Chapter 545: Proud of Erya
The Empress Dowager felt very relieved after hearing what Yun Ting said.
She stretched out her dry hand and touched the top of Yun Ting's head. "Ting'er has really grown up. Grandma doesn't have to worry so much anymore."
"Grandma, you will enjoy your life." Yun Ting smiled with curved eyebrows.
The Empress Dowager also laughed.
After a pause, she said in a very soft voice, "Ting'er, grandma wants to ask you for a favor."
Yun Ting felt something in his heart.
But he did not agree blindly.
"What do you mean by begging? If my mother is still alive and knows that you used this word to me, she will come out from the ground and beat me." Yun Ting said casually.
"Ting'er, no matter what, the current emperor is your cousin, and he was the one your uncle couldn't let go of before he died."
"Of course," Yun Ting replied quickly, his tone respectful and precise, as if he were reciting a memorial. "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and your kindness to me is as great as a mountain. As a subject, I must work diligently and diligently, not only to live up to His Majesty's grace, but also to my uncle's spirit in heaven."
These words were flawless, yet also cold and distant.
The last glimmer of light in the Empress Dowager's eyes went out, leaving only deep fatigue and understanding.
This old woman, who has lived through three dynasties and has a deep understanding of the world, is more clear-headed than anyone else.
She knew that the sinister and suspicious grandson sitting on the throne had already lost the support of the people and had no ability to control the vast country.
The building is about to collapse, it’s just a matter of a few years or even a dozen years.
She also knew better than anyone else about the grandson she had raised. Beneath his seemingly unruly appearance, he had a heart that was unwilling to remain silent and wanted to turn the tide.
He would not and could not be tied to the imperial power that was destined to be overthrown.
Therefore, all she asked for was that when the huge wave came, Yun Ting would remember their blood relationship and protect her grandson's life.
But Yun Ting did not agree.
He was evasive and refusing to commit.
"Then," the Empress Dowager's voice trembled slightly, "this world is ultimately the product of the hard work and dedication of your grandfather and your uncle."
"Yes." This time Yun Ting agreed quickly. "Don't worry, grandma. No matter what happens in the future, the one sitting on this throne will definitely be your bloodline, your grandson. This will not change."
The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief, and a glimmer of tears appeared in her turbid eyes.
This...maybe that's enough.
She has done her best for the deceased.
The Grand Empress Dowager calmed down and changed the subject. "I heard that Grand Tutor Xie is instigating the Emperor to reduce the power of the feudal lords? Are you involved?"
Yun Ting nodded and said with a smile, "Grandmother, you are still as sharp as ever. Even such a private matter has not escaped your eyes and ears."
"Cutting down the feudal lords" is such a big thing, and it is not something that can be discussed openly.
So it was just a private discussion between the emperor and his confidants.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager also knew about it.
Yun Ting was indeed involved.
However, he disagreed with Taifu Xie and Zhang Heyao.
On the surface, the goal is the same - to weaken the vassal kings and eliminate the hidden dangers of separatism.
But there are huge differences in strategy.
Taifu Xie and Zhang Heyao advocated "capture the king first to capture the thief", and their target was the King of Yan, who had the strongest power and the highest prestige.
They believed that as long as they brought down this big tree, the other small vassal kings would naturally come over and become a force to be reckoned with.
Yun Ting disagreed.
He advocated "steady and cautious progress" and started with the smaller princes who were weaker and had a bad reputation.
This was both a way to test the reactions of all parties and to accumulate experience in dealing with vassal kings.
Both sides hold their own views.
Xie Taifu and others believed that if they took action on the small one first, they would alert the enemy.
Yun Ting believes that if you take big steps without experience, you will easily get hurt.
Both sides held their own opinions and the argument was endless.
The emperor has not made a decision yet.
The princes were his biggest concern, but he did not dare to act rashly, for fear that his throne would be unstable.
This is exactly what the Empress Dowager was talking about.
"What do you think?" she asked.
"I think the Emperor should start with small steps, take it slow and steady, and not rush for success."
The Empress Dowager seemed to be thinking about something.
"Just appease them." Yun Ting said calmly, as if he was discussing a perfectly ordinary matter. "Your Majesty can issue a decree to announce to the world that the reduction of power will only target those princes who harbor ulterior motives, who pretend to obey the emperor but secretly disobey him, and who exploit the people. As for those princes who abide by the law and are loyal to the court, not only will their fiefs not be reduced, but their loyalty will be rewarded to reassure the princes."
"How can we appease them so that they feel at ease?" asked the Empress Dowager.
A subtle glint flashed in Yun Ting's eyes, and he slowly said, "My grandson has advised the Emperor to release the princes and heirs held hostage in the capital back to their fiefdoms."
The Empress Dowager was shocked.
She understood.
Yun Ting is on the side of Prince Yan and is helping him solve his worries.
If Yun Ting knew what she was thinking, he would definitely not admit it.
He really didn't think about helping King Yan.
The people he always wanted to help were himself and the people of the world.
The King of Yan is a wimp. He won't resist unless the knife is put to his neck.
In that case, let's give him a push and force him to rebel.
Because he is the only one who can fight, and he has the right to do so.
As for whether I will be able to do the job in the future, we will talk about it later.
The Grand Empress Dowager reminded Yun Ting again, "Don't you like Xiao Yan's second daughter? Aren't you afraid that she'll find out about these rumors spreading in the capital?"
Since she knew what her grandson was thinking, she naturally hoped that he could get what he wanted.
"I do like her," Yun Ting admitted frankly, with a hint of self-mockery on his face, but his eyes remained clear, "But she doesn't like me, Grandma."
When he mentioned Arya, his whole aura became lively and vivid. The deepness in his previous discussion of power and intrigue faded away, and his eyes rekindled with a bright light. "And, grandma, she went to Guangzhou Prefecture."
"Going to Guangzhou Prefecture? Isn't it in Qiongzhou?"
"She went to Guangzhou Prefecture to do business," Yun Ting said proudly. "She bought the largest warehouse in Guangzhou Prefecture and undercut the original owner's price by 30%. She also dealt with foreigners, selling Qiongzhou agarwood and huanghuali wood at exorbitant prices in exchange for shiploads of Southeast Asian spices, Western clocks, and glass mirrors. Those items will soon arrive in the capital."
Although Arya does not have the ability to organize a fleet to go to Southeast Asia now, she cooperates with others.
Yun Ting firmly believed that in time, she would get what she wanted.
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