Chapter 1111: The Art of Using People

When the crowd dispersed, the two had nearly mastered the local dialect; Pan Yun waved her hand, and the Brocade Uniform Guards climbed onto the roof to haul Luo Yu down.

Zhu Jianji, seeing his master hadn't moved, sat quietly and found his own homework: "Teacher, this man cannot be used."

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Zhu Jianji: "His forehead is narrow and sunken, with scattered lines—clear signs of a narrow mind, suspicion, and obstinacy. His words and deeds confirm it—he is a petty man."

Pan Yun asked: "Anything else?"

Zhu Jianji hesitated a moment before saying: "I notice his official fortune palace also differs from Lord Xue's—it's the exact opposite. You once said Lord Xue, though without ambition, possesses compassion and excels in open strategies, so as long as he meets a wise ruler, his future is limitless. Luo Yu's official fortune palace is precisely the reverse—does that mean he has great ambition but no compassion, and prefers covert schemes?"

Pan Yun raised an eyebrow, her face filled with amazement: "If you weren't Crown Prince, you could be a Daoist Priest—you could make a living reading faces."

Zhu Jianji's eyes lit up brightly: "Teacher, did I get it right?"

"You got it right—but your conclusion is wrong."

"Hm?" Zhu Jianji's eyes were clear, utterly puzzled.

Pan Yun: "Who said a petty man can't be used? You're meant to be ruler and minister, not friends."

"But the 'Memorial on Departing for War' warns rulers to draw near virtuous ministers and keep away from petty men. The Grand Tutors constantly advise me thus. Didn't you yourself warn Father Emperor to favor the Grand Secretaries and avoid the sycophants who scramble for personal gain in court and palace?"

"That's your father. Each monkey has its own way to be tied," Pan Yun said, catching Zhu Jianji's shocked gaze, and smoothly corrected herself: "I mean, each person has their own way of acting."

Zhu Jianji was very intelligent, but at this moment his eyes were clouded.

After a pause, Pan Yun said: "There are many paths to being a wise ruler, and many methods to reach each path—because each emperor is different, so the methods he uses must differ."

"Your father is humble, cares for the people, and is soft-hearted—but this makes him indecisive and easily swayed. Therefore, he must not have corrupt ministers around him, because he cannot control them. Do you know Xu Youzhen, the River Patrol Censor?"

Zhu Jianji immediately replied: "Yes. Last year, the Yellow River region suffered a great flood—the heaviest rain in thirty years—but the dikes held. Grand Secretary Yu and Minister Hu jointly submitted a memorial praising Xu Youzhen for his achievements."

Pan Yun nodded: "Correct. Last year, the Yellow River held firm thanks to Xu Youzhen's river management. Yu Qian was his friend, admired his talent, and petitioned the Emperor twice to recall him to the capital—but the Emperor refused. Do you know why?"

Zhu Jianji shook his head.

Pan Yun said: "Because he is a petty man."

"Ah?" Zhu Jianji's eyes widened.

Pan Yun pointed toward Luo Yu's retreating figure in the distance: "Their personalities are similar. The difference is, Xu Youzhen is handsome, with an aura of righteousness—most people can't see through him."

Zhu Jianji's eyes lit up brightly: "Even Grand Secretary Yu didn't see through him?"

"Chen Xun is a cunning old fox—he didn't see through him either. Xu Youzhen once tried to climb the ladder through Chen Xun, and they were quite close."

"How did Father Emperor uncover his true nature? Was it because of you…?"

Pan Yun shook her head: "No. I was the one who recommended him to your father."

"Ah?"