Chapter 128 The Clown
Zhu Yuanzhang's face showed disbelief.

If we say that Zhu Gang's previous remarks were of great significance to Zhu Yuanzhang, it could only mean that Zhu Gang had read books and started to imitate the scholars in preaching great principles.

But what is really amazing is what comes next.

It turns out that this was said by Qin Hui. The fact that he could recite this allusion shows that this guy is familiar with many historical allusions.

But it was completely reversed at the very end, and the principles he spoke of were no longer as simple as those expressed by scholars.

Just this one sentence has far surpassed the vast majority of his peers. Even many of Zhu Yuanzhang's peers may not be able to have such an understanding.

The son in front of him seemed to have been reborn, which made Zhu Yuanzhang excited. So Zhu Yuanzhang asked anxiously: "Who taught you to say this?"

Zhu Gang scratched his head and said, "My master said this during class. He said... The most important thing in doing anything is to know people. And to tell a person apart, the way is to listen to what he says and observe what he does. Don't look at what he says, because the more treacherous and evil a person is, the more likely he is to speak beautifully. This is the so-called "the more loyal you are, the more treacherous you are..."

Zhu Yuanzhang paced around Zhu Gang unconsciously, his expression becoming increasingly heavy.

Zhu Gang continued: "Master also said that the most difficult thing in the world is to distinguish right from wrong, just like many great principles, such as Liu Zhi..."

Liu Zhi's face was already miserable at this time. He had been cruel enough, but he did not expect that Deng Qianqiu and his gang were even more cruel than him. It could be said that they hit his weak spots everywhere.

Now hearing Zhu Gang mention his name again, Liu Zhi couldn't help but shudder in his heart again.

Zhu Gang said, "Liu Zhi likes to talk about great principles, and he always talks endlessly. But does a person who always cares about the country and the people and always talks about the virtues of a gentleman necessarily mean he is a gentleman who cares about the country and the people? He may be a gentleman, or he may be Qin Hui. Because of this, you can only truly know a person by observing his usual behavior and what he does on a daily basis, because a person's mouth may deceive people, but his behavior cannot deceive people."

Zhu Yuanzhang was immediately interested. His eyes were filled with undisguised joy. He looked at Zhu Gang with admiration: "Hmm? What's the meaning of this?"

"Let's compare him with Liu Zhi." Zhu Gang said.

Liu Zhi: “…”

Liu Zhi was already shaking with anger. Subconsciously, he began to glance in the direction of his ministers, hoping that someone would come to rescue him.

But at this moment, all the ministers had tense expressions on their faces, and some even looked frustrated.

In the current situation, it is better not to be the first to take action. It is too cruel. Who knows if these guys have any other tricks up their sleeves.

Zhu Gang said in a clear voice: "I have heard him talk about great principles in the past, and he also talked about the people and the country, and what a humble gentleman is, and what benevolence, righteousness, filial piety and brotherhood. But he always said that he cared about the people, but I found that he was pampered and lived a life of luxury and did not care about the people at all. He kept saying the words "humble gentleman", but I didn't see him do anything that a moral gentleman would do. Then... a person just kept talking, but didn't do anything like this. Father, tell me, is this person... a hypocritical villain, or a gentleman?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Liu Zhi.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care what Liu Zhi was like. He was a scholar, and Zhu Yuanzhang happened to be eager to find talented people. It seemed that this person had some talent, so it would be a good idea to place him in the main hall.

But now, Zhu Gang kept calling Qin Hui a hypocrite on the left and on the right, as if he had connected Qin Hui and Liu Zhi together all of a sudden. Whenever Zhu Gang mentioned Liu Zhi, Zhu Yuanzhang would immediately think of Qin Hui's ugly face, which was disgusting.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze fell back on Zhu Gang, and he said with satisfaction: "Good, good, this is the real talent, not only understands the classics and history, but also can draw inferences from one example. Gang'er, you have a promising future."

Zhu Gang's face was already red, and he said hurriedly: "No, I have only just started. It is mainly because of my teacher's good teaching. My teacher really knows how to teach and educate people. Every word he says contains many truths. I feel that it is a waste of talent for him to teach me. Even if my teacher is the emperor, he is more than qualified."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, but the corners of his mouth pulled down again. Then, he finally twisted his mouth corners again and smiled reluctantly: "Don't be so outspoken."

After Zhu Yuanzhang said this, he turned his head away.

Zhu Di was speechless. It was not his turn yet, and he also had a lot to say.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Zhi and said with a smile: "Mr. Liu, what do you think of my princes?"

Liu Zhi was despairing. To be honest, in front of His Majesty and all the officials, he had nothing to say, so he could only say, "Your Highness the Prince of Jin is surprisingly smart."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "But you didn't say that at the beginning. You said that he was not interested in his studies and was always messing around."

"This..." At this moment, Liu Zhi wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not intend to give up, so he continued: "In the past, he was not interested in learning and wasted his time, but now, since he started studying with Deng Qianqiu, he has made great progress. It is true that a scholar can be seen with new eyes after three days of separation! Who would have thought that in just half a month, he has become a different person. So... how do you think Deng Qingjia compares to you?"

Liu Zhi: “…”

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly frowned and said coldly: "I asked you to answer."

Liu Zhi shuddered, and although he was unwilling, he still answered honestly: "Your Majesty, Captain Deng...is not completely useless."

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "What do you mean by not completely useless?"

Liu Zhi had no choice but to bite the bullet and said, "Is it really beyond my expectation that he can supervise the students' studies?" "Is it that simple to supervise the students' studies?" Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but get angry and looked at him coldly, "When you were in the main hall, you also taught the students to read. Are you saying that you ate my salary and received my grace, but did not supervise the students' studies well, so that they were unlucky?"

These words are enough to kill you.

If Liu Zhi accepted this logic, he would be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

Besides, everyone in the world knows that the people His Majesty hates the most are those who eat the rice of the Zhu family and still dare to live a lazy life.

Liu Zhi was quick-witted. Under the emperor's cold gaze, he finally made up his mind and said sadly, "Captain Deng is several times better than me. I am not as good as him."

Zhu Yuanzhang pressed on, "Since he is better than you, why do you slander him everywhere, saying that he is unlearned and incompetent? Do you know that this is a frame-up?"

Liu Zhi was so frightened that he had become weak. Your Majesty's heart-piercing words had made him feel like a thorn in his back. Those who framed him... would be punished with a more severe crime.

This is also a heinous crime.

Liu Zhi began to look up as if asking for help, and then looked at the ministers.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him coldly, and looked in the direction he was looking at, and saw Liu Ji.

But Liu Ji looked like nothing had happened, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice: "Why are you looking around?"

Liu Zhi couldn't help feeling disappointed. It seemed that... the Chief Censor Liu Bowen was not willing to rescue him.

At this point, he was doomed to die anyway. He knew Your Majesty's tactics too well.

So... he gritted his teeth and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Deng Qianqiu's knowledge is better than mine, but the reason I oppose Deng Qianqiu is because he is colluding with wealthy businessmen!"

This statement was like a bolt from the blue.

Suddenly, there was a hint of solemnity in the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face also became serious. He narrowed his eyes, then stared at Liu Zhi and said, "Collusion with wealthy businessmen? Is it another false accusation? Do you know what the consequences will be if there is no evidence?"

Liu Zhi said: "This is absolutely true. Shen Sen, a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan, colluded with Deng Qianqiu and sent his grandson to study in the Hundred Households Institute, teaching his grandson to study with the princes. May I ask if this is collusion with wealthy merchants? Deng Qianqiu taught the princes, which was your majesty's love for him. What a kindness! But he did not think of repaying, but for his own selfish reasons, he dared to teach the princes to live with the grandsons of merchants day and night. This... is not decent. I despise Deng Qianqiu's character, so I had to impeach him. Your Majesty is very observant, and this matter... will be known once it is investigated."

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw Deng Qianqiu start to dodge and Zhu Gang's face turned grim, he seemed to realize that what Liu Zhi said was true.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression became even more serious, which was unexpected for Zhu Yuanzhang. If this was true, it would be suspected of using public power for personal gain.

The ministers seemed to be touched as well, and they couldn't help but mutter in their hearts, this Deng Qianqiu is really so bold!
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, paused, and sneered, "You mean... he colluded with the wealthy businessman Shen Sen and made friends with him, so he provided convenience to the wealthy businessman Shen Sen, right?"

"It's even more serious than this." Liu Zhi felt that he had seized the opportunity, and hurriedly added fuel to the fire: "I have inquired about it. Deng Qianqiu, in the name of teaching, actually accepted 20,000 taels of silver from Shen Sen."

Zhu Gang, who was listening at the side, felt suffocated.

Twenty thousand? Didn't you say ten thousand?

He looked at Deng Qianqiu in surprise.

Deng Qianqiu hurriedly covered his face with his hands, ashamed to face Zhu Gang.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes widened: "What, 20,000 taels of silver?"

"Your Majesty." Liu Zhi gritted his teeth and said with contempt: "It's 20,000 taels per year, every year..."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and was so shocked that he was speechless.

Twenty thousand... two taels of silver... every year...

Can pie really fall from the sky like this?
"What I said is absolutely true. I have not lied. Your Majesty will know the truth once you order the officials to investigate. Deng Qianqiu... he is unfit to be a teacher. He did such a shameless thing under the banner of teaching. He is obsessed with money and has a lot of money on his body. How can such a person... teach the princes?"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "..."

...

Finally finished writing, I’m so tired, I’m going to sleep and will continue tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)