Chapter 61: Not Telling You Part Three

“But… If…. If Great Sui is in a dangerous situation, the fact that officials and generals have little trust in each other will be a big issue. If foreign enemies invade Great Sui, some officials might sabotage each other due to old grudges. Therefore, Great Sui’s danger would come from within.”

Hearing this, Mr. Zhuo smiled and asked, “Which nation in the world do you think has soldiers who could invade Great Sui? Mongo-Yuan? Or the weak Eastern Chu and Southern Yan?”

His tone showed the pride and confidence that the people of Great Sui had.

Fang Jie thought for a moment and shook his head. “I can’t think of any forces in the world who could run loose in the territory of Great Sui.”

He paused for a second and added, “However, only those extremely wise rulers dare to let the subordinates be this careful and fight among each other. Otherwise, the rulers would puke blood due to overworking.”

“You are disrespectful.” Mr. Zhuo rolled his eyes at Fang Jie.

“Respect is in the heart and not on the face,” Fang Jie replied earnestly.

Mr. Zhuo looked at Fang Jie and suddenly sighed, “You don’t have much respect toward the Emperor of Great Sui in your heart as well.”

Fang Jie was surprised, and then he said with slight anger, “Hey, you are cheating.”

Mr. Zhuo smiled and replied, “Since you said that only an extremely wise ruler could manage such a government, then I can tell you that His Majesty can turn the government into another shape if he wants to. When His Majesty doesn’t want officials to be too close, no one dares to unite. When His Majesty wants officials to cooperate, no one dares not to do so.”

Fang Jie froze for a second and said earnestly, “Such dominance.”

…

Mr. Zhuo looked at Fang Jie and asked in all seriousness, “Why do I feel like you are skeptical toward everything? Why are you so alerted? I have never seen a young man like you. Even some seniors don’t have as clear of an understanding of the world compared to you. Aren’t you tired living in worries all day?”

Fang Jie thought for a moment and replied, “Perhaps I’m used to this.”

“I’m more curious now. What experiences did you go through that created this habit?”

“Can’t you read it yourself?”

Mr. Zhuo rolled his eyes and replied, “Do you really think that I can read everything in everyone’s mind? I already told you that I can’t read the minds of those who are mentally tough. I can’t see the things deeply hidden in your mind, so I’m curious as to how come you are so thoughtful at such a young age.”

Fang Jie answered, “Can’t you see it as an innate ability as well?”

Seeing that Fang Jie wasn’t willing to say anything more, Mr. Zhuo became silent for a while before saying, “I’m more curious as to why you are so confident that you will make it into the Martial Arts Academy even though you say that you aren’t sure. What hidden abilities do you have?”

Fang Jie asked, “You really want to know?”

Mr. Zhuo nodded.

Fang Jie looked around and made sure that no one was close. Then, he got close and whispered, “I’m not telling you…”

Seeing the funny expression on Mr. Zhuo’s face, Fang Jie laughed and said, “I’m really not sure if I can make it into the Martial Arts Academy, but I feel like I can enter the political arena of Great Sui. Perhaps I’m more talented at being an administrative official than a general? I can always come up with new and ridiculous ideas that are useful. Perhaps the grand scholars and even the Emperor will be surprised by me.”

Mr. Zhuo thought for a moment and said, “Perhaps when you actually become an official, you will realize that scholars are bloodier than warriors.”