He smiled and glanced at the Regent as if joking.
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? You flatter me." The Regent shook his head as if ashamed. "Father, please forgive me. I have only read a few more books. I am far from being exceptionally talented. Your Majesty, please do not tease me."
"Hahaha." Emperor Yuxian smoothed his sleeves, placed a piece on the board, and laughed, "Your Majesty is too modest. I was merely asking for your opinion."
The Regent shook his head. "What thoughts could I possibly have? I only hope that Your Majesty is in good health and can create another prosperous era."
"Your Majesty is very kind." Emperor Yuxian seemed moved by his words and couldn't help but sigh, then casually asked, "In your opinion, what should I do?"
Regent: "I do have some humble opinions, but this..."
Seeing his predicament, Emperor Yuxian waved his hand and dismissed those around him, saying, "Brother, please speak freely. I forgive you."
Upon hearing this, the Regent's furrowed brows relaxed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I will speak. However, my humble opinion may offend Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuxian: "Please speak freely, my dear minister."
The Regent nodded and then began to explain: "In my humble opinion, General Qin's words are reasonable."
Emperor Yuxian raised an eyebrow slightly and asked in return, "Oh? What makes you say that, my dear minister?"
"There are three reasons. First, General Qin has been an official for many years and is very experienced. Even though he is just a military officer, he is more reliable than Li Ningqi, who has only recently become the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Li Ningqi was only promoted last autumn and has never left the capital. His words in court are nothing but empty talk."
"If Your Majesty were to refuse General Qin's request for the position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, it would likely discourage the veteran officials, and Prime Minister Qin might not want to return to court."
“Li Ningqi is different. He has no power to climb in the court and is too upright. He even openly contradicted me back then. He must be an unruly person. Even if he has some talent, he should not be given important responsibilities, otherwise he will become a parasite on the country.”
His words were all belittling of Li Ningqi, as if he harbored resentment towards him.
Emperor Yuxian grunted in acknowledgment, signaling him to continue.
“The second reason is from the perspective of the mob.” He said, and then made a move, multitasking without delay. “Your Majesty, think about it. The cause of the riot was just drought. The people were afraid of famine, and that’s when things went wrong.”
Emperor Yuxian nodded in agreement, "That's exactly right."
"That makes things easier." The Regent raised an eyebrow, as if he could handle it with ease.
Emperor Yuxian became interested and asked, "Oh?"
The Regent smiled and said, "Since there's no rain, then let the heavens send rain."
Upon hearing this, the emperor frowned. "What my brother says is true, but how easy is it to get the heavens to obey? How can we possibly make it rain?"
“It’s very simple,” the Regent said. “Pray for rain.”
Emperor Yuxian looked at him in surprise, as if he had heard something extraordinary. "Praying for rain?"
“Exactly.” The Regent laughed. “Pray for rain. Your Majesty need not distribute rice or grain. The people are most superstitious. Just find a few reliable Taoist priests to pray for rain in front of the rioters, and they will surely be appeased.”
Emperor Yuxian held the chess piece with a troubled expression, seemingly unsure where to place it, but still asked him, "And the third one?"
The Regent looked at the chessboard and said with a smile, "Thirdly, Your Majesty, think about it, the mob are just ordinary people. As ordinary people, all they want is to have enough to eat. They should not have much desire for power."
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