu took a sip of hot tea and felt a little more energetic. He then stood up and walked around the hall, and his mind gradually became more active.

Sun Sigong said, "Sir, this book... is quite interesting?"

Zhao Xu glanced at Sun Sigong and said, "How can you describe a book like this, which is an annotation of the sage's scriptures, as having no meaning? You deserve a beating!"

Sun Sigong laughed and pretended to hit himself on the mouth, saying, "This old slave deserves to be beaten!"

Zhao Xu ignored Sun Sigong's mischief and gradually became solemn. It was unclear whether he was talking to Sun Sigong or to himself, and he said, "Yong'er is not a child anymore. It's time to find some teachers for him. Su Yun's attainments in the classics make him qualified to be Yong'er's teacher..."

As Su Sigong listened, he was shocked.

Most people may find this matter normal. After all, finding a teacher for your son is a normal thing.

But to Sun Sigong, a close minister, it was like a bolt from the blue.

Zhao Xu has only one son still alive, his sixth son Zhao Yong (Zhezong).

But he is only five years old now. Although the princes all start school at the age of six, Zhao Yong is not in good health and Zhao Xu has always said that he should start school later. But why are you in a hurry to find a teacher for him now?
Secondly, Su Yun doesn't even have an academic title now. No one has ever been able to be a prince's tutor without the academic title of Jinshi. There has never been such a precedent since the founding of the country.

Therefore, the government’s idea is actually very unreasonable.

If something goes wrong, it will be a monster.

Sun Sigong immediately thought of Zhao Xu's recent poor health, and Zhao Xu had always admired Su Yun very much. Could it be that... the emperor had already begun preparing a minister to take care of the Sixth Prince?
Of course, the term "a minister entrusted with the care of the orphan" is a bit exaggerated. Su Yun's current status is too low, and he doesn't even have any achievements. If someone wants to be entrusted with the care of the orphan, he has to be a minister. But at least Su Yun is included in the ranks of assisting the six princes.

So, the government has already started preparing for the funeral?
Sun Sigong didn't dare to say anything, and quietly shrank his body, hoping that Zhao Xu would ignore him, but Zhao Xu said, "The Autumn Examination is about to begin, right?"

Sun Sigong breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly, "Sir, there are less than twenty days left."

Zhao Xu nodded and said, "I will arrange for the chief examiner to come and see me tomorrow."

Sun Sigong quickly accepted the order, and then Zhao Xu waved his hand and said, "Forget it, you give him the Annotated Mencius and tell him that I like this Annotated Mencius very much."

Sun Sigong quickly accepted the order. It was not difficult to guess what the emperor meant. He was afraid that Su Yun would encounter an accident in the imperial examination, so he asked the examiner to pay attention to him. Even if his level was slightly lower, he had to pass the test.

The emperor must give Su Yun an honor no matter what. Only with an honor can Su Yun become the sixth prince's lecturer.

Sun Sigong left quietly. Zhao Xu held his forehead and thought for a long time. He called Sun Sigong back and said, "I was not in good health recently, so the imperial lecture may not be held for a long time. Please arrange it."

Sun Sigong quickly asked, "Is it the small or large lecture? Which lecturer should come?"

Zhao Xu said softly, "Small lecture, please...Su Juzheng will come and talk about the Annotations to the Mencius."

Sun Sigong was shocked.

It seems that the emperor really wants to make use of Su Juzheng. Not only will he arrange fame for him, but he will also want to support the Collected Annotations of Mencius for him. Once the Collected Annotations of Mencius are recognized in the imperial lecture, the weight of the Collected Annotations of Mencius will be greatly increased!
Although it is still impossible to stop the criticism and attacks from outside, but with this halo, Su Yun is a master of classics recognized by the emperor!
(End of this chapter)