Chapter 281 The Art of Emperors

"Aunt?" The Seventh Prince looked at Shangguan Jin.

Shangguan Jin led the Seventh Prince into the house, and Shen Qingyue personally poured tea for him.

Wu Youde and Hu Zhouquan quickly waited outside the door.

Seeing that there was no one else in the room, Shangguan Jin pulled the Seventh Prince aside and began to speak.

"Your Highness, you have not yet ascended the throne, so your aunt can still say a few words as an elder."

"Once Your Highness ascends the throne, we will be ruler and subject," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince hurriedly said, "No! An aunt is an aunt, not a subject of a ruler."

Is my aunt also going to distance herself from me?

Shangguan Jin...

What does a little brat know about formality? This is called the distinction between ruler and subject!

But Shangguan Jin didn't want to express her opinion on this issue with the Seventh Prince again, so she simply changed the subject.

"Your Highness? What kind of emperor is a good emperor?" Shangguan Jin asked.

"With literary talent, one can govern the world; with martial prowess, one can secure the country and stabilize the nation," the seventh prince hurriedly replied.

Shangguan Jin nodded. "Not bad. It seems the Shangguan family has done a good job of teaching. They've taught us everything we should."

"Your Highness is right! A good emperor keeps the world and its people in his heart."

A good emperor is one who thinks of the people and of peace and prosperity.

Your Highness, do you remember what I told you when I took you to the estate in the suburbs?

Farmers suffer the most in the world. When farmers can no longer make a living, the world will descend into chaos.

"Only when farmers are secure can the world be at peace," Shangguan Jin continued.

The seventh prince nodded hurriedly.

"I remember! My cousins ​​and I said it together back then!"

"So! You need to think about it from a different perspective."

When you become emperor, you want the people to live a good life, not just sit in that high hall and look down on all living beings.

"Once you figure this out, you'll know how to be a good emperor," Shangguan Jin continued.

The seventh prince pursed his lips but remained silent.

Shangguan Jin wanted to say a few more words, but then she suddenly remembered that the Seventh Prince was only fifteen years old...

With Emperor Xiao Jing gone, there were few people left in the palace who could speak for him.

In such a vast palace, there wasn't even anyone to whisper to; he must have a lot on his mind.

However, there were quite a few emperors who ascended the throne at a young age...

Age is not a problem...

"What? Do you think the officials below have ulterior motives?" Shangguan Jin asked.

The seventh prince nodded.

"Hmm! They... each have their own agendas, especially Prime Minister Xu."

I even considered having my maternal grandfather take his place.

But my maternal grandfather said...it's not appropriate.

"The Shangguan family is suited to be officials who speak out against wrongdoing and historians, but not to be prime ministers," the Seventh Prince said.

Speaking of this Prime Minister Xu, Shangguan Jin really has a lot to say.

"Prime Minister Xu... has now served four dynasties."

Although she had her own plans and always wanted to preserve the Xu family's wealth and status.

However, it must be said that Prime Minister Xu was very suitable for being an official, and he played a significant role in the court.

Look, over the years, the people of Chongqing have at least lived and worked in peace and contentment.

If he, the head of all officials, were not a good person, then the lives of the common people would not be so good.

Therefore, from the perspective of Da Yu, Prime Minister Xu was at least a good official.

"Not everyone and everything is black and white," Shangguan Jin said.

The seventh prince thought for a moment and nodded.

Indeed, Prime Minister Xu was a good official in managing his officials and governing the Great Yu region.

"Then I'll continue using it from now on!" the Seventh Prince said softly.

"Of course you should use him."

It should be used at least for now.

He is now the head of the civil officials; if he is rashly removed from office, the affairs of the court will certainly be affected.

You are about to ascend the throne, so the court must not be in chaos.

"Your maternal grandfather and great-grandfather should have told you these things," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

The seventh prince nodded.

"My maternal grandfather said that the art of emperors is actually the art of checks and balances."

The previous dynasty needed checks and balances, and there was a need for checks and balances between the civil and military officials.

The imperial harem also needs checks and balances.

Aunt, I only now realize how tiring it must have been for Father all these years.

Balance is needed everywhere, and so much needs to be considered everywhere.

The art of rulership...

The seventh prince's face scrunched up again.

Shangguan Jin quickly patted his shoulder.

"You are the one using the people, and the initiative is in your hands."

Oh, I see. Let me give you an example.

Imagine you encounter two bandits, and you happen to have two arrows.

A bandit can be killed with a single arrow.

The other bandit required two arrows to kill.

"What do you think we should do?" Shangguan Jin asked.

The Seventh Prince paused for a moment, his mind preoccupied with Shangguan Jin's question.

"This... we should shoot one arrow at the bandit who requires two arrows to kill first."

Then he aimed the remaining arrow at the two of them.

Whoever steps forward, shoot them.

Shangguan Jin, who originally wanted to show off a bit...

Unexpectedly, Shangguan Jin, who directly gave the correct answer, quickly patted the Seventh Prince on the shoulder.

"Look! You did a great job."

This is the art of checks and balances.

Is it difficult? Not at all!

As an emperor, you need to manage people. If you understand people thoroughly, you will win.

Every human being has weaknesses.

You manage the officials, and the officials govern the Great Yu; this is a process.

Prime Minister Xu doesn't suit your taste; he's too old, and you're still young. Just slowly place your own people in his place.

But you can't deny what Prime Minister Xu did.

He had his own selfish motives, but he also made contributions to Dayu.

Of course, it's not good for one party to have absolute power; different voices are needed in the court.

"Your father did a very good job in this regard," Shangguan Jin continued.

The seventh prince seemed to understand something.

He was just about to say that he would try his best to be a good emperor in the future...

At that moment, a noise came from outside.

Upon closer listening, he realized it was Shen Qingjun and his group, and the Seventh Prince immediately stood up in delight.

"Quickly, let my cousins ​​in."

When these people came in, the Seventh Prince immediately pulled them together.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Shen Qingjun was the first to give the Seventh Prince a deep bow.

The Seventh Prince waved his hand.

"You can pay your respects after you have ascended the throne."

But can you guys grow up faster?

You said back then that when I became the King of Yan, you would assist me.

"Now that I'm no longer the Prince of Yan, I'm about to become the Emperor, and you all must come and assist me." The Seventh Prince said happily.

Shen Qingjun was just about to say "wait until he grows up"...

“Your Highness, then I’ll help you make money!” Shen Qingming immediately came over.