The Poisonous Concubine is alive

Chapter 176 Educating the Prince

Ye Feng has been studying hard.

When Ye Chenxuan saw that his eldest son had grown up, he wanted to teach him how to win people over with virtue.

Ye Feng looked at Ye Chenxuan in confusion and asked, "Dad, what does it mean to win people over with virtue?" Ye Chenxuan stroked Ye Feng's hair with a smile and said slowly, "To win people over with virtue means to influence others with one's own moral character and moral power, so that they will be convinced wholeheartedly." Ye Feng nodded, not quite understanding.

Ye Chenxuan continued, "My child, medicine is not only the skill of treating diseases, but also a kind heart that saves people from suffering. If you only rely on superb medical skills but lack medical ethics, you cannot be called a good doctor."

Ye Feng pondered for a moment, his eyes gradually brightening, he seemed to understand his father's words. Seeing this, Ye Chenxuan felt very relieved, he knew that Ye Feng had taken a solid step on the road to growth.

Ye Chenxuan persuaded his son to study national affairs hard.

Only then can he take his wife to travel and enjoy the scenery.

And long distance deception.

Liu Yunrou wanted to laugh when she looked at Ye Chenxuan.

I have never seen anyone fooling his son like this.

I know he'd be pissed to death.

Liu Yunrou, the heir of a kingdom, was gentle, virtuous, and exceptionally wise. One day, she watched her husband, Ye Chenxuan, solemnly admonish their son, the ten-year-old Crown Prince, in the court, teaching him how to govern the country. She couldn't help but chuckle. While Ye Chenxuan's words were a bit exaggerated, their underlying logic was profound, demonstrating his well-intentioned approach to the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, the way to govern a country is to prioritize people's livelihood, followed by etiquette and laws." Ye Chenxuan said seriously, but secretly gave Liu Yunrou a look for help. Obviously, he also knew that his words were a little difficult to justify.

Liu Yunrou suppressed a smile and nodded gently, signaling Ye Chenxuan to continue. She knew that although Ye Chenxuan's words were somewhat playful, he was indeed using his own way to help the prince understand state affairs as soon as possible and lay the foundation for future responsibilities.

"Father, what should be done if there is a dispute between the people and officials?" The little prince asked curiously, blinking his big eyes.

Ye Chenxuan paused for a moment, then said seriously, "Of course, we will be fair and impartial, and abide by the laws of the country. But before that, we need to conduct an in-depth investigation to understand the truth."

Liu Yunrou listened, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. She knew that while Ye Chenxuan was deceiving her son, he was actually diligently teaching him the art of statecraft, and she herself was doing her utmost to assist him, jointly managing the country and making it prosperous. A united heart is as strong as iron, and with their combined efforts, their country would surely become even better.

The Crown Prince was young, innocent, and still unaware of worldly affairs. One day, Emperor Ye Chenxuan suddenly decided to test the Crown Prince's adaptability, so he pretended to be serious and summoned him to the Imperial Study.

Ye Chenxuan sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes sharp as torches, and said to the prince, "Son, a king must master a unique skill in order to shock everyone. Do you know what it is?" Upon hearing this, the prince's eyes widened, and he shook his head in confusion, indicating that he didn't know.

Ye Chenxuan cleared his throat and continued to fool people: "This unique skill is 'getting something for nothing'. It does not require any soldiers and can make the enemy surrender." After hearing this, the prince became even more confused. His little face was full of confusion, but he did not dare to interrupt his father. He could only listen in a daze.

Seeing this, Ye Chenxuan suppressed a smile and continued, "Just watch me demonstrate it." He waved his hand mysteriously, as if he were actually demonstrating some advanced technique. The prince's eyes widened, trying to discern the mystery in his father's movements, but all he saw was the traces of a suppressed smile on Ye Chenxuan's face.

After the demonstration, Ye Chenxuan asked, "Son, do you understand?" The prince nodded blankly, then shook his head, his face full of confusion and bewilderment. He wondered in his heart, "Is the art of being an emperor really so mysterious?"

Seeing the prince's reaction, Ye Chenxuan finally couldn't help laughing out loud, thinking to himself: "My prince is really innocent and adorable. This trick of 'getting something for nothing' has left him completely bewildered." The prince became even more ignorant amidst his father's laughter, wondering when he would be able to learn this so-called "emperor's unique skill."

The prince's learning of statecraft is not a one-day endeavor; it requires continuous practice and gradual progress. The following are feasible paths for the prince to follow:

First, the Crown Prince should thoroughly study the classics and history, gaining a broad understanding of both the past and present. The foundation of statecraft lies in knowledge. The Crown Prince should begin with Confucian classics such as the Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals, understanding the rise and fall of dynasties and drawing on the wisdom of the ancient sages. Furthermore, he should study historical texts such as the Records of the Grand Historian and the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, using history as a mirror to discern right from wrong and understand the principles of statecraft.

Secondly, the crown prince should be open-minded and seek instruction from virtuous officials. The emperor could select loyal and experienced officials, such as the prime minister and the chief censor, to serve as mentors to the crown prince, imparting their experience in state governance. The crown prince should respect his teachers, study diligently, and learn from experience how to handle government affairs and maintain a balanced political balance.

Secondly, the Crown Prince should visit the grassroots level to understand the people's sentiments. When governing a country, people's livelihoods are paramount. The Crown Prince should step out of the palace, engage with the people, understand their sufferings, and experience their customs and sentiments. Only through on-the-ground investigations can the Crown Prince understand the gains and losses of policies and formulate strategies that truly benefit the country and its people.

Furthermore, the Crown Prince should cultivate decisiveness and courage. Governing a country involves not only civil affairs but also military preparation. The Crown Prince can hone his judgment and decision-making abilities by participating in court meetings and handling urgent matters. At the same time, he should learn the martial arts of riding and archery to strengthen his physique and cultivate a courageous and decisive temperament.

Finally, the Crown Prince must cultivate his character and establish virtue. A gentleman's virtue is like the wind, while a villain's virtue is like grass; the wind bends the grass. The Crown Prince should set an example, be strict with himself, treat others with integrity, cultivate a benevolent heart, and establish prestige. Only then can he win the hearts of the people, retain his subjects, and serve as the leader of the nation.

In summary, if the prince can follow this path and persevere, he will surely master it in due time. Under the scorching sun of midsummer, Prince Ye Feng, with a heart of learning, embarked on a practical training journey in the south. This time, he chose the Jiangnan water village as the training location, intending to go deep into the people and understand water conservancy construction and agricultural production.

Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Prince Ye Feng chose not to live in a luxurious palace, but instead settled into a simple dwelling, sharing his daily life with the local people. He first devoted himself to the construction of water conservancy projects, personally working in the fields to dredge ditches and build dams, experiencing the hardships farmers faced in managing floods. His clothes were soaked with sweat, but he uttered no complaints, only strengthening his resolve to improve people's livelihoods.

In agricultural practice, Prince Ye Feng humbly learns planting techniques from farmers, personally participating in every step of the process, from transplanting rice seedlings and fertilizing to harvesting. Knowing that food is the primary need of the people, his emphasis on agriculture is self-evident. While working in the rice fields, he engages with farmers, understanding their needs and challenges and exploring ways to increase yields and reduce their burdens.

Besides agriculture and water conservancy, Prince Ye Feng also focused on local education and healthcare. He visited rural schools, reading and writing with children, encouraging them to study diligently and contribute to the country's future. During his visits to medical clinics, he expressed his concern for the health of the people and discussed with doctors how to improve medical care and protect public health.

Through this practical training, Crown Prince Ye Feng not only strengthened his body and will, but also gained a deeper understanding of the suffering and needs of the people. He understood that as a crown prince, he must not only master the governance of the country but also understand the people's support. This trip to the south of the Yangtze River made Crown Prince Ye Feng more mature and stable, laying a solid foundation for his future succession to the throne and benefit the people. He mastered the art of statecraft and became a wise ruler.

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