Officials, like those in academies, had a ten-day rest period.
During his days off, Ah Li stayed at home with He Youyou and chatted about matters of the court.
"Mother, the King of Yue has arrived in Youzhou to assume his duties as military supervisor."
He Youyou was stunned.
Since the day they moved, Zhao Changqing has never appeared again; he apparently went to Youzhou.
"Ah Li, what's the situation at the border right now?"
Ahri took a map from the bookshelf and displayed it in front of her.
"In the internal strife of the Wuhuan Kingdom, the second prince, Chakchin, has begun to gain the upper hand. The eldest prince shows signs of fleeing. The Youzhou army is strengthening border patrols and defenses to ensure border security."
He Youyou nodded: "That's right. If the eldest prince is scattered, it is very likely to affect the border of Youzhou. Even stray dogs are desperate criminals, so we must be on guard."
"Actually, it also meant helping Chakchin to intercept him, so that he could catch him like a turtle in a jar and eliminate him completely."
He Youyou pondered, "It seems that Chakchin is really going to take power this time."
“Mother, your caravan has always cooperated with Chakchin. Wouldn’t it be a good thing for you if he came to power?”
"It's a good thing, but not a good thing either. Chakchin is no ordinary person; he's a smart and ambitious man. He's sent so many students to Dagan, so there's bound to be an opportunity for him to rise to power in the future. Trade will be more convenient, which is a good thing. But if the Wuhuan Kingdom rises, it will also be a challenge for Dagan. Dagan must maintain its dominant position and its ability to suppress the Wuhuan Kingdom."
As the two were talking, the doorman came to report that guests had arrived.
He Youyou and Ali hurriedly went out to greet them.
"Your Highness!"
"Auntie!"
It turned out to be the Zhao brothers, Zhao Wenyi and Zhao Wenqi.
In the past, Zhao Changqing always accompanied him, but today only Qin Ming and another guard were with him to provide protection.
He Youyou was hesitating whether to kneel or not when Zhao Wenqi had already rushed into her arms.
Ahri herself bowed deeply to Zhao Wenyi.
The two children had spent a long time together, and even after learning about the Crown Prince's identity, He Youyou's attitude towards them remained the same.
"Ah Li and I are looking at maps in the study. Would Your Highness like to come and take a look?"
Zhao Wenyi's eyes lit up: "I want it!"
Zhao Wenqi cried out from her arms, "Auntie, I want one too!"
"Okay, come on over."
As she spoke, she took Zhao Wenqi's little hand and led the children back to the study.
The map was still laid out on the desk.
During their discussion, He Youyou placed a pen holder in the Wuhuan Kingdom's location, making it particularly eye-catching.
Upon seeing the location of the pen holder, the crown prince immediately understood.
He made the right choice coming this time.
Zhao Wenyi walked to the desk: "Auntie, are you talking about the internal strife of the Wuhuan?"
“Yes, I just talked to Ali about the current situation and future development of the Wuhuan Kingdom,” He Youyou said. “After this internal strife, the Wuhuan Kingdom may be severely weakened for a long time, but Chakchin is an ambitious man. Under his leadership, the Wuhuan will surely rise from the ashes. If it grows stronger in the future, it will be a threat to Da Gan.”
Zhao Wenyi looked up at her and asked, "Auntie, what do you think we should do?"
"We should maintain absolute suppression of the Wuhuan Kingdom."
"Absolute suppression?"
"Yes, we must maintain absolute dominance in all aspects at all times. Military strength, economic strength, as well as diplomacy and culture."
Military strength and economic strength are easy to understand.
Simply put, it means having soldiers and money.
But……
"Aunt, what do you mean by diplomacy and culture? How can we suppress the Wuhuan in these two aspects?" the prince asked first.
He Youyou did not answer his question immediately.
Instead, he turned around and sat down at the tea table next to him, slowly sipping his tea.
He cleared his throat before speaking to Ali, "Ali, you are now an official of the imperial court, and you will frequently face such issues in the future. What do you think is the best way to suppress the Wuhuan through diplomacy and culture?"
Ah Li knew that his mother was testing him again.
However, the previous exams were all about domestic affairs, but this one is about foreign affairs.
“Mother, Wuhuan is not a vassal state of Daqian, so it may not be easy to suppress them diplomatically.”
He Youyou laughed and said, "Ah Li, don't think too narrowly about the future."
Ahri was utterly puzzled.
He Youyou then prompted him again: "Take another look. Besides the Wuhuan, what other neighboring countries are there on the border of Youzhou?"
Ah Li glanced at the map and was startled.
"Mother, I understand what you mean!"
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi, who was listening to their conversation, understood after looking at the map for a while.
Make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible...
Only Zhao Wenqi, pressed against the map, pointed with his little hand: "Auntie, I know! Our neighboring countries include the Northern Desert, the Gaoli, and the Rouran..."
He Youyou smiled and patted his head: "Wenqi is right."
However, political maneuvering is clearly not this child's forte.
He Youyou suddenly had a brilliant idea.
"Wenqi, do you like playing with weapons?"
The next day, He Youyou took Zhao Wenqi to the workshop.
When Steward Xin heard her purpose, he immediately expressed his approval.
From then on, the incubation group had a new subgroup: the weapons group.
As the name suggests, this group mainly studies the improvement of military equipment.
Military equipment includes not only weapons, but also armor and military engineering equipment.
The performance aspects that need improvement include strength, durability, portability, and attack effectiveness.
The second prince, Zhao Wenqi, was happily playing with farm tools and military weapons at his small workbench.
A discussion was also held in the Imperial Study.
As a sixth-rank compiler, Ah Li had little say in court discussions.
However, in private, as the emperor's secretary, he could offer his own suggestions.
With the help of the crown prince, they successfully persuaded the emperor.
The emperor sent a secret edict to Zhao Changqing, the Grand General of Youzhou, by fast horse.
The Crown Prince also sent a secret letter to his fourth uncle, Zhao Changqing, by fast horse.
The secret letter specifically mentioned: This was taught by my aunt.
At night, Emperor Zhao Changheng rested in the Phoenix Palace.
He lay on the bed, embracing the Empress, and began to daydream.
"Your Majesty, you have suffered so much these years with me."
The Empress chuckled and rolled her eyes at him: "Why does Your Majesty say that? I am doing this willingly and I don't find it hard at all. Besides, the grievances and hardships are all given to me by others, and Your Majesty has never treated me poorly."
"The suffering inflicted by outsiders is also caused by me; it is my fault."
"Your Majesty, if you say that again, I'm going to sleep with my daughter. You'll be all alone here."
Zhao Changheng quickly hugged her tightly and wouldn't let go: "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore."
After a moment, he asked again, "Your Majesty, I feel that our Crown Prince has become increasingly capable lately. Do you think that when he grows up, we can go out and play? I'll take you to famous mountains and rivers, to scenic spots and historical sites. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
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