I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 82 Let's hope we leave no regrets

Yin Mo looked at Liu Shan in disbelief and remained silent for a long time.

My rules are the only rules!

He had never heard such domineering words before, especially from the mouth of a young emperor.

Looking back at the series of measures Liu Shan took after ascending the throne, he was not as the outside world had suggested, with "a young ruler and a suspicious state," and the government being controlled by two regents.

He is more like a diligent and ambitious emperor.

"This is a thought Your Majesty has never considered," Yin Mo replied truthfully.

"Is it that you never thought of it, or that you dared not think of it?" Liu Shan countered.

Yin Mo was stunned again.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, the Han court was powerless to quell the rebellion, so it ordered each prefecture to raise its own troops for defense.

Although this move successfully suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it led to local officials holding military power and becoming independent warlords, weakening the imperial authority. This was tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

After Emperor Ling of Han died, Emperor Shao of Han, Liu Bian, succeeded to the throne. He Jin, a relative of the empress, was appointed as Grand General. Dong Zhuo entered the capital, deposed Emperor Shao and installed Emperor Xian, and moved the capital to Chang'an. The root cause of this series of events was that the court lost control of military power and its prestige was completely destroyed.

In this chaotic world, Yin Mo clearly understood how important military power was to a country.

However, even today, whether it is Cao Wei, Shu Han, or Eastern Wu, those powerful clans still control most of the political resources, military manpower, and provisions, hindering them from all sides.

During his lifetime, Cao Cao attempted to break down social barriers by "appointing people based solely on their talents" and establish a system of land reclamation for self-sufficiency. However, in his later years, he still had to rely on powerful families such as the Xun and Chen clans of Yingchuan to support his regime.

The four major families of Jiangdong practiced a hereditary military leadership system, and their armies were almost private property. If Sun Quan wanted to send troops, he had to consult with those families; it was not something he could do at will with just an order.

As for Shu Han, Liu Bei and others were mostly from humble backgrounds outside the capital, and their grain and supplies were firmly controlled by the local gentry.

After Liu Bei entered Shu, he had sharp conflicts with the local powerful families of Yizhou, and could only rely on his personal prestige and strict laws to suppress them.

The fact that power is in the hands of the Ji family is not an exaggeration.

Even with Liu Bei's seniority and prestige, he still had to navigate and maintain a balance among various factions, proceeding cautiously and not daring to easily offend any side.

However, Liu Shan, taking advantage of the military power incident, showed no respect whatsoever to these powerful clans and aristocratic families.

Yin Mo would never dare to consider such a thing.

"This old minister truly dares not even consider this," Yin Mo said cautiously. "This old minister has a question he would like to ask Your Majesty."

"Please speak."

"The rules were set by His Majesty. But aren't there people who might be dissatisfied with those rules themselves?"

Liu Shan was taken aback.

He looked at Yin Mo and suddenly realized that the old man in front of him had asked the right question.

"Please continue, teacher."

Yin Mo leaned forward and slowly said, "This old minister has been immersed in the court for many years and has seen many rules. Every rule is said to be fair when it is set. But over time, there will always be people who find ways to break the rules. Then the rules change and become a pretext for a new round of struggle."

"Your Majesty's method of 'examination' seems fair now. But what about ten or twenty years from now? Won't it turn into a new kind of competition?"

Liu Shan was quite surprised by Yin Mo's scholarship and insight.

This old man is asking about the core issue of power struggles: rules and people's hearts—who ultimately decides?

"Teacher, I have a question for you."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"What do you think is the most powerful aspect of the 'testing' method?"

Yin Mo thought for a moment: "Fair?"

"No," Liu Shan shook his head and said, "It's transparent."

Yin Mo was stunned for a moment.

"transparent?"

"I can show the written test papers to everyone. I can write down the questions and answers from the interview and have people listen to them."

He looked at Yin Mo with confidence.

"It's obvious who did well and who didn't. It's not that people can't find loopholes, but that everyone is watching when they try."

Yin Mo nodded first, then thought for a moment before saying, "What if... the person exploiting the loophole can do it so that no one can see through it?"

Liu Shan laughed heartily.

"Teacher, you are testing my bottom line."

Yin Mo didn't speak, but instead faced Liu Shan directly, hoping he could provide an answer.

Liu Shan knew that his teacher was not only very knowledgeable, but also very stubborn.

"Teacher, do you know what's the most terrifying aspect of power struggles?"

Yin Mo shook his head.

"The most terrifying thing about power struggles is that they make everyone distrust others."

"You scheme against me, I scheme against you. You win against me today, I'll find a way to win back tomorrow. The winner is afraid of losing, the loser wants to turn the tables. In the end, everyone lives in suspicion and nothing gets done."

Yin Mo listened attentively and was deeply moved.

He lived in a chaotic world and was in the imperial court; every step he took was like walking on thin ice.

"My method of 'examination' is not to eliminate power struggles, but to increase the cost of power struggles."

Yin Mo was stunned for a moment.

"cost?"

"Yes. You want to exploit loopholes, fine. But you need to think carefully about what you'll lose if you're discovered."

Liu Shan paused for a moment, then continued, "Is it better to lose an opportunity, or to lose a lifetime of trust?"

Yin Mo lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said, "Of course, integrity is the foundation."

Liu Shan then said, "Since ancient times, monarchs have valued benevolence and righteousness, but it's all just a facade. In my opinion, rules and regulations are the true path to kingship."

"Whoever sets the best rules and follows them best will win."

"Whoever can find a way within the rules that others cannot will win."

Yin Mo seemed to be deep in thought.

"Then...what about political maneuvering?"

"Strategy and intrigue are hidden behind the rules; whoever brings their strategies into the open will lose."

"This old minister understands."

"What do you understand?"

"Now I understand why His Majesty was able to keep those people in check," Yin Mo said. "It's not because His Majesty is smarter than them, but because His Majesty thinks differently from them."

He looked at Liu Shan with a resolute and clear gaze.

"They're thinking about how to win. His Majesty is thinking about how to make winning less important."

Liu Shan also smiled.

"Teacher, what you said is very profound, even better than I thought."

Even though this Ferrari is old, it's still a Ferrari.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has another question."

"explain."

"This old minister is Your Majesty's teacher and is familiar with Your Majesty's learning. However, some of Your Majesty's thoughts just now seemed to lean towards Legalist principles, which were not taught by this old minister..."

Yin Mo stopped there.

Although he only became the Crown Prince's servant after Liu Shan became the Crown Prince, and was tasked with imparting knowledge and answering questions, one only needed to spend some time with him to know the extent of his literary knowledge.

The stark contrast in Liu Shan's behavior after ascending the throne was perplexing to him.

He teaches Confucianism.

Liu Shan chuckled inwardly.

Is this old man determined to dig up all my secrets today?

I need to find an excuse.

Liu Shan thought for a moment and suddenly found the most reasonable reason.

"Before I received instruction from my teacher, I always stayed by Prime Minister Zhuge's side and listened to his teachings."

Yin Mo suddenly understood after hearing this.

If it were Zhuge Liang, then everything makes sense.

"Prime Minister Zhuge is a man of profound learning, both ancient and modern, and a rare talent of our time. Your Majesty is fortunate to receive all the knowledge and instruction from Prime Minister Zhuge. You will surely become a wise and enlightened ruler in the future."

Liu Shan remained silent.

He didn't care about the empty titles of this generation's wise ruler.

Let's not seek merit, but rather avoid mistakes and leave no regrets!