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

Chapter 279 Your Majesty, why is this deer losing its color?

Emperor Qianxi's question hit the nail on the head.

If Shen Ye's claim that cement is very expensive is essentially meaningless, then it's pointless.

After all, things that are too expensive simply cannot be popularized, let alone used to repair river embankments!

Shen Ye was well aware of this, and he immediately replied, "This stuff isn't expensive; you can buy about a pound for five coins."

"Of course, the price will be even lower once production increases."

Five coins a pound!
Emperor Qianxi looked at the huge cement block, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

He had already mentally prepared himself to use this stuff to build some city walls for the border troops, even if it cost only one or two taels of silver per pound.

It only cost five coins a pound, that's such a great deal!

What can you buy with five coins?
In the marketplace, a penny could only buy a few snacks to try.

"Good good!"

Emperor Qianxi said "good" several times, then patted Shen Ye's shoulder heavily and said, "Crown Prince, this cement is the best birthday gift I have received this time."

For Emperor Qianxi, auspicious omens were certainly important, but no matter how important they were, they were not as precious as cement, which was inexpensive yet had countless uses.

Repair the river embankment!
Build city walls!
Build a house! ...

This stuff can even become a major source of revenue for the Imperial Household Department through buying and selling.

Such a wonderful thing cannot be compared to the white deer, which is all show and no substance!
Hearing Emperor Qianxi's praise, Shen Ye smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Father Emperor's great fortune that Yu Chenglong and the others were able to create cement."

"In truth, I can only say that I am merely passing on what I have learned."

Upon hearing the phrase "borrowing flowers to present to Buddha," Emperor Qianxi couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Although he was unwilling to become the Buddha and only wanted to continue being the emperor, he was still very willing to have more divine blessings.

"Let's talk about the cement downstairs."

"As for rewards, I will grant you a pasture. The pasture in Ulanbutong was given to me by the late emperor when I was just born."

"From today onwards, this ranch is yours!"

Although the imperial pastures owned by Emperor Qianxi were very valuable, their most precious aspect was their symbolic significance.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that it was "personally bestowed by the late emperor when Emperor Qianxi was just born" was enough to drive the princes present mad with envy.

After all, this sentiment is incredibly touching.

"Thank you, Father!" Shen Ye did not refuse the ranch offer.

Anyway, he didn't plan to let anyone manage this ranch. As long as Emperor Qianxi was still alive, he would just follow Emperor Qianxi's old rules.

The eldest prince's eyes turned red!
He might not care about a pasture, but the pasture bestowed upon him by the late emperor when he was born was of extraordinary significance!
If I could have this ranch, that would be wonderful.

Unfortunately, the ranch fell into the hands of the crown prince.

This shows that the Emperor was more satisfied with the Crown Prince's gift.

The auspicious white deer is a gift from heaven and a symbol of a wise ruler. It is a million times better than any cement.
How could Father Emperor be so blind to good things?

The eldest prince felt aggrieved, but dared not say much, fearing that Emperor Qianxi would really make him a Dharma King.

With the prince's birthday gifts presented, the birthday celebration was almost over, and the grand banquet was about to begin.

Just as Emperor Qianxi was about to have a birthday banquet arranged, Langkelung respectfully stepped forward and said, "The supreme Heavenly Khan, Kezang, has been brought here."

Upon hearing this, a murderous glint instantly appeared on Emperor Qianxi's face.

Although his main purpose in coming to the grasslands was to intimidate all the tribes and establish his authority as the supreme Khan, avenging his daughter was also one of his objectives.

Upon hearing that Kerzang had been captured, Emperor Qianxi felt the pent-up anger in his heart erupt all at once.

"Bring this wretched child to me!"

As Kerzang's father-in-law, it was not an exaggeration for Emperor Qianxi to call him a "wicked child".

In just one minute, Kezang, who was bound hand and foot, was pushed forward by several guards.

These guards probably knew that Emperor Qianxi harbored immense hatred for Keerzang, so they showed no mercy to him. Keerzang was not only ragged but also covered in wounds.

After Kezang was forced to kneel on the ground, Emperor Qianxi stared at him coldly for a long while before asking him in a sinister tone, "Kezang, I betrothed the princess to you, and this is how you repay me?"

Kezang was in his thirties, with an oval face and a full beard.

He glanced nervously at Emperor Qianxi, then whispered in protest, "Great Heavenly Khan, I... I was drunk at the time."

"Please forgive me, Heavenly Khan."

"Heh, forgive me?" Emperor Qianxi nearly flew into a rage: "Do you think you would choose to forgive me if you were in my shoes?"

"You will now ask me to forgive you?"

"Are you going to let my princess die in vain?"

"Guards, drag Kezang away and execute him on the spot! I don't want to see him again!"

Following Emperor Qianxi's orders, several guards prepared to escort Kezang away.

However, the expressions of the ministers standing around and the tribal leaders of the grasslands all underwent subtle changes.

For these grassland leaders, while Kerzang had committed a grave error, he also evoked a sense of shared vulnerability. As for the ministers, they felt that Emperor Qianxi's execution of Kerzang at this time was somewhat inauspicious.

The tribal chiefs of the grasslands dared not plead for them, fearing that the Qianxi Emperor, who was in a fit of anger, would also hate them.

However, after exchanging glances, Ma Qi and the others finally stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, although Kerzang deserves to die, I beg Your Majesty to let him live a few more days."

"Today is His Majesty's birthday, and we must not allow such things to spoil His Majesty's joyous occasion."

"Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Ma Qi was not only the Minister of Revenue, but also a confidant of Emperor Qianxi, and his words carried great weight.

Moreover, the Emperor Qianxi's birthday was also an important day.

The occurrence of bloodshed during a birthday celebration is considered unlucky by many.

Although Emperor Qianxi hated Kezang intensely, he still had to consider the occasion. He hesitated for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "I really don't want to see him again."

Upon seeing this scene, Minister of Justice Fu Lun, who had come along, quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although Ke Zang's crimes are heinous, I believe it is worthwhile to let him live a few more days."

"Your birthday is of utmost importance."

"Moreover, with such auspicious signs appearing at this time, it's not worth letting an insignificant Khmer Zang spoil your celebration."

Emperor Qianxi did not speak, but instead looked at the Golden Moon Dharma King sitting to the side.

He has already said he would kill Kezang. The words have been spoken and cannot be taken back. To withdraw them now would be seen as changing his mind on a whim.

Asking several people shows that a monarch is willing to listen to advice.

This is a good quality.

"Your Majesty, what is your opinion on this matter?"

The Golden Moon Dharma King was forced into a somewhat awkward position by Shen Ye, so he became much more obedient at this moment.

He basically wouldn't speak unless Emperor Qianxi asked him directly.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's question, he glanced at the surrounding grassland leaders and then said in a deep voice, "Long live the Supreme Khan! May the whole world rejoice!"

“On such a festive occasion, it would be better to let Kerzang repent for a few days to redeem his sins.”

Emperor Qianxi's eyes flashed, and he then said to the thirteenth prince who was standing not far away, "Thirteenth prince, you shall urge Kezang to repent."

“Let him repent for seven days.”

The thirteenth prince had always wanted to kill Kezang with one blow, but since it was his father's birthday, he dared not act rashly despite his intense hatred.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's arrangement, he suddenly realized that killing Kezang was not such a hasty matter. He could not kill him, but instead make him wish he were dead!
He immediately bowed to Emperor Qianxi with great joy and said, "Your subject obeys! I will make Ke'erzang repent properly and will not let you down."

Shen Ye watched the thirteenth prince, who was beaming with joy, and was utterly impressed by Emperor Qianxi's actions.

That old man is really ruthless. He seems to be letting Kerzang live a few more days, but in reality, he's slowly cutting his flesh with a dull knife.

If they fall into the hands of the Thirteenth Prince, they will definitely suffer a fate worse than death.

But this is something he doesn't need to worry about.

With the matter of Kerzang settled, the banquet began.

Whether to express their respect for Emperor Qianxi or not, the leaders of various tribes on the grasslands came out one after another to offer him a toast.

Emperor Qianxi had a good capacity for alcohol and accepted all the toasts offered.

After the banquet, Emperor Qianxi rested for a while before leading the people in the main tent to preside over the equestrian archery competition to celebrate his birthday.

This equestrian archery tournament had over a thousand participants, all of whom were carefully selected warriors.

It's definitely worth watching.

Although Shen Ye wasn't particularly interested in this kind of thing, he still had to go along, after all, he was the Crown Prince, and his status was different.

He had to actively support his father's cause.

Emperor Qianxi, who had just stepped out of the main tent, was talking to the Golden Moon Dharma King when he suddenly heard someone shout, "Oh dear, why is the white deer losing its color?"

The speaker was a man with a hoarse voice who was going through puberty; although the voice was a bit strange, it was very high-pitched.

Shen Ye didn't need to look to know that the speaker was the Fourteenth Prince.

However, he did not look at the fourteenth prince at this moment, but looked at the white deer.

One of the white deer kept not far from Emperor Qianxi's tent had a patch of brown showing on its neck.

On the wooden stake next to the white deer, there were more mottled white spots!
This scene made Shen Ye suddenly realize: the white deer was dyed! This was a fake auspicious omen from heaven!
This is not a white deer, it's just an ordinary sika deer!
Just as this thought popped into Shen Ye's mind, Emperor Qianxi also saw this scene and immediately trembled with anger.

He's a person who cares a lot about his image!

Especially now, he is surrounded by the leaders of various tribes on the grasslands.

Although they were his subordinates, these people did not completely submit to him.

These people and he were still just cooperating with each other.

The news of the white deer descending from the sky had already been spread, but now it turns out the white deer was an imposter. Where would Emperor Qianxi put his face?
For a moment, the area around Emperor Qianxi was eerily quiet.

　Hey everyone, here's the second update for today, right on time! Please support me, give me some votes if you have any!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)