Chapter 73 An Unintentional Success
In early July, Xiao Qing met with Wang Xiang and Yu Zaiting several more times, discussing the affairs of the military generals who had already sacrificed their lives.
The two understood the young emperor's feelings, but their ways of thinking were quite different.
In Wang Xiang's view, although Wang Ming was his cousin and what he did was indeed heroic, according to the young emperor, it would break the ancestral rules.
Military generals are inherently unruly and difficult to control. Very few of them are cultured or well-mannered. They often disregard the laws of the court and make impulsive decisions on a whim.
Throughout history, civil officials have mostly held positions in the Privy Council and the Ministry of War. True military officers, even those who came from the military examination system, were often led by civil officials, and their career advancement and treatment were inferior to those of civil officials.
This is not something that can be changed overnight.
Moreover, the Great Xiao Kingdom had suffered a calamity, the capital had just been established, and everything was in need of rebuilding. They had just signed a peace treaty with the Northern Barbarians. Although there had been some twists and turns, the Northern Barbarians had ultimately released their people and showed no intention of starting a war.
There is certainly no war in the short term, and military generals will not be of much use. On the contrary, the internal affairs of the court, where power is deeply entrenched, need to be properly rectified, which requires the cooperation of a large number of civil officials.
His Majesty's desire to perform a ritual for the Martial Soul beyond the prescribed standards and posthumously bestow honors will displease many civil officials.
This is not a good thing.
Moreover, this young emperor had previously shown, more or less, openly or secretly, tolerance and affection for military generals in front of and behind the palace.
After the Grand Tutor left, the person closest to the young emperor was not Wang Xiang, nor any other imperial tutor, but the commander of the Imperial Guards—Zhao Youchen, a military general who had been on the battlefield and was recruited by the Grand Tutor to protect the palace.
Although this is related to the safety of His Majesty, the Grand Tutor's arrangement speaks volumes.
However, Wang Xiang is not the type of person who feels that his superior is wrong and therefore has to point it out to his face.
Moreover, in his eyes, although his boss was intelligent and kind, he was still a naive young man who hadn't experienced many things and therefore wouldn't have the right understanding.
Wang Xiang's approach was to remain passive and observe the situation.
In contrast, Yu Zaiting appeared much more practical. He genuinely followed Xiao Qing's instructions, examining numerous historical and contemporary cases, extracting useful information to present to her, and demonstrating a strong work ethic by analyzing the potential obstacles Xiao Qing might encounter in the current court regarding her desired actions.
Once, after returning from the palace, King Xiang sat in his study, lost in thought.
Mr. Sun, standing nearby, smiled and asked, "What is sir worried about?"
Wang Xiang remained silent for a moment, then sighed. "Our Emperor truly values military prowess more than literary talent."
Mr. Sun disagreed. He knew what Wang Xiang had been doing recently, so he said, "His Majesty is still young and has experienced such hardships. He was only able to reach Dingzhou safely thanks to the protection of military generals. Even if His Majesty values military over civil officials, it is understandable. However, there is still a long way to go. You can guide him carefully, sir. Why sigh?"
Wang Xiang then asked, "What does Mr. Sun think of Yu Zaiting?"
Mr. Sun smiled again. “That’s your prized student, the one you promoted to his current position. Your master has always known Lord Yu inside and out, so why ask me?”
Wang Xiang frowned. "I'm very satisfied with this student. He's low-key, upright yet tactful, capable and skillful, but..."
Mr. Sun raised an eyebrow.
Wang Xiang twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. "I'm afraid my appetite has grown a bit too big."
Mr. Sun clasped his hands in front of him and said after a while, "Even if you have a big appetite, you still have to beg for food from adults. Whether the adults give you more or less is just a matter of turning your hand over."
Wang Xiang frowned slightly as he recalled the recent positive interactions between Yu Zaiting and the young emperor. "Young people are always impatient and can't distinguish between what's important and what's not."
He had already made up his mind.
At this moment, Xiao Qing was in the palace, counting down the days on his fingers, feeling anxious and distressed.
Counting the days, at most ten days, those people who came out of Beidu will arrive in Nanhua City.
Good heavens, she not only has to settle the souls of the military generals, but also meet those legendary royal relatives!
These people are either relatives of this shell or relatives of its ancestors; in short, they should all have some understanding of this shell.
Moreover, these people are different from the ministers. Some of them are highly respected elders or uncles, and even she, in her physical form, has to treat them with great care and courtesy!
Grand Tutor, since you couldn't return with these people, why didn't you mention this matter and have Li Qinghe send you a solution?!
Xiao Qing was very impressed with her own strong willpower; she hadn't even thought of shirking responsibility and running away when faced with such a difficult situation!
No, she absolutely will not leave until the Grand Tutor returns!
Xiao Qing felt it was necessary to do some research beforehand and thoroughly understand the situation of the royal family and relatives.
As she was thinking, Mingxiu walked in carrying a pair of crutches.
"His Majesty."
Xiao Qing looked up and saw the crutches, which puzzled her.
She's recovered now and no longer needs crutches or a wheelchair, so Mingxiu has left both aside and they haven't been used for a while.
Why did Mingxiu bring them over? And her face seemed a little pale.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Qing jumped off the chair and went to greet him cheerfully.
Mingxiu knelt down and handed over a cane, saying, "Your Majesty, it's all my fault. I didn't put the cane away properly. I accidentally knocked it over while testing the medicine today, and then I fell on it in my haste. It was probably pressed by the corner of the table next to it, and it's dented here."
I thought it was something serious.
Xiao Qing breathed a sigh of relief, casually taking the crutches from her as she helped her up, saying, "Don't fall over so easily. It's just a dent, it's nothing. It just means the person who made the crutches didn't do a good job, that's why it was so easy to fall..."
When her eyes glanced over and saw that small indentation, she immediately sensed something was wrong.
How can something made of wood get dented? Even if you wanted to dent it, it wouldn't be possible, right?
She picked up the crutch and carefully ran her hand over the dented area. After she had felt enough, she suddenly took out the small knife that was stuck in her boot—the same knife that Li Qinghe had placed on the table that day—and made a cut on the dented area of the crutch.
Her eyes widened immediately.
This piece isn't made of wood; it's covered with a layer of paper painted with a wood grain pattern!
My goodness, it's exactly the same as the other wooden parts, the connection is seamless!
She drew a few more lines, finally revealing a small patch about the size of a palm that circled around the cane.
There was also a small keyhole there.
Something is hidden inside the corner!
Where are the keys? Where are the keys?
She looked at Mingxiu, who was already stunned.
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