In the Study Room.
Emperor Xiao Yunzhou scolded off several important ministers from the Cabinet and Six Ministries, then regained his composure and began speaking to his sons in front of him.
"You all saw just now. The incompetent do not deserve high positions. This applies to ministers, and even more so to the Crown Prince."
Xiao Yunzhou's gaze swept over each of his sons.
"If today I were to pass the throne to you, and tomorrow you prove incapable, I will take it back."
As he spoke, he sat back on the dragon throne behind the desk, holding his daughter Xiao Chuchu tightly.
Xiao Chuchu squirmed uncomfortably in his arms, but her grape-like eyes sparkled upon hearing his words.
[Yes, Father Emperor is right.]
[We must not only consider the present, but also have a long-term perspective.]
"Although innate intelligence levels have a certain impact on future achievements, even the Crown Prince, who is still a minor, can improve his thinking abilities through diligent study," Xiao Chuchu had heard in modern times about the importance of early childhood education in developing intelligence.
It is evident that intelligence is not fixed, but can be enhanced through education.
"I think that exposing children to new things and enhancing their hands-on abilities can make them smarter," Xiao Chuchu pondered.
Emperor Xiao Yunzhou immediately focused his attention, listening intently.
Especially when he looked at the Fourth Prince, who was currently less intelligent than the eunuch serving tea, and the Third Prince who was not as good as Wei Zheng, he felt anxious.
Including his fifth son, Cheng Qian, whom he was preparing to pass the throne to, also had an intelligence level of eighty-eight, just like him.
Talented individuals emerge in every generation.
Although Emperor Xiao Yunzhou was suspicious, he still hoped that the next generation of emperors who would succeed him would be stronger than himself.
This way, the Jing Country would continue to prosper.
"Sons will heed Father Emperor's teachings," the Crown Prince took the lead in expressing his loyalty in front of the Emperor, "Sons will not slack off in the future. I have read the books taught by the teachers in the Study Room more than one hundred and fifty times."
This was taught by the Empress.
Xiao Yunzhou nodded. It goes without saying that the Empress's family had a certain way of teaching, producing many scholars.
In this aspect, he trusted the Empress's family.
Now looking at the Crown Prince, it was clear that his intelligence was not low.
Was this the intelligence improvement brought about by education?
Xiao Yunzhou was pleased and was about to speak, suggesting that the other princes, especially his highly anticipated fifth son Cheng Qian, should also learn from the Crown Prince. But the next moment, he froze in place.
Because his daughter Xiao Chuchu, in his arms, upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, exclaimed and restlessly twisted in his embrace.
[Reading one lesson one hundred and fifty times? Oh my, how much can one learn from that?]
Xiao Chuchu widened her eyes.
[Exam-oriented education is not good at all, we must ensure enough sleep.]
Xiao Chuchu sympathetically pitied the Crown Prince in her heart.
[Oh, now that you mention it,] Xiao Chuchu tried to prop up her little head in Emperor's arms, [starting from Father Emperor, being forced by a group of scholars in the Study Room, waking up at three in the morning, to study, and reading until seven in the evening.]
[Goodness! No wonder Father Emperor is well-read, with intelligence below ninety, Father Emperor could have been even smarter, just slept too little, brain didn't rest enough, development wasn't complete!]
Xiao Yunzhou was dumbfounded.
What?
There's something like this?
I could have been smarter?
Has Xiao Yunzhou's body been ruined by those conservative Confucian scholars?
[Oh my, is my brother now following the same schedule as the emperor did when he was young? This won't do, there needs to be a balance of work and rest. The elementary students on my side still have three months of summer and winter vacation each year, ensuring eight hours of sleep and four hours of study.]
Xiao Yunzhou was stunned into silence.
The students' schedule in the immortal realm was so relaxed?
He, who was once named the crown prince at a young age, only had six days off in a year!
Only on the emperor's birthday, New Year's Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and his own birthday could he rest for a day or two.
Apart from that, he would study from the early hours of the morning until late at night.
Compared to the immortal realm, this was a huge difference, right?
What are summer and winter vacations?
[In addition to rest, you also need to supplement with enough walnuts, eggs, and dairy products, ensuring a balanced diet to provide sufficient nutrition to the brain.]
Xiao Chuchu muttered to herself, feeling worried that she might have to endure such a devilish study schedule when she grew up.
She was not willing to!
[That's why ancient people had short lives, they really studied themselves to death.]
Xiao Yunzhou gasped for air.
Looking at his sons, especially the eldest prince who insisted on studying to death, his expression turned unpleasant.
"Cheng Yuan, studying is not supposed to be done this way."
The emperor now felt that what the little princess said must have some truth to it.
After all, she was from the immortal realm and knew everything that would happen in the future!
How could the methods of the immortal realm be wrong?
"Cough, starting from today, you are to visit the study room at 7 o'clock every day."
"You can't study to death, you need to understand it. What's the point of reading it a hundred and fifty times right from the start? It won't work."
Xiao Yunzhou looked at the eldest son with a serious look, then quickly shifted his gaze to the fifth prince, Cheng Qian.
"From now on, you must sleep for a full four hours every day, understand?"
The princes were greatly surprised.
Only Cheng Qian lowered his head, holding back a twitch of his mouth.
Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand and immediately changed the study and rest schedule of the princes in the study room, and ordered the kitchen to prepare eggs and sheep milk.
"From now on, each person will have two eggs and two bowls of sheep milk every day, without exception."
Especially the third prince, Cheng Qing, and the fourth prince, Cheng Ming, who needed more attention for their intellectual development.
"Cheng Qing, Cheng Ming, have an extra half bowl. These will be good for your brains."
Third Prince and Fourth Prince: "???"
They looked puzzled.
What does this mean?
In the eyes of their father, they were so stupid! They had to drink an extra half bowl of brain supplements?
The eldest prince was even more anxious, "Father, Mother said the early bird catches the worm, how can we wake up so late to study?"
The emperor raised his hand to stop him from arguing further.
Faintly, his handsome face showed a hint of displeasure, "I am your father, would I harm you?"
The more Xiao Yunzhou thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. According to his daughter, his intelligence could have reached over ninety.
But it wasn't nurtured properly.
The teachers in the study room back then included Lord Tong and the retired empress's father, Lord Tong.
He didn't blame them now, both families were in trouble!
Xiao Yunzhou shook his head, "Alright, sit for a while, eat the eggs and sheep milk before you leave."
"I happen to want to read the articles you wrote."
The Crown Prince restrained himself and did not retort.
The Second Prince remained silent, bowing his head with the least presence.
The Fourth Prince, on the other hand, was ecstatic, as his study time would be reduced in the future!
Xiao Yunzhou observed their reactions one by one.
The Fifth Prince, Cheng Qian, stood still but was remarkably outstanding.
He neither questioned nor doubted, but instead nodded in agreement.
When the goat milk arrived, he was the first to stand up, "Thank you, Father Emperor, for the reward."
"Children who study, as it is said, sleep soundly at the hour of the tiger, with rosy cheeks and full of vitality. My son thanks Father Emperor for his consideration, and will henceforth obey Father Emperor's orders to rise an hour later."
Cheng Qian said, downing the goat milk in one go as if it were a great tonic.
Xiao Yunzhou nodded approvingly.
Compared to the doubts, blind obedience, or opposition of his other sons, Cheng Qian was not only straightforward but also had read books himself, which could support the fact that his Father Emperor was right.
This once again showed that Cheng Qian, despite his young age, was wise.
Xiao Yunzhou was very satisfied.
Praising Cheng Qian in his heart, he lowered his head to look at the articles written by the princes on the table.
The Crown Prince wrote an article on the importance of farming, which was appropriate.
The Second, Third, and Fourth Princes' articles were ordinary and unremarkable.
Then came the Fifth Prince's article on the plague.
"Since ancient times, floods have led to refugees and many plagues."
"The urgent matter now is to study ways to deal with the plague."
Xiao Yunzhou raised an eyebrow as he read Cheng Qian's words.
He had sent Pan Ji, who was in charge of water management, and just a few days ago, there was news that they were preparing to divert the river and clear blockages.
But the effectiveness of these measures was still unknown within the palace.
Xiao Yunzhou had been feeling anxious these past few days.
With the river issue unresolved, the refugees settled, and now they had to deal with the plague?
Xiao Yunzhou couldn't help but sigh, looking at Cheng Qian with a hint of admiration.
He had read historical books and knew that Cheng Qian's words made sense.
Indeed, as the little princess had said, the Fifth Son was the most intelligent, but he was still too young!
Sometimes, it wasn't that he, as the emperor, was unwilling to prepare in advance.
It was just that throughout history, there had been no effective way to deal with plagues!
Countless people had died from plagues in history, so what could he, as an emperor, do to prepare Jing Country?
Xiao Yunzhou chuckled bitterly.
Just as he was about to praise Cheng Qian for a few words and put down the article, he heard his daughter exclaim.
"My brother is amazing, I almost forgot about this major event!"
"In a few days, news of the plague will reach the capital!"
Xiao Yunzhou was stunned.
His daughter, Xiao Chuchu, was also anxious, "Oh no, I happened to draw the 'Remedy for Plague' last time, and now I can use it. How should I tell Father Emperor and my brothers?"
"Damn it, when will I be able to speak, sob sob sob~"
Xiao Yunzhou: "..."
He watched his daughter wriggling her little arms in his arms, looking distressed, her eyes shining, and his heart softened.
Silly child, the words you speak, the Emperor can hear them all!
Xiao Yunzhou perked up his ears and began to eavesdrop.
"Bring someone here, reward the Fifth Prince for his good advice!"
"Immediately summon the Royal Physician to research a cure for the epidemic!"
