I have a role in the heavens

Chapter 13: Discussion among the princes, Wan Liang’s apprenticeship ceremony

Li Wan looked at his son carefully and saw that there was nothing wrong with him, so he let Jia Lan go. He stood at the door of the small courtyard, watching his son's figure disappear into the distance in a daze, and murmured in his mouth.

"Jia Zhu, you can see that Lan'er's future is finally clear in the future, and I didn't go through this in vain. I'm worthy of you!"

Outside the Rongguo Mansion, a carriage was parked on the street with the lanterns of the Marquis of Wu'an Mansion hanging on it. A burly and solemn coachman stood beside the carriage. He saw Jia Lan coming out of the corner gate and said.

"But Master Jialan?"

Jialan quickened his pace a little and stopped in front of the coachman. With a solemn face, he nodded and said.

"I'm Jialan. I wonder what I call this eldest brother?"

"The little man Li Hu is the bodyguard of the Marquis's house. He will be responsible for picking up and transporting Master Jia Lan in the future!"

Li Hu is Jia Chang's personal soldier. He is superb in martial arts and decisive in killing. If he wants to follow Jia Chang, he is enough to become a general in the army.

"I've met Brother Li, I'll bother you again in the future!"

Jia Lan behaved very appropriately, saluting Li Hu respectfully without any arrogance.

A faint smile appeared on Li Hu's serious face, he twitched the corners of his mouth twice and said in a deep voice.

"Young Master Jia Lan, you're welcome. Hurry up and get in the car. The Marquis is waiting for you in the car!"

Jia Lan was stunned when he heard this and looked inside the carriage. He saw a slender hand holding open the curtain of the carriage, revealing a majestic and handsome face. It was Jia Chang.

"Lan'er, come up!"

Jia Lan quickly boarded the carriage, entered the carriage, and sat opposite Jia Chang, feeling a little at a loss and very nervous.

Jia Chang nodded to Li Hu outside and gave instructions.

"It's getting late, let's go!"

Li Hu flicked the whip in his hand, and the carriage moved slowly towards the Daming Palace.

Jia Chang looked at the extremely nervous Jia Lan, smiled and comforted him.

"You don't need to be nervous, I am your uncle, we are all family!"

Jia Chang's words effectively calmed Jia Lan's nervousness and made him breathe a sigh of relief, but he still did not dare to be presumptuous and sat in an extremely upright posture.

Jia Chang didn't comfort him any more. It would be nice to have some rules. Faced with Jia Lan's confused eyes, he continued.

"Today is your first time entering the palace, so I'd better accompany you. After all, the people in the palace always welcome the superiors and suppress the inferiors. If I don't go, I'm afraid you will be bullied!"

Jia Chang's expression was indifferent, and his calm eyes gave people an inexplicable pressure, but Jia Lan felt warm in his heart. He did not expect that Jia Chang thought so thoughtfully and came to support him to prevent him from being bullied in the study room.

The carriage drove for half an hour before it stopped. Jia Chang and Jia Lan got off the carriage. Jia Chang took out a sign and the guards let them go. They went to the study room together.

Jia Chang casually threw the sign in his hand to Jia Lan and said to him.

"This is your badge for entering and exiting the palace. You must keep it carefully and don't lose it!"

"Yes, uncle!"

Jialan quickly put the sign into his arms and said very seriously.

Taizu of Daqian deeply felt that he had not been able to study when he was young, so he attached great importance to the education of his princes and decided to choose the best teachers for the princes. The place where he started studying was in the southeast of the Qianqing Palace where the emperor governed. In order to keep abreast of the study status of the princes at any time, a school for princes and a study room were added to the palace.

Taizu of the Great Qian Dynasty knew that the prince's apprenticeship and career were of great importance, so he issued a special edict on the prince's enrollment, clearly stipulating the furnishings in the study room and the etiquette for meeting teachers and students.

"On the day when the princes enter school, you and your master prepare four tea tables and four high tables, and place books, pens, and inkstones on the tables. When the prince salutes, you and others urge him to accept the ceremony. If he refuses to accept, the prince bows to his seat and says The master's courtesy is respectful to each other. In this way, the prince will know how to respect the master, and the master will be able to teach with all his heart. This is the ancient etiquette."

When the prince meets the master for the first time, he must bow to the master and salute with clasped fists. The master must return the same salute, and then lead the prince to salute the portrait of Saint Kong hanging on the wall.

Taizu of Daqian was also worried that the princes would engage in intrigues and intrigues after becoming literate, so he specially wrote an inscription for Shang Study, which became the motto of Shang Study.

“Being sincere is the basis of one’s life, and understanding of reason is the first priority in reading.”

Although the princes have noble status, the learning system is still very strict. They have to study with a teacher from the age of six. They go to the study room to study at 2:00 every day, and class ends at around 2:00 in the afternoon. They do not stop despite the severe cold and scorching heat. Only the Spring Festival, Wanshou Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and the prince's birthday can have one day off in a year.

In the upper study room, there are three plaques hanging on it: "Qian Hang Tian Ku", "Zhongtian Jing Yun", and "The Day After Tomorrow Is Not Old", so it is called "Three Days", which shows that Taizu of Daqian Dynasty placed great importance on the longevity of the royal family. With what expectations.

Jia Chang led Jia Lan to the room next to the upper study room. At this time, the princes in the room were sitting behind the desk, accompanied by the little eunuchs who were accompanying them to read and serve. It was very lively.

A teenage prince, fair and thin, with only a young eunuch following him, stayed on the periphery of the princes.

"Seventh brother, haven't you found a reading companion yet?"

A prince who was a few years older spoke. He was the fifth prince. His mother was a concubine in the palace. She was very favored. Her mother's family was also quite powerful. He was considered to have a higher status among the princes. His face was filled with arrogance and he stared at With the seventh prince.

The mother of the seventh prince was just a concubine. She was originally a palace maid, and her status was not high. She died early, leaving only the seventh prince to survive in the palace. She has no maternal family to rely on behind her, and she is the lowest status in the palace. The prince, who has no hope of fighting for the throne, is usually cautious and cautious. He only waits to be canonized by Emperor Yuankang when he reaches adulthood and become an idle prince.

"Fifth brother, I'm like this, no one would be willing to send their children to me as a reading companion, so please stop teasing me!"

The seventh prince had a wry smile on his face. He was self-aware, and he was not an ambitious person. He was very respectful to all the princes, adhering to the principle of neither offending nor getting close to them, and treated them equally.

When the other princes saw this, they laughed one after another. They looked down upon the seventh prince. They often looked down on him, but they would not bully him. After all, if anyone could not tolerate a brother who was not a threat, wouldn't he be punished by the palace? It has been seen both internally and externally, and it will definitely lose the hearts of the people.

"Fifth brother, I heard that my father has chosen a reading companion for you. I wonder which family he is from?"

The fifth prince chuckled, took a few steps closer, stood in front of the seventh prince, and asked curiously.

The Seventh Prince was also puzzled. No minister had ever been willing to appoint one of his own children as his companion. Yesterday, for some unknown reason, his father sent Dai Quan, the royal steward, to convey the order and select a companion for himself.

This incident surprised all the princes, and they all speculated about who was so unlucky that he became the seventh prince's companion.

"Fifth brother, I really don't know. I'm also confused. I don't know why my father suddenly chose a companion for me?!"

The seventh prince scratched his head, looking honest and honest. He also wondered what Emperor Yuan Kang was thinking.

It had been several years since the seventh prince entered the study room to study. He had never had a reading companion and Emperor Yuan Kang had turned a blind eye. But now he suddenly issued an order, leaving the seventh prince confused and confused.

"Could it be that one of the ministers in the court made a mistake, offended the emperor, and was punished by the emperor's decree, so he had no choice but to send his own son to the study to be a companion to the seventh brother?!"

It was the sixth prince who spoke. Although his status was not as noble as that of the fifth prince, his mother-in-law was still one of the four concubines, but her mother's clan was not as powerful as the fifth prince's.

When the seventh prince heard this, his face changed slightly, showing a bitter look, and he said helplessly.

"If this is the case, I would rather not accompany you as a reading companion, rather than offend the ministers of the DPRK."

The princes burst into laughter upon hearing this and looked at the seventh prince with gloating eyes, looking forward to the reveal of the answer.

The lounge next to the upper study room is where the masters in the upper study room rest. Jia Chang and Jia Lan walked in.

"Master Hou, why are you here?"

All the eminent scholars of the Hanlin Academy in the room immediately stood up and greeted him with enthusiasm.

"Jia Chang has met all of you!"

Jia Chang did not rely on him either. The highest official rank of these gentlemen who went to study was only the fifth rank, but they were extremely noble. They were the seeds of future cabinets. They were very prestigious in the official circles, with profound knowledge and high literary talent. They were the emperor of Yuan Kang's imperial edict. They drafted it all.

"I came here today because of my nephew!"

"Lan'er, I haven't met you gentlemen yet!"

Jia Chang pulled Jia Lan over and told him.

Jia Lan quickly moved to bow, every move was very appropriate, his face was calm, he looked like a little adult, and he spoke respectfully.

"Student Jia Lan, I have met all of you gentlemen!"

The gentlemen who went to the study looked at each other, and then they all looked at Jia Chang and said with some uncertainty.

"Master Marquis, is it possible that this young master in the house is the seventh prince's companion?"

Jia Chang nodded, with a calm expression and said in a deep voice.

"What you sirs have said is true. Lan'er will be the seventh prince's companion in the future. I hope you gentlemen will put more effort into teaching her!"

The person in charge of the study room was Li Jiang, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He looked at Jia Lan, then at Jia Chang, and said doubtfully.

"Master Marquis, don't you know what's going on with the Seventh Prince? Why would you send your nephew to the Seventh Prince to be his companion?!"

When Jia Chang heard this, he chuckled and said very frankly.

"Thank you, Mr. Li, for reminding me. It is precisely because I know the situation of the Seventh Prince that I asked Lan'er to be his companion!"

"The Seventh Prince has no hope of becoming a big man in the future, so he will naturally not be involved in right and wrong. Lan'er can be taught by everyone here by following him as a companion, which will be of great benefit to his studies and future. In the future, he will participate in the imperial examination and be named on the gold list. He is worthy of his father!"

When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized that this drunkard was not interested in drinking. He obviously wanted to use the educational resources of the royal family for free to pave the way for his nephew's future scientific examination. He had good intentions.

"I see, I was wrong!"

"I hope you will take more care in the future. My eldest brother died young and left only such a posthumous son. If he achieves anything, it will all be due to your contribution. Jia Mou is grateful!"

"The Marquis is so polite, don't worry, we will definitely teach Mr. Jia Lan well!"

Li Jiang said with a smile that they were happy to sell favors. Jia Chang's purpose was very clear. He would not participate in the fight between the princes. He was just for his nephew's studies. They also taught him with peace of mind.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

Jia Chang bowed his hands, then took out several sachets from his arms, handed them to Li Jiang, a Hanlin scholar, and said with a smile.

"Master Hou, what are you doing?"

Li Jiang was a little angry and quickly returned the sachet to Jia Chang.

"A small gift is not a sign of respect! This is Lan'er's gift. Please accept it, sir. It's not worth much money!"

Li Jiang hesitated for a moment, then opened several heavy sachets and poured out the contents. These were several seals, carved from fine Tianhuang stone, and engraved with the names of the Hanlin officials.

"Master Hou, this is too expensive!"

Jia Chang waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

"My lords, please don't be polite. This is nothing. From now on, Lan'er will rely on your lords' guidance!"

Li Jiang, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, saw that he could not refuse, so he reluctantly accepted it, divided everyone's seals, and played with the seals very preciously.

"This is a high-quality Tianhuang stone seal. Since the birth of Tianhuang stone, the price has been ten times higher than gold. These seals are only made of materials and are worth thousands of taels of silver, but this is not the most precious thing about these seals!"

Li Jiang carefully observed the carvings and fonts on the seal, with a look of obsession on his face, looked up at Jia Chang, and asked.

"Master Marquis, which master carved these seals? The carving skills and calligraphy are amazing. It is impossible for anyone but a calligraphy sage to write such wonderful works!"

Jia Chang smiled modestly, waved his hand and said solemnly.

"Master Li, you are so complimentary! Jia Chang can't handle this skill!"

Li Jiang was stunned when he heard this, and looked down at the engraved font again. A sharp edge pierced his eyebrows, which was amazing.

"I didn't expect it to be a masterpiece by Lord Marquis. No wonder the words are so strong and full of edge. Only Marquis Wu An, who has been on the battlefield, can write such vigorous words!"

"The Marquis is both civil and military, I admire him!"

Li Jiang and others were so convinced that they all bowed their hands and accepted the seal with great care, making a guarantee.

"Please rest assured, Lord Marquis, we will teach Master Jia Lan with all our heart in the future!"

Jia Chang exchanged pleasantries with several Hanlin officials, and then led Jia Lan away towards the study room.

"uncle!"

Jia Lan looked puzzled, stretched out his hand and pulled Jia Chang's broad palm. The palm was warm and strong, just like his father's palm, which made Jia Lan very relieved.

Jia Chang stopped and turned to look at Jia Lan. Seeing that his eyes were red, he felt understanding and reached out to touch his head and comforted him.

"Don't take it to heart, I am your uncle, and it is natural for me to worry about you!"

Jia Lan was moved because Jia Chang spent a lot of money to become his disciple, and his voice was a little dull.

"But those things are worth ten thousand taels of silver, not a small sum!"

"A mere ten thousand taels of silver is nothing to me! My uncle slaughtered the Jurchen clan in the north and got a lot of good things. Come to my house later and I will give you some treasures to play with!"

Jia Chang slaughtered the Jurchens that day and captured countless rare treasures. Most of the gold and silver were handed over to the court. These things were distributed by the generals according to custom. Jia Chang was now rich and did not care about the high-quality Tian Huangshi. superior.

"Study hard and be named on the gold list in the future. My hard work will be considered in vain!"

Jia Chang rubbed Jia Huan's head and said calmly.

"Clean up your emotions and come in with me!"

Jia Lan took a deep breath and followed Jia Chang step by step. Looking up at the broad back, he felt particularly at ease.

“I don’t know who this unlucky guy is, but my father actually arranged for my son to be a companion to the seventh child!”

The fifth prince smiled extremely proudly, danced with joy, and was very curious about the identity of the minister who had been tricked by Emperor Yuankang.

"I am the unlucky guy who made His Highness laugh!"

A clear voice came from the door of the upper study room. All the princes turned around and saw clearly the appearance of the person coming. They were stunned on the spot, with expressions of disbelief on their faces.

"Marquis Wu'an, how is this possible?"

The fifth prince's cheeks trembled slightly, his lips trembled twice, and he exclaimed.

"Why isn't it possible?"

Jia Chang's face was calm, his eyes were clear and clear, he looked at the princes, neither humble nor arrogant, and asked in a deep voice.

"Lao Qi has a low status, why would you let a younger member of your family be his companion?!"

The fifth prince felt ridiculous. Who was Jia Chang? He was a young hero and an invincible general. He was already a marquis before he reached the age of a weak crown. In the future, he would definitely be the number one in the army and a trusted general whom Emperor Yuan Kang relied on.

"It is because His Highness the Seventh Prince is of low status and does not know how to involve himself in right and wrong, so I asked my nephew to be his companion!"

"I sent my nephew to the study room so that he can improve his studies so that he can take the scientific examinations and win the gold medal in the future. He is not interested in other things!"

Jia Chang explained that this was also to express his attitude and send a signal that he would not be involved in the dispute between the princes, and he would simply let his nephew come to study.

When the Seventh Prince heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that Marquis Wu An wanted to burn the cold stove and imitate Lu Buwei.

The princes also breathed a sigh of relief and felt happy in their hearts. If Marquis Wu An supports Lao Qi, they will have another strong competitor, which is definitely not what they want to see.

"Lan'er, I haven't met His Seventh Highness and all other Highnesses yet!"

Jia Lan took a step forward, bowed and said.

"Jia Lan has met His Highness Seventh, and met all Your Highnesses!"

"Please ask His Highness Seventh Prince to take good care of my nephew in the future!"

Jia Chang looked at the seventh prince and said.

The seventh prince nodded repeatedly. Although Jia Chang did not support him, he was willing to let his nephew be his companion, which was a great help to him. At least the other princes would not make fun of him easily anymore, which would also be of great benefit to him in the future. , it can be regarded as mutual benefit.

"Don't worry, Marquis Wu'an, I will definitely take good care of Jia Lan!"

"Then I can rest assured. I won't disturb your highnesses, and I'll take my leave first!"

Jia Chang cupped his hands, turned and left, leaving only the princes with different expressions behind.

The fifth prince walked up to Jia Lan, carelessly reached out and patted Jia Lan on the shoulder, and said generously.

"Jia Lan, right! I am the fifth prince. If you have any questions in the study in the future, you can come to me. I will never let you be wronged!"

"Yes, if you encounter difficulties, tell us and we will make the decision for you!"

The other princes spoke one after another, very enthusiastically, as if everyone in the family was warm-hearted.

Jia Lan looked calm on the outside, but there was a turmoil in his heart. He did not expect that Jia Chang was so famous that all the princes were vying to win over him.

"Thank you, Your Highnesses!"

Jia Lan thanked him and stood behind the seventh prince, looking honest and inconspicuous.

At this time, Li Jiang, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, stepped into the upper study. The princes quickly stood up, bowed to Li Jiang, and saluted with clasped fists. Li Jiang returned the same salute, and saluted Confucius together with the students, and then everyone sat down.