Zhao Changheng was amused by his serious demeanor.
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
Zhao Wenqi walked to his side but did not stand aside and talk to him.
Instead, he used both his hands and feet to climb onto the imperial desk, facing Zhao Changheng, and sat down on the edge of the desk.
Two calves dangled beside the table, swaying back and forth.
Absolutely adorable.
"If you want to talk, then talk. What are you doing climbing onto my desk?" Zhao Changheng asked, puzzled.
Zhao Wenqi swung his toes: "That way I can see Father's face and eyes."
My aunt said that during negotiations, you can't ignore the other party's subtle changes in expression.
Pay attention to eye contact, as it may convey important information.
Zhao Changheng said helplessly, "Fine, now that you can see, tell me, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Father, I would like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you."
Hey……
Zhao Changheng thought to himself, "Well, I guess I can't get this job done today."
"Okay, okay, let's have a heart-to-heart talk, a heart-to-heart talk. What should we talk about?"
Zhao Wenqi lowered his eyelids and said aggrievedly, "Father, I am confined to the deep palace all day long, and I often feel depressed."
"Oh? What's bothering you?"
“Father, I am just an eight-year-old child. It is not good for my growth to be locked in the palace to study every day. If this continues, it may cause me, a royal child, to become detached from society, unaware of the suffering of the people, and ignorant of the affairs of the world.”
Zhao Changheng snorted: "Your most important thing right now is to study hard. We can talk about the rest later. I heard that you've been studying with the three great Confucian scholars for several days, but you haven't made any progress at all?"
Zhao Wenqi sighed deeply.
My aunt said that negotiation is a long process and you can't expect to succeed all at once.
We must be prepared for a protracted struggle.
To achieve your goals, you must have patience and perseverance.
He hung his head and said, "Father, I'm cooped up in the palace every day, and I'm in a bad mood, so I can't concentrate on my studies."
"Wow! So you're saying that if you go out to play, you'll be able to concentrate on your studies?"
Zhao Changheng: Why don't I believe it?
"Father, since I can't concentrate on my studies anyway, why don't we give it a try? If you allow me to leave the palace for two hours every day, maybe I can finish some of the homework assigned by my teachers each day."
Although he didn't like going to class...
One of his needs was to avoid attending classes.
However, when faced with two evils, choose the lesser one.
He can only choose what he wants most and give up other less important things.
Leaving the palace was his most important goal.
He can endure attending classes and studying.
In order to get what he wants, he has to provide what others want in exchange.
This is the essence of human interaction.
“A little?” Zhao Changqing narrowed his eyes when he heard this word.
"Well, the teachers said that my foundation is weak, so I don't need to study too much every day. Just learn a little bit. As long as I persevere, I will eventually succeed."
"You think you can learn this much and then go out to play for two hours every day? Don't you think you're overthinking it?"
Zhao Wenqi was not discouraged at all.
Negotiations require patience.
"Then how many hours do you think it would be appropriate for me to go out and play each day, Father?" he asked tentatively.
"How many hours left? Not even an hour!"
Zhao Wenqi was a little injured, but he didn't give up.
After a moment of silence, he tried again: "Father, as the emperor, you must be reasonable. How about this, if you agree to let me leave the palace, I can work harder and learn more."
My aunt said that this is called a tactical compromise.
By making certain concessions, one can achieve their goals and gain personal benefits.
Zhao Changheng frowned: "How much is a little more learning?"
Zhao Wenqi observed his father's eyes and sensed a slight wavering in them, so he quickly pressed his advantage.
“I guarantee that I will improve a little bit every day. You can verify this with your mentors one by one; they can prove whether I have made any progress.”
Zhao Changheng remained silent, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
"What are you going to do after leaving the palace?"
Zhao Wenqi was overjoyed.
There's hope!
"Father, I want to visit my fourth uncle. I can't see him every day in the palace, and I miss him very much."
"Well, I met the Fourth Imperial Uncle, and then what?"
"Then, I asked him to take me out to play."
Where are we going to have fun?
"Go...to understand the people's conditions."
"Ha!" Zhao Changheng almost couldn't help but exclaim.
I'd be a fool to believe you!
“Going out every day is outrageous, I don’t agree.”
"Then... Father, what would it take for you to agree?"
"Three days, I'll let you go out for three days, take a stroll, relax, have some fun, and then come back to class."
Zhao Changheng was, after all, a father who spoiled his child.
"Thank you, Father Emperor!"
My aunt said that you should set your negotiation goals high and your expectations low to increase your chances of success.
Zhao Wenqi tried it himself this time, and it was indeed the case.
Going out once every three days already exceeded his expectations.
He originally thought that his father would only let him go out once every ten days or so.
"However, you cannot fall behind in your studies. You must listen attentively in class and do your homework diligently. I don't expect you to become a genius in just a few days, but you must show me your efforts. If I don't see any effort from you in these few days, don't even mention the idea of going out to play again!"
Zhao Wenqi then climbed down from the imperial desk using both his hands and feet.
"Father, I thank you! Now I'm going to find my teachers for lessons."
With that, he took two short steps and ran out of the Imperial Study.
Watching his departing figure, Zhao Changheng asked Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi, "Crown Prince, do you think... your brother can really work hard this time?"
Zhao Wenyi thought quietly for a moment.
“Father, although Wenqi is mischievous and doesn’t like to study, he has always been very honest. If he doesn’t want to study, he will tell you clearly. He never hides anything, never lies, and never pretends to study. Since he has promised this time, he must really be going back to study.”
After a long pause, Zhao Changheng slowly spoke: "Then let's wait and see what he can achieve."
To what extent is Zhao Wenqi capable of achieving this?
Zhao Wenqi was truly giving it his all, even reciting his lessons while eating and walking.
He diligently learned about 10% of what the teachers taught.
Several Confucian scholars were very pleased and reported to the emperor: "The second prince is a promising young man. Given time, he will surely become a great man."
In the small courtyard next to the Yue King's Mansion, He Youyou was preparing to go out.
The carriage had just been harnessed when Zhao Changqing strolled over.
He was wearing casual clothes.
It was late autumn, and the weather was a bit chilly, so he was wearing a cloak.
The cloak was embroidered with gold thread, exuding an understated luxury.
It accentuated his elegance and boundless charm.
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