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

Chapter 38 You Still Want the Crown Prince
If Shen Ye were to describe his feelings at this moment, it would be like going out to play, only to run into his father, who was also out having fun.

I came out incognito!

Dad too!

I was using a fake identity!

Emperor Qianxi, needless to say, was one of them!

There are many similarities among them.

Faced with Emperor Qianxi's cold expression, Shen Ye quickly bowed and asked, "Father, what brings you to Dexing Tower?"

"I heard you come to Dexinglou every day, so I've come to see what's so special about this place!" Emperor Qianxi waved for Shen Ye to get up, and then sat down in a chair with an air of importance.

Shen Ye quickly grabbed an empty teacup, poured a cup of tea for Emperor Qianxi, and then said with a smile, "Your subject has heard quite a lot here at Dexing Tower."

"Putting aside other matters, I have learned quite a bit about the major and minor affairs of Shuntian Prefecture."

"Especially prices, and the food that ordinary people eat!"

If you get caught slacking off, you need to come up with a good excuse, otherwise how will you be able to slack off at Dexinglou again?
Don't ask, the answer is simply to understand the people's needs!

Emperor Qianxi picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and his face immediately turned cold.

"Your Highness, if that's the case, should I praise you for your diligence in governing?"

"Tell me what you've done."

"In Daxing County, I spend my days chatting with people!"

"Come to Dexinglou on time to listen to storytelling. I've seen it all. Before long, you'll be coming to the Eight Great Hutongs to listen to opera."

If it weren't for the Qianxi Emperor standing in front of him, Shen Ye would really like to ask, "How do you even know about the Eight Great Hutongs?"
However, seeing Emperor Qianxi's stern expression, Shen Ye quickly handed a box of pastries to him and said, "Father, please try this plate of fruit first."

"The owner not only used good oil to fry the food, but also sprinkled honey on it."

When Emperor Qianxi received the fruit from his son, his expression relaxed somewhat.

He went to Dexing Tower this time because he received a report that the Crown Prince's daily routine consisted of chatting with the county officials and listening to storytelling at Dexing Tower.

After listening, he went for a stroll, then returned to the palace with a bunch of food and drinks.

These things were bought to show respect to the Empress Dowager, and distributed to the young princes and princesses in the palace. They lived a very comfortable life.

Thinking about how he spent his days getting up early and returning late reviewing memorials, meeting with governors and viceroys from all sides, and being constantly busy, he felt a surge of anger.

Having nothing to do today, I returned to the city early from Changchun Garden to see what was going on at Dexing Tower.

“Father, I have already told you this before.”

"Your son has come to Daxing County to observe the administration."

"The so-called observation of politics means simply watching without speaking."

"As for Guan Zheng, he can't get first-hand information just by staying in the yamen, so his son came to this teahouse."

"After all, the information here is the most readily available."

"As for the Eight Great Hutongs you mentioned, I really have no idea what kind of place that is!"

Shen Ye feigned ignorance, nearly making Emperor Qianxi faint with anger.

You don't know what the Eight Great Hutongs are? Do you expect me to take you there to see it?
He snorted and said, "You're slacking off and you're so self-righteous about it. Stop trying to talk your way out of this!"

"Let me tell you, even if you're a political observer, you still have to work for me."

"Listening to storytelling in Dexinglou every day, what kind of image would that have if word got out!"

At this point, Emperor Qianxi said coldly, "Do you know how many disaster victims are outside the capital right now?"

Do you know how many people have starved to death?

"If you just drift through life like this, how can I pass the throne to you!"

Hearing these hurtful words, Shen Ye thought to himself, "When did you decide to pass this empire to me?" But it was precisely at times like this that he couldn't refute them and could only listen obediently.

"Since you are here in Daxing County to oversee the administration, you should take charge of dealing with these disaster victims."

"I want to see if you can handle such a trivial matter!"

Dealing with disaster victims was really not a big deal for the Crown Prince.

If Nian Dongliang couldn't get the money and grain, and Shen Ye sent someone to ask for it, no one would dare to obstruct it. Shen Ye wouldn't even need to get involved; just a message to Suo'etu would be enough for him to handle everything perfectly.

Just as Shen Ye was thinking about how to continue being lazy and still get things done, he heard Emperor Qianxi continue, "You are now the county magistrate of Daxing County. The only resources you can use are the money and grain from Daxing County."

"As for the rest, you'll have to figure it out yourself."

After saying this, Emperor Qianxi revealed a sly smile.

In Shen Ye's view, his expression was one of smugness, as if he were posing a difficult question to someone.

Thinking about Emperor Qianxi's recent attitude towards him, Shen Ye felt an urge to complain.

Emperor Qianxi was both afraid of seizing power and afraid of being idle.

Well, you're just worried that your brother will suffer, but you're also worried that he'll drive a Land Rover!
Thinking about what he had heard about refugees, Shen Ye frowned, and an idea popped into his mind.

This is actually not difficult!

"Father, if I do this well, could you build me a mansion when you're building mansions for all my brothers?"

If they ask you to do work, then take the opportunity to bargain.

Since Shen Ye had already decided that he could not become emperor, he was very uninhibited in front of Emperor Qianxi.

Anyway, I won't make any big mistakes, and you won't be crippling me anytime soon.

What are you afraid of?
If you want something, just say it without hesitation!

Emperor Qianxi's smiling expression suddenly turned cold.

"What, the Forbidden City can't accommodate you anymore? You want your own Eastern Palace so soon?"

Hearing Emperor Qianxi emphasize the Eastern Palace, Shen Ye thought of the Crown Princes before the Tang Dynasty, whose Eastern Palace was incredibly powerful.

Not only does it have a full complement of subordinates of all ranks, but it can also replace the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers of the imperial court at any time.

Moreover, they also had their own Imperial Guards!

In particular, Li Jiancheng, who was killed at Xuanwu Gate, had more than 5,000 Imperial Guards under his command.

If you gave me five thousand Imperial Guards, maybe I could give it a shot.

The moment the thought crossed Shen Ye's mind, he extinguished it.

Given Emperor Qianxi's suspicious nature and the current system, it would be difficult for the 5,000 Imperial Guards to accomplish anything.

Moreover, Emperor Qianxi would not give it to him.

He then laughed and said, "Father, I've noticed that in the common people, once their sons get married, they almost always live separately."

"The reason they don't separate is because Dad has no money and only owns one house."

"Moreover, my brothers all want to leave the palace and live independently, and I, as the crown prince, should set an example."

"Also, my son doesn't want the Crown Prince's Palace. Just build me a prince's mansion according to the standards of a first-class prince."

"Yuqing Palace is a bit small, and besides, as my son grows up, there will be more and more people gossiping about him."

As Shen Ye spoke of this, she couldn't help but think of Zheng Chunhua in a parallel universe of later generations, who should only be a few years old now.

Although the story is being told in great detail, its authenticity still needs to be verified!
When Emperor Qianxi heard Shen Ye's last reason, his expression immediately turned cold.

In his rage, he wanted to curse him for being so audacious, but a vague feeling arose that such a thing was not impossible.

Some people may not dare to say it openly, but they'll spread all sorts of rumors behind the scenes.

For example, some people were secretly writing diaries in the early Ming Dynasty.

If something goes wrong in this area, it will be troublesome.

However, he still couldn't bring himself to let the crown prince leave the palace.

"You should focus on your current task first. As for the rest, we can talk about it later." Emperor Qianxi calmed himself down.

"Father, if you won't let your son leave Yuqing Palace, then allow your son to have an outside residence, so that when he leaves the palace, he will have a place to stay." Shen Ye did not want to give up this opportunity to bargain and lower his demands again.

Emperor Qianxi suddenly stood up and said, "I've prepared an outer residence for you, so should I also prepare a second wife for you?"

A new week begins, and I'm starting a new book! I'm begging for all your support – please read on, give me your monthly tickets, and recommend it!

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(End of this chapter)