Chapter 10, The Overall Situation

Your Highness has been taught by esteemed individuals since childhood, and possesses extraordinary talent. It is truly inappropriate for someone as humble as I to serve as your instructor. His Majesty previously instructed that if we are unable to fulfill the role of teacher, then only the esteemed Lord Taizong should instruct Your Highness in the ways of etiquette and propriety, while other matters should be comprehended by Your Highness independently at the library. It appears that our knowledge is indeed superficial, and we are still unprepared to take on the role of a teacher. Having said this, I gestured to the other two seated with me, clearly indicating that they should rise and take their leave. It appears that our knowledge is indeed superficial, and we are still unprepared to take on the role of a teacher. Having said this, I gestured to the other two seated with me, clearly indicating that they should rise and take their leave

How can such pedantic individuals be called wise and virtuous? Lian Junru could hardly conceal his astonishment, and his gaze towards Grand Tutor Zhang Qian was tinged with a hint of doubt. The principle of the victors and the vanquished is a fundamental truth of the world; where then does the notion of true ambition and the relationship between ruler and subject come from? Although he had not concerned himself with worldly affairs in his previous life, he at least understood this principle: the relationship between ruler and subject is fundamentally about checks and balances. If one day the ruler can no longer control his subordinates or balance the various powers within the court, it would almost certainly herald the demise of the nation. If the Central Plains have indeed been weakened for hundreds of years, then their survival to this day is the result of the mutual checks and balances among the four feudal lords; otherwise, with the combined strength of the four nations, uprooting the Central Plains would not be difficult. Reflecting on this, a faint cold smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, and he found himself losing the respect that was once taken for granted towards these so-called wise and virtuous individuals.

Wu Xingyi indeed kept his promise, and three days later sent someone to retrieve the treasured box of the Lian couple. Given his current situation, Lian Jun did not wish to examine its contents, nor did he want to mention the so-called betrothal by finger that he had been subjected to. Therefore, he only needed someone to deliver the items to his parents. Although he had only been in the palace for ten days, his mindset had gradually adjusted. In the current circumstances, even if he could truly leave this place, he would still be unable to escape the hunting and tracking of the Four Kingdoms. Thus, rather than feigning compliance with Wu Xingyi and risking his life, it would be better to find a genuine way to survive. It should be noted that there is only a mere month left until the day the Four Kingdoms send their notification for the pilgrimage.

After reciting this passage in a deep tone, he sadly shook his head: "Forgive me for my presumption, but the situation of a weak ruler and strong subjects has been rooted since the time of the first emperor. At that time, in order to ensure lasting peace in the realm, the emperor divided the land and conferred fiefs, splitting the entire territory into many parts, among which the four states of Yan, Xia, Shang, and Zhou were the largest, granted to the four most meritorious ministers, while he himself resided in the fertile land of Zhongzhou. Subsequently, the first emperor established a rule that every time the feudal lords came to pay their respects, the emperor must first reward them with land. Over time, the power of the various states grew, and the four states annexed the territories of other nations. Even later, even if the feudal lords wished to maintain the status quo, there would always be petty individuals within the states inciting trouble. Once the ruler's heart was swayed, war became inevitable. Zhongzhou, located in the heart of the divine land, must rely on the feudal lords of the four states to fend off the barbarian tribes in order to remain safe and sound. Over time, military preparedness and martial affairs became increasingly difficult to match with those of the various states.

Lian Junru could not help but chuckle upon hearing this. He had often listened to tales of emperors executing their loyal ministers, yet he had never considered that there were those who would act contrary to this, brazenly dividing land and bestowing titles. This was clearly a path to national ruin. However, based on his experiences in this place, whether it be the emperor or the feudal lords, the emphasis was always on the principles of kinship. Thus, when discussing the familial ties of the powerful, one could often trace them back several generations. This kinship-based system, while capable of ensuring temporary peace, may not guarantee that the lords would remain steadfast as a shield for the emperor after generations of bloodlines have thinned.

He spoke of his thoughts while casting glances at others. When he inadvertently caught sight of Kong Yi standing on the other side, his heart stirred. Kong Yi stood there in a daze, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, and his expression was exceedingly strange. Only when he realized that Lian Junru was looking at him did he immediately lower his head. Although Lian Junru felt somewhat puzzled, he did not wish to dwell on it too much at that moment. He noticed Kong Yi standing there in a daze, his eyes flashing with complex emotions, and his expression was exceedingly strange. Only when he realized that Lian Junru was looking at him did he immediately lower his head. Although Lian Junru felt somewhat puzzled, he did not wish to dwell on it too much at that moment, so he self-deprecatingly turned to the Grand Tutor and others, saying: "I am merely showing off my skills in front of experts; you may have heard it and that is enough. I grew up in the mountains and fields, and my teacher in literary studies was a somewhat radical recluse, which inevitably led to some biases regarding the larger picture. Grand Tutor, please continue; I am all ears." I grew up in the mountains and fields, and my teacher in literary studies was a somewhat radical recluse, which inevitably led to some biases regarding the larger picture. Grand Tutor, please continue; I am all ears.

The Grand Tutor Zhang Qian, seeing Wen Xin kneeling on the ground and still chattering incessantly, could not help but feel greatly embarrassed. As the Grand Tutor, he not only had the duty of assisting the emperor but was also the leader of the scholars and literati of the Central Plains. The three wise men were all nominated by him, so how could he have anticipated that this person would be so foolish? Initially, when Wen Xin openly criticized him, he felt a surge of anger but still wanted to take the opportunity to cover up the past. However, upon noticing the unusual gaze of Lian Junru, he immediately felt a chill in his heart and quickly shouted, "Wen Xin, right and wrong will be judged by His Highness himself; how dare you roar before the throne? Someone, take him down for a thorough reflection!" Initially, when Wen Xin openly criticized him, he felt a surge of anger but still wanted to take the opportunity to cover up the past. However, upon noticing the unusual gaze of Lian Junru, he immediately felt a chill in his heart and quickly shouted, "Wen Xin, right and wrong will be judged by His Highness himself; how dare you roar before the throne? Someone, take him down for a thorough reflection!"

The two "wise men" realized that they had offended due to their previous remarks and, sensing the prevailing atmosphere, quickly rose to bow and said: "What the Grand Tutor has said is absolutely correct. His Highness is no ordinary person; how can our flickering light compete with the brilliance of the sun and moon? Furthermore, we are already old and frail. After His Highness comprehends the knowledge in the library on his own, he will surpass us a hundredfold."

The Grand Tutor Zhang Qian nodded slightly, his expression suddenly turning extremely grave: "Although the four nations have annexed other feudal states and maintained a tripartite balance for hundreds of years, they have always regarded the Central Plains as the legitimate authority and dared not defy it. By the time of the twenty-seventh generation of the Flame Marquis, he harbored dissatisfaction with the prevailing situation of a weak ruler and strong ministers, desiring to replace them. The Flame Marquis secretly devoted himself to governance for twenty years, leading to a flourishing national strength, with the people submitting to the royal way, all proclaiming that the Flame Marquis could be the Son of Heaven. Subsequently, the Flame Marquis commanded his subordinates to launch a full-scale attack on the imperial capital, and it seemed that victory was within reach. However, at that time, the Envoy of Respect arrived unexpectedly, summoning the royal army's eight divisions to engage in battle using the art of soul assignment, and employing divine birds as support, resulting in a great defeat for the Flame Marquis. The other three feudal lords, driven by their own interests, stood by as spectators before the battle, and after the defeat, they feared the might of the Envoy of Respect, sending envoys with humble words to express their gratitude and pleading for leniency on behalf of the Flame Marquis. Thus, there were two hundred years without warfare.

Zhang Qian breathed a sigh of relief only after seeing the main gate close once more. He then stood up to apologize to the prince, saying, "Your Highness, Wen Xin has always been somewhat pedantic, and I did not expect him to be so oblivious to the larger situation." He cast a warning glance at the other two, feeling a deep sense of concern in his heart. Although Zhongzhou is not lacking in virtuous and talented individuals, they are often recruited by the lords of the four nations, forgetting their own roots. This time, the selection was indeed quite strict, yet he overlooked the fact that most of those remaining in Zhongzhou are utterly corrupt and unfit for use.

Before Lian Junru could speak, two attendants standing behind Zhang Qian and the other three stepped forward hastily. After bowing deeply, they swiftly seized Wen Xin, one on the left and one on the right. Wen Xin had been passionately expounding on the emperor's principles of governance and had never anticipated such treatment. He still wanted to shout something, but one of the attendants pressed a pressure point on his throat, leaving him only able to glare with wide eyes as he was taken away. Wen Xin had been passionately expounding on the emperor's principles of governance and had never anticipated such treatment. He still wanted to shout something, but one of the attendants pressed a pressure point on his throat, leaving him only able to glare with wide eyes as he was taken away.

The Grand Tutor Zhang Qian could no longer conceal his astonishment, and he rose to perform a deep bow, saying: "Your Highness, your words strike at the heart of the issue, clearly demonstrating the wisdom of that reclusive individual." He glanced awkwardly at the other two esteemed scholars from Zhongzhou, and in that moment, he made up his mind. In such circumstances, it is better to hide one's shortcomings than to expose them; rather than allowing these two to lose face in front of Lian Jun, it would be better to let His Highness go to the library and contemplate the matter himself.

Lian Junru knew that the other party was filled with trepidation; however, since the words were first spoken by the Grand Tutor Zhang Qian, he found it difficult to refuse. Through the tests of yesterday and today, he had come to understand the true nature of the so-called virtuous and capable individuals within the Central Plains, which left him increasingly disappointed. He merely responded with a nod and agreed to the formalities. For him, knowledge might be merely adequate, but the principles of etiquette had been taught to him since childhood and were of utmost importance, with only slight variations. After two days of deliberation, he was able to draw parallels and had grasped the general principles of etiquette and decorum without any confusion, which astonished his instructor, Taizong Anming. However, for him, knowledge might be merely adequate, but the principles of etiquette had been taught to him since childhood and were of utmost importance, with only slight variations. After two days of deliberation, he was able to draw parallels and had grasped the general principles of etiquette and decorum without any confusion, which astonished his instructor, Taizong Anming.

Lian Junru shook his head slightly and said, "There is no need for the Grand Tutor to take it to heart. Since ancient times, there have been many who fail to recognize the larger picture of the world. I simply did not expect that this person would be so capable." He slowly rose from his seat and, seemingly deep in thought, continued, "Although I have grown up in the mountains and fields, I have heard my master speak of the principle of 'power.' Even though Your Majesty is the sovereign of the world and holds the central authority, if you could truly command the lords of the four nations with legitimacy, there would be no need for my presence in this world. The four nations, possessing thousands of miles of territory, will naturally not be willing to be subordinate to others. Even if Your Majesty's rule is exemplary, without sufficient 'power' to subdue the lords, it would merely be empty talk."

However, before he could pose his question, an elderly man beside Grand Tutor Zhang Qian suddenly became furious and loudly retorted: "What the Grand Tutor has said is utterly erroneous. Our first emperor was benevolent and kind-hearted, and his act of dividing the land among his descendants was intended for their eternal peace. The lords of the four nations, being subjects, should adhere to the principles of loyalty and filial piety. How can they resort to violence simply because their sovereign has grown weak? This is truly the result of a wolf's ambition, repaying kindness with enmity!" As he spoke more passionately, he became increasingly agitated, and, rising from his seat, he walked directly to Lian Junru, kneeling on both knees and saying, "Your Highness, since you assist His Majesty, you must punish such rebellious acts that defy the royal way!"