Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

In that ancient and solemn mansion, the night gradually covered the eaves, and the moonlight shone through the sparse clouds, casting a mottled silver glow. Inside the house, the flickering candlelight reflected the undercurrents of power struggles and transactions.

"You go out first, no one is allowed to come in without my order!" Ma Shiying waved his hand, signaling the singing girls in the room to leave, his eyes filled with unquestionable majesty. The singing girls, dressed in gorgeous silk clothes and with pretty faces, did not dare to say much, but just bowed slightly and filed out, leaving the several important officials in the room silent and calculating.

After the figures of the female family members completely disappeared outside the door, Ma Shiying quickly walked to Qian Qianyi, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of urgency: "I have thought of a way! My trip to Beijing (referring to the southern capital) this time is mainly to recruit soldiers and raise military pay." His eyes flickered, as if he had seen the dawn of success.

"The Nanjing Ministry of Revenue's treasury is now short of 300,000 taels of silver. If this hole can be filled, it will be a great help to the prince." Ma Shiying's words were full of temptation, as if this was not just a sum of money, but a key that could open the door to power.

"The prince will certainly be grateful for this favor and will come to thank you in person." There was some certainty in his words, as if he had foreseen the future glory.

"This is all I can do. The rest is up to you, Mr. Qian!" Ma Shiying said, staring at Qian Qianyi, waiting for his response.

Qian Qianyi's face was not happy, but even more worried. He, the descendant of Qian Liu, the Wuyue Wusu King, and Qian Weiyan, a minister of the Song Dynasty, had lived in a scholarly family since childhood. The aura of his grandfather and great-uncle's Jinshi made him bear the glory and expectations of the family. However, at this moment, he felt unprecedented pressure.

"Although my family is quite wealthy, this 300,000 taels of silver is not a small amount. How can I just gather it up!" Qian Qianyi frowned, with a helpless tone. He was recently busy building Jiangyun Tower and Hongdou Pavilion for his concubine Liu Rushi, and there was not much silver left in the family. This sudden burden made him feel overwhelmed.

He continued, frowning even more tightly: "Yao Cao, I really can't come up with so much silver right now. Even if I can barely get it together, how can I guarantee that I can meet the prince?" His tone was full of doubts. Obviously, this was not just a matter of money, but also a gamble on his political future.

"Yes, if the money is wasted, it would not be cost-effective!" Qian Qianyi's worries are not unreasonable. In this vortex of power struggle, every step must be taken with caution.

Before Ma Shiying could answer, Ruan Dacheng interrupted him with a hint of urgency in his voice: "Don't worry, Mr. Qian, I have already made the contact in advance." He, a descendant of the Ruan family of Tongcheng, also had a family tradition of poetry and literature. Although one hundred thousand taels of silver was not a small sum for him, he was willing to give it a try for his political future.

"In order to show my sincerity, I am willing to pay 100,000 taels of silver to help Mr. Qian meet His Majesty!" Ruan Dacheng's words were full of determination. He knew very well that repairing relations with the Donglin Party was the key to his comeback.

Ma Shiying also said: "Mr. Qian, I will also contribute 50,000 taels. Let's accomplish this great thing together!" His eyes flashed with expectation, as if he had seen the dawn of success.

"How can I feel embarrassed about this?" Although Qian Qianyi tried to refuse, his tone was not firm. It was obvious that the balance in his heart had begun to tilt.

"Mr. Qian, don't be polite. I'm willing to lose everything if I can improve the relationship with the Donglin Party!" Ruan Dacheng's attitude was sincere, and his words were full of desire for power.

The Donglin Party had great influence in the Southern Capital, and if Ruan Dacheng wanted to make a difference in politics, he had to overcome this hurdle.

"Since you are so kind, I will respectfully obey your orders!" Qian Qianyi finally stopped refusing. He knew very well that this was an opportunity to change his destiny.

"But how can I guarantee that I can meet the prince?" Qian Qianyi was still a little worried. After all, this was not just a transaction, but also a political investment in the future.

Ma Shiying smiled mysteriously, with a sly look in his eyes: "Don't worry, Mr. Qian, I have a secret weapon."

"Who?" Qian Qianyi kept asking. Obviously, he was full of curiosity about this "secret weapon".

"Liu Kongzhao!" Ma Shiying's words were filled with pride, as if he had already seen a successful outcome.

Qian Qianyi asked in surprise: "Is it the Marquis of Chengyi Liu Kongzhao?" His tone was full of surprise. Obviously, the weight of this "secret weapon" was heavy enough.

"That's right. He is the right admiral of Nanjing who is in charge of river defense and patrolling. I have a very close relationship with him. With his help, we will definitely be able to meet the prince." Ma Shiying's words were full of confidence, as if he had already foreseen the future victory.

Nandu is close to the Yangtze River, and the power of the navy cannot be underestimated. The position of Admiral Caojiang is in charge of the training and dispatch of the navy, and the power is great enough to influence the entire political structure of Nandu.

When Qian Qianyi heard this, he finally felt relieved. He picked up the wine glass and smiled: "Okay! Cheers!"

The three of them raised their glasses and drank them all at once, looking out the window at the beautiful view. The moonlight fell into the glasses, as if to crown this political deal.

After three rounds of drinking, Ruan Dacheng was worried that Qian Qianyi would take the money but not do anything. Qian Qianyi saw his thoughts and made a promise to Ma Shiying: "The Donglin Party will have several large and small gatherings every year. At that time, the participants will give lectures, write books, and discuss national affairs."

"At the end of the month, there will be a boat party on the Qinhuai River, and all the Donglin Party officials will attend. I will definitely go there, and I will say a few good words for you in front of them."

"As one of the leaders of the Donglin Party, they will give me some face." Qian Qianyi's words were full of confidence, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"Thank you, Mr. Qian!" Ruan Dacheng happily raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and excitement.

After the singing girls were driven away, Qian Qianyi felt that drinking was meaningless and was about to call them back to add to the fun, but was stopped by Ma Shiying.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Qian!" Ma Shiying stopped him, looking serious, "I have a question I want to ask Mr. Qian."

Qian Qianyi put down his wine glass and perked up: "Please speak!" He knew very well that Ma Shiying's question must be of great importance.

Ma Shiying thought for a moment and slowly said, "Mr. Qian, this time I will ask the prince for military pay and promise to recruit troops to counterattack Yingzhou and recapture Henan."

"How should we fight the war then to avoid repeating Murong Jiongran's mistakes?" There was some worry in his tone, and it was obvious that he was still in fear of the previous failure.

Ever since Hua Ruiqi got rid of Murong Jiong, Ma Shiying and other generals have been in fear. Although they knew that Murong Jiong was wrong, they didn't want to see him end up like that.

Qian Qianyi pondered for a while, his eyes gradually becoming deep: "We can win some small battles but don't pursue big victories. As long as we have enough troops, the court will not dare to move against us easily."

"But I have already promised the prince to counterattack Yingzhou." Ma Shiying's tone was somewhat helpless. Obviously, he had been bound by his promise.

"Don't be in a hurry. Let's train the troops for half a year first and see how the situation changes. If the situation changes, we will follow the trend; if it doesn't change, we will take the opportunity to achieve success." Qian Qianyi's words were full of wisdom and cunning, as if he had foreseen all the possibilities of the future.

"Thank you Mr. Qian for your guidance. I'll drink first to show my respect!" Ma Shiying raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes flashing with expectation and determination for the future.

"I'll have a drink too!" Ruan Dacheng also drank the wine in his glass. He was equally excited, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

Qian Qianyi was already a little tipsy. Seeing that the two had finished drinking, he drank it all in one gulp as well and said with a smile, "Great! Great!"

The three of them continued to drink wine and enjoy the singing and dancing, and before they knew it, the night had deepened. Finally, they each took their beauties back to their rooms to rest, but the undercurrent of this political deal continued to surge in the night.

A few days later, in the Wenhua Palace, the Earl of Chengyi Liu Kongzhao respectfully said to the Crown Prince Zhu Cilang: "Your servant Liu Kongzhao pays his respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." There was a hint of respect and expectation in his tone.

"No need to be so polite." Zhu Cilang responded calmly, his eyes flashing with anticipation and desire for the future.

After a few pleasantries, Liu Kongzhao said directly: "I have something I would like to ask Your Highness for your decision." There was a seriousness in his tone, and it was obvious that this matter was of great importance.

"What's the matter?" Zhu Cilang's tone was filled with curiosity and anticipation. He knew very well that anything that could alarm Liu Kongzhao must be of great importance.

"I heard that the Ministry of Revenue is very short of money now, and there are scholars in Nando willing to donate 300,000 taels of silver to help the court." Liu Kongzhao's words were filled with joy and expectation, as if he had already seen the future victory.

"Great!" Zhu Cilang almost jumped for joy when he heard this. He had long been fed up with the days of poverty and was well aware of the difficulties of the country's finances. Now that he suddenly received such a large sum of money, how could he not be happy?
However, Liu Kongzhao went on to say: "But this person has been stripped of his official position by Your Majesty and is a criminal." There was a bit of worry and helplessness in his tone. Obviously, this matter was not simple.

Qian Qianyi and Lin Xiaofeng were both criminals. If Zhu Cilang reused them without review, Lin Xiaofeng would definitely blame Liu Kongzhao. Therefore, Liu Kongzhao first revealed his trump card, and the rest was left to the prince to decide.

That's how it is! A transaction involving power, money and the future quietly unfolds in the night, but the future direction is full of unknowns and variables.

When Zhu Cilang heard about Qian Qianyi's donation, his heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it was tangled like countless knots. He sat on the dragon throne, frowning, and his eyes revealed an indescribable complex emotion. The candlelight in the hall flickered, reflecting on his young but slightly tired face, adding a bit of heaviness.

His mind was in a mess, like the sea in a storm, with waves rising and falling, unable to calm down. He was thinking: Should I accept this money or not? He knew the situation of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing very well. They were extremely poor. Qian Qianyi's money was undoubtedly a timely rain that could solve the urgent problem. However, the problem was far from that simple. Qian Qianyi was a man who had committed a crime. Why was he suddenly so generous? He wanted to use money to pave the way and return to the embrace of the court again. The crime he committed was not big, but not small either. Back then, as the chief examiner of the Zhejiang Provincial Examination, although he was not directly involved in the scandal of cheating in the imperial examination, he was eventually affected and ended up being dismissed. However, he was still not convinced and bit back, suing the cabinet chief Wen Tiren, accusing Wen Tiren of being unclean himself. Wen Tiren was so cunning that when he saw this, he simply pretended to be sick and quit. Qian Qianyi, this "guilty minister", was able to bring down the Prime Minister, which angered Lin Xiaofeng and led to his demotion again.

Now, Qian Qianyi wanted to use the money to help the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue. If he accepted it, wouldn't it tell the whole court that Qian Qianyi still had a chance? Thinking of this, Zhu Cilang shook his head repeatedly, his heart full of contradictions. Qian Qianyi was someone that his father had clearly said he would not use, so how could he dare to go against Lin Xiaofeng?
Zhu Cilang frowned, his eyes deep, as if he could penetrate time and space and see the turbulent waves hidden in the dark. He said to Liu Kongzhao: "Chengyi Bo, you go back first, I need to think about this matter carefully." Liu Kongzhao saluted and turned to leave, revealing a hint of helplessness in his footsteps.

The eunuch Qiu Zhizhong was keeping an eye on all directions and listening carefully. When he saw Liu Kongzhao leave, he came forward and whispered, "Your Highness, Qian Qianyi only asked for money and didn't ask for anything else. Just accept the money first and don't use him."

Zhu Cilang glanced at him, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes: "It's easy for you to say, but don't say it again."

"Your Highness, do you mean that you will no longer use him as an official after receiving the money?" Qiu Zhizhong asked tentatively.

"Is there no risk?" Qiu Zhizhong scratched his head, looking a little anxious.

Zhu Cilang glared at him, his tone a little harsh: "It may work this time, but it will be a big trouble in the future. Qian Qianyi wants to use money to atone for his sins. Accepting the money means that he may be reinstated. If you don't let him come back, it means breaking your promise! Who will be willing to help the court in the future? Everyone is waiting to watch the fun."

"This is a matter of credibility, you have to think it through!" Qiu Zhizhong was so scared that he knelt down and apologized repeatedly, with beads of sweat clearly visible on his forehead.

Zhu Cilang waved his hand, motioning him to get up: "Forget it, quickly call Shi Kefa, I want to hear his opinion." After saying that, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, as if he had already made some decision.

In fact, Zhu Cilang had already made plans in his mind. He wanted Shi Kefa to take the blame and take Qian Qianyi's money. Qian Qianyi was a member of the Donglin Party, and so was Shi Kefa. But after Zhu Cilang read "The Locust Record", he became more and more dissatisfied with the Donglin Party. The sharp words in the book criticized the Donglin Party thoroughly, which made him deeply suspicious of the Donglin Party.

What's funny is that Ma Shiying first used "The Locust Record" to ridicule the Donglin Party, but ended up hooking up with the leaders of the Donglin Party. It's really ironic. When Zhu Cilang thought of this, a sneer appeared on his lips, and his heart was filled with helplessness and indignation towards the government.

After a while, the eunuch Zhang Zhiyu from the East Factory came. He knelt down and saluted with skillful and respectful movements. Zhu Cilang was quite polite to him. After all, he had made great contributions in protecting the emperor, and he still remembered this favor.

Zhang Zhiyu entered the Wenhua Hall, looked around, and after confirming that no one was there, he bowed again and then stopped talking. Zhu Cilang asked everyone to leave before asking him, "I heard that Ma Shiying did not return home after leaving the palace three days ago, and hung out with Ruan Dacheng, Qian Qianyi and others?"

"We first conspired at Ruan Dacheng's house, and then went to the Qinhuai River to drink." Zhang Zhiyu's answer was concise and clear, without any procrastination.

Zhu Cilang became unhappy when he heard this, and frowned: "Why are you reporting it now?" There was a hint of blame in his voice.

Zhang Zhiyu knelt down to answer, with a helpless tone in his voice: "Your Highness, the Jinyiwei and the East Factory are short of manpower, and you asked the Jinyiwei to keep an eye on the Beijing Camp and Caojiang, so our situation is even tighter. The supervisory staff have all been transferred away, and the remaining ones are the old, weak, sick, and newcomers. Naturally, the news is slow. Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Zhu Cilang sighed and asked him to stand up: "Be careful when recruiting new people, and don't let any spies sneak in." There was some worry in his tone, and it was obvious that he was not optimistic about the situation in the court.

"I obey your command!" Zhang Zhiyu stood aside and answered respectfully.

Zhu Cilang cleared his throat, as if to dispel the boredom in his heart: "Qian Qianyi asked Liu Kongzhao to pass on a message, saying that he was willing to donate 300,000 taels of silver for emergency. According to what you said, Qian Qianyi, Ma Shiying, Ruan Dacheng and others have already colluded?"

Zhang Zhiyu thought for a moment and replied, "That's about the situation." There was some certainty in his tone.

Zhu Cilang got angry when he heard this, and stood up and walked around the room. His steps seemed a little hurried, as if he couldn't suppress his inner irritation. After a while, he threw "The Locust Record" in front of Zhang Zhiyu and asked: "Do you think Qian Qianyi knew that Ruan Dacheng dedicated this book to me?"

Zhang Zhiyu quickly flipped through the book and put it back. His eyes revealed a deep thought: "Whether they know it or not, it doesn't affect their cooperation. Ruan Dacheng's book criticizes the Donglin Party. If Qian Qianyi knew about it and still hangs out with him, it can only be said that they each got what they wanted. The Donglin Party didn't give them what they wanted. Ruan Dacheng wanted to make a comeback, and Qian Qianyi wanted to do the same, so they joined forces. And now the situation outside is tense, they have to cooperate temporarily."

"Powerful enemy? Do you mean the rebel leader Chuang Zi-tzu or the loyal leader Xian Zhong?" Zhu Cilang blurted out, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

Zhang Zhiyu narrowed his eyes, pointed at himself, and said bitterly: "In the capital, except for you, Your Highness, who doesn't regard us as enemies?"

"What about me?" Zhu Cilang's voice was a little confused.

"I dare not say." Zhang Zhiyu lowered his head, looking a little frightened.

"You are innocent." Zhu Cilang's voice was firm.

"You are a hostage!" Zhang Zhiyu's words were like a sharp knife, piercing Zhu Cilang's heart. He was stunned, and his eyes revealed an indescribable complex emotion. He understood that his identity and his situation were like a puppet, a chess piece being manipulated. His heart was full of helplessness and anger, but he had nowhere to vent. He could only silently endure all this and continue to struggle and survive in this complicated court politics.

"Hmph!" Zhu Cilang stood up suddenly, his eyes burning with anger, staring straight at Zhang Zhiyu, as if he wanted to see through everything about him. His figure was upright, but at this moment he was trembling slightly with anger, like a cheetah about to pounce on its prey.

Zhang Zhiyu sighed, bent his knees slightly, and knelt down again, with a bit of helplessness and pleading in his voice: "Your Highness, please don't be angry. It was me who spoke nonsense and offended your majesty."

Zhu Cilang clenched his fists, his teeth chattered, his heart was like a raging sea, turbulent. He tried hard to control his emotions, but the anger was like a wildfire that spread across the prairie and was difficult to calm down.

After a long while, Zhu Cilang slowly sat down, his anger gradually subsided, and his face regained its composure. He knew that although Zhang Zhiyu's words were harsh, they were all sincere. Thinking of Liu Kongzhao's help in delivering Qian Qianyi's message, he knew in his heart that those powerful people in Nanjing had colluded with the Donglin Party. In the palace, Zhu Cilang was the high and mighty prince, enjoying supreme honor, but once he left the palace, the military power was in the hands of those civil officials and nobles. He felt like a hostage who was being held in vain, powerless to change the status quo.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Cilang's eyes became deep, as if to penetrate all the fog. He asked in a deep voice: "How is Hua Ruiqi doing? Has the military pay been delivered?"

Zhang Zhiyu lowered his head, speaking with caution, "The military pay arrived 20 days ago, but Hua Ruiqi hasn't made any move." Zhu Cilang became anxious upon hearing this, speaking with a bit of anxiety, "Father's meaning is very clear, we must save Jian Mingxiao first, and then let Hua Ruiqi attack Zhang Xianzhong. Now that Jian Mingxiao is in danger, why hasn't Hua Ruiqi made any move?"

He slammed the table and shouted angrily, "Is Hua Ruiqi reliable? If not, change him!"

Zhang Zhiyu smiled bitterly, raised his head, and a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes: "Your Highness, when I went to deliver the military pay, I knew the situation was complicated. Please give him some more time."

Zhu Cilang's eyes widened, as stern as a beast: "Zhang Zhiyu! Did you accept Hua Ruiqi's favor? You knew he was afraid of fighting, but you still spoke for him!"

"I absolutely did not do that!" Zhang Zhiyu was so scared that he knelt down again. His knees hurt as if they were hit by an arrow. There was a bit of trembling and fear in his voice.

"Your Highness, you don't know that although Hua Ruiqi eliminated Murong Jiongran and his son, the ten generals under his command all have their own ulterior motives. If we don't subdue these people first, we will only fail if we send troops rashly." Zhang Zhiyu explained, with a hint of urgency and pleading in his voice.

"Also." Zhang Zhiyu paused and continued, "Murong Jiongran used to have a good relationship with the Donglin Party, and his subordinates often interacted with the Donglin Party. Murong Jiongran's affairs and the current situation of the Donglin Party have made these people nervous. Your Highness must think of a good way to make them work for the court." After speaking, Zhang Zhiyu wiped the sweat from his forehead and secretly rejoiced in his heart. If he were in Beijing, facing a ruthless character like Lin Xiaofeng, he would have died countless times. In the East Factory, the rule is to say what you see, write what you hear, and only state the facts, not to take sides or comment. But today, he made an exception. If Zhu Cilang investigates further, his life will be in danger.

Zhu Cilang had a severe headache at the moment, as if countless needles were piercing his temples. He rubbed his temples and tried to calm himself down. He just felt that the situation in Nanjing was too complicated and he was almost dizzy. In fact, the chaos in Nanjing was still relatively good, and the complexity of Beijing was a thousand times more than this.

He thought of those generals who went to war and were rewarded if they won, but would be killed by the civil officials with their pens if they lost. In order to protect themselves, the generals often made friends with the civil officials, hoping that they would say a few good words to the emperor when they failed. The weight of the words of the civil officials should not be underestimated.

The emperor sat in the throne room. Apart from the eunuchs who supervised the army, he could only hear the voices of the civil officials. If the court is compared to a class, then the emperor is the class teacher and the ministers are the students. If a student makes a mistake, the class teacher will definitely ask other students for their opinions. If everyone speaks ill of that student, how can the class teacher have a good impression of him?
But then again, is that student really that bad? Not necessarily. Maybe he is just different from others. This is the case in the classroom and in the court.

Zhu Cilang had a terrible headache at the moment, and he slumped in his chair, feeling like he had no desire to live. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself down.

“Your Highness?” Zhang Zhiyu became anxious when he saw Zhu Cilang’s expression, and his voice became louder, “Your Highness! Your Highness!!!”

"I'm fine, just tired." Zhu Cilang said tiredly, with a hint of weakness in his voice.

"Your Highness, you might as well ask Mr. Ni," Zhang Zhiyu suggested, with a hint of caution and tentativeness in his voice.

"He is also a member of the Donglin Party. There is no point in asking him!" Zhu Cilang shook his head, with a hint of helplessness and disappointment in his voice.

"There are good and bad people in the Donglin Party. The person Your Majesty chooses should not be wrong." Zhang Zhiyu advised, with a hint of pleading and expectation in his voice.

Zhu Cilang had no choice but to nod and agree to go to Ni Yuanlu to discuss it. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the room.

At this time, Shi Kefa had already arrived at the Wenhua Hall and was waiting. He was wearing a dark blue official uniform and a black gauze hat, looking solemn and majestic. He sat on a chair in the hall with a frown on his face, as if thinking about something important. After waiting for a long time, Zhu Cilang slowly walked in.

After the two men exchanged greetings, Shi Kefa asked, "Your Highness, what is the important matter that you summoned me for?" There was a hint of urgency and concern in his voice.

Zhu Cilang took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then said, "Minister Shi, Qian Qianyi asked Liu Kongzhao to pass on a message saying that he is willing to donate 300,000 taels of silver to solve Nanjing's urgent needs." His voice was heavy and helpless.

"Oh?" Shi Kefa was stunned when he heard it. He didn't expect Qian Qianyi to be so generous, and he didn't expect him to find Liu Kongzhao instead of himself. He felt a little confused and puzzled.

Shi Kefa wondered in his heart: Did Qian Qianyi take the wrong medicine? How could Liu Kongzhao's power compare to that of him, the Nanjing Aircraft Counselor? But then he thought, this kind of big thing shouldn't be fake. He frowned and tried to calm himself down.

"I thought Qian Qianyi wanted to take this opportunity to make a comeback and seek an official position in Nanjing. But he has been demoted by His Majesty, and Your Highness, as the crown prince, should not disobey the emperor's will." Shi Kefa's answer was flawless, with a firmness and decisiveness in his voice.

Zhu Cilang said with a frown: "But the court is in urgent need of this money now. I want to see if I can have the best of both worlds?" There was a hint of anxiety and expectation in his voice.

"Best of both worlds?" Shi Kefa was also worried. He frowned and thought about how to solve this problem. How to have the best of both worlds? It's not okay to take the money and not give him an official position!
Seeing that Shi Kefa didn't say anything, Zhu Cilang said seriously: "Minister Shi, why don't you let Qian Qianyi come to your house and be an aide first." There was a hint of pleading and expectation in his voice.

"When the Jian Nu retreats and the grain transport is restored, I will submit a memorial to my father to explain the matter in detail. If he can be pardoned, that would be great; if not, the court will then allocate funds to return the funds to him," Zhu Cilang said. There was some determination and decisiveness in his voice.

"What do you think?" Zhu Cilang asked Shi Kefa, with a hint of anticipation and anxiety in his eyes.

Shi Kefa's heart skipped a beat when he heard this: Oh no! They are using me as a shield! Letting Qian Qianyi come to my house as an aide is actually making him an aide to the prince. If anything goes wrong, the responsibility will all be on me! He felt bitter and helpless.

However, Zhu Cilang saw through Shi Kefa's concerns. He stood up, walked to Shi Kefa, and said softly: "Minister Shi, you are a loyal and sensible person, and the court needs talents like you. Now the position of Nanjing Minister of Personnel is vacant, and I want you to take this position." There was some sincerity and expectation in his voice.

Shi Kefa hesitated for a moment, but soon made up his mind. For the Ming Dynasty and the prince, he was willing to risk it all! He raised his head, looked at Zhu Cilang firmly and said, "How dare I, Shi Kefa, disobey your order! Thank you for your appreciation!" After that, he knelt down to accept the order, with a surge of lofty sentiments and ambitions in his heart.

Zhu Cilang looked at Shi Kefa's determined eyes and decisive actions, and a warm current surged in his heart. He knew that Shi Kefa was a trustworthy person, a person who was willing to give everything for the Ming Dynasty. He gently patted Shi Kefa's shoulder and said, "Good! I feel much more at ease with you here!"

At this time, the sunlight outside the window shone through the clouds and shone on the two people. Their figures stretched out in the sunlight, as if foreshadowing the hope and challenges of the future. Zhu Cilang and Shi Kefa smiled at each other, their hearts full of confidence and determination. They knew that as long as they worked together, they would be able to overcome this difficulty and create a better future for the Ming Dynasty!

Watching Shi Kefa's back gradually going away, Ming Crown Prince Zhu Cilang let out a long breath, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden. His eyes were a little tired, but also revealed a hint of determination that was not easily detected. The door of the hall slowly closed, making a heavy sound, as if to put a temporary end to this secret talk.

Ni Yuanlu walked out from behind, his face calm, his pace neither hurried nor slow, every step seemed so calm. Cilang turned his head and looked at him, a gleam of inquiry flashed in his eyes, he asked: "Mr. Ni, can you get things done this time?" His voice was light, but it was a bit anxious.

Yuan Lu answered firmly: "No problem! There are three reasons." His voice was firm and powerful, as if he had already won.

“First, Qian Qianyi has already been demoted by our father, and there has been no official announcement yet. Your Highness, please do not assign him an official position without authorization, otherwise the impeachment memorials from the censors will fill up the entire imperial city, causing headaches.” Yuan Lu’s tone was playful, but it also revealed the complexity of the court.

Cilang frowned slightly when he heard this, as if he was thinking about something. He nodded gently, motioning Yuanlu to continue.

"Therefore, the best way at the moment is to let him hide under Shi Kefa first and serve as your Highness' think tank until the time is right." Yuan Lu's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to be well thought out.

"I guess Qian Qianyi himself understands this!" He smiled slightly, with a cunning gleam in his eyes.

"If he is willing to obey, the three hundred thousand taels of silver can solve our urgent needs; if he refuses, we can't force him." Yuan Lu's tone was somewhat helpless, but also revealed a bit of determination.

Cilang nodded, his eyes kept changing, as if he was pondering Yuan Lu's words. He sighed softly, as if he felt helpless about the disputes in the court.

Yuan Lu went on to say, "Secondly, Shi Kefa was originally the Minister of War in charge of the military, and now he is also in charge of the Ministry of Personnel. What does this mean?" There was some inquiry in his voice, but it also revealed some clarity.

"It shows that my father values ​​me!" Cilang blinked and answered easily. His tone was confident, yet also a bit immature.

"It's not that simple. Your Highness, have you forgotten Shi Kefa's background?" Yuan Lu's voice contained a hint of reminder, his eyes flashing with wisdom.

"Donglin Party?" Cilang frowned slightly, as if recalling something.

"That's right!" Yuan Lu stroked his beard and said with a smile, "All the ministers will see that you are using Shi Kefa, which is equivalent to using the Donglin Party. In this way, the people on Murong Jiongran's side can dispel many doubts because they have a good relationship with the Donglin Party. In addition, with the Qian Qianyi incident, the pressure on Hua Ruiqi will naturally be reduced."

Cilang suddenly understood what was going on when he heard this, and his eyes sparkled with surprise. He had never thought that Shi Kefa's concurrent post as the Minister of Personnel would have such a profound knowledge.

"The third point, and the most important one, is that doing so can appease the officials and nobles in Nanjing." Yuan Lu's voice was serious and his eyes were deep.

Cilang raised his eyebrows and asked, "What do they want to do?" There was a hint of vigilance in his voice, but also a hint of curiosity.

Yuan Lu smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, don't think too much. Although there are not many officials and nobles who followed us to the south, there are some. In their eyes, everyone in Beijing is an enemy."

His tone was somewhat helpless, but also revealed a bit of understanding. He knew that the thoughts of these officials and nobles were complicated and could not be explained in just a few words.

"You accepted Qian Qianyi's money and promoted Shi Kefa from Nanjing. Isn't this telling them that you won't let people from the north replace them?" There was a hint of explanation in Yuan Lu's voice and his eyes revealed some clarity.

Upon hearing this, Cilang's eyes turned stern: "If the noble dares to collude with the Donglin Party, I will remove him from his position as the Governor of Caojiang!" His voice contained some anger, but also revealed some determination.

"No!" Yuan Lu hurriedly stopped him. "Your Highness, you are short of money now. Qian Qianyi is willing to donate. Liu Kongzhao did this for the sake of you and the court. He did nothing wrong. If you punish him for no reason, it will chill everyone's hearts."

His tone was pleading, but also a bit worrying. He knew that although Cilang was smart, he was still young after all, and might not have considered some things thoroughly.

After hearing Yuan Lu's words, Cilang felt mixed emotions. He felt like he didn't want to be the crown prince. The affairs of the court were much more complicated than he thought. There was a confused light in his eyes, as if he was looking for a way out.

Yuan Lu saw through his thoughts and advised, "Your Highness, you are the crown prince. You must think twice before doing anything." His voice was gentle, but also firm.

"Some of those who flatter their superiors do so to get promoted or make money, but more of them do so to protect themselves. Your Highness, you must understand this." Yuan Lu's tone was a reminder, and his eyes revealed some wisdom.

Cilang sighed: "Before coming to Nanjing, I only knew how to read and write, and occasionally read my father's memorials. I have never been exposed to these political affairs. Now that I am the regent in Nanjing, I know how chaotic the court is."

His voice was somewhat helpless, but also revealed a bit of maturity. He knew that he had to face these complicated political affairs and could not escape.

"I am grateful for your advice, sir." Cilang bowed solemnly, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. He knew that Yuan Lu was doing this for his own good, teaching him how to gain a foothold in this complicated court.

Yuan Lu dared not accept his gift and quickly stopped him. He smiled and shook his head, his eyes flashing with relief. He knew that although Cilang was young, he was smart and eager to learn. As long as he was given time, he would definitely become an outstanding monarch.

The king and his minister discussed for a long time, and Cilang asked, "Sir, should we send an urgent letter to Hua Ruiqi and urge him to send troops?" There was some urgency in his voice, but also revealed some worry.

Yuan Lu pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "The urgent letter must be sent, but the secret letter must also be written. The urgent letter is an official document of the court, and the secret letter is your highness's personal message."

His tone was full of explanation, but also revealed some deep thought. He knew that the contents of the two letters must be carefully considered and there must not be any mistakes.

"How should the content be written?" There was a hint of inquiry in Cilang's voice, and his eyes were shining with curiosity.

Yuan Lu smiled slightly: "Yuezhou, upstream of Wuchang, is an important town. Zhang Xianzhong has stationed tens of thousands of troops there. Hua Ruiqi is a veteran, so he can naturally weigh the pros and cons."

His tone was somewhat confident, but also revealed some worry. He knew that Hua Ruiqi was a veteran with rich experience, but Zhang Xianzhong was no pushover either, and this battle would be very difficult.

"The urgent letter urges him to send troops quickly, and the secret letter asks him to act prudently." There was a certain calmness in Yuan Lu's voice and wisdom in his eyes.

"The contents of the two letters are contradictory. Who will Hua Ruiqi listen to?" There was some doubt in Cilang's voice, and his eyes flashed with confusion.

Yuan Lu smiled slightly: "This depends on Hua Ruiqi's wisdom. He is an old general and will naturally understand what Your Highness means. Your Highness, just urge him verbally, and don't easily interfere in military affairs. You should pay more attention to the court situation in Nanjing."

His tone was a reminder, but also a bit of worry. He knew that although Cilang was smart, he was still young after all, and might not have considered some things thoroughly. He had to remind him all the time to keep him clear-headed.

"The Donglin Party cannot dominate alone. We need to find someone who can check and balance them." There was a hint of deep thought in Yuan Lu's voice and wisdom in his eyes.

Cilang thought for a moment and said, "Besides Xu Hongji, the only person with real power in Nanjing is Liu Kongzhao." His voice was certain, but also hesitant. He knew that these two people were not easy to deal with, and it would not be easy to check and balance them.

Yuan Lu nodded: "Yes, that's them. However, it's up to you, Your Highness, to decide how to proceed." His tone was a reminder, but also a trust. He knew that although Cilang was young, he was smart and eager to learn. As long as he was given time, he would definitely become an outstanding monarch.

In the streets of Nanjing, in a restaurant's elegant room, Liu Kongzhao and Qian Qianyi sat opposite each other. The flickering candlelight in the room illuminated the two people's faces, each of them in their own thoughts. Outside the window, the night was dark, and occasionally a few distant drums could be heard, adding a bit of tranquility and mystery.

"Thank you, Lord Chengyi, for your help!" Qian Qianyi bowed respectfully, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. He knew that this success was all thanks to Liu Kongzhao's help.

Kong Zhao stood up with a smile. His smile was a bit polite, but also revealed a bit of cunning. "Mr. Qian, you are too polite. I am doing this for His Highness and the court. I have no selfish motives." His voice was a bit of explanation, but also revealed a bit of self-mockery.

Qian Qianyi knew that he was being falsely polite, but he still took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to him: "Uncle Chengyi, you have been traveling around, and this is a small token of my appreciation." His tone was sincere, but also revealed a bit of helplessness. He knew that the letter contained silver, which he prepared to thank Liu Kongzhao.

Kong Zhao took a half step back and pretended to leave: "Mr. Qian, are you trying to harm me? Nanjing is full of Jinyiwei and Dongchang spies. Although I want to accept it, I dare not!" His voice was a little panicked, but also revealed a little teasing. He knew that the letter contained silver, but he didn't want to accept it.

Qian Qianyi smiled awkwardly: "I thought... the Earl of Chengyi could avoid the eyes and ears of the Jinyiwei. I didn't expect..." He didn't finish his words, but his meaning was already very clear. He knew that he might have made a mistake this time.

"It's not difficult to avoid him, but it will attract more attention. It's better to meet him openly." Kong Zhao's tone was full of explanation, and his eyes revealed some wisdom. He knew that some things could not be hidden, otherwise it would attract more attention.

"I'm leaving now that I've finished my work." Kong Zhao said as he was about to leave, his pace neither hurried nor slow. (End of this chapter)