"So... what is the duty of an Imperial Teacher?"
Feeling uncomfortable under the pressure of Fan Shaolin’s gaze, Su Yi awkwardly looked away and pleaded, "Teacher, please enlighten me."
Fan Shaolin looked away and sighed. "An Imperial Teacher... doesn't it mean you must teach the Emperor? Teaching him to read the Four Books and Five Classics, how to govern and manage the world, how to be a wise ruler... That’s how I thought at first. It's only after wasting most of my life... that I’ve only now understood what lies behind those duties... what truly needs to be done."
In Su Yi’s heart, a thought sprouted like a young seedling, ready to break through the soil but lacking that final burst of energy. He couldn’t help but ask urgently, "What... what is it?"
Fan Shaolin didn’t answer; instead, he asked Su Yi, "Does the Emperor represent the nation?"
Su Yi was taken aback, then fell silent. After a long pause, he finally answered, "It may be somewhat disrespectful... but I don’t believe so. The one who represents the nation... has never been the Emperor."
"Then what can represent the nation?" Fan Shaolin asked with a half-smile. There was no trace of reproach in his tone.
Su Yi looked at Fan Shaolin and took a deep breath before he responded, "I believe... the nation is its spirit. This spirit does not come from the Emperor but from every person in the nation. It exists in the heart of every citizen who feels a sense of belonging to their nation. This spirit is the true emblem of a nation’s essence."
"Then why does the nation still need an Emperor?" Fan Shaolin suddenly asked.
Su Yi was stunned and fell silent. He didn’t know how to answer the question. Yes, if that was the case, why would a nation still need an Emperor? He wasn’t a fool. He knew that without a leader, a nation would surely fall into chaos, but this contradicted his earlier thoughts. Conflicted, Su Yi suddenly began to question whether his beliefs were right or wrong.
Seeing Su Yi’s expression, Fan Shaolin knew he was struggling with a dilemma, so he smiled. "Why not look at it from a different perspective?"
"A different perspective?" Su Yi looked up at the elder before him.
"As you said, the Emperor is ultimately just one person within this country. He cannot represent the country as a whole," the old man said softly, as though they were not speaking about such borderline treasonous matters, "However, the Emperor represents the will of the nation. He is the one who makes the final decisions. The nation’s direction, its future, is determined by him."
Su Yi suddenly felt clarity wash over him, as if a great door had been thrown open.
"And so, the duty of an Imperial Teacher"—the old man sighed deeply—"is not only to teach a good Emperor but to cultivate a nation."
Su Yi’s eyes widened, as the old man’s simple words suddenly unraveled the questions that had troubled him for so long, like a jolt of revelation from above. Su Yi took two steps back, straightened his posture, and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance... I understand it now."
Fan Shaolin took Su Yi’s hand with a hopeful gaze. "You can do better than I did."
Su Yi was at a loss, but Fan Shaolin turned his gaze toward the gate and concluded, "I’ve said what I needed to say. I hope you’ll be even more diligent in the future... Go now, someone is waiting for you."
Su Yi was startled and looked in the direction of his gaze, but he saw no one. When he turned back, Fan Shaolin was already walking back alone.
Su Yi watched the old man’s figure disappear around the corner before he started walking out.
As he stepped out of Fan Shaolin’s residence, Su Yi turned his head and saw a figure standing outside the gate. It was Eunuch Yue.
Su Yi was taken aback by once again meeting such an influential figure. "Eunuch Yue?"
It was unknown how long Eunuch Yue had been standing there. He stood by the wall, head lowered, hands tucked into his sleeves, and only when Su Yi came out did he slightly bow and say, "Greetings, Grand Tutor Su. I have been waiting here for quite some time."
Su Yi hurriedly helped him straighten up. Feeling unworthy of such respect, he asked, "Chief Yue, you’re looking for me... is there something you need?"
"The Crown Prince wishes to see you," Eunuch Yue said softly, then raised his eyes to look at Su Yi. "And I, too, have some things I’d like to discuss with you, Grand Tutor."
Seeing the serious look in Eunuch Yue’s eyes, Su Yi knew it was no trivial matter and quickly gestured, "Please, Chief Yue, let’s talk as we walk."
Eunuch Yue didn’t refuse and took the lead, walking forward.
Fan Shaolin’s residence was near the imperial palace, so the two entered the palace grounds with just a few steps. Inside, Eunuch Yue finally said, "On the day His Majesty passed... I saw that you, Grand Tutor Su, seemed to have glanced at the war report."
Su Yi’s heart skipped a beat, quietly hoping that Eunuch Yue was not here to interrogate him, he quickly replied, "That day, I only happened to catch a glimpse by chance—"
"Please don’t be nervous, Grand Tutor. I had no intention of blaming you," Eunuch Yue elaborated, He then asked, "May I know what Grand Tutor Su thinks of Lord Qi?"
"Lord Qi?" At the thought of the External Prime Minister, Su Yi’s expression grew complicated. "Lord Qi is the Chancellor of the Right, not someone I can rashly criticize... but if it were me... I would not have used such a ruthless scheme."
"This strategy was one he confidently assured His Majesty would lead to victory, and yet what happened?" Eunuch Yue sneered. "So far, we haven’t even encountered a single Northern Qiang soldier yet, but we have lost four cities already."
Su Yi subtly observed Eunuch Yue’s expression, then cautiously said, "If we are to consider things impartially, I believe the strategy itself wasn't at fault..."
Eunuch Yue appraised Su Yi. "What have you realized, Grand Tutor?"
"The strategy itself wasn’t wrong." Su Yi looked into Eunuch Yue’s eyes and lowered his voice. "If we disregard the ruthlessness of the tactics, it could actually be considered a sound plan. But the strange thing is... how could Northern Qiang be so consistently ahead of us at every step? Once you calmly think it over, the answer is quite apparent... Don’t you think so, Eunuch Yue?"
Eunuch Yue narrowed his eyes, staring at Su Yi.
"Only a select few knew of the strategy, limited to certain individuals at court, all of whom hold important positions. Are you suggesting... there may be a traitor among them?"
Su Yi shook his head. "Of course, it’s only speculation. Without evidence, nothing is certain. If someone among them harbors disloyalty, then this is no simple matter."
Eunuch Yue abruptly changed the subject. "Originally, His Majesty intended to execute Qi Zongbi."
Su Yi wasn’t surprised at all, and nodded. "I had already guessed that... In fact, Lord Qi himself had long been prepared for this, hadn’t he?"
Eunuch Yue glanced at Su Yi. "Exactly. Due to this understanding, His Majesty allowed him to live and accompany the army to the border, otherwise, he’d have lost his life long ago."
Su Yi sighed. "In truth... I think Lord Qi is an official who truly cares about our country."
Eunuch Yue nodded. "His Majesty said the same thing back then... but he also said that Qi Zongbi must die."
Su Yi was silent for a long time. "Yes... In this war, he is the one who deserves to die the least and the one who must die the most."