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

Chapter 233 To get rid of the Crown Prince, you must make him stronger.
Should Songgotu be appointed as the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs?

Wouldn't that be blatantly a move to bring Songgotu back into power?
Who is Suo'etu? He is the head of the most powerful family in the imperial court, the most trusted confidant of the Crown Prince, and has served as the chief Grand Secretary for many years.

If he were to return to public life, the Crown Prince's influence would definitely skyrocket.

Looking at my own side, my uncle has just been deposed, and if Suo'etu were to return to power, then...

"Uncle, are you mistaken? How can we let Suo'etu return to office? It would be better to let you return to office as the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs!"

The Crown Prince's questioning made Mingzhu laugh.

"Your Highness, if we petition His Majesty to appoint Songgotu as Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, will he agree?"

"His Majesty's fear of Songgotu far exceeds his fear of me."

"Therefore, His Majesty will not allow Songgotu to return to power under any circumstances."

At this point, Mingzhu said calmly, "However, as long as we petition to appoint Suo'etu as the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, His Majesty will realize that Suo'etu is not truly retiring."

"The Crown Prince's power is already considerable. What might happen if Songgotu were to make a comeback?"

Upon hearing Mingzhu's words, the eldest prince instantly understood his uncle's intention.

His own father was inherently suspicious, and what he feared most was losing his throne.

If someone were to petition for Songgotu's reinstatement, Emperor Qianxi would certainly suspect the Crown Prince.

Not only will it not allow Songgotu to return to power, it will also increase suspicion towards the Crown Prince.

"Uncle, if we have to bring Songgotu back into power because of this problem with the Russian Kingdom, wouldn't we be at a huge loss!"

The eldest prince, without hiding anything in front of Mingzhu, directly asked about his doubts.

Mingzhu smiled and said, "Your Highness, you don't need to be afraid of that."

"If that's really the case, then His Majesty will surely make Suo'etu die even faster."

At this point, a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes as he added, "However, the Crown Prince has become a bit too formidable lately!"

Over the past six months, the Crown Prince's actions have made Mingzhu feel deeply threatened.

Putting aside everything else, the mere fact that the trial planting of sweet potatoes was successfully promoted and the construction of a fast road has already significantly elevated the Crown Prince's status.

Not to mention recently, the Crown Prince has been making headlines in the affairs of Tibet.

Mingzhu felt that if things continued like this, the eldest prince would become increasingly overshadowed by the crown prince.

The best way to change this situation as soon as possible is either to make the crown prince make a mistake, or to bring back someone whom Emperor Qianxi already feared to the crown prince's side.

As a result, the more the Crown Prince's power grows, the more intense Emperor Qianxi's reaction will be.

"I'll listen to my uncle. I'll have someone submit a memorial to the emperor!" The eldest prince pondered Mingzhu's words more and more and found them to make sense. He then said solemnly.

Mingzhu smiled and said, "Your Highness, it is not appropriate for you to get involved in this matter."

"His Majesty knows the people around you very well."

"This kind of thing can only be done by Songgotu's old subordinates."

"I'll arrange it!"

Looking at Mingzhu, who seemed confident and composed, the eldest prince felt an increasing sense that he couldn't live without her.

This feeling made him very uncomfortable, but no matter how uncomfortable he was, he could only endure it!

Inside the Ministry of Revenue's office, the Fourth Prince's face was cold and stern.

He and the Fifth Princess were about the same age and had a good relationship.

Hearing that his sister had died such a pathetic death, a raging fire ignited in his heart.

He had also heard the news that the thirteenth prince was kneeling outside the Qianqing Palace. This news was like a bucket of cold water, chilling him to the bone.

He forced himself to copy half of the "Classic of Filial Piety" before he finally calmed down.

Wu Sidao sat in a corner of the duty room without saying a word.

His expression was calm, as if he could see through everything.

Once the Fourth Prince had completely calmed down, he said, "Your Highness, you don't need to be too sad about this. Once His Majesty has the time, he will definitely not let Kerr get away with it."

"Actually, you can treat him as a dead man right now."

The fourth prince knew his father very well.

He nodded and said, "Mr. Wu, I understand what you mean."

"But right now I wish I could grind Kerzang to dust."

"How dare they treat the princess like this? It's utterly despicable."

Hearing the Fourth Prince's murderous words, Wu Sidao pondered for a moment but remained silent.

"Mr. Wu, this time the Emperor wants to prioritize the overall situation. How long do you think it will take?" Yunzhen asked in a deep voice after regaining his composure.

"The Rakshasa Kingdom has always been a major threat to our north. Now that the Rakshasa Kingdom is coming on strong, His Majesty will definitely try to win over those tribes in order to prevent chaos in the north."

"I feel it will take at least three to five years."

"His Majesty cannot be too forceful with the Rakshasa Kingdom, after all, we have fought quite a few wars over the years."

"Although we have wiped out Galdan, we have suffered a great deal of casualties."

At this point, Wu Sidao tapped his finger lightly and said, "This time, in investigating the cause of the Fifth Princess's death, the Court of Colonial Affairs is destined to take the blame."

Upon hearing that the Court of Colonial Affairs was to take the blame, the Fourth Prince's eyes lit up.

He said in a deep voice, "Mr. Wu, what are we going to do this time?"

"Your Highness, we don't actually need to do anything, because someone will definitely do it."

"Right now, all we can do is sit and wait!"

“Wait for a major upheaval in the court, wait…” Hearing Wu Sidao’s words, the Fourth Prince’s expression revealed a hint of reluctance.

But what could he do even if he was unwilling? He was currently the weakest, so he could only wait.

If we don't wait, we might not even have the chance to wait.

The Eighth Prince also knew that while he was embroiled in the conflict with the Crown Prince, many others were actually waiting for their chance.

He was fully aware of what was going on with these people waiting, but there was nothing he could do about it!

He rarely met with his biggest supporter, Tong Guowei!

Because their identities were so sensitive, if they met too frequently, it would easily arouse Emperor Qianxi's suspicion.

However, Tong Guowei's grandson, Shun'an Yan, became a good friend of the Eighth Prince, which made communication much easier.

"Eighth Prince, my grandfather said that he has already sent someone to secretly spread the word about the princess's murder."

“He said you shouldn’t say anything about this matter, just wait.” Shun An Yan said softly, “The Crown Prince will have to take the blame for the princess’s death this time.”

"He observed the administration of the Court of Colonial Affairs, which was headed by the Court of Colonial Affairs."

"He had to approve the Court of Colonial Affairs' report on the cause of the princess's death."

The Eighth Prince nodded and said, "Please thank Prime Minister Tong for me, and tell him that I will never forget his support."

"By the way, what has your father been busy with lately? I haven't seen him."

Shun An Yan smiled and said, "My father has been chatting with Lord Jin Wushan these past two days."

"The two of them used to have a good relationship."

Upon hearing what Shun An Yan said, the Eighth Prince immediately understood what Shun An Yan's father, Ye Ke Shu, was doing!
He smiled and didn't pursue the question, but a thought popped into his mind: it might not be a bad thing for Aling'a to step down from his position in the Court of Colonial Affairs.

After all, he doesn't have to take the blame this time.

Seeing the Eighth Prince pondering, Shun An Yan smiled and said, "Your Highness, my grandfather asked me to ask you something else."

"Have you prepared the birthday gift for His Majesty?"

The Eighth Prince said in a deep voice, "I have already had two fine golden eagles prepared. Once they are presented at the birthday celebration, Father will surely be pleased."

Emperor Qianxi enjoyed hunting, so he was particularly fond of golden eagles, which could serve as hunting assistants.

However, these golden eagles are extremely precious and difficult to train, so even the wealthy Emperor Qianxi only had three golden eagles at this time.

In the past, Emperor Qianxi even issued an imperial edict to purchase gold eagles.

Now that the Eighth Prince is able to present a golden eagle as a birthday gift, he will naturally receive praise.

Upon hearing about the Eighth Prince's gift, Shun An Yan couldn't help but give a thumbs up and say, "Your Highness, you really put your heart into this."

Hearing Shun An Yan's praise, the Eighth Prince felt a mix of joy and bitterness.

Because this gift was not prepared by him.

It was prepared by his wife, not his wife.

Marrying a wife from a powerful family certainly has countless advantages!
But when I face her in the future, I might not be able to stand up straight anymore...

Thinking of these things, the Eighth Prince felt a little gloomy.

However, the Eighth Prince was no ordinary man. He understood that to accomplish extraordinary things, one must wait for extraordinary times and have extraordinary people.

Otherwise, it's all for nothing!
For the sake of the greater good, he still had to tolerate his wife's arrogance!

Just as the princess's death was attracting widespread attention, Ye Keshu was chatting with Jin Wushan.

Although Ye Keshu was of mediocre character and not as favored by Emperor Qianxi as Longkodo, he had a good relationship with Jin Wushan.

After all, everyone has a few friends.

“Old Jin, you’re sitting on a powder keg this time. If the memorial confirming the cause of the princess’s death is submitted, I dare say you’re already half dead.”

Although Ye Keshu's words contained a threat, they were also true.

Hearing Ye Keshu's words, Jin Wushan's face darkened considerably.

He had been pondering this matter, and if things went according to Emperor Qianxi's plan, he could now pass the test.

But what about later?
If Emperor Qianxi wanted to deal with Kezang and wanted to cut him into a thousand pieces to vent his hatred, then the matter of the Fifth Princess would have to be brought up again.

If this matter were to come to light, the consequences would be almost unimaginable.

As thoughts raced through his mind, his mood grew increasingly agitated.

"Old Jin, we're old friends, I wouldn't cheat you. You told me before, 'If the sky falls, someone taller will hold it up.'"

"The Court of Colonial Affairs currently lacks a Minister, but it does have the Crown Prince observing the administration!"

"If you just give the contents of the memorial to the Crown Prince, then the one who will bear the greatest responsibility for this matter will be the Crown Prince, not you."

Ye Keshu picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and continued speaking.

Listening to Ye Keshu's words, Jin Wushan felt even more agitated.

He had considered these things, but how could the Crown Prince be so easily offended!

The Crown Prince is...

Just as Jin Wushan was caught in a dilemma, a memorial was silently delivered to the Ministry of Justice. The moment the memorial was opened, the entire Ministry of Justice was thrown into chaos.

This memorial requested that Songgotu be appointed as the Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs.

　The second update for today is here! Dear readers, please support me, recommend me, and do whatever you want!

(End of this chapter)