Chapter 189 Considerations
If they were the emperor's secret guards, they naturally wouldn't need to register their military status with the Ministry of War.
The Ministry of War has no jurisdiction over these people's military status.
The Minister of War dared not ask any more questions. She secretly glanced at Wang Xiang and saw that he was standing there quietly without giving any further hints, so she also kept her mouth shut and pretended to be a silent person.
Fu Mingyi finally spoke.
“It is my fault that I failed to fulfill my duty of admonishing and educating, and I have failed the late emperor’s grace. I am willing to accept punishment.”
Xiao Qing quickly waved his hand, "How could this be the story of the Grand Tutor? It is clearly because I am naughty and have not listened to the teachings of the teachers and the Grand Tutor at the Imperial Academy. I will definitely learn from this lesson, study diligently every day, and never again be lazy and negligent, swallowing knowledge whole without seeking a deeper understanding."
Wang Xiang and the others simply couldn't listen anymore.
"In that case, how does Your Majesty think the matter of Zhao Ziyuan in Feng County should be handled?"
Xiao Qing thought for a moment, "Zhao Ziyuan's embezzlement of state taxes was indeed inappropriate. Although I was partly to blame, Zhao Ziyuan's failure to report it in time was also wrong and he should be punished."
She paused for a moment, then said, “Punish him. First, make him return the state taxes without missing a single penny. Second, since all state officials are required to come to China to report on their duties before the end of the year, let Zhao Ziyuan come to China ahead of time to explain the whole story. This will also give the world an explanation.”
"Your Majesty, these cannot be considered punishments. If other states follow suit, and this becomes the prevailing trend, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
Xiao Qing nodded, "Of course he should be punished. After he has finished explaining, my dear ministers, let's discuss and come up with a plan."
"I have failed in my duties as Grand Tutor and am willing to accept the punishment."
Just as Xiao Qing was about to refuse, Wang Xiang said, "Your Majesty is wise."
Xiao Qing was dumbfounded. What was Fu Mingyi doing? Didn't he realize he'd convinced himself to go to jail?
After the court session ended, Xiao Qing kept Fu Mingyi alone in the small study behind the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Xiao Qing paced back and forth, quite puzzled.
Ma Hong brought over tea, and Xiao Qing told him to go outside and keep watch, leaving only the two of them in the small study.
"Does the Grand Tutor know what the consequences will be for what you just said?"
Fu Mingyi nodded, "Your subject understands."
"I know. Does the Grand Tutor think his life is too easy and wants some more excitement?"
Xiao Qing rarely speaks so vividly and lively.
Perhaps because he had spent too much time outside with Fu Mingyi lately, he was now speaking somewhat less restrainedly.
Fu Mingyi smiled.
"Since Your Majesty intends to protect Zhao Ziyuan, how could I possibly experience any thrills or excitement?"
Xiao Qing twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. "Then should I thank the Grand Tutor for his trust?"
"That won't be necessary..."
Xiao Qing slammed her hand on the table, "You still don't know that Wang Xiang and the others are actually targeting you!"
She glared at Fu Mingyi, her eyes seeming to burn with fire.
Fu Mingyi lowered his eyes slightly, then looked into her eyes again, and said softly, "I know."
"Since you don't intend to help Zhao Ziyuan and don't intend to speak up, then don't speak at all! The moment you open your mouth you're asking for punishment. They couldn't do anything about you before, but now look what's happened, they've run into a fool who delivered himself to their doorstep!"
"Your Majesty is worried about me."
"I..." Xiao Qing stopped speaking, "I just don't understand why someone as intelligent as the Grand Tutor would put himself in danger if he saw through everything."
“If I don’t say that, their anger will have nowhere to go, and Zhao Ziyuan’s situation will only become more difficult. Perhaps…”
Xiao Qing was startled.
She understood what Fu Mingyi meant.
If they couldn't implicate Fu Mingyi, Zhao Ziyuan would be useless to them. They might not even let him arrive in Nanhua safely.
But do they have the audacity to secretly take action against a governor of a prefecture?
Fu Mingyi could see the question in her mind.
"They dare."
Fu Mingyi took a sip of tea.
“Three years ago, they tried to harm me, but I was vigilant and they failed. In Feng County, Li Qinghe suddenly betrayed me, also because…”
Xiao Qing had an idea.
"It couldn't be them. Otherwise, how could Nanhua be so calm?"
Fu Mingyi stood up.
"I have said before that Li Qinghe is not an individual, but an organization."
Xiao Qing nodded; she remembered this.
"They cannot disclose the client's commission information, but they have a long-term commission list. The people on this list are the targets they pursue to the death."
Fu Mingyi certainly wouldn't say something like that casually.
Xiao Qing's eyes deepened.
"Then what does the Grand Tutor think should be done?"
“Your Majesty has handled it very well.” Fu Mingyi looked at her, his gaze both gentle and firm.
Emperor Tianhe reigned for the longest period. He was also a child when he ascended the throne.
At that time, the court was controlled by various powerful families, and Emperor Tianhe spent almost his entire life dealing with these families.
In comparison, Xiao Qing has really done a great job.
“Your Majesty, the power of powerful clans far exceeds your imagination. Even my own family is not innocent.”
This was the first time Xiao Qing had heard Fu Mingyi say such a thing.
She felt a chill run down her spine.
"Although Wang Xiang's family is not prominent, he truly represents the interests of many families and nobles. Many times, he is not in control of his own destiny."
Xiao Qing sensed that Fu Mingyi already had some ideas in mind.
"What does the Grand Tutor want to do?"
Fu Mingyi shook his head. "The time is not right, so we can't do anything."
At the very least, he should wait until he has the entire Fu family firmly in his grasp, and until Xiao Qing is normal and mature enough to protect himself.
It also requires a period of continuous renewal and the emergence of talented individuals in the imperial court, but not all of them coming from prominent aristocratic families.
Moving now would leave us isolated and helpless, and we would fall into their trap, leading Da Xiao into another tragic fate.
His previous estimates were too optimistic.
"Your Majesty, your performance today will give them a signal. Next, they will make a suggestion to Your Majesty—"
Fu Mingyi looked at her intently, but didn't say anything immediately.
"What?" Xiao Qing sensed something was wrong.
"To take personal control of the government."
Xiao Qing was dumbfounded. "This is impossible!"
Fu Mingyi continued, "My family moved from Yizhou to Yuzhou and has now established a firm foothold. My grandfather is in charge of the Fu family, and I... will be going to Yuzhou soon."
He's leaving again.
Xiao Qing felt a pang of panic. "What are you going there for? To visit relatives?"
A smile gradually crept onto Fu Mingyi's lips.
"Of course I will visit my relatives, but there is another important matter."
He didn't say anything, he just quietly looked at Xiao Qing.
Before leaving the palace, Fu Mingyi mentioned Xiao Yan.
He had heard about Xiao Qing's change in attitude towards Xiao Yan.
But he did not agree.
Xiao Qing laughed it off and Fu Mingyi stopped talking.
Xiao Qing's personality is such that sometimes she won't turn back until she hits a brick wall.
Sometimes, even when she hits a wall, she still tries to struggle and wants to make a hole in it.
As Xiao Qing grows up, if her identity is not confirmed, she will face many difficulties in the future.
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