The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 468 The Emperor’s Mental Technique
Xiyuan.

In a smoke-filled palace, Emperor Zhengqing and the Crown Prince sat on the ground.

"My son, do you know why I didn't reward Zhang Yunyi yesterday?"

"Please give me some advice, Father!"

"I'm leaving the chance of rewarding you!" Emperor Zhengqing shook his head and sighed, "Over the years, I haven't had the time to teach you how to be a king, so I'll talk to you about it today."

"Your son listens to your father's teachings!"

"Although I have not been involved in court affairs in recent years, the court is well organized. It is nothing more than using people and maintaining checks and balances."

Emperor Zhengqing fell into reminiscence: "I was just a vassal king back then, with no foundation in the capital, and the Yizhong thieves were causing chaos. If I didn't have this trick, even if I could still sit on this throne, I would have been sidelined long ago."

"Father, the Emperor has been given the mandate of heaven. How dare those traitors..."

"Ahem!" Emperor Zhengqing coughed twice and sneered, "Don't look at those scholars, who talk about heaven, earth, emperor, parents and teachers all day long, but they always want to sideline us so that they can govern the world according to their ideas.

They rely on us to gain fame and fortune, and we rely on these scholars to govern the world. Since ancient times, the game between the monarch and his subjects has always been the norm. My son, please do not take it lightly!"

"My son, I will obey my father's teachings!"

Emperor Zhengqing shook his head and said, "Supporting noble military generals and opposing civil officials will easily lead to chaos and shake the foundation of the country. Jinyiwei and eunuchs are good choices, but they have limited vision and are prone to attacking dissidents and disrupting the government. I had no choice back then. In order not to be sidelined, I could only go this way!"

Emperor Zhengqing talked for a long time but didn't get to the point.

But the prince knew that he should not keep pretending to be stupid, otherwise the emperor would suspect that he had entrusted his trust to the wrong person.

He thought thoughtfully, "Does Father mean to use Zhang Yunyi to check and balance them?"

"That's right!" Emperor Zhengqing nodded approvingly and said, "The world has been peaceful for a long time, and the reputation of scholars has long been greater than that of military meritorious service. You can see this from the fact that most of the noble families have given up military service and turned to literature.

Zhang Yunyi was not born in the imperial examination system, but he was in the same boat with the civil officials, and he also created a school of immortality. Although it is not yet a major event, as long as we give it a little attention, we will be able to expand the school of immortality..."

At this point, Emperor Zhengqing stroked his long beard and said with a smile, "Do you think those Jiangnan students are really excited? I don't think there is anyone instigating them behind the scenes!"

The prince pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Father, are you talking about the Zhen family?"

“Oh! I’m afraid they don’t have that brain yet!” Emperor Zhengqing sneered, shook his head, and seemed a little puzzled. “I’ve read the memorial Lu Bing sent over. He was indeed targeting Zhang Yunyi at first. He might have thought of taking precautions against Zhang Yunyi before he was fully grown. But, for some reason, he went astray later!”

The crown prince was sweating coldly, and pretended to be calm and said, "If that's the case, why don't you send more people to investigate this matter thoroughly?"

"Forget it!" Emperor Zhengqing looked up at the sky and shook his head, "Maybe this kid has God's help, or maybe I underestimated him. What does it matter? As long as he is used well, it's fine!"

When the crown prince saw the look on Emperor Zhengqing's face, he knew that he had misjudged the idea, and he breathed a sigh of relief: "Father, your majesty is wise, and I have learned your lesson!"

Emperor Zhengqing sneered, "A while ago, I asked the Jinyiwei to secretly instigate a conflict between the immortal school and the Jiangnan students. Now, the seeds have been planted in advance. Zhang Yunyi may not have thought of competing with them, but those scholars will not allow others to interfere with their right to speak. This is a fundamental dispute. It is only a matter of time before the two sides become enemies..."

He paused, grabbed an imperial edict from under the cushion, threw it to the prince, and then stood up and said, "I am just worried that once I abdicate, some people will think that Zhang Yunyi has no one to rely on. It is just right that you reward him today. On the one hand, you can create momentum, and on the other hand, you can also show him favor.

I have already drafted the decree, and you can have someone read it out later."

"Your son will obey your father's order!"

"I have ordered the Ministry of Rites to choose a date. When today's event is over, you will supervise the country and manage the government. When the date comes, I can officially abdicate and rest!"

The father and son talked as they walked out of the hall and, surrounded by a group of guards and palace servants, came to the site where the railroad tracks were laid.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

The ground in front of the Xiyuan railway tracks was filled with people kneeling.

"Long live the Five Emperors!"

"Get up!" Emperor Zhengqing raised his hand and said, "Gu Dashou, has the Ministry of Rites chosen a good day?"

Zhang Yunyi in the crowd suddenly raised his head. Although others didn't know, he understood what this day represented.

Of course, since the emperor ordered Gu Dashou to choose a date, he must be aware of the situation.

"Your Majesty! I have discussed with the Imperial Observatory, and the eighth day of next month is an auspicious date!" "Okay!" Emperor Zhengqing said straight to the point, "I have decided to abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince on the eighth day of next month. From today on, the Crown Prince will be the regent."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a sudden astonishment and a noisy sound.

Emperor Zhengqing frowned slightly, and Zhou Xiangui shouted in a hoarse voice: "Silence!"

"My son! You will be the host and show them the world!"

"My son obeys the order!"

The prince accepted the order without saying anything, but just raised his hands and clapped.

With the sound of a whistle, the train between the ministers and the emperor slowly started.

After the demonstration was over, the prince cleared his throat and said in a loud voice: "You can push ten thousand pounds without the strength of cattle and horses. Now it is shocking the world and making ghosts and gods weep. What else can it be but the method of the immortals? Whoever dares to question the method of the immortals in the future is slandering my father. Even if my father is kind-hearted, this prince will never allow it!"

After these words were spoken, those who had been gloating suddenly looked at each other in bewilderment.

A new emperor appoints new ministers to his own dynasty, not to mention that Zhang Yun逸 was able to rise to the top entirely because of Emperor Zhengqing’s selfish desires.

Although, any discerning person can see that the prince's attitude was most likely instructed by Emperor Zhengqing.

But filial piety is the most important virtue. The prince has made his position public today, and it is unlikely that he will go back on his word in the future.

I thought the conversation would end here, but unexpectedly, the prince took out another imperial edict and handed it to Xia Shouzhong who was standing beside him.

"Where is Zhang Aiqing?"

"Chen is here!"

The prince nodded to Xia Shouzhong, who then read out in a hoarse voice: "In compliance with the will of Heaven, the Regent summons me..."

Hearing this inappropriate imperial edict, Zhang Yunyi couldn't help but feel happy.

It would be fine if his title was raised to the second level. After all, he still had a long life ahead of him. Even if he couldn't be conferred the title of marquis now, it was a matter of time.

The most important thing is that the grade of Taoism was raised, and it was listed as a fourth-grade government office together with the Imperial College.

This is what he values ​​most.

Why did most ancient dynasties always emphasize culture over military power?

It is nothing more than mastering the imperial examination as a channel for promotion.

Only by controlling the promotion channels can you have the right to speak.

It is difficult to gain military merit in order to stabilize the country, so studying becomes the only channel for promotion. This is the fundamental reason why scholars have the right to speak.

During the Han Dynasty, a system of selecting filial and honest officials was implemented, so Han tombs are the most abundant.

During the Three Kingdoms period, this situation immediately changed when Cao Cao implemented the Nine-Rank System. The reason for this is nothing more than this.

If he could gain another channel for promotion besides the imperial examination, his voice would naturally increase.

He thought so, and there were many people below who saw the trick.

The looks they gave him were filled with envy, jealousy and hatred.

Zhang Yunyi took the imperial edict and said, "I thank the emperor and his highness for their grace!"

"My dear minister, you need to work hard and build the railway from Beijing to Tianjin as soon as possible!"

"Yes! I will definitely fulfill my duties!"

"Alright! Get up!"

……

(End of this chapter)