Yang Guozhong's ability to govern the state and bring peace to the nation was certainly unremarkable, but he was exceptionally skilled at reading the psychology of those in power. Sometimes, a mere glance or a single gesture was all it took for him to know how to act next to keep his superiors happy.
Looking across history, people of this type have almost always been singled out for special appreciation and favor by their leaders.
On the other hand, a man of uncompromising integrity like Yan Zhenqing possessed formidable abilities; whether it was administering the state or commanding armies in battle, he was truly faultless.
Chapter 746