Xiao Tuan's question, "What should we do?" instantly turned the relaxed atmosphere at the dinner table into a serious one.
The label of "empress interfering in politics" has been a sword hanging over the heads of emperors and empresses since ancient times. It not only concerns the empress's reputation, but also touches the foundation of imperial power. The slightest carelessness can cause turmoil in the court.
After dinner, the three of them moved to the study.
Xiao Tuan respectfully presented the joint memorial, which Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che examined closely, their expressions differing.
"Tuanzi, tell me your opinion first." Lin Wanwan put down the memorial and asked softly, "Also, what do you see in this matter regarding your 'talent'?"
When Xiao Tuan mentioned his "golden touch" in the culinary arts, a wry smile appeared on his face.
He confessed, “Mother, my ability can be used to appease people. For example, last time, I ‘saw’ the Minister of Revenue with crucian carp soup made by his wife floating above his head, so I used that as an excuse to reward him with some tonics, which moved him deeply.”
“But,” he changed the subject, his tone becoming helpless, “these small favors can’t solve the fundamental problem. What I can see is only their deepest, most direct desires. For example, what’s floating above their heads right now isn’t ‘desire for extra meals,’ but rather a uniform ‘desire for a vacation,’ ‘desire to be praised,’ and even ‘desire for Her Majesty the Empress to fall ill…’”
Lin Wanwan: "..."
Xiao Che: "..."
"Your Majesty can grant them leave and praise them, but this kind of 'structural' jealousy caused by being completely outmatched in ability is something even your 'mind-reading' skills can't help with," Xiao Tuan concluded, his face full of frustration.
His abilities lean more towards "healing" than "political maneuvering." Faced with this complex court situation, he felt a sense of unease for the first time.
After listening to his son's analysis, Xiao Che sneered.
He slammed the teacup down on the table, instantly revealing his long-unseen imperial aura. His "artificial voice pack" system switched to "Iron-Blooded Mode," its voice cold and sharp:
"Womanly compassion!"
Xiao Tuan was startled by his father's sudden display of authority.
Xiao Che's gaze was like a knife, piercing his son: "You see them 'longing for a vacation' and think they're tired? You're wrong! They're not afraid of your 'capable' Empress, they're afraid of your 'incompetent' Emperor!"
These words were extremely harsh, causing Xiao Tuan's face to turn pale instantly.
Xiao Che continued mercilessly, "The Empress's strength makes the Emperor appear weak, and that is the real reason they dared to submit this memorial! They say it's 'the Empress interfering in politics,' but what they really think is whether you, the Emperor, have been sidelined by the Empress! If you back down now, you will confirm their suspicions, and in the future, you will have no authority in the court!"
These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Xiao Tuan's head, instantly sobering him up.
He only saw the surface of the problem, while his father saw through it at a glance the core of the struggle between imperial power and ministerial power.
"Then... in Father's opinion, what should be done?" Xiao Tuan humbly asked for advice.
A ruthless glint flashed in Xiao Che's eyes. The solution he offered was full of "domineering imperial tactics".
"This matter cannot be retreated, but must be advanced! And it must be advanced in a grand manner!" he said, emphasizing each word. "Tomorrow, you will announce something in front of the entire court."
"Announce the establishment of a 'Cabinet Senate'!"
"The Cabinet Senate?" Xiao Tuan and Lin Wanwan were both taken aback.
“That’s right!” Xiao Che’s lips curled into a cold smile. “This Senate does not discuss state affairs; it is solely responsible for two matters—the budget of the Royal Academy of Sciences and the accounts of the national treasury!”
He looked at his son, his eyes gleaming with political cunning: "And who will be the head of this Senate? Your 'too capable' Empress will personally 'lead' it!"
This plan is absolutely groundbreaking!
Xiao Che continued, “They say the Empress is ‘interfering in politics’? Well then, I’ll let her ‘interfere in politics by imperial decree’! You issue an imperial edict to transform the Empress’s accounting from her personal ‘talent’ into a part of ‘imperial power’! Give her the title, give her the power, and let her legitimately investigate and calculate! I want to see who dares to gossip and criticize behind her back then!”
"To question the Empress is to question your imperial edict! It's to challenge imperial authority! They wouldn't dare even if they had a hundred lives!"
This is Xiao Che's way of being a ruler—to overcome cleverness with force and crush all conspiracies and tricks with absolute authority!
Xiao Tuan was filled with excitement; he seemed to see a golden road unfolding before him. His father's move, "cutting off the fuel supply," was simply brilliant!
However, Lin Wanwan, who was standing to the side, slowly shook her head after a brief moment of surprise.
“The old way,” she said softly, a hint of disapproval in her voice.
Xiao Che looked at her with dissatisfaction: "What's wrong with this method?"
"That's too much." Lin Wanwan looked at Xiao Tuan and said gently, "Tuanzi, listen to me. Your father's 'Senate' must be established. This is to establish authority and is fundamental. But, you can't let your empress be the only one to 'lead' it."
"Oh?" Xiao Che and Xiao Tuan both showed expressions of curiosity.
Lin Wanwan's eyes gleamed with the wisdom of modern management. She offered a completely different "appeasement" solution.
"Your father's method is 'blocking,' it's about force. It might be effective in the short term, but in the long run, it will only make the court officials more and more aweful, even fearful, of the Empress. Once awe takes hold, estrangement will arise. They will no longer dare to get close to the Empress, let alone argue with her. On the surface, they will be all smiles, but underneath, undercurrents will be surging. This is not the way to govern a country."
She paused, then continued, "A ruler must have both swift and decisive measures and a compassionate heart. He must establish authority, but he must also bestow kindness."
"What does Mother mean?" Xiao Tuan asked.
Lin Wanwan smiled slightly and presented her core plan: "You need to 'invite' those old ministers who led the petition and shouted that they wanted to 'lie down', such as the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Rites, into this Senate and make them their 'deputies'!"
"What?!" This time, even Xiao Che was stunned. "Let them be our deputies? Isn't that like inviting a wolf into the house?"
“No,” Lin Wanwan shook her head, “this is not inviting a wolf into the house, this is called ‘turning an enemy into a friend’.”
She patiently explained, “You made them your deputies, ostensibly to ‘help’ the Queen with the accounting. Think about it, you’ve pulled them from the opposing side to the same camp. How can they possibly object? They’ll only be objecting to themselves.”
"Furthermore, you gave them the title of Deputy Senate Envoy, which is a huge 'face' for them! It makes them feel that they are still the emperor's trusted old ministers, not useless people who are outshone by a young empress. With 'face', they will naturally give you, and your empress, 'substance'."
"At that time, they will not only not become an obstacle, but will become the Queen's best helpers. Because they also have a share in the Senate's achievements! They will even take the initiative to uphold the Queen's authority, because upholding the Queen is upholding their own position. In this way, with one blocking and one guiding, one pulling and one striking, this game will be truly alive."
...
The study was completely silent.
Xiao Tuan stared blankly at his mother, his eyes filled with a profound and enlightening shock.
If his father taught him the "art of the emperor," how to use "power" to control his ministers, then his mother taught him the "way of the king," how to use "benevolence" to unite people's hearts.
One is strong, the other is gentle.
One is domineering, the other is gentle.
At this moment, two completely different philosophies of governance were perfectly integrated.
Xiao Tuan finally realized what was going on.
He stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan, who were seated high above him, his voice filled with heartfelt reverence and gratitude.
"The Emperor's 'majesty' and the Empress's 'favor' are both indispensable. Your son... has learned his lesson!"
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