Translator: Vivi from dummytranslations Editor: Mimishijie The Emperor is an incapable ruler(3): The missing protagonist
Xiang Han finished going through the menu and personally went down to the dungeon to receive Zhao Bing Zhang. Once he saw him, he held onto the other person's hands and tearfully choked, “T-Teacher, you've suffered…”
Zhao Bing Zhang had actually been unhappy with the original host's weak and cowardly character. Adding on to his gullibility, he was not suitable to be an Emperor. But he had no choice since the other person was the late king's only blood relative. If he did not a.s.sist him, who should he a.s.sist?
But after this matter, his att.i.tude towards the Little Emperor underwent a change.
Without the a.s.sistant ministers to a.s.sist him, the Little Emperor was not as helpless as he had thought, actually faring quite well. Zhao Bing Zhang could not help but think, could it be that he and the two other a.s.sistant ministers had tried too hard to control him in the past, causing the emperor to become cowardly and indecisive?
When the original host was eight years old, Zhao Bing Zhang began to teach him the ways of a monarch. In the end, this was the person whom he watched grow up and also the Emperor to whom he had always been loyal, there was no way Zhao Bing Zhang had the heart to criticise him.
After holding onto Xiang Han, he immediately lifted up the hem of his robes and knelt down, “I've caused Your Majesty to worry, it's truly this old minister's fault…”
After a round of expressing his grat.i.tude and loyalty, Zhao Bing Zheng began to mention his desire to retire, sincerely expressing his thoughts: Your Majesty has done very well and he was already old, he could not continue serving His Majesty and wished for the Emperor to allow him to rest his old bones.
Xiang Han was dumbfounded. After Zhao Bing Zhang left, who will help him manage the accounts? He had tried a little in the last few days and his hands nearly fell off.
No way, there was definitely no way!
Xiang Han immediately said tearfully, “Does teacher still blame Zhen for this incident?”
After saying this, he choked for half a day but could not force out a single drop of tear and could only act pitiful.
Zhao Ze stood behind and watch as the emperor's expression flicker between wanting to cry and holding back, he could not help but advised, “Father, His Majesty is still young and easily swayed. What if another person like Prince Liang appears again…”
Xiang Han just noticed his presence and instinctively looked back at him.
En, his swollen face had recovered quite a lot and he could finally see the sharp outline. He looked quite heroic but apart from his eyes, there was nothing that resembled Lu Ze and the rest of them.
Xiang Han was disappointed but thinking from another angle, this arrangement was also good. He could develop an Emperor and courtier relationship. What ‘Zhen with Zhao Ze, was like a fish in water', ‘learning from Zhao Ze's experience can avoid failure' . They would become a pair of outstanding monarch and virtuous courtier with a deep and pure relationship.
Zhao Bing Zhang had thought that after he left, the Little Emperor might rapidly grow up. But his son's words also made sense, the emperor was still young and his heart might waver. There was a risk that he may be swayed by some ill-intentioned people.
Therefore, under Xiang Han's repeated pleas, he finally gave up on any thoughts of retirement.
Xiang Han sighed in relief. He had managed to make the hardworking old cow stay, in the future he could relax.
After Zhao Bing Zhang agreed to stay behind, his expression suddenly changed as he roared at Zhao Ze, “Unfilial child, why are you not kneeling?”
Zhao Ze was very obedient, dropping to his knees with a “thud”.
Xiang Han had not regained his senses before he heard his teacher said remorsefully, “Your Majesty, this old minister failed to teach his son properly, therefore this unfilial child dared to barge into the palace and even threaten Your Majesty…”
Turns out he was talking about this matter. Xiang Han had nearly forgotten. Instantly, a light flashed through his eyes and Zhao Ze, who just happened to steal a glance at him, suddenly shivered.
Xiang Han touched his chin and said, “Out of filial piety, Minister Zhao risked his life and dared to criticise Zhen. Zhen can understand…”
The more Zhao Ze heard, the more uncomfortable he felt, and he instinctively sneaked a glance at the Little Emperor. Unsurprisingly, his eyes were filled with glee.
“But a crime cannot go unpunished lest others learn from Minister Zhao's actions and Zhen will be unable to sleep at night, ah.”
Zhao Bing Zhang quickly nodded his head in agreement and also kicked Zhao Ze at the same time, “Unfilial child, you're still not admitting your crimes?”
Zhao Ze endured the pain and said, “This minister has committed a crime, please punish me as Your Majesty sees fit.”
Xiang Han's expression revealed his ‘dilemma' as he helplessly said, “Zhen actually wanted to let Minister Zhao go, but the laws cannot be ignored. Sigh, Zhen will be lenient, 20 strokes and two years of no salary.”
Zhao Bing Zhang was stunned and then softly asked, “Your Majesty, this…isn't it too light?”
Xiang Han grinned and said, “It's not light. It's not light at all. Minister Zhao is Zhen's right hand man, he cannot be broken or else Zhen will be in trouble.”
Zhao Ze heard this and could not help shivering.
Xiang Han personally oversaw the punishment, calling for a group of eunuchs to gather around.
Xiang Han was afraid that the punishment would be too severe and privately ordered his subordinates to simply put on a show. There was no need to hit too hard.
Zhao Ze was pressed against the bench while Xiang Han sat high above, leisurely eating grapes. When he saw the imperial bodyguard lift up the other person's robes and raised the rod, Xiang Han instantly spat out the grape and stopped him, “You're doing it wrong.”
The bodyguard was startled. Wasn't this how they had always done it before? Zhao Ze also frowned, wondering what the Little Emperor was thinking of this time.
Xiang Han grinned, his heart filled with ill-intentions as he said, “Take off his clothes and beat him.”
Who asked you to drag me out from the bath, hmph!
Zhao Ze, “...”
The imperial bodyguard was very fast, stripping off his upper robes in an instant. Xiang Han did not expect that this lad who always appeared elegant to be so buff after taking off his clothes. Just look at those smooth muscular lines on his back, from its firmness, it was clear that his figure was not too bad. No wonder Zhao Ze could easily drag him out from the bathtub that day.
But he remembered that it was the b.u.t.t that would be hit. Therefore, he calmly instructed, “Take off his pants too.”
Zhao Ze's face immediately flushed, raising his head to stare at him. To strip off his pants in public was equivalent to sweeping away his pride, destroying his dignity.
The palace maids at the side heard it and also blushed. Every one of them looked away in embarra.s.sment.
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Zhao Bing Zhang. Once he saw him, he held onto the other person's hands and tearfully choked, “T-Teacher, you've suffered…”
Zhao Bing Zhang had actually been unhappy with the original host's weak and cowardly character. Adding on to his gullibility, he was not suitable to be an Emperor. But he had no choice since the other person was the late king's only blood relative. If he did not a.s.sist him, who should he a.s.sist?
But after this matter, his att.i.tude towards the Little Emperor underwent a change.
Without the a.s.sistant ministers to a.s.sist him, the Little Emperor was not as helpless as he had thought, actually faring quite well. Zhao Bing Zhang could not help but think, could it be that he and the two other a.s.sistant ministers had tried too hard to control him in the past, causing the emperor to become cowardly and indecisive?
When the original host was eight years old, Zhao Bing Zhang began to teach him the ways of a monarch. In the end, this was the person whom he watched grow up and also the Emperor to whom he had always been loyal, there was no way Zhao Bing Zhang had the heart to criticise him.
After holding onto Xiang Han, he immediately lifted up the hem of his robes and knelt down, “I've caused Your Majesty to worry, it's truly this old minister's fault…”
After a round of expressing his grat.i.tude and loyalty, Zhao Bing Zheng began to mention his desire to retire, sincerely expressing his thoughts: Your Majesty has done very well and he was already old, he could not continue serving His Majesty and wished for the Emperor to allow him to rest his old bones.
Xiang Han was dumbfounded. After Zhao Bing Zhang left, who will help him manage the accounts? He had tried a little in the last few days and his hands nearly fell off.
No way, there was definitely no way!
Xiang Han immediately said tearfully, “Does teacher still blame Zhen for this incident?”
After saying this, he choked for half a day but could not force out a single drop of tear and could only act pitiful.
Zhao Ze stood behind and watch as the emperor's expression flicker between wanting to cry and holding back, he could not help but advised, “Father, His Majesty is still young and easily swayed. What if another person like Prince Liang appears again…”
Xiang Han just noticed his presence and instinctively looked back at him.
En, his swollen face had recovered quite a lot and he could finally see the sharp outline. He looked quite heroic but apart from his eyes, there was nothing that resembled Lu Ze and the rest of them.
Xiang Han was disappointed but thinking from another angle, this arrangement was also good. He could develop an Emperor and courtier relationship. What ‘Zhen with Zhao Ze, was like a fish in water', ‘learning from Zhao Ze's experience can avoid failure' . They would become a pair of outstanding monarch and virtuous courtier with a deep and pure relationship.
Zhao Bing Zhang had thought that after he left, the Little Emperor might rapidly grow up. But his son's words also made sense, the emperor was still young and his heart might waver. There was a risk that he may be swayed by some ill-intentioned people.
Therefore, under Xiang Han's repeated pleas, he finally gave up on any thoughts of retirement.
Xiang Han sighed in relief. He had managed to make the hardworking old cow stay, in the future he could relax.
After Zhao Bing Zhang agreed to stay behind, his expression suddenly changed as he roared at Zhao Ze, “Unfilial child, why are you not kneeling?”
Zhao Ze was very obedient, dropping to his knees with a “thud”.
Xiang Han had not regained his senses before he heard his teacher said remorsefully, “Your Majesty, this old minister failed to teach his son properly, therefore this unfilial child dared to barge into the palace and even threaten Your Majesty…”
Turns out he was talking about this matter. Xiang Han had nearly forgotten. Instantly, a light flashed through his eyes and Zhao Ze, who just happened to steal a glance at him, suddenly shivered.
Xiang Han touched his chin and said, “Out of filial piety, Minister Zhao risked his life and dared to criticise Zhen. Zhen can understand…”
The more Zhao Ze heard, the more uncomfortable he felt, and he instinctively sneaked a glance at the Little Emperor. Unsurprisingly, his eyes were filled with glee.
“But a crime cannot go unpunished lest others learn from Minister Zhao's actions and Zhen will be unable to sleep at night, ah.”
Zhao Bing Zhang quickly nodded his head in agreement and also kicked Zhao Ze at the same time, “Unfilial child, you're still not admitting your crimes?”
Zhao Ze endured the pain and said, “This minister has committed a crime, please punish me as Your Majesty sees fit.”
Xiang Han's expression revealed his ‘dilemma' as he helplessly said, “Zhen actually wanted to let Minister Zhao go, but the laws cannot be ignored. Sigh, Zhen will be lenient, 20 strokes and two years of no salary.”
Zhao Bing Zhang was stunned and then softly asked, “Your Majesty, this…isn't it too light?”
Xiang Han grinned and said, “It's not light. It's not light at all. Minister Zhao is Zhen's right hand man, he cannot be broken or else Zhen will be in trouble.”
Zhao Ze heard this and could not help shivering.
Xiang Han personally oversaw the punishment, calling for a group of eunuchs to gather around.
Xiang Han was afraid that the punishment would be too severe and privately ordered his subordinates to simply put on a show. There was no need to hit too hard.
Zhao Ze was pressed against the bench while Xiang Han sat high above, leisurely eating grapes. When he saw the imperial bodyguard lift up the other person's robes and raised the rod, Xiang Han instantly spat out the grape and stopped him, “You're doing it wrong.”
The bodyguard was startled. Wasn't this how they had always done it before? Zhao Ze also frowned, wondering what the Little Emperor was thinking of this time.
Xiang Han grinned, his heart filled with ill-intentions as he said, “Take off his clothes and beat him.”
Who asked you to drag me out from the bath, hmph!
Zhao Ze, “...”
The imperial bodyguard was very fast, stripping off his upper robes in an instant. Xiang Han did not expect that this lad who always appeared elegant to be so buff after taking off his clothes. Just look at those smooth muscular lines on his back, from its firmness, it was clear that his figure was not too bad. No wonder Zhao Ze could easily drag him out from the bathtub that day.
But he remembered that it was the b.u.t.t that would be hit. Therefore, he calmly instructed, “Take off his pants too.”
Zhao Ze's face immediately flushed, raising his head to stare at him. To strip off his pants in public was equivalent to sweeping away his pride, destroying his dignity.
The palace maids at the side heard it and also blushed. Every one of them looked away in embarra.s.sment.