Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 432: True Emperor’s Disciple

Since the Privy Council already existed in the Ming Dynasty, the military examination and martial arts system had naturally been established.

After failing the first imperial examination, Lu Xiangsheng was advised by his former Privy Councilor to prepare for the military examination in early autumn.

After having a meal and drinking at Tian Le's house, Lu Xiangsheng felt dizzy as he walked on the road.

Although I did not pass this exam, I have met too many noble people along the way to this day.

After he left, Tian Le took a short nap in the afternoon and also took a carriage to the outside of Donghua Gate.

When he met the emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he naturally had a comfortable chair.

"Bring the chess pieces here." Zhu Changluo instructed Wang Wei, and then sat down opposite Tian Le.

There is also a dedicated honeycomb coal stove in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and a tea table next to it.

Now that everyone is in a relatively relaxed state, Zhu Changluo comes to stay in the Yangxin Palace.

The chessboard was placed, the king and his ministers talked over their chess pieces, and their mouths were not idle either.

"When you set off, there will be no one who will not give me a chance to play chess. I am obviously just a lousy chess player, how can I be your opponent?"

"Your Majesty is not obsessed with chess. Since he plays it occasionally and mostly for entertainment, why should the ministers cause trouble to the king and father?"

"You're saying that I'm narrow-minded and care about the gains and losses of a chess game."

Zhu Changluo really didn't like playing chess. It was just that during these long years, he had a lot of time to spend on entertainment, or it would take a lot of manpower and financial resources to organize it, so playing chess was a good choice.

And even less with foreign officials.

"Come to think of it, ever since Liu Ruoyu went to Jiangnan, I have only played a few games with the Queen, the Crown Prince, and Rong Fei during the New Year holidays. Not only has my chess skills not improved, but they are also not as good as before. The old Grand Tutor should be gentle."

"Your Majesty said that I would not give up the game, and now you want me to be gentler. Should I give up the game or not?"

Zhu Changluo laughed loudly: "How could you not grasp it well? Just do it the old way."

The water in the kettle gurgled, the cups and lids clattered, and the pieces fell onto the chessboard, all at a fast pace at first.

When Wang Wei picked up the third cup of tea and handed it over, he glanced at the board. The emperor's black pieces were in a good situation, but the emperor frowned and began to think for a long time.

She looked at Old Master Tian who was sitting with his eyes closed and looking relaxed.

This situation has happened many times. It always seems that Master Tian gives up the game at first, but he always manages to turn the situation around at the end.

Judging from the emperor's expression, I'm afraid it will be the same again this time.

She was extremely intelligent, and was good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In the palace, her brother was the best at chess. He and His Majesty would often have a few words, and Wang Wei would always serve them.

After carefully looking at the situation on the board, she thought deeply and understood why the emperor was so hesitant: there were some moves by the white pieces that had other uses behind them. But she couldn't figure out how to change them at the moment.

Zhu Changluo looked at the plate while picking up the teacup and blew slowly.

He took a sip and put it down, then picked up a piece and put it down. Then he heard Wang Wei say "ah" softly, as if he felt very sorry.

"Is this a mess?" he asked.

Wang Wei lowered her head and shook it: "How can this servant understand?"

"This move is definitely not the best one." Tian Le smiled and responded without hesitation, "Your Majesty is the same again. When you play with black first, you are often very imposing and far-sighted. But the battle in the middle of the board and then the end, it is inevitable that you will miss some calculations. Allow her to give you some advice."

"The old master has spoken, so I'll give you advice if necessary." Zhu Changluo shook his head helplessly, "It looks like we're already defeated."

So it became a game of two young guys fighting against one old guy, but in the end Tian Le still won the game.

"I can see that you are much better at chess and have a plan in mind. When you play against me, you often let me make the layout first, and then you make up your mind and make the final move." Zhu Changluo looked at Tian Le and said, "You are also using chess to advise me. No matter how good the situation is, you must not take it lightly."

Tian Le cupped his hands and said, "This is why your Majesty is not good at chess. Chess is just chess, and your Majesty is still thinking about state affairs. With your Majesty's talent, your mind is often used on state affairs, and playing chess is just a pastime. I am happy to see that your Majesty is still a bad chess player, and I don't want your Majesty to spend too much energy on chess."

"The emperor and his subjects have been together for more than ten years. I am really reluctant to let Xizhi go." Zhu Changluo sighed, "I know you are a resolute person. The results will be announced today, and you must come to report in the afternoon. Let's just free up some time and have a good chat."

Let Wang Wei remove the chess sets and make new tea.

Tian Le then said, "Although Lu Xiangsheng's foundation is not solid enough and he has not yet mastered the methods of studying and doing things, he is still quite rare at such a young age and is a good seedling. I originally thought that Your Majesty would let me test him or use him in the East Asia plan. After the interview, I suggest that he take the military examination and keep him for the Ming Dynasty."

"So, from your and Li Qing's perspective, he is indeed a rare talent. Why did he fail the imperial examination?"

Tian Le then told Lu Xiangsheng what he said, and then added: "I sent my servant to check the library, and he did go there quite a lot recently, and he also borrowed and read many books from Southeast Asia and the West, which shows that what he said is true. Although this boy thinks highly of himself, he is indeed very strict in his self-discipline and study."

Zhu Changluo nodded. Since it was “strictly selected for history”, gold will always shine.

He is still very young.

"The martial arts examination...is not very good." Zhu Changluo suddenly said this.

Tian Le was stunned for a moment, then explained: "I was thinking that if he could pass the military imperial examination, the Privy Council could invite him to the Imperial Study to listen to the teachings of Your Majesty. Such a good seedling, if trained properly, will be able to take on great responsibilities in the future."

"There will be no shortage of military, political and civil talents in the future." Zhu Changluo shook his head, "But there is a force that Xizhi often mentioned before, and it will take a great talent to control it in the future."

Tian Le's expression was stern: "Your Majesty is saying..."

"Officials and gentry pay taxes together, and all businesses are represented in the court." Zhu Changluo looked at him. "More than sixteen years have passed, and now these twelve words are only seen in the shadows, not realized. It's not easy. First, strengthen the financial plan and guide the industry and commerce, which are all to reduce the resistance to officials and gentry paying taxes together and all businesses being represented in the court. But now, the industry and commerce, especially the royal family, noble relatives, and licensed imperial merchants, already need a long-term mechanism to suppress their evil."

"……I see."

Hearing the emperor talking about these twelve words, Tian Le couldn't help but sigh. Industry and commerce opened up new wealth channels for the Ming Dynasty, and the first stage was of course to loosen up. But at the same time, the management system established still needed to face the nature of "seeking profit".

Especially when new interest relations are established among royal families, noble relatives, local clans and government officials, the Ministry of Property and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Executive Yuan may not be able to control them.

After all, the initial guidance was given by the emperor himself.

Zhu Changluo looked at Tian Le and said, "Take him to the palace again in two days. I brought Runling here to have a look at him secretly. The little girl is about to turn fourteen this year, and she is beginning to fall in love. Since Lu Xiangsheng is a good candidate, I might as well train him in that direction. There must be an institution to control the royal family, noble relatives, eunuchs, and special imperial merchants in the future."

Wang Wei was a little shocked. He didn't expect that the emperor was going to recruit this young man named Lu Xiangsheng as his son-in-law.

The daughter of Concubine Shu is the emperor's eldest daughter. She was born in April of the fourth year of Taichang. After some time, she can be considered to be fourteen years old.

But isn’t it a bit early to choose this prince consort?

Tian Le bowed and said, "Your Majesty is preparing for a rainy day. I understand. If that's the case, he really doesn't need to fight for a good background. Instead, he needs to stay by your side and listen to your teachings. Only your Majesty can teach him about this."

"I'm just afraid he won't be happy about it." Zhu Changluo smiled, "Xizhi knows the pros and cons. Now that the Xingang Xuanwei Division is about to be established, when the East Ocean Plan is completed, the Ming Dynasty will have a vast territory. The Lifanyuan, Zongming, Changming and many Takuhai militias must cooperate well and be under control. You might as well explain the reasoning to him so that he can have a clear idea in his mind."

Due to the particularity of the imperial system, in the long period of time that followed, the Ming Dynasty would inevitably still have to face interest groups that were purely dependent on imperial power.

At present, talents in other fields are emerging, but the groups such as royal family, noble relatives, and eunuchs lack top experts.

The new candidates prepared for the imperial examination with joy and trepidation, and Lu Xiangsheng was summoned by Tianle again.

This time, he was like a disciple and aide, accompanying him in recruiting many failed candidates, listening to him and the people from the Lifanyuan and Jinxianyuan talking about the plans for Southeast Asia and the East, and listening to the imperial court promise him power, fame and wealth as a foreign vassal in the future.

He was a little confused, but he did come into contact with the careful preparations that the Ming Dynasty had made: the Lifanyuan, the Official Property Bureau, the three major fleets, the chartered Takumi Tuanlian Foreign Company, the official trade system represented by the Zongming and Changming, and the two diplomatic and trade centers of Dongdu and Nandu...

That night, when Tian Le returned to Tian's residence in Shuaifu Hutong, Tian Le asked him, "Have you noticed? The big families and merchants don't have to talk much. For example, the Tao family was the first to go to Korea. Now they are already a very prominent family in Korea. On the contrary, the children of ordinary families are still afraid of the remoteness of the foreign barbarians."

"I have noticed it." Lu Xiangsheng nodded. "According to what the old master said, the sea merchants are not afraid of wind and waves, and they pursue profit. They are poor children, and although they have a strong desire to serve the country, their hearts are only in the Ming Dynasty."

"Profit drives people to be brave, and it is more effective when used to explore new areas. But the imperial court has far-reaching plans, and wants to assimilate this vast territory into a unified vassal state. After profit, we must use loyalty and righteousness." Tian Le looked at him, "To be honest, I want to be a farmer who reclaims wasteland. This year I will plan to travel east, and in the future I want the Tian family to take root in Japan."

Lu Xiangsheng was shocked and stared at Tian Le blankly.

Tian Le looked at him meaningfully, "Your Majesty, you value the people's livelihood, not just one dynasty. The current military expenditure is quite high, and it is based on the long-term. You are lucky to be born in a great era. From now on, you don't have to be pedantic and stick to the officialdom like many candidates I have seen in the past few days. The major policies change with the times and circumstances. Your Majesty should study the theory of the study of things to gain knowledge carefully."

“Students are taught.”

Tian Le nodded: "Go back and prepare well. Tomorrow afternoon, I will take you to the palace to meet the emperor."

Lu Xiangsheng's heart was shaken again, and his voice began to tremble: "Enter the palace... to see the emperor?"

"That's right." Tian Le looked at him with a half-smile. "Even if you want to repay the kindness of me and Li Qing for your recognition, and the grace of the Holy Heart's trust and respect, you should not be bound by the strategies of generals and ministers, or the rules of military and national systems. A man is born in a great era, so where can he not achieve achievements and leave his name in history?"

The next afternoon, Lu Xiangsheng got on Tian Le's carriage with a nervous mood and came to the outside of the east gate.

In the Yangxin Palace, Fan Sirong stood in front of Zhu Changluo with the shy and embarrassed Zhu Runling.

"I'm not in a hurry to get married, but my father doesn't want you to be trusted by the wrong person in the future." Zhu Changluo smiled, "Born in the 28th year of Wanli, he is already a candidate at a young age. Although he failed this year's exam, he has been examined by two privy envoys, and he is a rare talent. If he is willing, I will naturally accept him as my disciple and let him come to the palace to serve me from time to time. If you like, you can also come to the Yangxin Palace often to see him and talk to him."

The little girl blushed and said softly, "Just follow my father's orders."

In fact, as a princess, how could she decide on her own whether to choose a husband? Besides, she was not fully grown yet.

But for Fan Sirong, it was naturally touching that the emperor was so open-minded and considered his daughter's husband so early, and also hoped that they could have some emotional foundation before the wedding.

This young talent who had been tested by two Privy Councilors was a person that no one dared to think too much about.

When Zou Yi came to report that the old master had brought Lu Xiangsheng into the palace, Zhu Changluo said, "Let's go. There's no need to be sneaky. Let's take a look openly."

Lu Xiangsheng passed through the Prince's Eastern Palace, the former location of the cabinet and the Wenhua Hall, and then went all the way to the east side of the Fengtian Huangji Hall, passed the main gate of the Qianqing Palace, and arrived at the Yangxin Hall.

I have to say, it’s only been a few days since the results were announced, but it feels like a dream.

I don’t know how to prepare properly when I’m about to meet the emperor.

When he arrived at the Yangxin Palace and saw the scene, he was even more stunned.

"…Student Lu Xiangsheng, I kowtow to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live the Emperor! I kowtow to His Majesty the Concubine…"

He only took one look and lowered his head in horror, then bowed deeply following Tian Le's address.

Why are Concubine Shu and Princess Le'an here too?
In that fleeting glance, how could Lu Xiangsheng not understand the way Concubine Shu looked at him and Princess Le'an's blushing face and evasive eyes?
...Old Master, you said you were not rigid, but this is a bit too non-rigid.

"Your Majesty, I will take Runling back first."

Hearing Concubine Shu talking, followed by the sound of footsteps, and then faint laughter and coquettish words, Lu Xiangsheng blushed.

After a while, he heard the emperor asking him to get up first, and then he felt that he was still being stared at.

"With your intelligence, you will understand," the emperor asked him. "I will not make it difficult for you. Since Xizhi and Li Qing both say that you are a good candidate, how about you become my student first and grant you a badge for admission to the Yangxin Palace?"

"Students... students..."

"Thank you." Tian Le said, "Do you think His Majesty can't choose a good son-in-law? You've gone to so much trouble just for the military and national system. Every subject is called the emperor's disciple, but His Majesty hasn't accepted a disciple yet. I hope you can take on important tasks in the future. This is related to the long-term plan of the Ming Dynasty. Young people who are willing to study hard and are not pedantic need to learn the true meaning!"

So Lu Xiangsheng kowtowed again in a daze, and his life path took a big turn.

(End of this chapter)