The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 264: Chapter 264 Guidance

Yan Zisheng carried a cup of tea to Song Zhiyuan, respectfully saying, ”Prime Minister, please have some tea.”

Song Zhiyuan stood with his hands behind his back in front of a wall, on which hung a calligraphy painting inscribed with the phrase ”A man of virtue carries heavy responsibilities,” signed with Yan Zisheng’s pseudonym, Xishan Daoren.

”Your writing, the strokes are powerful and possess great character, it’s quite well done.”

Yan Zisheng humbly replied, ”Prime Minister, you overpraise me. This student is not even a tenth of your capabilities.”

”No need for modesty. At your age, I couldn’t write like this. But the meaning of this piece, Changsheng, have you understood it?” Song Zhiyuan asked casually.

Yan Zisheng straightened slightly and said, ”A dignified person should uphold virtues and accept all things like the earth does. A gentleman with virtues should embrace everything with a broad mind, and address affairs with noble ethics. Though I dare not claim to fully understand, I constantly remind myself of the principles a person should follow.”

”Quite right,” Song Zhiyuan smiled, taking the tea and sitting by the table, then asked him to bring over his recent essays for appraisal.

Yan Zisheng noticed he didn’t mention the earlier matter, only focusing on the essay, feeling slightly uneasy but didn’t dare resist, so he brought the writings over and presented them.

Song Zhiyuan took them and read carefully, marking a few points for guidance.

”...This year’s Autumn Examinations are likely to have Scholar Qian preside. Scholar Qian is profoundly learned and currently teaches several princes at the Imperial Academy. His nature is excessively righteous and old-fashioned. Aren’t you worried that your sharp viewpoints in these essays might displease the examiner and be rejected?”

Yan Zisheng was taken aback, then replied thoughtfully, ”I approached this from a commoner’s perspective, considering that unity among the people leads to national prosperity, and their peace secures the land. Prime Minister, shouldn’t an official prioritize the people?”

”Since you think from a different perspective, you stand from the people’s angle, but what about from an official’s angle?” Song Zhiyuan asked with a smile.

Yan Zisheng was stunned, instinctively licking his lips.

”For the people’s peace, the officials must take action. As a magistrate, no matter how many reform ideas you have, it’s difficult to execute them alone. Only with unity between all officials and close cooperation between government and civilians can you achieve peace and prosperity.” Song Zhiyuan said calmly, ”Imagine issuing an order, but the subordinates deliberately delay and miss the best timing. The course of events then deviates from what you anticipated. Will it proceed as you intended?”

”Law and punishment are meant for small faults of the gentleman and wrongs of the petty. If not excessive, they should not be casually used, lest decades of work be destroyed overnight. Changsheng, when water is too clear, there are no fish; when a person is too strict, there are no followers. The strength of one man is limited.”

He took a sip of tea.

Yan Zisheng appeared deep in thought.

Song Zhiyuan wasn’t in a hurry to speak, allowing him to ponder slowly. Yan Zisheng’s viewpoint is upright and righteous, but being overly rigid can lead to failure; nurturing subtly is a long-term strategy.

Yan Zisheng seemed to understand, feeling somewhat ashamed, he clasped his hands and said, ”This student is ashamed.”

”Knowing how to think from a different perspective is admirable, and further recognizing the people’s importance is even rarer. If your essays only contained praise, you wouldn’t have to attend the exams. You could instead rely on connections to become a minor official, flattering your way to higher positions. Yet if you do so, a Fifth Rank Official is all you would ever achieve.”

”Prime Minister...” Yan Zisheng’s face flushed red.

”Enough, I hope Changsheng, when you become an official, you always remember to prioritize the people,” Song Zhiyuan said with a smile then shifted topic, ”Earlier, why did you argue with Scholar Wu?”

Yan Zisheng’s heart sank, knowing it was inevitable.