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

Chapter 302 Verbal and Written Attacks: Sacrificing the Pawn to Save the King

Yuqing Bank drove the scholar to suicide!

The prince refused to repay the debt, which led to a death!
The scholars carried the coffin, weeping all the way to the Temple of the Sage!

……

Various rumors quickly spread throughout the capital, and even in some teahouses, people were vividly recounting the story.

Meanwhile, things were in complete chaos at the Censorate!
"Fellow colleagues, what is the purpose of our studies? It is to establish a moral compass for the world, to secure a future for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations!"

"Now, Yuqing Bank has driven someone to their death!"

"Moreover, it drove a scholar to his death!"

"Heaven's justice is clear! Heaven's justice is clear!"

"Just because the other party is the Crown Prince, are we supposed to remain silent?"

"Then what's the point of us being censors? What's the purpose of our studies?"

"I don't care what everyone else thinks, I'm definitely going to write this letter; I want justice!"

The censor Zhao Youzhi spoke with a firm tone, and even had the air of someone willing to sacrifice their life for righteousness!
As soon as he said that, someone immediately echoed loudly: "Even if there are thousands of people against me, I will go! Brother Zhao, you are not fighting alone!"

"We are willing to stand with Brother Zhao in the face of national crisis!"

"Yes, we are willing to join Brother Zhao in submitting this petition!"

"Let's go, let's write a memorial to the throne!"

……

As more and more people joined in, someone loudly proposed: "Not only should each member of the Ministry of Rites submit a memorial, but we should also ask the Chief Censor to take the lead and have the entire Censorate submit a memorial together!"

This suggestion was immediately approved by the majority.

While their individual petitions had some effect, they were nowhere near as effective as the entire Censorate petitioning together.
Once this is reported, whoever encounters it will basically be in trouble!
After all, this is the entire Censorate!

Looking at his enthusiastic colleagues around him, Zhao Youzhi waved his hand and said, "Let's go, let's go find the Chief Censor!"

At this moment, Chen Tingjing, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, was pondering the matter of Yuqing Bank driving someone to their death in his duty room.

He knew very well that although Yuqing Bank was opened by the Crown Prince, the money in Yuqing Bank was used by Emperor Qianxi.

The reason why Emperor Qianxi was able to hold such a grand birthday celebration at the Rehe Imperial Palace was entirely due to Yuqing Bank.

The reason why Yuqing Bank can't repay its debts now is because the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Household Department can't repay their debts either.
The crown prince's delaying tactics were unavoidable.

But things have escalated to this point, and it seems they can't afford not to intervene.

Even if Chen Tingjing wanted to suppress it, he couldn't.

However, he had to report this matter to Emperor Qianxi in advance.

Otherwise, Emperor Qianxi would have doubted his loyalty.

Just then, his personal servant Chen Er rushed in in a hurry.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! Lord Zhao Youzhi has brought a group of censors to see you, saying that they request the Censorate to jointly submit a memorial to His Majesty, demanding severe punishment for Yuqing Bank."

"Give the deceased an explanation!"

"This servant felt something was amiss, so I came to report to you immediately, sir!"

As Chen Er spoke, he wiped his sweat, looking utterly exhausted.

Chen Tingjing could tell that Chen Er was trying to take credit, but what he reported really surprised him.

With so many censors coming together, demanding that the entire Censorate jointly submit a petition, isn't this blatantly pushing him into a fire pit?
It's quite normal that the Left Censor-in-Chief couldn't control his subordinates from submitting memorials.

After all, each censor had the right to submit a memorial to the emperor individually.

However, if the entire Censorate were to submit a memorial together, the emperor would inevitably become suspicious.

As the Left Censor-in-Chief, he was naturally the first to be held accountable.

However, he couldn't simply avoid seeing his subordinates either. If he did, Chen Tingjing's prestige would plummet.

Forced to flee in disgrace by his subordinates, his reputation made it impossible for him to preside over the Censorate or even work in any government office.

After calming himself down, Chen Tingjing said to Chen Er, "Alright, I understand."

"You go about your business."

Looking at the composed Chen Tingjing, Chen Er secretly admired him: "Master is indeed worthy of being called Master. He can remain so calm in the face of this situation."

Anyway, his message had already been delivered, and how Chen Tingjing was dealt with was none of his business.

Upon hearing Chen Tingjing's words, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Tingjing and quickly withdrew.

Just as Chen Er went out, Zhao Youzhi and the others hurriedly arrived at Chen Tingjing's door.

"Your Excellency, your subordinates all have important matters to discuss." Since Zhao Youzhi had taken the lead, there was no turning back.

He didn't want his partners to feel guilty whenever they saw Chen Tingjing, so he was the first to speak up.

Chen Tingjing glanced at Zhao Youzhi and thought to himself that he had really misjudged him.

This Zhao Youzhi is usually quiet and unassuming, but I never expected him to cause such a commotion.

I just don't know who's standing behind him.

Chen Tingjing had always been unwilling to get involved in the power struggles between the Crown Prince and the other princes, so he would pretend not to know some things, seeing through things but not saying them.

It's the same this time.

Upon hearing Zhao Youzhi's words, he calmly asked, "What is it, gentlemen?"

"Your Excellency, a scholar named Feng Lichuan was driven to suicide because he couldn't repay his debts." Zhao Youzhi said, his voice filled with anguish, "But did he really have no money to repay these debts?"

"No! Feng Lichuan is actually rich!"

"He deposited fifty taels of silver in Yuqing Bank."

“As long as he can get this money out, he can not only pay off his debts, but also live a comfortable life.”

"But even though it's his own money, he can't withdraw it."

"Yuqing Bank used all sorts of delaying tactics to prevent Feng Lichuan from withdrawing the money."

"Feng Lichuan, having nowhere else to turn, was forced into a corner."

At this point, Zhao Youzhi's eyes turned red.

Although he didn't cry, he said with deep emotion, "His classmates were outraged and wanted to complain."

"But they all know that Yuqing Bank has a powerful backer behind it."

"You can't win a lawsuit just by filing a complaint."

"So they were forced to carry Feng Lichuan's coffin and weep all the way to the Confucius Temple!"

"Tell me, where is justice? Where is fairness?!"

No sooner had Zhao Youzhi finished speaking than someone else stood up and said, "Your Excellency, we are imperial censors, and we are responsible to the court."

"We must seek justice for Feng Lichuan, and we should speak out for justice."

"Because Yuqing Bank has too much backing, we would like to ask the entire Censorate to jointly submit a petition, requesting Your Excellency's approval."

Upon hearing the man's suggestion, Chen Tingjing nearly kicked the speaker to death!

The entire Censorate has jointly submitted a memorial; do you think this is a joke? If they really do submit a joint memorial, then I, as the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, will bear primary responsibility!
As for you, you don't care at all; none of you are bothered by anything.

What, are you guys trying to make me, Chen Tingjing, the one with the biggest headache, die first?
However, Chen Tingjing could only think these words in his mind and could not say them out loud.

If this were to be said, it would be seen that he, as the Left Censor-in-Chief, was cowardly, afraid of taking responsibility, and unwilling to shoulder burdens. This would be looked down upon by his subordinates, which would be detrimental to him in every way.

So he said calmly, "Shouldering the responsibility of upholding justice and crafting excellent articles, this is precisely the duty of our Censorate."

“I greatly admire your willingness to step forward and uphold justice.”

Chen Tingjing's words immediately softened the expressions of the previously aggressive censors.

Although they knew that Chen Tingjing would not agree to their request so easily, the fact that Chen Tingjing verbally affirmed their actions was a small victory for them.

So they all looked at Chen Tingjing with sincere eyes.

Chen Tingjing continued, "However, some things are best left unsaid!"

"If we submit a petition together, we are very likely to be attacked as part of a faction."

"At that time, we, who were originally in the right, will end up being controlled everywhere, which is not worth it."

“I think that if everyone wants to submit a petition, they can submit their own petitions separately.”

"This will not only show that all of our colleagues in the Censorate have a heart to help the world and save the people, but also demonstrate our selflessness."

"It can also prevent some people with ulterior motives from making a fuss about this."

Chen Tingjing's words sounded grand and dignified, but many people understood his underlying concerns.

So when he said that, some people couldn't help but nod in agreement.

However, Zhao Youzhi, who was standing aside and trying to force Chen Tingjing to take the lead in writing a petition, was cursing inwardly.

This Chen Tingjing is really slick and slippery. If you don't want to offend the Crown Prince, just say so. Why bring up all this?
Do you think that by saying this you can cover up your unwillingness to offend the Crown Prince?

Thinking of this, he immediately replied, "What Lord Chen said is excellent. Then let us each submit our petitions."

"However, Your Excellency, as the Chief Censor of our Censorate, your memorial is more likely to attract His Majesty's attention."

"So, are you planning to submit a petition regarding this matter?"

Zhao Youzhi's question immediately cornered Chen Tingjing.

He originally intended to gloss over the situation and then do nothing himself.

But now that Zhao Youzhi had asked him this, he knew he couldn't avoid it, so he could only say, "Speaking out for justice is not something that you young people can do; we old folks are just as capable!"

Zhao Youzhi had been waiting for these words, and he immediately bowed to Chen Tingjing and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

"With your support, we are even more confident in contributing our strength to upholding justice."

After persuading Zhao Youzhi and the others to leave, Chen Tingjing immediately went to the palace and reported the matter to Emperor Qianxi.

In fact, Emperor Qianxi had already received the news.

He had spies in both the Infantry Commander's Office and the Shuntian Prefecture, so such matters could not be kept from him at all.

Upon hearing Chen Tingjing's report, he simply said, "Minister Chen, you are very thoughtful. I am aware of this matter."

After saying that, he waved his hand to signal Chen Tingjing to step down.

Upon seeing Emperor Qianxi's reaction, Chen Tingjing immediately understood.

It seems that this time, Emperor Qianxi is not prepared to protect Yuqing Bank.

Could it be that Emperor Qianxi wanted to sacrifice the army to save the king and throw away Yuqing Bank?

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(End of this chapter)