"...I have another question."
Maria looked at Annan, remained silent for a while before finally asking, "If you were to answer the question from the Rot Husband...how would you answer?"
"The three elements?"
"Yes."
"Ha..."
Annan laughed, answering without hesitation, "That would naturally be greed, violence, and courage.
"External greed can guide the people and strengthen the nation, while internal greed allows subjects to understand the needs of their monarch in detail, giving 'smart people' more peace of mind and the dull-witted more stability.
"And capricious violence can shape an aura of terror that's unapproachable and incontestable, thereby making rule firm and keeping those with ulterior motives farther away from me. To be able to wield this 'violence' like the extension of one's own limbs, without incurring hatred, requires a bit of skill.
"As for courage..."
Annan smiled, "Naturally, it is the courage to entrust authority to others."
"Shouldn't that be trust?"
