Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 41 Study Hard and Read Well
"What a wonderful saying, 'If a father has a righteous son, he will not fall into injustice!'"

Zhang Juzheng laughed in anger, for Zhang Yunxiu had recently taken to contradicting him.

What's even more infuriating is that this kid actually has the ability to talk back to me.

He scrutinized his young son, squinted, and said, "I'd like to hear what your 'competition' is all about!"

Zhang Yunxiu glanced at his fourth brother lying on the bench and sighed inwardly. His fourth brother was truly his lucky charm. He had just wanted to say these words to Zhang Juzheng, and this opportunity had come.

He paused for a moment, then met Zhang Juzheng's authoritative gaze and spoke.

"I think that Father is wrong to beat and scold you at every turn."

Zhang Juzheng sneered and said, "It is the natural order and moral principle for a father to teach his son!"

“If you are too strict and one-sided, how can you teach a child well?” Zhang Yunxiu replied.

"You have a different reasoning?"

“Of course,” Zhang Yunxiu said as he paced back and forth. “Father often teaches his children harshly and critically, but he never thinks about how to guide them properly.”

He then looked at Zhang Juzheng and said, "In my opinion, Father may be meticulous in political affairs, but he has made many mistakes in educating his children!"
Educating children should be like managing floods; it requires guiding them according to their nature and individual aptitude, rather than being like the father who only strictly guards and blocks their path.

"Flood control should focus on dredging, not blocking. How is Father's trip any different from simply stopping a raging flood and causing it to flow backward and submerge towns?"

Zhang Juzheng responded contemptuously: "According to you, my whipping of your fourth brother today makes me a sinner who blocked the flood and harmed the common people?"

In Zhang Juzheng's view, his youngest son was just looking for trouble. Since ancient times, fathers have taught their sons that even if they beat them to death, no one would care.

What is guidance/dissipation?
The two were engaged in a fierce confrontation.

The eldest brother, Zhang Jingxiu, was pacing anxiously to the side. He and You Qi were both ready.

If Zhang Juzheng were truly enraged and wanted to kill his two rebellious sons, they would have no choice but to step in to save the day.

For example, someone might cling to the leg of the tense Juzheng.

You Qi even specifically instructed the servant beside him: "Have you found a doctor yet? Go find another one, the Fifth Young Master will also be bedridden!"

Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth brother, who was lying on the bench, noticed that his father's beating and scolding had stopped. He turned his head and heard Zhang Yunxiu's words, and also showed a strange look.

Is this kid trying to help me, or is he looking for a beating?

Since ancient times, the world has been considered the foundation of heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers. Below the emperor are one's parents. In the eyes of the ancients, nothing was more important than obeying one's parents.

But then Zhang Yunxiu said, "Father, are you going to make the same mistake again? Father is not a sinner. In my opinion, Father's teaching is not lacking in strictness, but in care!"

Do you not know the principle of 'guiding without leading, encouraging without suppressing, and opening up without forcing'?

How could Zhang Juzheng not understand the contents of the "Record of Learning" in the Book of Rites?
But at this moment, he wouldn't listen at all. His face grew colder and colder as he pointed the bamboo whip at Zhang Yunxiu.

"You certainly know how to quote scriptures and speak eloquently!"

Then let me tell you, since ancient times, "the strictness between father and son should not be taken lightly; the love between blood relatives should not be neglected. If it is neglected, filial piety and love will not be maintained; if it is taken lightly, neglect and disrespect will arise!"
Excessive pampering will only produce rebellious children like you and Zhang Jianxiu!

Compared to quoting classical texts, ten Zhang Yunxius cannot compare to one Zhang Juzheng.

However, Zhang Yunxiu did not choose to confront his father directly.

spoil?

He seized on that word and said with a sneer, "How much doting did my father show me?"

He seemed moved as well: "How is Father's whipping of Fourth Brother today any different from his scolding and cursing of me in the past?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Juzheng's originally furious face showed a hint of astonishment.

The question, “How is this any different from your past scolding and abuse of me?” truly struck a chord with Zhang Juzheng.

Since their last late-night conversation, he had already felt guilty towards his youngest son, and now it was even more difficult for him to express it.

In his dazed state, he seemed to see a shadow in Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth son.

That was when I used to scold Zhang Yunxiu, when I used to be cold to my young son, when I neglected to discipline him, and then turned around and scolded him at every turn.

But then Zhang Yunxiu's words continued to reach her ears.

"Father, don't you understand? You are so focused on cultivating a garden full of beautiful flowers, but you have forgotten that even weeds need sunlight to grow in the right direction!"
If there is no light, how can you blame the weeds for going astray?

Unconditional criticism will only backfire, Father, don't you understand that?

Zhang Juzheng's pupils contracted as he stared intently at Zhang Yunxiu, his entire body frozen as if he had become a statue.

He had countless rebuttals in his head, and a plethora of allusions to use.

Zhang Juzheng had always had a question in his mind.

His upbringing of his sons, except for his youngest, can be described as exemplary.

What was the result? Zhang Juzheng hoped that the children would bloom like flowers in a garden, but what was the outcome in the end?
Having three sons who became top scholars in the imperial examinations, and the eldest and second sons who passed the imperial examinations, would be an extraordinary achievement for an ordinary family.

But in Zhang Juzheng's household, it was really nothing.

But what good are top scholars? What good are Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)? In the end, they all become bookworms, even less intelligent than those who are uneducated.

So, has his teaching all along truly been successful?
"Why is Father silent? Is it because he feels guilty?" Zhang Yunxiu's words were aggressive.

Zhang Juzheng took two steps back, his body swaying slightly.

With a snap, the bamboo whip in his hand fell to the ground.

In an instant, countless images flashed through Zhang Juzheng's mind: the bits and pieces of teaching his sons in the past, and another face.
If Zhang Yunxiu was wrong, then how can we be right to scold the fourth son, Zhang Jianxiu?

The four sons made mistakes, but was the scolding too harsh?
Zhang Juzheng turned his head and saw the bloodstains on his fourth son's body again; the crimson back was a shocking sight.

Is being too harsh really the right thing to do?

How can we expect wild grass to grow properly if it has no sunlight?
Was I really wrong in the past?

Zhang Juzheng was not afraid of the other party's reasoning or their use of classical texts, but he was afraid of the other party's attempt to attack his mind!
Lost in thought, Zhang Juzheng's steps became somewhat unsteady. He took two steps back, his steps unsteady, and he almost fell.

Zhang Yunxiu reacted quickly and immediately caught his father.

He said with a burning gaze, "I have been disrespectful and have spoken out of turn to you, Father. These are my heartfelt words. If you can turn back from your ways, there is still room for maneuver."

Zhang Yunxiu's submission undoubtedly shattered Zhang Juzheng's hardened heart.

"It's alright." Zhang Juzheng raised his hand, looking dejected, as if all his anger had been instantly drained away.

With Zhang Yunxiu's help, he slowly stood up, his eyes softening as he looked at his young son and spoke.

How do you know all this?

Zhang Yunxiu answered truthfully: "It's nothing more than empathy."

He secretly grumbled, thinking it was nothing more than listening to a lot of emotional radio programs from later generations.

Zhang Yunxiu's words were not particularly eloquent, but they resonated deeply with the listeners.

Zhang Juzheng may have been a shrewd and powerful prime minister of the Ming Dynasty, but he was ultimately a father, so how could he not be soft-hearted?

He gently patted the back of his young son's hand and said with emotion.

“You have spoken from the bottom of your heart today, ‘If a father has a son who is rebellious, he will not fall into injustice.’ Very well, this is a good point. I will accept your advice.”

Zhang Juzheng was never a pedantic person; he dealt with matters objectively, and if something was wrong, it was wrong.

His brows gradually relaxed, and he seemed to become more at ease. He then looked at Zhang Jianxiu, the fourth son, who was lying on the bench.

"Si Zhe, are you alright?"

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu raised his head, his hair disheveled, his face still bearing traces of tears, looking anything but well.

But seeing his father's gentle gaze for the first time, he had no complaints left, and tears streamed down his face.

"Father, I was wrong, I was wrong, I will never be foolish again."

Zhang Juzheng was also somewhat moved. Seeing the shocking wounds on the four sons' bodies, he said to You Qi who was standing to the side.

"You Qi, quickly go and fetch the doctor to bandage Si Zhe."

Just now, You Qi was extremely nervous. Now that the matter has suddenly been resolved, he was almost caught off guard. He glanced at Zhang Yunxiu subconsciously before quickly cupping his hands in greeting.

"Young man, let's do it right now."

"ASAP."

Zhang Juzheng turned to look at his fourth son and felt a pang of guilt. He stepped forward and gently patted his son's head.

"You've suffered so much; you must never do this again."

"I will never dare to do it again!" Zhang Jianxiu didn't dare to say anything more and nodded repeatedly.

With a sigh, Zhang Juzheng looked at his four sons and couldn't help but say something.

"Let bygones be bygones. I have one more piece of advice for you to keep in mind."

Zhang Jianxiu nodded hastily: "Whatever Father says, I dare not disobey."

Zhang Juzheng's eyes flickered as he glanced at his youngest son, Zhang Yunxiu, who was still feigning righteousness.

"Your fifth brother's words have enlightened me. He is far more outstanding than you. From now on, you should learn more from him and never try to compete with him again. Brothers should be harmonious."

"Father, I will..." Zhang Jian was deeply moved, tears streaming down his face. He hadn't felt much pain from his wounds anymore, but upon hearing those words, he froze completely. "Huh?"

So I'm accused of biting my brother?

　Note 1: The *Book of Rites* states, "The teaching of a gentleman is through analogy. He guides without leading, encourages without suppressing, and enlightens without directly giving answers." Every child learns differently, and education should be tailored to their individual characteristics. Simply scolding or beating a child and forcing them to accept information not only violates educational principles but may also hinder their growth and development.

　　Note 2: From *Yan Family Instructions*: "The strictness between father and son should not be taken lightly; the love between blood relatives should not be neglected. Neglecting it will prevent the harmonious transmission of love and filial piety between parents and children, while excessive intimacy will lead to laziness and arrogance in children."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)