Chapter 449: Chapter 252: Deadly Flattery_4
He Lianfang asked, "After Emperor Chen Yuan ascended the throne, the regent proposed to return the court affairs to him, yet Emperor Chen Yuan refused this request and even rewarded the regent. Why is that?"
Zhao Yao replied, "The regent’s proposal to return the court affairs to Emperor Chen Yuan was an excuse. He wanted to test Emperor Chen Yuan, not genuinely return control to him."
He Lianfang deliberately asked, "Why do you think it was a test?"
"The regent had been in control of the court affairs for a long time, and all major decisions were his to make. How could he possibly return the court affairs to Emperor Chen Yuan?" Zhao Yao replied, "His proposal to return the court affairs was, on one hand, to test Emperor Chen Yuan, to see what he was thinking, and on the other hand, to put on a show, as the entire court of ministers and the people of the realm were watching."
"Why did Emperor Chen Yuan refuse the regent’s request to return the court affairs?"
"Emperor Chen Yuan was quite aware that this was a test. If he agreed, it would be over for him. He had just ascended the throne, had no power in the court, and was no match for the regent. If he agreed to the regent’s request, it would be tantamount to telling the regent about his ambition, as well as his apprehension and dissatisfaction with the regent."
"The regent supported Emperor Chen Yuan’s accession precisely because he had no power or influence in the court and was seen as weak and incompetent. The regent merely wanted Emperor Chen Yuan to be his puppet. Emperor Chen Yuan understood that as long as he had no ability to oppose the regent, he would not let him become discontent."
"The purpose of Emperor Chen Yuan’s decree to reward the regent had three objectives: The first was to show gratitude for the regent’s support in his accession, while also indicating that he would not handle affairs of state, and without the regent, he could do nothing. The second was to fulfill the regent’s wish, letting the world know that it was not the regent who was unwilling to return the court affairs, but rather that he, the emperor, needed the regent and did not want the regent to return the court affairs. The third purpose was to allay the regent’s suspicions."
He Lianfang nodded with satisfaction, "Well said, continue."
"Emperor Chen Yuan always played the part of an obedient, indispensable puppet emperor under the regent, but he was secretly nurturing his own people. In the years after his accession, he placed his own people right under the regent’s nose, but since these people were not appointed to important positions, the regent did not take them seriously."
He continued, "Emperor Chen Yuan appeared grateful to the regent, continually promoting the regent and his family’s titles or positions, raising them higher and higher. In this way, the regent and his family became more and more audacious and increasingly greedy."
"The regent and his family committed many actions that made the people angry, causing widespread resentment among the populace. Meanwhile, many ministers grew dissatisfied with the regent and gradually shifted their allegiance to Emperor Chen Yuan, pledging their loyalty to him. Emperor Chen Yuan privately won over many of the regent’s people as well."
"When the time was ripe, Emperor Chen Yuan swiftly eradicated the regent and his family. Although he had to endure for ten years for this. During these ten years, Emperor Chen Yuan consistently gave the regent and his family unparalleled glory and status, which led the regent to lower his guard and believe he was no threat."
"In truth, this is known as being killed with kindness."
"Killed with kindness?" It was the first time He Lianfang had heard this term, and he didn’t understand its meaning, so he asked, "What is being killed with kindness?"
"It’s about elevating someone so high that they become arrogant and complacent, leading to their downfall or failure." Zhao Yao explained, "This is the tactic Emperor Chen Yuan employed against the regent."
"It’s quite a fitting term." He Lianfang had grown accustomed to Zhao Yao occasionally coming up with terms he had never heard of, but each time Zhao Yao mentioned a new term, it was incredibly apt.
He praised Zhao Yao, "Well analyzed."
"Emperor Chen Yuan was a patient man. In his place, I might not have been able to endure it." In the early years of his reign, the regent completely disregarded him. On top of that, his son had once humiliated him in front of the palace attendants and even openly seized his concubine."
"If Emperor Chen Yuan couldn’t endure it, he would have no other path but death. If you found yourself in such a predicament, you too would learn to endure as he did."
"Perhaps." Zhao Yao added, "It is precisely because of this that Emperor Chen Yuan could be a good emperor."
"After Emperor Chen Yuan eliminated the regent, he took control of the court affairs and has steadfastly maintained control over the court, never allowing unilateral decisions again. Why do you think this is?"
"The art of balance, indeed, Emperor Chen Yuan mastered the art of balance." Although his third uncle did not elaborate in his letter, he could see that Emperor Chen Yuan was very skilled in balancing power. "Your father’s art of balance was also well-played."
Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s words, He Lianfang, intrigued, asked, "How did your father practice the art of balance?"
"My father practiced it in this way..."