Tianliangyuan

Chapter 426, Article 1: Be loyal to His Majesty.

"Registrar Li, I've heard that the court is currently dispatching a large number of officials to Xuzhou. Are there any officials from your Imperial Academy who are also to be transferred out?"

Li Shun tried his best to make his tone sound calm: "Your Highness, it is true that several people in the Imperial Academy have received official documents from the Ministry of Personnel to transfer them."

"So, this is an opportunity."

Li Shun didn't dare to respond.

opportunity?

what chance?

Is this an opportunity for him to be transferred out, or an opportunity for him to establish himself in the Imperial College?

Regardless of the reason, Li Shun felt he didn't have the ability.

"Your Highness, I can only obey orders regarding the transfer of officials in the court. However, I am also aware of my own limitations. If I am transferred to Xuzhou, I am not up to the task; I am too young and unable to handle the situation. As for promotions within the Imperial Academy, my knowledge is too shallow, and I would find it difficult to gain the respect of the people."

Xu Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting this person to be so self-aware!

That's good. If someone knows their weaknesses, there's still hope for them, and they can be useful.

"Registrar Li is indeed a very insightful person. You are still young, and if you can do your job well in your current position, you will naturally have many opportunities."

Is this considered a subtle hint?

Li Shun quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is right."

Xu Zhaozhao smiled, then looked at Li Erlang beside her.

"So you are the second son of the Li family?"

"This humble citizen, Li Ming, greets the Lady of Anle County."

"Your manners are quite good. How old are you this year?"

"Your Highness, I am fourteen years old this year."

Xu Zhaozhao nodded: "You're still too young. If you have the chance, you should read more books. If you want your brain to work quickly, your eyes to see far, and your ears to understand, then you need to read more books!"

Li Ming immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your words, County Princess. My brother said the same thing. However, I have always felt that I am not smart enough to study. My father passed away early, and I do not want my brother to be too tired. Therefore, I want to leave the academy as soon as possible so that I can help my brother share the burden."

It's good that you have this idea.

However, the Li family hadn't reached the point where he needed to drop out of school to earn money, so it was really unnecessary.

"At such a young age, you are quite perceptive. Let me ask you, is it true that you think you are stupid?"

Li Ming smiled bitterly: "I dare not deceive the county magistrate. I am indeed a bit slow-witted. Only my math skills are barely passable. As for the other subjects, they are really a disgrace to my teachers."

Upon hearing this, Li Shun immediately looked at him: "How could this be?"

Li Ming shook his head helplessly: "Brother, I didn't want this either, but I really dare not lie in front of the county magistrate. I already felt that I had a bit of luck in passing the preliminary examination. But I really have no confidence in passing the county-level examination."

Xu Zhaozhao laughed: "You're only fourteen, what's the rush? Even if you wait another three or five years to pass the imperial examination, it's still worth it!"

Li Ming choked, unsure how to respond.

Li Shun nodded in agreement: "The county princess is absolutely right. You're only fourteen, what's the rush? If we're not confident this year, we'll try again next year. If we don't pass next year, we can just consider it as gaining experience. Why should you feel burdened?"

Li Ming's face was scrunched up like a bitter gourd.

He genuinely didn't want to study.

However, my brother is right about one thing: if one can obtain an official title, the road ahead will be much easier.

Xu Zhaozhao reminded him, "Li Ming, I can promise you here that as long as you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I can arrange a job for you."

Li Shun's heart was pounding rapidly.

The job the county magistrate was referring to was definitely not some kind of servant or steward managing property.

Li Shun recalled that the county magistrate had previously secured an eighth-rank position for one of Xie's cousins, which was located at the Imperial Academy.

This shows that the county magistrate's power was indeed beyond his imagination.

"Hurry up and thank the county princess!"

Li Ming reacted a moment too slowly, then quickly bowed deeply to Xu Zhaozhao: "This humble subject thanks the county magistrate."

After exchanging a few more words, one of Xu Zhaozhao's maids led Li Ming into the courtyard first.

Of course, Xu Zhaozhao and Li Shun were not the only ones in the hall, and the doors were left open to avoid suspicion.

“Registrar Li, let’s not beat around the bush. I’ve read some of my superiors’ comments about you. What do you think you’re best at?”

Li Shun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, as for ambitions, I certainly have them. When I was young, I also hoped to become a local official, to bring benefits to the people and to enhance the prestige of the court. But when it came to actually doing things, I realized that I was indeed shallow in talent and had no experience to follow."

Xu Zhaozhao nodded: "That makes sense. So, what I mean is, don't rush. Let's stay in this position for a while longer, observe more, listen more, do more, and talk less."

Li Shun nodded repeatedly: "You're right."

"Seventh brother-in-law, now that you have become the son-in-law of the Xie family, the Xie family will naturally look after your career. But whether it is me or the Xie family, the first thing we must do is to be loyal to His Majesty. Do you understand?"

Li Shun was taken aback, clearly not quite understanding.

Isn't it only right to be loyal to His Majesty?

Seeing his puzzled expression, Xu Zhaozhao continued, "Listen carefully: loyalty to Daxing and loyalty to His Majesty are the most basic requirements. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Li Shun remained silent.

Xu Zhaozhao chuckled and casually took a teapot from a shelf on the side, then took out three small cups and one large cup from it.

"A cup is just a cup. No matter how big it is, it is still just a cup. It can be used to drink tea, but it cannot replace the status of a teapot."

This time, Li Shun understood.

This means being loyal to His Majesty, not to the royal family; there is a fundamental difference between the two.

You must not align yourself with any of the princes' factions; everything must be done in accordance with His Majesty's will.

This is a classic royalist!

"Your humble servant understands! Your humble servant swears to serve Your Majesty and the Great Xing with your life!"

With this attitude, Xu Zhaozhao felt much more at ease.

"Your Majesty is wise and has always been good at recognizing and using talent. Remember, if Daxing can gain one more Xuzhou, it can naturally gain three, five, or even ten more! Wherever Daxing's army goes, it will be invincible and victorious in every battle! The strength of Daxing is not only reflected in its military power, but also in the flourishing of its culture. Therefore, while military generals are expanding Daxing's territory, do you think that in the end, we still need a scholar like you to govern it?"

Li Shun bowed deeply and said, "I have learned a great deal."

"Remember, when looking at problems in the future, put yourself in a higher position and have a longer-term vision, but in your daily interactions with others, put yourself in a lower position."

Li Shun's eyes lit up, and he said thoughtfully, "High-profile in actions, low-profile in life?"