The emperor really didn't think too much when he brought his two young sons to climb Wansui Mountain - or rather, even though this year is the 27th year of Yongchen, and he has been on the throne for exactly 26 years, he is essentially still the emperor who was independent and free-spirited since childhood. This is a trait that is imprinted in his bones, and it is also a trait affirmed by his father, Emperor Ruizong.
He still remembers the words his father said to him before he passed away, holding his hand.
"You are a lively and energetic child, different from the wise prince and emperor that the ministers expect. What they need is a steady and dignified emperor who sits on the throne, who can accept their advice and won't get angry even if they spit on his face. But such an emperor is nothing more than a clay puppet. You are more suitable."
"You must listen, but don't be partial; you must check and balance, but don't rely solely on political tactics; you must be wise, but not blindly kind; you must be decisive, and you can be cruel and ruthless when necessary... Of course, you are still too young, and everything will be handed over to your mother first. You must trust her, just as I trust you and hand over this country to you. I have chosen the best teacher for you, and you must learn from him well."
At this time, when they reached the top of the mountain, the emperor recalled his father's last earnest teachings, and he was filled with mixed feelings. He then said to Ge Yong with a sigh, "Although my father gave me a lot of instructions back then, if I hadn't had a teacher to teach me all the time, I might have gone astray a long time ago. You know, what I liked to do most at that time was to go against the ministers and my mother."
"Your Majesty, you are so shameless." Ge Yong glanced at the emperor with a bad face, "I have never seen such a naughty student. Compared with these two sensible little princes, Your Majesty was really far behind!"
Seeing that the Third and Fourth Princes were still surrounding Zhang Shou and asking him questions, their faces were full of curiosity and genuine admiration, the Emperor immediately turned his head away awkwardly, then coughed and said, "I had just lost my loving father, my strict mother was always meddling in my affairs, and the ministers liked to point fingers, so I felt a little annoyed, so I was a little rebellious?"
"A little bit? More than a little bit. If someone else were to be your teacher, Your Majesty, you might have made him die of anger! Fortunately, an old man like me knows how to adapt and disciplined you a few times. Otherwise... hehe!"
Zhang Shou didn't notice the old conversation between Ge Yong and the emperor. He finally got out of the endless questions from the two little princes and handed them over to Zhu Ying, who had a lot of experience in dealing with them. Then he came to Ge Yong and the emperor. Before he could say anything, Ge Yong smiled and asked, "You got frustrated this time, didn't you? Children are not that easy to deal with!"
"Teacher, you are joking. I didn't mean to fool them. There are many poor people in Jiuzhang Hall now, because among those scholars who are well-read and have decent family backgrounds, even if there are also some who are proficient in mathematics, I am afraid they will not focus their main energy on mathematics. If two princes can join the ranks with real talents and knowledge, then they will become a striking benchmark in the future."
Seeing the emperor raised his eyebrows, as if he was a little surprised, Zhang Shou smiled and said, "But, they have to pass the exam based on their real ability. I will not show mercy. Apart from anything else, I plan to make this year's exam questions more difficult than last year's."