Well, the emperor did get an answer from the hermit, in an unexpected and quite an unusual way. A few words by Thich Nhat Hanh are also appended at the end of the story. Tolstoy is by no mean a buddhist in the conventional and dogmatic sense. However, when we strip away all the labels we give to others and look only at the person and their deeds, we would come to the conclusion that practitioners of different spiritual traditions have much to learn from each other. If our minds are open, we will be able to learn from everyone around us.
Meeting is canceled due to unforseable situation.
And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do. And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently. In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.