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

Chapter 309 He who obtains the records of the officials' conduct will rule the world.
The students of the Imperial College are generally not short of money!
Although students of the Imperial Academy are not as good as those who passed the imperial examinations, as long as they apply for official positions, they can still easily obtain a position of the eighth or ninth rank.

So the students in the Imperial Academy lived a pretty comfortable life.

This also boosted the business of teahouses and restaurants around the Imperial College, making each one more bustling than the last.

Putting aside everything else, just take Juxian Restaurant for example; it's packed with guests every day.

"Brothers, have you heard? There's been some progress on the case of Feng Lichuan being driven to suicide by his creditors because he couldn't get his money back!" A man in a blue robe said mysteriously.

"Brother Yue, your news is outdated! Everyone at the casino has been arrested, and I heard that even the owner behind the casino didn't escape."

"Tsk tsk, I never expected that this casino was actually run by a commander of the Five Cities Garrison."

The man who was speaking waved the book in his hand, looking like someone who reads often and is very knowledgeable.

The man addressed as Brother Yue said, "It seems quite a few people know about this."

"Tsk tsk, I never expected that Feng Lichuan would be a gambling addict."

“I’ve met him before, and I always felt there was something wrong with him because he was in debt.”

"After all, when I met him, his family was quite well-off."

A short, thin man in his thirties, wearing a maroon long gown, said, "Feng Lichuan's death is no loss, but now the censors of the Censorate are in big trouble!"

"Each of them is responsible for the debts of two or three officials who owe money to the Ministry of Revenue. Tsk tsk, the daily debt collection alone is enough to keep them busy."

Brother Yue sighed and said, "It's their own fault. They didn't distinguish right from wrong and went straight to impeach the Crown Prince's Yuqing Bank."

"I heard that if the Emperor hadn't intervened, the Crown Prince wouldn't have let this matter rest!"

Just then, someone said, "That's all ancient history. Have you heard? Something big has happened recently."

Brother Yue asked, "Is there anything else now?"

"What is it? Let me tell you, there is a remarkable senior who secretly compiled a book called 'Records of Officials' based on the private information he has collected over the years."

"Tsk tsk, I've heard there are quite a few people listed in this 'Records of Officials'."

"These also include Grand Secretaries Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying."

"Just think about it, with this 'Records of the Conduct of Officials' in hand, wouldn't even the Grand Secretary have to bow down and obey?"

"Now there's a saying: 'He who can record the conduct of all officials will rule the world!'"

The speaker's voice held a hint of envy as he finished speaking.

This is not hard to understand. These people, even when they see ordinary minor officials, will bow and scrape, showing utmost respect.

Once you obtain the "Records of Officials' Conduct," even those high-ranking officials will have to obey your orders. How can this not be enviable?

"Really?" Brother Yue said, somewhat incredulously.

"It's true! I heard that the person who compiled this book is named Ren... Ren Bo'an. He used to work in the Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Justice."

"He took advantage of this opportunity to secretly collect the private information of the officials!"

"Tsk tsk, I heard that it was precisely because he had this 'Records of the Conduct of Officials' that his official career was so successful, and now even the Eighth Prince is on very good terms with him."

Brother Yue and the others looked even more excited, and they all stared at the speaker, hoping he would talk more about the "Records of Officials' Conduct".

In fact, they were not the only ones discussing the "Records of Officials' Conduct" at this time; many other people were also talking about it.

Especially at gatherings of some officials.

Sun Family Old Shop specializes in mutton, and its business is always packed during the winter.

Tan sheep specially transported from Gansu, along with freshly ground sesame paste, have become a favorite winter treat for some officials.

In the capital, officials below the fourth rank were basically at the bottom.

Although they also offer ice and charcoal as a form of tribute, the amount is not very large, so when they eat out, they usually look for restaurants like Sun's Old Shop.

"Brother Chunmo, you're late this time!" A middle-aged man who was drinking tea said with a smile as a man in his thirties wearing an embroidered robe walked in.

The one referred to as Brother Chunmo is Li Chunmo, a sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Although his rank is not high, he ranked fifth in the second class of the previous examination.

Although not as dazzling as the Three Kings, they are still not to be underestimated.

After all, the Hanlin Academy was the place where one could get promoted the fastest. If one caught the eye of Emperor Qianxi, a high position might be waiting for them one day, and they could rise to prominence.

Li Chunmo bowed to the three people present and apologized, saying, "The hospital has been extremely busy these past two days, please forgive me, brothers."

The three people attending the gathering were all Jinshi graduates from the same cohort.

They all stayed in the capital, and because they shared similar interests, they got along quite well.

The man who greeted people worked in the Censorate. Although he was just an ordinary censor, no one dared to underestimate him.

He smiled wryly and said, "Brother Chunmo, there's no need to explain. I just arrived too."

"Alas, the entire Censorate has really lost face this time!"

"Even the Chief Constitutional Officer, these days he always has a stern face."

“In the past, when there was nothing to do, everyone liked to leave early, but now, no one dares to do that anymore.”

"I was afraid that the Chief Justice's anger would be vented on me."

A gaunt man in his forties standing next to him said, "What your Censorate did this time has given them leverage against you. It hasn't been easy for Lord Chen either!"

"So, has anyone urged the Ministry of Revenue to pay the outstanding debts?"

The man who was greeting people said, "Everyone is waiting and watching. After all, no one wants to be the first to stick their neck out and offend someone."

"Our Grand Censor went to see His Majesty, hoping that His Majesty would be lenient in this matter."

"After all, my colleagues are all wholeheartedly devoted to the court." As soon as he said this, everyone present smiled.

We all work in the imperial court, so many things don't need to be said explicitly; everyone understands.

Although the man who was greeting people saw the smiles on everyone's faces, he continued, "His Majesty's attitude is very clear: as long as the Crown Prince doesn't pursue the matter, he can let it go."

"But if the Crown Prince insists on holding on, there's nothing he can do."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunmo said, "The Crown Prince has been wronged this time, so naturally he will not let it go."

"Speaking of which, you people don't even bother to investigate properly. That person was clearly a gambler, but you made it seem like he was driven to his death by Yuqing Bank."

"This has become a joke."

The man who greeted them sighed and helplessly spread his hands, saying, "Zhao Youzhi spoke so passionately, who would have thought it would turn out like this?"

“It’s all in the past, let’s not talk about it anymore.” A slightly overweight man said to his companion across from him, “Old He, you’re from the Ministry of Justice.”

"I ask you, did Ren Bo'an of your Ministry of Justice really compile a 'Records of the Conduct of Officials'?"

His words immediately silenced Li Chunmo and the others, who all looked at their fellow graduate, Lao He, who worked in the Ministry of Justice, with solemn expressions.

Old He put down his water glass, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I really don't know."

"However, I've heard that Ren Bo'an is someone who likes to inquire about other people's affairs, and that there's nothing he can't do in the Ministry of Justice."

“We had a case in the Ministry of Justice before. Vice Minister Wang was absolutely against being lenient, but Ren Bo’an went to see Vice Minister Wang and he was lenient.”

"Ren Bo'an and Vice Minister Wang had no prior relationship."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Li Chunmo was the first to say, "Old He, when you're in the Ministry of Justice, you must be careful when dealing with this Ren Bo'an."

Even if you don't want to offend him, don't get too close to him.

"More importantly, there are some things we must be wary of him."

Old He smiled and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Chunmo, but I'm afraid Ren Bo'an won't cause any more trouble in the future."

At this point, he smiled and said, "Now everyone in the Ministry of Justice is on guard against him."

"Now that this matter of the 'Records of Officials' has been exposed, it is definitely because someone is targeting him."

"Once this matter reaches His Majesty's ears, do you think Ren Bo'an will still have a good future?"

Li Chunmo and the others exchanged glances and then laughed.

"Old He is right, but we still need to be more careful in the future and not let our weaknesses fall into the hands of those scoundrels."

"This will have endless consequences!"

"Come on, the mutton is all cooked, let's have a drink first."

……

In an inconspicuous room next to the Ministry of Revenue, the Fourth Prince Yunzhen was drinking tea, and next to him was Ma Qi's nephew, Fuheng.

Fuheng had a blue palm print at the corner of his eye. Although it had faded considerably, it was still clearly visible.

Seeing this, the Fourth Prince asked in a chilling tone, "Who did this?"

"Your Highness, you don't need to ask. It's nothing," Fuheng said with a smile, his expression quite calm, showing no sign of grievance.

Upon hearing Fuheng's words, Yunzhen immediately asked, "Was it Ma Qi who did it?"

"You didn't handle things carefully and made such a big mess. It's normal for you to get a beating," Fuheng said with a smile as he refilled the fourth prince's cup.

Seeing Fuheng's expression, the Fourth Prince solemnly said, "Fuheng, don't worry, I will definitely get back at you for that slap today."

"I won't let you suffer this injustice for nothing."

Fuheng knelt down with a thud and said, "Your Highness, for the sake of your plan, it is only right that I, Fuheng, suffer any injustice."

"Moreover, what I did was merely an oversight."

The fourth prince comforted Fuheng for a few words, then whispered, "Fuheng, have you heard about the 'Records of Officials'?"

"I have heard about it. Although I feel that this matter is a bit strange, I have asked a few people who know Ren Bo'an about it."

"Your Majesty, I believe there is a high probability that Ren Bo'an compiled this 'Records of the Conduct of Officials'."

"However, I suggest that you do not contact Ren Bo'an. The fact that this matter has been exposed means that someone is definitely targeting Ren Bo'an."

"I believe His Majesty will take action soon."

The Fourth Prince nodded. Fu Heng's analysis was similar to his own. At this moment, he missed Wu Sidao a little. After all, if Mr. Wu were here, he might be able to help him analyze some things.

Unfortunately, Wu Sidao died a very unjust death!

After discussing some matters with Fuheng, the Fourth Prince hurriedly left. Watching the Fourth Prince's departing figure, Fuheng said with a hint of emotion in his voice:
"Uncle, don't blame me for ruining your plans."

"The Fourth Prince doesn't want the Crown Prince to fall, so naturally I have to listen to him."

"Who told him to promise that I would inherit the title after you pass away?"

"You are far too biased towards Fura. Apart from being your son, he is a complete idiot!"

　The second update for today is here! Please support me, everyone! Please recommend and vote!

(End of this chapter)