stonecrandall Chapter 789: Xiao He really has a way, some people just need to be forced!
Chapter 789: Xiao He really has a way, some people just need to be forced!
"Well!" Gao Yao finally waved his hand and stopped insisting, "Then tell me, what's the 'method' to solve this dilemma of 'establish' and 'not establish'?" He deliberately emphasized "method" rather than "people".
Xiao He felt relieved, his tense shoulders finally relaxed, a glimmer of wisdom flashed in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Your Majesty, in fact, there is a way to solve this dilemma and turn passivity into initiative." He took a step forward, his voice clear and powerful, "That is - to set up a 'succession assessment'!"
"The succession assessment?" Gao Yao was stunned, leaning forward slightly, obviously surprised and confused by the answer. "This... isn't it going to drive all my children to this single-plank bridge to compete? What I want is the right people to do the right things! If I let them all learn how to be a king, and only one person is chosen in the end, how can the loser be willing to accept the years of hard work? There will be resentment, and the brothers will eventually kill each other! What's the difference between this and not appointing a crown prince? In the end, there will be disaster!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao He's smile deepened, as if he had already anticipated Gao Yao's doubts: "Your Majesty has misunderstood! I only said 'assessment', but never said that those who excel in the assessment will definitely ascend to the throne!"
"Ah?" Gao Yao was completely stunned and couldn't follow Xiao He's train of thought for a moment.
Xiao He calmly explained, "Your Majesty, the fundamental purpose of this 'assessment' is 'screening', but the screening criteria, content, and even the ultimate purpose are all in your hands! During this process, your Majesty only needs to order people to carefully record the performance, temperament, talents, and preferences of the princes in various assessments. The assessment itself does not need to pursue whether they have reached the standard of 'emperor's talent'. What your Majesty really needs to understand is what each prince is 'suitable for'!"
He paused, letting Gao Yao digest the matter for a moment, and continued, "In this way, the king's worries will be solved: first, it will provide a seemingly equal platform for the young masters to display their talents. Whether they learn or not, and how well they learn, is their own responsibility, and the king will be impartial; second, through long-term and multi-faceted observation, the king can clearly grasp the characteristics, talents and temperament of each young master, laying the foundation for properly arranging their positions in the future."
"Third, and most importantly, as long as this 'assessment' system is established, it doesn't matter whether the assessment period is three years, five years, or even longer! This move will show the court and the people inside and outside the court that the king has already decided on a successor and is assessing his sons in an open and fair manner. When those ministers who are waiting and watching know that the king has made a plan and put it into action, they will have hope in their hearts. Knowing that the final result must come from the king's clear judgment, they will naturally be able to calm down and perform their duties. They will no longer be confused and uneasy because of the vacant throne, and they will not dare to take risks and speculate easily!"
Xiao He's speech was like a ray of light, and it explained the wonderful use of "succession assessment" in detail. This is not only a screening tool, but also a "stabilizing force" to stabilize the court, a wonderful strategy to transform the passive difficulty of establishing a crown prince into active control of the situation.
Gao Yao stared at Xiao He in a daze, his eyes changing from confusion to surprise, and finally to a sudden enlightenment, even with a bit of self-mockery. He took a long breath, his tense body completely relaxed, and a sincere smile appeared on his face that he hadn't seen in a long time:
"Great! What a great 'succession assessment'! Old Xiao, Old Xiao, your words are really... a sudden enlightenment! Wonderful!"
He sighed in his heart that he was deeply trapped in the situation, trapped by the complexity of the backyard and the hidden worries of the future, and he was stuck in a dead end. Xiao He stood outside the situation and, with his transcendent wisdom and insight into people's hearts, he gently untied the seemingly unsolvable knot. This method is not complicated, but it requires breaking away from the "either-or" mindset, and it requires the courage to put forward such a bold and ingenious idea on the most sensitive issue of the emperor. This wisdom and courage deserves the title of "pillar of the country"!
Gao Yao's words of praise, "I suddenly realized something," still echoed in the carriage, bringing a sense of relief. Xiao He's tense heartstrings finally relaxed a little, but what followed was not pride, but a kind of exhaustion and deep helplessness as if he had survived a disaster.
He smiled bitterly and bowed deeply to Gao Yao. His smile was filled with bitterness and self-mockery. "Your Majesty, you are too kind. It's not that I am smart." Xiao He's voice became low, with a kind of frankness from the bottom of his heart. "I can't help it..."
This is true. How could it be that Xiao He was full of wisdom and took the initiative to offer advice? It was obvious that Gao Yao had pushed him into a corner step by step, and he racked his brains to squeeze out such a seemingly win-win but actually equally precarious way out of the cracks. If Gao Yao had not been relentless in pursuing him and acting as a king in the name of a friend, he would rather play dumb and never touch this hot potato in his life! Who would be willing to take the initiative to get into the center of the vortex of the battle for the throne?
Gao Yao looked at Xiao He's "bitter" look, and instead of being annoyed, he laughed out loud. He waved his hand casually, as if the discussion just now, which was about the foundation of the country and enough to make any minister tremble with fear, was just a casual chat between friends:
"Alright, alright. I know it's hard for you." His tone was casual and almost doting. "We'll do as you say. We'll discuss the details later. Now..." Gao Yao's eyes turned to the moving scenery outside the car window. "Notify them and continue the journey! Don't delay the trip."
This light and casual command sounded like a pardon to Xiao He. He immediately gathered all his emotions, restored his calm and capable attitude as a prime minister, bowed and said, "Yes! I obey your order."
There were no extra words, no deliberate comfort. Gao Yao's "not taking it to heart" was precisely the highest expression of his trust in Xiao He. This trust did not come out of thin air. Xiao He knew very well that looking at the entire court, even Han Xin, who had made great military achievements, or Cao Shen, who was smart and resourceful, might not be like him, who could speak those almost "rebellious" words in front of Gao Yao as a "friend", and even with a little "complaint".
The foundation of this trust was Xiao He's consistent and meticulous assistance for more than ten years, the friendship that Gao Yao had with Xiao He since he was in Pei County, and his character of "steady as a mountain and loyal to the country". Xiao He took every step steadily and correctly, which made Gao Yao feel at ease. His talent was the cornerstone, and his cautious and unambitious character was the key to Gao Yao's courage to place such trust in him.
Xiao He maintained a respectful attitude and slowly exited the spacious and comfortable carriage. The curtain fell behind him, blocking out the light and air inside. At the moment the curtain closed, Xiao He's straight back hunched slightly, almost imperceptibly.