The best county magistrate

In the capital city, the imperial study.

Emperor Jianwen was staring at the map on the table with a frown on his face.

The urgent battle reports from Chen and Liu states were like a huge rock pressing on his heart, making him feel unprecedentedly heavy.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, and then the figure of the eldest prince Zhao Yanli appeared at the door.

His eyes were determined, his steps were firm and powerful, and he was wearing armor like a general about to go to war.

"Father!" Zhao Yanli's voice was loud and powerful, breaking the silence of the imperial study.

Emperor Jianwen raised his head and looked at his son, with a hint of relief in his eyes.

Although Zhao Yanli is young, he has become more sensible under the guidance of Yang Xuanchen in recent days.

Especially in the twelfth month and the first month of the lunar calendar, he advocated a proper burial of the people who froze to death in the city, which earned him a good reputation among the people in Shangjing City.

Looking at the way he is dressed today, it is obvious that he is worried about the war in the south.

Emperor Jianwen suddenly felt that his son seemed to have grown up a lot and was no longer the willful and mischievous eldest prince.

"Yanli, why are you dressed like this?" Emperor Jianwen asked knowingly.

Zhao Yanli took a step forward, knelt on one knee, and said loudly: "Father, I am the eldest prince of Dayan, but I have not achieved anything so far."

"Now the people of Chenzhou and Liuzhou are in dire straits. I know the suffering of the people very well. I would like to be the vanguard to eliminate the southern barbarians and comfort the people!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianwen felt a warm feeling in his heart.

Zhao Yanli's words were not only out of sympathy for the people, but also out of his sense of responsibility to the country and the throne.

"Okay!" Emperor Jianwen stood up, walked to Zhao Yanli and helped him up.

"My dear son, I was not wrong about you. I am very pleased that you have such responsibility and courage."

"However, I will make my own decision on the war in the south."

When Zhao Yanli heard this, he immediately became indignant.

"Father, I have studied with Grand Tutor Murong and Junior Secretary Yang, and I know the truth of worrying about the country and the people. Now that the people are suffering, how can I sit back and do nothing?"

Seeing a hint of anxiety and determination in his eyes, Emperor Jianwen couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

He sighed softly and said slowly: "My son, I know what you mean, but the war in the south is complicated, and I have made a decision."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Zhao Yanli's eyes, but he still insisted.

"Father, although I have never experienced war, under the guidance of Young Master Yang, I have some understanding of marching and deploying troops."

"Please give me a chance to prove myself."

Emperor Jianwen looked at Zhao Yanli with mixed feelings.

It is a good thing that his own son wants to prove himself, but he only has this one prince. If something goes wrong, what will happen to the country of Dayan?

In order to dispel Zhao Yanli's idea, Emperor Jianwen spoke slowly.

"Yan Li, I understand your ambitions, but the future of the country requires not only brave generals, but also wise rulers who know how to govern the country."

"Young Master Yang is very knowledgeable. You should continue to learn from him so that you can better assist me and govern the country in the future."

Zhao Yanli was silent for a moment, and when he thought of the bet he had just made with Yang Xuanchen, he couldn't help but feel deflated.

The teacher saw through it clearly. No matter how well I performed, my father would not allow me to put on armor and go into battle.

Because the kingdom of Da Yan needs someone to inherit, and it needs an heir who can make Da Yan flourish, not an heir who only knows how to fight and kill.

Although my ambition since childhood has been to fight on the battlefield, reality does not allow me to do so.

Zhao Yanli took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and spoke again.

"Father's teachings are true, and I will definitely keep them in mind."

"But I also beg you, Father, to allow me to participate in some affairs under the guidance of Young Secretary Yang, even if it is just to assist."

These words were taught to him by Yang Xuanchen. Rather than letting his own son go to war, Emperor Jianwen would prefer to let him participate in government affairs. At least there would be no danger to his life.

This is also the real purpose of Zhao Yanli coming to the imperial study wearing armor. He wants to start governing his country.

Seeing that Zhao Yanli was sincere and his request was reasonable, Emperor Jianwen nodded in agreement.

"Since you have this intention, I will grant your request."

"But you must remember that no matter where you are, you must be modest and cautious, and not arrogant."

"Yang Xuanchen and Grand Tutor Murong are both my loyal ministers. You should ask them for advice and learn their ways of governing the country."

"Thank you, Father!"

Zhao Yanli was delighted. Although he did not get the opportunity to lead the troops to war, he was able to participate in the affairs, which meant he had completed the task assigned by Yang Xuanchen.

Emperor Jianwen nodded slightly and gave further instructions.

"Go ahead. I will instruct Young Secretary Yang and Grand Tutor Murong to arrange some suitable matters for you."

“I hope you can gain real knowledge and experience from this.”

Zhao Yanli thanked him again and then slowly left the imperial study.

On the way back to Wenhua Palace, he was overjoyed. Finally, he didn't have to study in the palace every day. He could finally run around and see the colorful world.

"That's great!" Zhao Yanli shouted excitedly.

In the imperial study, Emperor Jianwen continued to look at the map, and soon Yang Xuanchen arrived.

When he saw him coming in and was about to salute, Emperor Jianwen picked up the paperweight on the table and threw it at him.

Yang Xuanchen cried out in surprise and narrowly avoided his attack.

Damn it, are you crazy? If I get hit by this thing, will I still be alive?

Although he was unhappy, he still had to do his best to save face. "Your Majesty, I, Yang Xuanchen, pay my respects to you. Long live your Majesty..."

Before he could finish his words, a brush flew towards him.

Unfortunately, this time Yang Xuanchen lowered his head and did not see the flying object, so he was hit.

"Your Majesty, I don't know what I did wrong to make you so angry. I deserve to die!"

Oh my god, what’s going on? I’ve been behaving pretty well recently.

The eldest prince was taught almost every day, and he was able to memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, and he also learned a lot about military strategies and state governance.

Moreover, the operation of Tongbao Temple, the construction of Yueguan Town and the trade are all developing in a positive direction.

Why did he dislike it?

"Yang Xuanchen! You are so bold that you actually dare to instigate my son to play tricks on me! Are you tired of living?" Emperor Jianwen roared.

Oh shit, is Zhao Yanli that bad at acting?

Is this seen through?

The kid next door to Mary really deserves a beating. He can't even act well.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but reach for the ruler at his waist.

"Your Majesty, it's unfair. The eldest prince is concerned about the country and the people and wants to fight against the Southern Barbarians. I can't stop him!" Yang Xuanchen argued.

Of course I tried to make an excuse. Should I just say that I was the one who asked Zhao Yanli to act like that, and I just wanted to do something with Zhao Yanli's reputation?

After all, Bei Liao has agreed to the ore deal, so the dream of building a modern combat force is no longer a dream.

As the situation develops, it becomes particularly important to have an army under your control.

However, this matter cannot be made public after all, and he still needs more mineral resources.

Therefore, letting Zhao Yanli participate in the mutual trade and serve as an open shield was part of his plan.

If something goes wrong with smuggling, someone has to take responsibility!

Otherwise, even ten of my heads wouldn’t be enough for him to chop off.

Emperor Jianwen saw that Yang Xuanchen was still quibbling and was too lazy to waste time talking to him.

"Stop talking, kid. You just want the emperor to start participating in government affairs. Just say it directly in the future. Don't make these unnecessary things."

He said, then glanced at Yang Xuanchen who was kneeling on the ground, and said with a smile: "Get up."

"Come and take a look at the map. I want to hear what the leader of the Dark Swallow Division thinks about the south."

Yang Xuanchen's eyes narrowed. Don't you have any arrangements in the south?

Or are the changes in the south beyond our control?