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

Chapter 162 Hidden Dragon in the Abyss and Flying Dragon in the Sky

The First-Class Duke Cheng'en Mansion, the vast Tongjia Hutong was bustling with activity, with carriages flowing like water and horses like dragons.

Today is the birthday of one of Tong Guowei's concubines. In the past, such an event would simply involve a small feast in the inner quarters.

However, as Tong Guowei became the chief scholar, the number of people coming to give gifts increased even more.

Some of the gifts were even quite precious.

However, Tong Guowei didn't pay much attention to the people who gave him gifts.

What he cared about was the person located in Yuqing Palace.

Sitting in his study, Tong Guowei turned to Mo Shan, a fifth-rank official from the Imperial Household Department, who was standing at the door, and asked, "Does the Crown Prince disagree with the Imperial Household Department operating that stone-paved road?"

"Yes, but His Majesty's meaning seems to be that he agrees to let the Imperial Household Department operate it."

"However, when this road was built, His Majesty had already decreed that the operation of this stone-paved road should be based on the amount of shares held, so His Majesty will not issue an explicit decree."

Mo Shan's posture was extremely respectful; he would not have acted this way even when facing Tuoheqi, one of the ministers of the Imperial Household Department.

Mo Shan behaved this way because he was a servant of the Tong family back then, but he became a member of the Imperial Household Department after following Emperor Qianxi's mother into the palace.

It can be said that he has always had intricate connections with the Tong family.

However, with the death of Emperor Qianxi's mother, his connection with the Tong family became increasingly secretive.

The reason the Imperial Household Department wanted to operate the stone-paved road this time was due to his efforts.

Of course, the reason this matter was able to succeed was because the operation of the stone-paved road was very profitable, and the old men in the Imperial Household Department all clamored for it after hearing the proposal.

Even Tuoheqi, the head of the Imperial Household Department, was eager to make a move.

"So what is Tuoheqi planning to do?" Tong Guowei asked calmly.

Mo Shan said in a deep voice, "Although Tuoheqi is arrogant, he is still very careful in some matters."

"He still dared not offend the Crown Prince too much."

"Therefore, after hearing the Crown Prince's reply, he hesitated and wavered."

At this point, Mo Shan said in a low voice, "My lord, should I push Tuo Heqi a little?"

Tong Guowei said calmly, "Now that things have come to this point, what you need to do is do nothing."

"Just stay obediently in the Imperial Household Department."

"As for Tohqi, his hesitation is also a kind of attitude."

"He was forcing the other officials in the Imperial Household Department to express their opinions as well."

“I know him. He’s arrogant and disdainful of everyone, and he loves money. How could he give up such a golden goose!”

At this point, Tong Guowei said with a touch of emotion, "His Majesty likes to use people with flaws, which is actually a good habit."

Mo Shan lowered his head even further, but his fear of Tong Guowei only intensified.

"Alright, go ahead and get busy," Tong Guowei said in a deep voice. "Remember, try not to come here unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I will send someone to inform you of any arrangements."

"We should still keep a certain distance between us."

Mo Shan agreed and respectfully took his leave.

Tong Guowei watched Mo Shan leave, a smug look on his lips.

Some things don't require your personal intervention; as long as you use the right person, a simple hint is enough to achieve your goal.

He stepped out of the study and, in just a few steps, arrived at the garden in the backyard.

The pavilion in the garden is not large, but it is quite ingenious. Below the pavilion, a handsome figure is sitting leisurely drinking tea.

Upon seeing Tong Guowei enter, the man stood up and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister Tong." With the downfall of Prime Minister Suo'etu and Prime Minister Mingzhu, the only one who can now be called Prime Minister is Tong Guowei.

Tong Guowei dared not be presumptuous in his greeting to this man.

He quickly helped the man up and said, "Eighth Prince, you shouldn't have come."

The Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Prime Minister Tong, Consort Xin is my mother's cousin. It's perfectly normal for me to come on behalf of my mother for her birthday."

"Moreover, I had already informed His Majesty before I came."

"It's alright!"

Looking at the Eighth Prince explaining softly, Tong Guowei's smile grew wider.

The Eighth Prince was gentle and approachable, and in Tong Guowei's eyes, he was a virtuous ruler.

More importantly, his mother and his concubine were cousins, so they could be considered family.

More importantly, the Eighth Prince also promised that once he ascended the throne, the Tong family would at least produce one Imperial Noble Consort.

Although Imperial Noble Consort Tong Guowei was not entirely satisfied, he knew in his heart that some things should not be pushed too hard.

Otherwise, it might end up being too much or too little, which is not what I want.

"It's good that the Eighth Prince is aware of this. With your and my status, even the slightest disturbance will reach His Majesty's ears."

Tong Guowei said solemnly, "For you, the most important thing right now is to remain hidden like a dragon in the abyss!"

The Eighth Prince, Yinsi, was a well-read and intelligent man. He knew that the next line after "hidden dragon in the abyss" was "flying dragon in the sky."

Only a dragon hidden in the abyss can soar into the sky!
"Prime Minister Tong is right to teach us a lesson. Yun Si will never act so recklessly again."

At this point, the Eighth Prince said with utmost seriousness, "It is of great importance, so I would like to understand your perspective on the matter."

"Things are almost done," Tong Guowei said with a smile. "The Crown Prince does not agree with the demands of the Imperial Household Department, and those people in the Imperial Household Department are unwilling to give up this lucrative opportunity."

"No matter how this matter unfolds, the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Imperial Household Department will ultimately not be good."

"In fact, we have achieved our goal."

Yun Si looked at Tong Guowei with admiration and said, "Prime Minister Tong is truly brilliant! Without losing a single soldier, he has managed to make the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Imperial Household Department irreparable."

"Compared to Tong Xiang, I'm still very inexperienced!"

Tong Guowei was quite pleased that the Eighth Prince would use him as a foil.

He stroked his beard and said, "Eighth Prince, there are many things you can't judge by appearances alone."

“When you look at things in the future, sometimes you have to look at their underlying nature. For example, those people in the Imperial Household Department have been spoiled by His Majesty.”

"All they care about is money, so how could they not be tempted by a piece of fat meat?"

"And the Crown Prince is equally unwilling to let his hard-earned achievements fall into the hands of these greedy fellows in the Imperial Household Department and be wasted. Therefore, with a little manipulation, conflict between them is inevitable."

At this point, Tong Guowei said with a touch of emotion, "In fact, we don't even need to stir things up; they'll fight it out anyway."

Seeing Tong Guowei's expression of complete control, the Eighth Prince's smile deepened.

He clapped his hands lightly and said, "Prime Minister Tong, a single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of study."

"I wish I could listen to Prime Minister Tong's teachings every day."

"According to Prime Minister Tong's estimation, who will ultimately gain control of that stone-paved road?"

Tong Guowei picked up a purple grape from the plate on the stone table and said calmly, "To be honest, I hope it's the Crown Prince."

"But His Majesty will definitely hand over his shares to the Imperial Household Department, so this time, the Imperial Household Department is bound to win!"

　The second update for today is here! Please, everyone, support me! If you have any votes, give me two. Thank you so much!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)