In the East Palace, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince frowned slightly and looked at his Grandson.
Zhu Dong felt guilty at the rare sharp look from his own father, and quickly lowered his head.
"In this academic assessment, you are not as good as Yu Zifan in writing, and not as good as Shen Xu in riding and shooting." Zhu Yun did not raise his voice deliberately, but it was enough to show his displeasure and dissatisfaction: "Tell me what's going on."
What else could be going on?
Yu Zifan came from a well-known scholarly family, and he had an unforgettable talent since he was a child. His academic performance was slightly inferior to Yu Zifan's, which is normal.
Shen Xu was born as a general and has outstanding talent. He has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and he is excellent in riding and shooting. Why is he worse than Shen Xu?
His father’s demands on him are too high!
Zhu Dong secretly slandered in his heart, but did not dare to argue in his mouth. He whispered: "My son is slacking off and not diligent enough. I will definitely do my best in the academic assessment next month."
Zhu Yun glanced at his son: "You say that, but are you not convinced in your heart?"
How could Zhu Dong dare to admit: "It's okay, my father was right in reprimanding me."
Zhu Yun said calmly: "You were registered as the grandson at the age of eight, and you went to the court to listen to the government at the age of ten. There has never been such a precedent in the history of Da Qi."
"If you want to wear a crown, you must first accept its weight. I don't need to explain such a simple truth, you already understand it."
"I specially selected six reading companions for you. I hope you will guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and calm down to study and practice martial arts. Don't be arrogant and arrogant, and become complacent and self-righteous after being praised by everyone."
Zhu Dong was so ashamed that the cold sweat on his forehead was almost falling, and he responded in a low voice: "My father's words have been remembered by my sons and ministers."
Zhu Yun beat his son for a while, then calmed down and asked casually: "It's been a month since the companions entered the palace. You and them are getting along fairly well, right?"
Zhu Dong wiped the sweat on his forehead with his sleeve: "Back to my father, the six of them are all outstanding young men. Studying and practicing martial arts with them makes me both stressed and excited. On weekdays, We get along very well. But..."
"However, the six of them are divided into two factions, and they are clearly divided." Zhu Yun's eyes flashed and he answered with a smile.
Zhu Dong nodded helplessly.
Zhu Yun didn't take it seriously: "There are differences between civil and military officials, different origins, and what I have seen and thought about since childhood are different. When we get to a place, it is normal for us to have some barriers and compete with each other. Not to mention the civil and military officials in the court, they are the members of the East Palace. The officials are also divided into factions."
"What a monarch should do is not to suppress civility and emphasize military force, or to promote military commanders and suppress civil servants. Instead, he must reconcile the differences or contradictions between civil servants and military commanders, and even use these to balance and control the court."
"If you can't even manage six companions, how can you control the ministers in the future?"
Zhu Dongruo realized something: "Therefore, my father took great pains to select these six companions for me to read, in order to temper the character of his son."
It's not all about you.
The main reason is to find a reason to let Shen Xu enter the palace.
Naturally, Zhu Yun would not tell the truth and said calmly: "As long as you understand my painstaking efforts."
With his "fatherly" heart, he was moved and grateful by his son. Zhu Yun felt much happier and pretended to casually tell him: "Shen Xu is the youngest, but he has the best skills, he is straightforward and has a very good temper." Jia. You might as well get closer to him in the future."
Zhu Dong did not doubt that he was there and agreed with a smile.
To be fair, among the six companions, the one closest to Zhu Dong is undoubtedly Yuan Rui. Yuan Rui is a direct cousin. They are the same age. They grew up together since childhood and know each other well.
However, in the past month, Zhu Dong has gotten along well with several other reading companions. Especially Shen Xu, who is the youngest and the most lively and optimistic. Wherever he is, there is always laughter.
Zhu Dong is willing to get close to Shen Xu without Zhu Yun's instructions.
…
There was only one short holiday, so early the next morning, all six companions entered the palace together.
As soon as the small court meeting ended, Zhu Dong immediately went to the martial arts field. From a distance, he heard the noise coming from the martial arts field.
Zhu Dong is usually mature and prudent, but in fact he is just a fourteen-year-old boy who loves to play and make trouble. When he heard the noise, his ears perked up, his pace suddenly quickened, and he walked over in three steps at a time.
The guards who were watching the excitement in the outer circle hurriedly got out of the way.
Zhu Dong took a closer look and couldn't help but laugh. It turned out that Yuan Rui was fighting with Shen Xu. Everyone gathered around, some applauded Yuan Rui, and some said hello to Shen Xu...
So lively!
Shen Jin, as a bodyguard of the great grandson, was accompanying the great grandson at this time. Seeing his cousin show off his might, his fists and feet were like the wind, and he pinned Yuan Rui firmly, Shen Jin felt proud in his heart.
It's a pity that His Highness Taisun is also there. He can't make any rude and random noises. Otherwise, he would have raised his arms and shouted.
Yuan Rui gradually lost control and dodged left and right. Shen Xu looked like a completely different person on the martial arts training ground. He was no longer impetuous and arrogant. His fists and feet were fast but not aggressive. He fought steadily and pushed Yuan Rui back step by step.
Another fifty strokes passed.
Yuan Rui had already retreated to the previously drawn boundary and had to admit defeat: "I lost!"
Shen Xu grinned, retracted his fist neatly, took a few steps back, and raised his hand to Yuan Rui: "I accept, I accept."
Yuan Rui was also magnanimous: "I didn't let you, even though you tried your best, you still lost. Wen Wu is the first, Wu Wu is the second. You are better than me, everyone can see it."
"Losing to you this time does not mean that I will always lose. Let's compare weapons tomorrow!"
Zhu Dong was greatly moved when he heard this, and said with a smile: "You don't have to wait for tomorrow, I will compete with Shen Xu now. Someone, bring me my usual wooden sword."
They had been together for a month, and the young men quickly became familiar with each other. Shen Xu had nothing to be embarrassed about, so he walked to the long row of weapon racks and randomly picked a wooden spear.
This row of weapon racks is equipped with eighteen kinds of weapons including swords, guns and sticks, all made of hard wood. They are specially used for His Highness Taisun's daily martial arts practice.
Zhu Dong raised his eyebrows and asked with a smile: "Shen Xu, aren't you accustomed to using long knives? Why did you get a long gun today?"
Shen Xu moved his right hand, easily holding a gun, and grinned: "So that His Majesty the Grand Sun will know that I know all eighteen weapons."
All the onlookers booed.
Most of those who claim to be experts in all kinds of weapons are just bragging.
Shen Xu didn't say much. He waved his right hand and took a defensive posture with his spear: "Your Highness, please take action!"
Zhu Dong felt hot and itchy for a moment, and was not polite to Shen Xu. He pulled out a sword flower from his long sword and swung it out boldly.
Shen You moved his spear and easily met the sword in Zhu Dong's hand.
An inch long, an inch strong. The spear is the most commonly used weapon by soldiers in the army. Its advantages and disadvantages are obvious. If someone grabs you at close range, you will be in trouble.
However, the spear in Shen Xu's hand was like a swimming dragon, and Zhu Dong couldn't get close at the moment.
