Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan was somewhat moved. He took a sip of tea to calm himself down before asking, "Is the purpose of setting up the martial arts examination to select virtuous and capable individuals for the country?"
"Of course not," Han Yi looked at Ji Xuan strangely. "Why would you think that, Brother Wang? I am just a merchant. Selecting virtuous men for the country is the business of the court ministers."
"Then why are you saying so much?" Ji Xuan asked through gritted teeth.
He thought this person was a man of great integrity, who, even when not in the imperial court, was still devoted to serving the country and sharing the emperor's burdens.
Feelings? It's all wishful thinking on my part!
"It's just one example to support my point," Han Yi said, giving Ji Xuan a strange look. "Why is Your Highness so agitated?"
I didn't do anything, did I?
What does that pained and indignant look in his eyes mean?
How strange!
I have never done anything to wrong him.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan paused for a moment.
He had completely forgotten that he was traveling incognito; he was now just a wealthy young man out for a stroll.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Ji Xuan forced a smile, "I just think that Brother Han is such a talented person that he should serve the court."
"I am honored by your praise, Your Highness," Han Yi shook his head. "It is not that I am shallow, but that people in this world are driven by profit, and court officials are all thinking about pocketing their own gains. I cannot remain aloof."
He doesn't earn enough money to build up the Han family's influence, so how can he strengthen it?
These words instantly froze Ji Xuan's smile. "What do you mean by that, Brother Han?"
Hearing this, Han Yi looked at Ji Xuan curiously, "Brother Wang, are you really from a prominent family? Don't you understand such a simple principle?"
He was very skeptical about how such a simple person could support such a large family business.
"No," Ji Xuan lowered his eyes, "Everyone around me is a pillar of the nation, devoting themselves to repaying the emperor's kindness, and has very little selfishness."
“Brother Wang associates with more noble people,” Han Yi said without refuting anything. “I am just an ordinary person, and my actions are rather crude.”
“That makes sense,” Ji Xuan nodded in understanding, “because the people we come into contact with are different.”
He associated with the most important ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which naturally distinguished him from ordinary people.
Thinking of this, Ji Xuan proudly puffed out her chest.
Upon hearing this, Han Yi's lips twitched incessantly.
He felt that this young master from the capital was a bit silly.
Are any of those people in the imperial court simple-minded? They're all more cunning than foxes; who knows what kind of people they really are?
“Let’s continue,” Ji Xuan said, showing great interest in the child prodigies. “How do you plan to test them? What are the specifics?”
“We’ll use our knowledge to acquire literary skills, our wit to acquire intelligence, our bravery to acquire martial prowess, and our arithmetic skills to acquire mathematical abilities,” Han Yi said with a smile. “If you want to know the specifics, you can watch it when the time comes, Brother Wang.”
It wasn't that he didn't want to explain in detail, but rather that some issues still needed to be discussed and hadn't been finalized.
"I will definitely watch it if I have the chance."
"Master," Qi Yong said, noticing that it was getting late and the two of them showed no sign of getting up, "we should go back."
We've already wasted too much time at the Huang family's house!
Although the Huang family was very comfortable, they came here on important business, and compared to him, the Huang family was not worth mentioning at all.
“That’s true,” Ji Xuan stood up. “Qi Yong, after we say goodbye to Aunt Jiang, we’ll leave.”
After saying that, he suddenly realized that he had come with others. "Brother Han, would you like to come along?"
These words reminded Han Yi of some unpleasant scenes, and he refused without hesitation, saying, "I have something to discuss with my aunt. How about I have Han Yun take you back first?"
"good!"
He will never ride in the same car with anyone again in his life.
"Brother Han Yi," Huang Xiaosan asked suspiciously, "did you go to discuss the prodigy competition with Mother?"
“That’s right,” Han Yi replied absentmindedly, “You guys go about your business, I’ll go ask my aunt.”
An hour later, Ji Xuan and her servant returned to their room.
After Qi Yong finished helping Ji Xuan wash her face, he asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, should we get rid of Han Yi? And those people from the Huang family too?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan paused, lost in thought.
Today's events were something he had never experienced before; they were novel, exciting, and fulfilling. However, reason told him that an emperor should not have such emotions.
The usual approach is to eliminate abnormal factors to prevent future problems.
However, because of their similar circumstances, Ji Xuan developed an inexplicable closeness to Han Yi.
"Never mind," Ji Xuan rubbed his forehead. "I traveled incognito and did not reveal my identity. Ignorance is no excuse."
"Even so, Your Majesty is still the ruler of the country. Han Yi has disrespected Your Majesty. He may be spared the death penalty, but he will not escape punishment."
"Let's leave it at that for now. I don't want to mention what happened today, and you shouldn't either. Just pretend it never happened."
"This servant understands!"
Qi Yong appeared respectful and obedient, but inwardly he was seething with turmoil.
Even though I had anticipated this outcome, hearing it still shocked me.
The emperor's face is the dignity of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. It is extremely rare in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty for a monarch to lose his composure and still be able to escape unscathed.
Han Yi is indeed an extraordinary person.
Fortunately, he had anticipated this and didn't offend anyone.
"Even a cup of tea from the Huang family is so special," Ji Xuan sighed, thinking of the food he had eaten. "Even I, the emperor, was amazed. Indeed, the common people are not to be underestimated. No wonder there is a saying: 'The people can carry a boat, but they can also capsize it!'"
“If His Majesty is pleased,” Qi Yong said with a smile, “he can simply issue an imperial edict ordering the Huang family to present it. It would be a great honor for them.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan's face darkened instantly, and he coldly rebuked, "No! I am the emperor, how can I forcibly seize the people?"
"His Majesty is the sovereign and father, and the people are obligated to serve him. How can we talk about forcibly seizing a few items?"
Qi Yong felt that it was the Huang family's good fortune that their master, an emperor, would take a liking to the Huang family's possessions.
So many people send silver and pull strings to beg for their own possessions, just to get a chance to show their faces in the palace. The Huang family can climb the thickest tree in the world without lifting a finger. They're so happy they're practically beating drums and gongs. How could they possibly be unwilling?
"No, it is precisely because I am the sovereign and father that I cannot act in this way. A sovereign and father should protect all people, not devour their flesh and blood."
"Your Majesty is wise; this servant knows her mistake."
"It's alright. Those who are not in a position should not meddle in its affairs. It's normal that you don't understand these things, so I don't blame you."
"Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty," Qi Yong said earnestly after bowing and apologizing. "My lord, I think the Huang family is extraordinary, especially the second son of the Huang family. He has extraordinary strength and, with a little training, he could be of great use."
“I have thought about it,” Ji Xuan said, expressing his concerns. “However, he is too old and grew up in a farming family. He lacks experience and I am afraid he is not capable of being entrusted with important responsibilities.”
“Master,” Qi Yong said in a low voice, “both Huangjiakou and Huangjia are extraordinary. There are likely virtuous people living in seclusion there. The second son of Huangjia should not be as bad as we think.”
"Moreover, in my opinion, although the three Huang brothers are somewhat shallow-minded, they are proper and generous in their dealings with others, and are not people who cannot be cultivated."
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