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

Chapter 161 is about having nothing to fear.
Tuoheqi's words made Shen Ye feel utterly disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly.

He had just spent a long time talking to Yu Chenglong about the operation of the stone-paved road, and not long after, the stone-paved road was put into operation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In the blink of an eye, the old hen turned into a goose!

Shen Ye usually didn't want to bother with those old men from the Imperial Household Department.

These guys can't do anything else but swindle money from their own families.

He can make a profit even by setting up toll booths; just imagine what kind of talent he has!
Handing over the operation of this stone-paved road to them is a huge win-win situation!
When Shen Ye came into this world, he didn't even want to fight for the throne; he just wanted to live his life happily. But at this moment, he was truly disgusted!

He said calmly, "When this stone-paved road was built, it was stipulated that whoever had the most shares would be responsible for running it."

"And it was announced to the world in His Majesty's name, how did it become an order for your Imperial Household Department to operate?"

When faced with the Crown Prince's question, Tuoheqi remained calm and composed, replying, "Your Highness, His Majesty's decree will naturally not be disobeyed in order to ensure the smooth operation of this stone-paved road."

"His Majesty has more than four hundred shares, and you have about one hundred shares."

"The Imperial Household Department is the servants of His Majesty and the Crown Prince. We servants should naturally share the burdens of our masters."

"His Majesty also greatly appreciates the loyalty of his servants."

Tuoheqi's previous words seemed to be reasonable, but Shen Ye found them nauseating no matter how she listened.

I worked so hard to get all this stuff, and you just call me your slave and want to take it all away.

Haha, if you guys were in charge of all this stuff, how much of my bonus would I get in a year?
If it were the former crown prince, he would have readily accepted Tuoheqi's words.

After all, the former crown prince wanted to win over powerful figures like Tuoheqi.

But Shen Ye is different. He's prepared to be the crown prince for life, and he still needs to win you over.

He said calmly, "I will speak to His Majesty about this matter."

As they were talking, Shen Ye picked up his teacup.

Tuoheqi originally thought that by making this trip, he was just going through the motions and that things would naturally fall into place.

After all, the Imperial Household Department consisted of servants of the royal family.

He was also extremely loyal to the emperor.

As for greed, it does not contradict loyalty.

He felt that everything would proceed as he had predicted.

After all, the Crown Prince had tried to win him over before, but he hadn't agreed immediately.

But he didn't refuse!

"Your Highness, our loyalty to His Majesty and you is as clear as day!"

Tuoheqi said with utmost solemnity, "Managing the stone-paved road is also a very demanding task. The reason why we servants want to take charge of it is to share the burden with Your Majesty and you."

"Please, Your Highness, see the truth!"

Shen Ye tapped the table lightly with his hand. The meaning was already conveyed by the use of the words "lackeys" by Tuoheqi.

He was telling Shen Ye that taking over this stone-paved road wasn't just his idea; it was the idea of ​​the entire Imperial Household Department.

If Your Highness refuses, you will be blocking the entire Imperial Household Department's path to wealth.

Shen Ye's expression turned cold as he looked at Tuoheqi, who appeared utterly loyal.

He was beginning to understand why the former crown prince liked to use whips.

Some people just can't live without smoking!

In the end, however, Shen Ye remained silent, only coldly staring at Tuoheqi. Seeing that he had failed to persuade the Crown Prince, Tuoheqi felt a pang of regret, but still obediently took his leave.

Watching Tuoheqi leave, a chill ran through Shen Ye's heart.

Although he didn't want to deal with the matter and just wanted to live his life peacefully, he felt disgusted that someone was so blatantly trying to take away the achievements he had worked so hard to make.

It's like that saying: I've worked so hard to overcome all obstacles, and I'm about to go on stage to receive the award, but you want to replace me.

The other party's response was, "Isn't this where I'm supposed to receive an award? So here I am."

In his previous life, when he was just a nobody, Shen Ye had encountered something similar, but back then, he was just a nobody and couldn't fight back at all.

But now, just as Shen Ye was feeling frustrated, Zhou Bao reported again that Yu Chenglong was requesting an audience.

Yu Chenglong arrived not long after he left, which is definitely related to what Tuoheqi had just asked for.

Although Shen Ye had no interest in getting involved in the dispute between Tuoheqi and Yu Chenglong, he certainly didn't want the old men from the Imperial Household Department to ruin the stone pavement he had painstakingly created.

So he said to Zhou Bao, "Please come over, Lord Yu."

Yu Chenglong's expression was somewhat stern, but he still bowed to Shen Ye with utmost seriousness.

"Your Highness, I apologize for disturbing you again," Yu Chenglong said solemnly.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Lord Yu, did you come in such a hurry because of the stone-paved road?"

"Your Highness, I have come here for this very reason," Yu Chenglong said in a deep voice. "The Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department, Tuoheqi, wants the Imperial Household Department to take charge of the operation of the stone-paved road."

"I believe this is inappropriate!"

"I just went to see His Majesty with Tohchi. His Majesty's attitude is that the operation of the stone-paved road has already been announced to the world."

"The imperial court cannot break its promise."

Hearing Yu Chenglong's words, Shen Ye smiled and said, "Your Majesty is right. The court cannot break its promises."

“Your Highness, although His Majesty said so, I think that His Majesty may still want to hand over the shares he holds to the Imperial Household Department for management.”

"But once the Imperial Household Department takes over the management of this stone-paved road, not that I look down on the Imperial Household Department, but they will definitely tamper with it and eventually turn this perfectly good road into a place full of complaints."

"Therefore, I have come here today to ask Your Highness to intervene and stop this matter at all costs."

Emperor Qianxi wanted the Imperial Household Department to manage it, but you asked me to step in and stop it. Aren't you asking me to go against my father, Emperor Qianxi?

However, going against Emperor Qianxi seems to be a very...

I must be mistaken, otherwise why would I have this restless feeling?
While pondering the matter, Shen Ye said in a deep voice, "Lord Yu, I understand about this matter."

"I will definitely try to persuade His Majesty later."

"Furthermore, didn't His Majesty say that we should follow the established rules? If you, Lord Yu, are willing to take over, the Shuntian Prefecture can manage the shares I hold."

Yu Chenglong's eyes lit up instantly.

Although Emperor Qianxi's attitude was somewhat biased towards the Imperial Household Department, he did not say that the Imperial Household Department should be responsible for the stone-paved road.

Once I get the shares from the Crown Prince, plus the registered individual shares, the total will exceed five hundred shares.

With more than 500 shares, that's equivalent to controlling more than half of the shares in Shiban Road.

In that case, no matter how much Tuoheqi jumps around, he won't get the right to operate the stone-paved road.

"Your Highness, I thank you!" Yu Chenglong solemnly assured him, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my utmost to live up to your trust and will absolutely not disappoint you."

Looking at Yu Chenglong, who was full of confidence, Shen Ye had a strong premonition that Tuoheqi was no pushover and that this guy would definitely not admit defeat so easily.

　This is the first update of the day. I'd appreciate your support, everyone! If you have extra votes, please give me one!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)