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

Chapter 262 When the East Is Dark, the West Is Bright: The Striving Crown Prince

Held court at the Qianqing Gate was an unwavering habit of the Qianxi Emperor.

Regardless of wind or rain, or sun or wind, as long as Emperor Qianxi could get up, he would appear at Qianqing Gate on time to listen to his ministers report on state affairs.

Compared to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Qianqing Gate was the main place where Emperor Qianxi held court, which was the primary means of handling important matters.

Only those who could participate in the court proceedings at the Qianqing Gate could be considered important officials of the imperial court.

Historically, only the Qianxi Emperor had a seat during court sessions, and this time was no exception.

When Shen Ye arrived at Qianqing Gate, almost all the ministers of the Six Ministries and Nine Courts had already arrived.

Many of them looked at Shen Ye with an indescribable and ambiguous expression.

Shen Ye could sense that there was scrutiny and speculation involved.

The way these people see themselves is probably related to the death of Songgotu.

After all, Songgotu had always been a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince.

It was through Songgotu that the Crown Prince gained a large number of followers.

When Suo'etu stepped down from the position of Grand Secretary, although many people felt that the Crown Prince's actions were somewhat unwise, they also felt that the loss to the Crown Prince's lineage would not be crippling.

After all, Songgotu was still alive.

The Crown Prince is still in power!
As long as they exist, the vast lineage of the Crown Prince will still exist.

But now, Soetu is dead!

Without Prince Songgotu, could the large number of princes from his lineage still be gathered together?

Who else could become the Crown Prince's newly chosen trusted minister?
Amidst everyone's speculation, the sound of the whip rang out, and Emperor Qianxi sat on his throne.

He glanced around and asked directly, "Has the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner Shen Guotai arrived?"

"Your subject Shen Guotai greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Shen Guotai bowed meticulously, his expression filled with solemnity.

Looking at Shen Guotai bowing, Emperor Qianxi said in a calm but pressured tone: "Shen Guotai, building a fast passage will enable the connection between the north and the south to be realized as soon as possible."

“It can be said to be a great benefit to the world. You wrote a letter saying that it would damage the livelihoods of millions of canal workers and requested that the construction of the expressway from Yangzhou to Yingtianfu be suspended.”

"In your heart, is there any thought of the imperial court, or of me?"

Emperor Qianxi's last words were spoken with great emphasis, and Shen Guotai's expression changed.

Although Emperor Qianxi still had a smile on his face, his question, "Do you have me in your heart?" struck Shen Guotai squarely at his weak point.

He knew very well that if he could not give a proper answer, he would face the wrath of the Qianxi Emperor.

He had anticipated the emperor's question and had discussed it with many others, preparing his answer in advance. But upon hearing the emperor's question, his heart still tightened.

He immediately composed himself and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, the construction of the expressway is indeed a policy that greatly benefits the world!"

"When I entered the capital, I took a carriage through the expressway to Chaoyangmen."

"The express lane is smooth, fast, and easy and convenient for transporting goods."

"Building expressways is beneficial to the country and its people."

"However, as the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner, I must always think about the canal transport. If I rashly promote the fast track, it will leave millions of canal workers without food and clothing."

"Then...if someone with ulterior motives instigates or incites us, things might change."

"Therefore, I request that the construction of the expressway from Yangzhou to Yingtianfu be suspended."

"Your Majesty, I am devoted to the court and to Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Emperor Qianxi looked at Shen Guotai, who was kneeling on the ground, repeatedly saying "for the court, for Your Majesty," with a blank expression.

Having been emperor for many years, how could he not know that Shen Guotai had colluded with everyone in the canal transport system, tying his own interests to those of the canal transport?
However, a million canal workers is no small matter.

If things aren't handled properly and something unexpected happens, that's not what he wants.

He immediately turned to Yu Chenglong, who was standing to one side, and asked, "Lord Yu, what do you think of this matter?"

Yu Chenglong said bluntly, "Your Majesty, Shen Guotai is clearly trying to blackmail Your Majesty and the court!"

“The grain transport was limited by rain and seasons, and it was difficult to complete the annual transport of four million shi of grain every time.”

"As a result, the imperial court had to buy grain from all over the country, which led to a continuous rise in grain prices around the capital, which remained high."

"And the fast track not only saves the imperial court money, it can also make the imperial court money!"

"Once the fast passage is fully opened, I'm not exaggerating, but let alone four million shi of grain, even doubling it wouldn't be a problem."

At this point, Yu Chenglong pointed at Shen Guotai and said, "Shen Guotai, you are not doing this for the sake of the court at all; you are doing this for your own benefit."

"Your Majesty, I request that Shen Guotai be executed!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Guotai's face turned pale.

Although he was also a governor-general, compared with the renowned minister Yu Chenglong, his seniority and prestige were noticeably lower.

Not to mention, at this moment, Yu Chenglong's words, which were so hurtful, were practically meant to kill him.

He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, my heart is entirely selfless, and Heaven and Earth can bear witness to it!"

"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly."

Emperor Qianxi glanced at the two men but did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he said to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, you heard what they said."

"What do you think of it?"

Shen Ye bowed and said, "Father, it is inappropriate for Lord Yu to start by calling for war and killing."

"Different opinions are acceptable, and you can argue and refute them, but don't resort to threats of violence or condemn everything outright." Emperor Qianxi nodded but remained silent.

Yu Chenglong wasn't angry at Shen Ye for saying that about him.

He knew that the Crown Prince ultimately supported the fast track, after all, it was the Crown Prince who first promoted this system.

“Father, I think there is some truth to what Shen Guotai said.”

"After all, it concerns the livelihoods of millions of port workers, so we cannot afford to be careless!"

Shen Guotai did not feel relaxed because Shen Ye spoke up for him. He knew that his biggest opponent was not Yu Chenglong.

Instead, it was the prince who pushed for the fast track.

Sure enough, the Crown Prince changed his tone, and the turning point came: "However, once the court makes concessions on this matter, more people will follow suit and imitate him."

"Today they're talking about the Grand Canal, tomorrow someone might say the salt administration affects the people of the whole country, and the day after tomorrow they'll say something else that can't be touched..."

Shen Ye gave three or four examples in a row, which made Shen Guotai sweat.

A million canal workers may seem like a lot, but if everyone can use "people's livelihood" as a shield, then it seems the imperial court has nothing to do.

If this situation were truly to be prevented, it seems that both Emperor Qianxi and the imperial court would have to make an example of one to deter others.

Emperor Qianxi's expression was also somewhat cold.

He was concerned about the millions of canal workers, but he absolutely could not allow the situation described by Shen Ye to happen.

He could not tolerate anyone using this to blackmail the imperial court!

"Does the Crown Prince mean that the construction of this expressway is permitted?" Emperor Qianxi coughed lightly and then asked Shen Ye.

Shen Ye solemnly said, "Father, I think that since there is so much controversy surrounding the fast route from Yangzhou to Yingtianfu, we should put it on hold for the time being."

"Fix the easy ones first."

At this point, Shen Ye pointed eastward and said, "Your subject believes that we should first build a fast passage from the capital to Tianjin."

"After this fast passage is completed, the imperial court can open a commercial port in Tianjin and allow merchants to transport grain from the south to Tianjin."

"In this way, various goods can be transported to the capital, promoting the flow of goods, and the pressure on the canal transport can be relieved."

To open a commercial port in Tianjin?
Emperor Qianxi's expression showed a hint of hesitation!
Over the years, he has always paid close attention to the threat of the sea. If a treaty port were built in Tianjin, would the sea threat become even more rampant...?

However, if Tianjin is not opened as a treaty port, then not many people will be willing to invest in building a fast passage to Tianjin.

It's not impossible to repair it with the help of the imperial court alone, but...

"Your Majesty, I believe the Crown Prince's proposal is unacceptable."

Before Emperor Qianxi could express his opinion, a thin-faced man stepped forward and raised an objection: "If a treaty port is opened in Tianjin, it may attract pirates."

"This situation could lead to unrest in the capital. Your Majesty, please consider this carefully!"

The speaker was Qi Yuanjian, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Although he rarely spoke, the Ministry of War held considerable influence over the safety of the capital.

Shen Ye calmly retorted, "Lord Qi, according to you, does that mean if Tianjin doesn't build a commercial port, pirate ships won't come?"

Qi Yuanjian was taken aback by this remark, and his expression changed.

Although Tianjin has not been attacked by pirates recently, how could he be 100% certain?
Otherwise, if any pirates showed up in Tianjin, their heads would be gone in a heartbeat.

"Your Highness, what I mean is that if Tianjin is opened as a treaty port, it will easily attract the covetous eyes of pirates, thus causing unrest in the capital region."

Qi Yuanjian solemnly said, "It's not that there won't be pirates if we don't open trading ports."

Shen Ye smiled and didn't argue with Qi Yuanjian on this issue. Instead, he said calmly, "The Ministry of War, a dignified ministry, can't even handle a few pirates. Isn't it a bit too easy for the Vice Minister of War to be in this position?"

Qi Yuanjian blushed instantly, caught in a dilemma.

He never imagined that his words would become a weapon to attack him.

It would be truly shameful if the Ministry of War couldn't even handle a pirate.

But if it can be dealt with, then...

Seeing Qi Yuanjian's constantly changing expression, Emperor Qianxi simply waved his hand and said, "Step down."

At this point, he glanced at Shen Ye again and said, "Although Qi Yuanjian's words were a bit alarmist, the threat of pirates is indeed a problem."

"If you want to open a trading port, you need to think about these things."

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Father, I think that we need to strengthen our defenses regarding the coastal areas of Tianjin, regardless of whether we open them as treaty ports."

"Your subject believes that we should build more forts in locations such as Dagu."

"Once pirate ships are spotted, they can be bombarded at any time."

"If necessary, it can even blockade important sea areas at the mouth of the Haihe River!"

Emperor Qianxi pondered for a moment before saying, "Your suggestion makes a lot of sense. The Ministry of War should immediately send someone to find a suitable site to build a fort."

"We must use heavy artillery to blockade the important sea areas around the mouth of the Haihe River."

At this point, Emperor Qianxi gave Shen Ye a heavy look, and then glanced at the assembled officials who were listening to the government's pronouncements.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What are your thoughts on building a fast passage to Tianjin and opening a commercial port there?"

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Tong Guowei, who was in the first position.

Tong Guowei was the chief Grand Secretary, so his opinion was naturally important.

When Emperor Qianxi looked at Tong Guowei, many people felt a sense of unease.

Because Tong Guowei and the Crown Prince seem to be at odds.

Does Emperor Qianxi's behavior mean he wants to reject the Crown Prince's opinion?
(End of this chapter)