As the second-place scholar in the imperial examination of the twenty-first year of the Hongwu reign, Zhuo Jing believed he had some talent and was indeed ambitious.
Nowadays, Zhuo Jing is seen by some as having a bright future because of his exceptional intelligence, erudition, wisdom, integrity, and fearlessness in the face of power.
However, Zhuo Jing also had his own concerns. He was considered one of the best members of the Crown Prince's inner circle. But even on the Crown Prince's side, Zhuo Jing dared not be arrogant, as some of his colleagues seemed to be more favored by the Crown Prince than he was.
Ru Chang goes without saying; he was once the Crown Prince's study companion, and is known for his intelligence, diligence, and careful speech. Lian Zining is renowned for his literary talent, and now, as the father of the Crown Prince's concubine, his status is quite different. Huang Zicheng is also a learned man, highly respected among scholars.
The Crown Prince's subordinates are a collection of outstanding talents, and Zhuo Jing knows that he has an advantage over others, but it won't be easy to stand out. Even though he is currently a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a fifth-rank official, he could be promoted at any time, at which point he would be qualified to attend the morning court.
Upon receiving the Crown Prince's order, Zhuo Jing dared not be careless and immediately rushed to the Wenhua Hall. As for the envious looks from his colleagues who worked alongside him, Zhuo Jing was already used to it; after all, he was part of the Crown Prince's inner circle, so naturally he had more opportunities.
After Wang Chengen informed Zhu Xiong Ying, Zhu Xiong Ying merely nodded. It wasn't a deliberate rebuke, but rather because Zhu Xiong Ying was reviewing memorials and didn't have time to deal with Zhuo Jing. Zhuo Jing, having entered the Wenhua Hall, naturally waited respectfully, which was the proper attitude for a subject.
Zhu Xiong Ying put down the memorial and said to Zhuo Jing, "Wei Gong, what is your opinion on the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
Zhuo Jing hurriedly said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is in charge of guarding the emperor, patrolling and arresting criminals, and has repeatedly made great achievements. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard is now very powerful, in charge of criminal justice, and has the power to patrol and arrest criminals. Your Highness, although the Embroidered Uniform Guard is the emperor's personal guard, they often humiliate and abuse prisoners, and these people also often fabricate charges and create wrongful convictions!"
Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, then asked, "Does Wei Gong mean that I have abolished the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"
"Your Highness, the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot be abolished!" Zhuo Jing hurriedly said. "Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard has committed many illegal acts, these people are, after all, the emperor's personal guard, responsible for supervising the people and nobles, gathering intelligence, and turning enemy generals against their cause. How can we throw the baby out with the bathwater?"
Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and then said, "It's just that the Embroidered Uniform Guard's actions are too brutal. I went to the imperial prison when I was young, and I really can't bear it. Here's what we'll do: after you go back today, write a memorial, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard should be disciplined."
Zhuo Jing immediately accepted the order. He felt no pressure whatsoever about attacking the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was far too arrogant and domineering; many civil and military officials feared them. Attacking the Embroidered Uniform Guard would do no harm.
But as Zhuo Jing left the Wenhua Hall, he suddenly broke out in a cold sweat; he had almost made a terrible mistake.
It was obvious that the Crown Prince had already decided to crack down on the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He had only sent him here to instigate this matter. If he had mentioned abolishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhuo Jing would have had no doubt that his standing in the Crown Prince's eyes would have plummeted. The Crown Prince was not so easily fooled.
It's best not to play too many tricks in front of the Crown Prince. Doing your job well is the most important thing. The Crown Prince doesn't like ministers who are too cunning.
Zhu Xiong Ying didn't really care what Zhuo Jing was thinking. However, he was quite satisfied with Zhuo Jing's statement just now. The Embroidered Uniform Guard naturally needed to be rectified, but if anyone dared to say that the Embroidered Uniform Guard should be abolished, Zhu Xiong Ying would have to analyze that person's motives.
Continuing to handle official business in the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Xiong Ying also summoned some civil and military officials from the Six Ministries from time to time, as there were some things that needed to be asked more questions.
These civil and military officials were probably used to some things; His Majesty the Emperor could summon them at any time from the Wuying Hall. And the Crown Prince would also issue orders from the Wenhua Hall, so they didn't feel any unfamiliarity or resistance, because the Crown Prince had previously been the master of the Wenhua Hall.
All they needed to do was ask the eunuch who delivered the decree. They just needed to find out whether it was the emperor or the crown prince who had summoned them. This was not unfamiliar to the civil and military officials; it had been the same routine for years.
Zhu Xiong Ying sat in the Wenhua Hall, and Hanlin Academician Liu Sanwu, Attendant Reader Zhang Xin, Attendant Lecturer Dai Yi and others came to the Wenhua Hall one after another upon receiving the imperial edict.
"Your humble servants pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince. May His Highness live a long and healthy life."
Zhu Xiong Ying calmly raised his hand, "My beloved ministers, please rise. Wang Cheng En, please offer yourselves seats."
Since the Crown Prince had bestowed a seat upon them, there was bound to be another round of thanks, but it was just a formality and no one took it too seriously; it wasn't a particularly generous reward.
In fact, those who came here could probably guess what it was about. Everyone had heard rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince would be the chief examiner for this year's imperial examination, which had excited and excited many people.
After all these years, the Crown Prince has maintained a reputation for not being close to Confucian scholars and not respecting Confucius and Mencius. Now that the Crown Prince is in charge of the examinations, some people see it as a sign that the Crown Prince has reformed and is a strong signal that he will give important positions to the sons of sages.
Zhu Xiong Ying had no idea what these people were thinking, and even if he did, he would probably just scoff at it.
Confucianism still has its uses. Leaving aside the fact that Confucian thought has deeply penetrated the genes of this nation, many Confucian viewpoints were beneficial to feudal imperial power. Therefore, Zhu Xiong Ying obviously wouldn't directly overthrow them all, nor would he consider establishing a separate academic discipline.
At most, it would only slightly restrain Confucianism, preventing it from becoming the sole dominant force, and certainly not allowing all civil officials to come from Confucian backgrounds, thus preventing the civil official group from naturally forming close ties and cliques. That would not be in Zhu Xiong Ying's interest, nor in the emperor's interest.
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