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

Chapter 148 Bow More, Speak Less

The conversation with Mingzhu gave the eldest prince a profound sense of enlightenment.

He felt that he should visit Mingzhu more often when he had time in the future.

Even though Mingzhu is no longer a Grand Scholar, his experience remains.

He can still offer himself some help.

Just as he was about to take his leave, Mingzhu suddenly lowered her voice and said, "Your Highness, there is something else you must keep in mind."

Seeing Mingzhu's performance, the eldest prince's heart stirred.

He knew Mingzhu very well, and knew that his extreme caution was definitely not for any ordinary reason.

He immediately said solemnly, "Please give me your guidance, Uncle."

"This old minister has always felt that the struggle for the throne lies between you and the Crown Prince."

However, it was only after the Crown Prince's words some time ago that this old minister realized that he had been thinking far too simply about this matter.

"The struggle for the throne is not only between you and the Crown Prince, but also among the other princes."

"The Third Prince is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and is deeply loved by His Majesty."

"And the Fourth Prince is decisive and resolute, and is also highly valued by His Majesty."

"The Fifth Prince is kind and honest, and he is equally capable. Moreover, he is favored by the Empress Dowager..."

"Although the Eighth Prince is young, he is respectful to scholars and will definitely become a wise and virtuous king!"

Shen Ye had already said these words. The eldest prince had also thought about these issues these days, and he felt a headache every time he thought about his brothers.

Some even complained to their father, asking why he had so many sons.
At this moment, after listening to Mingzhu's words, the eldest prince's desire to compete for the throne diminished considerably.

Mingzhu seemed oblivious to the Crown Prince's thoughts. He said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, although these princes haven't shown it yet, they are not to be underestimated."

"You should think of a way to form an alliance with them."

"After all, you share the same goal."

Same goal!
These words immediately jolted the eldest prince awake. They had only one goal: to bring down the crown prince!
Only by removing the crown prince from his current position can they possibly become the crown prince.

If the crown prince doesn't abdicate, none of them can become the crown prince; in that sense, they are allies.

However, on the other hand, they are also competitors.

After all, there was only one chair, and only one of the brothers could sit on it.

The eldest prince looked deeply at Mingzhu, then said with a touch of emotion, "Uncle, I know what to do."

Mingzhu looked at the Crown Prince's expression and wanted to speak, but in the end she didn't say anything more.

After the eldest prince left, Kui Xu walked over slowly.

"Father!" Kui Xu bowed to Mingzhu and said, "The Ministry of Revenue's collection efforts are nearing their end, and many colleagues want to ask you how this money should be repaid?"

Although Mingzhu's influence is not what it used to be, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and there are still quite a few people who listen to him.

Especially at times like these, when everyone needs to stick together and support each other, many people think of him.

Mingzhu was naturally aware of this situation.

He glared at Kui Xu and said, "Didn't I say this has nothing to do with our family?"

"We don't owe the national treasury any money."

At this point, he looked at Kui Xu and said, "You should also remember that I am no longer a Grand Secretary."

"So some people who aren't that important should be ignored."

Don't let others use you as a pawn!

With that, he waved his sleeve and said, "Alright, I'm going fishing for a bit, so don't disturb my peace."

Kui Xu wanted to speak, but after being glared at by Mingzhu, he could only obediently leave quickly. Watching her son leave, Mingzhu shook her head and said nothing more.

However, a lingering doubt remained in his heart: could the Crown Prince, with his intelligence, really be forced into a corner by Prince Yu with no power to fight back?
Did the Crown Prince really botch this matter?
But he really couldn't think of any other way for the Crown Prince. Could it be that he should use Suo'etu's old connections?

Mingzhu was fishing, while Suo'etu was farming!

That's absolutely right, Suo'etu was farming!
Following the advice of the Crown Prince, Emperor Qianxi stipulated that Grand Secretaries should not serve for more than six years. Thus, Grand Secretaries Suo'etu and Mingzhu, who had served as regents for many years, retired directly after fulfilling their duties.

After retiring, Songgotu's health deteriorated.

When he was a Grand Secretary, he seemed to have inexhaustible energy.

But now that he is no longer a Grand Secretary, it seems that all his energy and spirit have been exhausted in this moment.

After recovering from a minor illness, Suo'etu cleared out one acre of flowers and plants in his back garden and began planting.

He grows all kinds of fruits and vegetables, but how many survive is not that important to him.

What he wanted was the feeling of farming.

Under the scorching sun, Suo'etu held a shovel, turning over clods of soil, beads of sweat constantly dripping from his forehead.

In this situation, he looks no different from an ordinary old farmer.

"Father, take a rest." Argishan walked over with a pot of cold tea and called out to Soetu in a deep voice.

Soetu put down the shovel in his hand and asked in a deep voice, "Why are you running home instead of going about your work?"

“Father, I have heard some things and have come to report them to you,” Algishan said cautiously.

Soetu picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and then said, "This teacup is too small. Get me a tea bowl next time."

"This is how you drink to your heart's content."

Upon hearing this, Algishan frowned slightly.

In Argishan's memory, although his father was not the kind of gentle and refined high-ranking official, he was still very particular about rules and regulations.

Now, not only are they drinking tea in large gulps, but they're also saying they're using bowls—this is really...

"What are your colleagues saying?" Soetu, unaware of his son's thoughts, sat down in the pavilion and asked calmly.

“My colleagues all said that since the Crown Prince is not going to Prince Yu to pursue the matter, he cannot forcibly pursue it from other people.”

“They all felt that they could owe money for a longer period of time.”

Argishan calmed his racing thoughts and spoke honestly to Soetu.

When Suo'etu heard his son say this, he couldn't help but snort coldly.

He wanted to curse, but in the end, he swallowed the words he was about to say.

His temper has improved a lot these past few days from farming.

Otherwise, he would definitely have given Prince Yu a good scolding. If Suo'etu were a Grand Secretary, he would have definitely taught Prince Yu a lesson for daring to pressure the Crown Prince like this.

Didn't the Crown Prince ask me to step down?
Now that he has stepped down, is he, a crown prince without any support, feeling bad?

With thoughts swirling in his mind, Suo'etu glanced at Algishan and said, "You need to keep a low profile these days."

"Remember, this is none of your business, don't interfere."

"In the court, just observe, and don't speak unless absolutely necessary."

"Kowtowing more and speaking less!"

Listening to his father's scolding, Algishan nodded perfunctorily. Although he was still afraid of his father, he felt that he didn't need to be as afraid as before.

Tomorrow is the morning court session, which will also be the third step in the Ministry of Revenue's plan to recover the outstanding payments. Whether or not to urge payment will be known tomorrow.

　The third update of the day is here! Please support me, everyone! And please vote!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)