"I cannot support an enlightened sovereign."
Though some officials secretly said that the more idiotic the emperor, the better—that strong working ability was not necessarily a good thing, since he would keep gathering power into his own hands while being harsh and unkind, and only a mediocre ruler suited the interests of all officials.
But the ministers who truly presided over state affairs knew how despairing it was to end up with an emperor who asked, "Why don't they eat meat porridge?"
No matter how one poured out one's heart and blood, no matter how many people's achievements were sacrificed, a single careless remark could wipe it all away.
Learned and talented, yet still elegant and graceful; humble toward others, making people feel as though they stood in a spring breeze; shouldering responsibility when it was time to shoulder it, and humbly accepting instruction when it was time to learn—only such a person deserved to be called a dragon's son and phoenix's descendant!
Though, as Grand Secretaries, they could not easily reveal personal preferences, so long as it did not concern the struggle for succession or involve confidential matters, they were happy to offer a little more instruction to a humble imperial grandson.
Xie Zhi stroked his beard and smiled. "Duke of Dai, there is no need to be so concerned. We merely mentioned it in passing. Since you have said that you do not intend to refine elixirs for long and are merely curious, we can rest easy."
"That is only natural. Young people being curious about such things is perfectly normal. When I was young, I too was curious about this path, but thanks to my elders' guidance, I did not stray onto the Outer Dao."
Zhao Xulin also said, "Duke of Dai is brimming with talent and