Chapter 122 The Brutal Deng Qianqiu
Deng Qianqiu realized that he had become the target of public criticism, and almost everyone's eyes were on him.

Many of Zhu Yuanzhang's decrees were always considered unique by his ministers.

For example, if there were corrupt officials, local people were allowed to take them to the capital to be punished together with the imperial edict in hand.

The ministers thought that Zhu Yuanzhang could be quite humorous sometimes.

So sometimes everyone got used to some of Zhu Yuanzhang's strange orders or actions.

But what happened today was beyond everyone's expectations.

Because Deng Qianqiu is a military official and is young, can such a person be a teacher of the clan members?

Throughout the dynasties, great scholars or important officials of the court were hired as teachers to educate clan members.

He is just a centurion, and this guy... obviously has no knowledge.

If Li Shanchang, Hu Weiyong and others thought this was an accident, then Wang Guangyang, Liu Ji and others would want to vomit blood.

Many ministers exchanged glances with each other, although they did not say anything.

If there are many unreasonable cases in the edict, such as encouraging citizens to sue officials and protect officials, or other unreasonable cases, since he is the emperor, everyone can just go along with it. After all, no one would dare to go to the yamen to arrest officials and send them to the capital for punishment.

But this matter is different. After the imperial edict was issued, the princes really had to follow Deng Qianqiu, the illiterate, to study.

Is this okay?

Of course, the illiteracy here does not mean to belittle Deng Qianqiu, but it represents the standard of a scholar in this era, which is to be able to read the classics of the saints, rather than just being able to write a few words.

"Your Majesty..." Chief Censor Liu Ji sighed and walked out.

In fact, he didn't want to come out.

But at this time, many ministers had already looked at him. As a great scholar in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, people had high expectations for this Chief Censor.

He felt as if he was being held on a fire by countless people, but he had no choice.

Liu Ji said: "I think... Is this not appropriate? It is better to take a long-term view."

Despite the rebuttal, Zhu Yuanzhang still had a good attitude at this time, and said with a smile: "Why is it inappropriate?"

Liu Ji said: "I think..."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, but turned his gaze to Deng Qianqiu: "Liu Qingjia said that you are not worthy of being a teacher, you answer it."

"Ah..." Deng Qianqiu didn't expect Zhu Yuanzhang to be so irresponsible.

In fact, he and Liu Ji had the same mood. The other was being controlled by all the officials, and as the Chief Censor, he had to stand up.

As for Deng Qianqiu, he was being held by Zhu Yuanzhang.

At this time, Liu Ji and Deng Qianqiu both saw each other's helplessness.

Liu Ji coughed and advised with some good intentions: "Captain Deng, you are still young, you should resign now and cannot accept such a heavy burden."

Deng Qianqiu said awkwardly, "I want to decline, but His Majesty has chosen me, and it would be disloyal if I decline. I have no choice but to do it."

All the officials were anxious and cheering for Liu Ji in their hearts. It seemed as if they were all saying: Say something harsh, Liu Zhongcheng, why are you so weak and powerless!

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Deng Qianqiu with some encouragement.

Liu Ji knew that if he didn't say something harsh, he would have no way to explain to the officials, so he said, "Captain Deng is wrong. The loyalty of an official lies in being able to assist Your Majesty and share Your Majesty's worries, not in being completely obedient. Many treacherous officials and villains in ancient times were always trying to please His Majesty, but they all ended up in a bad way."

At this moment, all the officials felt a little relieved and thought: This sentence is quite serious, and I feel it a little.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Deng Qianqiu with a smile on his face, as if to say, if you want to be my son's mentor, you must show some ability and teach Liu Bowen a lesson for me.

Deng Qianqiu glanced at Liu Ji, who was also helpless, and sighed, "May I ask, Mr. Liu, what kind of books did your son study and who did he study under?"

Liu Ji smiled and said in a gentle and pleasant voice: "My son is currently studying the Spring and Autumn Annals and is a disciple of Zhang Yi."

Deng Qianqiu said casually, "This Zhang Yi must be very knowledgeable. Is he the teacher chosen by Mr. Liu for your son?"

Liu Ji nodded.

Deng Qianqiu asked again: "So did your son accept it?"

Liu Ji said: "He is happy with it."

Deng Qianqiu spread his hands and said as a matter of course: "That's it. Lord Liu chose a mentor for his son, and your son accepted Lord Liu's choice. Now your majesty also chooses teachers for the princes. The princes are filial and willing to accept them. This is their filial piety. Why do outsiders have to make irresponsible remarks? Are you trying to stop the ministers from being loyal and the sons from being filial?"

"..."

Liu Ji was silent.

Then he sneered: "Oh, you have a point. Being loyal and filial is in line with the way of the saints. I really shouldn't say more."

He said this and remained silent.

All the officials were left speechless, but many of them had stiff faces, as if they were holding their breath.

Zhu Yuanzhang's tiger eyes flashed with praise, and he felt that he really had good taste. He said with great joy: "It seems that Mr. Liu has been convinced. In this case, then... this matter is settled."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said: "You all should return to your respective offices."

……

Zhu Gang came to Deng Qianqiu's side and whispered, "Qianqiu, you are so powerful that even Liu Ji is not as good as you." Deng Qianqiu whispered, "You should call me mentor in public. Liu Zhongcheng is giving in to me. He is just fulfilling his duties as the Censor-in-Chief. Do you really think you can't beat me?"

Zhu Gang then looked gloomy and unhappy.

"By the way, are we still good brothers?" Deng Qianqiu whispered to Zhu Gang.

Zhu Gang nodded like a little chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, yes."

Deng Qianqiu added: "When the time comes, I'll have to ask you for a small favor."

Zhu Gang suddenly became energetic and said immediately: "I am a man of honor, Qianqiu, you can rest assured."

Deng Qianqiu sighed and said, "From now on, just call me mentor. I don't mind, but I'm afraid that others will scold you for not respecting your teacher."

Zhu Gang suddenly glared, almost furious, and said, "Deng Qianqiu...my dear teacher...you are killing me..."

……

Zhu Yuanzhang's appointment made Deng Qianqiu feel very pressured.

Among your Majesty's sons, except for the crown prince, none of the others are easy to deal with. It would be good if they were taught well, but if not, what can we say?
You know, how many people are unhappy with this.

Deng Qianqiu returned to the Hundred Households Office with a heavy heart, knowing that he could not avoid this responsibility, so he thought carefully and roughly formulated a study plan.

On the next day, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di and Zhu Su all came to the Hundred Households Office.

Everyone felt a little awkward during this meeting.

Deng Qianqiu sat upright, and the other three... bowed very reluctantly.

Deng Qianqiu responded: "Your Highnesses, I am truly sorry, but it is difficult to disobey the Imperial Order. Since His Majesty has chosen me to teach you, then... let's study. Here is an article. You should do nothing for the next two days and memorize it thoroughly."

Zhu Gang said, "What is it? Let me take a look."

He took the article and then distributed it to Zhu Di and Zhu Su.

Zhu Di looked unruly and seemed very reluctant.

Zhu Su, on the other hand, seemed much more honest, but absent-minded. He looked down and frowned, "The Disciple Rules are the teachings of the sages. First, filial piety and respect for elders, then prudence and trustworthiness. Love all people and be close to the benevolent... In front of teachers, speak softly... When teachers are standing, children should not sit down. When teachers sit down, they should sit down only when told... Treat your teacher as if he were your closest relative..."

Zhu Su was reading and reading when he could not continue.

He tilted his head and began to think.

Deng Qianqiu said: "Hmm? You seem to have some doubts?"

"Master, I clearly heard people say that you know nothing about Confucianism and are good at miscellaneous studies, but this Disciple Rules is full of words about benevolence, righteousness, filial piety, and brotherhood, as well as the teachings of sages..."

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "Choose the good ones and follow them, and change the bad ones. Any knowledge has its good side. I have also absorbed some essence from the way of the saints, so you should cherish it even more. This thing is so precious that you should not only be able to recite it by heart, but also keep it in mind all the time."

Zhu Su was shocked and seemed dissatisfied.

Zhu Di just sneered.

Zhu Gang shouted at this time: "What a bastard, I won't learn it. I am a prince, who can do anything to me, humph!"

Deng Qianqiu immediately flew into a rage: "Zhu Gang, I have tolerated you for a long time. Now that I am your teacher, you are disrespectful to your elders and do not take me seriously at all. It seems that if I don't teach you a lesson today, you will still be stubborn! Come, bring me my whip."

Zhu Gang crossed his arms and said, "Come on, if you have the guts, hang me up and beat me."

then……

Zhu Di and Zhu Su were stunned to see Zhu Gang being hung from the beam.

Is he serious?

The two looked at each other, although they suspected that this might just be an act... However, when Deng Qianqiu swung the whip and really hit Zhu Gang, and Zhu Gang screamed like a pig being slaughtered, Zhu Di and Zhu Su couldn't help but be shocked.

"Are you convinced?" Deng Qianqiu shouted like an angry King Kong.

“I don’t… I don’t accept… Aaaaa…”

……

Zhu Gang was put down and sat obediently in the corner, supporting his head and falling into deep thought.

Deng Qianqiu said coldly: "Endorsement."

Zhu Di showed an angry look, but he still began to recite the "Rules for Being a Good Pupil and Child" obediently.

Zhu Su seemed more proactive and began to recite aloud.

Deng Qianqiu took Zhu Gang to the duty room next door to treat his injuries. While applying medicine to him, he said, "Oh, I didn't expect that I would hit him so hard."

"It's okay, I'm used to being beaten." Zhu Gang couldn't help but show some grievance and said, "It's just that this is the first time I was beaten by you, and my heart hurts a little."

Deng Qianqiu said: "I am doing this for your own good."

Zhu Gang almost cried out: "How can this be good for me?"

"Then are Zhu Di and Zhu Su your closest brothers? They are unruly and unruly. Now that they have been tamed, it will be good for them. Good for them is good for you, because you are their elder brother."

Zhu Gang remained silent and continued to lie there, resting his mind.

(End of this chapter)