Chapter 18 Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it

"A good emperor," Xu Luo deliberately dragged out his voice, leaving everyone in suspense, and then slowly said, "Of course he would clarify the laws, value the people, govern diligently, strengthen the army, and govern the officials well."

Xu Luo also has his own set of evaluation methods on how to evaluate good emperors and incompetent rulers.

At least one must ensure peace and prosperity for the country and the people, only then can one be called a wise ruler!
After hearing this, Empress Changsun's beautiful eyes widened and her nose shrank slightly, obviously she was quite shocked. Her chest rose and fell, and she looked at the young man in front of her in disbelief.

The maids also forgot the joke and looked at Xu Luo with surprise.

Empress Changsun's heart was in turmoil. She had been well-read since childhood and learned how to govern the country from Li Shimin. However, hearing such truth about governing a country from a seemingly naive boy made her look at Xu Luo with admiration.

Especially when Xu Luo was speaking, the determined look in his eyes made her involuntarily feel a little admiration in her heart.

"I really didn't expect that Xu Luo, at such a young age, has such insight." Empress Changsun gently stroked her neck and praised in a charming manner.

Every movement of hers is full of the temptation of a mature woman, making people want to take another look.

Empress Changsun thought to herself that Xu Luo's insights were truly eye-opening. Now, he has come up with another profound idea.

"To govern a country, we must follow the law!" Xu Luo waved his hand, as if directing a play. "If the law is not strict, the people will lose their reverence. But if it is too strict, they may become dissatisfied."

At this moment, a funny joke suddenly flashed through Empress Chang Sun's mind: There was a man selling sesame cakes, and he would not sell them to customers if they bought one, but only if they bought two. As a result, customers had to buy two sesame cakes in order to get one, and in the end, people all over the city laughed at him.

She couldn't help but smile. What Xu Luo said was similar to what the pancake seller said.

"This law is like drawing a circle for the country. Those within the circle must abide by it, and those outside the circle cannot mess around." Xu Luo continued.

Empress Changsun nodded slightly, and a hint of appreciation flashed in her eyes. Her delicate skin looked even more attractive under the light, and her lips slightly opened, as if she was attracted by Xu Luo's words.

"If the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished the same as the common people!" Xu Luo said in a firm tone.

"Hmm?" Empress Chang Sun repeated softly. Her voice was as melodious and moving as the song of a nightingale.

"Diligence and a strong army are the foundation of a country." Xu Luo became more and more excited as he spoke. "The war on the border is like a pot of boiling water. If we want the water to calm down, we must first make our pot thick enough."

Empress Changsun listened attentively, her chest rising and falling gently with her breathing. Her focused look made people want to take another look.

"The most important thing," Xu Luo smiled, showing his white teeth, "is to pay attention to public opinion. The people are like water, which can carry a boat but can also capsize it."

These words touched Empress Chang Sun's heart. She just wanted to pick up a pen and paper and write down these precious words.

Xu Luo's words were like a spring breeze, blowing through her heart and quietly awakening her long-dormant desire to govern the country.

"The way to govern a country is to put the people first. This principle is as simple as a street kid's trick!" Xu Luo waved his hand with a bit of joking in his expression, "Have you heard of that little joke?

A child teases a dog with a bone. The dog jumps high, but the bone is always in the child's hand. We, as officials, should not become the jumping dog. We should let the people have bones and we can also have a rest. "He continued: "The people can represent the officials, and the officials can benefit the people. This is called using the people to supervise the officials and the officials to support the people. When everyone benefits each other, the world can be as stable as an old dog. "

Xu Luo laughed and replied slowly: "Winning the hearts of the people is simple! No war, no famine, enough clothes to cover the body and enough food to fill the stomach, that's enough. As for your majesty's wisdom, that is a foregone conclusion, but now, we are still on the way."

Empress Changsun listened, a gleam of light flashed in her eyes, and her lips moved slightly, as if she was savoring Xu Luo's words. She had a slender neck and jade-like skin, sitting there quietly, which was itself a moving picture.

After Xu Luo finished speaking, the others were confused. Some were whispering to each other, while others frowned and thought hard. It was obvious that these words were like incomprehensible to them.

Finally, Empress Changsun slowly stood up, her waist swaying lightly, her steps brisk, and she bowed gracefully to Xu Luo: "Sir, your words today are like the morning bell and evening drum, which have opened the eyes of a frog in a well."

Everyone's jaws almost dropped when they saw Empress Changsun's actions. They obviously didn't expect her to give such a high evaluation.

"Oh, sir, your way of governing the country is simply refreshing!" Empress Changsun's eyes sparkled with excitement, her chest heaved slightly, and she couldn't help but bow deeply again.

"Empress, you are so kind!" Xu Luo stood up hurriedly and returned the greeting humbly.

"Hehe, Your Majesty, please don't mind me. I'm just talking nonsense. If I'm offended you, I hope you can forgive me!" Xu Luo said while smiling and waving his hands.

Empress Changsun looked at Xu Luo affectionately with her eyes rolling, and the corners of her lips slightly raised, "Afu, give the gentleman a reward, and let's go back to the palace!"

"As you command!" Ah Fu stepped forward and took out his purse from his sleeve, his movements uncharacteristically respectful, "Thank you for your hard work, sir!"

At the hour of Xu, the Imperial Palace established the Zheng Hall.

Since that day, Empress Changsun has been like a demon, repeating Xu Luo's words over and over again, "Enlighten the laws, value the people, work diligently, strengthen the army, govern the officials... Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it..."

Her voice echoed softly in the hall, revealing a sense of madness.

"Mother," Princess Changle sat beside her, her chin slightly raised, her eyes full of doubt, "You have been thinking about him since you returned to the palace. Is that fortune teller really that charming?"

At this time, Empress Changsun's skin was glowing with a faint glow, as if inspired by some invisible force. Her slender neck was slightly tilted forward, and her focused expression was particularly moving.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned slightly, walked quickly to the queen and looked at her carefully.

Empress Changsun's eyes were dazed and her lips were trembling, as if she was touched by something profound.

Suddenly, she noticed Li Shimin's arrival. She regained her composure despite the shock, stood up hastily, her chest slightly heaving, and bowed to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was relieved to see that the queen had recovered. He sat down with a smile and asked, "I heard that you went out of the palace to relax today. How was it? Did you gain anything?"

"Indeed, I went for a walk in the street." The queen replied. Her neck looked particularly charming in the gentle sunlight, revealing its delicate skin luster.

Li Shimin asked curiously, "Oh, my queen, what is this 'clear law and official administration' that you were talking about today?"
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(End of this chapter)