The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 120 Lying Down as Regent

Although Emperor Qianxi's inspection of the river works was rather hasty, the officials accompanying him included Grand Secretary Zhang Ying and the Minister of Works.

This imperial procession not only brought along the eldest prince, the third prince, the fourth prince, and other adult princes, but also summoned the Xishan Sharp Warrior Battalion to protect the emperor.

It has a very grand and majestic feel to it!

However, many people felt that Emperor Qianxi's departure this time was somewhat unusual.

This unusual occurrence was that, normally, whenever Emperor Qianxi went out, he would always take one of the two Grand Secretaries, Mingzhu and Suo'etu, with him, but this time he didn't take either of them.

This situation, though unexpected, went unnoticed by anyone.

However, many people who frequently work in the capital have already sensed something is amiss. Many have a vague feeling that a storm they do not want is about to sweep in.

After escorting Emperor Qianxi's imperial carriage away with his courtiers, Shen Ye, the Crown Prince who was acting as regent, had become the nominal ruler of the Forbidden City.

After all, although the Crown Prince Regent is not the emperor, without the emperor, the Forbidden City is the most powerful place for the Crown Prince Regent.

Although unwilling to admit it, Shen Ye still felt that his mood had improved considerably with the departure of Emperor Qianxi.

Unfortunately, Emperor Qianxi was only there to inspect the river works.

How wonderful it would be if the emperor were gone and never returned!
Shen Ye could only keep these words to himself, but dared not show them at all. He glanced at the officials following behind him and said indifferently, "Notify all the Grand Secretaries and Ministers that we will meet at Yuqing Palace in half an hour."

As soon as the order was issued, not only the Grand Secretaries and Ministers who were to attend the meeting knew about it, but even Emperor Qianxi, who had already set off two miles away, also learned about it.

After all, the imperial carriage was not traveling fast, while Zhao Chang, who remained in the capital, was able to deliver the news to him as quickly as possible.

Emperor Qianxi felt as if the Crown Prince had already announced his succession to the throne before he had even left the capital. He had only just left the capital.

Beside him were the eldest prince and Zhang Ying. Zhang Ying remained silent about the matter.

However, the eldest prince was unwilling to let such an opportunity slip by. He said with a hint of provocation, "Father, it seems that the Crown Prince is already eager to assume the regency!"

This statement may seem like just casual conversation, but it can also be interpreted as the Crown Prince being eager to ascend the throne!
Emperor Qianxi was perfectly aware of his eldest son's thoughts.

It could be said that this kind of thinking in his eldest son was cultivated by him. He wanted the eldest prince to be the whetstone for the crown prince, urging him to break free from his cocoon and continuously improve.

Of course, the eldest prince was also a check on the crown prince, preventing the crown prince from having too much of a leisurely life.

Emperor Qianxi inwardly despised the eldest prince's deliberate provocation, but outwardly remained calm, saying, "The crown prince is ordered to oversee the country, so naturally he must summon the ministers."

Although Emperor Qianxi appeared to believe in the Crown Prince, he turned around and instructed Zhao Chang to promptly send over the contents of the Crown Prince's meeting with the ministers.

Half an hour really does pass very quickly.

Emperor Qianxi's imperial carriage traveled only five miles south in half an hour, and Shen Ye only drank a cup of tea and chatted with Shi Jingrong for a while in the back hall of Yuqing Palace.

When Shen Ye arrived at Yuqing Palace, he saw that all the officials who were supposed to come had arrived.

Soetu and Mingzhu stood at the front. Of the two, Soetu's face was dark, as if he was angry with someone; while Mingzhu had a big smile on his face.

It was as if the one overseeing the country was not Shen Ye, but the eldest prince.

"Your subjects greet the Crown Prince." After Shen Ye took his seat, Suo'etu and the others bowed respectfully.

Although he was prepared, seeing the respectful manner of the officials and the unified, majestic sound of their shouts, Shen Ye couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Even he, as the regent and crown prince, felt a sense of intoxication; one can only imagine how intoxicated the emperor must feel. In the past, when Emperor Qianxi held court, he would stand aside and not feel it too deeply. Now, as the regent himself, this feeling was quite overwhelming.

"No need for formalities," Shen Ye instructed, and then, without waiting for Suo'etu and the others to speak, he said directly, "My father is inspecting the river works and has entrusted me with overseeing the country."

"In my opinion, all of you officials are His Majesty's veteran ministers, with rich experience in handling affairs. You can simply handle the daily affairs of the court according to the old system."

At this point, Shen Ye waved his sleeve and said, "As for matters that are difficult to decide, the Grand Secretaries can discuss them and then report to Father Emperor."

"In case of urgent matters that are difficult to decide, the Grand Secretaries may discuss them and then report to me, and then to His Majesty."

At this point, he glanced around and then said in an unquestionable tone, "All memorials concerning the appointment of officials or impeachments by the Censorate shall be reported to His Majesty by the Office of Transmission."

At this point, Shen Ye said, "If everyone has no objections, then proceed accordingly."

The assembled officials understood the meaning behind Shen Ye's words perfectly. He listed quite a few points, but in essence, it all boiled down to one thing: do what you can do yourself.

If you can't handle something yourself, report it to Emperor Qianxi.

As for me, I don't care about anything; it has nothing to do with me.

"Your Highness, I have something to say." Suo'etu couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward.

In his view, the Crown Prince overseeing the country was a time to seek benefits for those in power, including himself. Decisions that were difficult to make during the Qianxi Emperor's reign could now be implemented as soon as possible.

But now, judging from the Crown Prince's words, it's clear that he wants everyone to act independently and manage their own little territory, while he doesn't care about the appointment or impeachment of officials.

In other words, there is no essential difference between being a regent and not being a regent.

Shen Ye looked at the fuming Suo'etu and said calmly, "Minister Suo, please speak."

"Your Highness, His Majesty's decision to appoint you as regent is an act of extreme trust in you. You should diligently attend to state affairs to live up to His Majesty's expectations."

At this point, Songgotu, looking exasperated, said, "I cannot agree with the decisions you just made."

"Your Highness, I urge you to consider the well-being of the people and diligently attend to state affairs. This is truly a blessing for the world and for all its people!"

Shen Ye looked at Suo'etu, who seemed to be saying, "I'm doing this all for your own good," and smiled, saying, "Prime Minister Suo, I understand your good intentions."

"However, I believe that what my father asked me to do was merely to oversee the country."

"The so-called regency is to supervise all officials to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities, take on their duties, and fulfill their responsibilities when His Majesty is away from the capital, rather than having me, the Crown Prince, overstep my bounds and take over the affairs of state for you and fulfill my duties."

"Okay, that's settled."

"If Prime Minister Suo thinks I have done something wrong, he can write a memorial to me."

At this point, Shen Ye added, "Every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), I work in the main hall of Yuqing Palace. If there are any particularly urgent matters that cannot be handled, the Grand Secretary in charge can come to Yuqing Palace with the relevant personnel to see me."

"Let's all disperse."

Before anyone could react, Shen Ye strode away.

Watching the departing crown prince, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Many thought that the crown prince should be diligent in governing the country as regent, but they never expected that he would end up like this.

Don't contact me unless it's absolutely urgent!

I only work for one hour each day!
Personnel changes and impeachments are not my responsibility!
If you have any opinions, you should speak up. Don't keep them bottled up inside. Whether I listen or not is my business!
　The second update for today is here! Please support me, everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)