"In truth, it is my fault."
Seeing that Wu Lanxi was still looking at him seriously, Tang Huan continued to speak.
"When I was in Qihuai County, I often made some presumptuous remarks. People would listen to them and remember them. Just like the comic books and novels that are circulating now, they are all fictional and have no reference value."
"But in my opinion, the comic books and novels of Qihuai County are very interesting, and even what Li Da Kui said is very profound."
After returning to the palace, Wang Tianze naturally did not hide anything.
Wu Lanxi shared a similar view with Wang Tianze, also feeling that the idea vaguely pointed to Daqing.
This further deepened their respect for Tang Huan.
Realizing that there was no way to avoid it today, Tang Huan decided to go all out.
He was not a history major and had only a superficial understanding of ancient dynasties.
The so-called insights are nothing more than summarizing various news and information found online, and in fact, they have many flaws.
However, since the Empress doesn't mind, he dares to say it.
"What does Your Majesty mean by the saying 'water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it'?"
As soon as the question was raised, Wu Lanxi fell into thought.
After a short wait, Tang Huan added, "The ruler is like a boat, and the people are like water. Just as everything I did in Qihuai County brought convenience to the people, that's why they love and support me..."
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Does this mean that the people are the most important?
Wu Lanxi had never heard of such a theory before and was extremely surprised.
She fell into deep thought.
"The emperor is deeply loved and supported by the people, which is why he sits on the throne. But if a ruler is tyrannical and incompetent, the people will also pull him off the dragon throne. The Qin Dynasty should be the best example."
Tang Huan continued, "Back then, the Great Qin Dynasty was in a similar situation. That emperor was tyrannical and cruel, and implemented all sorts of harsh policies. The people of the country had long been suffering. It was precisely because of this opportunity that Your Majesty was able to strike decisively and completely eliminate the threat. But even if Your Majesty had not marched in at that time, given enough time, the Great Qin Dynasty would still have fallen into chaos."
"What is the meaning of a throne and a dragon chair if there are no millions of people below it?"
These words greatly inspired Wu Lanxi.
Before this, emperors of all dynasties took it for granted that they were the Son of Heaven, superior to others, and sent by Heaven to save the world.
It can be said that Tang Huan's theory has clashed dramatically with past ideas.
Are the common people more important than an emperor?
It seems so.
Wu Lanxi thought of Kuizhou.
The disaster was raging, and defectors from the Qin Dynasty were secretly causing trouble. At that time, it was unknown how many people had already been incited. If the disaster victims were to start a rebellion from the bottom up, it would be a huge catastrophe.
What if this happened all over the country?
In time, the people will eventually rise up in rebellion, just like the peasant uprisings in history.
This is also what Tang Huan meant by another possible ending for the Qin Dynasty.
Wu Lanxi benefited greatly from her conversation with Tang Huan, and she had almost no mind to think about anything else.
After an unknown amount of time, Wu Lanxi solemnly said, "Tang Huan, your idea has given me great inspiration."
"These are just some shallow opinions. If they are of use to Your Majesty, that would be the greatest honor. If they are not, then consider them as mere idle talk."
Wu Lanxi nodded and said, "You will stay in the capital for the next few days, and I will give you a result as soon as possible."
After saying that, she asked again, "Do you wish to take a position in the capital?"
Does His Majesty wish to keep me in the capital?
Tang Huan's expression darkened, and he said helplessly, "Your Majesty, I am willing to help you, but the people of Qihuai County probably do not want me to leave..."
Let's discuss this matter again.
Wu Lanxi waved her hand gently, and Tang Huan tactfully withdrew slowly.
Outside the Imperial Study, Eunuch Li stood there, looking at Tang Huan with a mournful expression.
Tang Huan cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Father-in-law."
"Lord Tang."
There was nothing more to say to the old eunuch, so Tang Huan immediately turned and left.
Li Lianying did not personally lead the way again, but instead assigned a junior eunuch.
"What's your name?"
Tang Huan asked the little eunuch who kept peeking at her.
Everyone calls me Xiao Shen.
"Greetings, Eunuch Shen!" Tang Huan said with a smile.
This surprised Eunuch Shen. Countless ministers had entered the palace, but apart from Tang Huan, no one had ever been so kind to a mere eunuch.
So, he bowed to Tang Huan from the bottom of his heart.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Tang Huan was startled by the person coming towards him.
Wang Tianze looked at Tang Huan in surprise, "Have you met His Majesty?"
Tang Huan nodded with a wry smile and said, "Lord Wang, you've kept this from me for so long. I thought you really were a merchant from the capital."
Wang Tianze cupped his hands in greeting, "There's no other way; one must be extremely careful when working for His Majesty."
"We've crossed paths before and are practically friends. I wonder if Lord Wang is free these days? I'd like to invite you to dinner?"
"If the time is right..."
The two made a simple agreement and then walked in opposite directions.
One entered the palace, and the other left.
Grandpa Shen witnessed all of this and was greatly shocked.
First, he spent an hour in the Imperial Study, and then he had such a familiar conversation with the Minister of Revenue. Just who is this Lord Tang?
Xiao Shen had never heard of him, but he knew that from today onwards he had to pay extra attention to the person in front of him.
Even though the other person was only a few years older than him, looking like they were in their early twenties.
"Lord Tang, leaving from here means leaving the palace."
Tang Huan casually took out a few pieces of silver and stuffed them into Xiao Shen's hand, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Xiao Shen."
After bidding farewell to the young eunuch, Tang Huan walked along the bustling, wide streets of the capital, her feelings a mix of emotions.
He opened his arms, feeling the sunlight pouring down.
"What's going on here? I suddenly met this empress, and it turns out she's an old acquaintance..."
Today, Wu Lanxi forgave her sins, but Tang Huan knew that this matter was not over.
A virtuous person is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.
As long as Qihuai County remains there, Tang Huan will never be safe.
He couldn't be sure if Wu Lanxi would be wary of the enormous profits created by Qihuai County, a force that could shake Daqing.
Tang Huan murmured, "Should I take the initiative to curry favor with Wu Lanxi and hand over part of my business to her?"
This made Tang Huan feel a little sorry for her.
It's all something I've worked so hard to achieve, so of course it hurts to give it away like this.
But if you don't give it to them, you might lose your life and then have your property taken away.
"No wonder they say serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. You really can't see through an emperor's mind at all, let alone a female emperor. She's beautiful, but she seems even more cunning and treacherous..."
Tang Huan only dared to mutter these words softly.
The capital city is full of people and eyes, and there are always spies around.
He didn't cause any trouble and leisurely returned to the house he had just bought.
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