Chapter 18: Book of Lord Shang

Gao Gong was dizzy with Zhu Zaigui's warm hospitality and had no time to say a word.

Finally, when Zhu Zaigui was busy preparing lunch for Gao Gong, Gao Gong finally interrupted.

Gao Gong bowed to Zhu Zaigui and said, "Your Majesty, I am here to teach you on the orders of Your Majesty."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Zaigui turned around, smiled, and said, "I know."

Zhu Zaigui's answer left Gao Gong speechless for a moment.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Gao Gong and continued, "From now on, when you come to the palace, it will be like coming home. If you have any instructions, just call the servants in the palace. If they can't help you, you can call me directly."

When Gao Gong heard the Khan, he bowed quickly and said, "I dare not."

Gao Gong was really overwhelmed by Zhu Zaigui's enthusiasm. He never expected this to happen.

He had originally prepared himself to be treated coldly by Zhu Zaigui.

After all, before coming, Gao Gong had heard rumors that Prince Yu was crazy.

But looking at Prince Yu's condition now, it seems that he is not as rumored.

If he was really crazy, how could he be so polite to others?

So Gao Gong became confused for a moment.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Gao Gong with admiration in his eyes.

Zhu Zaiqi asked, "What does Mr. Gao intend to teach me?"

When Zhu Zaigui said this, Gao Gong thought that Zhu Zaigui was testing him.

Gao Gong sat up straight, wanting to get some information: "I wonder what books the prince is reading now?"

Zhu Zaigui waved his hand and said, "I am stupid. I don't understand a single strategy of the Four Books and Five Classics, I don't understand a single biography of the Twenty-One Histories, I can hardly memorize a single Tang and Song poetry, and I don't understand the masterpieces of famous people in history. So I have to trouble Mr. Gao."

Gao Gong was completely stunned when he heard what Zhu Zaigui said.

is this real?
It is obvious that Gao Gong did not believe it. If he was really a person who knew nothing, how could he recite the lyrics of "Four Books and Five Classics", "Twenty-one Histories", "Tang Poems and Song Lyrics", and "Masterpieces of Famous People in History"?
If you want to say such words, regardless of your educational level, you at least have to know that these things exist in order to be able to say them.

Therefore, Gao Gong thought in his heart at this moment that this was Prince Yu's assessment of him.

Gao Gong's expression couldn't help but become serious. Gao Gong attached great importance to the matter of teaching the prince and never treated it as a trivial matter.

After all, the crown prince had just passed away and had no offspring. According to etiquette, Prince Yu was the eldest son of the Emperor. Although he was not the eldest son, the Empress had no first son either, so Prince Yu's status as the eldest son was still very important.

According to ritual system, the eldest son should inherit his father's business, inherit the title, and serve the ancestral temple.

Therefore, even though Prince Yu had not yet been canonized as the Crown Prince by Emperor Jiajing, in the eyes of some officials and people of the world who strictly abided by the rituals and patriarchal laws, Prince Yu was the only candidate for the throne.

Just imagine, teaching a prince like this, wouldn't that be a huge responsibility?
Therefore, Gao Gong must have been extremely worried, fearing that the teachings he gave would not be able to enlighten Prince Yu.

Gao Gong stood up and bowed to Zhu Zaigui, "Your Highness, I will do my best to teach you." Zhu Zaigui was delighted to see Gao Gong bow so seriously. With such a brave man teaching him wholeheartedly, why should he worry about not being able to soar to the sky?
Zhu Zaiqi came over and helped Gao Gong up, saying with emotion: "Thank you, Mr. Gao."

Then Zhu Zaigui asked, "Where does Mr. Gao plan to teach me?"

Gao Gong calmed himself down, thought for a moment, and finally replied solemnly: "I am ready to teach you The Book of Lord Shang!"

"The Book of Lord Shang?"

Zhu Zaigui was a little confused. Shouldn't he start teaching from the most basic theories of various schools of thought and classics? Why did he start teaching directly from "The Book of Lord Shang"?

By the way, is "The Book of Lord Shang" considered a formal course for princes?
Zhu Zaigui asked weakly, "Mr. Gao, are you right? Is The Book of Lord Shang something that I should learn? Isn't the content a bit too presumptuous?"

Gao Gong was even more shocked when he heard what Zhu Zaigui said. He originally thought that Zhu Zaigui had already mastered the basic Confucian classics such as the Four Books and Five Classics.

Taking into account the responsibilities that Zhu Zaigui would have to bear in the future, he was prepared to take the risk and let Zhu Zaigui learn some imperial knowledge in advance. Unexpectedly, Zhu Zaigui's answers seemed to indicate that he already knew the contents of "The Book of Lord Shang", which made it difficult for Gao Gong not to be shocked.

Gao Gong felt a little dry in the mouth. He looked at Zhu Zaigui in shock and said in disbelief, "Your Majesty, have you read The Book of Lord Shang?"

Zhu Zaigui hurriedly shook his head, "No, no, it's just that I feel that I don't know anything yet, and I should start with the most basic Four Books and Five Classics."

When Gao Gong heard what Zhu Zaigui said, his expression became serious.

Gao Gong said: "Although the Four Books and Five Classics are important, they are not the most important knowledge for you. You are born noble and will rule the land of the nine provinces in the future. Therefore, your learning should be based on practical learning. You only need to have a general understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics and the knowledge of various schools of thought."

Zhu Zaigui said, "Yes, I am a prince of the Ming Dynasty, the son of Emperor Jiajing. I don't have to go through so many hardships to take the imperial examinations. Therefore, the Four Books and Five Classics are not the main subjects for me. I only need to have a general understanding of their contents."

Zhu Zaigui said, "Well, then I will follow Mr. Gao's wishes. I will learn whatever Mr. Gao teaches me."

Gao Gong bowed to Zhu Zaigui again and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will live up to your expectations and do my best to teach you."

Just when Gao Gong and Zhu Zaigui were discussing their study plan, Meng Chong finally invited Li Shizhen from the Imperial Hospital.

After Li Shizhen was brought to the palace by Meng Chong, he saw Zhu Zaigui chatting enthusiastically with Gao Gong, and did not dare to disturb him for a while.

However, after Zhu Zaigui discovered Li Shizhen's arrival, he also greeted Li Shizhen with great enthusiasm: "Dr. Li, you have worked hard. I hope Dr. Li will not blame me for bothering you."

How could Li Shizhen dare to accept Zhu Zai's greeting? He quickly bowed and said, "I dare not. As the imperial physician, I should treat the prince's body and cure his illness and pain. How dare I say it is hard work?"

Zhu Zaiqi grinned, "If that's the case, then I won't be polite."

Zhu Zaigui instructed Meng Chong again, "Go and get the recipe for the tranquilizing decoction that I used and show it to Dr. Li to see if there is anything that needs to be adjusted."

When Meng Chong heard what Zhu Zaigui said, he immediately took action, found the recipe of the Anshen Decoction that Zhu Zaigui had been using, and handed it to Zhu Zaigui.

Zhu Zaigui took the prescription handed over by Meng Chong, glanced at it, and when he was about to hand it to Li Shizhen, he suddenly stopped.

"Red lead?"

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(End of this chapter)

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