Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 313: Why did you teach me? (4k)
To be honest, everyone felt that it was a bit strange and even low-brow to use plain language to describe the meaning of a sutra, but what was said in plain language was so clever that they didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Many words are used in other scriptures to explain the four words "the people are more important than the king", but they are not as accurate as these plain words. Not to mention Zhao Xu, even the eunuchs and maids who had not received much education beside him showed expressions of sudden enlightenment.

When Empress Dowager Gao saw this, her expression softened. It seemed that Su Yun also paid great attention to people's livelihood. If he paid attention to people's livelihood, he should be different from Wang Anshi.

Moreover, it seems that he is very knowledgeable about education. Even the eunuchs and palace maids can understand his teachings. In this case, perhaps it would be a good idea to let him teach Xu'er?

However, she was still a little cautious and looked at Lu Dafang. She knew that among the four Lu brothers, three were disciples of the Er Cheng. Although Lu Dafang did not regard them as his teachers, he still respected the Er Cheng.

Empress Dowager Gao said, "Mr. Lu, you are also Xu'er's tutor. What do you think of Xu'er's desire to let Su Yun be the tutor?"

Cheng Yi couldn't help but look at Lu Dafang nervously.

Lu Dafang did not look at Cheng Yi, but nodded and said, "As for the education of the emperor, the queen mother is the emperor's grandmother, so it is natural that the queen mother will make the decision.

However, if the Queen Mother wants to ask for my opinion, I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Su Yun was also a lecturer in Chongzheng Hall before, and he was also the late emperor's imperial teacher. Now he is here to give lectures to the emperor, which is also a good thing."

After hearing this, Empress Dowager Gao finally made up her mind and nodded, saying, "In that case, let Scholar Su be the lecturer. As for the assignment, please think about it carefully and make a plan."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yi suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes.

This was the scene that he feared the most, but he didn't expect it to happen.

Su Yun becoming the new imperial tutor means that his teachings are recognized by the new generation of monarchs and ministers, which is an influence.

Another impact is that Su's school of thought will have a profound influence on the little emperor. When the little emperor grows up and fully supports Su's school of thought, then with the vigorous vitality of Su's school of thought, won't all other schools of thought have to be sidelined?

But at this moment Cheng Yi had nothing to say, but he immediately made up his mind: he could not resign, and he had to fight Su Yun to the end by the emperor's side!
Su Yun knew nothing about this matter. When he found out, he was a little surprised, but also somewhat relieved.

What surprised him was that he really didn't expect that Queen Mother Gao would dare to let him get close to Zhao Xu. Based on Su Yun's understanding of Queen Mother Gao, she should have been very strict in education and would not let someone like him get close to Zhao Xu.

The good news is that this shows that what he has been doing recently has produced other results.

Being able to teach Zhao Xu means that he has a connection with the future ruler of the Song Dynasty. Haha, Wang Anshi and Zhang Juzheng were able to take power because one taught the young Song Shenzong and the other taught the young Ming Shenzong...

When Su Yun lectured at the Imperial College, he certainly wanted to win over many like-minded people, but he also wanted to gain support from the upper class. Otherwise, what was the difference between him and Cheng Yi?
Cheng Yi's teachings were certainly passed down and later inherited and developed by Zhu Xi, becoming a prominent school of thought for the next thousand years, but Cheng Yi himself basically did nothing in officialdom.

Su Yun doesn't want to be a Cheng Yi.

Therefore, he had to establish connections with the top rulers of the Song Dynasty.

It is very difficult to communicate with people like Empress Dowager Gao now, because they are basically stubborn conservatives. Talking to them about change is like seeking death.

But as long as we can communicate well with Zhao Xu and wait until Zhao Xu takes power himself, we will be able to achieve great things.

However, during these six or seven years, he had laid a solid foundation. By the time Zhao Xu made use of him, he would have had the foundation to govern!

Su Yun’s first lecture was scheduled for the first day of August.

Su Yun was well prepared, because the lecture on this day would definitely be held under the attention of all parties.

However, even with this mental preparation, Su Yun still felt nervous when he arrived at the place, because not only Lu Gongzhu, Fan Chunren, Lu Dafang, Su Shi, Cheng Yi and others were there, but even Empress Dowager Gao was present.

"How much free time do these people have? It's just a class, and they all came."

Su Yun muttered to himself, but he knew that this was a test for himself. If he spoke well today... no, if his speech met their expectations, then he could continue as a lecturer. But if it involves any reforms, then I'm sorry, you have to go back to where you should be, and there will never be such an opportunity again.

Su Yun is not a brave young man, so he will naturally not do anything at this time. Since you don't want to listen, I must make a shocking statement in front of you.

Su Yun bowed respectfully to Empress Dowager Gao, Zhao Xu and other officials. His words and actions were very gentle and elegant, which immediately won the favor of everyone except Cheng Yi.

Especially Empress Dowager Gao, she had actually heard of Su Yun's reputation for a long time. For a woman, even if she was already in her forties or fifties, she was very interested in hearing that a young man was praised as a man of the Song Dynasty, and the key was that he was talented, not only did he write peerless poems like "Linjiangxian" and "Yuanxi", but he was also the top scholar in the imperial examination.

However, Empress Dowager Gao had been living in seclusion and had never seen Su Yun before. Since she started to rule the country from behind the curtain, she had been ruling the country behind the curtain, and Su Yun was still some distance away from the front, so today was the first time she saw Su Yun up close.

"This young man is indeed good-looking!"

Empress Dowager Gao felt deeply moved.

When Su Yun performed the ceremony in a gentle and graceful manner, Empress Dowager Gao's favorable impression of him increased a little.

When Cheng Yi saw the appearance of Empress Dowager Gao, he immediately knew that she had a good impression of this young man. He felt helpless: It’s not a big deal to have a pretty face!
But then he sighed inwardly, who says it isn't true? Who doesn't love beautiful boys?

After Su Yun bowed, he began to teach according to the prepared lesson plan.

What Su Yun was talking about today was "The Great Learning".

"…First read the Great Learning to determine its scope; then read the Analects to determine its foundation;
Next I read Mencius to see his development; then I read The Doctrine of the Mean to seek the subtleties of the ancients..."

"…Studying in college helps you understand human relations, study in college helps you to correct your mind and establish rules and regulations. A ruler should have a correct mind and sincerity as the foundation for stabilizing the country and maintaining peace…"

Su Yun's clear and gentle voice echoed in the hall. What he said was not only unprecedented, but also upright and without any extreme or radical ideas.

This was not something Su Yun did specifically to please Empress Dowager Gao and others, but when it came to the spiritual construction of the upper class, Su Yun's path was originally the upright kingly way.

When doing things, he would not fall into a rut too much, and would do things in a natural way. Just like when he used his troops, he used them with one mind, and he had already reached a state of perfection, and the same was true for doing things.

When Empress Dowager Gao heard this, she just nodded slightly to show her approval at first, but after listening to the rest, she really took it seriously. Originally, she just wanted to check whether there was anything wrong with Su Yun's lecture content, but now she was fascinated by it.

Empress Dowager Gao received a very good education when she was young, but she was not necessarily very good at the classics, or she was not necessarily very interested in them. But today, after listening to Su Yun's lecture on "The Great Learning", she felt like she had been enlightened.

Especially when Su Yun talked about sincerity and uprightness, the many doubts that Empress Dowager Gao had since she came to power were suddenly clarified.

In this way, when Su Yun finished his class, Empress Dowager Gao could not help but praise him and said, "Scholar Su is indeed worthy of being the foremost scholar of the classics in our dynasty. After listening to the profound classics of Scholar Su today, many of my doubts have been suddenly cleared up!"

Su Yun quickly said modestly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I hope Your Majesty will not laugh at my humble opinion."

Empress Dowager Gao smiled and said to Su Shi: "Master Su, you have taught a good nephew. Great, great. Emperor Yingzong said that he would leave a prime minister for Xu'er, and now Xu'er has also left a prime minister for Xu'er!"

Lu Gongzhu raised his eyebrows when he heard this. He had been considering the assignment for a long time and now had an idea in mind.

It's not that he didn't know what kind of assignment Su Yun was suitable for, but he was concerned about what Empress Dowager Gao thought. If Empress Dowager Gao had concerns about Su Yun, then this assignment would be difficult to decide.

But now that Empress Dowager Gao has shown satisfaction with Su Yun, there are many tasks that can be discussed.

After the lecture, Lu Gongzhu went to consult Queen Mother Gao alone about the matter.

After listening to Lu Gongzhu's narration, Empress Dowager Gao pondered for a moment and said, "The post you mentioned is originally very suitable for Xiao Su, but the Ministry of Revenue has too many miscellaneous affairs. Xiao Su is better off focusing his energy on teaching officials, and it is not appropriate to arrange a post that is too busy.

The same is true for the appointments of Kaifeng prefect, the Minister of Personnel, and the Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council. But you mentioned another appointment, the Minister of Works, right?"

Lu Gongzhu was slightly stunned. The position of Minister of Works was indeed vacant, and he just proposed it to make up the number. He didn't expect that the Queen Mother Gao did not like other more suitable assignments, but instead took a fancy to the assignment of the Minister of Works.

However, Lu Gongzhu did not dare to neglect it and quickly said, "Yes, the former Minister of Works is already old and has been submitting retirement petitions recently, but no one can replace him for the time being."

Empress Dowager Gao smiled and said, "That's perfect. Let Su Yun go. Su Yun did a great job dredging the Huimin River and digging underground tunnels. I think he will be able to take to the Ministry of Works as well."

Lu Gongzhu opened his mouth but didn't say anything. Instead, he agreed.

After going out, Lu Gongzhu shook his head slightly. It seemed that Empress Dowager Gao was still suspicious of the young scholar Su.

Compared with positions like Vice Minister of Revenue, Prefect of Kaifeng, Vice Minister of Personnel, and Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council, the position of Minister of Works is much inferior, and even somewhat demeaning. Few Hanlin scholars were sent to places like the Ministry of Works.

However, Lu Gongzhu didn't care too much. After all, he didn't have a particularly close relationship with Su Yun. Since Queen Mother Gao was willing to make such an arrangement, then so be it.

Lu Gongzhu went back and discussed the matter with others, and then it was decided.

After Su Shi learned about it, he was quite happy. Although the Ministry of Works was not a good place to be, it was the head of the Six Ministries after all. Moreover, considering Su Yun's current situation, as long as there was a real assignment, it would be a great thing!

After listening to the course, Empress Dowager Gao and others all left, leaving behind Su Yun and Zhao Xu. They had classes today, and it was impossible for others to stay and continue listening.

Cheng Yi wanted to stay and listen. What Su Yun said was indeed very attractive to him, but he couldn't refuse the opportunity and had to leave with him.

Su Yun saw the others leave, so he smiled and said to Zhao Xu: "Okay, sir, you take a break."

Zhao Xu's eyes suddenly lit up and asked, "Can I take a break?"

Su Yun smiled and said, "Of course you have to take a break. From now on, whenever I give you a lecture, there will be a quarter of an hour break in between. You can do whatever you want, walk around, drink some water, etc. It's totally fine."

Zhao Xu was immediately delighted and said, "That's great, sir, can you tell me about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"

Su Yun glanced at the eunuch serving beside him and said with a smile: "Your Excellency should take a break, as we still have to continue the class soon."

Zhao Xu immediately understood what Su Yun meant. There was someone watching him.

But Zhao Xu was quite satisfied. Being able to take a short break was already very good for him.

Zhao Xu rolled his eyes, then sat down and read the book carefully. After a while, he picked up a pen and quickly wrote a few lines. Then he handed it to Su Yun and said, "Sir, I don't quite understand this sentence. Can you explain it?"

Su Yun looked at it, was slightly stunned, and then smiled and said: "Of course you can. ... It is said that one must first govern his family before governing a country. If one cannot teach his family, he can teach others..."

Su Yun spoke while writing on the piece of paper.

"A hidden dragon, do not use it. Nine four: Or leap in the abyss, no blame."

Zhao Xu's eyes lit up and he took the note. However, Su Yun took the note with a smile and threw it into the brush washing basin next to him. The note became soft after being soaked, and Su Yun reached out and crushed it.

Zhao Xu whispered, "Sir, my father told me before he died that you are the only minister I can rely on. I hope you will not disappoint my father and me."

Su Yun nodded expressionlessly.

That night, Su Yun returned home and wrote down what Zhao Xu had written today: Sir, I want to emulate my father to enrich our country and strengthen our army and wipe out all previous shame. What can you teach me?

After watching for a while, Su Yun took a tinder, lit the paper, and threw it into the brazier, laughing happily.

It’s not that he is surprised by Zhao Xu’s ambition. As a time traveler, he naturally knows that Zhao Xu is a man of great talent. What makes him happy is Zhao Xu’s recognition of him, which is the most important thing!
(End of this chapter)