Chapter 11: So He Was Hu Weiyong All Along?
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The Great Foundation Hall.
Qin Feng, newly appointed Crown Prince’s Tutor, took up his post on his very first day.
Zhu Biao led his younger brothers to stand in neat formation at the entrance of the Great Foundation Hall, where they respectfully bowed to Qin Feng.
“Teacher Qin, from today onward, you are our instructor! Please accept this bow from your students!”
As an adult, Zhu Biao was no longer required to attend lessons at the Great Foundation Hall.
But ever since he had witnessed the breadth of Qin Feng’s knowledge, Zhu Biao had willingly chosen to study under him and learn even more.
He had heard that, after the court session had ended, his own father had personally sought Qin Feng’s advice on managing the Yellow River.
For a man so young to possess such astonishing knowledge, Qin Feng’s identity as a traveler from another world was likely inseparable from it.
Yet Zhu Biao did not care what Qin Feng truly was. As long as Qin Feng could impart more knowledge to him, that was enough.
Looking at the gentle and amiable Zhu Biao, Qin Feng found himself growing more and more fond of him.
He draped an arm around Zhu Biao’s shoulders and led him into the hall.
The other princes clung to the doorway, eager to hear what Qin Feng and their elder brother were whispering about so mysteriously.
As Crown Prince, Zhu Biao had always been treated with respect. Many people deliberately kept their distance from him, and few ever showed such enthusiasm in trying to draw close.
Faced with Qin Feng’s intimate gesture, Zhu Biao felt no discomfort. Instead, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
“Thank you for speaking up for me in court today!” Qin Feng said, patting Zhu Biao on the shoulder. “In public, we’ll be master and disciple. In private, we’ll be friends, so don’t be so formal with me.”
“There’s no need for so many rules between us! I’m both a good teacher and a helpful friend. As it happens, I’d like to ask you about something. Who was that Minister Hu who kept making trouble for me at morning court today?”
“That was Hu Weiyong, the Grand Chancellor of our Great Ming.”
Qin Feng’s eyes widened in surprise. “So that was Hu Weiyong?”
What a corrupt official!
How dare he make such a fuss in front of me?
Does he have no idea what kind of man he is?
“Teacher, you’ve heard of Chancellor Hu?” Zhu Biao asked.
“Indeed. I know that name all too well!” Qin Feng replied, cracking his knuckles.
Today’s grudge was now firmly established. From this day onward, he would repay every slight.
“Teacher, will you be teaching us quantitative calculation today? Ever since my brothers and I heard you explain the practical applications of mathematics, we’ve all wished to learn its essence from you.”
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Qin Feng rolled his eyes and said, “We won’t study mathematics today. Instead, we’ll discuss something you’re even more interested in—the Classic of Mountains and Seas!”
The princes who had been pressed against the doorway, straining to listen, grew excited when they heard that Qin Feng was going to speak about the Classic of Mountains and Seas. They rushed inside at once.
“Teacher, you’re going to talk about the Classic of Mountains and Seas?”
Qin Feng walked solemnly up to the lectern, cleared his throat, and said, “Then let us begin today’s lesson. The Classic of Mountains and Seas I’m going to present is meant to show you the true shape of the world, not some collection of bizarre and absurd legends.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the princes, led by Zhu Biao, took their seats.
Listening to Qin Feng teach was a novel delight, far more interesting than the dull lessons in Confucian learning.
Qin Feng took out a world map he had drawn himself and spread it before the princes.
After studying the hand-drawn map, Zhu Biao frowned. “Teacher, why does the territory of Great Ming shown here differ from what I have seen?”
“This isn’t a map of Great Ming,” Qin Feng explained. “It’s a map of the world—or, one might say, of all the lands under heaven. Our Great Ming is here.”
Following the map in Zhu Biao’s hands, Qin Feng pointed toward Great Ming’s territory and clearly marked its borders.
Zhu Biao drew a sharp breath. “According to this, Great Ming occupies only a portion of all the land in the world?”
“That’s right. We cannot keep our eyes fixed solely on the lands of Great Ming. There is always a greater world beyond our own, and greater people beyond ourselves. Outside Great Ming lie even more fertile lands, waiting for us to cultivate and develop.”
Zhu Di glanced at the distribution of land on the map and suddenly raised his hand. “Teacher, how are we to send people to these uncultivated lands?”
“The world in which we live is divided between land and sea,” Qin Feng replied. “Apart from the continents I have marked, all the remaining empty spaces are oceans.”
Zhu Di suddenly understood. “Then we can send ships across the oceans to reach the new lands.”
No wonder Zhu Di would later send Zheng He on seven voyages across the western seas. His mind certainly worked quickly!
“Exactly! As long as we build ships capable of crossing the oceans, we can reach new lands. Those lands possess abundant mineral resources, as well as many fruits, vegetables, and grains we have never seen before.”
Zhu Biao said excitedly, “If Great Ming could build shipyards, then by constructing ships we could have food continuously transported here from other lands?”
“That is the direction in which Great Ming must develop in the future! Shipbuilding is the key to the true advancement of Great Ming.”
Zhu Di shook his head. “But Father issued a maritime ban long ago, and he has been especially vigilant in guarding against the rampant Japanese pirates.”
Qin Feng tapped the map and smiled. “Do you know why our Great Ming is powerless against this band of rampant pirates? Because Great Ming has yet to possess a proper navy!”
“If we build sturdy ships and forge a navy that commands awe in every direction, do you think those bandits would still dare to raid the coast of Great Ming?”
“If they continue to harass our coastline, I guarantee we’ll beat those Japanese pirates into a humiliating retreat!”
Zhu Biao stared excitedly at the world map. Rising to his feet, he clasped his hands and bowed. “After hearing your words today, Teacher, I feel as though enlightenment has suddenly dawned upon me.”
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“That will conclude today’s lesson,” Qin Feng said. “When studying, we must always balance work with rest.”
“In a moment, you’ll all come with me to exercise outside the Great Foundation Hall.”
“Soon, we’ll go and accomplish something truly important together!”
Something important?
The princes all looked rather excited.
They spent every day cooped up in the Great Foundation Hall and were nearly sick of it.
Their teacher was truly kind to them. He was actually going to take them out to accomplish something important!
With an ingenuous expression, Zhu Biao asked, “Teacher, what important task do you want us to help with?”
Qin Feng smiled at Zhu Biao. “Does the Crown Prince’s residence have household troops? I’d like to borrow a unit.”
Seeing how mysterious Qin Feng was being, Zhu Biao assumed that he must be planning something earth-shaking.
“What do you need the household troops for, Teacher?”
“I’m taking you to handle an important matter, so naturally we’ll need people to protect us! With household troops escorting us, we can rest easy.”
“Very well. I’ll send someone to mobilize them at once.”
“Then let’s go outside and exercise first! You must practice properly. I have never taught this to anyone else.”
The princes stared at the strange set of body-strengthening movements Qin Feng demonstrated, utterly dumbfounded.
“Elder Brother, what kind of exercise is our teacher showing us?”
Zhu Biao shook his head. “Stop talking nonsense. Follow Teacher and practice. Don’t be lazy!”
And so Zhu Biao led the princes in performing the national middle-school broadcast calisthenics alongside Qin Feng.
“Whole-body exercise—one, two, three, four; two, two, three, four…”
“Leg-kicking exercise—one, two, three, four; two, two, three, four…”
“Jumping exercise—one, two, three, four; two, two, three, four…”
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