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

Chapter 185 Where righteousness lies, even death is without regret
Nian Dongliang was speaking to Nian Gengyao. Because of his father, Nian Gengyao was in a depressed mood, so he came to Nian Dongliang's place when he had nowhere else to go.

Nian Dongliang was well aware of his cousin's feelings, but there was nothing he could do but try to comfort him with words.

“Cousin, I understand what you’re saying. I’m just angry at those people. They know exactly what’s going on, but they’re deliberately twisting the truth.”

“My father did a great thing, but in their mouths, he became a despicable person who sought credit and reward and betrayed his promise.”

Is there any justice left in this world?

Nian Dongliang sighed. Although he didn't want to add fuel to the fire for his cousin, he still had to say something: "Gengyao, this is how things are, and neither you nor I can change it."

"But don't worry, His Majesty will not let your uncle suffer any losses."

Somewhat indignant, Nian Gengyao suddenly turned around and saw Shen Ye standing behind him.

Nian Gengyao had always been arrogant and haughty. However, he held Shen Ye, the Crown Prince, in high esteem.

Seeing Shen Ye right in front of him, he couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, are you just going to let them slander my father like this?"

"Your Highness, please forgive me, Gengyao was just momentarily agitated," Nian Dongliang quickly explained upon seeing Shen Ye.

Shen Ye waved his hand at Nian Dongliang, and then said in a deep voice to Nian Gengyao: "Right and wrong, everyone has a scale in their heart."

"In the future, everyone will know that the old man was speaking up for the people."

"What you need to do now is to keep calm. Only when we keep calm can we avoid becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of outsiders."

"I understand, Your Highness," Nian Gengyao said in a deep voice after taking a breath.

Seeing Nian Gengyao's expression, Shen Ye knew he was not convinced. However, things had come to this point, and words alone could not resolve the issue.

At this moment, Shen Ye understood Nian Gengyao quite well. In fact, the land tax reform promoted by Nian Xialing was a good thing for both the court and ordinary people.

However, he inadvertently offended the gentry.

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" Nian Dongliang asked formally at this moment.

"I've come to Daxing County to take a look." Shen Ye said, then turned to Nian Gengyao and said, "Gengyao, come with me to Lord Yu's residence."

At this point, he turned to Nian Dongliang and asked, "Is Lord Yu still residing in Shuntian Prefecture?"

Nian Dongliang hurriedly said, "Your Highness, ever since Lord Yu stopped serving as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, he has moved out of the backyard of the Shuntian Prefecture government office."

"He is currently living at the school, which I think is called... Tsinghua Vocational and Technical Training Institute."

"The school has really been built. How is it now?" Hearing the name he made up, Shen Ye felt a sense of familiarity.

"Although it's just recruiting minor officials, there are quite a few people who have signed up."

"However, these people have only just learned to read."

Shen Ye wasn't too disappointed by this situation.

After all, this path must be taken step by step; no one can become fat overnight.

Just as Shen Ye turned to leave, he saw Nian Dongliang standing to the side and asked with a smile, "Who is the current Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture?"

"Shi Shilun".

Shen Ye still had some recollection of this name.

Although this person came from a powerful and wealthy family, he was also a capable minister.

It can be said that the two Shuntian Prefects chosen by Emperor Qianxi were quite capable and made the best use of their talents.

Now that the prefect had someone to take over, Shen Ye turned to Nian Dongliang and said, "Old man, would you like to move to a different place?"

"Your subject will obey the Crown Prince's arrangements!" Nian Dongliang was thrilled when he heard about his situation.

He knew very well that if the Crown Prince promoted him, he would be on the fast track to rapid advancement. Shen Ye nodded and said, "I'll remember your matter."

Although there were no promises, Nian Dongliang knew that the Crown Prince's words were tantamount to a statement, and that great success and prosperity awaited him!
"Thank you, Your Highness."

Led by Nian Dongliang, Shen Ye and the others quickly arrived at Yu Chenglong's residence.

Compared to the former Shuntian Prefecture government office, this place is practically a large tenement.

On a mud wall hangs a sign that clearly reads "Tsinghua Vocational and Technical College".

Looking at the earthen wall, Shen Ye said to Nian Gengyao, "Nian Gengyao, do you believe that in a while this place will become a higher education institution?"

Nian Gengyao wanted to say, "I don't believe it, Your Highness, who are you trying to fool?" But he nodded earnestly and said, "Your Highness, I might doubt others if they said this, but I believe you!"

Shen Ye saw through Nian Gengyao's insincere flattery but didn't expose it. Instead, he strode into the school.

In some situations, people need to pretend to be deaf and dumb and cooperate with their subordinates.

What's wrong with giving your subordinate a chance to flatter you?
On a grander scale, water that is too clear has no fish, and a person who is too discerning has no followers. If you are too clever, no one will want to be near you. On a smaller scale, this is called sharing joy with the people and getting along well with your subordinates. Isn't it good to enjoy yourself together?

A class was in session at the school, and an elderly man who looked to be in his sixties was speaking in a hoarse voice.

Although Nian Gengyao was filled with resentment because of his father's affair, he was also filled with curiosity about this so-called Tsinghua Vocational and Technical College because of the Crown Prince's words.

He looked at the old man, who, although wearing a long robe, had a dark complexion and a weathered look, and felt that he was more like an old farmer than a teacher.

He didn't hide his doubts and asked Shen Ye directly, "Your Highness, is this really a teacher from the academy?"

"What, don't you think it looks like it?" Shen Ye asked with a smile.

“It doesn’t look like it!” Nian Gengyao shook his head.

“But they are indeed teachers at the academy. Although they are not very literate, they have extensive architectural knowledge.” The speaker was Yu Chenglong, who appeared out of nowhere, with a calm expression.

Judging from his expression alone, it was difficult to tell that he was staying at home awaiting punishment because of impeachment.

Yu Chenglong bowed to Shen Ye and said, "I have disturbed Your Highness because of my sins. I am extremely apprehensive and my mind is uneasy!"

Shen Ye waved his hand at Yu Chenglong and said, "If you were afraid, you wouldn't have abandoned your own job to submit that memorial supporting the integration of land tax and poll tax!"

Hearing Shen Ye's somewhat teasing words, Yu Chenglong solemnly said, "Your Highness, although I am apprehensive about this matter, I know what I should and should not do."

"I cannot let the righteous men lose heart, nor can I disregard the fate of the nation for my own sake!"

Seeing Yu Chenglong's determined expression, Shen Ye knew that Yu Chenglong was telling the truth.

Although selflessness is not something that can be easily achieved through words, there are indeed such people in this world.

For the sake of the justice in their hearts and for the beliefs they held fast to, they knew the road ahead was fraught with peril, yet they were like lamplighters in the darkness, igniting hope with their glimmer of light even though they knew the night would be long and arduous.

This courage to choose to move forward with one's head held high even in dire straits, this unwavering determination to place ideals above safety, is the most worthy of the world's admiration for the light of morality.

Although there are thousands of people, I will go!
However, Shen Ye knew very well that he couldn't do it.

But he held such people in high esteem.

"Lord Yu, since you are committed to what is right, then do your job well."

"As long as His Majesty has not dismissed you from your post, you will remain the governor of the fast track, and you will continue to take responsibility for this matter."

Hearing Shen Ye's request, Yu Chenglong respectfully said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I will certainly not fail to live up to your expectations!"

Just as Shen Ye and Yu Chenglong were talking, a persuader arrived at Yuqing Palace.

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(End of this chapter)