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

Chapter 173 A Fateful Encounter Like a Fish in Water

Just as Jackie Chan was taking his leave from Yuqing Palace, the Fourth Prince also returned to his post at the Ministry of Revenue from Qianqing Palace.

Since taking up his post at the Ministry of Revenue, the Fourth Prince, Yunzhen, has preferred to spend more time in his office.

The reason for this was that in the Ministry of Revenue, he did not experience the same sense of oppression as the princes in the imperial palace.

Of course, no one dared to voice this thought of his.

Otherwise, given his father Emperor Qianxi's personality, he would have given him a good lesson!
Therefore, his diligence in attending official duties at the Ministry of Revenue was seen by everyone as diligence in serving the king.

Although he was only granted the title of Duke, there was one thing that everyone tacitly understood: in a few days, Emperor Qianxi would gradually grant titles of kings to his sons.

The reason for not setting such a high limit all at once was to encourage these sons to have some ambition.

After returning from the Qianqing Palace, Yunzhen was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice when someone brought in a teacup.

The man who came in carrying a teacup was a middle-aged man with a leg disability. He was dressed in the clothes of a constable and looked no different from an ordinary constable.

However, this person was considered a highly capable individual by the Fourth Prince.

After a chance encounter with this man named Wu Sidao, Yunzhen felt that he had met a master.

However, he hasn't established his own residence yet, so it's inconvenient for him to bring this person into his household.

So, taking advantage of his opportunity to observe government affairs at the Ministry of Revenue, he brought Wu Sidao to the Ministry of Revenue and found him a job as a clerk.

Of course, the purpose was not to save money, but to have Wu Sidao by his side to serve him at any time.

"Why is Fourth Master so gloomy?" After several conversations, Wu Sidao and Yunzhen's relationship had become increasingly harmonious.

Whether it was arrogance or something else, Wu Sidao often spoke very bluntly to the Fourth Prince.

Yunzhen did not hide anything from Wu Sidao.

He said directly, "Mr. Wu, His Majesty just summoned me to the Qianqing Palace and appointed me as the Minister of the Imperial Household Department."

At this point, the fourth prince did not speak immediately, as if he hesitated deliberately.

Wu Sidao's expression remained unchanged, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

He said calmly, "It's probably not an easy job for Fourth Master to be the Grand Minister of the Imperial Household Department!"

Yunzhen nodded, his brows furrowing as he recalled what Emperor Qianxi had told him.

Seeing that Yunzhen remained silent, Wu Sidao's suspicions deepened.

He desperately wanted to impress Yunzhen, and he wouldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by!
So he said in a deep voice, "Fourth Master, did His Majesty order you to reorganize the Imperial Household Department?"

“Sir, you are truly a divine being. Just from a few words I uttered, you were able to guess the task my father gave me.” Yunzhen said solemnly, “I am currently facing a dilemma.”

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs is a complex and intertwined entity, and it's unknown how many people are involved."

"If I were to try to rectify the situation, I don't know if I would succeed, but I would definitely offend a lot of people."

"But if we don't put in the effort to rectify the situation, it won't be easy to explain to Father!"

Wu Sidao poured Yunzhen a glass of water, then smiled gently and said, "Fourth Master, you don't need to worry about this matter. In fact, you should already have a choice."

Upon hearing this, Yunzhen, who had initially looked troubled, immediately showed a hint of embarrassment, but this embarrassment was fleeting.

In reality, he felt not only embarrassed, but also wary.

If he didn't actually need this lame man right now, he might have seized the opportunity to kill him.

“Sir, your insight is profound. Although I have my doubts, as the son, I have no choice but to carry out my father’s decision without fail.”

Wu Sidao seemed completely oblivious to the Fourth Prince's unusual behavior. He said with a hint of seriousness, "Fourth Prince, many things cannot be viewed in isolation. The corrupt practices of the Imperial Household Department have existed for who knows how many years."

"His Majesty is a wise man. How could he not know about the problems within the Imperial Household Department? But His Majesty has not taken any action because he feels that such a trivial matter is not worth his attention."

"As long as the Imperial Household Department remains loyal, that's enough."

At this point, Wu Sidao picked up his teacup, took a sip of water, and said, "Now, His Majesty has suddenly taken action against the Imperial Household Department, and coupled with the recent news that the court wanted to establish a fast track governor's office, according to my guess, this series of actions must be related to the Crown Prince."

Looking at Wu Sidao, whose ordinary face exuded a confident expression, Yunzhen secretly marveled at his good luck.

You can encounter such talented people just by going out for a stroll.

Wu Sidao's knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics may not be as good as those who have passed the imperial examinations, but his ability to devise strategies is exactly what I need at this time.

With a hint of doubt, he asked, "Mr. Wu, how do you think the Crown Prince convinced His Majesty to make the decision to reorganize the Imperial Household Department?"

"I do not know that."

Wu Sidao solemnly said, "After arriving in the capital, I feel that the Crown Prince is a person I can't quite understand."

"He seems to be enjoying himself in Yuqing Palace now, but his position as crown prince seems to be much more secure than before."

"Take this fast track governor's office for example. I feel that in terms of governing the country, I am far inferior to the Crown Prince."

At this point, Wu Sidao sighed and said, "If the Crown Prince becomes emperor, who knows what changes he will bring to the world."

The fourth prince's expression remained unchanged, but he bit his lip.

For him, the thing he disliked most was hearing others praise the Crown Prince.

But now, more and more people are praising the crown prince.

"Your Majesty is wise beyond my reach, something I can never surpass in my lifetime." The Fourth Prince's voice was devoid of any emotion.

He was actually saying this to Wu Sidao.

Wu Sidao solemnly said, "Fourth Master, if the Crown Prince were mediocre, your chances might be very small, but now that the Crown Prince is so wise, your chances are much greater."

Yunzhen remained silent and continued to look at Wu Sidao.

Wu Sidao explained, "The more wise the Crown Prince appears, the greater the threat His Majesty feels."

"His Majesty may not be aware of this threat yet, after all, His Majesty's health is still very good."

"But His Majesty will get older and older."

"People become more suspicious as they get older."

"Your Highness is well-versed in the Book of Han and the History of Tang. Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang were both men of extraordinary talent in their youth, but what became of them in the end?"

Wu Sidao didn't say it explicitly, but Yunzhen already understood.

He cupped his hands in thanks to Wu Sidao and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. It has been like a revelation to me!"

"Going forward, I will continue to stand obediently under the Crown Prince's protection and observe the changing times."

Wu Sidao nodded and said, "Fourth Master, since you have accepted this task, you can go to Yuqing Palace."

"Let some people know that your reorganization of the Imperial Household Department is not only your own idea, but also the Crown Prince's order, and you have to act according to the Crown Prince's orders."

Yunzhen patted Wu Sidao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Mr. Wu, meeting you is truly like a fish in water!"

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(End of this chapter)