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

Chapter 437 The First Step to the Throne

The Eighth Prince emerged from the Qianqing Palace, brimming with self-satisfaction, practically floating on air.

Why? Because his father, the Qianxi Emperor, not only entrusted him with important responsibilities, but also, unprecedentedly and generously, praised him from head to toe!
Before leaving, the Emperor patted him heavily on the shoulder and said three words earnestly: "Do a good job!"

Oh my, those three words carry immense weight.

The Eighth Prince was incredibly touched!

What does this mean? It means that the Emperor has high hopes for me and wants to cultivate me!
So what is the ultimate goal of the princes' training? Duh, isn't it to become the future heir to the throne!
I understand, I understand. Father is giving me a chance!

This shows that the Emperor is already impatient with the Crown Prince!
If I can handle this matter well, the position of crown prince will be within my grasp.
The Eighth Prince's thoughts grew increasingly rosy, as if the throne was already beckoning to him from afar: "Come on, let's have some fun...!"

Raising four million is a piece of cake! This is the first step towards ascending the throne.

Without saying a word, the Eighth Prince went straight to the Ministry of Revenue.

However, he also felt that there was something missing.

Although he was developing rapidly at this time, why didn't he have many princes and younger brothers following him?
Ever since the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince went with the Crown Prince to build some kind of "fast track," the two of them have lost their former enthusiasm for him, their older brother, and have become much colder.

This left him with some regret.

Hmph, once I become the crown prince, if the ninth and tenth princes still don't know what's good for them, don't blame me for turning my back on them!
There are plenty of people who want to follow me, I don't need two more!
Upon arriving at the Ministry of Revenue, the Eighth Prince went directly to Ma Qi's duty room.

Ma Qi was engrossed in his work when he looked up and saw the Eighth Prince swaggering in. His heart skipped a beat: "Oh no! Why is this guy so high-profile?"

Although Ma Qi had already pledged allegiance to the Eighth Prince and supported his bid for the position of Crown Prince, he didn't want the entire court to know that he had sided with the Eighth Prince!
After all, choosing the wrong side can lead to utter ruin. Before the situation becomes clear, it's best not to openly champion the Eighth Prince.

Therefore, seeing the Eighth Prince arrive so ostentatiously made him very unhappy.

"Greetings, Prince Lian!" Ma Qi hesitated for a moment, but quickly bowed and said.

The Eighth Prince could tell what Ma Qi was thinking just by seeing him put on such a serious face.

You little punk! Ma Qi, you're trying to have it all!
So what if you support the Eighth Prince? It only proves that you have sharp eyes and a broad vision. Why hide it?
Once I get what I want, you, Ma Qi, will be riding high and getting promoted one after another.
I, Eighth Master, am extremely intolerant of any injustice. I can't stand people like you who are so fickle and indecisive!
Although she felt contempt in her heart, she smiled and helped Ma Qi up, saying, "Lord Ma, there's no need for such formalities."

"Yun Si has come here on the orders of the Emperor to assist the Ministry of Revenue. I hope Lord Ma Qi will give me much guidance in the future!"

The Eighth Prince's smile was very gentle, giving people a refined and elegant feeling.

But Ma Qi's expression changed upon hearing this:
"His Majesty has appointed you to assist in the management of the Ministry of Revenue? Is there a specific task for you?"

In the past, if the Eighth Prince had been invited, Ma Qi would have wholeheartedly agreed.

After all, he had already made up his mind to support the Eighth Prince. The Eighth Prince's arrival at the Ministry of Revenue would give him more opportunities to get closer to the Eighth Prince.

But why are they coming here now?

Ma Qi immediately waved to his subordinates, and the officials from the Ministry of Revenue quickly left.

When only the two of them were left in the room, he said in a deep voice, "Eighth Prince, His Majesty has sent you here to assist in the management of the Ministry of Revenue. Has he given you some task?"

The Eighth Prince had a knowing look on his face: "Father is currently worried about raising funds for the expedition to the Snow Region. How can I, as his son, not share his burden?"

"Lord Ma, the reason I dared to take on this responsibility is because of you!"

"With a financial expert like you around, what is four million taels of silver? It's just a drop in the ocean!"

Ma Qi's lips twitched, and he cursed the Eighth Prince's ancestors in his heart. He really wanted to ask, "Brother, who gave you such confidence?"

He helplessly spread his hands towards the Eighth Prince, explaining with a bitter face, "Eighth Prince, this is four million taels of silver, not four hundred coins!"

"Although the Ministry of Revenue has one million taels of silver in its coffers, almost all of that one million taels has been put to use."

"If they were all taken as military pay, the operation of the imperial court would be in serious trouble!"

"At that time, even I, the Minister of Revenue, will not be able to bear the consequences."

The Eighth Prince was taken aback; things seemed to be more complicated than he had imagined.

However, thinking that Ma Qi was also one of the few financial experts in the court, he still said with unwavering determination, "Lord Ma, I believe in you! You must be able to think of another way."

"Doesn't the Imperial Household Department still have money?"

Upon hearing the Eighth Prince mention the Imperial Household Department, Ma Qi shook his head vigorously: "Eighth Prince, the Imperial Household Department is a piece of rotten meat; there are many things that cannot be said."

"Although they claim to have a million taels of silver, the fact that they can give you three hundred thousand taels is already a great favor!"

"After all, the palace's food, clothing, and daily necessities all depend on it. Who would dare to touch it?"

At this point, Ma Qi sighed, "Over the years, many people have known about the situation of the Imperial Household Department, but no one has dared to lift the lid."

"The bondservants of the Imperial Household Department are already in a situation where they are all in the same boat, sharing both prosperity and adversity."

"Furthermore, their hearts are only with His Majesty, so even if they reveal some things, His Majesty may not be willing to punish them."

"Under these circumstances, the Imperial Household Department is not very reliable."

The Eighth Prince's face darkened; he hadn't expected things to be so complicated.

He originally thought that although making money was not easy, it wouldn't be too difficult for him. With the help of Ma Qi and the Imperial Household Department, he could still manage it.

He took a deep breath, glanced at the dejected Ma Qi, and said, "Lord Ma, I have already made a promise to the Emperor that this matter must be accomplished!"

"When I saw my father today, I didn't see my elder brother or the crown prince."

"Leaving aside the eldest brother for now, the fact that he hasn't seen the Crown Prince suggests that he is likely still sulking with Father and not following Father's orders."

"If we manage to raise the money this time, what kind of image will I have in Father's eyes..."

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his eyes gradually turning "manic": "Lord Ma, no matter what it takes, this money must be paid!"

“You are a financial expert in the Ministry of Revenue. I believe that as long as you are determined to do it, there is nothing you cannot do.”

Ma Qi's lips twitched.

He thought to himself, "Eighth Prince, you trust your subjects far too much."

If I had that kind of ability, would you be jumping around here like this?

I've already made my mark on Emperor Qianxi!

He glanced helplessly at the Eighth Prince twice, then said in a deep voice, "Eighth Prince, it's not that I'm not doing my best, it's just that... it's just that I'm only an accountant, not a god of wealth!"

"Four million taels of silver, where do you expect me to conjure it up for you?"

"How about this? Now that you have His Majesty's decree to raise funds, why don't you summon Lord Tong and the others to discuss this and see if they have any good ideas? Many hands make light work!"

Ma Qi's quick-thinking move was based on the principle of sharing the blame, preventing all the blame from falling on him.

If I just keep talking about the difficulties here, the Eighth Prince might resent me and think that I'm not doing things for him.

But if Tong Guowei and the others were gathered together, and everyone said that the matter could not be accomplished, then the Eighth Prince would not be to blame.

After being doused with cold water by Ma Qi, the Eighth Prince calmed down.

Although he didn't particularly like Mazi's suggestion, he had no choice but to agree at this moment.

"Alright then, I'll send someone to invite Lord Tong Guowei and the others over right away." The Eighth Prince said, but then turned his gaze to Ma Qi and added, "However, Lord Ma, this time, the main force for raising funds still needs to come from our Ministry of Revenue!"

Ma Qi sighed and said, "Eighth Prince, I will do my utmost for you."

The Eighth Prince was in a gloomy mood, but Emperor Qianxi, who was in the palace, was in a good mood.

If the Crown Prince doesn't help, I have plenty of capable sons.

If Lao Ba volunteers, this matter is very likely to be accomplished.

After all, Lao Ba had many supporters around him, such as Ma Qi and Tong Guowei.

They will all work tirelessly and diligently during this fundraising process.

Hehe, once the Eighth Prince has raised enough money, he must have the Crown Prince attend the departure ceremony when the soldiers set off for the expedition.

Or, let him represent himself and the imperial court to perform a grand ceremony to appoint a general!
Let's see how embarrassed he is!
Although the issue of military pay was resolved, it didn't mean that Emperor Qianxi could rest; he still had many things to deal with.

For example, where to deploy troops, the allocation of various weapons, and so on...

Before the army even set out, Emperor Qianxi was already spinning like a top that never stops.

Even so, he still inquired about what the Crown Prince was doing during his leisure time at the meal.

When Liang Jiugong heard Emperor Qianxi's question, he felt bitter inside, but he could only answer honestly:

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still the same as before. He writes the Classic of Filial Piety in the morning and accompanies the Empress Dowager to film in the afternoon."

Upon hearing that the Crown Prince was living such a leisurely life, Emperor Qianxi's lips curled up slightly.

He said leisurely, "Go, send someone to tell the Crown Prince that the Eighth Prince is going to raise four million in military funds to start the campaign, and see how the Crown Prince reacts."

Liang Jiugong suddenly looked up, then quickly lowered his head meekly.

What is Your Majesty trying to do? Is he really arguing with his son?
Telling the Crown Prince about the Eighth Prince is just asking for trouble!

Although he didn't want to do it, he obediently went to deliver the message.

When Liang Jiugong had someone tell Shen Ye about this, Shen Ye just smiled.

He had expected someone to take the job, so he didn't care at all.

He no longer wanted to play along with Emperor Qianxi; now, the most important thing was to live his life in a carefree manner.

As for matters of the court? I can't be bothered to listen.

However, when he wasn't filming, he would sometimes think: The Eighth Prince is approachable, respectful to scholars, and good at winning people's hearts, but if asked to raise money, could he bring himself to do it?

If I can't handle this... will Emperor Qianxi come here again to make his presence known?
　The second update for today is here! Dear readers, I'd appreciate your support and votes at the end of the month!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)