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

Chapter 396 If we both fell into the river, who would His Majesty save?

Southern Study!
In the past, the Southern Study was a proper office space, but you could occasionally hear some casual conversations.

But today? Good heavens, it's so quiet, you wouldn't even hear a pin drop, let alone a single hair falling out!
Inside and out, almost all the servants and clerks moved as if they were walking on cotton, tiptoeing and not daring to breathe.

Why am I such a coward? Because I'm scared!

The wrath of these powerful figures is enough to bring them utter ruin!
At this critical juncture, who dares not to keep a low profile?

After all, it’s better to sail with caution.

Zhang Ying was sitting in her duty room, her head buzzing.

The Crown Prince is determined this time to implement the policy of taxing officials and gentry together.

They forced this group of people to pass the policy.

But who would have thought that before the policy was even announced, the civil servants simply quit!
This is a mass strike against the court!

During the previous dynasty, the Wanli Emperor simply suspended court sessions in order to oppose the dominance of civil officials.

Now, things have turned around, and it's the civil officials' turn to play this game!
It's unclear how far this confrontation will escalate before it ends.

Just as he was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Zhang Ying replied absentmindedly.

As soon as the door opened, Zhang Ying's expression changed immediately—the person who came in was actually his superior, Tong Guowei!

"Prime Minister Tong? Why have you come in person? Quickly, bring tea!" Zhang Ying said, while giving a meaningful look.

Liu Shixun, who followed him in, hurried to pour tea, but was stopped by Tong Guowei with a wave of his hand:
"I need to speak with Zhang Xiang for a few minutes. You can go ahead with your work."

Liu Shixun desperately wanted to shout out loud: I want to hear it! I want to hear it!

Unfortunately, a higher-ranking official can have an absolute advantage, so he had no choice but to obediently leave, and even wisely closed the door behind him.

Tong Guowei then lowered his voice and said, "Prime Minister Zhang, it was one thing to make a scene by knocking on the palace gates, but now you've even stopped the court. Isn't that going a bit too far?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it still maintained its proper measure, yet it carried weight.

Tong Guowei's feelings were a bit complicated at this moment. Although this strike was aimed at the Crown Prince, he was still the head of the court officials.

After this incident, where will he put his old face? If the Emperor blames him, he'll be the first to be punished.

Upon seeing the suspicious look in Tong Guowei's eyes, Zhang Ying immediately put on an expression more wronged than Dou E, and said innocently:

"Prime Minister Tong, I swear to God, I really didn't know anything about this!"

"I just received the news myself, less than half an incense stick's time before you did."

Tong Guowei cursed inwardly: I don't believe you! You old geezer, you're wicked!

He sighed and said, "Lord Zhang, we are Grand Secretaries after all. If His Majesty asks, we must have an explanation."

"Tell me, how should we handle this?"

Zhang Ying had calmed down by now. She first cursed Tong Guowei's ancestors, then inwardly cursed:

You old fox, what are you pretending to be all high and mighty for! You came all the way here acting all anxious, you just want to drag me down with you!

Everyone knows that Emperor Qianxi was still watching from behind the scenes!
He pretended to ponder for a moment and said, "Prime Minister Tong, if you ask me, why don't we first see how well the ministers are trying to persuade us?"

"If we manage to persuade him, then we will do as you told the Crown Prince before, and let bygones be bygones."

Tong Guowei curled his lips into a cold smile: Are you kidding me?

Advise? What advice are you going to give?

Since these guys dared to cause this trouble, it's not something that can be resolved with a few words of persuasion; they're definitely determined!
Tong Guowei casually choked back a remark: "Let's just say we can't persuade him."

Zhang Ying had no choice but to continue responding:

"Prime Minister Tong, this prolonged suspension of court is indeed not a solution; we must appease them."

"However, the extent to which we can appease them depends on the Crown Prince and His Majesty's wishes."

Tong Guowei knew that this so-called appeasement was, in essence, a concession.

He didn't bother to respond to Zhang Ying's comment, and before leaving, he said, "There's always someone in charge of this kind of thing."

"We must not be lenient with these leaders!"

"Otherwise, if the court keeps skipping court sessions, what will become of the court's reputation?"

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and walked away with measured steps.

After seeing off this smiling tiger, Zhang Ying secretly pondered Tong Guowei's attitude.

Despite his anxious and agitated appearance, Tong Guowei is actually as calm as a rock.

The court reprimand was aimed at the Crown Prince; what did it have to do with Tong Guowei?

Besides, the one Tong Guowei supported wasn't the crown prince to begin with.

From this perspective, the old man might actually support the decision to abolish court.

He came to see me just to go through the motions, to put on a show for his superiors!

Having figured this out, Zhang Ying turned her gaze toward the direction of Yuqing Palace.

Given this situation, how should the Crown Prince respond?

Surprisingly, Shen Ye was not furious about this massive "collective strike," but instead remained as leisurely as if he were watching a play in a teahouse!
Upon returning to Yuqing Palace, he instructed Zhou Bao and others to inquire about the specific circumstances surrounding the court session, and then he began writing a memorial to the throne.

The memorial was addressed to the Qianxi Emperor!

With something this big happening, of course we can't hide it from Dad.

If you don't write it yourself, someone else will. Rather than letting someone else do it first, you might as well write it yourself and at least make a good impression by taking the initiative to report.

After Zhou Bao submitted the list of those who had withdrawn from court, Shen Ye had already finished writing the memorial.

Interestingly, in this memorial, he did not criticize the merits or demerits of the suspension of court proceedings.

It was only mentioned briefly:
The real purpose of the strike was not to plead for Lü Baizhou's innocence, but to prevent officials and gentry from paying taxes together.

He believed that Emperor Qianxi could also see this assessment.

However, it still needs to be mentioned.

"What's the situation in each department now?" Shen Ye asked Zhou Bao with a smile as he put away the memorial he had written.

Zhou Bao said with a worried look, "Your Highness, it seems that more and more people are boycotting court these days."

“Some officials who originally did not want to participate and wanted to honestly perform their duties were also dragged away from their posts by their friends and classmates.”

"Although the heads of various departments have issued many orders, and some have even personally gone to persuade others, the effect has been very poor."

"Nobody listens to them at all."

"If this continues... things might get out of hand."

"I urge Your Highness to make plans as soon as possible."

Shen Ye looked at Zhou Bao, who had a worried expression, and smiled, saying, "That's just a cornered dog doing something rash. It's nothing to worry about."

"Have someone deliver this memorial to the Hot Spring Palace."

"Also, please have Lord Longkodo come here!"

"Also, have Minister of Personnel Zou Yunjin come here!"

As Zhou Bao listened to the Crown Prince's methodical arrangements, the weight in his heart immediately lifted.

As he took the memorial, he whispered, "Your Highness, some people say that Prime Minister Zhang is behind this. Would you like to speak with him?"

Shen Ye smiled and said, "This shouldn't have been done by Prime Minister Zhang."

"That old fox wouldn't be so desperate as to stake everything on this one bet."

"But now, even if he has a thousand mouths, he can't explain himself. Even if he says it's not him, I doubt anyone will believe him."

"Let's talk about this with him later."

Less than a quarter of an hour after Zhou Bao left, Longkodo rushed to Shen Ye's study in a great hurry.

The reason Longkodo arrived so quickly was not because he was fast, but because he was already waiting outside the Forbidden City when Zhou Bao went to find him.

Lord Long was clearly feeling uneasy, just waiting to be summoned by the Crown Prince!
"Your subject Longkodo greets Your Highness!"

Longkodo's expression showed a clear hint of unease.

It's no wonder he was afraid; the officials' stated reason for skipping court and not attending duties was to seek justice for Lü Baizhou.

It is said that Lü Baizhou was tortured to death by the Infantry Commander's Office!

Although he was a confidant of Emperor Qianxi, he was afraid of being thrown out as a "pawn" in this situation.

Since he couldn't consult with Emperor Qianxi at this time, he could only turn to Shen Ye.

Shen Ye smiled warmly and kindly: "Lord Longkodo, there's no need for such formalities."

"Zhou Bao, serve tea to Lord Long."

Zhou Bao agreed and quickly placed the tea next to Longkodo.

However, Longkodo did not dare to sit down, but instead asked respectfully, "What are your orders, Your Highness, for summoning me here?"

"Are you aware that some people are starting to skip court sessions?" Shen Ye asked casually while sipping his tea.

Longkodo knew about this, of course, and he was afraid that it would implicate him.

"Your Highness, I have heard about it."

"Fearing that these people might cause trouble, I have already ordered the yamen runners of the Infantry Commander's Office to increase patrols."

"We will deal with any problems as soon as they are discovered."

Shen Ye nodded and said, "Longkodo, you and I both understand what these people are after."

"They're after the two of us!"

“If something happens to me, then your situation will definitely be much worse.”

At this point, Shen Ye suddenly leaned closer, revealing a meaningful smile, and asked, "Uncle, tell me, if we both fell into the river, would Father save me or you?"

Longkodo never expected that the Crown Prince would ask such a "mischievous" question.

He was stumped by this soul-searching question!
He really wanted to say to the Crown Prince, "Is it fun for you to joke with me like this?!"

But seeing Shen Ye's serious expression, he could only bite the bullet and answer, "Your Highness, you are the heir apparent, the legitimate son of His Majesty, so His Majesty naturally values ​​you the most."

"But I am merely a subject; how can I compare to the Crown Prince?"

"Don't even mention one Longkodo, even a hundred Longkodos wouldn't be as important as a single hair on your head in His Majesty's eyes!"

Longkodo found it easier and easier to say these words, but the more he spoke, the more guilty he felt.

His gaze toward Shen Ye held a newfound seriousness.

Shen Ye smiled and asked again, "Longkodo, do you think these people want Father to depose me as Crown Prince, or will they wait until Father has dealt with Lü Baizhou's matter and then back down?"

If Longkodo still had some confidence just now, his heart tightened immediately upon hearing Shen Ye's words!
He knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling with tears, and said to Shen Ye, "Your Highness, regarding Lü Baizhou's matter, I... I have been utterly loyal!"

　Hey everyone, I'm begging for your monthly pass at the beginning of the month! If you have one, could you please give me one?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)