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

Chapter 25 How can I entrust this empire to him with peace of mind?
As a senior eunuch who had served Emperor Qianxi for many years, Liang Jiugong was also exceptionally capable.

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, as the old saying goes, young people are full of vigor. The Crown Prince is still young, and perhaps he was just angry for a moment."

Emperor Qianxi was not satisfied with this answer. He snorted and said, "Just because you're angry for a moment, does that mean you can do whatever you want and bring up everything?"

"He is immature! How can I entrust the entire empire to him with peace of mind?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong once again turned into an ostrich.

However, deep down he muttered to himself, "Your Majesty, when have you ever thought of handing the empire over to the Crown Prince?"
He had a good relationship with the Crown Prince, so he was able to better understand the changes in Emperor Qianxi's attitude towards the Crown Prince.

If he was a loving father in the past, well... now...

Seeing that Liang Jiugong remained silent, Emperor Qianxi did not press him further. Instead, after a moment of reflection, he said, "Liang Jiugong, go and deliver the imperial decree later."

"Send the eldest prince to the Ministry of War to observe the administration!"

"Send the Third Prince to the Ministry of Rites to observe the administration!"

"Send the Fourth Prince to the Ministry of Revenue to observe the administration!"

"Send the Fifth Prince to the Court of State Ceremonial to observe the administration!"

"Send the Sixth Prince to the Imperial Household Department to observe state affairs!"

"Send the Seventh Prince to the Ministry of Works to observe the administration!"

"Send the Eighth Prince to the Ministry of Justice to observe the administration!"

In one breath, Emperor Qianxi named seven of the offices where the princes observed state affairs.

Although they were observing politics, the princes' status was different. Especially the eldest prince, as the eldest son of the emperor, he naturally attracted attention.

After all, there is no greater merit than following the dragon!

As the most crucial of the six ministries, sending the Crown Prince to the Ministry of War would undoubtedly enhance his prestige.

Liang Jiugong naturally dared not question Emperor Qianxi's decision.

After quickly memorizing it, he prepared to go to the Southern Study to convey the imperial edict, instructing the Hanlin Academician on duty to turn the verbal instruction into a decree for issuance.

However, just as he was about to leave, Emperor Qianxi suddenly said, "The Crown Prince should also be given more training."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong immediately realized that Emperor Qianxi had not appointed any princes to the Ministry of Personnel!
As the first of the six ministries, the Ministry of Personnel was in charge of the assessment and promotion of officials below the third rank.

It can be said that the Minister of Personnel was the most important person among the six ministries.

During the Ming Dynasty, the Minister of Personnel was also known as the "Heavenly Official," and if powerful enough, he could even rival the Grand Secretary.

Once the Crown Prince goes to the Ministry of Personnel, he will be in perfect harmony with the environment.

Countless people are trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince, and even more people are hoping to rise to the top in one fell swoop.

Just as Liang Jiugong was waiting for Emperor Qianxi's arrangements, he heard Emperor Qianxi say, "The Crown Prince requests to go to Daxing County to observe the administration, so let him go to Daxing County."

Daxing County?
Good heavens, did I hear that right?!

Other princes, even the lowest-ranking ones, were assigned to the Imperial Household Department, but the Crown Prince was to go to Daxing County.

Although Fukuo County was a fifth-rank county, in the eyes of high-ranking officials and nobles, Daxing County was nothing more than an ant.

Many of them don't even give face to Shuntian Prefecture, let alone Daxing County, which is under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture.

What kind of development can the Crown Prince achieve once he arrives in Daxing County?
However, Liang Jiugong was well aware of his identity, and he kept these questions to himself, not daring to show them at all.

Just as he agreed and was about to take his leave, he heard Emperor Qianxi say, "The Crown Prince is of noble status. It would not be a good thing for Daxing County if he went there to observe the administration."

"Perhaps, Daxing County will stop doing everything else and be too busy just to receive the Crown Prince."

"You shall issue an imperial edict to the Ministry of Personnel, instructing them to arrange for the Crown Prince to assume the position of a county magistrate and to observe the administration of Daxing County. Within the entire Shuntian Prefecture, only the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture shall be permitted to know the Crown Prince's identity."

For Emperor Qianxi, appointing a county magistrate was incredibly easy.

In other counties, a county magistrate's rank would be between the seventh and eighth grades, but in Daxing County, it was the seventh grade. A seventh-grade official outside the capital was considered a local ruler.

However, in the capital, a seventh-rank official was really nothing special.

Liang Jiugong listened to Emperor Qianxi's arrangements with outward respect, but inwardly he was filled with resentment.

When the princes inspected government affairs, they mostly went to the Six Ministries and had long conversations with the ministers and vice ministers.

The Crown Prince was sent to work for the county magistrate; His Majesty was being rather harsh on him.

After a moment's hesitation, he said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is of noble status. If we were to have him deal with the officials in Shuntian Prefecture, how should we treat him?"

Liang Jiugong's question surprised Emperor Qianxi.

However, he soon realized that in the hierarchical Great Zhou Dynasty, lower-ranking officials not only had to bow and kowtow when they met their superiors, but they even had to kneel down to pay their respects.

Should the Crown Prince pay his respects to those officials?
Emperor Qianxi said, "That's easy. We can say that the Crown Prince is a hereditary, third-rank Feng'en General."

The title of Third-Rank General of Imperial Grace is a noble title that allows one to receive an additional salary.

Of course, those who inherit this title basically have no future and just live off their family fortune.

Seeing that the emperor had even thought of this, Liang Jiugong dared not say anything more, agreed, and quickly left.

After Liang Jiugong left, Emperor Qianxi stepped forward to a pot of blooming water lilies.

Looking at the bright red lotus flowers, he murmured to himself, "My ancestors are above me; it is not that I covet power."

"The Crown Prince is simply not mature enough!"

"If he doesn't undergo more trials and tribulations, how can I entrust the empire to him?"

……

Shen Ye was unaware of Emperor Qianxi's arrangements after the court session. He went straight back to Yuqing Palace after the session.

He was in a good mood. This court assembly not only resolved the cheating scandal in the imperial examinations left to him by the former crown prince, but also allowed him to vent his anger.

Damn it, you all make a killing with the imperial examination system, but all I get is a greasy mess if I even touch it?
Upon arriving at Yuqing Palace, he unconsciously headed towards the rear hall.

The Crown Princess Shi Jingrong lived in the rear palace. The former Crown Prince Yunye was very resistant to this Crown Princess arranged by Emperor Qianxi, so he would never see her unless necessary.

However, after last night's passionate encounter, Shen Ye realized that the Crown Prince's perception was indeed somewhat problematic.

The Crown Princess who was able to pass the scrutiny of Emperor Qianxi and the Empress Dowager was excellent in every respect.

"Your Highness!" Shi Jingrong, looking radiant, was overjoyed when she saw Shen Ye.

Shen Ye waved his hand and said, "Is there any food? Get me something light to eat."

Shi Jingrong hurriedly said to Xiao Rou beside her, "Tell the kitchen to bring up the simmering white fungus and snow pear porridge, and also prepare a few side dishes and some vegetable pancakes as the main course."

Listening to the Crown Princess's instructions, Shen Ye felt that every word of her arrangements was exactly what she wanted to hear.

He reached out and took the Crown Princess's hand, saying affectionately, "You understand me best, Crown Princess."

Shi Jingrong blushed. She was not used to Shen Ye being so intimate in front of the servants, but she also enjoyed the feeling very much.

She couldn't help but smile to herself, shyly curling herself up like a clam, and handed a bowl of tea to Shen Ye, saying, "Your Highness, please have some water first."

"By the way, how was the grand court assembly this time?"

Shi Jingrong was very worried about this grand court assembly.

Based on her understanding of the imperial examination system, she felt that this matter was unlikely to end well.

After all, Ling Pu was arrested, and Zhang Xuezan was murdered at Dali Temple.

All the evidence points to the Crown Prince!
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(End of this chapter)