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

Chapter 292 His literary talent rivaled that of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and his martial prowess that of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

The moment Rahohan knelt down, he could clearly feel the many disdainful glances directed at him from behind.

But none of this matters to Rahohan anymore.

Now, he had only one thing on his mind: he absolutely could not allow Emperor Qianxi to have the slightest dissatisfaction with him.

His previous ambitions had long since vanished with the sound of gunfire.

As the saying goes, what you hear is not as good as what you see!
The fact that the Russian Kingdom sought peace with Emperor Qianxi shocked him and made him feel that something was terribly wrong, but it was ultimately just a distant threat.

As long as he didn't see it with his own eyes, a small spark would occasionally ignite in his heart, and this spark would grow rapidly, soon becoming a prairie fire!

However, the scene of segmented shooting before him sent chills down his spine.

The sight of those wild horses falling one after another reminded him of his most prized cavalrymen, who were being shot down one by one in the dense hail of bullets.

A sense of fear gripped him!
It was precisely this fear that led him to bow his head.

Emperor Qianxi looked at Prince Laho kneeling on the ground, a hint of undisguised sarcasm appearing on his lips.

If it weren't for the sake of peace on the grasslands, he would have liked to chop this Rahohan down on the spot.

Just moments ago they were fiercely declaring they would seek justice and become eagles soaring over the grasslands, but in the blink of an eye they've changed their tune and are now demanding that Kezang be punished.

what is this!

While thinking this to himself, Emperor Qianxi feigned ignorance and asked calmly, "In your opinion, how should Kezang be punished?"

King Raho's lips trembled slightly; he knew that Emperor Qianxi was forcing him to make a statement.

In the past, he could have ignored it, but at this moment, he had to respond.

If he doesn't accept the challenge, he won't get past this hurdle.

So after hesitating for a moment, he steeled himself and said with a righteous expression, "Your Majesty, I believe that... that Kerzang should be beheaded and his head displayed to the public!"

The moment the words "beheading and public display" were uttered, even King Raho felt his lips tremble.

He didn't want to say it, but when he looked up and saw Emperor Qianxi's smiling face, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Those so-called allies are most likely unreliable!
His actions this time had angered Emperor Qianxi.

If he didn't say something that would satisfy Emperor Qianxi, he feared he wouldn't be able to pass this test.

So, gritting his teeth, he came up with this solution.

After saying that, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He dared not look at the gazes of the people around him, knowing that these people harbored absolutely no goodwill towards him.

After all, just now, he was shouting that he was a descendant of the Golden Khan and that he should not be killed by swords and axes!
But now, he himself has so decisively ordered the Qianxi Emperor to behead Kezang.

This fucking...

Just as he was in a state of utter confusion, he heard Emperor Qianxi look around and ask, "Your Majesty, what do you think of King Raho's suggestion?"

The Golden Moon Dharma King's expression was calm. He glanced at King Raho, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this old monk only obeys the Buddha's decree."

"And you, as the Supreme Khan, are the incarnation of Buddha on earth."

Shen Ye stood to the side watching Emperor Qianxi ask questions, and couldn't help but feel a surge of complaints in his heart.

I thought that the Golden Moon Dharma King could hold out for a while, but I didn't expect this master to have such a supple body!

It is really……

"Hahahaha!"

Upon hearing the words of the Golden Moon Dharma King, Emperor Qianxi couldn't help but burst into laughter. He stepped to the Golden Moon Dharma King's side and said with a smile, "I am very pleased that the Dharma King has such a kind intention."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Langkelon again.

"Langkelon, do you think King Raho is right?"

Langkelon harbored deep resentment towards King Raho. When King Raho clamored for justice for Kerzang, Langkelon merely uttered a word of caution, and was then attacked by King Raho and his followers for being cowardly.

He said he was unworthy to be a descendant of the Golden Khan!

But now?
Is what you, King Raho, are saying even human language?
This can no longer be described as "playing both sides," it's clearly...

However, when Emperor Qianxi asked him this question, he dared not be negligent in the slightest.

King Raho's territory was somewhat far from the imperial army, but his camp was very close.

If the imperial court used this method on him on the grasslands, he would have absolutely no chance of survival.

So at this moment, he obediently bowed to Emperor Qianxi and said, "Your Majesty, I completely agree with Prince Raho's opinion."

"His Majesty's punishment of Kerzang is far too lenient."

"Your Majesty, I believe we should proceed as King Raho has suggested."

King Raho listened to Langkron's repeated insistence on doing things his way, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.

He knew that Langkelon was being cunning, trying to take the blame for Kerzang's severe punishment, but he knew he couldn't change anything.

After all, Emperor Qianxi still has something on him to hold against him!

"Since you both say so, then I will do as you say." Just when everyone thought that Emperor Qianxi would continue to question them one by one, Emperor Qianxi said this.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi speak in this way, the expressions of Prince Raho and Langkelon immediately turned ugly.

At this moment, Shen Ye felt that Emperor Qianxi was exceptionally shrewd. If he were to ask them one by one, he would have the tribal leaders who had come with King Raho stand with King Raho one by one.

They might actually stick together. But right now, just asking for opinions from two people is enough to make the others look down on King Raho.

Under the coercion of the Qianxi Emperor, disregarding the bonds of kinship as descendants of the Golden Khan, they even dared to betray their own people. What kind of people are they?

But I didn't do that...

The matter was settled, the hunt was nearing its end, and everything was settled.

The mournful bugle sounded again, and squads of soldiers participating in the hunt gathered from all directions.

Among these soldiers, the thirteenth prince, dressed in silver armor, stood out conspicuously.

However, no one paid any attention to him at that moment!
Even many tribal chiefs, upon seeing him, would tacitly avert their eyes and pretend not to see him.

The Longevity Festival continues, and the grasslands are once again filled with song and dance.

The Eighth Prince sat down in his tent, and his stoic spirit finally broke down.

Although he appears energetic in front of others, only he knows how tired he truly is.

The Emperor didn't even involve the Thirteenth Prince in the discussion of such a momentous matter as the execution of Kezang.

Based on this point alone, in the eyes of her father, she was not that important at all.

Originally, he thought his father would do as he expected, both pleading and punishing, giving the thirteenth prince a punishment that seemed heavy but was actually not serious, while subtly giving some rewards to the leaders of the grassland tribes, giving each other a way out.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor silenced all dissenting voices with a thunderous hunt.

If the previous method was merely a temporary solution, then this method addresses the root cause.

He knew that the leaders of the grasslands feared power but did not appreciate virtue, but he never imagined that the arquebuses and firearms, which had previously only served as auxiliary weapons in battle, could be so powerful when deployed in formation.

But the Crown Prince knew!
This idea was devised by the Crown Prince.

Compared to the Crown Prince, the gap between me and the Crown Prince seems to be enormous!

In the Emperor's eyes, wouldn't a crown prince who is not only good at making money but also knowledgeable in military strategy be the perfect heir?

"Greetings, Eighth Prince!" Just as the Eighth Prince was pondering, Ma Qi's voice rang out.

The Eighth Prince glanced at Ma Qi, who was striding towards him, and frowned slightly. He said, "Lord Ma Qi, didn't you say we should try to see each other as little as possible?"

Ma Qi smiled and said, "This time, I am here on His Majesty's orders to discuss the return journey with you, Eighth Prince."

"His Majesty has decided to put you in charge of the return journey."

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince's face lit up with a hint of surprise.

The fact that Emperor Qianxi put him in charge of the return journey means that his father wanted to give him an important position.

If you are given important responsibilities, there is still a chance!

He quickly said, "Lord Ma Qi, please have a seat. Does Father have any arrangements for this matter?"

"His Majesty's decision to put Your Highness in charge of this matter is a test for you."

"Your Highness need not do everything personally, but you must handle the key points properly."

"We don't aim for brilliance, but we absolutely cannot afford to make mistakes."

Ma Qi said, his voice tinged with seriousness, "Your Highness, this is a rare opportunity!"

The Eighth Prince picked up the teapot on the table and poured Ma Qi a cup of tea. He was about to speak when he hesitated.

Ma Qi, being a seasoned veteran, could tell at a glance that he had reservations.

However, he didn't point it out directly, but instead asked indirectly, "Does Your Highness have any concerns?"

“Lord Maqi, you’re no stranger here, so I’ll be frank.”

"Today's events have given me the feeling that I am far inferior to the Crown Prince."

"I think the Crown Prince is both a scholar and a warrior. He is as good as Guan Zhong in literature and as good as Yue Yi in martial arts. If he were to become a ruler, he would naturally be a rare and wise ruler."

"I think Father Emperor probably thinks the same way."

"Do you think it's still worth it for me to keep trying?"

After the Eighth Prince finished speaking, he let out a long sigh, looking quite dejected.

Ma Qi smiled and said, "Your Highness, your analogy of the Crown Prince is not quite appropriate."

"In my opinion, the current Crown Prince is comparable to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang before he ascended the throne in terms of literary talent; and in terms of martial arts, he seems to be no less than Emperor Taizong of Tang before he ascended the throne."

"Your Highness, with such a crown prince, who do you think is more worried?"

He was as learned as Emperor Ming and as skilled in martial arts as Emperor Taizong!
That's quite a high evaluation.

However, the Eighth Prince had also studied history, and he knew perfectly well that the two men Ma Qi mentioned both shared a very obvious characteristic: they forced their fathers to abdicate!
Indeed, the Xuanwu Gate Incident of Emperor Taizong of Tang is a well-known event.

Similarly, Li Longji forced his brother to relinquish the position of crown prince, which in turn forced his father, Li Dan, to abdicate early and become the retired emperor.

It goes without saying who would be most worried about such a talented prince who excelled in both literature and martial arts.

Just as the Eighth Prince smiled, Ma Qi continued, "Your Highness, I just heard that yesterday, those depositors who were afraid of not being able to get their money back blocked the Crown Prince's Yuqing Bank."

"Hehe, the Five Cities Garrison has also arrested some people."

"This time, it's caused quite a stir!"

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(End of this chapter)