Qi Tian glanced at Emperor Yonghe and said, "Do you want to go up and help?"
Emperor Yonghe of course wanted to go up, but he felt embarrassed to do so; after all, during the drawing of lots, his assigned task wasn't this one. Now, if he went over to fight those puppets, on the surface it would seem like he was helping Emperor Jianwu and the others, but there would be some implication of trying to snatch credit. Perhaps it would even incur their displeasure.
Emperor Yonghe, with a forced smile, said, "Master Qi, whether or not I should go up to help isn't for me to decide. You have to give the word. If you want me to go up, I'll go up. If you think I'm unsuitable, then I will listen to you."
Qi Tian shook his head and said, "With me, you don't need to play these clever tricks—it's useless."
Emperor Yonghe was startled, thinking he had angered Qi Tian, and hurriedly defended himself, "Master Qi, I absolutely did not mean that."
