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

Chapter 218 The First Battle for the Throne: The Crown Prince is Impeached
How can such an important matter be decided so hastily by drawing lots?
Tong Guowei felt something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

What is a lottery? Isn't it just a convenient and lazy method for ordinary people? Using it for important national affairs is just ridiculous!

However, the more he looked at the document in his hand, the more he liked it!
The memorial was submitted by the Court of Colonial Affairs. It seems that Alinga is not so wholeheartedly supportive of the Crown Prince. Otherwise, how could he dare to submit it so openly?
But no one could find fault with him! He had consulted the Crown Prince, and that was the decision. He was simply reporting the facts; what was wrong with that?

Feeling that he was not alone in his cause, Tong Guowei wrote directly on the memorial: "I respectfully request Your Majesty to review it."

The Crown Prince has already made his decision, so the Southern Study has no further stance. Only His Majesty the Emperor can overturn the Crown Prince's decision.

The Southern Study had access to the memorials from the Court of Colonial Affairs, and the Office of Transmission also had access. Before long, the contents of the memorials were leaked by those with ulterior motives.

"Outrageous! This is utter nonsense!" In the Six Ministries Corridor, Yu Changsheng, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of War, held a memorial in his hand and said indignantly, "How can matters of national importance be treated so childishly!"

His few words immediately drew everyone else from Section Six together.

"Lord Yu, what's wrong?"

A young official in his thirties asked in a deep voice.

Yu Changsheng waved a copy of a memorial in his hand and said, "Lord Liu, this is a memorial from the Court of Colonial Affairs regarding Tibet. Do you know what it says?"

"They actually suggested drawing lots to resolve the dispute between the two temples!"

The young man, addressed as Lord Liu, was immediately enraged. He slammed his fist on the table and said, "The Court of Colonial Affairs is truly despicable. How dare they deceive His Majesty on such an important matter!"

"Their actions show that they don't take the important affairs of the court seriously and treat them like a joke."

"Colleagues, let us jointly submit a petition to impeach Aling'a of the Court of Colonial Affairs!"

Lord Liu's words were met with immediate and widespread approval.

After all, there were quite a few young officials in the Six Ministries at this time. When they heard the contents of the memorial from the Court of Colonial Affairs, they were all filled with righteous indignation and felt that this was a good opportunity to show off and make a name for themselves.

Although they often competed with the Six Ministries, the opportunity to impeach a minister was still very rare.

This time, the Court of Colonial Affairs made such a fool of itself; the Minister of Colonial Affairs, Aling'a, practically offered his face for them to slap.

How could we possibly let such an opportunity slip by!

Therefore, Lord Liu's words were met with immediate and widespread response, with many submitting memorials to impeach Aling.

Upon seeing this scene, a sly smile flashed in Yu Changsheng's eyes.

He knew he had successfully boosted morale; the fire had been lit, and now it was time for some people to find themselves in a difficult situation!

However, on the surface, he waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Everyone, sirs, please calm down. Actually, this matter has little to do with Lord Aling."

"This was the decision made by the Crown Prince after the Court of Colonial Affairs consulted with him."

"So, sirs, please calm down! Calm down!"

Upon hearing Yu Changsheng's words, the previously fervent crowd seemed to have been doused with cold water and immediately fell silent.

The expressions of everyone present also became serious.

Criticizing Aling'a is just a way to boost one's reputation, but criticizing the Crown Prince, a potential heir apparent, is a matter of unpredictable fortune!

After all, the crown prince is the future emperor.

If they were to incur the wrath of the future emperor, their future would be far from bright.

In the dead silence, someone suddenly spoke up: "Gentlemen, we are deeply indebted to the court and His Majesty. How can we just stand by and watch this ridiculous decision be implemented for fear of getting into trouble?"

"Though I am not talented, I know that a country will not perish if it has honest and upright ministers!"

"This time, I will not only impeach the decision of the Court of Colonial Affairs, but also remonstrate with the Crown Prince that he cannot joke about matters of state."

"With His Majesty at the helm, the world is at peace."

"But what about later?"

Upon hearing this person's words, everyone's attention turned to that person.

This was a young man not yet thirty years old, who looked very handsome and energetic, but at this moment, his face was full of indignation.

The young Lord Liu said loudly, "Lord Gao is right! Count me in for this memorial."

"I can't let Lord Gao shoulder this alone!"

"Count me in too!"

"For the sake of the nation and the court, how can we only think of protecting ourselves!"

……

For a time, the Sixth Academy was teeming with followers.

Yu Changsheng held the memorial in his hand, his heart pounding wildly.

He knew that the task assigned to him by the bigwigs above had been accomplished!
Although there are some risks involved, how can you accomplish something big without taking risks?
Besides, the greater the risk, the greater the potential profit... oh no, no, the greater the reward.

The Six Offices Corridor was right next to the palace, so such activity naturally couldn't be kept secret.

Upon hearing the commotion, Tong Guowei immediately slipped out of the duty room.

He had no intention of stopping it at all; in fact, he even hoped to fuel the flames.

Therefore, at this critical juncture, the best option is to stay away from it.

In high spirits, Tong Guowei immediately called his son Longkodo over upon returning home.

Longkodo, as the Imperial Envoy, was the top-ranking guard, and he was also very proud. Therefore, he was not always very respectful to his father, Tong Guowei. "Prepare 60,000 taels of silver and send it to Yuqing Palace. Tell them it's money Orondai lost, and don't let the Crown Prince mention this matter again."

Longkodo has been seething with anger these past few days because of the Crown Prince's constant nagging.

Upon hearing that his father was going to use their own money to cover Orondai's deficit, he immediately objected!

Although he had an older brother, he had long regarded the Duke's mansion as his own—that was his father's money!
"Father, we've already separated from Orondai. He should pay off his own debts!"

"It's not like he doesn't have that much money!"

Why should we pay for it for him?

"You're just his uncle, not his biological father!"

Longkodo's blunt words left Tong Guowei feeling a bit dizzy.

At this moment, he really wanted to beat this unfilial son.

I was wise all my life, so why did I have to give birth to such a brainless, empty-headed bastard?
It's one thing if you're not as wise as me, but how come you're so short-sighted and can't see through the situation?

"Oh!"

Tong Guowei slammed his hand on the table and angrily said to Longkodo, "I am your father. I am not dead yet. It is not your place to make decisions in this mansion."

"Send it to me right now!"

"If you don't deliver it, don't ever come back!"

Longkodo also had a bad temper, but in the face of his angry father, he ultimately chose to give in.

"Father, it's not that I don't want to give you a gift, it's just that the money is too much to spend!"

"Not only is the money not something we owe, but... that young master is really going too far!"

Looking at his son, who seemed deeply resentful, Tong Guowei said coldly, "This money can't be delayed."

"However, our Tong family's money isn't so easy to take."

"You'll understand later."

Although Longkodo was unhappy, seeing that his father insisted, he still sent someone with 60,000 taels of silver notes to Yuqing Palace.

Longkodo thought it should be a simple matter; it was just about paying off a debt.

To his utter surprise, after he explained his purpose, the Crown Prince actually wanted to see him.

Faced with the Crown Prince's invitation, how could he, as the Imperial Envoy, dare to refuse?
Longkodo served Emperor Qianxi closely and did not interact with the Crown Prince often, but he always kept a close eye on him.

Why? Because the Tong family had a large population, but the title of First-Class Duke seemed to only be given to his elder brother, Ye Keshu, which made Longkodo very dissatisfied.

But what could he do if he was dissatisfied? After all, Ye Keshu was his older brother.

He got the inheritance rights from his father? Absolutely not!
Hoping for an order from the Qianxi Emperor? That's unlikely, considering the presence of his father.

The only way to win is to align yourself with the right person!
But with whom?

The eldest brother's son, Shun'an Yan, followed the eldest prince; while his father, on the surface, did not follow either, but Longkodo vaguely sensed that his father had close ties with the eighth prince.

The Eighth Prince has been enjoying great popularity lately.

Originally, because his birth mother's status was not high enough, no one paid attention to him. But now that he has married a good wife and has the support of the Prince An's mansion, the Eighth Prince's prestige has increased a lot.

Recently, Emperor Qianxi has been continuously praising the Eighth Prince, leading many to believe that the Eighth Prince has a bright future.

and also……

However, the Eighth Prince is not a good choice either. After all, if he chooses the same thing as his father, will the benefits fall on him?
As for the Crown Prince, Longkodo had considered it, but he felt that the Crown Prince seemed to look down on him.
What does the Crown Prince want with me this time?
When Shen Ye met the Crown Prince, he was sitting in a pavilion reading a book. Upon seeing Longkodo, Shen Ye told Longkodo to dispense with formalities and asked, "Longkodo, is the silver you brought to repay the debt from Orondai?"

“Your Highness, this is what my father asked me to help Orondai repay.” Longkodo also looked down on his cousin.

Therefore, he made no attempt to defend Orondai and stated the facts directly.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Longkodo, you should take this silver back. There's a reason for this, and a debtor for every wrong. I don't need these 60,000 taels of silver. How can I let Lord Tong pay off Orondai's debt?"

Upon hearing what the Crown Prince said, Longkodo wanted to stand up and leave.

However, recalling his father's dark face when he arrived, he patiently said, "Your Highness, this repayment of the debt is my father's idea."

“If I go back like this, I will be scolded by my father.”

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Longkodo, just tell Lord Tong Guowei that I know his intentions and I appreciate them too."

"But what I want is Orondai's silver."

"Whoever owes the debt should pay it back, Longkodo, isn't that the way it is?"

Faced with Shen Ye's gaze, Longkodo could only nod and say, "Your Highness is wise!"

Shen Ye didn't pay much attention to Longkodo's meaning and simply waved his hand to let Longkodo leave.

Looking at the prince, who was engrossed in reading, Longkodo felt a pang of frustration.

He wanted to get closer to the Crown Prince, but it seems he has no way to do so!
However, as he dejectedly walked out of the palace gates, he encountered a flustered colleague. After exchanging only a few words, Longkodo heard some shocking news:

The Crown Prince has been impeached!

It was a joint impeachment by the Six Ministries and many censors!

　The first chapter is here today! Hey everyone, if you have any monthly tickets, please give me two! I'm begging for monthly tickets at the beginning of the month!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)