The fat mouse is very angry, the consequences are serious
The second prince was awakened by the noise outside in the middle of the night.
He was so sleepy that he couldn’t open his eyes, yet he sprang up like a carp flipping in the air.
Mo Li watched clearly, thinking that although the second prince didn’t know martial arts, he was quite alert. But then, the second prince tripped over his own feet and fell face-first onto the ground, negating the agility of his initial leap.
That wasn’t the end of it. After falling, the second prince rolled under a wooden couch.
However, the couch was not only small but also too low in height; at best, it could only allow a child to crawl underneath. Lu Min, disregarding the limitations, squeezed himself under it, resulting in the entire couch being lifted by his body. From afar, it looked as if the couch had grown two legs, wobbling and shifting.
Mo Li: “…”
He hadn’t realized the second prince was so faint-hearted before!
At that moment, the sound of a mechanism being activated came from outside.
It was Meng Qi, who was about to speak when he suddenly saw the strangely arching couch with nothing on top and two legs successfully retracted underneath. The Imperial Teacher was somewhat baffled and instinctively looked towards Mo Li by the step-up bed.
Mo Li hadn’t put down the bed’s canopy; he maintained a meditative posture, also appearing quite helpless. Although the secret room had ventilation, it was pitch black without a candle lit, and the second prince couldn’t see anything, unlike the other two.
“What’s wrong with him?” Meng Qi asked, puzzled.
Why would he choose to mimic a tortoise using the couch as armor instead of sleeping on a proper bed or couch?
“…Perhaps he heard the commotion outside?”
Mo Li had woken even earlier than Lu Min, given the noise outside was almost earth-shattering. Considering even those in the secret room were awakened, one can imagine how loud it must have been outside.
Because of Mo Li’s profound internal energy and sharp senses, he knew what was happening outside. But to the second prince’s ears, it might have seemed as if a large group of troops had suddenly arrived, aiming to capture the hidden rebels!
As they spoke, the second prince also became aware that there was no danger around him and hurriedly tried to crawl out from under the couch.
He got stuck.
His hands struggled, and his feet kicked in vain, but he couldn’t pull his back out from under the couch.
Mo Li was both annoyed and amused, restraining himself since a gentleman should not laugh at someone in difficulty. Even if he did laugh, it shouldn’t be in the other’s sight as that would be too rude.
Meng Qi, however, had no such scruples and lifted the couch with one hand.
The second prince was lifted along with it.
Lu Min found himself off the ground unexpectedly, panickedly kicked hard, and finally managed to free himself from the couch, crashing to the floor. He was quick to roll and slowly get up.
The pain on his back was intense, but even hotter was his face. The second prince, his face flushing red, said, “A room for five taels of silver, and it only has such a small, low couch? Can’t even fit a person?”
Meng Qi, amused, asked, “A couch can be used for sitting or lying down, but I’ve never heard it’s meant for crawling into.”
“…”
The second prince was at a loss for words and grumpily went out to light an oil lamp.
Since he couldn’t see anything, he had to fumble along the wall.
Once the oil lamp was lit, Lu Min finally breathed a sigh of relief and carried the lamp back into the room.
“What’s happening outside?” The second prince listened intently to the uproar outside, but the sound was very muffled. He could only catch a few words here and there, not enough to form a complete sentence.
Meng Qi sat on the step of the step-up bed, comfortably leaning against the bed frame, a posture that was quite unbecoming of his status and manners. Yet, coming from him, it conveyed a distinct air of carefree unconventionality.
“They were the privileged sons trapped in the Peony District,” Meng Qi said nonchalantly.
Those people had always been arrogant and overbearing due to their status. If it weren’t for a major incident like a rebellion, they would never have stayed in the Peony District for three days obediently.
Now, as the imperial guards’ vigilance gradually relaxed and the search came to an end, these privileged sons started to become restless.
They were concerned about their influential families and wanted to know what had become of their clans in this rebellion. Their temper tantrums at the imperial guards were a form of probing; if the guards showed no leniency and remained menacing, they would naturally shrink back.
When they haughtily declared their identities, the guards’ response was their answer.
–If their families had fallen, the guards would not consider their status at all.
Now, having tested and found that their families might be safe or had not participated in the rebellion, they gained confidence and began to make noise.
The playhouses and brothels in the Peony District had cellars.
Tea, rice, flour, and wine were plentiful, but vegetables and fruits became a problem.
After enduring three days of drinking tea and eating pastries, the madam had someone bring up cabbage, and that was truly unbearable. The privileged sons led the complaints, and the wealthy young masters joined in the uproar.
This was what Meng Qi had said before: the martial law in the capital could not continue indefinitely.
Especially since Emperor Lu Zhang was severely injured, and the major power temporarily fell into the hands of several key ministers in Wenyuan Pavilion.
These ministers had families and subordinates; now all trapped in their homes, relying on their stored food to survive. A few days might be manageable, but ten days to half a month would definitely not work.
Meng Qi was also extra cautious; he intentionally did not “threaten” those court officials.
The guards and servants of Chang Le Palace all had marks on their necks, but the several key ministers of Wenyuan Pavilion, who had fainted in the side hall, did not.
This shadowless and traceless approach, attacking people without killing the emperor, had started to make the court officials doubt whether this was really a coup.
They couldn’t figure out the intricacies of the palace secrets, but the two prime ministers had already vaguely understood that at least this matter was aimed at the emperor, and the other party did not want the throne. Thus, the court officials were not the ones in danger.
For the emperor’s safety, confining everyone in the capital at home was not something any minister would enjoy.
Moreover, among the court of the Qi dynasty, there were hardly any truly loyal and patriotic individuals. They were motivated by fame and profit, and perhaps a few truly acted for the people. Knowing the whole story, they would all oppose continuing martial law in the capital.
–Can such martial arts experts be caught?
As Meng Qi casually explained these situations one by one and indicated that things would definitely develop as he predicted, Mo Li pondered thoughtfully, while Lu Min’s eyes sparkled.
“First Imperial Brother really didn’t misjudge people,” Lu Min said excitedly.
How could the throne be given away casually? It must be that this former dynasty’s Imperial Teacher had something extraordinary that moved the Crown Prince.
The Second Prince immersed himself in his speculation, unable to help asking, “Master Meng, do you really not want to be emperor? I think you’re quite suitable.”
Meng Qi: “…”
Mo Li: “…”
Such a thing as bestowing a kingdom has never been seen.
Watch closely, this is bestowing a kingdom, not giving away a bushel of rice, and they keep offering it over and over, afraid that others won’t accept it. The older brother offered it, then this brother offered it, and who knows if the rest of the brothers would insist on offering it too.
And what exactly does the Second Prince misunderstand about being emperor? Is being a strategist enough to be an emperor?
Mo Li couldn’t help but ask out loud, resulting in Lu Min confidently saying, “It’s said that the art of emperorship is about balancing the court, applying both kindness and severity, playing the ministers in the palm of one’s hand, making them willingly serve the country.”
Hearing this, Mo Li couldn’t help but lower his eyes and cough lightly.
Meng Qi’s lips curved slightly, as if to mock, yet it seemed like he was reminiscing something.
“Did I… say something wrong?” Lu Min, feeling suddenly goosebumps, asked cautiously.
Mo Li was silent for a moment, then asked, “What if you were one of those manipulated ministers? What would you think?”
“It would depend on whether the emperor is honorable or not. If his actions are excessive, his temperament cruel, not following the laws. I would feel resentful and try to find ways to oppose the emperor. Throughout history, emperors who were adept at manipulating their ministers and clever ministers who set traps for the emperor—it all depends on who is more mentally agile.”
The Second Prince deflated at this point, clearly aware that he wouldn’t be the sharp-minded one.
So, he had no regrets about not becoming the emperor; he just didn’t want the Third or Sixth Prince to be emperor.
Meng Qi looked at the Second Prince and slowly said, “Struggling for power on the court is a common occurrence. The power of the emperor and the Prime Minister, as well as the factions among the ministers, this will never cease. If you wish to be emperor, naturally, you must learn how to use people, how to treat your ministers, which is the so-called art of emperorship. However, the art of emperorship promoted by emperors through the ages, much of it is misleading and self-destructive, just like the power struggle in the court, they always put themselves first, not the people and the state. This ‘self’ does not refer to matters of life and death, family and friends, ideals and aspirations, but to one’s own preferences, thoughts, and interests, which cannot be touched in the slightest. Therefore, a self-disciplined emperor, a group of ministers with principles, can create a golden age with this set, but once it changes hands or their own thoughts change, things will become uncontrollable. This is something I’ve realized after decades in the world, and I’m telling you today, think about it well.”
Lu Min was utterly bewildered.
Though he did not understand, he still made an effort to show a look of admiration.
“Mentor Meng, like my eldest brother, the Crown Prince, truly knows a lot.”
“…”
Is there a sentence that does not bring up the Crown Prince?
What sin has the Crown Prince committed, to have such a father and end up with such a group of dim-witted brothers?
Mo Li rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat headache.
The Second Prince, though he did not understand, had strong curiosity. He respectfully performed a salute, displaying a humble and inquiring attitude, and earnestly asked, “Then according to Mentor Meng, how can one be a good emperor, a good Prime Minister? If someone is not doing well, can I go up and fight them?”
Lu Min sincerely thought this, he wasn’t good at intellectual fights, but he could fight with fists!
Meng Qi’s expression suddenly froze, staring at Lu Min.
Indeed, the dragon’s fist was even more formidable.
“…I’ve heard that in ancient times, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors passed on the throne through abdication, where sages and competent officials could take over the emperor’s position. Since it was possible for sages to become emperors, if someone wasn’t doing well, they should be able to be driven away, right?”
Mo Li and Meng Qi fell into silence at the same time.
The Second Prince’s studies were indeed poor because the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were not “emperors,” they were just “tribal leaders.” At that time, many tribes lived in Huaxia, needing to support each other to survive, and also needing a common leader to deal with the disputes among the tribes, allocate limited resources, and avoid disasters. Thus, the tribal chief was elected, especially prestigious or wise and fair-dealing individuals easily took up that position.
Due to the conflicts and interests between tribes, it was impossible for the position of the chief to continuously appear in the same tribe, nor was it likely to be the child of the previous chief, but rather another capable elder.
So Meng Qi had thought of these but quickly skipped over them, feeling it inappropriate.
The emperors of that time were not emperors, and the court was not a court.
The system of abdication was related to that era, not because the system of ancient times was better, nor because the kings produced by that system were wiser. Because there were far more than just a few people who had been tribal leaders, only these revered individuals were celebrated by later generations, even continuously mythologized, thus becoming the “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors,” and in the books compiled by later generations, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were regarded as emperors for life, never changing until death, with no mention of being driven away.
Lu Min, whose studies were poor and who held no awe for emperors, on the contrary, proposed a path that others would not even think of.
Meng Qi looked at the Second Prince with a different gaze.
“Physician, you might be right.”
Great wisdom as folly, great folly as wisdom, who says fools are useless?
“My teacher once said, even if it’s a commoner who doesn’t know big characters, they might not be incapable of speaking reasonable words, the farmers in the fields might understand the timing of nature better than scholars full of book learning, and even more so reflect on themselves and see through situations.”
The words Mo Li spoke, Lu Min did not understand, but he could roughly guess it was a compliment.
The Second Prince, touching his head, shyly asked, “Then, can I be the one who beats up the emperor and the ministers?”
“No!”
Meng Qi flatly refused, with an expressionless face.
“Why?”
“How do you judge whether an emperor or a minister is good or bad? By listening to others? Could others deceive you? By seeing for yourself? As the saying goes, ‘hearing is false, seeing is believing,’ yet in reality, even what is seen with one’s own eyes might not be the truth.” Meng Qi became enthusiastic, starting to speak incessantly to Lu Min about examples of good governance in the Chu Dynasty turning into grievances.
The Second Prince felt dizzy, only understanding that good deeds were fine, but malicious acts were not, and it was easy for people to misunderstand oneself, immediately filled with righteous indignation, extremely upset.
“How can the people be like this? Does the Chu Dynasty really have no way to deal with them? Can’t they change for a group of people who know right from wrong, who won’t echo others’ opinions?”
“…”
Wake up, if the emperor fails, they can be usurped; if a minister fails, they can be demoted; but where can you change for a new group of people?
The Second Prince said dejectedly, “It seems I won’t be able to beat up the emperor and ministers, I can’t even handle the common people.”
Mo Li, feeling pity, was about to offer some words of comfort, but then he heard the Second Prince say, “No wonder my reputation among the courtiers is bad, Mentor Meng’s reputation is even worse than mine. I originally thought that someone like Mentor Meng should be revered by everyone and remembered in history, but it turns out that it’s the villains who are in charge!”
“Wait, what did you say?” Meng Qi was surprised.
The current ministers of the Qi Dynasty had never seen Meng Qi; they only knew a few lines from the history books. They weren’t Jinyiwei, who had once been terrified by Meng Qi.
“Oh, it’s like this.” The Second Prince earnestly said, “There are particularly many monks and Taoists in Taijing, and every year, there are some who claim to have high virtue and magical abilities wanting to become the Imperial Teacher. This time, that Ancestor Qingwu seems to be planning the same, since I’m asking him to commit regicide, naturally, I need to understand what an Imperial Teacher does, after all, I can’t promise recklessly. So, I looked into it and even asked the Hanlin lecturers and scholars. They said that the Imperial Teacher of the former Xiliang country was a charlatan, and the identity of the Chu Dynasty’s Imperial Teacher was mysterious, with no solid achievements. Although he was a founding contributor, he did not receive the nobility he deserved, later becoming powerless and absolutely a person with an undeserved reputation. So, when Chu Emperor Yuan killed the contributors, he didn’t consider this Imperial Teacher at all, because it was irrelevant.”
Meng Qi’s face darkened, and the Second Prince’s voice got lower and lower, but he still insisted on finishing the last sentence.
“…They also said the Imperial Teacher was a coward who, seeing his colleagues dead, abandoned his office and ran, hence his whereabouts are unknown.”
Lu Min indicated that he really thought the Imperial Teacher was a useless honorary title, which is why he promised it so easily.
On the other side, Meng Qi was furious, and Lu Min was forced to keep retreating by the inner strength emanating from him.
“Who said that, what are the names of those Hanlin who taught you?”
Doctor Mo, seeing the situation turn sour, quickly grabbed him, fearing Meng Qi’s condition might relapse.
“Wait, this is all…”
This is all the Second Prince’s side of the story. Besides, even if it were true, those Hanlin were just biased. They speculated wildly based on their own officialdom theories because the history books did not record it, which is despicable and hateful, but not a crime deserving death.
Lu Min did not outright name those people but instead asked tremblingly, “Mentor Meng… what does an Imperial Teacher do?”
“Steal all their food, leaving only cabbage!”
“…”
“No, martial law is about to be lifted. Then steal all their official robes and hats, plus underwear, outer clothes, and shoes. I want to see how they attend court!”
Mo Li expressionlessly released his hand.
The author has something to say:
Meng Qi has already recovered, so he won’t relapse now. When he really does relapse, he wants to kill people.
Now is a normal state, normal reaction (shut up). Doctor Mo will thoroughly understand the difference between the two through this incident.
And…
The point of anger is not [being undeservedly renowned] but [being a coward], understand the anger of the chubby mouse.
The fat mouse is very angry, the consequences are serious
The second prince was awakened by the noise outside in the middle of the night.
He was so sleepy that he couldn’t open his eyes, yet he sprang up like a carp flipping in the air.
Mo Li watched clearly, thinking that although the second prince didn’t know martial arts, he was quite alert. But then, the second prince tripped over his own feet and fell face-first onto the ground, negating the agility of his initial leap.
That wasn’t the end of it. After falling, the second prince rolled under a wooden couch.
However, the couch was not only small but also too low in height; at best, it could only allow a child to crawl underneath. Lu Min, disregarding the limitations, squeezed himself under it, resulting in the entire couch being lifted by his body. From afar, it looked as if the couch had grown two legs, wobbling and shifting.
Mo Li: “…”
He hadn’t realized the second prince was so faint-hearted before!
At that moment, the sound of a mechanism being activated came from outside.
It was Meng Qi, who was about to speak when he suddenly saw the strangely arching couch with nothing on top and two legs successfully retracted underneath. The Imperial Teacher was somewhat baffled and instinctively looked towards Mo Li by the step-up bed.
Mo Li hadn’t put down the bed’s canopy; he maintained a meditative posture, also appearing quite helpless. Although the secret room had ventilation, it was pitch black without a candle lit, and the second prince couldn’t see anything, unlike the other two.
“What’s wrong with him?” Meng Qi asked, puzzled.
Why would he choose to mimic a tortoise using the couch as armor instead of sleeping on a proper bed or couch?
“…Perhaps he heard the commotion outside?”
Mo Li had woken even earlier than Lu Min, given the noise outside was almost earth-shattering. Considering even those in the secret room were awakened, one can imagine how loud it must have been outside.
Because of Mo Li’s profound internal energy and sharp senses, he knew what was happening outside. But to the second prince’s ears, it might have seemed as if a large group of troops had suddenly arrived, aiming to capture the hidden rebels!
As they spoke, the second prince also became aware that there was no danger around him and hurriedly tried to crawl out from under the couch.
He got stuck.
His hands struggled, and his feet kicked in vain, but he couldn’t pull his back out from under the couch.
Mo Li was both annoyed and amused, restraining himself since a gentleman should not laugh at someone in difficulty. Even if he did laugh, it shouldn’t be in the other’s sight as that would be too rude.
Meng Qi, however, had no such scruples and lifted the couch with one hand.
The second prince was lifted along with it.
Lu Min found himself off the ground unexpectedly, panickedly kicked hard, and finally managed to free himself from the couch, crashing to the floor. He was quick to roll and slowly get up.
The pain on his back was intense, but even hotter was his face. The second prince, his face flushing red, said, “A room for five taels of silver, and it only has such a small, low couch? Can’t even fit a person?”
Meng Qi, amused, asked, “A couch can be used for sitting or lying down, but I’ve never heard it’s meant for crawling into.”
“…”
The second prince was at a loss for words and grumpily went out to light an oil lamp.
Since he couldn’t see anything, he had to fumble along the wall.
Once the oil lamp was lit, Lu Min finally breathed a sigh of relief and carried the lamp back into the room.
“What’s happening outside?” The second prince listened intently to the uproar outside, but the sound was very muffled. He could only catch a few words here and there, not enough to form a complete sentence.
Meng Qi sat on the step of the step-up bed, comfortably leaning against the bed frame, a posture that was quite unbecoming of his status and manners. Yet, coming from him, it conveyed a distinct air of carefree unconventionality.
“They were the privileged sons trapped in the Peony District,” Meng Qi said nonchalantly.
Those people had always been arrogant and overbearing due to their status. If it weren’t for a major incident like a rebellion, they would never have stayed in the Peony District for three days obediently.
Now, as the imperial guards’ vigilance gradually relaxed and the search came to an end, these privileged sons started to become restless.
They were concerned about their influential families and wanted to know what had become of their clans in this rebellion. Their temper tantrums at the imperial guards were a form of probing; if the guards showed no leniency and remained menacing, they would naturally shrink back.
When they haughtily declared their identities, the guards’ response was their answer.
–If their families had fallen, the guards would not consider their status at all.
Now, having tested and found that their families might be safe or had not participated in the rebellion, they gained confidence and began to make noise.
The playhouses and brothels in the Peony District had cellars.
Tea, rice, flour, and wine were plentiful, but vegetables and fruits became a problem.
After enduring three days of drinking tea and eating pastries, the madam had someone bring up cabbage, and that was truly unbearable. The privileged sons led the complaints, and the wealthy young masters joined in the uproar.
This was what Meng Qi had said before: the martial law in the capital could not continue indefinitely.
Especially since Emperor Lu Zhang was severely injured, and the major power temporarily fell into the hands of several key ministers in Wenyuan Pavilion.
These ministers had families and subordinates; now all trapped in their homes, relying on their stored food to survive. A few days might be manageable, but ten days to half a month would definitely not work.
Meng Qi was also extra cautious; he intentionally did not “threaten” those court officials.
The guards and servants of Chang Le Palace all had marks on their necks, but the several key ministers of Wenyuan Pavilion, who had fainted in the side hall, did not.
This shadowless and traceless approach, attacking people without killing the emperor, had started to make the court officials doubt whether this was really a coup.
They couldn’t figure out the intricacies of the palace secrets, but the two prime ministers had already vaguely understood that at least this matter was aimed at the emperor, and the other party did not want the throne. Thus, the court officials were not the ones in danger.
For the emperor’s safety, confining everyone in the capital at home was not something any minister would enjoy.
Moreover, among the court of the Qi dynasty, there were hardly any truly loyal and patriotic individuals. They were motivated by fame and profit, and perhaps a few truly acted for the people. Knowing the whole story, they would all oppose continuing martial law in the capital.
–Can such martial arts experts be caught?
As Meng Qi casually explained these situations one by one and indicated that things would definitely develop as he predicted, Mo Li pondered thoughtfully, while Lu Min’s eyes sparkled.
“First Imperial Brother really didn’t misjudge people,” Lu Min said excitedly.
How could the throne be given away casually? It must be that this former dynasty’s Imperial Teacher had something extraordinary that moved the Crown Prince.
The Second Prince immersed himself in his speculation, unable to help asking, “Master Meng, do you really not want to be emperor? I think you’re quite suitable.”
Meng Qi: “…”
Mo Li: “…”
Such a thing as bestowing a kingdom has never been seen.
Watch closely, this is bestowing a kingdom, not giving away a bushel of rice, and they keep offering it over and over, afraid that others won’t accept it. The older brother offered it, then this brother offered it, and who knows if the rest of the brothers would insist on offering it too.
And what exactly does the Second Prince misunderstand about being emperor? Is being a strategist enough to be an emperor?
Mo Li couldn’t help but ask out loud, resulting in Lu Min confidently saying, “It’s said that the art of emperorship is about balancing the court, applying both kindness and severity, playing the ministers in the palm of one’s hand, making them willingly serve the country.”
Hearing this, Mo Li couldn’t help but lower his eyes and cough lightly.
Meng Qi’s lips curved slightly, as if to mock, yet it seemed like he was reminiscing something.
“Did I… say something wrong?” Lu Min, feeling suddenly goosebumps, asked cautiously.
Mo Li was silent for a moment, then asked, “What if you were one of those manipulated ministers? What would you think?”
“It would depend on whether the emperor is honorable or not. If his actions are excessive, his temperament cruel, not following the laws. I would feel resentful and try to find ways to oppose the emperor. Throughout history, emperors who were adept at manipulating their ministers and clever ministers who set traps for the emperor—it all depends on who is more mentally agile.”
The Second Prince deflated at this point, clearly aware that he wouldn’t be the sharp-minded one.
So, he had no regrets about not becoming the emperor; he just didn’t want the Third or Sixth Prince to be emperor.
Meng Qi looked at the Second Prince and slowly said, “Struggling for power on the court is a common occurrence. The power of the emperor and the Prime Minister, as well as the factions among the ministers, this will never cease. If you wish to be emperor, naturally, you must learn how to use people, how to treat your ministers, which is the so-called art of emperorship. However, the art of emperorship promoted by emperors through the ages, much of it is misleading and self-destructive, just like the power struggle in the court, they always put themselves first, not the people and the state. This ‘self’ does not refer to matters of life and death, family and friends, ideals and aspirations, but to one’s own preferences, thoughts, and interests, which cannot be touched in the slightest. Therefore, a self-disciplined emperor, a group of ministers with principles, can create a golden age with this set, but once it changes hands or their own thoughts change, things will become uncontrollable. This is something I’ve realized after decades in the world, and I’m telling you today, think about it well.”
Lu Min was utterly bewildered.
Though he did not understand, he still made an effort to show a look of admiration.
“Mentor Meng, like my eldest brother, the Crown Prince, truly knows a lot.”
“…”
Is there a sentence that does not bring up the Crown Prince?
What sin has the Crown Prince committed, to have such a father and end up with such a group of dim-witted brothers?
Mo Li rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat headache.
The Second Prince, though he did not understand, had strong curiosity. He respectfully performed a salute, displaying a humble and inquiring attitude, and earnestly asked, “Then according to Mentor Meng, how can one be a good emperor, a good Prime Minister? If someone is not doing well, can I go up and fight them?”
Lu Min sincerely thought this, he wasn’t good at intellectual fights, but he could fight with fists!
Meng Qi’s expression suddenly froze, staring at Lu Min.
Indeed, the dragon’s fist was even more formidable.
“…I’ve heard that in ancient times, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors passed on the throne through abdication, where sages and competent officials could take over the emperor’s position. Since it was possible for sages to become emperors, if someone wasn’t doing well, they should be able to be driven away, right?”
Mo Li and Meng Qi fell into silence at the same time.
The Second Prince’s studies were indeed poor because the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were not “emperors,” they were just “tribal leaders.” At that time, many tribes lived in Huaxia, needing to support each other to survive, and also needing a common leader to deal with the disputes among the tribes, allocate limited resources, and avoid disasters. Thus, the tribal chief was elected, especially prestigious or wise and fair-dealing individuals easily took up that position.
Due to the conflicts and interests between tribes, it was impossible for the position of the chief to continuously appear in the same tribe, nor was it likely to be the child of the previous chief, but rather another capable elder.
So Meng Qi had thought of these but quickly skipped over them, feeling it inappropriate.
The emperors of that time were not emperors, and the court was not a court.
The system of abdication was related to that era, not because the system of ancient times was better, nor because the kings produced by that system were wiser. Because there were far more than just a few people who had been tribal leaders, only these revered individuals were celebrated by later generations, even continuously mythologized, thus becoming the “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors,” and in the books compiled by later generations, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were regarded as emperors for life, never changing until death, with no mention of being driven away.
Lu Min, whose studies were poor and who held no awe for emperors, on the contrary, proposed a path that others would not even think of.
Meng Qi looked at the Second Prince with a different gaze.
“Physician, you might be right.”
Great wisdom as folly, great folly as wisdom, who says fools are useless?
“My teacher once said, even if it’s a commoner who doesn’t know big characters, they might not be incapable of speaking reasonable words, the farmers in the fields might understand the timing of nature better than scholars full of book learning, and even more so reflect on themselves and see through situations.”
The words Mo Li spoke, Lu Min did not understand, but he could roughly guess it was a compliment.
The Second Prince, touching his head, shyly asked, “Then, can I be the one who beats up the emperor and the ministers?”
“No!”
Meng Qi flatly refused, with an expressionless face.
“Why?”
“How do you judge whether an emperor or a minister is good or bad? By listening to others? Could others deceive you? By seeing for yourself? As the saying goes, ‘hearing is false, seeing is believing,’ yet in reality, even what is seen with one’s own eyes might not be the truth.” Meng Qi became enthusiastic, starting to speak incessantly to Lu Min about examples of good governance in the Chu Dynasty turning into grievances.
The Second Prince felt dizzy, only understanding that good deeds were fine, but malicious acts were not, and it was easy for people to misunderstand oneself, immediately filled with righteous indignation, extremely upset.
“How can the people be like this? Does the Chu Dynasty really have no way to deal with them? Can’t they change for a group of people who know right from wrong, who won’t echo others’ opinions?”
“…”
Wake up, if the emperor fails, they can be usurped; if a minister fails, they can be demoted; but where can you change for a new group of people?
The Second Prince said dejectedly, “It seems I won’t be able to beat up the emperor and ministers, I can’t even handle the common people.”
Mo Li, feeling pity, was about to offer some words of comfort, but then he heard the Second Prince say, “No wonder my reputation among the courtiers is bad, Mentor Meng’s reputation is even worse than mine. I originally thought that someone like Mentor Meng should be revered by everyone and remembered in history, but it turns out that it’s the villains who are in charge!”
“Wait, what did you say?” Meng Qi was surprised.
The current ministers of the Qi Dynasty had never seen Meng Qi; they only knew a few lines from the history books. They weren’t Jinyiwei, who had once been terrified by Meng Qi.
“Oh, it’s like this.” The Second Prince earnestly said, “There are particularly many monks and Taoists in Taijing, and every year, there are some who claim to have high virtue and magical abilities wanting to become the Imperial Teacher. This time, that Ancestor Qingwu seems to be planning the same, since I’m asking him to commit regicide, naturally, I need to understand what an Imperial Teacher does, after all, I can’t promise recklessly. So, I looked into it and even asked the Hanlin lecturers and scholars. They said that the Imperial Teacher of the former Xiliang country was a charlatan, and the identity of the Chu Dynasty’s Imperial Teacher was mysterious, with no solid achievements. Although he was a founding contributor, he did not receive the nobility he deserved, later becoming powerless and absolutely a person with an undeserved reputation. So, when Chu Emperor Yuan killed the contributors, he didn’t consider this Imperial Teacher at all, because it was irrelevant.”
Meng Qi’s face darkened, and the Second Prince’s voice got lower and lower, but he still insisted on finishing the last sentence.
“…They also said the Imperial Teacher was a coward who, seeing his colleagues dead, abandoned his office and ran, hence his whereabouts are unknown.”
Lu Min indicated that he really thought the Imperial Teacher was a useless honorary title, which is why he promised it so easily.
On the other side, Meng Qi was furious, and Lu Min was forced to keep retreating by the inner strength emanating from him.
“Who said that, what are the names of those Hanlin who taught you?”
Doctor Mo, seeing the situation turn sour, quickly grabbed him, fearing Meng Qi’s condition might relapse.
“Wait, this is all…”
This is all the Second Prince’s side of the story. Besides, even if it were true, those Hanlin were just biased. They speculated wildly based on their own officialdom theories because the history books did not record it, which is despicable and hateful, but not a crime deserving death.
Lu Min did not outright name those people but instead asked tremblingly, “Mentor Meng… what does an Imperial Teacher do?”
“Steal all their food, leaving only cabbage!”
“…”
“No, martial law is about to be lifted. Then steal all their official robes and hats, plus underwear, outer clothes, and shoes. I want to see how they attend court!”
Mo Li expressionlessly released his hand.
The author has something to say:
Meng Qi has already recovered, so he won’t relapse now. When he really does relapse, he wants to kill people.
Now is a normal state, normal reaction (shut up). Doctor Mo will thoroughly understand the difference between the two through this incident.
And…
The point of anger is not [being undeservedly renowned] but [being a coward], understand the anger of the chubby mouse.
