Chương 531: Good heavens, this is a group that came to steal my house.

The group became more and more excited as they talked, as if they could already see the day when the crown prince ascended the throne and they were promoted and ennobled, as if they could see Shen Wansan, Jia Sixie, Song Yingxing and others slinking out of the court, as if they could see the Four Books and Five Classics once again becoming the only knowledge in the world.

Some people have already started calculating how many ranks they might be promoted, while others are already thinking about writing a letter of thanks.

Master Zheng raised his wine cup and declared loudly, his voice filled with fervor: "Gentlemen! For the future of Confucianism, for the revival of the Way of the Sages, let us drink to this!"

"Dry!"

More than thirty teacups clinked together, making a crisp sound, and tea spilled all over the table.

...

Three days later, after the morning court session ended, Liu Ce had just returned to the Greenhouse Palace and hadn't even taken a sip of tea when a eunuch rushed in, his forehead covered in sweat.

"Your Majesty! More than forty officials are kneeling outside the palace, requesting an audience, saying they have a matter of utmost importance to report! No matter how we try to persuade them, they won't leave, saying they will kneel until Your Majesty grants their request."

Liu Ce paused for a moment, then smiled and put down his teacup:

"Oh? More than forty people kneeling before me? I don't even need to think about it to know it's not a good thing. Let them in, they won't catch a cold kneeling outside."

Soon, more than forty officials filed in, each with a solemn expression, as if they were going to their deaths, their steps heavy.

They bowed in unison and proclaimed loudly, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty!"

"No need for formalities, please rise," Liu Ce said slowly, putting down his teacup and leaning back in his chair.

"Tell me, what is it that makes so many of you come to me for help? You're making such a big fuss, anyone who didn't know better would think something terrible has happened."

Master Zheng, as the representative, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and spoke with utmost sincerity, carefully choosing his words:

"Your Majesty! We have come here today for the sake of His Highness the Crown Prince's studies! His Highness the Crown Prince is already six years old this year. He is exceptionally intelligent and has a dashing appearance. He is at the perfect age to begin his studies!"

"The plan for the day is made in the morning, the plan for the year is made in the spring, and the plan for a lifetime is made in childhood! We, your humble servants, are deeply worried day and night, unable to eat or sleep, fearing that we might hinder the Crown Prince's studies and jeopardize the foundation of the nation! As Confucian officials, it is our duty to educate the heir apparent, and we dare not fail to offer our advice!"

Passerby A continued, quoting extensively from classical texts, swaying his head as if reciting a book:

"Your Majesty! The Book of Rites says: 'At the age of ten, a person is considered young and begins to learn.' It also says: 'The eldest son of the Son of Heaven is a scholar; no one in the world is born noble.' The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the nation and the foundation of all people; his studies are crucial to the long-term prosperity of the Han Dynasty!"

In the past, the Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng, establishing the positions of Grand Tutor and Grand Protector, teaching him rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, which led to the prosperous reigns of King Cheng and King Kang. King Wen's heir apparent would pay homage to King Ji every day, but he would only dress at the first crow of the rooster and go to the outer gate of his bedchamber to inquire of the servants who served him.

If His Highness the Crown Prince can now receive instruction from a great Confucian scholar, he will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler, continuing the Han Dynasty's eternal legacy!

Passerby B was so excited that his voice trembled and his eyes reddened:

"Your Majesty! We humbly request Your Majesty to select a highly respected and learned Confucian scholar to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor! To teach the Crown Prince the Four Books and Five Classics, the ways of the sages, and how to cultivate himself, manage his family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world!"

We, your humble servants, would like to jointly recommend Lord Cai Yong! Lord Cai is a literary giant, of impeccable character, and of profound learning; he is the most suitable candidate to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor, without exception!

Other officials echoed this sentiment in clear, crisp voices:

"Your Majesty, we humbly request that a Grand Tutor be appointed for the Crown Prince!"

"Lord Cai is truly virtuous and talented, and deserves the title!"

"The Crown Prince's study of the ways of sages and virtuous men is a great fortune for the nation and a blessing for the country!"

"Your Majesty, you must not delay the Crown Prince's studies!"

Liu Ce sat on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests. He was perfectly clear-headed, and a faint smile played on his lips.

Good grief, this is a group of people trying to steal my house.

If you can't handle me, you're trying to start with my son, brainwash him, and then try to restore your power after I die, right?

These old scholars are really good at calculating; their influence can be heard from Luoyang to Zhuoxian.

However, he did feel a little guilty. He was so busy with reforms and eliminating powerful families that he had forgotten his son was already six years old and should be starting school.

I used to think that my child was still young and it wouldn't matter if he played for a few more years, and we could talk about it when he grew up.

Now, reminded by these Confucian scholars, I've realized that if I don't teach them now, they'll grow up too old.

Liu Ce chuckled inwardly, but his face remained impassive. He waved his hand and spoke calmly:

"Oh, so that's what it is. I understand. I will take care of the Crown Prince's studies; you don't need to worry about it. Go back and do what you were doing."

Passerby A and Passerby B exchanged a glance, both seeing ecstasy in each other's eyes.

They assumed that Liu Ce had tacitly agreed, but simply didn't want to do so publicly to avoid being accused of favoring Confucian scholars.

After all, he was the emperor, and he had to treat everyone equally.

Passerby A quickly bowed and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is wise! We take our leave! Your Majesty has worked hard!"

A group of people happily left the greenhouse hall, each with a victorious smile on their face, walking with a spring in their step and their backs straightening considerably.

"It's done! I knew His Majesty would agree!"

"Of course! What emperor wouldn't allow his crown prince to study the ways of the sages? It's the natural order!"

"Of course! Although His Majesty is implementing new policies, he still holds Confucianism in high esteem! It is the foundation of our Han Dynasty for hundreds of years!"

"Hurry back and prepare! We'll submit the memorial recommending Lord Cai! Get as many people as possible to sign it; the bigger the fuss, the better!"

"Once Lord Cai becomes Grand Tutor, we'll all have our day! Then we old scholars will finally be able to put our talents to use!"

The group left the palace chatting and laughing. Master Zheng had even started packing his bags at home, preparing to move to the vicinity of the East Palace so that he could teach the Crown Prince every day. He had even packed his bedding.

They never dreamed that Liu Ce's so-called "own arrangements" meant he had no intention of including them at all.

They weren't even eligible to be the Crown Prince's tutors, let alone his attendants.

Their wishful thinking was only for their own benefit from the very beginning.

...

After sending the group of Confucian scholars away, Liu Ce immediately took action.

He first ordered people to clean up Chang Le Palace, which had been idle for more than ten years.

Chang Le Palace is a large place. You can find any palace with a courtyard, garden, pond and rockery. The environment is quiet and well-lit, making it the most suitable place to be a school.

The eunuchs and palace maids worked for three days to clean the inside and outside of the house and set up the tables and chairs.

Then they closed the door and started moving things out of their own system space.

First, there were the teaching aids: a two-meter-long blackboard, black with a smooth surface, made of iron plate coated with black paint; several boxes of white chalk, neatly stacked in a box; and a stack of pencils, erasers, and notebooks, all specially made, with the words "Great Han Royal" printed on the cover.

Then there are the teaching aids: a large globe with a wooden frame, painted with the five continents and four oceans in bright colors; a magnifying glass that can magnify things; a triangular mirror that can create rainbows; a set of colorful flashcards with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division multiplication tables; and a basket of fruit candies to be used as prizes, one for each correct answer.