Chapter Twenty-Two: I'll Send You a Teacher!

“Very well!” Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily. Without further ado, he brought up another matter.

“Today, I summoned both of you to the palace to listen to the great scholar’s lecture, and I have specially arranged a tutor for you.”

Zhu Yunzhong was momentarily taken aback. He had heard that the civil officials all criticized him for lacking the rites befitting a grandson, for showing no filial piety, and for being utterly disobedient. None were willing to become his tutor. He had thought this might grant him some peace. Yet, old Zhu was relentless—he was determined to assign him a teacher.

He knew this was inevitable; as the imperial grandson, he must receive royal education. Not to mention, he aspired to contend for the heir apparent’s position. What he did not know was who this tutor would be.

As this thought flickered through his mind, a young eunuch led in a middle-aged man. The man wore no official robes, but simple blue cloth garments. His steps were steady and measured, exuding a sense of propriety.

Upon entering, he knelt and bowed, saying, “I, the humble subject Fang Xiaoru, pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!”

“No need for such formalities! Rise,” Zhu Yuanzhang replied, then turned to Zhu Yunzhong. “This is the tutor I have found for you. He has been intelligent from a young age, extensively read in poetry and prose, and his writings are excellent. His reputation among scholars across the realm is very high.”

“His own teacher, Song Lian, was also your father’s tutor. Now, he will be your tutor as well—a wonderful story indeed.”

“Yunzhong, come quickly and perform the ceremony of apprenticeship!”

Zhu Yunzhong’s expression instantly became quite remarkable. He never expected that the tutor old Zhu had picked for him was none other than the famed Fang Xiaoru of later generations! With the likes of Lan Yu and Chang Sheng already causing him headaches, now adding Fang Xiaoru… Old Zhu truly was out to get him!

Historically, this very man had been the downfall of Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen. Among countless scholars in the world, why choose Fang Xiaoru? Fang Xiaoru should have been the tutor to Zhu Yunwen, not to him!

If it were any other time, it would have been fine. Despite Fang Xiaoru’s lack of political savvy, at least his scholarship was commendable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been praised by Yao Guangxiao as a “seed of scholars in the world.” His talent for composing memorials was effortless. With his enormous prestige in the scholarly community, having him at one’s side could win the hearts of many scholars. Moreover, he was loyal and unyielding to death. These were the advantages of having Fang Xiaoru.

But at this critical moment for succession, having such a tutor who might hold one back was fatal.

Zhu Yunzhong grumbled inwardly, pondering how to refuse. Just then, Fang Xiaoru bowed deeply once more.

“Your Majesty, I am unworthy and incapable, unfit to bear the heavy responsibility of being Prince Wu’s tutor.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yunzhong was overjoyed. He had been worried about finding an excuse to refuse, but now Fang Xiaoru was doing it himself.

“Impudent!” Zhu Yuanzhang thundered, “You are but a commoner. I summoned you to court to educate Prince Wu, which is a great favor. You do not think to repay the court’s kindness, nor mine, and dare refuse the imperial decree?”

“Do you not know that under the heavens, all land belongs to the king, and all people are his subjects?”

“As a subject of the Ming, you must obey my orders.”

“If you pride yourself on your talent but refuse to serve the court, you are disloyal to the court and to me as the Son of Heaven, effectively severing yourself from the realm.”

“I would not hesitate to execute you and confiscate your family’s property if you disobey.”

Fang Xiaoru knelt again but did not waver. “Your Majesty may kill me, but you cannot compel me to be Prince Wu’s tutor.”

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, “If that is so, do not blame me for being ruthless!”

“Guards, drag Fang Xiaoru out and beat him to death with clubs.”

“Confiscate his family’s property. All male family members shall be made slaves to the government; the females sent to the brothel bureau, never to rise again.”

At the command, the guards stepped forward immediately.

Zhu Yunwen stepped forward to plead, “Grandfather Emperor, Master Fang is a disciple of Master Song and holds an extremely high reputation among scholars nationwide.”

“If Your Majesty kills him like this, it will chill the hearts of the entire scholarly community.”

“Better to spare him for now, and let me try to persuade him.”

Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing, thus tacitly agreeing.

Zhu Yunwen continued, “I have heard of Master Fang’s great name for a long time. Today, seeing him in person, he truly is an extraordinary figure, worthy of being called a ‘seed of scholars.’”

“But as the saying goes, ‘a wise man knows the times.’ Why must Master Fang cling to a moment of anger…”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s kind words,” Fang Xiaoru lifted his head, his expression resolute as if ready to face death. “If the Emperor commands me to be Prince Xian’s tutor, I shall not refuse.”

“But Prince Wu openly demands the heir apparent’s position in court, which is rebellion.”

“The Emperor indulges him and does not punish him, but I disdain associating with such a man, much less becoming his tutor.”

“If the Emperor insists, I shall die to express my resolve!”

He was truly like a stone in a cesspit—foul and stubborn! And disdainful of associating with me; does he think I want to be his student?

Zhu Yunzhong interjected, “Master Fang is not afraid of death, but does he not consider his family? They are innocent and would suffer this consequence.”

Fang Xiaoru proudly declared, “All members of the Fang family live uprightly and fear no death, disgrace, or honor. If the Emperor wishes to kill, maim, confiscate, or enslave us, so be it. But he shall never sully the Fang name, break our spirit, or force our submission!”

Submit! The Fang family was truly cursed to have him. He cared only for his own honor and integrity, utterly indifferent to his family’s plight.

Zhu Yunzhong looked upon this with utter disdain.

Zhu Yunwen’s gaze, however, showed approval. He immediately said to the Emperor, “Grandfather Emperor, though Master Fang has offended you, his integrity is commendable. I wish to plead on his behalf—please spare him.”

“You two really are birds of a feather, instantly kindred spirits!”

“Then I shall grant your wish,” Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Yunzhong quickly agreed, “Grandfather Emperor, I think Second Brother speaks rightly. Since Master Fang refuses to be my tutor but is willing to teach him, then let him be Second Brother’s tutor.”

A strange look flashed across Zhu Yunwen’s face. It was odd that Zhu Yunzhong would speak for him and even offer to have Fang Xiaoru as his tutor. Though he thought this himself, he dared not voice it.

To Zhu Yunwen, having such a great scholar as his tutor would certainly be a tremendous advantage. It was something he longed for.

Zhu Yuanzhang, still angry, said, “Then what about you? If you give this man to your Second Brother, who will teach you?”

Old Zhu had been troubled to find a suitable tutor for Zhu Yunzhong. The officials in court all kept their distance, unwilling to teach the prince. There was no other way but to recall Fang Xiaoru, whom he had previously expelled.

He thought that as a commoner, Fang Xiaoru would consider it an unparalleled honor to tutor the imperial grandson. Unexpectedly, Fang Xiaoru even refused.

Naturally, Zhu Yuanzhang was furious.

Zhu Yunzhong thought it better that no one taught him. But he knew old Zhu would never agree and would insist on finding him a tutor.

So he said, “If Grandfather Emperor trusts me, let me find my own tutor.”

“You find your own?” Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him in surprise.

“Yes, Grandfather Emperor, the tutor I find myself will be the most suitable,” Zhu Yunzhong said. “As for Master Fang, please grant permission for him to teach Second Brother.”

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at the kneeling Fang Xiaoru and scolded, “Did you hear that? You disdain him and refuse to be his tutor, yet he does not bear a grudge and pleads for you.”

Fang Xiaoru remained silent.

“Are you willing to be Prince Xian’s tutor?” Zhu Yuanzhang, considering the two grandsons, finally relented somewhat.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s graciousness, I am deeply humbled. I shall devote my utmost efforts to instructing Prince Xian,” Fang Xiaoru said with great joy.

Zhu Yunwen was also delighted and immediately bowed, “Your student Yunwen pays respects to the Master!”

Zhu Yunzhong clapped his hands, “Congratulations, Second Brother, congratulations, Master Fang. Today you are fated to form a teacher-student bond, which will surely be a beautiful story recorded in history. Ha ha ha!”

He laughed heartily, utterly delighted.