Chapter 113 The Quality of Honesty
Unexpectedly, Yu Zaiting smiled gently.
Xiao Qing's originally serious face suddenly felt hot.
Sure enough, although she was prepared to accept everything attached to this body naturally and to work firmly and persistently toward her wishes, given her current state and circumstances, saying such thoughtless, enthusiastic but unrealistic things to the important officials in the court would not only fail to convince them, but would also expose her naivety and irrationality.
Yu Zaiting noticed the change in the young emperor's emotions.
He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your Majesty is unaware of the fact that I requested the Grand Tutor to personally bid farewell to Your Majesty before my departure."
He paused for a moment, then said, “If I say that, it would make me seem too arrogant and delusional. If Your Majesty does not summon me, it would take me a long time to take the initiative to pay my respects to the Emperor, and I might not even be able to achieve my wish.”
"But the Grand Tutor readily agreed, saying it was only right, which gave me more confidence in myself and in coming to say goodbye to His Majesty." He seemed to be in a good mood.
"Your Majesty's words just now have given me much more courage for my trip to Jiangzhou, and even for the next few years."
Xiao Qing thought this was quite a high compliment.
"Your humble servant laughed unintentionally just now because of the Grand Tutor."
Feeling he had regained some face, Xiao Qing asked, "What does this have to do with Grand Tutor Guan?"
"Before I came here, the Grand Tutor said that if Your Majesty makes such a promise on your own initiative, it may seem rash, but your sincerity is beyond doubt, and you can rest assured to accept it."
Xiao Qing never expected that Fu Mingyi could be so prescient.
What she didn't expect was that the Grand Tutor would have a positive attitude towards her. She thought the Grand Tutor would say something like, "What that little brat said doesn't count. Just let it go in one ear and out the other," or something similar.
"The Grand Tutor knows His Majesty very well and has a perfect understanding with him."
Xiao Qing slightly pursed her lips, but did not express any opinion.
Yu Zaiting obviously wouldn't dwell on this topic too much.
The cart wheels rolled in circles on the wide, flat official road, the horses' hooves clattering at a steady pace. He couldn't go to Tianyin Temple with Xiao Qing, so the only time he could be alone with Xiao Qing was on this road.
"I am not young anymore. To my shame, I am fourteen years older than the Grand Tutor, yet I am not as insightful as him in many matters. Now that I think about it, the late Emperor's ability to judge people was indeed accurate."
This is a compliment to the Grand Tutor.
Xiao Qing nodded inwardly, thinking that if she weren't in this position, she would also have many praises for Fu Mingyi. He was handsome, had a good temperament, was mature, steady, responsible, and very capable, and seemed to have a lot of influence... In her world, he was like the kind of person in idol dramas who could clearly rely on his looks but chose to rely on his abilities.
This must be the reason why so many fans are devoted to him.
Leaving aside the events of Emperor Tianhe's reign, let's focus on recent events. He single-handedly ventured into Beiping City, entangled with the Northern Barbarians for a long time, and not only did he return unscathed, but he also accomplished everything he was supposed to do. All the princes and ministers of the entire Southern Xiao Kingdom probably don't possess Fu Mingyi's abilities.
Xiao Qing had to admit that even in her most disheartened moments, she never denied Fu Mingyi's charm and ability.
“Going to Jiangzhou to take a sinecure is certainly not my wish. However, after meeting with the Grand Tutor, I am willing to accept it.”
Xiao Qing felt a little guilty again.
She thought of the banquet she had hosted for the royal family that day.
Actually, if he hadn't spoken up then, and hadn't confronted Wang Xiang, perhaps...
Yu Zaiting saw through Xiao Qing's thoughts.
He smiled. "What does Your Majesty think of my mentor?"
Xiao Qing frowned and said objectively, "Perhaps there are some selfish motives, but on matters of principle, they can still think carefully for the sake of the country and its people."
She made this judgment because of Wang Xiang's attitude regarding the matter of sacrificing to the Martial Soul.
The three had discussed this matter for a long time. Although Wang Xiang knew how necessary it was to treat military generals well at this time, he still did not show much support.
Later, he raised the issue of the national treasury and finances, and gave Xiao Qing a simple calculation. Many of the issues he mentioned were related to the national economy and people's livelihood, which were definitely not something someone who didn't care about the national situation or the people could casually say.
Yu Zaiting nodded, “Although His Majesty is young, he is perceptive and insightful. Given time, he will surely become a wise ruler for all ages and a blessing to all people.”
He wasn't entirely flattering, so his gaze became even more determined and sincere.
Xiao Qing felt a little embarrassed.
"Indeed, my mentor has long been in charge of the general affairs of Dingzhou, Yingzhou, and Haizhou. He is very familiar with the politics, economy, and people's lives south of the Xiao River and is highly respected in these areas. This is also an important reason why the southern officials jointly recommended my mentor to be the prime minister and even wanted to support him to become the imperial tutor. Naturally, it is also the reason why the Grand Tutor compromised."
Xiao Qing really wanted to ask, "Then why did you go against your mentor who promoted you?"
Yu Zaiting smiled and said, "Your Majesty must be wondering why I parted ways with my mentor. To be honest, it's because of Your Majesty and the Grand Tutor."
Because she could understand why the Grand Tutor still had a role to play.
"During the palace banquet that day, I saw that Your Majesty was not flustered, so I guessed that the Grand Tutor would definitely return safely. As long as the Grand Tutor returns safely, he will definitely not let them easily appoint another Imperial Tutor. The Imperial Tutor was appointed by the late Emperor. Although only the Grand Tutor is in office now, he is the only one who can rightfully appoint another Imperial Tutor for Your Majesty."
"My esteemed teacher is highly respected and acts with prudence, but he is often constrained and sometimes controlled by circumstances or various forces. On the other hand, although the Grand Tutor is young and occasionally acts radically, I see in him the hope of changing the entire Great Xiao Dynasty. This is something my esteemed teacher cannot do."
Xiao felt a little dizzy listening to it.
“From a young age, I was well-versed in the classics and made a grand vow in my youth: to excel in my studies and then serve in the government, and if I succeeded, to benefit the world. However, I was not good at scheming and wasted several years. I originally wanted to rely on my mentor to achieve my wish, but my mentor was conservative and unwilling to change. That's why I decided to take a gamble and surrender to the Grand Tutor.”
He spoke so frankly that Xiao Qing didn't know what to say.
So, as an emperor, how should one handle a minister who is too frank? Awaiting your answer!
“I have been by my mentor’s side all these years and have never left Dingzhou. I thought what I lacked was a hand to guide me, but the Grand Tutor told me that I also lacked a pair of feet to measure the mountains and rivers.”
As Xiao Qing was lost in thought, Yu Zaiting knelt down again.
"I am going to Jiangzhou to train these two feet. Your Majesty need not promise. If I fail to return to Your Majesty's sight within five years, then I am incompetent and untrustworthy. Your Majesty need not worry about me. I will have no face to see Your Majesty again."
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