After the emperor read her mind, the salted fish concubine effortlessly won the title of empress.

Chapter 137 The Aura of a Wise Ruler

"Dad, what are you doing here? I thought you were at home. Perfect timing, I have something to tell you!"

"Yes, yes, yes, we'll talk about it later!" Shen Xianzhang kept winking at his daughter, as if to say, "Doesn't His Majesty have important business to attend to?"

Li Yuanke didn't have any important business. He came here to check on the teaching situation and, more importantly, to meet someone.

The two toured the academy, which recruited students from poor families. Who wouldn't be happy to suddenly see the emperor's presence?

Everyone was so excited, as if they had been injected with adrenaline. In that instant, everyone's loyalty to the emperor reached its peak.

Li Yuanke then gave the students a few words of encouragement, saying, "Gentlemen, you should devote yourselves to studying, establish the ambition to discipline yourselves and restore propriety, and keep in mind the desire to serve the country and bring peace to the people. I will also open the gates of the emperor wide and set up ladders to the clouds."

"I hope to see you all in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the future, where we can compose a beautiful tale of harmonious governance between ruler and minister!"

These students from poor families could be said to have been supported by Li Yuanke. They were already grateful, and with such encouragement, how could they not study hard?

After dismissing them, Shen Xianzhang led them to a small courtyard, shaded by tall bamboo, where the sounds of phoenixes could be heard, giving it the air of a hermit living in seclusion.

At the entrance, an old man, supported by a child, emerged. He was dressed in simple blue robes, his hair was white, but his eyes shone brightly. "This humble subject greets Your Majesty!"

Li Yuanke hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Teacher, you are performing such a grand ceremony for me. Are you still resentful that I was disrespectful to you back then?"

"This humble subject is ashamed! His Majesty was still young at the time, and it was this humble subject who was unworthy to be his teacher!"

This man was none other than Li Jizhong, the one who taught the princes to read back then, but was so angered by Li Yuanke that he resigned.

The main reason was that Li Yuanke was young and disobedient at the time. Mr. Li Jizhong had a bad temper, and the more disobedient Li Yuanke was, the more he would argue with him. Li Yuanke was extremely annoyed and disliked the old man even more.

He caught a snake and put it in Li Jizhong's book box, which almost bit him.

Li Jizhong then complained to the late emperor, scolding Li Yuanke for being unruly and refusing to be the princes' teacher. The late emperor had no choice but to seek help from Master Shen.

Li Jizhong and Old Master Shen were rivals for their entire lives, neither willing to concede to the other. When Old Master Shen heard that Li Yuanke was a prince whom Li Jizhong could not subdue, he took a great liking to him. Even when he was driven to the brink of death by Li Yuanke's mischievousness, he was still happy to accept it.

When Li Jizhong spoke ill of Li Yuanke, Old Master Shen praised him in every way, saying he was smart, insightful, magnanimous, and a once-in-a-millennium genius.

It's fortunate that Old Master Shen wasn't a midwife, otherwise he would have definitely made up some kind of divine miracle when the Empress Dowager gave birth to him, and that he would definitely become a wise and benevolent ruler for all time.

It was through this that Shen Shixi met Li Yuanke. One of them didn't like studying, and the other was rebellious by nature. The two got along very well, and almost drove Old Master Shen crazy.

Li Yuanke still had some conscience, but Shen Shixi had no respect for the elderly at all, saying things like, "Getting angry makes you ten years younger."

Shen Shixi stepped forward and bowed, "Hello, Grandpa Li. You're so energetic, it seems you don't miss my grandpa at all."

Li Jizhong laughed heartily, "You little rascal, you're still so clever and mischievous. This old man is getting old too, I don't know when I'll be going to see your grandfather! Come, come in and talk, I've heard a lot about the Emperor's benevolent policies even though I live in the countryside."

In the literary circles of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there was a saying: "Li in the South and Shen in the North." Li in the South refers to Li Jizhong, who was from the South, while Shen in the North is naturally Shen Shixi's grandfather.

A figure of paramount importance.

After Shen Xianzhang established the academy, he wrote a letter to Li Jizhong, specifically stating that the academy was established in accordance with the emperor's decree, specifically for students from poor families.

Li Jizhong came from a humble background, yet he was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the old master Shen, who was a man of refined manners and scholarly traditions. He was no ordinary person.

Old Master Shen greatly respected Li Jizhong's integrity during his lifetime. With Li Jizhong in charge, the academy quickly gained fame and became renowned among scholars, which is beneficial to His Majesty's benevolence.

Therefore, Shen Xianzhang was also a capable and dedicated person.

The group took their seats according to their status as hosts and guests. Shen Shixi personally brewed tea, and the study was soon filled with the aroma of tea and a warm atmosphere.

Several people were discussing state affairs when Li Yuanke mentioned several major tasks to be undertaken next year: improving the administration, promoting new crops, establishing the imperial examination system, and developing the study of natural phenomena—each of which would benefit the country and its people.

Li Jizhong said earnestly, "Your Majesty, governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. You should remember the past when the previous dynasty was destroyed and learn from it. The last emperor was not a tyrant, and the policies he implemented were by no means tyrannical. It was just that he implemented them too fiercely and did not give the people and the court a chance to breathe, which aroused public anger and resistance."

Li Yuanke seemed lost in thought, but he didn't know what to say, since the last emperor was his maternal grandfather.

Shen Shixi said, "Every single thing the last emperor of the previous dynasty did was detrimental to the present, but it was beneficial for future generations and had a long-term impact. History may evaluate him as a tyrant, but a tyrant is not necessarily a foolish ruler."

"What Your Majesty plans is not something to be rushed. On the contrary, what benefits the people should be pursued gradually and diligently over time to yield results. But in any case, under Your Majesty's rule, our Great Zhou will create a new world."

Li Jizhong knew the abilities of the young girl from the Shen family, so he wasn't surprised that she was involved. On the contrary, he appreciated her insightful observations and painstaking efforts.

Li Jizhong clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! I wish I could live a few more years to see such a new world. No more famine for the people, no more freezing to death in winter, a strong and prosperous Great Zhou, and no more invasions from Beisha and Xiling! How wonderful!"

Lunch was served here. Shen Xianzhang arranged the food, and everyone had a simple meal before Li Yuanke was about to leave.

He can't stay outside for long.

Shen Shixi told her father that he should find an opportunity to plead for Song Piyang during the grand ancestral celebration on the first day of the new year. Shen Xianzhang naturally agreed. He didn't ask why; he would just do whatever his daughter wanted.

Let's get rid of this nuisance as soon as possible.

"You should go back to the palace with the Emperor properly and not wander around outside!" Shen Xianzhang warned.

Shen Shixi just wanted to wander around outside for a while, so she stamped her foot and said, "Is he my real father? Was I adopted?"

This infuriated Shen Xianzhang even more.

Shen Shixi asked, "Where is my third brother? Has he returned?"

Her three older brothers were all doting on their sister. The third brother was not much older than her and was easily fooled by her. After she entered the palace, she hired the third brother to help her manage her businesses, with an annual salary of one thousand taels.

When she first heard the number, her third brother was so frightened that his legs went weak. After taking over, he regretted it deeply.

It wouldn't be unreasonable for him to take 100,000 taels of silver from her every year!

However, the brother and sister signed an agreement, a three-year contract.

Shen Shixi euphemistically said that her third brother was not very experienced, and the three years was a probationary period. After three years, when he became more proficient, she would give him a raise.

Shen Shixi mainly deals in soaps, face powders, women's cosmetics, underwear, and some restaurants. The profits are high, and he makes money off the rich.

"I'll be back in a couple of days."

"Oh, then I'll wait for him to return before I go home from the palace."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xianzhang nearly went mad. "Son, I beg you, wouldn't it be better to just be a palace concubine? You're constantly leaving the palace and coming home. If you do, those censors will impeach us again. My status is different now..."

"What's the difference? He's still my dad, isn't he?"

Fearing for Li Yuanke and the others, Shen Shixi waved his hand, "Father, I'm leaving. Don't bother seeing me off!"

He then boarded the carriage.