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

Chapter 420 It's alright, let's just make a promise first.
The eldest prince's words perfectly expressed everyone's thoughts—

That's right, the Crown Prince's move really hit the nail on the head!
The Crown Prince suddenly started talking about large estates and the lives of aristocratic families during the Jin Dynasty, describing them in such a vivid and decadent way that many people in the audience had their eyes light up and were overjoyed.

Is this incredible wealth finally going to be mine?
However, this crown prince would never make empty promises without reason. What exactly does he want to do?
Just as everyone's eyes were focused on him, Shen Ye cleared his throat and said with a serious expression, "I have two main purposes for saying this."

"First, I want to tell everyone: 'One is born in hardship and dies in comfort!'"

“Look at that British Empire, like a hungry wolf, wandering all over the world, expanding everywhere, and many ancient countries have become its ‘meal’ and colonies.”

"Don't think I'm exaggerating or trying to scare you—if its appetite grows bigger and bigger, it will eventually reach out its claws to us!"

"Isn't the Mughal Empire of ancient India a living example? Who would have thought that a 'guest from afar' who arrived by ship could turn an ancient country into his own backyard?"

As soon as Shen Ye finished speaking, everyone's expression changed.

Although the British Empire sounds distant, the phrase "a lesson from the past" still made everyone's hearts skip a beat.

"As for the second point,"

Shen Ye pointed to the vast Americas on the map, "This place has fertile land, no less than the Central Plains. If this fertile land is all occupied by this shameless British Empire, we can only watch helplessly from the sidelines, not even getting a sip of soup. That would be such a loss!"

"So I think we should also get a piece of the pie!"

“Let’s send people over there to build territories and estates. Even if we fall out with the British Empire in the future, we’ll still have an ‘overseas resort area,’ right?”

Upon hearing the idea of ​​"establishing a territory and a manor," the eyes of the eldest prince and several other princes, who had been sitting upright just moments before, lit up.

Although the throne is the ultimate dream, if you fail to seize it, becoming a carefree prince overseas seems pretty appealing too.

Is the emperor far away and the sky high?
No, no, no, this is "the emperor is far above the heavens"—it's practically the same as being an emperor!
There were even more undercurrents within the ranks of civil officials.

Zhang Ying and others were also tempted, as if they could see their perfect life of "working to pass the time and farming after work." "If you want to serve in office, serve in office; if you don't, retire on the manor and be self-sufficient. That would be wonderful."

"Your Highness, the idea is good, but America... isn't that too far away?"

Zhang Yushu pointed at the map, his face showing an expression that said, "You're kidding me, Your Highness."

Shen Ye asked with a smile, "Lord Zhang, do you think we're fools?"

Zhang Yushu was taken aback: "Of course I'm not stupid."

"That's right! We're no less stupid than the people of the British Empire. If they can go, why can't we?"

"That's a rich, undeveloped piece of land, a 'treasure trove,' whoever claims it first gets to keep it!"

"Are we just going to stand by and watch them eat and drink their fill, then gather their strength and come to attack us as a group?"

"We can also build ships and cannons, and establish our own 'overseas territories'!"

Zhang Yushu hesitated for a moment: "Your Highness, you speak with great passion, but where will this money come from? It's no small sum!"

Shen Ye smiled like a fox: "That's right, this will require everyone to 'crowdfund'!"

"One of the purposes of holding this 'talking session' today is to invite people of ambition from all over the world to 'invest' in and participate."

“You can think of it as a business partnership. You invest whatever amount you want and you'll receive dividends in the future—it could be a plantation, a gold mine, or even the profits you bring back!”

The officials and civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang Yushu stared at the enormous map, his mind in turmoil: This pie in the sky is just too tempting...

It smells so good that even knowing it might break your teeth, you'd still want to stretch your neck and take a bite!
It felt like two little people were fighting in his head.

One person said, "Absurd! This kind of illusory thing is like the moon in the water or a flower in a mirror. Whoever invests money in it is just a sucker!"
But another person vehemently retorted: "We need to broaden our horizons! Look at that piece of land; it's bigger than ten of our estates!"

Looking at the vast territory on the map, his heart skipped a beat.

It's a bit risky, but what if it actually happens?
If they could leave their descendants an estate in the prosperous land the Crown Prince spoke of, it would be an important asset for the family.

How much money is needed to build a manor?

"Your Highness, how much silver do you intend to raise for this grand plan?"

Minister of Revenue Ma Qi stepped forward and asked the crucial question on behalf of everyone.

The Machi family, having risen through the ranks of the military, knew all too well the benefits of having their own territory.

Their family now lives in a village outside the Great Wall, which is like a golden goose, bringing them a lot of money every year.

However, as his family grew and his expenses became increasingly extravagant—his wife buying a mink coat, his son playing with crickets—the costs became enormous, and he began to find himself struggling financially. He had long wanted to find some extra income.

If the Crown Prince can really establish a manor, then it might be worthwhile to invest in it.

Although the risk is a bit high, the reward is even more tempting!

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye calmly replied, "I haven't calculated it in detail yet, but with two or three million taels of start-up capital, the fleet can be set up."

He pointed to the Americas: "The British Empire occupies an area the size of thirteen provinces in the west. If we land in the east, we can also take over thirteen provinces, or even more!"

"What's this called? This is called 'When the East is dark, the West is bright; when the South is dark, the North is bright!'"

"Whether there is a war in the future or not, we will have room to maneuver. We can attack or defend, which means we have found a way out."

Thirteen provinces? That must be a lot of estates! Two or three million taels is a lot, but if everyone pools their money, it's like "skipping a few big meals to buy a few more plots of land," and who knows, they might make a fortune!
"Your Highness, the money issue has been resolved, but what about the people?" Left Censor-in-Chief Chen Tingjing asked. "So far away, across thousands of miles of ocean, with treacherous waves, who would be willing to leave their homeland to suffer such hardship?"

"Don't worry, Lord Chen. Fortune favors the bold! With our policies in place, we'll have no shortage of volunteers!" Shen Ye said confidently. "A generous reward will surely attract brave men!"

“Those who go can become ‘Governors of the territory,’ be granted royal command and banners, enjoy a prestigious status, and have priority in receiving the territory’s produce, essentially becoming original shareholders. Soldiers receive the same treatment.”

“Even criminals, as long as they don’t commit heinous crimes punishable by death, can be pardoned and sent to contribute their remaining energy to build new homes. The key is to ‘reclaim wasteland’!”

Upon hearing this, the ministers' minds became even more active.

Some were tempted, some were making plans, and some were already thinking about which of their "good-for-nothing" illegitimate sons, who were always causing trouble and giving them a headache, would go and try their luck...

Finally, a great opportunity to serve my country has been found!

It can both expand the family business and keep the home peaceful—it's a win-win situation!

Seeing that the atmosphere was right and the time was ripe, Shen Ye smiled and began to wrap things up: "Everyone, the main purpose of today's meeting is to broaden everyone's thinking and open our eyes to the world."

"Go back and think about what I've said slowly. If you have any suggestions, write them down in a memorial to the throne."

"Also, read more books in the future, and don't just blindly follow what the ancients say."

"It's quite cold outside, let's adjourn the meeting!"

The crowd dispersed, chattering amongst themselves. Unlike their initial "grave-visiting" mood, they were now all as excited as if they had won the lottery.

"Do you believe the prince who says the earth is round?"

"I think it's probably true. Foreigners have been sailing here for over a hundred years, it can't be fake!"

"I never imagined the Crown Prince knew so much about the West!"

"I heard that the sweet potatoes he presented were from America!"

"If we really created a territory as large as thirteen provinces, wouldn't we be rich?"

The princes and ministers, however, did not disperse and continued their heated discussion:
"Brother, if I gave you an overseas territory and made you a king with a fief, would you go?" The Third Prince quietly approached the First Prince and asked.

Although the eldest prince was wary of him, he still answered seriously: "I am willing to share the burden of the court."

In fact, the attitude is already very clear.

She felt a little contempt for the Third Prince; the answer to this was obvious, wasn't it?

You're talking nonsense here—it's pointless. You're asking a pointless question!

Who wouldn't want to go? Wouldn't it be great to be a local tyrant overseas?
After all, the throne is too difficult to contend for.

However, when it came to actually expanding territory, he felt that he was not quite capable enough.

Ideally, he should conquer the territory and then grant it to others, so that his family can be kings there for generations.

When the Third Prince heard what the First Prince said, he was somewhat tempted and decided to tell the truth:
"I'd love to! If we brothers become neighbors, you'll have to look out for me, big brother!"

Unlike the eldest prince, the eighth prince had no intention of being granted a fiefdom at this time.

He felt he still had a great chance of challenging for the throne.

Those overseas territories sound appealing, but they're just empty promises from the Crown Prince; whether or not they'll actually get them is anyone's guess.

It would be better to secure the position of Crown Prince as soon as possible.

Once he becomes the crown prince, everything will be his own.

If he doesn't become the crown prince, then none of that matters to him.

The Crown Prince's grand discussion not only extricated him from the vortex of offending the heavens, but also diverted everyone's attention with the promise of overseas territories, truly killing two birds with one stone.

However, my father is in good health, so I have plenty of opportunities.

Shen Ye didn't care what they thought; the bait had already been cast, and someone was bound to take the bait.

Upon returning to Yuqing Palace, the first person he greeted was the Fourth Prince.

The fourth prince came to say goodbye.

He was previously sent to Mount Tai for disaster relief, but he couldn't set off because the Ministry of Revenue's supplies hadn't arrived. Now he's finally going to leave.

"Your Highness, I will thoroughly investigate the illegal activities of the Kong family this time," the Fourth Prince said respectfully. "However... I would appreciate Your Highness's instructions on the extent of the investigation."

Shen Ye waved his hand: "Go ahead and investigate. How to handle it is Father's business."

He paused, then added with a smile, "By the way, you should also consider the matter of overseas territories; it's not a bad thing."

The fourth prince nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I will take it to heart."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, has Father Emperor agreed to this?"

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(End of this chapter)