And so the line "Even when hardship bars the way, we must press forward with resolve" appeared seven times in succession.
When Li Xingke received the seventh note, he finally replied with a long letter explaining in detail why pressing forward with resolve should not serve as a reason to keep adding more tasks.
Jiang Lihua read it carefully, then handed the letter to Lin Cuo.
"Minister Li seems unhappy."
"Not at all. If he's willing to write this much, he must be in excellent spirits."
"Really?"
"When have I ever lied to Your Majesty?"
Jiang Lihua looked at him for a while.
"Many times."
Lin Cuo immediately changed the subject and began another of that day's lessons.
Training in imperial dignity. In the past, the Chief Eunuchs had always taught Jiang Lihua when to nod during court sessions and when to say "Approved," but rarely how to truly express anger.
Lin Cuo had prepared an entire set of phrases for her.
"A freeloader in office."
Jiang Lihua repeated it after him.
"A freeloader in office."
"A parasite."
"A parasite."
"An incompetent minister who ruins the nation."
"An incompetent minister who ruins the nation."
"Put a little more force into it."
Jiang Lihua tried hard to put on a stern face.
"You... incompetent minister who ruins the nation."
"Wrong target. I'm the Regent."
"You make Minister Li do so much every day, and you're always using my handwritten orders to hurry him along."
"Your Majesty, the nation requires it."
"You even put his reproductive assessment on television."
"Your Majesty, publicity requires it."
Jiang Lihua thought for a moment and finally found the most fitting words.
"Lin Cuo, you shameless, treacherous minister who works loyal servants to the bone and spouts nothing but twisted nonsense."
After hearing that, Lin Cuo actually