Chapter 77 The Emperor Arrives
Here in the main hall, everything is still the same as usual.

In fact, most of the real busybodies were eunuchs and imperial guards, and of course, there were also the princes who were looking for fun and were not afraid of getting involved.

But for the prince, and many of his guests, today was no different from the past. The outcome of today's discussion had actually already been decided.

Deng Qianqiu entered the main hall and winked at Zhu Gang. Zhu Gang understood and slipped aside, chatting with a few brothers. It seemed that he was very cordial with the King of Yan and the King of Zhou because they had not seen each other for many days.

Zhu Biao also arrived early, as if he wanted to find Deng Qianqiu to say a few words, but there were several guests around him who kept talking about something, making it impossible for him to pay any more attention.

It’s still early for morning class, so everyone is relatively free at this time.

Fan Xianzu arrived a little late. When he arrived, he first went to see the crown prince Zhu Biao and paid his respects. Zhu Biao smiled and said to him, "Mr. Fan, you don't have to take Deng Qianqiu's matter a few days ago to heart. As for today's matter..."

"Your Highness." Fan Xianzu was anxious. He was well-read, but as Zhu Yuanzhang had said about him, he was also arrogant because of his talent.

But now the Crown Prince wanted to settle the matter peacefully, but he was anxious. He said confidently: "A gentleman is trustworthy. A promise is worth a thousand gold. Since I have already made a promise, there is no reason to give up easily. Your Highness is kind and cannot bear to see the ministers arguing, but this is related to my character. Please allow me to be rude and presumptuous today."

Seeing that he insisted, Zhu Biao seemed displeased. He wanted to say, Deng Qianqiu is just a child, why are you bothering with him? Even if you win, what's the point!
However, the words were not spoken. Wen Yuanji, the Imperial Censor standing beside him, said, "Your Highness, the Great Hall is an important place. Now there is such a rude boy. If he is not punished, he will inevitably become more unscrupulous and even spread rumors to confuse the people. Although His Highness the Crown Prince can distinguish right from wrong, the other princes are still young. Once they are bewitched by this boy, it will be very detrimental to their studies. So I think it would be a good idea to let the guest Fan Xianzu punish him. This will not only let him know his own limitations, but also help the other princes to be sincere."

The identity of Wen Yuanji, the Imperial Censor, was extraordinary. His duty was to stay by Zhu Biao's side and admonish the prince at any time. If the prince behaved inappropriately, he would also warn him.

What's more, Wen Yuanji was also a great scholar and had written the book "Zhaojianlu", which was highly valued by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Facing Wen Yuanji, Zhu Biao had no choice but to nod. He knew that many tutors and guests were already ready to try, and this time he had to give Deng Qianqiu a wake-up call.

Of course, in this great hall, there is a tendency among scholars to look down on military merits. Many officials in the Chancellery consider themselves noble and different from others because of their status as scholars.

The time has finally come.

There were eunuchs singing and announcing the time.

Then, everyone gathered at the Minglun Pavilion in the main hall.

Everyone sat behind their desk.

Zhu Biao glanced at Deng Qianqiu gently, and seeing Deng Qianqiu's nonchalant look, he couldn't help but shake his head in his heart, feeling a little disappointed.

In fact, he had learned about some of Deng Qianqiu's deeds from his brothers before, and he admired him very much. Moreover, Zhu Biao was grateful to him for his mother's deeds.

But he was a steady person and couldn't help feeling that Deng Qianqiu was still a teenager after all, not yet old enough to know the immensity of the world. This time, Fan Xianzu came prepared, and he was bound to suffer a great loss.

As soon as everyone sat down, a eunuch suddenly came hurriedly and shouted: "Your Majesty has arrived, Your Majesty has arrived..."

When these words were spoken, everyone was moved and stood up.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao went to welcome the emperor in person.

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang was seen wearing casual clothes and walking into Minglun Pavilion.

When Deng Qianqiu heard that the emperor was coming, he was shocked and thought... Oh my god, how did I provoke the emperor today? I'm done for. I'm in the limelight today... If the emperor knew about this, he would chop off my head. I wonder if those two red-lettered iron certificates will be useful.

He felt guilty and was afraid to say a word.

But then a burly figure walked in, and Deng Qianqiu trembled with fear.

The burly figure then began to pace around the Minglun Hall. After everyone had bowed, he said, "Ahem... Aren't we going to have a competition? I also want to see who is better, Mr. Fan, or that kid Deng Qianqiu... has the ability... Let's start, let's start..."

He seemed impatient.

Deng Qianqiu lowered his head, but said in his heart...this voice...why does it sound familiar?

Although I had seen the emperor once before, I was too nervous last time. I didn't look up at the emperor, nor did I pay much attention to the emperor's voice. But this time, it sounded like... I had heard it somewhere before.

He subconsciously looked up, but Zhu Yuanzhang had already walked far away, and Deng Qianqiu could not see clearly because the Minglun Pavilion was too big.

However... this still made Deng Qianqiu feel weird, he always felt...

Zhu Yuanzhang was full of anticipation at this time. He did not have high expectations for Deng Qianqiu's knowledge. The great thing about this kid was that his thinking was beyond ordinary people, just like me... I am not good at knowledge.

As for Fan Xianzu, he was one of the most famous people in the world. A man like him could crush Deng Qianqiu to death with just one finger.

He just wanted to come and see the fun.

When Fan Xianzu saw Zhu Yuanzhang coming, he felt even calmer.

Deng Qianqiu is a heretic and unforgivable. It would be best if Your Majesty came so that you can personally see the ignorance of this small Yiluansi centurion.

At that moment, he stood up with a smile and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for my rudeness."

As he spoke, he walked in front of Deng Qianqiu.

Deng Qianqiu's view was blocked by Fan Xianzu. He was still wondering why the emperor looked familiar. But now, he had to concentrate and deal with Fan Xianzu with all his strength.

Deng Qianqiu smiled and said, "Mr. Fan, how can I ask for your advice?"

Fan Xianzu was old, and he was also a famous Confucian scholar. Out of habit, he naturally said, "How about you ask the questions first?"

Deng Qianqiu said: "Is that so... then... I will make a fool of myself."

Fan Xianzu smiled.

Deng Qianqiu said, "I heard that His Royal Highness Prince Jin has an article... Is it..."

Jin Wang Zhu Gang immediately said excitedly: "Yes, yes..."

After saying that, he took out an article from his pocket.

Zhu Gang said: "This article has a great origin. It was written by Song Lian himself. However, after reading it, I don't understand its meaning. So... Qianqiu, I'll leave it to you. I'll ask Mr. Fan to take a look at it for you. Please help me solve my doubts."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard the name Song Lian, he frowned slightly.

But everyone in the hall was in awe.

It can be said that Song Lian is one of the greatest Confucian scholars in the world.

If great Confucian scholars also have ranks, then Song Lian would belong to the first rank, while most of the people in the hall are only of the third or fourth rank!

As for Fan Xianzu, as a guest of the prince, he was not even considered to be a decent person.

As for Song Lian, he had actually been recruited into the court by Zhu Yuanzhang a long time ago. Because of his great fame and profound knowledge, he was appointed as the chief editor of "History of Yuan Dynasty" and was ordered to compile the History of Yuan Dynasty.

You know, the person who can preside over the compilation of history must be a first-class figure in the world, and he must have a very deep understanding of the classics, history, and literature. As for Fan Xianzu, he is not even worthy of carrying his shoes. Even if Fan Xianzu wanted to be a student of Song Lian, he was still not of the right level.

However, just this year, when "History of Yuan Dynasty" was completed, Song Lian was absent from court, that is, he was late for work and left early, so Zhu Yuanzhang demoted him to the position of editor in the Hanlin Academy, where he went to slack off.

But even so, no matter what official position he held, no one dared to deny Song Lian's knowledge.

Zhu Biao was even more awestruck, and it was obvious that he also admired Song Lian's knowledge.

Fan Xianzu seemed very serious. He showed a happy look: "I didn't expect that Mr. Song has produced another masterpiece recently. I have been reading his articles and admire them very much. I am very lucky to be able to read his masterpiece again today."

People like Fan Xianzu are like this. When he meets someone who is more knowledgeable and more famous than him, he acts like a dog.

But when he meets other people, he will inevitably act superior and noble, as if being in the same room with you would defile his own body.

Immediately, Deng Qianqiu spread out the article.

Fan Xianzu looked down and his eyes suddenly lit up.

This is indeed Song Lian's running script, which is vigorous and powerful, with an ancient style.

only……

Fan Xianzu soon looked puzzled.

Because he found that the article was... a bit sloppy.

Deng Qianqiu stood aside with a smile and read the article: "This article is called On Governing a Country."

Deng Qianqiu continued to read: "Civilization, courtesy, setting a new trend; hygiene, order, morality..."

Deng Qianqiu began to read, and everyone in the hall held their breath. One could hear a pin drop in the hall. People pricked up their ears, chewing on every word in the article.

But... why do I feel that... although the vocabulary here is simple, it is a bit difficult to understand.

Fan Xianzu was even more focused and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

The article was very short, only about a hundred words. After Deng Qianqiu finished reading it, he looked at Fan Xianzu and said, "Your Highness Prince Jin doesn't understand Mr. Song's article anyway, but I wonder what Mr. Fan thinks?"

“This…” Fan Xianzu had a headache.

However, he began to sort it out carefully. Song Lian regarded literature as the way to govern the country, which must be a great theory. He was well-educated and there must be a reason for it.

So he began to explain calmly: "This opening is about civilization. Civilization was first seen in the Book of Changes, which says: "Seeing a dragon in the field, the world is civilized." Later, it was seen in the Book of History, which says: "Junzhe is civilized, warm, respectful, and peaceful." Song Gong used this as the opening, which should mean warm, respectful, and peaceful. What does warm, respectful, and peaceful mean? It means being humble and respectful. A humble and respectful person is a gentleman. The way to govern a country is like this humble gentleman, respecting the wise and humble, being humble and polite. In this way, the world will be at peace."

After saying this, he showed an unfathomable look, smiled, and said: "Mr. Song's knowledge is indeed admirable. The word "civilization" alone is exactly the purpose of the sage's governance. His words are concise and concise, which makes people admire him."

Deng Qianqiu: “…”

(End of this chapter)