Chapter 36: Learning

"Second Brother, starting tomorrow, you go to the Left Military Governor's Office and learn military affairs from your senior cousin Wen Zhong," Zhu Biao said suddenly.

"Ah! I have to learn that?" Zhu Yong was stunned.

"Hmm! You are the Prince of Wu, and in the future you must stand on your own; merely knowing how to fight is not enough, you must also know how to command troops, coordinate, and devise strategies."

"Senior cousin Wen Zhong is a veteran general; learning from him is better than just reading books in the palace," Zhu Biao said earnestly, looking at him.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "I'll follow the elder brother's advice."

"Alright."

Zhu Biao patted his shoulder and said, "But don't be afraid; if there's anything you don't understand, just ask. Senior cousin Wen Zhong is straightforward but kind, and he'll teach you patiently."

The carriage entered the Imperial City.

When they returned to Kunning Palace, dusk was already approaching.

Empress Ma was embroidering; seeing the two return, she smiled, "You're back—have you met Uncle yet?"

"We have, Uncle's health is fine, only his leg has an old ailment that hurts when it's cold," Zhu Biao said as he sat down.

Empress Ma sighed, "That stems from an old injury; back then he fought Zhong Ba, and once he lay in the snow for three days and three nights, and his leg froze."

Zhu Yong listened and noted it in his mind.

"What about that child Jinglong!" Empress Ma asked again.

"He's five, clever and lively, and he idolizes Second Brother, constantly begging to learn martial arts," Zhu Biao laughed.

Empress Ma also smiled, "Children all idolize heroes; Yong Er, you can teach him more in the future."

"Mm." Zhu Yong nodded.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived.

He wore a Great Cloak, a chill clinging to him, and upon entering asked, "Have you met the brother-in-law yet?"

"Yes, we have." Zhu Biao rose.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat down, and Empress Ma poured him a cup of hot tea.

"That brother-in-law is reliable; you should get closer to him. Wen Zhong is also good—steady and dependable. Yong Er, you should learn more from your senior cousin," Zhu Yuanzhang said after sipping his tea.

"Dad, I'm going to the Left Military Governor's Office tomorrow," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled and looked at Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao explained, "The son of the emperor sent Second Brother to learn military affairs from senior cousin Wen Zhong."

"Alright!"

Zhu Yuanzhang thumped his thigh and continued, "He must learn! Just swinging a hammer isn't enough; you must also lead troops! Wen Zhong was raised by us; he's capable, and learning from him is certainly the right choice!"

Zhu Yong smiled foolishly.

During dinner, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and Zhu Su also arrived.

Zhu Di, hearing that Second Prince would go to the Left Military Governor's Office tomorrow, said enviously, "Second Prince, I also want to go."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and said, "How old are you? Study properly!"

Zhu Di tucked his chin and fell silent.

After dinner, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Biao to the Wu Ying Hall, and Zhu Yong followed.

In the hall a Charcoal Brazier burned, making it very warm.

Zhu Yuanzhang took out a secret report and said, "Biao Er, take a look at this."

Zhu Biao took it, and after reading, his expression grew serious as he said, "Kuokuo has gathered fifty thousand men in Shen'er Valley..."

"Mm."

Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely, "It's more than we expected; it seems next year this battle cannot be avoided."

"Dad, who do you intend to appoint as Supreme Commander?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Yong Er, what do you think?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and replied, "General Chang."

"Why?"

"General Chang knows the Northern Yuan well, fights fiercely, and... I want to go with him," Zhu Yong said innocently.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, "Fine! Then let Chang Yuchun be Supreme Commander! Yong Er, you will be his Vanguard!"

"Yes!" Zhu Yong's eyes lit up.

Zhu Biao, however, was a bit worried, "Dad, Second Brother is still young..."

"What's wrong with being young? Huo Qubing was made Champion Marquis at eighteen; Yong Er is fifteen, it's time for experience... Besides, with Chang Yuchun watching, nothing will go wrong," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Zhu Biao finally nodded, "Then... the son will draft the edict tomorrow."

"Go ahead!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong, his eyes full of expectation, and said, "Yong Er, fight this battle well so the world can see that every son of the old Zhu family is exemplary!"

Zhu Yong nodded heavily, "Don't worry, Dad, I will definitely fight well!"

It was late at night, and Zhu Yong returned to the side hall.

He lay on the bed.

Kuokuo Tiemuer—he remembered that name.

In his memories of a past life, this person seemed rather hard to deal with.

But it doesn't matter; he has a hammer.

If one hammer doesn't work, then two.

If two don't work, then three.

It will eventually break through.

Thinking about it, he fell asleep.

In the eleventh month of Hongwu Second Year, winter arrived rather abruptly in Yingtian Prefecture.

Just as the sky was barely light, Zhu Yong crawled out of bed.

He now lived at Wu Wang Fu, but every morning he had to enter the palace, first go to Kunning Palace to pay respects to Empress Ma, then go to Dabentang to study, and in the afternoon he still had to go to the Left Military Governor's Office to learn military affairs from Li Wenzhong.

"Prince, it's time to rise."

Royal Guard Captain Zhang Wu called softly from outside the door.

He was originally a Hundred Household Officer under Chang Yuchun, and because of his fierce combat prowess, he was selected to serve as Zhu Yong's Royal Guard Captain.

The other captain, Chen Heng, was responsible for the Wang Fu's security.

Zhu Yong acknowledged with a sound, dressed, and went out.

The morning wind carried a chill, but he didn't feel cold.

The physical constitution the system gave him meant he could go shirtless in ice and snow without shivering, but Empress Ma had specially made him a Thick Cotton Robe, so he had to wear it.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was combing her hair.

"Yong Er is here." Seeing her son in the bronze mirror, she turned around with a smile.

"Mother, I'm here." Zhu Yong bowed clumsily.

Empress Ma pulled him to sit down, looked him over carefully, and said, "You've grown taller again. Does this cotton robe fit?"

"It fits, and it's warm." Zhu Yong answered honestly.

"Good that it's warm. It's cold out, wear more. I hear you're going to Dabentang today. Mr. Song is lecturing on the *Great Learning*. Just listen, and if you don't understand, ask. Don't be afraid." Empress Ma said, touching his face.

"I know."

Zhu Yong smiled bitterly to himself.

In his previous life, he was an ordinary working stiff—how could he have studied the Four Books and Five Classics?

Now, having lived again, he had to start learning from scratch.

Fortunately, after awakening his memories, his comprehension had improved considerably. Though he couldn't match Zhu Biao's ability to remember everything at a glance, he could barely keep up.

Leaving Kunning Palace, Zhu Yong headed to Dabentang.

Dabentang, located beside Wenhua Hall, was where the princes studied.

When Zhu Yong arrived, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and several other younger brothers were already there.

"Second Prince!" Zhu Di saw him first, his eyes lighting up.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were whispering in a corner, muttering about something, but when they saw Zhu Yong arrive, they quickly sat up straight.

"Good morning, Second Prince." Zhu Gang said properly.

Zhu Yong nodded and sat down next to Zhu Di.

Before long, Song Lian entered.

This great Confucian scholar was now the teacher of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and also taught the princes.

"Today, we will lecture on the first chapter of the *Great Learning*." Song Lian opened the scroll, his voice steady.

Zhu Yong listened attentively. Though he understood only half of what was said, his memory was good, so he memorized it first.

"The Way of the Great Learning lies in illuminating bright virtue, in renewing the people, and in resting in the highest good..." Song Lian explained slowly.

As he listened, Zhu Yong scribbled and drew on paper.

He couldn't write with a brush, so Zhu Biao had specially prepared a charcoal pencil for him to practice with.

Halfway through the lesson, Zhu Shuang began to yawn.

Zhu Gang nudged him with his elbow, and Zhu Shuang quickly sat up straight.

Song Lian glanced at them but said nothing and continued the lecture.

After barely enduring until the lesson ended, Song Lian assigned a memorization task to be checked the next day.

As soon as Song Lian left, Zhu Shuang slumped in his chair and said, "Finally over! Second Prince, did you understand any of that?"

Zhu Yong shook his head honestly and said, "Half and half."

"I understood even less. What's all this about bright virtue and renewing the people? Might as well go to the Training Ground and practice archery." Zhu Shuang sighed.

Zhu Gang also said, "Exactly, studying is really boring."

Zhu Di, however, said, "Third Prince, Fourth Prince, studying helps you understand principles. Father said that not studying makes you a brute."

"What do you know? You're only nine. When you get to my age, you'll understand." Zhu Shuang curled his lip.

Zhu Yong looked at them and said simply, "Big Brother says studying is for understanding things. Leading troops also requires understanding principles, otherwise it's just brute force."

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang exchanged a glance and dared not argue.

They weren't afraid of Mr. Song, but they were afraid of this simple-minded Second Prince, because he really would hit their palms.

"Second Prince, are you going to the Left Military Governor's Office this afternoon?" Zhu Di asked.

"Yes, to learn military affairs from Cousin Wen Zhong." Zhu Yong said.

"Can I come?" Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

"You're still young, Father won't allow it. When you're older, I'll take you." Zhu Yong said, patting his head.

Zhu Di was a bit disappointed, but quickly perked up: "Then Second Prince, when you learn it, come back and teach me."

"Alright."