Chapter 153 Controlling People
After that, Li Qinghe became much more obedient.
However, Xiao Qing always felt that the way he sometimes secretly looked at her was very strange.
It was just like... the way that shadowy bird looked at her back then.
Could it be that the human and the bird have spent too much time together, causing their gazes to become similar?
But what about his bird?
Once, Xiao Qing couldn't help but ask this question.
Li Qinghe's expression immediately became somewhat uncomfortable.
He replied somewhat perfunctorily, "I didn't bring it out from home," and refused to say anything more.
Xiao Qing didn't ask any more questions. It was better if he wasn't there; she felt a bit creeped out when those small eyes were staring at her.
This matter didn't trouble them for long, because Zhao Ziyuan soon returned to the city.
Zhao Ziyuan was the commander-in-chief of the Yingzhou army, and the army's permanent base was Feng County. Therefore, apart from inspecting the garrison troops in various parts of Yingzhou, Zhao Ziyuan would return to Feng County to train troops.
At this time, the state armies of the various states of Da Xiao took turns training. The troops stationed at their permanent posts would train daily, while the state armies sent to other garrisons in the states and counties would participate in local training. Then, they would rotate every once in a while.
Previously, the position of the military governor-general of a prefecture was more of a figurehead, as the authority of military generals had always been suppressed by civil officials. Although the governor-general was in charge of the military affairs of each prefecture, in reality, they still had to obey the orders of the prefectural governors and accept their jurisdiction. As a result, the governor-general's authority was practically non-existent.
During the Anping era, when the Da Xiao regime was most demanding of its military commanders, even if the governor of a prefecture acted out of a public interest in strengthening the country's military, organizing military training without the prefect's consent was almost tantamount to plotting a rebellion, which would cost him his head.
Therefore, by the time of the Tianhe era, the military officers were all filled with apprehension and very few dared to go against the prefect.
Then came the invasion of the Northern Barbarians, who swept through the land with unstoppable momentum. The local armies were scattered and disorganized, and even those who hadn't fled thousands of miles were mostly old, disabled, and weak soldiers who couldn't withstand the Northern Barbarian cavalry. At that time, the city of Beiping was completely unable to mobilize the local armies, and even if it could, it would be to no avail.
Therefore, the generals of Nanxiao were very grateful to Xiao Qing and Fu Mingyi.
From the time they filled the vacancies for military officers through evaluation and selection, and from the events surrounding the sacrificial ceremony for the Martial Spirit, they saw a future and hope. They believed this was an opportunity and leniency given to them by Xiao Qing and Fu Mingyi.
For them, this is the best of times.
Zhao Ziyuan dared to embezzle state taxes this time because he was betting that "this is the best of times."
Now, Zhao Ziyuan has returned to the city.
Li Qinghe asked Fu Mingyi, "How do you plan to investigate?"
Fu Mingyi calmly took a sip of tea, tasting a slight bitterness on his tongue.
"I originally intended to investigate secretly, but now I've changed my mind."
"Go and confront them?"
"We must find him. However, we can't let him know who we are."
Li Qinghe glanced at his now so ordinary-looking face that he'd be easily lost in a crowd, and scoffed, "That's easy. He definitely won't recognize you like this. But even if you went to him like this, would he tell you the truth?"
Fu Mingyi smiled but remained silent.
Xiao Qing also took a sip of tea, feeling that Fu Mingyi must have been prepared in advance.
Fu Mingyi turned to look at Xiao Qing, his expression gentle. "Would you like to go and meet Zhao Ziyuan?"
Xiao Qing pointed to herself, "Can I go?"
Li Qinghe thought to himself, "You can go wherever you want."
Fu Mingyi nodded, "I'll take you there."
Xiao Qing thought for a moment, "Won't this cause you trouble?"
Fu Mingyi shook his head. "If you were to disguise yourself as my page."
Li Qinghe was shocked.
Fu Mingyi, Fu Mingyi, you really dare to say that!
To his even greater surprise, Xiao Qing actually nodded in agreement.
My God!
She truly enjoys the Emperor's favor!
Fu Mingyi beckoned to him and whispered as he leaned closer, "Go steal a few things for me..."
He had his back to Xiao Qing, so Xiao Qing couldn't see his mouth and therefore couldn't hear what he was saying.
She was very curious: what did he want Li Qinghe to steal?
Li Qinghe nodded helplessly, stood up, and clasped his hands in front of his chest.
"Take care, both of you, and remember to be careful."
Fu Mingyi nodded and watched him leave.
"What do you want him to steal?"
"I told him to steal a few documents from the prefect's office."
Xiao Qing looked at him strangely, "His legs aren't very mobile."
"He doesn't need legs to steal."
Xiao Qing still didn't believe it.
Fu Mingyi thought she looked particularly well-behaved.
His palms couldn't help but itch, so he casually touched her head.
After that, he was stunned.
He had only done this once before, three years ago, when they were fleeing south together.
Xiao Qing has grown up now.
Xiao Qing was also taken aback.
However, she pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "Why doesn't he need legs to steal things?"
Fu Mingyi quietly took that hand, composed himself, and said gently, "Someone like him, although he is not agile, may excel in other areas precisely because of this. Li Qinghe has many talented people, each with some physical disability, but each possessing unique skills. Stealing is not something that can be done with just hands and feet; he also needs to use his brain."
Xiao Qing seemed to understand but not quite.
Fu Mingyi continued, "The key to employing people lies in placing them in the right positions. People have varying qualities and abilities; it all depends on where they can be used and where they can maximize their potential. Those who rise above others focus on managing people, and the way to manage people is to cultivate a wide network of capable individuals, regardless of whether they are noble or base, outstanding or mediocre. As long as they are in positions that suit their characteristics, they may achieve unexpectedly good results."
Xiao Qing suddenly asked, "How should we, as your elder brother, use Brother Yan?"
Fu Mingyi looked at her, the darkness in his eyes deepening.
What does Qingran think?
"A star pupil, or a backup plan?"
Fu Mingyi shook his head, and after a long while said to Xiao Qing, "A whetstone."
Xiao Qing looked at him in surprise and remained silent for a long time.
Fu Mingyi picked up his teacup and continued drinking water. After taking two sips, he said, "This was my original intention. Moreover, it was a fate he couldn't escape, and even enjoyed."
Xiao Qing was even more puzzled.
Fu Mingyi smiled and said, "His ambition and cunning far surpass yours."
Xiao Qing pouted and muttered under her breath, "Then why didn't you choose him?"
Fu Mingyi thought Zhao Youchen was right; sometimes one should be more honest.
"The only one I can trust my brother with all my heart is Qingran."
Xiao Qing lowered her head, her ears feeling uncomfortably hot.
Fu Mingyi felt that Xiao Qing's attitude had changed recently and softened a bit, so he took the opportunity to say, "You don't know how beautiful something is if you haven't seen it; how do you know how bad something is if you haven't tried it?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com