{"id":6970,"date":"2025-04-22T11:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T09:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=6970"},"modified":"2025-04-22T11:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T09:00:25","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-58-four-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2025\/04\/22\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-58-four-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn&#8217;t! &#8211; Chapter 58 Four Eyes"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the Yong dynasty, the government system changed a lot. Almost every time a new emperor ascended the throne, they would alter the titles of official positions, as if doing so would signify a brighter future and prevent people from falling back into the miserable conditions of the past.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The position of Prime Minister was one case. After the Han family came to power, they changed the title of &#8220;Prime Minister&#8221; to &#8220;Chancellor&#8221; in order to suppress the dominance of the Prime Minister&#8217;s family. They even created the title of &#8220;Chancellor.&#8221; This distinction in the government system wasn\u2019t important, so it was only briefly mentioned. Xiao Rong simply felt a bit sentimental about it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although both held the title of Prime Minister, Zhou Liang\u2019s end could be described as extremely tragic, while Song Shuo received a grand funeral, with almost everyone who knew him continually mourning his death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for Song Shuo\u2019s literary talent, it was hard to say, but he had a nickname in later generations: the &#8220;Memory Recitation Machine.&#8221; Many famous literati wrote poems and essays to commemorate him. These works were so sincere and beautifully worded that they were included in textbooks and became a nightmare for students.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong, however, didn\u2019t memorize those poems and essays. Whenever he encountered memorization-type questions, he would skip them and focus on questions that had logical patterns.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though he skipped over them, he still knew Song Shuo\u2019s reputation. Among all historical figures, he was always highly regarded. In his time and for many generations to come, people spoke of him with admiration. Later Emperors, raised on Zhou Liang\u2019s teachings, would always sigh and say, &#8220;I am like Emperor Xu of the Wu dynasty, fortunate.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout history, the higher the evaluation of Song Shuo, the more numb Xiao Rong\u2019s expression became while sitting there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He recalled the lies he had told back then, in order to intimidate Song Shuo. After all, the ancients were superstitious, and he made Song Shuo believe that he could predict the future. That way, many things would be easier to handle. However, Song Shuo looked at him skeptically for a while, then blinked his eyes and began to eagerly discuss the teachings of Huanglao with Xiao Rong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;.\u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He didn&#8217;t understand the teachings of Huanglao at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To cover up his ignorance, he could only say that he had his own methods of divination, which were not the ones known to the public.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo suddenly realized and said that extraordinary people faced extraordinary situations. This time, he didn\u2019t doubt Xiao Rong&#8217;s words anymore, but he began to chat with Xiao Rong about his past experience with the Qingfeng Sect, a sect that almost took him in. They wanted him to preach, offered gold, and even demanded that he stay at their gathering place every day to listen to their teachings.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please, he was too lazy to even go to court every five days, how could he possibly go to church daily and accept guidance from others? Besides, there wasn\u2019t anyone in the world who could guide him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lazy, arrogant, and extremely focused.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as Xiao Rong\u2019s excitement about discovering that Song Shuo was Song Qianzheng started to fade, he began to doubt himself. Was he really going to bring such a person back to Chenliu? Could such a person help him?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wouldn\u2019t he, just like Zhang Biezhi, cause trouble every day?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stayed silent for a moment and let Song Shuo steer the conversation. His hints were clear, but Song Shuo completely ignored them and took the conversation in a different direction. If this continued, it would be a waste of time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, Xiao Rong directly asked, &#8220;Since you\u2019ve made up your mind to resign from office, why haven\u2019t you taken action, Young Master Song?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo blinked and replied, &#8220;Because I find Jinling quite interesting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong chuckled lightly. &#8220;If Jinling really was so interesting, why would Young Master Song be living in such a small thatched hut? Even though we\u2019ve only known each other for a short time, I can tell that you are someone who seeks to befriend the heroes of the world. While this thatched hut may be cool, in the presence of more refreshing and noble gentlemen and heroes, it is no longer considered a good place to stay. You stay here simply because there is no one of such stature in the city.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo tilted his head. &#8220;Then, in your view, why haven\u2019t I resigned yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong replied, &#8220;It\u2019s probably because, even if you resign, you still haven\u2019t found a place better than Jinling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A slight smile faded from the corner of Song Shuo\u2019s lips. Xiao Rong didn\u2019t look at him but continued, shaking his teacup. &#8220;Xiangdong is your homeland, Young Master Song. If Xiangdong was truly great, and you could fulfill your ambitions there, you wouldn\u2019t have made the long journey to Jinling. When you were in Xiangdong, you looked up to Jinling because it was the capital of the Yong Dynasty, bearing the future of an entire dynasty and countless scholars. But as they say, &#8216;the view from the mountain seems grand, but you will eventually reach the foot of it.&#8217; So-called wise kings and virtuous ministers, like a mirage, can be seen but not touched. You can walk towards them, but when you arrive, you will realize it was all an illusion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, Xiao Rong looked up at Song Shuo with a smile. &#8220;Fortunately, Young Master Song is still young. The blood of youth won\u2019t cool so quickly. Now that you are in Jinling, do you think you can find the next place to aspire to?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo looked at Xiao Rong, his throat itching. He suppressed a cough and smiled as well. &#8220;I really have found it. If I\u2019m not mistaken, the next thing you are going to say is that you want to recommend me to Chenliu, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong smiled even more deeply. &#8220;Chenliu is a place where all kinds of people are welcomed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had already prepared himself for how to pose once Xiao Rong nodded, but suddenly hearing that, his eyes widened as if they were as round as pearls.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo stared at him in disbelief. &#8220;Do you think I am suited to go to Chenliu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong shrugged slightly. &#8220;Of course, there\u2019s no problem. The gates of Chenliu are wide open to all people from the Central Plains. Anyone who wishes to come is welcome, but if you want to stay, to enter the royal family and get a position\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo\u2019s voice became sharper. &#8220;Do you think someone like me could seek a position in Chenliu?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong was momentarily stunned, then quickly smiled at him. &#8220;Of course, but Young Master Song has great ambitions. You must be willing to take on a minor official role. As for those higher positions, like becoming an advisor to the King of the North or the governor of a city, well\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Xiao Rong had told Song Shuo from the start that he wouldn\u2019t be able to stay by the King of the North\u2019s side in Chenliu or join his core advisory team, Song Shuo would have been happy, but it wouldn\u2019t have been so dramatic. After all, he knew that his status was low. Although he was the legitimate son of the Song family of Xiangdong and might one day become the clan leader, his family was old and had little influence in Jinling. After the Yong Dynasty moved south, there was a conflict between the northern and southern aristocratic families, and in the end, the Southern Families lost. They weren\u2019t ranked as highly nor were they as powerful as the Northern Families.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although that conflict was in the past, political exclusion still existed. The Northern Families had banded together and excluded the Southern Families, who had originally been established there. Both sides shared the same mentality: the Northern Families still wanted to return North, while the Southern Families resented them for taking over their territory.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Song family of Xiangdong was a loser in that conflict. Although someone from their family had always held a position, the most promising and noble heir, Song Shuo, could only serve as a low-ranking clerk in Jinling. He had to serve for three years before he could get promoted, then continue to experience various departments until he reached a high-ranking position like a Deputy Minister. By then, Song Shuo would be over thirty years old.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If he had to endure that long, he would be nearing forty.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may seem young, but considering the average life expectancy of this time was just over thirty, Song Shuo was likely too weak from birth to even make it to thirty.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s more, why did only the Song Family have to endure such treatment? Look at other families, their young masters could become generals at five, following the Emperor\u2019s Chief General around, with higher positions than Song Shuo\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo had a strange mindset. He was arrogant, but he thought of himself as exceptionally intelligent and worthy of his noble background. Therefore, while he understood the subtle exclusions in the officialdom, he also resisted them. It didn\u2019t matter if the whole world saw his talents, what mattered was that the people he recognized must see them too.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong was one of those he acknowledged. However, Xiao Rong used a step-by-step approach to turn what would have been a reaction from Song Shuo into something that almost made him explode.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo didn\u2019t care that he was still an obscure noble son. It was only natural that the King of the North and others would want to recruit him. His mind was full of the fact that Xiao Rong truly recognized his worth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Had he noticed his otherworldly appearance and astonishing talents?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He really hadn\u2019t noticed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the way Song Shuo\u2019s speech had changed, Xiao Rong knew that Song Shuo had taken the bait. As expected, treating him like Song Qianzheng from history was the right approach. When dealing with a fool, you had to use a fool\u2019s method.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How did he transform into the charming person he was known as in history? Could it be that something had happened to him?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It didn\u2019t seem so. When Song Qianzheng died, his whole family attended his funeral, which seemed to indicate that something had happened to their family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there was no major change, maybe Song Shuo truly changed with age, as his youthful rebellious phase gradually healed, and he became more mature. He had always been a naturally open and optimistic person, and with his weak health at birth, he lived freely day by day without the pressure others had. Over time, he naturally became a happy person to those around him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was good news for Xiao Rong. If Song Shuo had changed overnight, Xiao Rong could target the right treatments, leading him through human tragedies to speed up his transformation. If he had slowly transformed, Xiao Rong doubted whether he would ever see it happen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter which way it was, since Xiao Rong had seen it, Song Shuo couldn\u2019t escape. Regardless of his personality, his talents in state affairs were unquestionable. Besides, who knew what kind of butterfly effect his arrival would cause, leading Song Shuo to serve their enemy earlier? That was impossible. After all, this person even wanted to enter the strange Qingfeng Sect just to take a look.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did he want to resign and retire? Even if he retired, he would have to do so under Xiao Rong\u2019s watch, within Chenliu City.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo rambled on and on, essentially boasting about how impressive he was, but Xiao Rong was in a trance and didn\u2019t hear a word he said. When Song Shuo finally finished, Xiao Rong looked at him blankly for a while. Suddenly, he noticed the sky outside darkening. He immediately stood up, bid farewell to Song Shuo, and said he had to go back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Song Shuo: \u201c&#8230;\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re deliberately doing this to me, right?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\uff0a<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Xiao Rong and the others returned to their residence, Zhang Biezhi and the others hadn\u2019t come back yet. Xiao Rong had dinner, then stayed in his room practicing calligraphy. The villa was fully equipped, and they even provided free brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. With this in mind, Xiao Rong practiced diligently.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the servant came to deliver more paper, they started to doubt things. The servant couldn\u2019t help but feel that Xiao Rong was taking advantage of the Grand Marshal\u2019s generosity. Yet\u2026 could it be so? Such a handsome young master, how could he do something so demeaning?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The days grew longer in the summer, and by the time Xiao Rong lit his candle, Zhang Biezhi and the others had just entered the villa. As soon as they came in, Xiao Rong heard bickering.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of them, of course, was Zhang Biezhi, and the other person, surprisingly, was Ah Shu, who always seemed so quiet and well-behaved in Xiao Rong\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu complained to Zhang Biezhi. &#8220;It\u2019s all your fault for insisting on eating outside. We could\u2019ve returned long ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi retorted, &#8220;I was handling official business. If you wanted to return, you could have gone back yourself. No one stopped you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu\u2019s face turned red. If he had been given the chance to look after Zhang Biezhi, he would have already returned long ago!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How could there be such shameless people in the world? How much trouble had he caused for others? Didn\u2019t he see it at all?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong pushed open half the window, raising an eyebrow as he watched the person walk in, as if they were heading straight for a confrontation. Ah Shu rarely had moments like this. He quickly passed Zhang Biezhi, and when Zhang Biezhi saw this, he immediately tried to pass him too. Even though the entrance was wide enough, they insisted on squeezing through together, which made Xiao Rong suppress a chuckle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their destination was Xiao Rong\u2019s room. He closed the window, sat back, and waited. The wooden door had good soundproofing, but once a shadow appeared outside, Ah Shu&#8217;s angry voice suddenly rang out, &#8220;Knock on the door first!!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Knock, then!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was a knock on the door. Inside, Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow. It was surprising that no one got angry and tried to break the door down when there was a conflict. It showed that Zhang Biezhi was quite sensible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong knew that Zhang Biezhi was like this only in front of him, but if he acted this way towards others too, it meant he had really grown up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After calling them in, the door was immediately pushed open by Zhang Biezhi. He rushed in like he had to claim credit, and quickly cupped his hands towards Xiao Rong. &#8220;Xiao Xian, I have the results of my observations!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When he squeezed in, he nearly knocked Ah Shu to the ground. Hearing this, Ah Shu immediately rolled his eyes without hiding it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong glanced at Ah Shu, then turned to Zhang Biezhi. &#8220;Oh? What results do you have? Tell me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi said, &#8220;The city of Jinling is divided into three parts, all centered around the Imperial Palace. The North City is where the army is stationed and where the poor live, it\u2019s the poorest section. The South City is where the powerful families live, and most officials also reside there. There are many patrols, and anyone who looks too fancy gets immediately driven out. The city has a lot of markets, with tea houses and inns. The East City is mixed, with many thugs on the streets. The foreigners mostly live here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong didn\u2019t react much, but Ah Shu was the first to be surprised. He hadn\u2019t done much today other than wandering the streets with Zhang Biezhi. He had been secretly disdaining Zhang Biezhi for being so lazy, but he didn\u2019t expect that Zhang Biezhi had been observing carefully.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi seemed to know what Ah Shu was thinking. He glanced back at him, then continued to report to Xiao Rong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;\u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How old is Ah Shu, and how old is Zhang Biezhi? He&#8217;s older than Ah Shu, so why bother competing with him?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then Xiao Rong thought about it. Maybe Zhang Biezhi\u2019s maturity was more like Ah Shu\u2019s, and he let it go.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi had just summarized the distribution of power in Jinling. Now he got to the point, and even Xiao Rong stopped looking indifferent. He straightened his back slowly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The patrolling soldiers are bullying the common people, but they even dare to bully well-dressed foreigners. I saw a soldier directly take a sack of rice from a cart. The shopkeeper at the rice store just smiled and didn\u2019t dare to say anything. The tea shop next door had a cart of tea, and the soldier took it too.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong froze.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shops that were being oppressed by the soldiers clearly didn\u2019t have any powerful background, but taking rice and tea made sense. Tea was a luxury good, but rice was essential for survival. The soldier taking the tea instead of rice was probably because he lacked money, and he needed rice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Was this just an isolated incident, or was there a problem with the grain distribution in Jinling?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Xiao Rong was thinking, Zhang Biezhi continued with his next observation. &#8220;There are so many foreigners in Jinling, and they\u2019re all from places we\u2019ve expelled. I thought they would never dare to enter the Central Plains again, but they\u2019ve actually gone around and come to the other side of the Han River. These ungrateful drunkards and gluttons, relying on us to drive these people away, think they\u2019re in the clear. They even let those barbarians enter the city!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong was stunned for a moment. He raised his hand to stop him. &#8220;Wait, you\u2019re saying they\u2019re all from the Huns?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi replied, &#8220;Yes, the Huns, Wusun, Shanshan, Rouran, Gao Che, and Khitan. The Shanshan and Rouran are the most, and there are even some people from the Kumo Xi tribe. They\u2019re all merchants, just like the Shanshan and Rouran people.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;\u2026&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had heard of some of these nations, while others he didn\u2019t even know about. Surprised, he asked, &#8220;How do you recognize them? By their appearance?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi scratched his head. &#8220;I recognized them by their appearance and clothing. I used to deal with these foreigners a lot, so I can tell.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong asked, &#8220;You dealt with them?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi nodded. &#8220;I used to be in charge of transporting prisoners.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though most of the time, those prisoners had been executed on the spot by orders from Xu Yun.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong was surprised that Zhang Biezhi had such work experience, and that just by transporting prisoners a few times, he could recognize the clothing from so many countries. It showed that Zhang Biezhi\u2019s observational skills and memory were above average.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He had sent him out just to kill time, but unexpectedly, Zhang Biezhi had actually brought back useful information. Xiao Rong, who was usually stingy with praise, immediately expressed that Zhang Biezhi had done well and would reward him once they returned.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi felt a little confused. He had only gone out for a walk, he hadn\u2019t personally participated in a battle. To him, this didn\u2019t really count as an achievement, but Xiao Rong kept emphasizing it, and it felt strange to him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His brother-in-law always wanted to beat him, and his sister always cried in front of him. He\u2019d been in the Northern Military for years, but the king never even gave him a glance. The usually gentle and friendly Gao Xunzhi only shook his head helplessly when he saw him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi thought about it. Every time he appeared in front of Gao Xunzhi, it was after he had caused some trouble, and then Jian Qiao would pull Gao Xunzhi to help him. The only thing Gao Xunzhi could do was shake his head.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was someone who could reflect on himself. Thinking back, he understood where he had gone wrong. At least today, he realized how good it felt to be praised. It was far better than being scolded with his neck stiffened.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi left, and Xiao Rong\u2019s smile slowly faded. He looked at Ah Shu, still standing by the door.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu hadn\u2019t come over. He was feeling embarrassed, and Xiao Rong noticed that he was dissatisfied with Ah Shu\u2019s performance today.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu pursed his lips and walked over with small steps, then murmured to Xiao Rong, &#8220;Lang, I know I was wrong.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong asked, &#8220;What did you do wrong?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu pouted and answered, &#8220;I shouldn\u2019t have looked down on others.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong really needed to be careful around Ah Shu in the future. Look at what he was saying now<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong sighed with a mix of amusement and frustration. &#8220;Although you did judge people by their appearance, you don\u2019t have to say it like that. You like Zhang Biezhi, so naturally, you\u2019ll have a better opinion of him. I won\u2019t force you to be kind to him, but Ah Shu, let me ask you a question. If another general made you dislike them, would you behave the same way in front of them as you do in front of Zhang Biezhi?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu froze.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naturally, he wouldn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was timid and afraid of conflict with others. He was Xiao Rong\u2019s servant, Xiao Rong\u2019s brother, and always felt inferior after stepping out. Ah Shu was used to it, thinking there was nothing wrong with it. He was afraid of civil officials, but even more afraid of military officers, since they carried swords and could kill him without warning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi was also a military officer, but\u2026 why wasn\u2019t he afraid of him?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ah Shu even dared to argue and bicker with him, not scared that Zhang Biezhi might suddenly draw his sword.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was probably because he knew Zhang Biezhi wouldn\u2019t do that.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhang Biezhi was rude, shameless, and had no sense of decency, but even when the Old Lady was about to jump on the roof, he would still take action. He looked down on Xiao Yi, but he also disturbed Ah Shu when he was studying, because Xiao Yi needed his afternoon nap and quiet time. Zhang Biezhi would always invade that space.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oh, so this was the reason he felt so fearless.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeing that Ah Shu seemed to have come to some realization, Xiao Rong waved his hand, telling him to go off and fix his views while he continued to practice calligraphy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The day felt fulfilling. Divided into groups, the mission was a success, and emotions ran high. Xiao Rong entered the palace alone. The guards wanted to find out what had been said in the palace, and in the end, a few people gathered together, brainstorming, and wrote a secret letter that would satisfy the king. Then they gave it to one person to send out.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Xiao Rong had gone to bed early the previous night, and tonight, even though it was already the second watch, he was still awake. The messenger guards outside stayed up with him, their eyes bloodshot. Finally, Xiao Rong blew out the candle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the candle went out, he didn\u2019t leave immediately. He waited for a while, then quietly walked toward the door.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as he reached the center of the courtyard, there was a creaking sound. A door behind him opened.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stepped out of the dark room, fully armed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The messenger guard froze. His colleagues were hiding inside, nervously watching the scene.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Messenger Guard said, &#8220;\u2026Master Xiao, I was just going to the bathroom.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong smiled. &#8220;Do you know there\u2019s a fish called a flatfish? Its eyes are on the back of its head.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guard looked confused, and Xiao Rong pointed at the back of his own head. &#8220;Just like me, my eyes are also on the back of my head. Normally, they serve no purpose, but whenever someone tries to do something sneaky behind my back, I can immediately sense it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After saying that, Xiao Rong extended his hand. &#8220;Give it to me. Don\u2019t make me say it twice.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The messenger guard: &#8220;&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He stared at Xiao Rong&#8217;s palm for a long time before closing his eyes in despair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;My Lord, it&#8217;s not that I\u2019m incompetent, but you are just too sharp.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He actually had eyes on the back of his head!!!!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=25191841\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"51\" class=\"wp-image-338 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/become_a_patron_button.png?resize=217%2C51\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 217px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 217\/51;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lajnaa\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/kofi3-3.png?resize=185%2C47\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kofi3-3.png\" width=\"185\" height=\"47\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 185px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 185\/47;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At the end of the Yong dynasty, the government system changed a lot. Almost every time a new emperor ascended the throne, they would alter the titles of official positions, as if doing so would signify a brighter future and prevent people from falling back into the miserable conditions of the past. The position of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6970","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6970"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6970\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6971,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6970\/revisions\/6971"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6970"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6970"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6970"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}