Ning Royal Mansion.
Study.
“If one desires a strong nation, then one must replace division with unity, and decentralization with centralization. Affairs are in the four directions, but the core is in the center; if the sage holds the core, the four directions will follow. As the saying goes, ‘there is no single path to governing a world, nor a single ancient law to benefit a nation.’ Master Yu, have you ever heard of ‘carving a mark on a boat to find a sword’?”
“I would like to hear the details.”
The white-haired elder, wearing a Confucian cap, sat opposite Ning Que. He was dressed in a green Confucian robe, with a sash tied around his waist. His every movement exuded a scholarly demeanor, graceful and elegant. If it were thirty years ago, he would certainly have been a handsome man.
He was Yu Ji, the dean of the Six Arts Academy!
He served as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince of Great Feng.
He enjoyed the treatment of a first-rank official!
He was erudite and proficient in the Six Arts.
He was full of knowledge and exceptionally talented.
The current Prime Minister of Great Feng was his disciple.
When Emperor Feng's predecessor was on the throne, he was already the Grand Tutor.
After Emperor Feng ascended the throne, he remained the Grand Tutor.
Coupled with his position as the Dean of the Six Arts Academy, his status was quite high.
Even when he met Emperor Feng, he did not need to perform the full kowtow ritual.
No matter where he went, he was always an honored guest.
But now, Yu Ji was quite humble.
He seemed to be the disciple, and Ning Que was the master.
It was simply an inversion of the natural order.
Qingfeng stepped forward and poured a cup of hot tea.
“Master, please have some tea.”
“Excellent.”
Yu Ji picked up the exquisite teacup and took a sip.
This was Ning Que’s latest invention.
After drinking a cup, he immediately felt refreshed.
“Once, there was a man from Chu who carried a sword while traveling by boat. When he reached the middle of the river, his precious sword fell into the water. All the passengers felt regretful and wanted him to jump into the river to retrieve the sword. But the man from Chu was confident; he carved a mark on the side of the boat with a dagger. After landing, he went into the water to search for the sword, but he could never find it.”
“Pfft…”
Mingyue couldn't help but laugh out loud.
“This person is so foolish.”
“Mingyue, tell me, why is he foolish?”
“The boat is moving in the river, but the sword has sunk to the bottom and will not move with the boat. Even if there is a mark, it is not the place where the sword fell.”
“That’s right.” Ning Que took over the conversation, looked at Yu Ji, and said with a faint smile, “Even my servants know the principle of ‘carving a mark on a boat to find a sword.’ But when it comes to governing a nation, why do some people always disregard the development of the times and only think of imitating the rule of ancient kings?”
“This…”
Yu Ji was speechless.
Even he, who was eloquent, found it difficult to refute.
When he came to the Prince's Manor today, he mentioned that Emperor Feng wanted to reform.
He believed that the Other surname Prince's authority was too great.
It was almost like a nation within a nation.
Local people only knew the King, but not the Son of Heaven.
Therefore, Emperor Feng wanted to curb the power of the vassal kings.
The Other surname Prince could retain his title.
And also enjoy his fiefdom.
However, he must no longer have military power!
This was Emperor Feng's bottom line!
This idea was opposed by Yu Ji and other ministers.
The four great Other surname Princes of Great Feng, their ancestors were all illustrious for their military achievements and made great contributions to the founding of the nation. Their ancestors even swore an oath by sacrificing a black horse, allowing them to inherit their titles in perpetuity.
Moreover, the Other surname Prince also had great uses!
They were stationed in the four directions: southeast, northwest.
Guarding the Chang’an royal court.
If they had no military power, how would they defend the borders?
The Four Kings guard the borders, and the Prince Ning guards the capital!
This was a rule established since the time of the ancestors!
The ancestral law cannot be changed!
Power is easy to give out, but difficult to take back!
This was the foundation of Great Feng's establishment.
It had been hundreds of years to date.
Now that Emperor Feng wanted to curb the vassal kings, would the Other surname Princes agree?
Don't forget, they held military power!
Together, they could have at least three hundred thousand elite troops!
At that time, it would surely lead to great chaos in the world.
Ultimately, it would be the common people who suffered...
But hearing Ning Que’s words today, he finally understood.
Emperor Feng's wings were now fully grown!
He was ambitious and had the aspirations of a Kunpeng !
Then, the Other surname Princes would become an obstacle!
“Curbing the vassal kings is a matter of time, but there’s no need to rush; it won’t be settled in less than three to five years.”
“I have been enlightened…”
Yu Ji cupped his hands and raised them.
He had never truly submitted to anyone in his life.
He also had considerable insights into the art of governance.
Now… the times had changed!
His ideas could no longer keep up.
“Then I shall take my leave first.”
“I will see you off, Master.”
“You may.”
Ning Que personally stood up.
Although Yu Ji was a bit stubborn, he was capable.
The key was his connections…
As the Dean of the Six Arts Academy, his disciples were everywhere.
Three tenths of the court officials came from the Six Arts Academy.
With his help in the future, things would be much smoother.
Ning Que and he also had some acquaintance.
When he had nothing to do, Yu Ji would visit.
While playing chess with him, they would discuss state affairs.
Or play the zither and hit the zhù, studying literature, ink, calligraphy, and painting.
…
The two walked slowly to the front courtyard.
Suddenly, shouting and cursing came from outside the gate.
“Ning Que, open the door for me quickly!”
“Don’t hide inside and stay silent, I know you’re home! You have the guts to divorce your wife, but you don’t have the guts to open the door? Open the door…”
“Hmm?!”
Yu Ji frowned.
This voice sounded very familiar!
“Who dares to be so presumptuous in front of the Prince's Manor?!”
“It should be Lin Qinghuan.”
“What does she mean by this?” Yu Ji frowned tightly, “Hearing her, I’m filled with anger. In the past, it was because the heir apparent entrusted me that I exceptionally admitted her into the Six Arts Academy. But she disrespects her teachers and elders, and in the academy, she only knows how to talk about love, which is simply an insult to scholarship and a disgrace to the reputation of the Six Arts!”
“In the future, it won’t happen again…”
“Hmm?”
Ning Que, however, raised a slight smile.
“Master, the Six Arts Academy has its own rules.”
“In the future, there’s no need to show favoritism because of me.”
“Handle it as it should be handled.”
“Good!”
Ning Que walked forward.
“Butler Fu, open the door.”
“Yes!”
Since she came to him, it was a good opportunity to collect some interest.
He would start with Lin Qinghuan!
To prevent them from causing trouble for no reason.
As if his Ning Royal Mansion was easy to bully!
Creak, creak…
The wooden door opened.
Butler Fu and the house guards blocked the doorway.
Lin Qinghuan, completely lacking in ladylike demeanor, rushed forward to throw a tantrum, angrily shouting, “Ning Que, you are truly a scoundrel! I just want to ask you, what does it have to do with you that my sister had an abortion to save General Gu? As a man, are you really so petty? In just these two days, look at how much trouble you’ve caused. You even deliberately sought out Chang Divine Doctor to make him refuse to treat my grandfather’s illness, you’re truly disgusting!”
“Presumptuous!”
Before Ning Que could speak, Yu Ji couldn't hold back.
He quickly walked forward, his eyes filled with anger.
“As a disciple of the Six Arts Academy, who taught you to be so rude? As a woman, you dare to cause trouble in front of the Prince's Manor and even disrespect the heir apparent?!”
“Ah… Greetings, Master.”
Lin Qinghuan immediately deflated.
The person she feared most was Yu Ji.
She had been disciplined quite a bit in the academy.
“This is simply outrageous!”
“Master, there’s no need to stoop to the level of such a person.” Ning Que slowly walked forward, looking at Lin Qinghuan with a half-smile, “Just now, what did you call me?”
“Ning… Ning… Heir Apparent Ning?”
“I’m telling you, outside, you call me Heir Apparent Ning, and I won’t pick on you. Now that you’re in Ning Royal Mansion, what did you say you called me?”
Lin Qinghuan lightly bit her red lips.
Her eyes darted around quickly.
Finally, two words squeezed out from between her teeth.
“Bro… Brother-in-law?”
Slap!
A crisp, clear slap echoed.
Lin Qinghuan covered her face, her expression blank.
Her eyes were full of confusion and grievance.
Ning Que looked at her coldly, mockingly saying, “How dare you try to cling to royal power? Butler Fu, take her to the Jingzhaoyin. Report her case truthfully and let the Jingzhaoyin punish her according to the law!”
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law… I was wrong!”
Ning Que waved his hand, too lazy to look anymore.
This person was just cheap!
Before, she had always called him by his given name.
Now that she had caused trouble, she started calling him brother-in-law.
It was just too bad, it was too late!