The dragon-headed cane can be used to strike down a tyrannical emperor or a treacherous minister!

The late emperor himself made the promise!

When the promise was made, in addition to being recorded by historians, many officials also served as witnesses.

For many years since his ascension to the throne, the emperor has restrained himself and dared not act too arbitrarily, for fear that one day the dragon-headed cane would fall upon him.

Even someone as resilient as Xie Shaoling could break a bone after just two blows with the dragon-headed cane and be bedridden for three whole months.

If it were him, two blows would probably have killed him!

The emperor shuddered at the thought of this possibility.

He can't rush things. He should be more patient. The old lady is already very old and might pass away any day!

Once she leaves, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will be no threat!

"Before I left the palace, my father repeatedly instructed me that the Duke of Zhenguo must take good care of his injuries upon returning home. All other matters can be dealt with after he recovers!" Ye Jingchen said to the Dowager and the Duke of Zhenguo.

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty!" The Duke of Zhenguo bowed towards the direction of the palace.

"Chang'an, you should stay home and spend some time with your grandfather during this period!" Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang'an in an affectionate tone.

We can't let the old lady and the others think that I've fallen out with Xie Chang'an!

"Hmph!" Xie Chang'an responded with a cold snort.

The little fox is putting on an act again, not only fooling him, but also his family!

If it were Xie Shaoling, he would have slapped Xie Chang'an long ago for grumbling, but the Duke of Zhenguo only glanced at the unhappy Xie Chang'an and then at Ye Jingchen with a smile on his face, without saying anything.

Even after leaving the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, many people lingered at the gate, unwilling to leave.

"Brother, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is deeply loved by the people," Ye Jingming said to Ye Jingchen on the way back to the capital.

"Everyone can see that, but you must never say that in front of Father. His heart is fragile and sensitive, and he won't be able to handle it," Ye Jingchen said seriously.

Ye Jingming's lips twitched before he said, "But as the sage said, 'He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!'"

"The Duke of Zhenguo's family is loyal to the emperor and loves the country. They have won the hearts of the people. Doesn't that mean the emperor has won the hearts of the people?" Ye Jingchen asked in a very matter-of-fact manner.

Ye Jingming felt he wasn't as optimistic as his elder brother, "What if they develop disloyal intentions?"

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. You're questioning loyal ministers and generals based on a mere assumption. I don't think I taught you that, did I?" Ye Jingchen asked him with a serious expression.

"But as Your Majesty has said, one should not have the heart to harm others, but one must have the heart to guard against others. Seeing such a scene where the people's hearts are with Your Majesty, do you not have any hidden worries?" Ye Jingming asked in return.

"There are no hidden worries, but I am very gratified. I am gratified that the people of Zhenguo have seen the Duke's efforts and remember his achievements, and I am also gratified that the people of Dayuan are all kind and righteous people. The Duke's protection was worthwhile!"

Ye Jingming felt somewhat ashamed, ashamed that even though his elder brother's words were deeply moving, his doubts still remained.

"My brother's ideas are always so unique; I feel I can never reach his level!"

"Jingming, do you know? When you're suspicious of someone, it means you already feel in your heart that you're not as good as him! You're not as good as him, so you're afraid to use him, worried about being betrayed and punished!" Ye Jingchen smiled as he looked at Ye Jingming, as if he could see into his heart.

"I..." Ye Jingming was speechless.

Indeed, the root of suspicion lies in a lack of self-confidence.

My father could not achieve the popular support of the Duke of Zhenguo.

The Xie family army under the command of the Duke of Zhenguo was invincible!

Whether the Duke of Zhenguo had any intention of rebelling is not important; what is important is that he had the ability to rebel, and the royal family did not have the ability to resist him!

"There's a saying that goes, 'Gold is easy to come by, but a good general is hard to find!' A wise and virtuous ruler in a prosperous era needs the assistance of capable ministers and fierce generals to achieve his great deeds. If you want to destroy a fierce general just because of suspicion, isn't that like cutting off your own arm? If you don't even have the courage and ability to appoint a fierce general, how can you go down in history?"

"In this world, risk and benefit coexist in everything! Just like if you want to use a sharp knife, you have to bear the risk of getting cut!" Ye Jingchen said with a smile.

"What if I want to use a sharp knife but don't want to get hurt by it?" Ye Jingming asked, mustering his courage.

"Find a suitable scabbard and hone your swordsmanship to the point of mastery, and you can minimize the risk of being cut," Ye Jingchen emphasized the last four words.

"Just reduce it to the minimum?" Ye Jingming asked.

"There are risks involved in everything you do and in whom you hire; there is no such thing as a foolproof plan!"

"Using a person is the same as using a knife. A knife has a sheath, and a person has a weakness. Improving your knife skills is like knowing a person inside and out. When you have both, you should use your knife with confidence and boldness!"

"Take some time to study the theories of the strategists. In terms of personnel management, the strategies of alliances and counter-alliances might give you some different insights!" Ye Jingchen said, patting Ye Jingming on the shoulder.

"In short, it is the most foolish thing to hinder someone and not dare to use them because of suspicion or fear of their abilities!"

Ye Jingming didn't speak, but instead tried to digest the principles his elder brother had taught him.

It took him a long time to recover from his deep thought.

"Brother, wasn't there something inappropriate about your last sentence?" he asked with a strange expression.

If these words were to reach Father Emperor's ears, he would probably be furious.

After all, their father had kept Xie Shaoling at bay for seven years because he was suspicious and afraid of his abilities!

Does my elder brother mean to criticize our father as stupid?

"You should go back first. I didn't do a good job today. I'm going to Chengqian Palace to get a scolding!" Ye Jingchen said to Ye Jingming after returning to the palace.

"I'll go with my brother! We both took on this assignment together, so if Father isn't satisfied, I'll also bear the responsibility!" Ye Jingming quickly said.

"We share the good times, but we don't need to share the bad times. I'm the older brother, so I'll take the blame. I'm used to being scolded anyway!" Ye Jingchen said with great nonchalance.

Considering the way his elder brother and father interacted, Ye Jingming did not insist.

Anyway, the Emperor couldn't bear to really punish his elder brother, and his elder brother was so good at pleasing the Emperor that there was no need for him, a useless piece of trash who didn't even dare to speak when the Emperor was angry, to worry about him!

After parting ways with Ye Jingming, Ye Jingchen dismissed the Eastern Palace Guards and went to Chengqian Palace alone.

"Father, I have completed my mission and have come to report back to you!" Upon seeing the emperor, Ye Jingchen acted as if he hadn't noticed the emperor's unpleasant expression, bowing his head respectfully as he spoke.

"I heard that the Duke of Zhenguo's return to the capital was a grand affair?" the emperor asked in a stern voice, his face stern.

"It's quite a large crowd. When the people of the capital heard that he had returned, they all rushed to the gate of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to see him! It's such a pity that you didn't go today, Father. The crowds that gathered spontaneously stretched as far as the eye could see. I estimate that half the city's population went!" Ye Jingchen said excitedly.