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

Chapter 169 Using one tiger to devour another: The struggle for the throne is a chaotic free-for-all.

Shen Ye was not surprised when Emperor Qianxi asked the question.

He knew very well that many people knew it was his idea to submit this memorial to the throne.

This could not be hidden from Emperor Qianxi.

In fact, he did not intend to hide anything from Emperor Qianxi.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's question, Shen Ye replied in a deep voice, "Father, the main purpose of my request for Lord Yu to submit this memorial is to inform you of the changes in prices in the capital."

"As the saying goes, 'a storm begins with a ripple,' food and other supplies that are essential to the survival of every household are the most accurate reflection of whether there is any disturbance in the capital."

"Your Majesty can determine the source of the problem by observing changes in prices, and thus be able to respond accordingly."

Emperor Qianxi nodded.

Although he knew that Shen Ye's motives were impure, he had to admit that the main purpose of this table was in this regard.

As for dealing with the Imperial Household Department, in Emperor Qianxi's view, it was just a side effect.

Shen Ye did not hide his purpose either.

He solemnly said, "There is another point, which is that I think it is time to deal with some people in the Imperial Household Department."

"Father is benevolent and virtuous; all of us below should be grateful."

"Although most people are grateful to you, there are always some who are insatiable and have an insatiable desire for more."

"They took the Emperor's benevolence for granted!"

"They are insatiably greedy, and even take your leniency for granted."

"Your subject remembers that when I was a child, Father Emperor once taught me that one should treat those below with a balance of leniency and strictness, only in this way can those people always have a sense of awe."

Shen Ye's words made Emperor Qianxi's expression turn somewhat cold.

After seeing this table, he was filled with rage.

You dare to quote me a price a thousand times higher for a single egg? Have I been a sucker for all these years?

If you were ten or twenty times more expensive, I would accept it!
You give me a thousand times more!
If this gets out, how will outsiders view me?
Am I getting senile?

"You want to reorganize the Imperial Household Department?" Emperor Qianxi asked, looking at Shen Ye.

Shen Ye respectfully said, "Father, although I also want to reorganize the Imperial Household Department, I am afraid that I have too deep prejudices against certain people and will not be able to act with restraint."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Emperor Qianxi frowned slightly.

The Imperial Household Department was extremely important to him.

He was somewhat uneasy about entrusting the Imperial Household Department to the Crown Prince for reorganization.

After all, Li Erfeng accomplished great things simply by placing a garrison commander at Xuanwu Gate.

If the Crown Prince were to overhaul the Imperial Household Department, his safety would be in grave danger!
But if the Crown Prince isn't allowed to get involved, then who will reorganize the Imperial Household Department?

Emperor Qianxi considered several people, but couldn't make up his mind for a while.

"Since you feel you are not suitable, then who do you think is most suitable to reorganize the Imperial Household Department?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Father, the people who are in charge of reorganizing the Imperial Household Department must have sufficient status, otherwise they won't be able to keep things in order."

"Also, this person needs to be meticulous in their work and resolute in their methods."

"When faced with a variety of complex relationships, one must not only be able to take action, but also have the courage to do so."

"Finally, this person must be incorruptible and selfless, so that Father Emperor can still trust him."

Shen Ye didn't say who he was recommending, but his words seemed tailor-made, encompassing the Fourth Prince Yunzhen.

Although the Fourth Prince seemed to be getting closer to him recently, Shen Ye knew very well that this closeness was becoming less and less genuine.

His recommendation to the Fourth Prince was not only intended to reorganize the Imperial Household Department, but also to set a trap for the Fourth Prince.

If the Fourth Prince does his best, he will naturally offend everyone in the Imperial Household Department.

If the fourth prince, Yunzhen, chooses to be magnanimous and tolerant, he may appear to have made good relations with the people of the Imperial Household Department, but in reality, he will seriously lose points in the eyes of Emperor Qianxi.

When Shen Ye thought about reforming the Imperial Household Department, he thought of the Fourth Prince. And he felt no burden about it at all.

He knew very well that as he remained in the position of crown prince for longer, more and more people would see him as a rival.

They will attack themselves as soon as they see the right opportunity.

Therefore, it's only natural to occasionally make a mistake yourself.

Emperor Qianxi listened to Shen Ye's logical analysis and nodded slightly.

The image of the Fourth Prince also appeared in his mind.

The strict and demanding Fourth Prince is indeed well-suited to managing the Imperial Household Department.

With the crown prince above him keeping things under control, the fourth prince shouldn't cause any trouble for his father, the emperor.

He waved his hand and said, "I understand."

Shen Ye was somewhat disappointed that Emperor Qianxi did not make a decision on the spot, but he also knew that Emperor Qianxi would eventually have to consider such matters.

After all, the Imperial Household Department was different from other places; it was related to the safety of Emperor Qianxi.

Having said what he wanted to say, Shen Ye didn't want to stay any longer and chose to take his leave.

As the saying goes, "Man proposes, God disposes." He has already done what he needed to do, so there's no need to bother with anything else.

Not long after Shen Ye took his leave, Tuoheqi arrived at Qianqing Palace full of pride.

He had already acquired a considerable number of shares, and with the portion held by Emperor Qianxi, he now had the shares needed to control the stone-paved road.

However, he knew that even though he had enough shares, he still had to report to Emperor Qianxi.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Tuoheqi behaved meekly and obediently in front of Emperor Qianxi.

When Emperor Qianxi saw Tuoheqi, his expression did not change much. He said calmly, "Tuoheqi, if you have something to say, get up and answer."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After bowing, Tuoheqi said respectfully, "Thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, I have gained the support of many shareholders of Shiban Road this time."

"They all say that this stone-paved road can only be cleared under His Majesty's benevolence."

"They felt that your choice to have the Ministry of the Interior oversee the operation of this stone-paved road was the wisest one."

Upon hearing Tuoheqi's words, Emperor Qianxi's lips curled into a cold smile.

This guy, Tuoheqi, just talks nonsense.

He said calmly, "Tohqi, if I were to put you in charge of the stone-paved road, what would you do?"

Tuoheqi was well-prepared for this question. He spoke eloquently about how to charge fees and how to maintain the equipment, and he did so in a very logical and reasonable manner.

But as Emperor Qianxi listened to Tuoheqi's words, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

What Tuoheqi said was merely treating the stone-paved road leading to Tongzhou as a road; he lacked the grand vision of the Crown Prince.

The difference is just too great!

He said calmly, "Tohqi, I have decided to establish the Expressway Governor's Office to specifically manage the management and construction of the expressways."

"The Crown Prince will be in charge of this matter."

"Your Ministry of Internal Affairs should just focus on doing your own job well."

Emperor Qianxi's two sentences sent a shiver down Tuoheqi's spine: a forty-mile-long stone-paved road was to be used to build the governor's yamen...

No, this governor's office also manages the construction of the stone-paved road. In that case, the governor's office is a piece of fat meat that is no less than the river works!

Just as Tuoheqi was feeling sentimental, he heard Emperor Qianxi say, "In two days, the Fourth Prince Yunzhen will be appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Household Department. You must cooperate well with the Fourth Prince."

"No mistakes!"

Tuoheqi, who was already feeling a bit overwhelmed, felt his head spin even more when he heard Emperor Qianxi's second decision.

What... what are they trying to do?!

　The third update of the day is here! Thank you all for your continued support, everyone! I'm begging for votes!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)