Chapter 20 Heart-Fluttering Before Departure
Upon hearing the news, all the factions in Nanhua City surprisingly fell silent.
Xiao Qing had a gut feeling that this Khan of the Northern Dark Grasslands was definitely up to no good.
"Grand Tutor, what do you think they're planning?"
Since Xiao Qing decided to live up to the "salary" that Fu Mingyi paid, although she dared not say that she was fully responsible, she had generally cooperated with him in general.
Learn what you need to learn, and do what you need to do. As for how well you learn or how well you do, that's another matter.
However, after several encounters, Xiao Qing had basically figured out the Grand Tutor's bottom line and temperament.
The Grand Tutor felt it didn't matter whether she was attentive or not. As long as what she did was within his tolerance, everything would be fine.
So, thanks to the Grand Tutor's more targeted instruction, Xiao Qing has indeed learned quite a bit about the Great Xiao Imperial Palace and this dynasty.
Except for never having reviewed any of the ministers' memorials on his own, Xiao Qing can now be considered a "Xiao citizen" with basic common sense.
Fu Mingyi appeared very calm.
"I have an idea, but it shouldn't be too bad."
"Is the Grand Tutor really planning to go?"
This isn't going to pick up hostages, it's going to their deaths!
The resulting series of consequences unfolded in Xiao Qing's mind.
She knew very well that the reason she could so smoothly impersonate the young emperor of their Great Xiao Dynasty without being exposed was not only because she was careful and cautious, but also because Fu Mingyi had done a lot of work.
If Fu Mingyi doesn't agree to Bei Ming's strange request, those hostages might really be as they say, and never have to come back.
If he agrees, regardless of his fate, just the fact that he wants to leave Nanhua City...
She suddenly felt the hairs on her back stand up.
This is definitely not good news for her.
After thinking it over, she frowned and looked at Fu Mingyi, only to realize that he was also looking at her.
Fu Mingyi's gaze was somewhat peculiar.
"Grand Tutor?"
"This trip to the north will take at least a month. In my absence, Lord Wang will assist Your Majesty. However, there is one matter that has been troubling me."
"What?"
"The fall of Ping'an City to the enemy was largely due to its weak military. The troops originally stationed on the border could not withstand the northern barbarians, and the troops in various prefectures did not pay attention to training. In the end, when the garrison outside Ping'an City heard about the battle, almost half of them fled, which ultimately led to the defeat."
Xiao Qing thought to himself: Although there may be military reasons for the fall of a country, the fundamental reason must not lie here.
Their decline to this point is probably due to their fate and luck.
However, whatever the Grand Tutor said was law. She wouldn't argue against it.
"Currently, the garrison inside and outside Nanhua City is mostly composed of troops from the southern prefectures. A few days ago, Grand Councilor Sun was organizing the household registration of military officers of the sixth rank and above, while the Ministry of War was organizing the information on military households below the sixth rank. I estimate that there are probably half of the vacancies for military officers..."
Although Fu Mingyi did not cite precise numbers when he said these things, Xiao Qing still only vaguely understood them.
Firstly, she wasn't interested in military affairs. Secondly, although she had some understanding of the division of labor between the Privy Council and the Ministry of War, her understanding of their specific responsibilities was still somewhat vague.
"According to the rules of our dynasty, in the event of such a major change, the civil officials are appointed first, followed by the military officials. Now that the civil officials have been appointed, the military officials of the third rank and above who urgently need to be appointed have also been appointed long ago. Now the candidates for military officials below the third rank can also be appointed one by one."
Xiao Qing nodded.
Fu Mingyi slowly continued, "I have taken note of five people, four of whom are from the North and one from the South. I originally planned to observe them further, but it seems there is no time left."
Xiao Qing couldn't get a word in edgewise. However, she didn't want to offer any opinions.
Fu Mingyi looked at her, who seemed to be listening very attentively, and felt a familiar mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Your Majesty need not worry. I will draft a memorial tonight, which will include some information about these five people and the positions to be assigned to them."
Fu Mingyi narrowed his eyes. "For the other positions, if the court officials have recommendations, just approve them directly. Only these five positions must be filled by these officials."
Xiao Qing wasn't curious at all. She nodded quickly and then asked, "If the Grand Tutor really is leaving, how should I conduct myself?"
Damn, there's no one around to protect me, this is so unsafe!
Fu Mingyi smiled.
“Now, besides Mingxiu, Your Majesty has four maids at your side, so there is no need to worry about your daily life. As for security, although General Zhao Youchen commands the palace guards and cannot be by your side all the time, he will definitely arrange for people to protect Your Majesty closely. As long as Your Majesty stays in the palace, nothing like what happened at my residence that day will happen.”
Fu Mingyi looked at her, but what he didn't say was—royal family members usually have bodyguards. Even the little princess has one.
However, after observing for a long time, he still couldn't find the person's existence.
As for the secret guards who were originally protecting the young emperor... they have disappeared without a trace.
There's something strange about this. But these oddities aren't enough to tell the young emperor now.
Xiao Qing still felt overwhelmed.
Fu Mingyi gave some instructions on some trivial matters, and then hurriedly returned to his residence to arrange the rest of the affairs.
Xiao Qing stayed alone in the imperial study for a while, and a thought flashed through her mind.
The reason she and Fu Mingyi have been able to get along harmoniously is mainly because they each have their own needs and require each other's cooperation.
But now, Fu Mingyi is leaving.
She has not developed a strong sense of belonging or responsibility towards the country, the palace, or her current identity.
Or rather, there isn't one at all.
Therefore, Fu Mingyi's absence from Nanhua City undoubtedly disrupts the balance.
Should she consider taking this opportunity to get away from everything here and live the life she wants?
This sudden idea made her heart pound. And it was like a bean that had taken root in her heart, now sprouting as if it had been given a large amount of nutrients, and growing bigger and bigger.
A crazy thought urges her: Give it a try.
This is a rare opportunity; how will she know that freedom isn't just waiting for her if she doesn't try?
She left the Imperial Study with a secret excitement and returned to Chengde Hall.
She then ate a simple meal and locked herself in her room, thinking about every detail over and over again.
That's how people are; when they don't have anything they particularly want to do, nothing matters. But once they do, they become exceptionally focused and persistent.
At this moment, she forgot all of Fu Mingyi's previous teachings and instructions.
She only considered one question—the escape plan and its feasibility.
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