Top Scholar

Chapter 477 Magical Power (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Su Lu had lunch at Master Shi's residence, and the Grand Madam even cooked extra dishes for him herself.

How to describe the taste? Luckily, it was just an extra dish...

Even during the meal, Li Dongyang couldn't stop expressing his deep concern for the country and its people:
"The government is already in such a mess, and the people are suffering even more. Spring has just begun, and famine has broken out in various places... Last winter was a severe drought, and the winter wheat harvest was almost completely lost. Now, people in various provinces are displaced and will soon starve to death."

"But Liu Jin, in order to cut expenses, even reduced the relief grain funds, simply issuing a perfunctory 'advise wealthy households to donate grain.' What good is that?" He said, his face regaining the sorrow he had shown at their first meeting.
"What's worse, he used the pretext of building the Leopard House to order eunuchs in various places to intensify their extortion, showing no compassion whatsoever! If this continues, it might incite a popular uprising!"

Su Lu felt a heavy weight in his heart and was speechless for a moment.

"Alright, all Hongzhi heard about this when he came back for dinner. It scared him so much that he's afraid to come again." Madam Zhu stopped Li Dongyang.

"Alright, alright, let's eat." Li Dongyang reluctantly picked up his rice bowl.

~~
After lunch, Su Lu took his leave, and Li Dongyang was also returning to the cabinet. Even a prime minister who dines with his ministers is still a prime minister; stealing half a day of leisure in this busy life is already the limit.

Before parting, he said to Su Lu, "Don't misunderstand, what I said wasn't to encourage you to speak frankly and offer advice... that would be like throwing an egg against a rock. I just wanted you to understand the extent to which Liu Jin's perverse actions have gone."

He looked earnestly at Su Lu: "You just need to keep these things in mind. The most important thing right now is to maintain a good relationship with Zhu Shou and try to subtly influence the Emperor as soon as possible."

As he spoke, Li Dongyang sighed and said, "Alas, we old folks are really useless, we actually have to rely on you, a young junior."

Upon hearing this, Su Lu couldn't help but glance at Li Dongyang. His intuition was correct; besides enduring humiliation, his master was indeed quite the sly one…

Indeed, there are only wrong names, not wrong nicknames. The title of "mere accomplice to the prime minister" is truly fitting for my master.

However, he only grumbled inwardly and didn't lose his respect. His master wasn't acting for his own benefit; what's wrong with being a little bit of a jerk?
Leaving Li Gelao Hutong, Su Lu noticed that the spring atmosphere was getting stronger. He had planned to stroll around Shichahai, but then Zhang Yong hurriedly rode up on horseback to find him.

"Huiyuanlang, come with us quickly, I'm waiting for you," Zhang Gonggong said hurriedly.

"Okay." Su Lu wasn't surprised, but he was surprised that Zhu Shou had made him wait a whole day. He wondered what Zhu Shou was thinking.

"Young Master Zhu hasn't been eating or drinking much these past two days; it seems he's made a very difficult decision." On the way back, Zhang Yong asked softly, "What exactly happened?"

“I’m sorry, Uncle, I can’t say such things lightly.” Su Lu then said seriously, “In short, it will absolutely not be detrimental to you, Uncle.”

"Of course I trust you." Zhang Yong nodded and said in a deep voice, "It's just that Liu Jin has been making quite a few moves lately, and every move he makes is aimed at our family. I have to be on guard."

"What do you mean?" Su Lu asked.

Zhang Yong then recounted the two things Li Dongyang had mentioned, but in Zhang Gonggong's interpretation, they were not directed at the civil officials, but at him.

"He really came up with the idea of ​​making a garrison eunuch the governor," Zhang Yong sighed. "Previously, the eunuchs in each province were just garrison commanders and didn't manage anything. Once they become governor eunuchs, they hold military and political power over the entire province, their power will expand more than tenfold."

“Indeed.” Su Lu nodded.

“If this succeeds, all the chief eunuchs, vying for the governor's position, will be scrambling to curry favor with Liu Jin. My side will be scattering like leaves in the wind!” Zhang Yong said worriedly.

"As for the second point, that's even more certain. I finally managed to bring Gu Dayong over and have the West Depot counterbalance the East Depot, and now he wants to set up another Inner Depot. Isn't this clearly aimed at me?"

"Yes." Su Lu nodded and said, "If there's anything I need to do, please let me know, Uncle."

Zhang Yong was the link between him and Zhu Shou, and he couldn't be killed by Liu Jin.

“Sigh, forget it.” Zhang Yong shook his head and said, “I was the one who warned you not to beg that young master. I can’t cause you any trouble.”

"Uncle, what are you saying? We're bound together for both of us, and we have to consider the bigger picture." Su Lu said seriously, "Tell me which of these two things is most harmful to you, and I'll see if I can help you without asking that young master."

“Alas, naturally the garrison eunuch should be made governor,” Zhang Yong said. “Although the Inner Court will make me uncomfortable, it will not be fatal. On the contrary, it will make my children and grandchildren more united.”

“Alright, I’ll try and see if I can sabotage this for Eunuch Liu.” Su Lu whispered, “But don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“Nephew, please don’t force yourself.” Zhang Yong said gratefully, “Whether it works out or not, your uncle will remember this favor.”

"It's nothing to remember," Su Lu said with a smile.

~~
As soon as Su Lu returned to his own courtyard, he sensed that something was wrong.

Zhu Shou increased his guard, even sending his father and brother to the guild hall. Zhang Yong didn't come in either, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard.

"What's going on here?" Su Lu asked speechlessly, "What do my father and brother have to do with you?" "Because I'm here on behalf of the Emperor to ask you for advice," Zhu Shou said solemnly, "The Emperor is very interested in the blood tax you mentioned the other day, and asked me to ask you if you have any specific strategies?"

“Yes.” Su Lu nodded and said seriously, “But the premise is that the emperor must first be able to control the officials.”

"You clearly said that the prerequisite for the emperor to control all officials is that someone pays a blood tax..."

Zhu Shou said dejectedly, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

“That’s not the case,” Su Lu shook his head and said, “The former is the foundation of the latter, and the latter is the condition for the former. The two are still different.”

"..." Zhu Shou stared straight ahead and said in a muffled voice, "Just tell me what to do."

"It's a long story, but it can't be told in a short time," Su Lu said. "It's a very systematic project."

"Speak! I'm here today to hear it all clearly!" Zhu Shou sat down with an imposing air and said fiercely, "Tell me in detail!"

“Okay.” Su Lu nodded, and after organizing his thoughts, said, “Han Feizi said that the system of governance by the emperor consists of three principles: law, tactics, and power.”

“You’re right, but it’s like telling someone that if they study hard, they might pass the imperial examination like you. The statement is true, but it’s useless.” Zhu Shou was somewhat discouraged upon hearing this.

"That's because others know what to do but not why, while I can tell you clearly how to do it step by step," Su Lu said with a faint smile.

"If you were the emperor, and you were intelligent enough, with a wise person like me to assist you, it wouldn't be difficult to govern your ministers, secure the country, and make it prosperous and powerful."

"Tell me in detail," Zhu Shou said, his interest piqued again. One of the joys of being friends with Su Lu was that one's mood could swing like a swing, going up and down, making it irresistible.

"Those who practiced Confucianism outwardly and Legalism inwardly in previous dynasties either only learned the legal constraints of Shang Yang, or only reiterated the checks and balances of Zizhi, or only pursued the centralized power of Shen Dao. The reason why the results were unsatisfactory was that they focused on one aspect and neglected the other, not realizing that these three complement each other—power is the foundation, tactics are the means, and law is the standard; none can be lacking!" Su Lu then spoke eloquently:

"Of course, everything must be based on reality and within our capabilities. Given the current situation, we absolutely cannot push all three at once; we don't have the strength, understand?"

"Indeed." Zhu Shou nodded honestly.

"Therefore, there must be a sequence, prioritizing the easy over the difficult—first employing tactics, then establishing momentum, and finally enacting laws. The founding emperor is a perfect example. He first used the art of employing and managing subordinates to inspire the nation's talents to serve with their lives, thus enabling the expulsion of the Tartars and the restoration of China, thereby firmly establishing momentum. Only then could he establish laws for posterity, laying the foundation for ten thousand generations, and ultimately achieve success!" Su Lu explained in a deep voice.
"This is because without skill, momentum is hard to maintain; without momentum, law becomes empty words. Only when skill is mastered and momentum is stable can law take root and flourish!"

“That’s well said, at least it sounds reasonable.” Zhu Shou’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward. “Then tell me, how should this ‘art of controlling ministers’ be done?”

"The art of governing ministers can be summarized in four points and sixteen words: trusted informants, clear division of responsibilities, discretionary rewards and punishments, and checks and balances!" Su Lu said slowly and deliberately, "These four points are still arranged from easy to difficult."

"What do you mean by trusted confidants and informants?" Zhu Shou became completely interested.

“The simplest way is to have trusted spies and informants; the emperor must have his own people in the court.” Su Lu then said, “‘His own people’ are the key to all the techniques of controlling ministers, the crucial point for the monarch to put power into practice, and an important support for balance and checks and balances.”

“Yes, yes, that’s heartfelt.” Zhu Shou couldn’t help but say happily, “That’s why the Emperor values ​​eunuchs so much, it’s because they… we are the Emperor’s own people.”

“Eunuchs are usable. Unlike civil officials, all their power comes from the emperor, and they have no descendants. So as long as they are not given military power, they will not threaten the imperial power.” Su Lu had to handle this part with extreme caution to avoid repeating the mistakes of Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and others.

"Good, good, good!" Zhu Shou patted Su Lu's shoulder excitedly and said, "You're really different from them. Your brain isn't in your ass!"

"You need to learn how to compliment people properly..." Su Lu's lips twitched, then he changed the subject:

"Eunuchs can act as the emperor's hand, helping to check and balance the civil officials. However, eunuchs also have serious limitations. First, they are too uneducated, and if we expect them to govern the country, the country will not be far from its demise. Second, they lack courage and are even less knowledgeable about leading troops in battle. Therefore, their role should be that of the emperor's henchmen and eyes and ears, playing a role of deterrence and supervision, rather than allowing them to directly participate in important military and national affairs!"

“What you said makes some sense.” Zhu Shou scratched his head, completely forgetting the role he was playing. “It’s true that no country has ever been governed or fought by eunuchs, but as you said, they are at least trustworthy.”

He sighed and said, "Besides them, who else can the Emperor rely on?"

"Governing a country naturally relies on civil officials, while fighting wars naturally relies on military generals. The emperor must have his own talented people among both civil and military officials!" Su Lu declared in a resounding voice.

"If we don't have our own people, we'll cultivate them. Once we've cultivated them, won't we have them?!"

"But you also said that civil officials are closer to their teachers, and they might even side with their teachers and oppose the emperor!" Zhu Shou said indignantly.

Good grief, we've come full circle again...

P.S. This is a post I'll edit later. Please vote with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)