prosperous age

Chapter 696 Chapter 795
Wei Guangde was still wondering if Gaoyi would play something important at this time, and he heard Zhang Juzheng's voice in his ears.

"Da Zong Bozuo invited the crown prince out of the pavilion to give lectures. Speaking of which, His Highness is also six years old, so it's time to be enlightened."

Zhang Juzheng said in a seemingly calm tone, looking at Wei Guangde as he spoke, a smile caught his eye.

Emperor Longqing had made arrangements when he was in Qianchuan, asking Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde to teach Zhu Yijun, the current Crown Prince.

Since then, Zhu Yijun, who was still the prince's son, has been calling Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde Master Zhang and Master Wei.

Everyone in the cabinet knew about this matter, even the six ministers knew about it.

After Yin Shizhen quickly read the memorabilia, he handed it to Wei Guangde, asking him to read it too, but with a relaxed smile on his face.

Wei Guangde glanced at Zhang Juzheng for the last time, with those full and deep eyes, he opened the memorial and looked down.

"The great events of the three generations are all urgent to teach the crown prince. The emperor established the crown prince early, and he has been admired at home for more than a year. Today, the east palace is under the wise age, and the English break is gradually opening. It is heading towards an uncertain time. It is not enough to learn poetry and books, and to get close to Confucian scholars. Concentrate the body and mind, cultivate virtue, and the children of ministers and concubines are seven years old, there is no shortage of teachers to go to school, learn to read chapters and sentences, the original son of the emperor, is the great foundation of the country, Gu may not learn in time, and the merits of long education."

Wei Guangde quickly read through Gao Yi's memorial, and to be honest, there is nothing wrong with what the article said.

Children in later generations start studying at the age of seven, and this is also the period when scholars in this era start learning for their youngest sons. The prince is about to turn seven years old, and at this time the Ministry of Rites will play a play, and it makes sense to prepare the notes for the palace ceremony.

It's just that Wei Guangde knew very well what children in this era learned. Although they were taught simple books at the beginning, they were more enlightened in reading and writing accompanied by courtiers, and taught the daily court etiquette of the prince.

Soon after, the content of the Four Books will begin. The master will dictate the content of "Great Learning", "The Analects of Confucius", and "The Doctrine of the Mean" to give the prince a preliminary understanding of Confucianism. At the same time, he will explain to the prince the world's people's sentiments, agriculture, military affairs, etc. This gave the prince a preliminary understanding of world affairs.

Moreover, according to the Notes on Daily Lectures and Readings that Wei Guangde had seen before, once the prince leaves the pavilion to study, he has to go to the Wenhua Hall to study every day at the hour of the day, so that a child will start the day like the officials of the Ming Dynasty very early.

Wei Guangde felt a little cruel in his heart, it was too early.

According to the "Manuscript of the Ministry of Rites" of the Ming Dynasty, the schedule of the prince's lectures was recorded: every morning at Hou Mao, the prince went to the Wenhua Hall to read the "Four Books", "Five Classics" and history books, etc., accompanied by an attendant;

In the Si Dynasty, the lecturer explained the learning content, and then the secretary taught the prince how to write calligraphy.

Write fifty words a day in winter, and one hundred words a day for the rest.

After returning to the palace for lunch, the prince either rested or learned riding and archery.

Every night, the prince needs to "read the book taught that day several times until he is familiar with it."

It can be seen that the prince of the Ming Dynasty really left early and returned late.

Of course, this is also the work and rest time of most people in this era, but for Wei Guangde, who came from a later generation, he felt that it was too cruel to let a seven-year-old child start reading at five in the morning.

"Gao Shangshu's performance is appropriate, but the prince is too young, why not wait until next year, when His Highness is seven years old, to discuss the matter of leaving the cabinet?"

Wei Guangde knew that the work and rest time of the Ming Dynasty prince had actually been set long ago and could not be changed easily.

Even if it is Gao Yi, as the minister of the Ministry of Rites, if he does not copy the original regulations in the notes on the prince's reading in the pavilion, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, the censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the officials of the Imperial Academy can all use this to impeach him. .

The time cannot be changed. The only thing Wei Guangde can help little Zhu Yijun is to go to school later, even if he waits until the prince is seven years old to discuss the matter, Zhu Yijun can have an extra year of playing time.

"Old Wei Ge's words are wrong. The crown prince is the leader of the country. How can he not learn from Yilong's upbringing in time?"

Gao Yi replied immediately after Wei Guangde finished speaking, "If you delay the prince's admission to school, and the prince is neglected in the harem, and he is extremely stubborn, it is absolutely impossible to stop being correct.

Moreover, even if His Majesty approves the award now, the Ministry of Rituals is only starting preparations, selecting attendants to study and accompany, and the actual lectures will have to wait for the auspicious day set by Qin Tianjian, Your Majesty will decree.

If it is postponed to the next year, I'm afraid it will be too late, and it will delay the prince's study. "

"The prince is the foundation of the country. It is not appropriate to delay his studies and loans. If he postpones it, don't say it again. I have discussed it with Mr. Li Ge and Gao Shangshu before. It is better to let this memorial enter the palace and ask your majesty to read it. good."

Unexpectedly, after Wei Guangde expressed his intention, Chen Yiqin spoke up.

Since Li Chunfang, Chen Yiqin, and Gao Yi had reached an agreement on the prince's study, Wei Guangde felt that it was useless to say more, so he had to nod his head in agreement.

"Uncle, Zhengfu, what do you think?"

After Wei Guangde nodded, Chen Yiqin continued to ask Zhang Juzheng and Yin Shizhen for their opinions.

Of course, the two of them would not object. In fact, all of the people here, except Wei Guangde, came from scholarly families. They also started picking up books at the age of six or seven, so they didn't feel anything.

As for this work and rest time, it is of course much earlier than that of ordinary people, almost more than an hour earlier.

But since he is a prince, he must be a role model for the world. He should do things that ordinary children cannot do. In this way, he can be an inspirational example by spreading the word.

Moreover, studying at this time has long been accustomed to them who have been immersed in officialdom for many years, so they don't think it will be bad for the prince.

However, they also understood Wei Guangde's objection to his study time. After all, they knew Wei Guangde's background, and estimated that Wei Guangde's study time was later than them, so they felt that the prince should study later.

When neither Zhang Juzheng nor Yin Shizhen objected, it was decided that the crown prince would go out to study in the palace. The memorial was sent directly to the palace by Gao Yi, and Emperor Longqing was asked to read it and give it.

When Wei Guangde walked out of Li Chunfang's room, he was a little absent-minded.

He didn't know what greeted Zhu Yijun.

When he was still in Prince Yu's mansion, because his sons Wei Dacheng and Zhu Yijun were born close to each other, Wei Guangde was often recruited by King Yu to discuss their children's education.

The main thing was to discuss whether children should enter school at the age of seven or give lectures later. Wei Guangde considered the content of entering school in this era at that time, and told Emperor Longqing that it is suitable for later, so that children can learn later, and children will be more adaptable. .

Wei Guangde didn't know if the current emperor still remembered the conversation he had with Emperor Longqing.

But why bother so much, they are the children of other people's families anyway.

Two more days later, the cabinet convened the Ministry of Rites, the Minister of War, and the Minister to discuss the notes on the Grand Review. The first draft was finalized. It was confirmed that the Ministry of Rites would polish it and send it to the cabinet within two days, waiting to be submitted to Emperor Longqing for his inspection.

At the same time, Wei Guangde and Tan Lun also discussed the time to inspect the Beijing camp. Just as the meeting was over and everyone was about to return to their respective yamen, news from the palace spread that Emperor Longqing had given instructions in Gaoyi's memorandum, "Wait until ten years to say ".

Gao Yi hadn't left Wei Guangde's house on duty, so she was stunned on the spot when she heard the news.

Emperor Longqing actually set a rule for the prince to study at the age of ten, which Gao Yi found unacceptable anyway.

"No, this matter must not have the temperament of His Majesty. How can the prince start studying at the age of ten? I want to find Mr. Li Ge, Mr. Chen Ge, and call six officials to jointly play, cough cough."

Maybe he was a little excited, but Gao Yi started coughing in the middle of his words.

Although Wei Guangde deeply understood Emperor Longqing's love for Zhu Yijun, he also felt that if he really waited until he was ten years old to start giving lectures, it would still be a little late.

In fact, when the prince Zhu Yijun was in the harem, in addition to playing around, he also learned to read with his ministers, but he only read the "Three Character Classic". Perhaps this was the reason why Emperor Longqing was not in a hurry to let him go out to study.

But Wei Guangde knew that maybe the gossip in Yuzhi had entered Emperor Longqing's heart.If you leave the pavilion to study at the age of ten, won't you be able to directly read the Four Books, Five Classics and Historical Records?

Wei Guangde felt that he understood the emperor's idea, and planned to arrange for him and Zhang Juzheng to give lectures to Zhu Yijun when the prince turned ten.

Of course, he would not go to the emperor to verify this guess, just wait for a few years.

But seeing Gao Yi so excited, he hurried over to bring him tea and water. It would be unlucky if Gao Yi really fell into the room while he was on duty.

And Huo Yi, Minister of the Ministry of War, had already stood up and gave him a gentle thump on the back, and the other officials, such as the servants, also showed concern, but it was unknown what they were thinking.

After drinking some water, my mood calmed down, and Gaoyi gradually recovered.

"Old Wei Ge, go and talk to Lord Shoufu and Cifu, the cabinet and the six ministers should be called to discuss this matter. The education of the crown prince is the foundation of the country, and there must be no delay."

Gao Yi quickly said to Wei Guangde, his face started to flush again as he spoke, and he was obviously excited again.

"Okay, okay, I'll send someone to invite Lord Chief Assistant, Lord Second Assistant to come here, as well as other cabinet ministers, let's discuss how to do this matter first, and whether to ask for orders again."

Wei Guangde was happy in his heart, but it never showed on his face. Instead, he said with a sad look.

Based on Wei Guangde's understanding of Li and Chen, even if they were invited to come here now, they would only be consoling. After all, it was the emperor's decision.

In fact, the ministers didn't care much about the prince's study, whether it was early or late, and only those imperial readers who were qualified to be the prince's teachers were interested.

At present, Emperor Longqing is in his prime, who among the ministers would be interested in a child.

Wei Guangde couldn't understand Zhang Juzheng's mentality, the look in his eyes that day was very meaningful, anyway, he couldn't figure out what it meant for the time being.

Call the scribes and arrange for them to invite Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin.

Not long after, after the two arrived together, Wei Guangde told what happened in a few words.

When facing them, Wei Guangde naturally looked helpless.

"Zixiang, since Your Majesty has made a decision, let's stop arguing.

The prince's lectures are a major matter related to the country and are very important, but I have also heard that His Highness is very talented. Although he did not go to school, he was able to read and write in the harem. "

As soon as Li Chunfang opened her mouth, she was interrupted by Gao Yi after saying a few words: "Master Chief Assistant, how can His Royal Highness study with an eunuch? Your Highness should study with Confucian scholars and virtuous people. This is absolutely not allowed."

Chen Yiqin behind him first glanced at Wei Guangde, seeing that he had no intention of speaking, and knew that he wanted to stay out of it, so he had no choice but to take a step forward and began to comfort him.

Not long after, Zhang Juzheng and Yin Shizhen were also notified. In fact, they also heard the news when they were on duty, and the news came from Li Chunfang.

The memorials written by Emperor Longqing will be sent to his guard as soon as they come out of the palace, and they will be distributed.

There are some matters that need to be returned directly to the various yamen for handling, so naturally they should be sent directly.

For those that need the attention and coordination of the cabinet, it is natural to arrange errands, decide who will be in charge, and send the memorial to him.

Hao Shu said that Gao Yi was finally appeased for the time being, but he did not give up, but agreed with Li Chunfang and Chen Yiqin to convene a cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter.

After sending everyone away, Wei Guangde tidied up his official robes and said with a smile: "I didn't expect Gao Shangshu to be so stubborn, I didn't realize it before."

Shaking his head while speaking, he arranged for Lu Bu to clean up the room.

It has passed the time of San Ya, and it was all killed by Gao Yi.

But when he walked out of the cabinet, he met Zhang Juzheng outside the door, and beside him were Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen.

"Shan Loan, come to my place for a drink. It's been a long time since we've had a drink together."

Zhang Juzheng laughed when he saw Wei Guangde coming out.

"it is good."

Seeing that Chen Yiqin and Yin Shizhen were there, Wei Guangde knew that they must have agreed to Zhang Juzheng's invitation. Although it was a bit abrupt, he still agreed.

After leaving the palace, he told his servants to go back and report the news, and the four sedan chairs went forward and backward in one row, and the destination was naturally Zhang Juzheng's mansion.

In fact, Zhang Juzheng said that they hadn't drank together for a long time, which was just an excuse.

During the New Year, several members of the cabinet found a place to have a drink together.

After all, we are all colleagues, and we never see each other when we look up. Calculating, the time has only lasted two months.

When I arrived at Zhang Juzheng's mansion, I sat in the flower hall to rest, and only the servants prepared the banquet.

The four of them sat together, talking about political affairs for a while, and the old affairs of Yu Yu for a while, and the chat was lively.

"Shan Loan, what do you think of His Majesty's arrangement for the prince to enter school at the age of ten?"

Zhang Juzheng said to Wei Guangde after sitting down for a few glasses of wine.

Wei Guangde smiled and realized that Zhang Juzheng seemed to be very concerned about this matter. It seemed that the look he gave him that day was that he wanted to work together to promote this matter.

Although Emperor Longqing was only middle-aged, Zhang Juzheng seemed impatient to be the "Prince and Taifu".

"Brother Uncle, although I haven't read His Majesty's approval, I can roughly understand His Majesty's thoughts.

Once the prince leaves the pavilion to study, his routine will be the same as mine.

The prince is still young after all, as a father, I understand his love for his son. "

Wei Guangde said with a smile, "As for Gao Shangshu's statement that the prince should not be with eunuchs, but should study with Confucian sages, I don't think so.

The teachers in Neishutang are all Hanlin bachelors, so you and I didn’t have the opportunity to give lectures in Neishutang, otherwise, I don’t know how many people in the palace would call us sir when they saw us. "

"Hehe. Also."

Zhang Juzheng smiled, he knew what Wei Guangde meant, so there was no rush.

Wei Guangde is not in a hurry, and Zhang Juzheng cannot be in a hurry either.

(End of this chapter)