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

Chapter 24 What you did, I can do too.

The civil officials who were able to enter the imperial court were basically learned scholars.

In short, they can cite numerous sources and give you several explanations.

But now, after Mingzhu finished speaking, no one else spoke.

Shen Ye stood on the imperial platform and bowed to Mingzhu, saying, "Prime Minister Ming is truly learned! Hearing your words is better than reading for ten years. This explanation has truly enlightened me and cleared my mind."

"However, compared to the cheating of the provincial examination by Zhang Xuezan and Ling Pu, doesn't this also prove the saying 'He who steals a hook is punished, but he who steals a country becomes a king'?"

Mingzhu's face immediately broke down.

The Crown Prince's question was essentially asking whether Lingpu and his ilk were merely petty thieves, while he himself was a notorious thief who had stolen the country.

Can one admit to stealing a country's territory?
Once he admitted it, would the Qianxi Emperor have spared him?

He solemnly said to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, your understanding of this matter is somewhat biased."

"Lingpu and the others are after money, while the rules of the master and the master are ancient and... a very pure relationship."

Mingzhu was always eloquent and persuasive, but these questions were really making him uncomfortable.

After all, he has quite a few students.

Emperor Qianxi looked at the embarrassed Mingzhu, then glanced at the mostly bowed-headed civil officials, a cold glint in his eyes.

Although he had never violated the rules of the imperial examination system before, he now felt increasingly wary of them.

The Crown Prince is right. Compared to Lingpu and his ilk taking money, taking students is what truly undermines the foundation of the nation.

"A pure relationship? Mingxiang, I think that's not pure, it's dirty!"

Since this crown prince can't be officially recognized anyway, Shen Ye wasn't afraid of offending these civil officials. He coldly said, "In my opinion, the rules of the examiners and the chief examiners are a way for candidates to find a backer and for the chief examiners to recruit their cronies."

"They speak so righteously, yet their actions are utterly depraved and immoral; it's disgusting!"

At this point, he bowed to Emperor Qianxi and said, "Your Majesty, I heard a story some time ago that I would like to make everyone laugh."

Emperor Qianxi was pleased with Shen Ye's relentless pursuit of Mingzhu.

His criticism of the rules and regulations governing the imperial examination system was something that Emperor Qianxi was very pleased to see.

In his view, a crown prince who stood on the opposite side of the courtiers was perfect.

The courtiers have rivals, while the crown prince lacks their support; both sides need the emperor's support.

"Speak," Emperor Qianxi said with a smile, knowing that the Crown Prince's story would be extremely upsetting.

Shen Ye is the Crown Prince. In the court, as long as Emperor Qianxi doesn't stop him, no one can stop him.

He was a half-ruler. Second only to the emperor, above all others.

Although Mingzhu and the others did not want him to speak, they knew they could not stop him.

So most of them looked at each other, exchanged quick glances, and remained silent.

Soetu could only smile wryly. Although his old rival had been humiliated, the Crown Prince's words had offended more than just Mingzhu!

How many ministers would this offend!
The Crown Prince didn't even consult me ​​about this matter before directly confronting me, which is really frustrating.

"It is said that a Taoist priest, a Buddhist monk, and a nun lived next to each other, and the monk and the nun were on good terms."

"One day, when the nun went out, the Taoist priest patted her on the head, and the nun became angry."

The Taoist priest replied: "If the monk can touch it, why can't I?"

Shen Ye's storytelling skills are mediocre, and he was speaking in a very serious tone, so the story wasn't funny at all.

But the purpose of the story he told was just one sentence.

That is, cheating on the imperial examinations. You can do it, but I can't?
So when the story was finished, not only did no one laugh, but many people's faces turned cold.

Emperor Qianxi understood the meaning behind Shen Ye's words. Seeing that no one around him spoke, he coldly said, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about? It's an insult to culture!" "Read more books and understand things better in the future."

At this point, he turned to the crowd and said, "Mingzhu, the cheating in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination must be thoroughly investigated, and all those involved must be severely punished."

At this point, he glanced at Gao Shiqi again and said, "Minister Gao, your Ministry of Rites should draft a proposal to address the drawbacks of the system of assigning teachers to tutors."

Although Gao Shiqi was very reluctant to take on this task that would offend people, he was the Minister of Rites, and he had no choice but to accept it, so he could only say, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Emperor Qianxi said in a deep voice, "Court adjourned. Crown Prince, please stay."

Upon hearing this order, Yu Hualong, who was the first to step forward and impeach the Crown Prince for cheating in the imperial examinations, breathed a sigh of relief. In any case, given the current situation, he didn't want to stay a moment longer.

The officials quickly withdrew, and most remained silent.

The princes remained silent as well; the situation today was rather strange, and they all chose to stay quiet.

Soon, only Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye, and some serving palace maids and eunuchs remained in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Emperor Qianxi stared at Shen Ye and said coldly, "Crown Prince, you were quite the showman just now!"

Shen Ye still maintained a certain degree of respect for Emperor Qianxi.

It has nothing to do with admiration or anything like that; it's simply because this person can confine me at any time.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Father, please forgive me. I was just angry for a moment."

“Those people from Mingzhu treat the imperial court’s talent selection ceremony as their own.”

"Your subject only made a slight move, and they immediately started shouting for battle."

"And they act as if it's perfectly natural for them to form cliques and pursue their own interests."

"Your Majesty, I never imagined that there could be such a shameless person in this world!"

Seeing the indignant look on the Crown Prince's face, Emperor Qianxi said sternly, "Crown Prince, you think you have the right to tamper with the provincial examination?"

"You are the Crown Prince; you must set an example for the world!"

"How can you expect your ministers to support your rule of the country when you attack them so recklessly?"

"You must remember that although our Great Zhou does not share the world with the scholar-officials, we still cannot govern the world without the help of our ministers."

When Emperor Qianxi said these words, he meant to educate the crown prince.

After all, the crown prince was still his groomed successor.

Although the crown prince was growing older, he felt increasingly threatened.

However, now that the Crown Prince's actions might shake his position, he still patiently reprimanded him.

Hearing this lesson, Shen Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had already admitted to tampering with the imperial examinations in Shuntian Prefecture, and Emperor Qianxi remained silent. It seemed that the matter had been largely covered up.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be kept in mind by your son," Shen Ye said solemnly to Emperor Qianxi.

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand, signaling Shen Ye to leave.

After Shen Ye left, he took a few steps in front of the throne before leisurely saying, "A disciple of the Emperor, a disciple of the Emperor!"

Liang Jiugong lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound, for fear of interrupting Emperor Qianxi's thoughts.

After a few words of reflection, Emperor Qianxi turned to Liang Jiugong and said, "Liang Jiugong, the Crown Prince's actions are somewhat counterproductive!"

Do you think he had other motives?

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong was in a very difficult position.

After all, a bad answer to this question could be a death sentence!
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(End of this chapter)