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

Chapter 206 I will abdicate the throne to you

At Prince Jian's residence, Yarjianga is drinking!

And sitting opposite him was Nalan Kuixu!
The two were of similar age and both had a good relationship with the eldest prince, so they would often get together for a drink when they had nothing else to do.

He can be considered a rare close friend and confidant.

"Your Highness, you did a great job this time!" Kui Xu raised his wine cup and praised with a smile, "This time, you really made the Crown Prince make a foolish move."

Yarjianga smiled and said, "Brother Kuixu, I am a hereditary prince and I have no plans for the future. I originally did not want to get involved in these matters."

"However, as a friend of the Crown Prince, I still hope he can go further."

Kui Xu solemnly replied, "The Crown Prince will never forget Your Highness's kindness."

"Even my father admired the prince greatly."

Yarjianga didn't care at all about Kuixu's admiration, but Mingzhu, the dignified Prime Minister, was a different story!

Although the Grand Secretary was forced to retire after serving a term by the Crown Prince and his influence began to decline, he was still a big shot in the eyes of young people like Yarjianga.

Even Mingzhu admired him greatly; these words were like a gentle tickle to Yarjiang, which felt incredibly comforting.

He immediately followed up with great interest, asking, "Kuixu, what did the Prime Minister say?"

“My father said that the Crown Prince’s bet with the Prince this time, regardless of whether he wins or loses, will greatly disappoint His Majesty.”

"After all, His Majesty doesn't like a crown prince who enjoys gambling."

Yarjiang nodded, thinking to himself that although Mingzhu had stepped down, his insight was still sharp, and he should be more polite to Mingzhu if they met again in the future.

Just as this thought was forming in his mind, he heard Kui Xu continue, "My father also said that after the prince wins this time, it would be best not to have the crown prince's residence."

"Why?" Yarjianga wasn't angry about the suggestion, but looked at Kuixu with a puzzled expression.

Kui Xu pondered for a moment before saying, "Firstly, it's to demonstrate Your Highness's magnanimity before the Emperor; secondly, it's also to make the Emperor remember this matter more clearly."

At this point, he said in a calm tone, "Constant dripping wears away a stone!"

Hearing these four words, Yarjan's dissatisfaction dissipated considerably.

He glanced at Kui Xu twice, then smiled and said, "Firstly, you have shown great magnanimity, and secondly, you have etched the Emperor's heart into your heart. Grand Secretary Ming is indeed a wise and experienced strategist who sees further than we do. I admire you greatly!"

"Fine, then I don't need this garden."

"I was originally planning to treat everyone to a couple of drinks after the garden won!"

Seeing that he had completed the task his father had assigned him, Kui Xu felt much better.

He said with a smile, "I believe that one day, Your Highness's wish will be fulfilled!"

Upon hearing this, Yarjianga was taken aback, but then he understood Kuixu's implied meaning and couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Kuixu, Kuixu, then I'll take your good wishes."

"Come on, have a drink!"

If Prince Jian's mansion was filled with joy at this time, then Suo'etu's vegetable garden was in a rather messy state.

Soetu didn't speak, but the hoe in his hand flew up and down!

So much so that, without realizing it, the radishes that were about to be harvested were cut in two.

Algishan looked at his father's appearance, and although he was afraid, he did not dare to leave, for fear that if he did something wrong, his father would blame him.

Fortunately, after half of the land was turned over, Suo'etu didn't say anything.

He just drank a cup of tea in a sullen mood, and then went back to his room.

This performance put Algishan's mind at ease.

In any case, his father didn't punish him.

But looking at Suo'etu entering the room, he felt increasingly depressed.

He had a vague feeling that something bad was about to happen.

However, with the departure of Songgotu, Algishan's thoughts turned to the gambling game that had attracted the attention of the entire capital.

Not only were the two sides in the bet the Crown Prince and a Prince.

Moreover, many princes and nobles placed bets.

The Crown Prince wagered over a hundred shares of the increasingly valuable Fast Track stock, while the combined wagers of various princes and ministers amounted to three or four hundred thousand.

If we also include the Crown Prince's garden and Yarjiang'a's land, the stakes have already exceeded 500,000 taels.

I wonder how many kilograms of sweet potatoes we'll be able to dig up tomorrow!

Also, if I go to watch the commotion by myself, will my dad be angry?

There were many people who shared the same thoughts as Algishan, but no one expected that Emperor Qianxi would also come to this sweet potato field.

Not only that, even the Empress Dowager, who rarely left the palace, brought her concubines and palace maids in a grand procession to the sweet potato field!

Emperor Qianxi originally did not want the Empress Dowager to be involved in this matter.

After all, the Empress Dowager is of noble status and quite old. She has been traveling a long way and shouldn't tire herself out.

Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager insisted on watching the spectacle, and Emperor Qianxi, who ruled the country with filial piety, was unwilling but could not disobey her.

Only by making proper arrangements in every aspect can we ensure that nothing goes wrong.

However, he didn't give Shen Ye, the instigator, a friendly look!
After leaving the capital city gates, Emperor Qianxi rode his horse along the fast road, saying to Shen Ye, "The weather isn't cool enough yet, why did you bring the Empress Dowager out?" "If the Empress Dowager is even slightly unwell, I will hold you accountable!"

Shen Ye looked at the serious-looking Emperor Qianxi and said with a smile, "Father, the Empress Dowager has always lived a secluded life, staying cooped up in the palace day after day. It would be better for her to come out for a walk."

"This expressway is very smooth. It only takes half an hour to get from the capital to that sweet potato field."

"Moreover, with the fast track in place, all the items can be delivered as quickly as possible, and the Empress Dowager can't handle the fatigue."

"Moreover, going out for a walk and getting some exercise is also good for the Empress Dowager's health."

Hearing Shen Ye's explanation, Emperor Qianxi snorted.

However, looking at the carriages that were running smoothly on the tracks without any bumps, Emperor Qianxi sighed inwardly.

Putting aside everything else, the Prince's fast track is pretty good at getting people to come.

If we just walk like this, going out won't be a hassle!
"Let's go, come with me to see the Empress Dowager." As Emperor Qianxi spoke, he spurred his horse toward the carriage where the Empress Dowager was riding.

The carriages, pulled by eight horses in two pairs, were a full twenty square meters in size. With windows open and good ventilation, they looked more like a room than a moving carriage.

The Empress Dowager was sitting in a spacious chair with various seasonal fruits and drinks in front of her. Around the carriage, there were two large ice chests to dispel the autumn heat.

Consort Yi, Consort Hui, and the Crown Prince's concubine Cao Min were chatting and laughing with the Empress Dowager. When Emperor Qianxi arrived, the laughter inside continued.

In fact, quite a few concubines came along, but only a few of them, who were of high enough status, shared a carriage with the Empress Dowager.

Looking through the window, the Empress Dowager appeared to be in good health, which put Emperor Qianxi at ease.

In any case, if the Empress Dowager is comfortable, then the Crown Prince's efforts were not in vain.

"Your Majesty, please don't ride a horse. Take this carriage instead; it's more comfortable than a boat."

The Empress Dowager kindly invited Emperor Qianxi to sit down, and said with concern, "The sun is scorching outside. Let the Crown Prince and the others handle the horseback riding."

The Empress Dowager's concern warmed Emperor Qianxi's heart, and he was very pleased.

After chatting with the Empress Dowager for a while, he pointed to the scenery outside and said, "Empress Dowager, this road leads directly to Tongzhou. Whenever you wish to go out for a stroll, the Crown Prince can arrange it."

"This road is really good. If it could lead to the grasslands, that would be wonderful!" the Empress Dowager said with a touch of emotion.

The Empress Dowager's hometown was on the grasslands, and she had never returned there since arriving in the capital.

Her words were merely a sigh of emotion.

After listening to his mother's words, Emperor Qianxi could understand her longing for her homeland, but this was just too difficult!

After all, the journey to Tongzhou alone cost several hundred thousand taels of silver.

But as a filial son, he still said to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, you are in charge of this expressway. Tell me, when will it be built to the Great Grassland?"

Shen Ye inwardly groaned. Building such a road to the grasslands would not only require clearing paths through mountains and building bridges over rivers, but would also involve traversing many dangerous places, which was simply impossible.

However, he couldn't spoil the Empress Dowager's mood, so he smiled and said, "Grandmother, the court is currently planning to build a fast passage from the capital to Yingtian Prefecture."

"Once this road is completed, we won't need to take a boat to travel south of the Yangtze River."

"As for the road to the grasslands, we'll have to wait until the road to Jiangnan is completed before we can build it."

Shen Ye didn't say he wouldn't repair it, nor did he say when it would be repaired. He only said to repair the road to Yingtian Prefecture first, which was enough to get by.

The Empress Dowager was also a smart woman. Having come from the grasslands to the capital, she naturally knew that the journey was long and arduous, with many mountains and rivers to cross, and the dangers involved were self-evident.

What she just said was just a sigh.

Hearing Shen Ye say this, she understood and said with a smile, "Then I'll be waiting to ride in such a carriage to Jiangnan!"

At this point, she turned to Emperor Qianxi and said, "The Crown Prince is so filial. He always remembers to think of me, his grandmother, when something good happens. If it weren't for his arrangements, I would still be stuck in the palace all day!"

"This child is about to become a father, so you should give him more face in the future."

Be more tolerant when you should be!

The Empress Dowager spoke from the perspective of an elder.

Emperor Qianxi naturally could not object to the Empress Dowager's concern for her grandson.

He looked at Shen Ye, who was helping the Empress Dowager pour tea, and a feeling of emotion suddenly arose in his heart.

Unbeknownst to him, the Crown Prince's image in the Empress Dowager's eyes had transformed into one of benevolence and filial piety.

Gazing at the scenery slowly receding outside the window, Emperor Qianxi asked Shen Ye, "Crown Prince, how fast can this carriage carrying people go at the fastest?"

"Father, because the carriages carrying people need to be safe, we dare not let the horses run too fast. However, as long as we change horses at each stop, it is still possible to travel fifty li in an hour."

One hour is fifty li, and in twelve hours a day, one can travel three hundred li.

If it's about troop transport, it should be even faster!
It could be said that this fast passage was even faster than cavalry!

If one could cultivate all the virtues of the world...

Looking at the long railway tracks ahead, Emperor Qianxi couldn't help but sigh, "Crown Prince, if you can build this fast railway through every province of the court, I will abdicate the throne to you."

"I'll become a retired emperor and enjoy my retirement in peace!"

The moment those words were spoken, the carriage, which had been filled with laughter and chatter, fell completely silent.

All eyes were focused on Emperor Qianxi and the Crown Prince.

　The first day of August! Requesting the first monthly ticket of August! This chapter is 3000 words, and there will be another update tonight. Starting today, to make it more comfortable for everyone to read, I've changed the chapter word count, guaranteeing at least two updates per day. Please support me!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)