Luohe Bridge flood

"Go invite him? What a joke... He's Li Yunrui's old subordinate. If I weren't wary of him, would I really need to invite him?" Wen Yunsheng's expression darkened unusually after hearing Li Yunye's complaints. "Does Your Highness still care so much about other people's backgrounds? But in my humble opinion, Tang Feng isn't from a prestigious family either. He was also a former subordinate of the Crown Prince. Your Highness, those who achieve great things don't concern themselves with trifles. You've been recruiting talent for so long, and I've seen plenty of all sorts of scoundrels around you. They're really no match for Shen Qinghang. If you really want to rise to the top in one step, then don't worry about so much. Dragging your feet like that isn't the style of an emperor. No wonder Tang Feng is unwilling to lend you a hand." Li Yunye, speechless after Wen Yunsheng's words, could only glare at him before waving his hand in compromise. "Fine, fine, I'll go, you're so nosy. I'll go in a few days."

Meanwhile, Tang Feng, after being appointed Grand Tutor, didn't rest. He spent the night reviewing the plans for the Luohe Bridge several times. Then, Zhou Ziliang said, "Luohe is a small town, not particularly remarkable to begin with. Unlike the large marshes, the floods in Luohe only happened suddenly this year. Officials didn't pay much attention at the time, and the prefect didn't take it seriously either. By the time the court found out, several months had passed..." Tang Feng looked at the plans and fell into deep thought. "It seems... I need to go and see for myself. I need to go to the palace today; could you go and call a carriage for me?"

"It's almost noon, why the rush?" Zhou Ziliang wanted to persuade Tang Feng to rest, but seeing Tang Feng's anxiety, he swallowed his words of concern. "There's no other way... We can't let others take this opportunity." Tang Feng then got off the bed and stood in front of Zhou Ziliang, saying, "Don't worry, I'm just a civil official. Rather than you worry about me, I'd rather worry about you." Having said that, Zhou Ziliang couldn't say anything more. He prepared the carriage and reminded Tang Feng to be careful on the road.

After entering the palace, Tang Feng headed straight for Li Yunyu's bedchamber. He had only gone halfway when Eunuch Feng stopped him. "Grand Tutor, are you going to see the Ninth Prince?" Tang Feng bowed to Eunuch Feng, who quickly helped him up. "No, no, you mustn't! You are now the Grand Tutor of the Prince, a second-rank official. This old servant cannot accept such a bow." "Don't be alarmed, Eunuch," Tang Feng replied. "I am new to officialdom and lack understanding of social etiquette. I will need your guidance in the future." Tang Feng then took out several silver ingots from his robes and placed them in Eunuch Feng's hand. Eunuch Feng tucked the silver into his robes and said, "Grand Tutor Tang is too kind. Everything is fine. Please give me any instructions regarding anything in the palace."

"It's nothing major, but I wonder if you remember what Xiao Feng asked you about a few days ago when he was granted an official position?" Eunuch Feng nodded repeatedly. "I remember, I remember. But this old servant must remind the Grand Tutor that we mustn't inquire about the Empress Dowager's affairs... This empire belongs to the Li family."

"Of course, of course, Father-in-law, don't worry. Just ask around. I truly don't remember where I went. Ever since I went back last time, I've been restless and unable to eat or sleep. Just thinking about it gives me a headache, but not thinking about it makes me feel terrible. You know I'm not feeling well right now, and the doctor at home told me not to worry too much... But I just can't stop... It's so upsetting! Please, please help me find out, and I'll be relieved of this worry."

After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Feng had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Alright, but Grand Tutor, we've already agreed that we'll only investigate your whereabouts." Tang Feng naturally had no objections and quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Then I'll leave it to you, Eunuch. I need to hurry over there; I can't keep His Highness waiting. Please go ahead with your work." After saying this, Tang Feng entered Li Yunyu's palace. Li Yunyu knew that Tang Feng had been appointed Grand Tutor and had been waiting at the door since early morning. Upon seeing Tang Feng enter, he immediately bowed and greeted him, "Sir!"

"Stop with the formalities, come in quickly." Tang Feng grabbed Li Yunyu and pulled her into the room. Then, seeing that Li Yunyu didn't even have a maid or eunuch by her side, he thought about making things easier while also lamenting Li Yunyu's plight. "You don't have anyone to serve you?"

"Yes... but I dismissed them. Sir... please don't think too poorly of me. I am, after all, a prince. Although I am not favored, my father will still give me one or two servants..." Tang Feng smiled awkwardly after hearing this, and then asked, "Ahem... um... is Your Highness aware of the flood at Luohe Bridge?"

"Luohe?" Li Yunyu shook his head, then said somewhat aggrievedly, "I'm usually either in the palace or the military camp. Who would talk to me about this?" Tang Feng secretly rolled his eyes. He truly couldn't understand Li Yunyu's personality. Why did he suddenly become sentimental when they were talking about serious matters? "Since no one has told Your Highness, I will." Tang Feng then took out a map from his pocket and placed it in front of Li Yunyu, saying, "This is Liangzhou. Luohe is a small county town in Liangzhou, surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains. It has never had a flood before, but recently there have been several days of torrential rain, and the water level has risen. However, we can't know the reason just by looking at the map. We still need to go to the local area to carry out disaster relief. But let me make it clear in advance..." Tang Feng rolled up the map and handed it to Li Yunyu. "Disaster relief is hard work. Would Your Highness be willing to go?"

Li Yunyu nodded. "Of course! But Yunyu doesn't understand... Shouldn't Father Emperor send ministers to handle disaster relief? Why, sir..."

"You're not favored because His Majesty hasn't seen your merits yet. His Majesty can send ministers to provide disaster relief, but wouldn't it be more popular to send a prince? Your two brothers aren't going, but if you were to go, I believe His Majesty, though he won't say it, knows perfectly well what's going on." Tang Feng then stood up and noticed some maids acting suspiciously outside, and asked, "Who is that maid?"

"Third Brother brought it over, saying I have no one to take care of me here... Could it be!" Li Yunyu realized what Tang Feng meant, but Tang Feng pressed him back onto the stool. Then Tang Feng shook his finger at Li Yunyu, signaling him to be quiet, turned around and closed the door, not forgetting to say, "It's almost summer, why is the wind still so strong?"

“Sir is not in good health and is naturally afraid of the cold. Please close the door.” Seeing that Tang Feng had closed the door tightly, Li Yunyu stepped forward and asked, “It was my carelessness. Third Brother has always treated me well, so I didn’t think of this possibility. What should I do now? Should I get rid of this maid?”

"No... don't alert them," Tang Feng shook his head, then sat back down on the stool. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Keep her here... she might be useful in the future, but it will likely require some effort from His Highness."

"How so?"

"Employ her, then be wary of her. Take her with you to Luohe this time. I want to see what messages she can send back to Li Yunye. Tomorrow is the fifteenth; Your Highness should visit Consort Yun. She'll naturally find a way to get His Majesty to see you. I'll teach you how to speak, line by line." Li Yunyu smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Sir... is that really necessary? Teaching me how to speak... isn't that a bit..." "Why not!" Tang Feng crossed his arms, looking at Li Yunyu, and said somewhat angrily, "Your Highness's speech is completely elementary school level. Do you think you can now stand alone before His Majesty? If you could, you wouldn't have been so unsuccessful for so many years."

Li Yunyu scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. "Sir... what is elementary school-level language?"

"Your Highness... please listen to me and get to the point," Tang Feng sighed. What had he done to deserve this? He tried to calm himself, suppressing his anger, telling himself, "It's okay, don't be angry. The child is still young and needs to be taught." Tang Feng beckoned to Li Yunyu, "Please come closer, Your Highness."

The next day, Tang Feng received the order. Although somewhat surprised, he didn't show it. Only after getting into the sedan chair did he hear the young eunuch say, "Empress Yun is overjoyed to learn that His Highness the Ninth Prince has a new Grand Tutor. She said she would like to invite His Majesty to meet you. Grand Tutor Tang is also extremely learned; his deeds back then have already made him famous."

"You flatter me, young eunuch," Tang Feng said, lowering the sedan curtain and already considering his next move. This was Tang Feng's first time visiting the Misty Forest Garden. Unlike other palaces in the Imperial Palace, the Misty Forest Garden felt more like a secluded paradise. Walking along the quiet paths, he could smell the herbs planted by Yun Lan. "Lord Tang, I'll see you off here," Tang Feng nodded. Upon entering the Misty Forest Garden, he saw Ning Wan waiting for him. "Sir, Her Majesty and the Ninth Prince are already waiting for you inside. They said His Majesty will arrive shortly." "Alright, I understand," Tang Feng said, straightening his official robes at the entrance before slowly entering. "Your humble servant Tang Feng greets Her Majesty Yun." "Please rise, sir. Yun Yu has already told me. I thought that since His Majesty is coming, he would also invite you to come along. Yu'er is not very capable and needs your help. I'm afraid that if he makes a mistake alone, it would be difficult for me, a mere concubine, to interfere in politics."

"Your Majesty understands," Tang Feng replied. Just then, Eunuch Feng shouted, "His Majesty has arrived!" Several people hurriedly knelt and bowed. Emperor Yun entered, helped Yun Lan up, and waved his hand at Tang Feng and Li Yunyu, saying, "You may rise!" He then looked at Tang Feng, "You've just taken office, and Consort Yun is simply curious. She called you over to chat, so don't be afraid."

Upon hearing this, Tang Feng slowly rose and said, "Your Majesty's words fill me with trepidation." "What are you afraid of? I heard you were fearless at Li Shan Academy. What? You've grown quite a bit older, and your courage has waned? I told you to sit, so sit." Tang Feng and Li Yunyu knelt on either side, listening to Emperor Yun and Yun Lan's conversation, which consisted mostly of mundane family matters. Tang Feng didn't dare interrupt. "Your Majesty, you just mentioned Grand Tutor Tang. Although I've lived in the palace for a long time, I've heard of your exceptional talent. Your 'Flying Flower Order' performance at Li Shan Academy was widely known throughout Xiling City." Tang Feng cupped his hands in greeting. "Your Majesty, you flatter me. I am unworthy; it is my honor to be the Ninth Prince's Grand Tutor."

Yunlan looked at Emperor Yun and asked softly, "Yun Yu should really learn from the Grand Tutor, otherwise when will he ever curb his impulsive nature? Yu'er, Grand Tutor Tang has made many contributions to the court, controlling floods and serving as an envoy to the Qiang and Hu tribes. You should learn from him." Li Yun Yu looked at Tang Feng, who nodded at him. He then knelt down and said, "Father, I will naturally follow the Grand Tutor and learn my skills well. However, there is something weighing on my mind that has kept me awake for several nights. I would like to ask you, Father."

Emperor Yun, holding his teacup, looked at Li Yunyu kneeling on the ground, but didn't rush to reply. Instead, he pointed at Tang Feng, "You've just been appointed Grand Tutor, and instead of asking the Grand Tutor, you're asking me?" Emperor Yun's answer caught Li Yunyu off guard, so he looked to Tang Feng for help. Tang Feng stood up, walked to Li Yunyu, and knelt down as well, looking him in the eye. "Your Highness, what questions do you have? I will do my best to answer them."

"Grand Tutor, what is the relationship between ruler and subject?"

"The ruler is above, the subject is below; if the ruler does not doubt the subject, the subject will not deceive the ruler. For every inch of respect shown, a foot will be returned."

"Then what constitutes an official, and what constitutes a commoner?"

"Be loyal to your superiors, have compassion for your subordinates, distinguish right from wrong, and be upright and incorruptible. This is what it means to be an official. In ancient times, there were four classes of people: scholars, merchants, farmers, and workers, collectively known as the common people."

"But sir, what you've said is only the surface. What I want to know is, if the people are in trouble and the emperor is unaware, is it because the officials lack compassion or the subjects disrespect the emperor?" Tang Feng didn't answer Li Yunyu's question, but instead looked at Emperor Yun. "Your Majesty..." Emperor Yun knew that Tang Feng dared not explain himself in front of him, and had been avoiding this topic. So he asked, "Yunyu, just say what you want to ask."

"Father, the Luo River flood has dragged on for three months, causing widespread suffering and misery. The court has clearly allocated funds, yet there has been no progress. Father, don't you find this situation suspicious?"

Just a few days ago, Emperor Yun was still troubled by the floods of the Luo River. Now, hearing Li Yunyu mention it, he couldn't help but become interested. "So what do you think?"

"Yun Yu believes that without seeing the disaster area, no decision can be made. The prefect's every word reported to the court is likely fabricated and unreliable. The Grand Tutor's explanation was only superficial. I believe that those who win the hearts of the people win the world. Your Majesty has ruled for so many years and surely understands that only when the country is at peace can the people live and work in peace. Although Luohe is just a small village, if the funds that the court values ​​do not reach the disaster victims, it will surely chill the hearts of the people. I do not want the foundation that Your Majesty has built over half a lifetime to be destroyed by a few corrupt officials. Therefore, I am willing to go to the disaster area myself to find out the truth."