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

Chapter 330 The Number One Card Game Under Heaven: Better to Die Than Me

On the winter solstice, not only were ordinary people's homes bustling with activity, but the imperial palace was also no less busy.

The imperial kitchen prepared all kinds of dumplings and pastries, and the small kitchen in Yuqing Palace also had plenty of delicious food.

In addition to sending a batch of food to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor as usual, Shen Ye also specially bestowed a considerable amount of food upon them.

However, he was particular about who he rewarded.

For example, the Crown Princess, Nian Xinyue, Cao Min's family, his own brothers, and his former teachers...

But alas, there was no Tong residence!

Although the Crown Prince's rewards cannot compare to those of the Emperor, he is, after all, the heir apparent. Whom he rewards and whom he doesn't naturally attracts attention.

Those who received rewards were considered to have won the Crown Prince's favor and were now on his radar. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, these people would undoubtedly be given important positions.

Those who receive no reward will likely face difficulties in the future.

However, it wouldn't be accurate to say that the Tong family received no reward at all. Although neither of the two ducal mansions received any rewards, Fahai, Orondai's younger brother, received a large amount of gifts from the Crown Prince.

This infuriated Orondai, who was filled with resentment and anger.

The Crown Prince's actions were clearly a slap in his face!
Although he was furious, there was nothing he could do. Whether or not he would be rewarded depended entirely on the Crown Prince's mood.

He and the crown prince were at odds, the crown prince didn't reward him, and he couldn't do anything about it.

Besides, he acted arrogantly in front of the Crown Prince before and got a beating, so he's still scared of him.

While some outside were happy and others were sad, Shen Ye didn't take it to heart at all.

In his view, anyone who had a problem with him, or who secretly colluded with his brothers to plot his succession as crown prince, was an enemy.

Why would he bother trying to please the enemy?

Not to mention any rewards!
Don't rewards cost money?

Because of the festival, Shi Jingrong, accompanied by Nian Xinyue, went to the Empress Dowager's palace, and Yuqing Palace became much quieter.

Shen Ye flipped through two pages of the book, but couldn't bear to read any longer. Suddenly, he remembered the tax reform that Emperor Qianxi had instructed him to implement.

Although a plan has been made, there is still a long way to go before it can be implemented.

Since I'm just idling around anyway, I might as well go and have a chat with Emperor Qianxi.

Besides, his dad is probably bored right now.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, they found Wei Zhu waiting at the entrance.

According to memories from a parallel universe in my previous life, this person was going to take Liang Jiugong's place in the future.

Although he wasn't afraid of a eunuch, Shen Ye felt there was no need to offend such a person.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Wei Zhu showed exceptional respect when facing Shen Ye.

Shen Ye casually replied, "No need, is His Majesty busy?"

"Your Highness, His Majesty is currently reviewing memorials," Wei Zhu replied cautiously.

Upon hearing Wei Zhu's reply, Shen Ye silently mourned for his father for half a minute—while the entire nation was resting, the emperor was still reviewing memorials during the holiday. This wasn't just working 996, it was practically 007.

"Inform His Majesty that I request an audience with him."

Wei Zhu quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. This servant will go and inform His Majesty immediately."

Less than two minutes later, Wei Zhu quickly returned: "Your Highness, His Majesty invites you in."

When Shen Ye entered the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Qianxi was reviewing memorials with his head down. Hearing Shen Ye enter, he asked without looking up, "Crown Prince, why aren't you resting in the Yuqing Palace? What are you doing here?"

Seeing that most of the memorials Emperor Qianxi approved were greetings, Shen Ye smiled and said, "Today is the Winter Solstice, and it's very lively outside, but I don't know what to do."

"I couldn't concentrate on reading, and archery wasn't appropriate for me either, so I came to talk to my father."

At this point, he leaned closer and said, "Father, the sage said that whether studying or doing things, one must combine work and rest."

"You can't keep working yourself to the bone like this all day."

"How about we play four rounds?"

Hearing Shen Ye's suggestion, Emperor Qianxi was somewhat tempted.

Although he wasn't addicted to playing mahjong, reading official documents every day was indeed annoying.

However, since it's a festival today, not only are the concubines gathered at the Empress Dowager's place, but also many ladies of high rank, so it's not appropriate for him to go.

With nothing to do, all he could do was read the memorials to the emperor.

However, after frowning for a moment, he waved his hand and said, "The Grand Secretaries are still busy with important matters in the Southern Study. It is not appropriate for us to indulge in such frivolous pursuits."

Emperor Qianxi's subtle actions naturally did not escape Shen Ye's notice.

He saw through Emperor Qianxi's little scheme and said with a smile, "Since Grand Secretary Tong and the others are all in the Southern Study, why don't we call them over as well?"

"Let's play mahjong and talk about tax reform at the same time."

"In any case, this matter will ultimately have to go through them."

If it were just about playing around, Emperor Qianxi would have some psychological reservations, feeling that it wasn't something an emperor should do.

But if you're playing mahjong while discussing serious matters, then it's more acceptable.

He immediately waved his hand and said, "Then let's play four rounds!"

"When you bring up the tax reform later, let's sound out their opinions first."

At this point, he turned to Wei Zhu and said, "Go and summon Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying."

There were many eunuchs serving outside the Qianqing Palace, and inside the palace, there was a jade mahjong set that Shen Ye had sent. So when Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying arrived, the mahjong table was already set up. When they saw Shen Ye and Emperor Qianxi sitting face to face, the two were taken aback, but then they understood.

Mahjong has recently become very popular in Beijing and has even begun to spread to the Jiangnan region.

In their spare time, Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying would also play a few rounds of games with their family.

"Grand Secretaries, today is the Winter Solstice, a major holiday. There's no urgent state of affairs, so why don't you join His Majesty for some tea and a chat?" Shen Ye invited with a smile.

Tong Guowei and Zhang Yingfei exchanged a quick glance, thinking to themselves that this card game must have been instigated by the Crown Prince.

Otherwise, given Emperor Qianxi's temperament, he would at most have them play chess with him, but he would never have allowed them to come and play mahjong.

However, being able to entertain the emperor was something they, as his subjects, were quite happy to do.

Between a ruler and his ministers, not only must they be capable, but they must also be compatible.

After all, for a relationship between ruler and subject to last, one must not only be capable, but also be favored by the emperor.

Accompanying Emperor Qianxi to play mahjong was a good opportunity.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying bowed almost simultaneously, then sat down on the east and west sides according to their rank.

As Emperor Qianxi drew his cards, he said to Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying, "You two Grand Secretaries, the Empress Dowager said when she was playing cards that no one was allowed to pass the cards to her."

"All four of us have to play seriously and can't deliberately hold back."

"Otherwise, it wouldn't be fun."

Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying naturally dared not object to Emperor Qianxi's arrangement, and the two said almost simultaneously, "Your subject obeys the decree."

In the first few rounds, the four of them chatted about trivial matters, and the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious amidst their laughter.

However, only Emperor Qianxi and Shen Ye were truly relaxed!

As emperor, Emperor Qianxi had everything under his control, so he was naturally relaxed and at ease.

Shen Ye, on the other hand, has a more relaxed attitude.

As for Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying, although they appeared very casual on the surface, they were actually very cautious in their every move.

The saying "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger" was perfectly exemplified by these two.

After playing a few rounds, the two of them felt that Emperor Qianxi was just bored and looking for them to amuse himself. Shen Ye picked up a card and suddenly said, "The Ministry of Revenue's income is getting lower and lower. I'm afraid next year will be tough!"

As soon as he said that, both Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying's expressions turned serious.

As Grand Secretaries, they were naturally well aware of the Ministry of Revenue's revenue.

However, they were helpless in the face of the Ministry of Revenue's predicament.

After all, no matter where they get the money, it will affect the livelihoods of many people, and in this situation, they will offend a large number of people.

Therefore, they prefer to delay in this matter.

The two looked at each other but neither said a word.

When Emperor Qianxi saw that the two Grand Secretaries remained silent, he understood perfectly well what they were thinking.

He knew the two of them were avoiding the topic, but he and Shen Ye had already discussed it, so how could they let the two of them avoid it?

"With more and more fertile land being cultivated across the land, shouldn't the Ministry of Revenue's revenue be increasing?" Emperor Qianxi interjected.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "I am not too clear about this matter. Why don't we ask the two Grand Secretaries?"

Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying were both tense. They exchanged a glance, stood up from their seats, and quickly knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, this is all due to our dereliction of duty. Please punish us."

"Wei Zhu, Liang Jiugong, quickly help the two Grand Secretaries up."

"We already agreed that this was just a casual chat while playing cards."

"How are we supposed to play cards if you keep kneeling like that!"

At this point, Emperor Qianxi's expression turned serious, and he said, "What we have said today is all just idle chatter. No matter where we have gone, I will forgive you all."

Hearing this, Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying sat back down in their chairs.

"Grand Scholar Tong, it's your turn to play," Shen Ye reminded Tong Guowei, who was sitting to his left.

Tong Guowei's mind had calmed down, and he was increasingly convinced that today's events must have been orchestrated by the Crown Prince.

After calming down, Tong Guowei drew a card, glanced at it, and casually discarded it, saying, "Two of Wan!"

Emperor Qianxi laughed and said, "What a coincidence! I just happen to need 20,000!"

"Grand Scholar Tong, please state your opinion first."

Tong Guowei could no longer refuse, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Your Majesty, if tax revenue has decreased, then let's get to the root of the problem. I believe there is a problem with the salt tax."

"Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to send an imperial censor to Yangzhou after the New Year to investigate what exactly is going on."

Tong Guowei's confidants were mostly in the capital, so Jiangnan was not his base of operations.

Even if any problems are found, it won't have much to do with him.

But Zhang Ying was different.

His hometown is in Jiangnan, and he has connections with various forces in Jiangnan. If he were to wreak havoc in Jiangnan, he would be in big trouble.

So after Tong Guowei made the suggestion, he immediately replied, "I agree with Grand Secretary Tong's opinion. The salt tax should be investigated, and the customs offices entering the capital should also be thoroughly investigated."

Upon hearing Zhang Ying's words, Tong Guowei's face immediately darkened.

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(End of this chapter)