As it turns out, Lin Wanwan's down-to-earth teaching methods were far more effective than Xiao Che's theoretical approach to imperial studies.
After Lin Wanwan's "guidance," Wei Wu, though still unable to grasp the essence of "imperial aura," successfully mastered the three core skills of "expressionless," "indifferent," and "nostril-sweeping."
Xiao Che, half-believing and half-doubting, let him try a mock morning court session (with several eunuchs playing the roles of ministers), and the result was surprisingly good. Wei Wu kept a straight face throughout, and no matter how tearfully the eunuchs "presented their reports," he remained as steady as Mount Tai. In the end, he only let out a few "hmm" sounds of varying lengths from his nostrils, which actually silenced the sharp-tongued eunuchs, making them dare not utter another word.
Looking at this absurd scene, Xiao Che had to admit that, at times, simplicity and directness are indeed more effective than red tape.
The "software" problem has been barely resolved.
So, according to Lin Wanwan's "Skipping Work Plan A", the next problem to solve is the second one - the trusteeship of the government.
He and Lin Wanwan could slip out of the palace to enjoy themselves, but this vast empire needed someone to watch over it. And that person, or rather, that group of people, had to be their most trusted and capable ministers who could stabilize the court.
The night was as deep and still as water.
Inside the imperial study, candlelight shone brightly.
Xiao Che dismissed all his servants, personally ground ink, wrote three secret edicts, stamped them with his private seal, and handed them to his most trusted eunuch, ordering him to secretly invite the current prime minister, the grand tutor, and the commander of the imperial guards who held military power in the capital region to the palace overnight.
These three were his trusted advisors who had followed him through thick and thin, and their loyalty and ability were beyond question.
Just after midnight, three elderly ministers with white hair and beards hurried to the Imperial Study with anxious hearts.
A secret edict issued in the dead of night—this is a matter of utmost importance!
As soon as the three entered the room, they saw the Emperor and Empress sitting upright with solemn expressions. Their hearts skipped a beat, wondering if there was an emergency at the border or if there were rebels causing trouble in the capital.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty!" The three knelt down in unison, their expressions solemn.
"My three beloved ministers, rise and take your seats." Xiao Che's voice was deep and powerful, carrying a sense of impending doom.
The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.
The three senior officials thanked the emperor and took their seats, sitting upright and not daring to breathe loudly, awaiting the emperor's "earth-shattering secret order".
Xiao Che's gaze slowly swept across the faces of the three old ministers. He remained silent for a long time, as if he were brewing something earth-shattering.
Finally, just as the three old ministers were on the verge of tears, he spoke, his voice heavy: “My three beloved ministers, the Empress and I have a matter of utmost importance concerning the foundation of the nation and our very lives that we must discuss with you.”
It's here!
The three veteran ministers were startled and immediately became extremely vigilant.
Xiao Che continued in his heavy tone, "After discussing with the Empress, I have decided... to go on a private visit incognito."
"..."
"..."
"..."
A deathly silence fell over the Imperial Study.
The expressions on the three veteran ministers' faces froze instantly. They stared wide-eyed at the solemn-faced emperor on the dragon throne, momentarily wondering if they had misheard.
Incognito... traveling incognito?
Is this the "major matter concerning the foundation of the nation and the lives of the people" that Your Majesty spoke of?
The first to react was the hot-tempered Commander of the Imperial Guards, who jumped up from his chair, his face filled with disbelief: "Your Majesty! You...you said what? An incognito visit? This...this is absurd!"
Immediately, the elderly Grand Tutor Wang also realized what was happening. His old face flushed crimson, and he shakily rose from his seat, immediately kneeling on the ground with a thud. Tears streaming down his face, he pleaded, "Your Majesty! This is unacceptable! Since ancient times, when a monarch personally goes on an inspection tour, he has always required a grand entourage and guards to ensure absolute safety! Incognito visits are merely fictional tales, extremely dangerous! You are of inestimable worth, the foundation of the nation; how can you risk your life! I beg Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the country and rescind your order!"
Although the Prime Minister was not as agitated as the others, he immediately rose, bowed deeply to the ground, and said with deep sorrow, "Your Majesty is wise! Now that the world is at peace and the people are harmonious, there is no need for Your Majesty to travel incognito. If Your Majesty wishes to know the people's sentiments, a single imperial edict is all it takes, and all the officials in the land will report in detail the voices of the people. Why must Your Majesty personally risk your life? I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"
For a moment, the imperial study was filled with cries and voices of remonstrance. The three loyal old ministers were almost ready to smash their heads against a pillar to prove their loyalty with their lives.
They thought that their young emperor, seeing that the world was at peace, had become playful again and wanted to do something absurd like an "emperor's outing".
Looking at the three old ministers who were on the verge of a heart attack, Xiao Che was not angry at all. Instead, a faint smile flashed in his eyes.
All of this was within his expectations.
Or rather, it was all within Lin Wanwan's "Skipping Work Plan A".
The ease that had been on Xiao Che's face vanished instantly, replaced by a pained expression, one of deep regret yet resignation to the situation.
He slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne and said sternly, "Nonsense? I think you're the ones who're being ridiculous!"
He stood up, walked to the three old ministers, his eyes filled with struggle and helplessness: "Do you think I'm just playing around? Do you think I want to abandon this country and its people to seek pleasure?"
His voice carried a hint of sorrow.
"You only know that the world is peaceful and prosperous now, but you don't know that there are still undercurrents beneath this peace! Have you forgotten that the remnants of the former regent's faction were really wiped out by me?"
"Remnants of the previous dynasty?!"
Upon hearing these four words, the three old ministers' cries and remonstrances abruptly ceased. Shock and horror appeared on their faces.
This...this is a matter of utmost importance that could shake the very foundations of the nation!
Seeing that the time was right, Xiao Che immediately switched to his "Best Actor" mode.
He paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, his "heartbroken" expression becoming increasingly convincing, and his voice lowered, filled with the urgency of a secret operation.
“Indeed!” he said in a deep voice. “According to the secret report, although the Regent is dead, his followers have not been eliminated. There is a force that has broken up into smaller groups and is lurking among the people, colluding with local powerful figures, with ulterior motives! They act secretly and have many followers. If I send people to investigate in a high-profile manner, it will surely alert them and make them flee at the first sign of trouble!”
He turned to look at the three old ministers who were completely intimidated by him, and said in a solemn tone, as if sacrificing himself for the country, "Therefore, after discussing with the Empress, we had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure! Only by personally disguising ourselves as ordinary merchants and going deep behind enemy lines can we remain unnoticed, secretly investigate their strongholds and conspiracies, and wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
"This..." Grand Tutor Wang was completely dumbfounded. He murmured, "...This really happened?"
"This matter concerns the stability of the empire. It is a helpless move on my part, and a responsibility that I, as the emperor, must bear!" Xiao Che's voice was filled with the resolute determination of a warrior cutting off his own arm.
This completely changed the atmosphere in the Imperial Study.
The three senior officials offered no further advice. Their faces grew increasingly worried. Just moments before, they feared the emperor might get into trouble while "playing"; now they feared he might get into trouble while "working"!
Those are remnants of the previous dynasty! They are all ruthless and desperate criminals! For His Majesty and the Empress to personally investigate is... this is even more dangerous than personally leading an army into battle!
The commander of the Imperial Guards was the first to speak up. He knelt on one knee and his voice boomed, "Your Majesty! This matter is extremely dangerous! This humble general is willing to go in Your Majesty's place! I would gladly die for it!"
"Foolish!" Xiao Che immediately rebuked, "You are the commander of the Imperial Guards, you are too conspicuous! The enemy will know as soon as you make a move!"
The Prime Minister, looking equally worried, said, "But Your Majesty, even so, what about your and the Empress's safety...?"
"My mind is made up!" Xiao Che waved his dragon robe, interrupting him decisively. "This matter is known only to the three of you, heaven and earth, and no one else. After I leave the capital, I entrust the court to my three beloved ministers!"
Upon hearing this, the three old ministers understood immediately.
It turns out that His Majesty's secret edict late at night was not for discussion, but for "entrusting the young emperor"... oops, I mean, entrusting state affairs!
Their young emperor, in order to eradicate the malignant tumor of the remnants of the previous dynasty, actually risked his life and personally ventured into the lion's den! What courage! What responsibility!
In that instant, the three veteran ministers felt both moved and ashamed. They had actually thought His Majesty was being ridiculous!
They simply don't understand His Majesty's good intentions!
Having figured this out, the three old ministers no longer hesitated and knelt down in unison. This time, their voices were filled with determination and loyalty, and even carried a hint of heroic sobbing.
"Your Majesty is a man of great virtue and wisdom, sacrificing himself for the country... Bah, working tirelessly for the country! We... could never repay Your Majesty's kindness even if we died ten thousand times!" Grand Tutor Wang wept bitterly. "Your Majesty, rest assured! As long as we remain in the capital, we will swear to defend this Great Liang land to the death! If there is any disturbance in the capital, we will surely come to you with our heads!"
The Prime Minister also kowtowed solemnly: "We will immediately form a 'temporary cabinet,' and all matters will be discussed jointly by the three departments to ensure the stability of the court and to ensure that Your Majesty has no worries while you are away!"
The commander of the Imperial Guards thumped his chest and vowed, "This humble general swears to defend the capital to the death! Not even a fly will be allowed to fly in and cause trouble!"
Looking at the three old ministers before him, who had been so enthusiastically persuaded by him that they were now accepting their orders with tears in their eyes, Xiao Che felt a faint sense of guilt.
But his face still wore that "sorrowful" expression. He stepped forward and personally helped the three old ministers up one by one, patted them heavily on the shoulders, and said in a heavy tone as if entrusting the country to them, "In that case, the country and its people are entrusted to my three beloved ministers!"
After saying this, he turned away so that the old ministers wouldn't see the tears of reluctance in his eyes.
The moment he turned around, he quickly and discreetly winked at Lin Wanwan, who had been sitting quietly to the side, trying hard to suppress her laughter.
Lin Wanwan clearly saw that above his head, in the area that should have been filled with "sorrow" and "resolute" emojis, a cartoon figure was now floating around, triumphantly making a "V" sign, accompanied by two large, glittering characters—
【Done! .gif】
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