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

Chapter 195 The Crown Prince Makes the Princes More United

Seeing Wu Sidao's solemn expression, the Fourth Prince quickly took the slip of paper, opened it, and found that it was a gift list.

The gift list was very ordinary, with nothing unusual about it.

This is a gift list presented by a local official when he came to the capital.

Although the Fourth Prince didn't particularly like this kind of cold respect and charcoal respect, he also knew that if he were too unconventional, it wouldn't do him any good.

He asked with some confusion, "Mr. Wu, who sent this gift list?"

Mr. Wu smiled and said, "Fourth Master, you don't need to worry about who sent this gift list for now."

"Please take a look and see if there's anything different about this gift list?"

The Fourth Prince had only glanced at it briefly and hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Hearing Wu Sidao's words, he couldn't help but take a closer look at the gift list.

He soon noticed something amiss with the gift list.

Most of the items on the gift list are from the Jiangnan region, except for the Changbai Mountain ginseng, which seems out of place among them.

This is a gift list from officials in the south. How did Changbai Mountain ginseng end up on it?

A strange look flashed in the Fourth Master's eyes at this situation.

He immediately thought of a theory: someone was stealing ginseng and then transporting it to Jiangnan to sell.

The imperial court has always maintained strict control over ginseng. The annual ginseng harvest is handled exclusively by the Imperial Household Department, and no one else is allowed to participate.

Harvesting ginseng without authorization is a capital offense.

The ginseng harvested each year had to be approved by Emperor Qianxi before it could be sold or given as a reward.

It is fair to say that high-quality Changbai Mountain ginseng simply does not exist in the market.

Although this gift list does not contain high-quality wild ginseng, the fact that it was sourced from the Jiangnan region speaks volumes.

"The wild ginseng here..."

Wu Sidao solemnly said, "The fact that wild ginseng can be sold on a large scale in Jiangnan indicates that someone is collecting wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain on a large scale for profit."

"And within the imperial court, there are not many who have both the ability and the courage."

"As far as I know, many of Songgotu's relatives remain in Shengjing."

Although Wu Sidao did not say it explicitly, his topic was already directly aimed at Suo'etu.

The fourth prince, Yunzhen, was a smart man, and he instantly understood Wu Sidao's thoughts.

Although it seems that Songgotu and the Crown Prince have separated now, if something happens to Songgotu, the Crown Prince will definitely not be able to escape!

Putting aside everything else, in Emperor Qianxi's eyes, the Crown Prince was inextricably linked to this matter.

The fourth prince's face immediately turned red.

However, if this matter were investigated, wouldn't it be impossible for me to continue hiding under the Crown Prince's command?

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "If we make a move, what will happen to the Crown Prince..."

Wu Sidao said calmly, "Fourth Master, you don't need to handle this matter personally. Now you are the head of the Imperial Household Department, and the Emperor's requirement for you is to investigate corruption within the Imperial Household Department."

“As long as you continue your investigation into wild ginseng, I believe these things will come to light.”

"After all, you can't hide the truth forever!"

At this point, Wu Sidao smiled and said, "Even if the Crown Prince eventually finds out that you are investigating this matter, he can't blame you."

"After all, the task of investigating the Imperial Household Department was given to you by him and His Majesty the Emperor."

Upon hearing Wu Sidao's words, the Fourth Prince's smile broadened considerably. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wu Sidao and said, "Mr. Wu, your words are more valuable than ten years of study. I have learned a great deal!"

"I will never forget your guidance."

Looking at the Fourth Prince, who was so grateful to him, Wu Sidao appeared extremely humble, but a chill ran through him.

As he got to know the fourth prince better, he felt more and more that this prince was someone he could share hardships with, but it would be difficult to get him to share wealth and honor!
But at this point, there was no turning back! Just as the Fourth Prince Yunzhen hurriedly returned to the Ministry of Revenue, the Eighth Prince also returned to the Ministry of Justice, where he was in charge of overseeing government affairs.

Many people in the Ministry of Justice were preparing to submit memorials for this court assembly, but the Crown Prince's three memorials immediately dampened their spirits.

This incident was completely unexpected for them.

The Eighth Prince sat in his duty room, his mind racing with various thoughts.

He knew very well that with the news of these three memorials, especially the news of increasing the population and never increasing taxes, the Crown Prince would surely win the support of the people and his reputation would rise even higher.

Under these circumstances, defeating the Crown Prince would be an impossible task.

But if we give up now, then...

"Greetings, Eighth Prince!" An official who looked to be in his thirties, not very tall, but handsome, came before the Eighth Prince and bowed.

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince quickly composed himself.

He smiled gently at the visitor and said, "Lord Ren, what brings you here today?"

Although the middle-aged man, known as Lord Ren, was only a sixth-rank official, he did not tremble in the face of the Eighth Prince.

On the contrary, he appeared very casual and composed, displaying an extraordinary demeanor.

“I know that the Eighth Prince has some worries, so I have come to give you some good medicine.”

Looking at Ren Bo'an, who seemed confident and composed, the Eighth Prince recalled Ren Bo'an's background information.

This was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the 27th year of the Qianxi Emperor's reign. Although his official rank was not high, he was a very shrewd person.

However, due to a lack of capable advisors in the central government, he has not been promoted recently.

Ever since I came to the Ministry of Justice to observe the administration, he has tried every means to come to me.

Their intention to seek refuge was made in no way concealed.

"What kind of medicine is it?" The Eighth Prince knew that although he was a prince, he was still far from being able to win over powerful figures because of his lower ranking.

And of course, he wouldn't refuse someone like Ren Bo'an.

He wasn't afraid of his subordinates being ambitious; what he feared was encountering subordinates who lacked ambition.

Ren Bo'an said softly, "Your Highness, I have heard that the Crown Prince has been trying to grow a kind of divine grain outside the city, and the yield per mu is no less than 1,500 jin!"

"I wonder if Your Highness has heard of this?"

Upon hearing Ren Bo'an's words, the Eighth Prince snorted coldly and said, "Ren Bo'an, are you talking nonsense? The yield of this wheat is at most two hundred catties."

"This is still good land."

"The land the Crown Prince was trying to cultivate outside was ordinary land, so how could it have such a high yield?"

Ren Bo'an was not intimidated by the Eighth Prince's reprimand, but smiled and said, "Your Highness, if you say this kind of thing too often, people will believe it."

"Moreover, these were specially planted by the Crown Prince."

“If the yield is far less than 1,500 catties when it is harvested, then the Crown Prince’s grain will be a joke.”

"I believe this will damage the Crown Prince's reputation."

"At the very least, it will make the people think that the crown prince likes to talk nonsense."

Who would believe someone who loves to boast?

Ren Bo'an's words immediately stirred something in the Eighth Prince's heart.

He had originally intended to ask if the yield of the things the Crown Prince was trying to grow exceeded 1,500 catties, but he immediately put the question aside.

1,500 jin? Dream on!
Even fertile land only yields a little over two hundred catties.

　The second update for today is here! Hey everyone, it's almost the end of the month, if you have any votes, please give me a couple! Thank you in advance!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)