Throughout history, countless people have wanted to ascend to that supreme position, to be emperor, to rule. Aside from a few individuals who did it for the common people or to realize their own ambitions, the vast majority did it to control their own fate, for power and wealth.

But was being emperor really that easy?

At least since Zhao Hanzhang had taken control of court affairs, every day had been mentally and physically exhausting. Though seeing the world become more stable under her governance made her happy, it was indeed very tiring.

She considered her abilities decent. If she was like this, how much more so for the little emperor?

Zhao Hanzhang never prevented the little emperor from participating in government, nor did she stop Xun Fan and others from explaining state affairs to him. She even actively involved the emperor in government matters, asking him to make decisions, think of solutions, and join her in suffering.

A ten-year-old child! Beyond daily reading, writing, and reciting lessons, he also had to think along with Zhao Hanzhang: the national treasury had no money – what about disaster relief funds?

The national treasury had no money – what about his brother’s funeral?

The national treasury had no money – officials’ salaries couldn’t be paid – what to do?

The national treasury had no money – forget meat, even pickled vegetables were running short. They had to change from white rice to wheat rice – what to do?

Also, the Prince of Langya in Jiangdong refused to pay taxes to the court – what to do?

The Prince of Langya in Jiangdong wouldn’t obey edicts or come to Chen County to pay respects to the emperor – what to do?

The little emperor felt that at his young age, he had to bear so much.

Being emperor… was so tiring!

Zhao Hanzhang even specifically told him, “The world is like lakes and seas, the people like water, the court like a boat, and the emperor is the helmsman. The people of the world support the boat, providing food to sustain the emperor and ministers. Then the emperor must lead the ministers to give back to the people. Otherwise, the boat can capsize in an instant.”

The little emperor agreed, and then his small shoulders had even more problems to consider.

He was severely sleep-deprived, becoming extremely averse to state affairs. Xun Fan only had to mention it slightly for him to show irritation and disgust.

Of course, he only dared show this to Xun Fan and others. When called by Zhao Hanzhang to attend court, his face was very obedient, not daring to reveal it at all.

Xun Fan and other loyal ministers felt chilled watching this, working even harder to explain to him the classics on being an emperor, hoping to teach him how to be a good emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang expressed great support every time, even personally teaching the little emperor, always with Xun Fan and others present.

She taught the way of rulership, very sincerely.

Her sincerity had completely changed Xun Fan and others’ views of her. “She’s neither like Duke Cao monopolizing court affairs, nor like the previous Grand Ancestor Emperor displaying ambition overtly.”

He quietly told his younger brother Xun Zu, “I’ve always worried Zhao Hanzhang would harbor thoughts of usurpation like the Prince of Donghai, Xun Xiu and others, but these past two months, not only has she not prevented His Majesty from participating in government, she actively lets him interact with court ministers. Observing her teaching, it’s genuine instruction to His Majesty. Clearly she’s a loyal minister. I was mistaken before.”

Xun Zu said, “This is good. As long as she doesn’t change her original intention, the world will be stable within ten years. Ten years later…”

He paused, sighing. “We can only hope His Majesty will be more capable.”

As long as Zhao Hanzhang maintained this heart, in ten years when the emperor came of age, he could personally govern.

If he became an enlightened ruler, the world’s turmoil could be completely calmed. If he…

Xun Zu began to worry.

Xun Fan also worried greatly, because judging from the temperament the little emperor currently displayed, it would be very difficult for him to become an enlightened ruler.

Zhao Hanzhang gave the little emperor a very relaxed growth environment. This relaxation meant not letting him feel danger – on the contrary, she told ministers and the little emperor in every way that she wouldn’t harm him, that he was very safe.

But she also added tremendous study and work pressure to the little emperor.

She admitted her intentions were malicious.

In modern society, adults could be crushed by work, students by studying. Now the ten-year-old little emperor was not only heavily pressured by studying, but also weighed down by work.

Even though ancient children matured early, they couldn’t mature enough to bear all this at such a young age.

The little emperor wasn’t a person of firm will, nor particularly intelligent. Under such heavy pressure, he couldn’t become a good emperor and wouldn’t want to become one.

Who said there were only two ways to ruin an emperor – excessive praise and preventing political participation?

Excessively high expectations and strict teaching could achieve the same effect.

Unfortunately, the Jin ministers couldn’t see this.

Even Ji Yuan and Ming Yu worried, fearing Zhao Hanzhang had truly determined to be a loyal minister, so they kept hinting obliquely that now wasn’t the right time to let the little emperor have too much contact with court ministers.

Only Zhao Ming, though he’d had doubts, ultimately firmly believed Zhao Hanzhang harbored rebellious intent.

He just temporarily didn’t know why she was doing this.

This persistence made Zhao Song very dissatisfied with him, saying unhappily, “Whether as an official or a person, when evaluating someone’s merits and faults, we should judge by actions, not by heart.”

“Previously you said Third Girl harbored improper thoughts, and she was indeed too domineering, so I believed you. But since the Xiongnu state’s destruction and the absence of strong northern enemies, she has clearly devoted herself to teaching the emperor. Where’s the rebellious heart?” In Zhao Song’s view, Zhao Hanzhang’s previous authoritarian actions were to control the overall situation and win the war.

Zhao Song understood her now and felt very sorry for her, thinking this child had suffered undeserved grievances for the sake of the world – truly too wronged.

Zhao Ming didn’t want to argue with his father about such matters. This couldn’t be publicized anyway – winning the argument would only get him beaten with no benefit.

As for losing… oh, how could he possibly lose the argument?

So Zhao Ming directly concluded, “Father, rest assured. I won’t create conflict with Third Girl over this matter. I guarantee government orders will flow smoothly in Yuzhou.”

Zhao Ming was now the Governor of Yuzhou. This time when Zhao Hanzhang left, she’d take all court ministers with her and no longer establish a minor court in Yuzhou.

But Yuzhou remained her base. Current policies still favored Yuzhou, and she had no intention of relocating profitable workshops.

Having Zhao Ming serve as Yuzhou Governor showed she still deeply trusted and relied on him internally.

Zhao Song was annoyed he was changing the subject to fool him, but if he deliberately pulled the topic back, it would seem like he was obsessively attacking Zhao Hanzhang’s character. So he said unhappily, “Since you and Third Girl are of one mind, why not help her more? I heard that to bury the late emperor, she sold off her family property.”

Zhao Song began going through Zhao Ming’s private treasury. “You counted the family assets when paying the property tax recently, so you know what’s left in the treasury, right? Take some out for her.”

“Others becoming Great General enjoy endless wealth and honor, but she cares for the world. As her subordinates, you should also care for your superior.”

Zhao Ming: …

He turned to look at his son beside him. “What do you think?”

His son Zhao Shen, who’d been nursing his wounds and listening with great interest, immediately said obediently, “I’ll listen to Grandfather.”

Zhao Song looked very satisfied and told Zhao Shen appreciatively, “My grandson is generous. You’ve also suffered these past years – look how thin you’ve become. When your wounds heal, Grandfather will give you fine clothes and good horses. Or is there something you want?”