Da Tang Si Zi: My Six Super Rich Little Nuggets!

Chapter 72: Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji's "Stamp Philosophy"

It is said that "as an emperor, one is in control of everything," but Emperor Li Zhi was indeed experiencing a mix of emotions lately.

He is now facing a major dilemma in his life—what is the Emperor's true value? What is my unique value?!

Si Zi knew perfectly well that his uncle, Changsun, just wanted his brother, Zhi Nu, to put on a show—ruling from behind the curtain, oh, I misspoke, it should be "ruling by doing nothing."

But Emperor Li Zhi, his brother, clearly didn't buy it.

He was so annoyed he was practically going moldy – his hands were sore from stamping so many documents every day, and his fingers ached from signing so many documents. He had become so mechanical that he was no different from a “document circulation machine.”

This imperial seal is supposed to be a divine artifact symbolizing power, but now it has become a "stamping machine" that anyone can use, merely borrowing his hand to apply it.

Yes, Li Zhi, you are no longer the majestic and powerful "emperor" of Ayegan, but have become a mere tool for signing and stamping documents.

Take the recent situation for example. Li Zhi was exhausted by all of this: earthquakes, wars, and he was always being asked to take on everything.

The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I felt. My mouth was as dry as if I had eaten desert, and my mood was even more inflamed than if I had eaten ten bowls of chili peppers.

"Am I destined to be nothing more than a stamping machine?" Li Zhi paced back and forth in the imperial study, then angrily went to the desk and pounded it, causing the memorials and imperial seal on the desk to vibrate and make a "clattering" sound.

Seeing Li Zhi's sullen expression, Si Zi whispered to her brother Zi An:

"My brother the emperor isn't in a good mood right now. He's been busy all day like a deliveryman, stamping documents and signing papers. He's been working like a 'document circulation machine,' and yet he's not being taken seriously."

Brother Zi'an frowned and replied in a low voice, "That's right. The emperor feels more tired than running in a dragon robe adorned with pure gold. He's busy all day long, yet feels like he's invisible. How can he be happy?!"

Li Zhi glared at them, muttering, "Alright, you two, stop talking. I heard everything. Rumors are circulating that I've become the Imperial Brother-in-law's 'signature expert,' which is really unpleasant to hear!"

Si Zi and Zi An exchanged a secret glance, deciding that they still had to rely on Changsun Wuji at this point, since the one who tied the knot must untie it.

Li Zhi then sought advice from his uncle, Changsun Wuji, hoping to gain some insights from this seasoned veteran.

So he deliberately put on the emperor's robe again and walked with an air of superiority toward his uncle Changsun Wuji's study.

Pushing open the study door, Changsun Wuji was organizing documents at the table. When he saw Li Zhi enter, he smiled with a cunningly kind expression, showing no sign of panic.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here so late at night? You don't look well."

"Uncle, I have very mixed feelings," Li Zhi said, sitting down with a worried expression.

"You know, as an emperor, I should have my own unique value, right? But right now, I just feel like a 'stamping machine.' I have to sign everything and make all the decisions. In reality, I don't even know the actual situation. Everyone says that this is not something the emperor should worry about, and all my ministers should share my burdens. But if something goes wrong, I'll be dragged into it and made to take the blame. Things like the five consecutive jumps in an earthquake or wars—in the end, I'm the one who has to shoulder the responsibility. It's really annoying!"

Changsun Wuji chuckled, picked up the teapot, and poured Li Zhi a cup of tea. "Your Majesty, you can't keep your anger bottled up. Have some tea and calm down."

Li Zhi, panting, took the teacup, took a sip, and calmed down a little: "I really think, what's the point of me being an 'emperor'? Just to stamp something? The emperor of our Great Tang really doesn't want this!"

Changsun Wuji smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, you must understand that the affairs of this world are not something you alone can completely control. Although you affix your seal and sign documents, more importantly, every decision you make affects the entire world."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi realized that the brainwashing Yonghui Si had mentioned had begun. "So, Uncle, are you saying that our imperial seal is not just a 'signature tool,' but has a greater significance?"

“That’s right.” Changsun Wuji smiled. “The Imperial Seal is the symbol of the emperor. You must treat it as a sign of decision-making, not just an office accessory. Your true value lies not in the signatures on these few pieces of paper, but in your ability to use this power to make the right decisions.”

Following this lead, Li Zhi suddenly had a flash of inspiration: "Uncle, you mean, to be a decision-maker, not just a stamp-brusher!?"

Changsun Wuji smiled: "That's right, Your Majesty. We shouldn't be too bound by formalities in everything, but rather see the big picture behind it, strategize, and win battles from afar."

Seeing Li Zhi's brows gradually relax, Changsun Wuji continued, "Therefore, as long as Your Majesty sees the big picture clearly, you will be broad-minded and make wise decisions. The rest can be left to your ministers to carry out. Isn't that wonderful?"

Li Zhi raised his chin, a hint of probing in his eyes: "Alright! Then I'll start making changes. The 'stamping' work will be delegated to others, and the 'decision-making' work will be mine!"

The seasoned uncle felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained impassive.

"Uncle, I heard that the place you've been managing lately is really humane?!" The emperor brother moved closer and sat down in front of Changsun Wuji, asking half-jokingly.

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, a cunning kindness in his eyes:

"Your Majesty, human relationships have always been an unavoidable issue. We officials serving the royal family can't be too cold-blooded, can we?"

"Cold-blooded? Of course, nobody wants to become an ice sculpture." The emperor secretly glared at his uncle.

"However, what my uncle said makes sense. Now that I'm promoting education, fairness and justice are the only way forward. Those who dare to bend the law for personal gain must be completely eliminated!"

Changsun Wuji nodded and smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is wise. However, receiving small gifts occasionally is not a big deal. It's understandable that ministers might favor their relatives."

"Understand? I don't think so!" The Emperor tapped the table a few times with his fingers. "Just like that brat Zhang Ruice, who abused legal provisions and ended up being demoted to Xunzhou. I must remember this well; I can't let this 'favor' go too far." You say he's worthless? He's less valuable than me, a mere signing machine!

"Haha, Your Majesty," Changsun Wuji laughed, noticing that the new emperor was a bit arrogant.

“Your Majesty, that’s not entirely true. In fact, ‘human touch’ can play a role, but we just need to make sure it doesn’t go too far.”

The emperor's face was full of suspicion: "Too much? Wouldn't that turn our court into a 'favor supermarket'?! I feel like, to use Yonghui Si's words, we've opened a 'favor marketplace'!"

Changsun Wuji laughed heartily: "Hehe, Your Majesty, 'human relationships' are like seasonings. Too little is no good, but too much can easily go too far. The important thing is to grasp the right measure and let it become a lubricant for governing the country, rather than a burden."

"Lubricant? That's quite a novel analogy." The emperor brother said thoughtfully. "However, uncle, you're right. Occasionally accepting small gifts is part of 'human relationships,' but it can easily lead to favoritism and abuse of power."

Changsun Wuji looked at the emperor and quickly returned to the main point: "Your Majesty, this imperial seal of yours cannot be merely a tool for signing documents. It is a symbol of your governance of the country. The real power lies not in 'stamping,' but in being able to use it to make 'decisions.'"

The emperor nodded thoughtfully, thinking to himself, "I absolutely cannot be just a boring stamp-stamping clerk!"

So, the emperor brother, seemingly indulging in humor and self-deprecation, continued to work, stamping the imperial seal and signing memorials... but in his heart, he was thinking about what his "unique value" really was, and began to march towards his ideal direction!