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

Chapter 136 Must Father and Son Kill Each Other?

You may not have returned to the Forbidden City, but you are still the emperor!

Now, you are high above me, ordering me, the crown prince who has practically abandoned his position as regent, to handle this matter. Aren't you just setting your son up for failure?
Although he had been shamelessly tricked by Emperor Qianxi several times in the past, Shen Ye still couldn't help but complain now.

Unfortunately, Emperor Qianxi's words were imperial edicts.

If he says you are the Crown Prince Regent, then you are the Crown Prince Regent.

If you are appointed to oversee the country now, then you must oversee the country.

Even if you have a problem with it, you can just keep it to yourself; there's no way you can voice it.

He was furious inside, but could only say, "Your subject obeys!"

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Shen Ye.

In particular, both Suo'etu and Mingzhu stared intently at Shen Ye.

They never expected that Emperor Qianxi would pull such a stunt.

Emperor Qianxi did not deal with them, but let the Crown Prince handle them.

In other words, the two of them were dealt with, but Emperor Qianxi was not branded as a ruthless and cruel ruler.

Indeed, no one is wiser than His Majesty!
The two exchanged a quick glance, and for a moment they felt a sense of shared misfortune.

Soetu was not in a good mood. The Crown Prince had been telling him to retire, but now the Crown Prince had the power to decide his fate. How would the Crown Prince deal with him?

While some of the charges Mingzhu brought against him were baseless, others were true.

He can't escape it.

The same applies to the matter of him sending someone to impeach Mingzhu.

Moreover, it was Emperor Qianxi who truly wanted to touch Mingzhu.

Mingzhu still wore a faint smile on her face.

It was as if he was unaware that his fate was already in the hands of the Crown Prince.

He glanced at the Crown Prince, then at the First Prince who seemed somewhat unsteady, and then gently shook his head.

Especially in situations like these, the eldest prince must remain silent!
Although he was the leader of the eldest prince's faction, and Emperor Qianxi knew this, he absolutely could not show it at this time.

The emperor seemed to have entrusted the fate of himself and Songgotu to the crown prince, but in reality, this was also a test for the crown prince.

His life and death were ultimately decided by the Qianxi Emperor.

Emperor Qianxi could change the Crown Prince's decision at any time.

And what about the crown prince?

If the Crown Prince fails this test, he will face the harsh criticism of the Qianxi Emperor.

Therefore, at this moment, Mingzhu remained very calm.

As for the others, their feelings were different, but their eyes were all focused on Shen Ye.

Shen Ye had no time to meticulously examine each of the more than thirty charges against him.

He glanced at Suo'etu and Mingzhu, then said indifferently, "Father, as the saying goes, running water never stagnates, and a door hinge never rusts."

"Your subject believes that the current impeachment is not about what Prime Minister Suo and Prime Minister Ming did, but about the flaws in the system of the Grand Secretary of the Southern Study."

"Your subject believes that the Grand Secretary of the Southern Study should have a term of office."

“The term of office for each Grand Secretary of the Southern Study Room shall not exceed six years.”

"Please investigate thoroughly, Father Emperor."

Emperor Qianxi's expression immediately showed a hint of surprise. He had not expected that the Crown Prince would pull such a stunt on him.

From the moment he left Beijing to inspect the Yongding River, he had everything under control.

Both Mingzhu's reaction and Suo'etu's performance were within his expectations.

That phrase, "How can there be a crown prince who reigns for thirty years?", surprised him somewhat.

However, even so, everything was still under his control.

He didn't care about Shen Gang's death at all.

This time, it seems that his intention to purge the court of its powerful figures without harming his own reputation by using the Crown Prince to deal with Suo'etu and Mingzhu is about to be realized.

The crown prince has been cornered.

He has to make a choice.

Emperor Qianxi remained calm and collected, wanting to see how the Crown Prince would react. Even if the Crown Prince wanted to protect Suo'etu, he had his own backup plan.

Unexpectedly, Shen Ye proposed to change the system of Grand Scholars.

The position of Grand Secretary of the Southern Study was not a high-ranking official post, but like in the Ming Dynasty, it was regarded as a prime minister.

No one spoke ill of the prime minister.

As for the Qianxi Emperor himself, he would simply promote whoever he found convenient to serve to the rank of Grand Secretary.

Now, the Crown Prince proposes that the term of office for each Grand Secretary be six years.

In other words, a minister could only serve as a Grand Secretary for a maximum of six years.

Both Suo'etu and Mingzhu had served as Grand Secretaries for over a decade; otherwise, they wouldn't have amassed such a large following.

If the Crown Prince's decision is approved, then Mingzhu and Suo'etu will be dismissed from their posts.

Or, to put it another way, the two of them could simply end their terms.

My goal has been achieved!

Moreover, it did not harm his own wisdom!
It seems the Crown Prince has resolved the matters he arranged without getting embroiled in the impeachment proceedings.

In this respect, it is truly brilliant.

It's even better than the method I came up with!
Doesn't this mean...

The hall of the post station was completely silent.

No one uttered a sound; they simply waited quietly.

Even the eldest prince only glanced at Shen Ye with his eyes at this moment.

"What are your thoughts on the handling of the Crown Prince, my esteemed ministers?" Emperor Qianxi asked in a deep voice, looking at the silent crowd.

No one spoke; almost everyone was looking at Suo'etu and Mingzhu.

Soetu was very reluctant to step down, but at this point, the Crown Prince had already proposed this solution. If he insisted on not stepping down, it would mean that he was unwilling to give up his power and position.

Moreover, this was Emperor Qianxi's intention.

When everyone was looking at him, he honestly said, "In recent years, this old minister has become increasingly old and frail, and is indeed somewhat unable to perform his duties."

"If it weren't for repaying Your Majesty's kindness, this old minister would have resigned long ago."

"I agree with the Crown Prince's proposal today."

When Songgotu spoke, Mingzhu, who was standing to the side, also bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister also agrees with the Crown Prince's decision."

"Like Minister Suo, this old minister's health is failing him."

"I humbly request Your Majesty's permission for this old minister to retire and return to his hometown."

The statements from the two individuals practically sealed the deal.

Emperor Qianxi was quite satisfied that the matter had been resolved so satisfactorily.

However, looking at the Crown Prince standing calmly to one side, a sense of apprehension inexplicably rose in his heart.

This guy had a brilliant idea and came up with a unique solution that left everyone speechless!

Why is the Crown Prince so cunning?
Logically, the matter should have ended here.

After all, this is an outcome that all parties can accept. As for Shen Gang's death, that can be dealt with privately.

But seeing the Crown Prince's calm and composed demeanor, a strange sense of displeasure arose in his heart.

This displeasure prompted Emperor Qianxi to say calmly, "The Crown Prince is the regent. Since the regent has made a decision, then we shall proceed according to the Crown Prince's decision."

Hearing this, Shen Ye felt a surge of disdain.

Emperor Qianxi's attitude left him speechless.

However, Shen Ye was still prepared to express his gratitude, because in this way, the matter was pretty much over.

But before he could express his gratitude, Emperor Qianxi asked, "Crown Prince, what is your opinion on Shen Gang's death?"

Shen Ye thought he had a good temper, but after hearing Emperor Qianxi's words, he felt an urge to curse.

What are you doing?

You've already achieved your goal, so why are you saying this?

Must father and son kill each other?
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(End of this chapter)