Chapter 30: Innate Exceptional Talent

What happened in the school also attracted the interest of the other two Elders.

Teacher Song thought for a moment, then tested the characters from the Three Character Classic.

"At the beginning of man, nature is originally good…"

Zhu Yong likewise recognized them all.

Not only did he recognize them, he could also roughly explain their meaning.

"At the beginning of man means when a person is just born; nature is originally good, meaning the innate nature is kind," he said according to his understanding from a previous life.

Teacher Song's eyes brightened.

Prince Wu, though blunt in speech, has extremely high comprehension!

"How does the Prince interpret 'nature is originally good'?" Teacher Song asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "A newborn child doesn't know right from wrong; it must be taught. If taught well, it will be good; if taught poorly, it will be bad."

The words are simple and straightforward, but the principle is correct.

Teacher Song nodded repeatedly, "The Prince hasn't read the scriptures, yet has already attained the samadhi within them."

Zhu Shuang, listening nearby, felt uneasy.

He didn't learn to read that quickly; when he studied the Thousand Character Classic, it took half a month to recognize it all.

"Second Prince really never studied?" he muttered softly.

Zhu Di, however, wore a face of admiration, "Second Prince is truly impressive!"

Zhu Biao also smiled.

He had long known that the second brother was not stupid, only blunt; now it seemed he indeed had a gift.

In the following lesson, Teacher Song taught with extra vigor.

He discovered that Zhu Yong, although not understanding the scriptures' meanings, learned characters extremely fast, and his grasp of principles was very direct, often hitting the point in a single word.

For example, when discussing "Do not do unto others what you do not desire for yourself," Zhu Yong replied directly, "If you don't want to be hit, don't hit others."

Crude, but vivid.

Teacher Song was not annoyed; rather, he thought this way of speaking made the princes understand more easily.

Sure enough, even Zhu Shuang took it in.

"What if someone hits me first?" Zhu Shuang asked.

Zhu Yong glanced at him, "Then hit them back."

"Ahem… Prince, the sage's meaning is…" Teacher Song hurriedly said.

"I know."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "But you can't just stand there and take the beating, right?"

Teacher Song was at a loss for words.

Zhu Biao laughed, "Teacher Song, the second brother means there should be a principle: if people do not offend me, I do not offend them; if people offend me, I must offend them."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Yes, elder brother is right."

Teacher Song thought for a moment and actually found it reasonable.

After this lesson, the three Elders looked at Zhu Yong with newfound respect.

After class, Teacher Song deliberately kept Zhu Biao behind.

"Crown Prince, Prince Wu, though he began his enlightenment late, has an extremely high gift, a photographic memory, and clear comprehension. I, the old man, recommend that his studies be made stricter; we must not become lax because he is a beginner," Teacher Song said solemnly.

Zhu Biao nodded, "Teacher Song, I will supervise the second brother."

"Not only supervise; Prince Wu is already not young, he should seize time to read more. I, the old man, suggest adding an extra hour of lessons each day," Tao Kai said.

Tao Kai said.

Kong Keren also said, "Exactly, with Prince Wu's gift, if he can focus on studying, he will surely become a great talent in the future."

Zhu Biao responded to each remark in turn.

After the three teachers left, Zhu Yong, with a sorrowful face, came over and said, "Elder brother, really need to add lessons?"

Zhu Biao patted his shoulder and laughed, "Second brother, the teachers value you; you learn characters so fast that even Teacher Song calls you a genius. That's a good thing."

"But I don't want to study all day…" Zhu Yong muttered.

"Studying is to understand principles; you will be Prince Wu, governing lands and leading troops. How can you manage without literacy and understanding?" Zhu Biao said warmly.

Zhu Yong fell silent.

He knew elder brother was right.

But he truly disliked studying.

Especially those classical particles—"zhi", "hu", "zhe", "ye"—that made his head spin.

The two returned to Kunning Palace, where Empress Ma was already waiting.

"How was today's study?" she asked with a smile.

Zhu Biao explained the situation, especially noting that the teachers praised Zhu Yong as a reading prodigy.

Empress Ma was both surprised and delighted, "Really? Yong Er so impressive?"

Zhu Yong said naively, "I just recognize a few characters…"

"That's already great! On your first day of study you can recognize so many characters; mother is truly happy," Empress Ma said, holding her son's hand.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang also arrived.

After hearing Zhu Biao finish, Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, "Good! As expected of our son!"

He waved his hand grandly and said, "Since the teachers say we must be strict, then we shall be strict! Starting tomorrow, Yong Er shall stay an extra hour each day in Dabentang, and Biao Er, you watch over him."

Zhu Yong: "…"

Can he still regret it now?

"Dad, I still want to practice the hammers…" he tried to struggle.

"Practice the hammers in the afternoon, study in the morning; it's settled." Zhu Yuanzhang said without doubt.

Zhu Yong wanted to cry but had no tears.

That night, he lay on his bed, staring blankly at the system's light screen.

【Next sign‑in time: Hongwu Third Year】

Still several months away.

"If only I could sign in for a 'Memory‑Preserving Pill' or something…"

"Wait, doesn't he already have photographic memory?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment; indeed, today those characters he saw once and memorized.

That is a benefit brought by memories from a previous life.

But the benefit is also a burden.

The next day, Dabentang's lessons indeed increased in volume.

Not only Song Lian, but Tao Kai and Kong Keren also took turns giving Zhu Yong extra tutoring.

The Three Elders all discovered that Prince Wu, though outwardly simple and honest, learns things extremely quickly.

He can recognize characters with photographic memory, and grasp principles instantly.

He just doesn't like those tedious formalities; his speech is too blunt.

For example, while studying the Book of Songs and reading "Guan Guan Ju Wine, on the river islet," Zhu Yong asked directly, "Is this bird tasty?"

Song Lian almost lost his breath.

"Prince, this is a metaphor, a metaphor! The Ju Wine symbolizes the relationship between a gentleman and a virtuous lady," he explained.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Oh, so it's about being a good match."

"…"

Song Lian discovered that when lecturing this Prince Wu, one must always be ready to be choked up.

Strangely, although Zhu Yong speaks bluntly, his comprehension is not lacking.

After a few days, he could already recite the Thousand Character Classic and the Three Character Classic, and even convey their general meanings.

This pace is much faster than Zhu Shuang and the others.

Zhu Shuang was very dissatisfied.

"Second Prince must be secretly putting in effort," he whispered to Zhu Gang.

Zhu Gang sneered, "What good is studying? It can't be eaten as food."

Zhu Di, however, said, "Second Prince has always been clever; he just hadn't had the chance to study before."

"Fifth Prince, you only know how to flatter," Zhu Shuang snorted.

"I'm speaking the truth," Zhu Di retorted.

The boys' bickering made Dabentang considerably lively.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma occasionally came to inspect.

Each time they saw Zhu Yong studying earnestly, both were deeply gratified.

Especially Empress Ma, who sometimes, watching her two sons sit side by side—one refined and scholarly, the other simple and earnest—felt her eyes grow warm.

Her twin sons were finally together.

That afternoon, Zhu Yong finally left Dabentang and immediately ran to Yan Wu Chang to practice the hammers.

With the Double Hammers in hand, he finally felt at ease.

While he was practicing, Zhu Di ran over.

"Second Prince, may I watch you practice the hammers?" Zhu Di asked with a curious face.

"Hmm." Zhu Yong nodded, and continued practicing.

Zhu Di sat beside him, eyes full of envy.

When Zhu Yong finished, he came over and said, "Second Prince, is studying tiring?"

"Tiring." Zhu Yong answered honestly.

"I think those 'zhi, hu, zhe, ye' phrases give me a headache," Zhu Di sighed.

Zhu Yong glanced at him, "But you listen attentively."

"Because the eldest brother said, if you don't study, you won't be able to help Father share his worries in the future," Zhu Di said.

Zhu Yong was stunned.

He hadn't expected this nine‑year‑old younger brother to think so much already.

"You want to help Father share his worries?" he asked.

"Yes, conquering the world isn't easy for Father, and the eldest brother's governance is also hard; when I grow up I will help them," Zhu Di nodded.

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder and said, "Well done."

Zhu Di laughed, "Second Prince, will you still go to war later?"

"If enemies come, I go fight," Zhu Yong said.

"Then can I go with you?"

"We'll talk about that when you grow up."

"I'll grow up soon!"

Zhu Yong looked at this earnest younger brother and suddenly recalled the vague memories from his dream.

Fifth Prince Zhu Di will become Emperor in the future.

But now, he is only a child who wants to help his father and elder brother share their burdens.

Perhaps history could be different?

Zhu Yong shakes his head, not thinking further.

"Come, I'll take you to eat." He hoists the hammer.

"Alright!" Zhu Di happily follows.

The two brothers walk toward Kunning Palace.

The sunset stretches their shadows long.

One is tall and burly, the other thin but upright.

Along the palace road, leaves rustle in the wind.