Chapter 132 The Prince
Wang Shushi said with a flushed face,
"Give me seven more days, and I'll definitely figure it out!"
Shen Yulou:...Why don't you say give you a month?
Emperor Ren said, "Nonsense! Establishing the Imperial Academy is imminent; how can there be so much time? Minister Shen, announce the answer."
"If they are convinced by the answer, then you win."
"As you command!"
Shen Yulou looked at them and slowly spoke the answer.
"Step one, take the sheep across the river.
Step two, return empty-handed.
Step three, take the wolf across the river.
Step four, bring the sheep back.
Step five, leave the sheep, take the cabbage across the river.
Step six, return empty-handed.
Step seven, take the sheep across the river.
Thus, all three items are safe and sound."
As soon as these words were uttered, all the civil and military officials, including Emperor Ren, who was enduring a backache on the dragon throne, were dumbfounded, then suddenly enlightened, and the entire hall was filled with shock!
This seemingly unsolvable problem was resolved with such simple steps!
Everyone's gaze towards Shen Yulou instantly became complex.
Is it that simple?
Wang Shushi slapped his thigh in anger.
"I almost thought of it; bringing the sheep back was the key! I, I, I..."
Shen Yulou said, "Grand Tutor, this question tests strategy. If one knows the answer, anyone can deduce it backward."
"No matter how much you thought, you didn't answer it."
The few people were left speechless by Shen Yulou's retort, their old faces turning crimson, losing all face in the imperial court.
But they understood that if Shen Yulou succeeded today, these imperial tutors would completely become mere ornaments.
At that time, their fate would be demotion, reduction in salary, or even dismissal and forced retirement.
Wang Shushi quickly stepped forward and said with a stiff upper lip,
"Lord Shen's talent indeed has its unique aspects. However, the instruction of princes is no child's play. Our dynasty has many princes, and not all of them are unpolished gems. I wonder, with Lord Shen's talent, does he have the confidence to properly teach the Eighth Prince and the Ninth Prince?"
As soon as these words came out, the officials who had originally admired Shen Yulou in the court once again had subtle expressions.
Eighth Prince Zhao Lü and Ninth Prince Ninth Imperial Prince were the greatest pains in Emperor Ren's heart.
These two had long since come of age, yet they were uneducated and unskilled, typical good-for-nothing scions.
Eighth Prince Zhao Lü was obsessed with music, spending his days in Brothels and pleasure houses, even hiding his identity to promote a Brothel's top courtesan.
Ninth Prince Ninth Imperial Prince was infatuated with antiques and jade, cockfighting, and dog racing, neglecting proper work.
Both had long since moved out of the palace to establish their own residences; though called princes, they lacked any princely demeanor, and no one in court had high hopes for them, having long been excluded from the succession candidates.
Wang Shushi bringing up these two at this moment was clearly intended to make things difficult for Shen Yulou.
He said loudly, "The Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince are incorrigibly mischievous. We have taught them for many years with no results. If Lord Shen can also include these two princes in the Imperial Academy and make them turn over a new leaf and walk the right path, then we will be completely convinced and admit that this Imperial Academy indeed has miraculous effects!"
As soon as Emperor Ren heard the names of these two rebellious sons, his already agitated mood due to his back injury worsened.
He looked at Shen Yulou and suddenly felt that Wang Shushi's suggestion was excellent.
He had completely given up on these two sons; if Shen Yulou truly had the ability to straighten them out, it would be an immense merit.
"Shen Yulou!"
Emperor Ren said in a deep voice, "What do you think of Grand Tutor Wang's words?"
Shen Yulou also had a headache, seeing that the matter of the Imperial Academy was about to succeed, he didn't expect these two princes to suddenly appear.
Aren't they already adults?
If they want to lie flat, let them lie flat; why force them to be educated?
He hated this kind of forcing people to strive the most; who said a prince must have the heart of a crown prince?
Can't they just be a carefree idle prince?
Emperor Ren saw that he seemed to be contemplating, so he made a decisive statement: "How about this, I will give you half a month. If you can make these two rebellious sons, Zhao Lü and Ninth Imperial Prince, turn over a new leaf and listen to your guidance,
then I will fully entrust the matter of the Imperial Academy to you, and no one will dare to object again!"
As soon as these words were uttered, the hundred officials in the court nodded one after another.
Some genuinely felt this was a good method: the capable rise, the incompetent fall.
Others held a gloating attitude, waiting to see how Shen Yulou would stumble with these two troublemakers, so they could mock him thoroughly later.
Shen Yulou knew there was no turning back. He looked up at Emperor Ren.
"Your subject obeys the imperial edict. But your subject has one request."
"Speak."
"The Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince have long resided outside the palace and are wild and untamed. Without His Majesty's full support, your subject fears it will be difficult to act. I ask His Majesty to issue an imperial edict, granting your subject full authority to discipline them, ensuring that both of them must obey your subject's arrangements."
Emperor Ren had long been utterly disappointed with those two sons and said without hesitation, "Granted! He Shun, draft the imperial edict!"
He looked at Shen Yulou, with a hint of expectation and a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.
"I give you this imperial edict; you may act freely. If these two rebellious sons are disobedient, you may act as you see fit; even if you beat them, I permit it! These two rebellious sons can be treated specially!"
"Your subject accepts the imperial edict!" Shen Yulou took the imperial edict handed by He Shun. With this imperial sword, he could indeed act with a free hand.
He was afraid that if the princes were disobedient, Shen Yulou wouldn't dare to be ruthless.
This time, he didn't have to worry.
After the morning court, on the white marble steps outside the Golden Throne Hall, Wang Shushi and Li Deguang waited there specifically. Seeing Shen Yulou emerge, they greeted him with forced smiles.
"Congratulations, Lord Shen, congratulations, Lord Shen!"
Wang Shushi stroked his beard, his eyes full of unconcealed schadenfreude.
"Not only has the matter of the Imperial Academy made progress today, but you have also been promoted to be the teacher of the Eighth Prince and Ninth Prince, truly a double blessing!"
Li Deguang also echoed sarcastically, "Indeed, His Royal Highness the Eighth Prince is exceptionally intelligent, especially fond of music. He is probably at the largest Drunken Immortal Tower in the imperial city, exchanging skills with others.
Lord Shen might as well go there first to pay a visit. Perhaps after witnessing the Eighth Prince's demeanor, you will change your mind and no longer wish to establish any Imperial Academy, haha."
Shen Yulou watched these two old men sing and harmonize, merely smiling faintly and cupping his hands.
"Thank you for your auspicious words, sirs. Instructing princes is inherently a subject's duty, and this humble official will naturally do his utmost."
After speaking, he ignored them and left directly.
Watching Shen Yulou's retreating figure, the two sneered.
"Lord Li, how long do you think he can last with the Eighth Prince?"
"I bet one day."
"I bet half a day."
...Upon returning to his residence, Shen Yulou immediately found Tao Hong.
"Tao Hong, tell me about the Eighth Prince, the more detailed the better, especially his actions outside the palace; I want to know everything, no matter how small."
Upon hearing this, Tao Hong's small face immediately wrinkled: "My Lord, do you really want to be the Eighth Prince's teacher? That Eighth Prince is no easy person to deal with!"
She counted on her fingers, listing: "Just last month, a new courtesan named Suyin arrived at Drunken Immortal Tower, playing the pipa with divine skill.
To have her dance for him alone, the Eighth Prince directly ordered people to cover the ground with silver ingots, each worth a hundred taels, saying he wanted to hear what it sounded like for a beauty to dance on silver!
That scene is still talked about in the imperial city to this day.
Even the Grand Tutor couldn't do anything about him. I advise you to give up.