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

Chapter 408 The Crown Prince has offended Heaven; he should be replaced in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will.

Emperor Qianxi originally intended to keep the news of the earthquake at Mount Tai a secret, but who knew it would spread faster than a runaway horse—

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. How could this be kept secret? None of these civil and military officials are pushovers!

Look, these messages keep coming in one after another, wave after wave:
Shandong Governor: "Report—An earthquake has struck Mount Tai!"

The Prefect of Tai'an: "Further report—there really has been an earthquake in Mount Tai!"

Even the Green Standard Army admiral stationed at the foot of Mount Tai joined in the excitement: "Report! Report! Report! The earth shook violently!"

All reports of disasters had to go through the Office of Transmission, which has always been a major leak in the imperial court, unable to keep any news secret and spreading like wildfire throughout the city in the blink of an eye.

At this critical juncture, Zuo Mingyang from the Hanlin Academy stepped forward—

This is a lucky person who will soon participate in the "Pillars of the Nation Cultivation Program".

With an upright and righteous expression, he declared passionately, "The earthquake in Mount Tai was a warning from Heaven!"

The imperial court has been doing things wrong lately, even Heaven can't stand it anymore!

"We, the Hanlin scholars, must obey the will of Heaven and, with fervent zeal, urge His Majesty to pull back from the brink!"

"Otherwise, what's the use of us Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)? Wouldn't it be a waste of time to take the exams? Are we just decorations?"

That's a very inflammatory statement.

In the Hanlin Academy, those Hanlin scholars who were also affected by the demotion plan responded enthusiastically.

Why?

Who would want to leave this bustling capital city and become a lowly official in some godforsaken place?
Isn't it better to stay in the capital, by the emperor's side, and just coast along—no, wait, to accumulate seniority and then rise through the ranks?
Being near the water tower means you get the moon first; isn't that appealing?

Forcing them to work at the grassroots level is an insult to their talents!
This isn't a waste of talent; it's a complete misuse of talent!
Submitting a petition to protest might not change Emperor Qianxi's mind; but if he didn't submit a petition, he would really have to pack his bags and go to the countryside!
What's more, this time it's God speaking up!

If you, Emperor Qianxi, still don't listen, then do you not even respect the heavens?

"Colleagues, let's submit our petitions separately." Zuo Mingyang also thoughtfully reminded everyone: "Remember, this is a spontaneous act, purely to share the burden of the court."

As he spoke, Zuo Mingyang glanced meaningfully at his colleagues who didn't need to participate in the plan: "I know some people don't need to go."

"But what has the imperial court been doing supporting us for so many years?"

"Isn't it just about standing up and saying something reasonable at crucial moments?"

"If we don't even dare to do this, what's the point of the imperial court supporting us?"

As soon as this was said, someone immediately echoed:

"Brother Zuo is right! We must be true to our conscience and our future!"

"Even God is angry, we can't pretend to be blind and just watch people do things against the tide."

"If you ask me, this earthquake in Mount Tai was caused by treacherous officials within the country!"

"That guy Zhen Yan is so disloyal, even God can't stand it anymore!"

……

This impassioned rousing speech got even those who initially didn't want to get involved to join the petitioning frenzy.

Xu Chunping, the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, was currently holed up in his duty room, engrossed in a book.

It was as if everything outside had nothing to do with him.

Li Chongjin, a Hanlin Academy Reader, couldn't stand it any longer and asked him:

"Lord Xu, Zuo Mingyang and his gang are causing such a commotion, aren't you going to do anything about it?"

Xu Chunping slowly put down the book and calmly said, "Manage? How do you manage it? Half of the people in the Hanlin Academy are going to participate in the training program for pillars of society."

"Hehe, from now on, the Hanlin Academy will be full of these 'pillars of society' who have just returned from grassroots training!"

"Moreover, it is their right to submit a petition!"

Do you think there could be a worse outcome than this?

Seeing Xu Chunping's attitude of lying down and giving up, Li Chongjin pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, if you ignore this matter, I'm afraid it will implicate you!"

Xu Chunping said, "It doesn't matter. At worst, I'll just give up my position as the head scholar."

As he spoke, his gaze fell back on the book.

The Hanlin Academy and the Censorate have always been the places where the most memorials were submitted.

These two places have suffered the most from this talent cultivation program!
Half of the members of the Hanlin Academy were to be sent to the grassroots level for training, and one-third of the members of the Censorate were to be sent to the countryside.

Anyone with eyes can see that this is a disguised form of demotion!

But no matter how clear it was, there was nothing that could be done, because neither the Crown Prince nor the Qianxi Emperor considered it an exile.

On the contrary, they felt this was a good opportunity to train future prime ministers.

Now things are really messed up; everyone's been holding in their anger but has nowhere to vent it!
The imperial court is not demoting you, but giving you an important position! Do you dare to say no?
Your inclusion in this plan will give you a bright future!
Of course, whether you can reach the light depends on your own abilities.

But now that you've made it onto the list of reserve university bachelors, what could be more pride-inducing?

You say you're not capable enough and don't want to be groomed to be a prime minister? That's perfect, it just means you don't want to be loyal to the court. You might as well pack your bags and go back to your hometown!
Therefore, they could only swallow their grievances. Now, with the earthquake in Mount Tai, they see an opportunity.

Without any organization, people rushed to submit petitions!
Compared to places like the Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of Justice, one of the Six Ministries, was much quieter.

But beneath the calm surface, undercurrents are surging!
"Greetings, Prince Lian!" In the Eighth Prince's duty room, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance, easily lost in a crowd, was bowing respectfully to the Eighth Prince. Upon seeing him, the Eighth Prince's smile became exceptionally polite.

He said in a deep voice, "Mr. Liu Tao, there's no need for such formalities."

"Please take a seat!"

This Mr. Liu Tao was not a subordinate of the Eighth Prince, but rather a former tutor at Mingzhu's residence.

Since Mingzhu closed his doors to visitors, this gentleman has also kept a low profile.

Although the two had not seen each other for a long time, the Eighth Prince knew perfectly well that this was the "mouth double" who was devoted to Mingzhu.

"Eighth Prince, the earthquake at Mount Tai is an omen of offending Heaven!"

After the servants, including Mr. Liu Tao, who had been attending to the Eighth Prince withdrew and sat down, they went straight to the point.

"My master hopes that the Eighth Prince can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The Eighth Prince had met with this Mr. Liu Tao a few times, but most of the time they only had casual conversations. He never expected that the other party would suddenly say such a thing.

He stood up abruptly, staring coldly at Mr. Liu Tao, and said, "Are you insane! How dare you speak to the Emperor like that! Aren't you afraid I'll execute you on the spot?"

Instead of being afraid of the Eighth Prince's behavior, Mr. Liu Tao smiled like a mature and shrewd old fox.

It seemed he had known all along that the Eighth Prince would do this.

Mr. Liu Tao spoke slowly and deliberately:
"Your Highness misunderstands. The one I was referring to who has offended Heaven is not His Majesty."

"His Majesty has reigned for many years, and the country has always enjoyed favorable weather, peace, and prosperity."

"However, a mere half-month of regent has not only caused unrest in the court, but also a warning from Heaven. Isn't this a clear indication of divine wrath and popular resentment?"

"Isn't this the perfect time to change the crown prince, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the will of the people?"

Mr. Liu Tao's voice was not loud, but it was firm and resounding. However, when these words reached the ears of the Eighth Prince, the Eighth Prince's expression changed drastically.

He looked at Mr. Liu Tao, his heart filled with joy, but on the surface he tried to remain calm, though his hands were trembling slightly in truth.

He originally only wanted to use the earthquake in Mount Tai to scare the Crown Prince and weaken his prestige, but he did not expect that someone would have already thought of replacing the Crown Prince!

In accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will, the crown prince shall be replaced!
If it works, it would be a huge surprise for him.

He hesitated for a moment, suppressing his excitement, and asked in a low voice, "It is good to follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people, but what if Father Emperor is unwilling?"

Mr. Liu Tao smiled slightly: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is acting as regent, which offends Heaven. Even if His Majesty wants to stop him, he will have to face the public opinion of the world."

"As the saying goes, 'Many voices can melt metal, and accumulated slander can destroy bones!'"

"Even if His Majesty did not want to depose the Crown Prince at the beginning, once the number of civil and military officials who impeached him increased, could His Majesty still go against the will of Heaven? He would probably have no choice but to comply with the will of Heaven and the people!"

The Eighth Prince paced back and forth a few steps before saying, "But, if we just say that the earthquake in Mount Tai was because the Crown Prince failed in his duties as regent and offended Heaven, will His Majesty believe us?"

Will the world believe it?

Mr. Liu Tao picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip before speaking, "Your Highness is right. His Majesty will naturally not believe us if we say so."

"People will be skeptical!"

"But what if the Director of the Imperial Observatory also says so?"

Mr. Liu looked at the Eighth Prince and said calmly, "The Director of the Imperial Observatory is the one who understands the heavens best. If he said that the collapse of Mount Tai was because the Crown Prince had offended Heaven, do you think His Majesty would believe him?"

The Eighth Prince's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and his hands trembled slightly.

He had always harbored a desire to ascend the throne.

However, as the crown prince's performance became more and more outstanding, he felt that he was getting further and further away from the position of crown prince.

But now, Mr. Liu Tao's words have given him a glimmer of hope, even though he was feeling utterly hopeless.

After forcing himself to calm down, he said in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

There is no such thing as love without a reason!

Of course, there's no such thing as help without a reason!
The Eighth Prince knew that both Mr. Liu Tao and the pearl behind him must have their own plans.

Mr. Liu Tao said calmly, "Eighth Prince, my master said that you were raised by Consort Hui, so he should naturally support you."

"Of course, I also believe that you, Eighth Prince, are not an ungrateful person who would betray someone after using them."

A hint of emotion flashed across the Eighth Prince's face as he said, "I am deeply grateful for my uncle's high regard for me."

"Tell Mr. Liu that if I succeed, I will not let him down!"

“I will never forget his great kindness and virtue.”

Mr. Liu Tao solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "With His Highness the Eighth Prince's words, we can rest assured."

"Your Highness, you don't need to do anything recently. Just observe and wait."

"The imperial audience these next two days will definitely summon the Director of the Imperial Observatory!"

"That was the perfect time to watch a play!"

"I would like to offer my congratulations in advance to Your Highness!"

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(End of this chapter)