Chapter 2846 The Princes' Discussion, the Ten Thousand Taels Gift for Becoming a Disciple

Li Wan carefully looked at her son and saw that he had done nothing wrong, so she let Jia Lan go. Standing at the gate of the courtyard, she stared at her son's figure disappearing in the distance, muttering.

"Jia Zhu, you see, Lan'er finally has a future in the future, and I have not worked in vain, I am worthy of you!"

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

"But Master Jia Lan?"

Jia Lan quickened his pace and stopped in front of the driver. His face was solemn, he nodded and spoke.

"I am Jia Lan, I wonder what this is, big brother, how to call me?"

"I am Li Hu, a guard in the Marquis's Mansion, and I will be responsible for picking up Master Jia Lan in the future!"

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

"Hello, Brother Li. I'll trouble you again in the future!"

Jia Lan behaved very decently, saluted Li Hu respectfully, without any arrogance.

Li Hu showed a faint smile on his serious face, twitched his mouth twice, and said in a deep voice.

"Master Jia Lan is too polite. Get in the car quickly. The Marquis is waiting for you in the car!"

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

"Lan'er, come up!"

Jia Lan hurriedly boarded the carriage, entered the carriage, and sat opposite Jia Chang. He was a little at a loss and very nervous.

Jia Chang nodded to Li Hu outside and ordered.

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

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

Jia Chang looked at Jia Lan, who was extremely nervous, 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 feel relieved, but he still did not dare to be presumptuous and sat very straight.

Jia Chang did not comfort him again. Some rules were good. Facing Jia Lan's puzzled eyes, he continued.

"Today is your first time to enter the palace. I will accompany you. After all, people in the palace are flattering the powerful and stepping on the weak. If I don't go, 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 didn't expect Jia Chang to be so thoughtful and support him to prevent him from being bullied in the upper study.

The carriage traveled 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. The two went to the upper study together.

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

"This is the waist card for entering and leaving the palace. You must keep it well and don't lose it!"

"Yes, uncle!"

Jia Lan quickly put the card in his arms and said very seriously.

Daqian Taizu felt that he had not been able to study when he was young, so he attached great importance to the education of the princes and decided to choose the best teachers for the princes. The place for the princes to start reading was chosen in the southeast side of the Qianqing Palace where the emperor governed the government, so that he could keep abreast of the princes' study at any time. From then on, a prince school was added to the palace, the Shangshufang.

Daqian Taizu knew that the princes' apprenticeship was of great importance, and he had issued an imperial edict on the princes' admission to school, clearly stipulating the furnishings in the Shangshufang and the etiquette of meeting between teachers and students.

"On the day when the princes enter school, prepare four stools and four high tables with the teachers, and place books, pens and inkstones on the tables. When the princes pay their respects, you should urge them to accept the gifts. If they refuse to accept, the princes should bow to the seat and show respect to the teacher. In this way, the princes will know how to respect the teacher and the teacher will teach them wholeheartedly. This is an ancient etiquette."

When the princes meet their teachers for the first time, they should bow to the teacher and clasp their fists to pay their respects. The teacher should also return the greetings and then lead the princes to pay their respects to the portrait of Confucius hanging on the wall.

The Great Emperor Taizu was also worried that the princes would be treacherous and scheming after learning to read and write, so he specially wrote an inscription for the Shangshufang, which became the motto of the Shangshufang.

"Be sincere in life and understand reason first."

Although the princes were of noble status, the learning system was still quite strict. They had to worship teachers and enter school from the age of six. They went to the Shangshufang to study at 2:45 am every day and finished their classes at around 2:45 pm in the afternoon. They never stopped despite the severe cold and heat. In a year, only the Spring Festival, the Wanshou Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the prince's birthday can have a day off.

In the upper study, there are three plaques hanging, "Qian Chui Tian Fu", "Zhong Tian Jing Yun" and "Hou Tian Bu Lao", so it is called "Three Days", which shows how much Daqian Taizu expected the prosperity of the royal family.

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

A prince in his teens, white and thin, was accompanied by only a eunuch, staying outside the princes.

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

A prince who was a few years older spoke up. This was the fifth prince. His mother was Rong Fei in the palace. She was very favored. His mother's family was also quite powerful. He was considered to have a relatively high status among the princes. He looked arrogant and stared at the seventh prince.

The mother of the seventh prince was just a concubine. She was born as a palace maid and had a low status. She died early, leaving only the seventh prince to survive in the palace. He had no maternal family to rely on. He was the lowest-ranking prince in the palace. He had no hope of competing for the throne. He was cautious and prudent in his daily life. He just waited for the canonization of Emperor Yuankang after he came of age and became an idle prince.

"Fifth brother, with my condition, who would be willing to send their own children to me as a companion? Don't tease me!"

The seventh prince smiled bitterly. He was self-aware and not an ambitious person. He was very respectful to all the princes, adhering to the principle of not offending or getting close to them, and treating them equally.

Seeing this, the other princes laughed. They looked down on the seventh prince and despised him a lot in daily life, but they would not bully him. After all, if someone could not tolerate a brother who posed no threat, it would be seen by people inside and outside the palace, and he would definitely lose the support of the people.

"Fifth brother, I heard that the emperor has chosen a companion for you. I wonder whose son is it?"

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

The seventh prince was also wondering, no minister had been willing to let his son be his companion. Yesterday, for some reason, the emperor sent Dai Quan, the chief steward of the imperial court, to convey the order and choose a companion for him.

This incident surprised the princes, and they all guessed who was so unlucky that he became the companion of the seventh prince.

"Fifth brother, I really don't know, I am also confused, I don't know why the emperor suddenly chose a companion for me?!"

The seventh prince scratched his head, looking honest and simple, and he was also wondering what Emperor Yuankang was thinking.

The seventh prince had been studying in the upper study for several years, and he had never had a companion. Emperor Yuankang turned a blind eye to it, but now he suddenly issued an order, leaving the seventh prince confused and confused.

"Could it be that some minister in the court made a mistake and offended the emperor, and was punished by the emperor, so he had no choice but to send his own son to the upper study room to be a companion to the seventh brother?!"

The sixth prince spoke. Although his status was not as noble as the fifth prince, his mother was still one of the four concubines, but her mother's family was not as powerful as the fifth prince.

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

"If this is the case, I would rather not have a companion than offend the ministers in the court."

The princes laughed when they heard this, and looked at the seventh prince with gloating, looking forward to the answer.

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

"My Lord, why are you here?"

The Hanlin Academy scholars in the room immediately stood up to greet him with a warm attitude.

"Jia Chang greets all the gentlemen!"

Jia Chang was not arrogant. The highest official rank of these scholars in the upper study was only the fifth rank, but they were extremely noble. They were all seeds of the cabinet in the future. They were very prestigious in the official circle, with profound knowledge and brilliant writing. The imperial edicts of Emperor Yuankang were all drafted by them.

"I came here today for my nephew!"

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

Jia Chang pulled Jia Lan over and told him.

Jia Lan hurriedly stood up and bowed. His every move was very decent. His face was calm. He looked like a little adult and said respectfully.

"Student Jia Lan greets all the gentlemen!"

The gentlemen in the upper study looked at each other, and then looked at Jia Chang, saying uncertainly.

"My Lord, could it be that this young man in the mansion is the companion of the seventh prince?"

Jia Chang nodded, his face was calm, and he said in a deep voice.

"You are right, my lords. Lan'er will be the seventh prince's study companion in the future. I hope you will take the trouble to teach her!"

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

"My Lord, don't you know what the seventh prince is like? Why would you send your nephew to be his study companion?!"

Jia Chang chuckled and said frankly.

"Thank you for your reminder, Lord Li. It is precisely because I know the situation of the Seventh Prince that I let Lan'er be his companion!"

"The Seventh Prince will not be a great king in the future, so he will not be involved in right and wrong. Lan'er can be taught by everyone present by following him as a companion, which will be of great benefit to his studies and future. If he can take the imperial examination in the future and pass the exam, he will be worthy of his father!"

When everyone heard this, they suddenly realized that the real purpose of this drunkard was not to drink, but to take advantage of the royal family's educational resources for free to pave the way for his nephew's future imperial examinations. It was a good intention.

"So that's how it is. We were wrong!"

"I hope you will take care of me in the future. My elder brother died young, leaving only this posthumous child. If he achieves anything, it will all be thanks to you. I am grateful!"

"You are too polite, my Lord. Don't worry. We will definitely teach Jia Lan well!"

Li Jiang said with a smile. They were happy to do a favor. Jia Chang's purpose was very clear. He did not participate in the dispute among the princes. He just wanted to help his nephew study. They were relieved to teach him.

"Thank you so much, my Lords!"

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

"My Lord, what are you doing?"

Li Jiang was a little angry and hurried to return the sachets to Jia Chang.

"It's just a small gift. It's not a respect! This is Lan'er's gift. Please accept it. It's not worth much silver!"

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 precious!"

Jia Chang waved his hand and said nonchalantly.

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

Seeing that he could not refuse, Li Jiang, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, reluctantly accepted the offer. He 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? This carver and this 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 amount!"

"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 his 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 who came. 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 had already been granted a title 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 get involved 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 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. , which 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 anything to do 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's reputation was so great 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 room. 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.