Chapter 16: Good Persuasion
Zhu Qizhen wanted to promote talented eunuchs from the Inner Study. When the news came out, many people in the palace became interested. After all, if they could be sent to serve the prince and be able to control his mind, it would undoubtedly be a ladder falling from the sky for these low-status eunuchs. Such temptation would be hard for anyone to resist.
The Neishutang was originally a place to train eunuchs to read and write, and it would also select eunuchs who were capable of taking on important tasks to work in the Silijian. The eunuchs in it were all smarter than ordinary people. With this news, countless enterprising people came and worked hard to show their talents, wishing to catch the eyes of Chen Shan and the emperor immediately.
Chen Shan was also very worried about this. He naturally knew that the court was ever-changing. He thought that teaching in the inner school was not a bad job and it was also a way to be loyal to the emperor. But suddenly, he was told to select eunuchs to teach the prince, and they had to choose from the inner school.
In fact, even if he really wanted to select people from the Inner Study Hall, Chen Shan would have reliable candidates to recommend, but the key lies in His Majesty's thoughts.
Who knows if His Majesty has a suitable candidate in mind? If he makes a hasty recommendation, wouldn't he be implicitly disobeying His Majesty's wishes?
Chen Shan was originally a little hesitant. If his wife had not reminded him, he would have forgotten that he could ask Princess Shunde about it.
The charity hall was opened by the Empress Dowager, and the families of officials at all levels in the capital are well aware of it, so they often donate money and materials to the charity hall. Although the Empress Dowager may not understand Your Majesty's thoughts, the beloved Princess Shunde must have understood it, so it would certainly not be wrong to find her.
It just so happened that Huai'en, the eunuch beside Princess Shunde, was also studying in the inner study hall. He was quite knowledgeable and knew how to make progress and retreat. It was truly a godsend.
Huai En was certainly aware of Chen Shan's intention, but if Chen Shan didn't speak up, he certainly wouldn't take the initiative to expose it.
How could a princess rush to help a minister?
Chen Shan didn't have so many thoughts in his mind. After observing Huai En for a few days and making sure that he was an honest person, he called him alone. He first asked about Huai En's academic performance, and when he saw that she could answer fluently, he asked about Princess Shunde in a roundabout way.
"I heard that the princess selected three of this year's fellow Jinshi candidates to compile and illustrate elementary books for the princes?"
Huai En heard this and said, "Yes, His Highness has selected three people from the top three, and also selected a scholar of the same period to help with the selection. The Emperor said that if there are not enough people, more scholars will be transferred later. The painters in Renzhi Hall are sufficient, and they can take turns painting."
Chen Shan was secretly shocked. He heard that Princess Shunde was only editing the simplest enlightenment children's book, but it took so many people.
However, this book is for the Crown Prince to read, so having more people is not a big deal. This shows your Majesty's good intentions.
"I see……"
Seeing this, Huai En said, "Your Highness asked me to ask Mr. Chen if there is anyone suitable to serve with the Thousand Year Old Master."
Chen Shan didn't expect Huai En to actually speak up, and immediately said, "There are naturally some knowledgeable people in this inner library..."
Before he could even utter the name, Huai En had already taken the lead and said respectfully, "His Highness said that everything must be based on the wishes of the Emperor and the Thousand Year Old Lord, and you must not act on your own."
Chen Shan was slightly taken aback, recalling how he had fallen into the position of a teacher in the inner academy. His heart sank, and he said, "Your Highness is right."
How could he not know the consequences of acting on his own initiative? Having also served in the Eastern Palace, the Three Yangs had already entered the cabinet, wielding significant power and reaching the pinnacle of officialdom. Had he not proactively pleaded with His Majesty to send troops to attack the King of Zhao, he might not have ended up in this situation. However, Chen Shan's strategy wasn't solely for his own personal gain; it was merely a stab at understanding His Majesty's intentions.
Seeing this, Huai En continued, "The Emperor may have a suitable candidate in mind. Sir, why worry? Just report the situation of the inner study hall truthfully."
Chen Shan simply said, "Your Highness, I am truly grateful for your consideration for this old minister."
Fortunately, I am already very old now, and I will be able to apply for retirement in the future, and I don’t have to worry about the royal family’s struggles anymore.
Seeing that he was intent on drawing a line between the two, Huai En continued, "Your Highness wants to ask Mr. Chen to do something."
Chen Shan's heart tightened, and he felt an inexplicable nervousness. He spoke cautiously, "I am only a frail old man. How can I be worthy of the princess's trust? Please tell Your Highness that I dare not do this."
Huai En did not respond, but simply said, "Your Highness, if you are free, please help me take a look at the enlightenment book. With your knowledge, a few pointers will be enough."
Chen Shan didn't expect that this was all he was asking for. He paused, then finally agreed, saying, "In that case, I will do my best. I hope Your Highness will not despise me."
Huai En bowed and left, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Zhu Yuhuan and Chen Shan had not met many times, but he had a deep understanding of his thoughts and feelings.
If you directly ask Chen Shan for help, Chen Shan, who has become cautious and respectful due to being demoted, may not agree. However, you can first raise Chen Shan's heart high, and then gently let it go. In the blink of an eye, you can control Chen Shan's thoughts.
This routine is not new and the profits are not lucrative enough, but it is just Zhu Yuhuan's first step.
With such good times and bad times, why worry about not being familiar with each other in the future? Chen Shan is from the south, and there are many students from the south, so he might be able to make some connections.
On the other side, Zhu Yuhuan was asking the craftsmen about the looms in Wunong Temple. The Shaoqing of Wunong Temple was standing beside her to accompany her. Wu Ning and Yu Ying, who were following her, were a little nervous. Their eyes unconsciously looked around, taking in the scenery of this new yamen that was "not in line with the ancestral system", and finally fell on Zhu Yuhuan with a calm expression.
They originally wanted to ask Princess Shunde about the book revision, but Princess Shunde happened to be "on official business", so they followed her to Wunong Temple.
After all, fellow Jinshi scholars like them, who ranked low, would likely be assigned minor official positions and moved around, never knowing when they would finally make it. But being able to stay in the capital was different. Although they didn't have the status of a Shujishi, providing enlightenment books for the Crown Prince would allow them to appear before His Majesty. Even if the pay was lower, it was still a promising position with a promising future.
If the prince had taken notice of the book, their careers might have been able to advance further.
Previously, Zhu Yuhuan copied the drawings of the spinning and looms and gave them to the craftsmen of Wunong Temple, asking them to help tinker with them. They are still in the process of repair.
Spinning machines require water power, but the water supply to Wunong Temple is not as convenient as that to the imperial farm, so there is always a need for adjustment and waiting.
These craftsmen are quite talented, but it's a pity that they are limited to making farm tools.
Anyway, Zhu Zhanji did not give a death order, so what's the harm in Zhu Yuhuan "micro-manipulating" it?
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