Chapter 268 — Seeking Only the Great Dao
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
He did not think highly of this second son. Among all his children, Ling Yushu was hardly remarkable; he was not the boldest, nor the most gifted.
He had, in fact, admired Ling Yuxia—so bold, so daring, so gifted—only he had been too bold and too daring. His other elder sons had died young, outlived by him. Ling Yushu pondered.
He had only just returned from the frontier battlefield, and the months of hardship had given him a more commanding air and a greater resolve. This time, when Ling Yuxia colluded with Daitingming Temple and the Daoist sect in rebellion, Ling Yushu escaped calamity by being absent from the capital. "Your son would abolish my elder brother's.
. .
" Ling Yushu said gravely. Emperor Yanfeng's face darkened. "You are the eldest son now. I have no such son as him. " Ling Yushu paused, then said: "Your son would abolish the treaties he signed with foreign nations, reclaim the ceded lands, and clear away the lands the sects swallowed in the chaos.
Now that the Daoist sect and Daitingming Temple have suffered greatly, with more than half their masters lost, your son would seize the chance to reclaim most of the sect lands of the Daoist sect and Daitingming Temple.
" Emperor Yanfeng's expression eased a little. "And then? " "Your son would relieve the disaster on your behalf.
But before that, your son would first issue an edict of self-accusation. .
.
" Emperor Yanfeng flew into a fury and shouted: "Say that again!
" Ling Yushu bowed and said gravely: "Your son would first issue an edict of self-accusation, take the causes of these natural disasters upon himself, pray that Heaven cease sending calamity and tribulation, and soothe the hearts of the people. " Emperor Yanfeng's face remained dark. "Who taught you this? " he said coldly. Ling Yushu was taken aback.
"Your son.
.
.
" "I asked you—who taught you this? " Emperor Yanfeng rose, beside himself with rage, pacing back and forth. Suddenly he shouted: "You are my son.
I know you through and through—you could not have spoken those words!
They are not the words of a second prince; only one seated on the throne could see so clearly and reason so truly!
Speak—who taught you?
" Cold sweat sprang to Ling Yushu's brow. He gritted his teeth and answered honestly: "After returning to the capital, your son went to visit the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping. It happened that the Palace Counselor was treating his wounds. Your son spoke with them, saying that Father Emperor might question him on affairs of state and test him, and so sought their counsel. .
. " Emperor Yanfeng's anger eased. "The edict of self-accusation—which of them proposed it? " Ling Yushu said: "Both the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping and the Palace Counselor spoke of it. They said this calamity was a punishment sent down by the gods, and that it would be better to comply with the gods and take slow measures.
To force matters would only bring ruin. Better that your son issue the edict of self-accusation than Father Emperor.
If Father Emperor issues such an edict, it is a denial of the reforms; your son is Crown Prince, and may dissemble. " Emperor Yanfeng's expression eased further. He sat down and continued: "I know that with your wit and courage, you would not dare speak such words—someone must have taught you, and so I feigned anger. When I ask you of state affairs, do not merely repeat what they taught you; give me your own views as well. " Ling Yushu assented.
Emperor Yanfeng sighed: "I do not worry about the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping; I worry about the Palace Counselor. I fear that one day, when he and I are gone, you will not be able to contend with him. This time I have lost all my cultivation; my divine treasury has been shattered, and it will be hard to cultivate it back. That is why I have made you regent to oversee the government.
You must be diligent and cautious.