Chapter 522
With a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, she said to Emperor Mingxi, “The rain that has fallen across Dayan this time was mostly transferred from the skies above the few cities in Southern Yue that our army recently conquered. It certainly took me quite a bit of effort.”
“Fuguang, you’ve worked hard. Will you be able to rest at home for a few days this time?” Emperor Mingxi took a glass of juice from the tray Qian Gui was holding behind him and handed it to her.
“According to the memorials sent in from all over the empire, Dayan’s drought has been greatly alleviated. Fuguang should take a good rest.”
“That’s right, Grand Preceptor. Not only has this year’s summer harvest escaped the effects of the drought, but thanks to your efforts, it is expected to increase by more than thirty percent.” Wang Shouchen, Minister of Agriculture, was brimming with excitement. The old man’s face had gone red, though no one could tell whether it was from excitement or the heat.
War was ultimately a battle of logistics. After two years of careful development, Dayan had finally built up some reserves, which was why they had dared to launch an attack on Southern Yue.
Their confidence and strength had both come from Yue Fuguang. With money, grain, and Yue Fuguang on their side, Dayan’s emperor and ministers would not be afraid even if Northern Li and Xiqiang joined forces to attack them.
Yue Fuguang smiled lightly. “I can stay for seven or eight days this time. Dayan is doing fine for now and is basically not short of water. However, we can’t neglect the newly conquered territories. Otherwise, the people’s loyalty will crumble, and it will make things difficult for Your Majesty to govern.”
She had moved the rain clouds away from the skies above the cities of Southern Yue, but given the current conditions, it would take less than ten days for more rain to gather there. Even if she did nothing, the heavy rains would continue to fall.
Upon hearing Yue Fuguang’s words, tears immediately welled up in Emperor Mingxi’s eyes. If he had not still been concerned with preserving the dignity of an emperor, he would have burst into tears on the spot.
“Fuguang, you have considered both me and Dayan in every way, yet I have nothing with which to repay you!”
The others nodded as well. “We are ashamed that we cannot share His Majesty’s burdens as the Grand Preceptor does!”
“Your Majesty and all the ministers are too kind.” She turned to Emperor Mingxi. “Your Majesty needn’t think about how to repay me. Govern the realm well and do not mistreat the people. That would be the best repayment you could give me.”
After all, this affected the evaluation of her final mission rank. Whether the realm was governed well or poorly made a considerable difference, most directly reflected in the points she would receive.
System: This is such a touching moment, and you’re being so practical!
Yue Fuguang: If you’re not practical, then give me all your points!
System: Never mind. Forget I said anything!
Emperor Mingxi nodded solemnly. “Fuguang, rest assured. I know deeply that the people are the foundation of a state, and when the foundation is firm, the state will be peaceful. I shall inherit and protect this realm, and I swear to practice benevolent governance with a benevolent heart.
“Whenever an imperial decree is issued, I shall ensure that it brings tangible benefits to both officials and commoners. Should I betray these words, let Heaven and Earth bear witness to the responsibilities of a ruler!”
Yue Fuguang nodded, then looked past Emperor Mingxi at the Crown Prince. “You are the heir to the throne, so you must also remember what His Majesty has said today.
“The ruler is a boat, and the common people are water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.”
“Yes, Aunt Fuguang. I, Zhiyan, will remember both your words and Father’s and will never dare forget them!” Upon hearing this, Xie Zhiyan was deeply shaken. By identifying him as the heir to the throne in such a public setting, Yue Fuguang had effectively placed an armor-like layer of protection around him.
Even his father could no longer shake his position as Crown Prince. He was now unquestionably the next emperor. Not even his fifth brother’s marriage to a daughter of the Yu family could threaten him in the slightest.
He was also stunned by those words: “The ruler is a boat, and the common people are water. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.” This was the first time he had ever heard someone explain the relationship between ruler and people so thoroughly in just two short sentences.
Xie Zhiyan was not the only one. Emperor Mingxi and all the ministers were equally shocked, and their feelings were even more pronounced.
For a long time, everyone had suspected that although the Grand Preceptor had presented them with many books, some of those books revealed traces of a literary tradition she had never mentioned.
They had no idea why the Grand Preceptor had never shown any intention of revealing it. Could it be that they still had not done well enough?
Yue Fuguang had no idea what they were thinking. Once their shock had passed, her gaze returned to the flying carriage.
Some people’s eyes were practically glued to it, as though they wanted to pry it apart and take it home. Her eyes flashed. “Your Majesty, would you like to take a ride in the flying carriage?”
“Fuguang!” Emperor Mingxi’s voice rose several pitches in excitement. “Are you serious?” His eyes nearly popped out of his head. “I can really ride in this flying carriage?”
Yue Fuguang nodded with complete confidence. “If I say you can, then you can.”
She raised a hand. “Your Majesty, please!”
At that, Emperor Mingxi hesitated instead. Yue Fuguang thought he had frozen because he was afraid of heights, but then she heard him muttering under his breath, “Should I step in with my right foot first, or my left? The left is the honored side!”
And so Yue Fuguang watched as Emperor Mingxi decisively stepped in with his right foot.
She nearly burst out laughing.
“Your Majesty, take it slowly!” Qian Gui hurried over to support him.
“Grandfather, Father, Second Uncle, you should come too!” Naturally, his own family had priority.
As for Yu Qinchun, who was standing among the crowd, Yue Fuguang maintained that there were simply too many people and she had not seen him.
“Fuguang!”
The father and two sons of the Yu family slowly climbed into the carriage beneath the envious, reddened gazes of all their fellow officials.
At last, Yue Fuguang stood on the carriage platform and turned to give the envious-looking Xie Zhiyan a faint smile. “Crown Prince, you should come over too!”
“Yes, Aunt Fuguang!” Xie Zhiyan grinned and took several steps before climbing into the last carriage bound for the Sky Station.
“Aunt Fuguang, I’ll drive!” Xie Zhiyan had long envied the position Feng Tang had occupied before. Although the flying horses did not actually need him to rein them in, he still liked the driver’s seat more and more the longer he looked at it.
It was much like driving a luxury car in a later age. Personally taking the wheel and sitting in the passenger seat simply felt different.
“It’s flying! Quick, look—the carriage is flying again!”
The commoners below the city wall had no idea what the goddess and the honored guests above had been discussing. Now the carriage had taken flight once more. Was the goddess returning to her residence?
Some people were already preparing to run toward the Yu residence, only to discover that the flying carriage began slowly circling above them.
“Look! Is that our Crown Prince driving the carriage?”
The commoners might not recognize Xie Zhiyan, but they recognized his clothes. Who else could be so young and wear a robe embroidered with dragon designs, other than the Crown Prince?