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

Chapter 451 Calling a deer a horse, if I say you can't do it, then you can't.

For the entire imperial court, the return of the imperial carriage to the palace was a momentous event.

When Emperor Qianxi and his entourage entered the Forbidden City in a grand procession, many people breathed a sigh of relief.

But for the entire court, Emperor Qianxi's return to the palace was only the beginning of something.

Because the court had too many matters to attend to, and Emperor Qianxi was waiting to make a decision.

When Emperor Qianxi washed his face and returned to the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, Tong Guowei was already waiting with all the important officials of the court.

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

With a thunderous roar of cheers, the meeting between the emperor and his ministers officially began.

Although Emperor Qianxi had only been gone for two days, a great deal of work had already accumulated in the court.

The first major event was the death of Duke Yansheng, Kong Yujin.

Zhang Yushu, as the Minister of Rites, was the first to step forward: "Your Majesty, a memorial has been sent from the Duke of Yansheng's residence, stating that after meeting the Fourth Prince, Duke Yansheng Kong Yujin could not bear the humiliation and hanged himself!"

"The Duke Yansheng was a descendant of a sage, and now he has died in such a humiliating way, which has attracted the attention of the whole world."

"We urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and provide an explanation to the people."

As soon as Zhang Yushu uttered these words, seven or eight ministers stepped forward from the court and echoed, "Your Majesty, we beg you to give the world an explanation!"

The smile on Emperor Qianxi's face vanished instantly.

He did not respond to Zhang Yushu's words, but instead said in a deep voice, "My dear ministers, do you have any further opinions on this matter?"

"Father, I have something to say."

Just as Shen Ye was about to speak, the Third Prince suddenly clasped his hands in greeting.

When Emperor Qianxi heard his third son speak, his eyes lit up.

He thought the third brother would plead for the fourth brother, since they were brothers, grew up together, and had a close relationship.

He said in a deep voice, "Speak your mind."

As a result, the Third Prince immediately turned on his father: "Father, my fourth brother went to the area around Mount Tai to provide disaster relief, but he went to the Duke of Yansheng's mansion to threaten the Duke. His display of official power actually drove the Duke to his death. This was indeed an inappropriate thing to do."

"The Duke Yansheng is a descendant of a sage, and it is truly heartbreaking that such a thing has happened."

"Your subject believes that this matter must be dealt with seriously in order to convince all scholars in the land."

Shen Ye rolled her eyes as she listened from the side:
That third brother of mine either wasted his education or is simply cunning and wicked!
At this moment, instead of helping your brother out, you kick him hard!
After silently criticizing his third brother, Shen Ye quickly interrupted Emperor Qianxi before he could speak, saying, "Father, I object! My opinion differs from that of my third brother."

"Your subject believes that Duke Yansheng Kong Yujin's suicide was a typical case of escaping punishment, and the Duke Yansheng's mansion must give the court an explanation."

"My fourth brother went to Mount Tai for disaster relief and discovered that there were many illegal activities in the Duke Yansheng's mansion. He went to the Duke Yansheng's mansion only to remind him to strictly discipline these illegal activities."

"However, Duke Yansheng Kong Yujin was guilty of thievery. When he saw that his illegal deeds had been exposed, he was afraid of being punished and committed suicide out of fear of punishment. This act clearly brought shame to the court!"

"Your subject believes that such behavior of trying to escape punishment by dying must not be tolerated or condoned!"

"The illegal activities of the Duke of Yansheng's mansion must continue to be investigated!"

“The Duke of Yansheng’s mansion must be severely punished to prevent such a disgrace to the Sage from happening again.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yushu was furious. He hadn't expected the Crown Prince to target the Duke of Yansheng's residence so directly.

Even if you, the Duke Yansheng, are dead, this matter cannot end here!

The Duke Yansheng's Mansion still needs to give an explanation to the imperial court.

This is utterly turning black into white!
This is really unacceptable.

In a flash, he angrily said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's words are a complete distortion of the truth. If the court follows the Crown Prince's methods, the people of the world will not be convinced..."

Before Emperor Qianxi could speak, Shen Ye said to Zhang Yushu, "Lord Zhang, I haven't finished speaking yet. Please wait a moment before interrupting."

Zhang Yushu was so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged, but because Shen Ye was, after all, the Crown Prince, he could only reluctantly back down.

No matter how much he opposed the crown prince, the crown prince was, after all, half a monarch.

Even when facing the Half-Lord, he still couldn't be impolite.

Shen Ye pressed his advantage, saying, "The Duke of Yansheng's mansion has committed many illegal acts, yet the Ministry of Rites, which is responsible for the Duke of Yansheng's mansion, has turned a blind eye to these matters, failing to fulfill its duties."

"As a result, a small matter turned into a big one, causing Duke Yansheng Kong Yujin to make a grave mistake."

"Your Majesty believes that Zhang Yushu, the Minister of Rites, is old and senile and is no longer capable of fulfilling his duties. I request Your Majesty to dismiss him from his post and investigate him."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince say that he was old and senile, Zhang Yushu trembled with anger.

I'm only in my fifties, the prime of my life, waiting for a promotion and a raise. You're saying I'm old and senile?
He said with a look of grief and indignation, "Your Majesty, I do not value official positions too much, but if the Crown Prince continues to distort the truth, there will be no place for gentlemen in the court!"

Seeing this scene, Emperor Qianxi finally made a decision: "Alright, the Duke of Yansheng, Kong Yujin, committed suicide out of fear of punishment. There are suspicious circumstances. The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate shall set up a special task force to investigate this matter thoroughly."

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi utter the words "committed suicide out of fear of punishment," Zhang Yushu's lips twitched.

Just as he was about to walk out, someone next to him pulled him back.

Turning his head, he saw the other person winking at him, signaling him not to step forward again. Just as he hesitated, he heard Emperor Qianxi say, "Minister of Rites Zhang Yushu is old and his energy is failing. He is permitted to retire and return to his hometown."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yushu's face turned deathly pale.

He was doing a good job as Minister of Rites and now wanted to advance further and become a Grand Secretary, but he never expected that Emperor Qianxi would say that he was too old and lacked energy.

Retire and return home?
No, no, no, I don't want to retire and go back to my hometown yet!
But once Emperor Qianxi uttered those words, he didn't even have a chance to defend himself.

If he refutes, his reputation as a "gentleman who does not covet power and position" will be ruined!

He subconsciously looked around, hoping that someone would speak up for him.

As a result, those colleagues who had just sided with him were now all looking down at the floor, not giving him a chance to make eye contact, acting as if it were none of their business.

Zhang Yushu sighed inwardly, "People's hearts have changed, and the world is cold and indifferent."

Overwhelmed with grief, Zhang Yushu could only accept the imperial decree with tears in his eyes: "This old minister... obeys the decree!"

Emperor Qianxi was quite generous, and with a wave of his hand, he said, "I bestow upon Zhang Yushu one hundred taels of pure gold, and order each region to escort him back to his hometown with the honors due to a Grand Secretary."

This reward preserved Zhang Yushu's last shred of dignity.

Zhang Yushu's fate caused the expressions of the ministers present to change drastically.

The Minister of Rites was only one step away from becoming a Grand Secretary, yet this powerful figure was directly dismissed from his post. One can imagine how firm Emperor Qianxi's resolve was at this time.

As Zhang Yushu departed dejectedly, Emperor Qianxi continued, "Issuing Li Guangdi as Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Pavilion, to serve in the Southern Study, and to be in charge of the Ministry of Rites' affairs."

Li Guangdi was taken aback!
He wasn't particularly happy about being appointed Minister of Rites; what truly pleased him was that Emperor Qianxi had appointed him Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Pavilion.

This means that he has become the third Grand Scholar after Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying.

Although he ranked after Zhang Ying and Tong Guowei, becoming a Grand Secretary was his greatest victory.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand and continued, "I hereby bestow upon Kong Yuliang the title of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."

Upon hearing that Emperor Qianxi had bestowed a reward upon Kong Yuliang, some people were immediately puzzled, as they had no recollection of this Kong Yuliang.

Even Tong Guowei, the chief Grand Secretary, couldn't recall who Kong Yuliang was. He whispered to Zhang Ying beside him, "Who is Kong Yuliang?"

"This man is the head of the Kong family in Jiangnan."

Zhang Ying's expression was serious, and her voice was low.

He had already sensed His Majesty's dissatisfaction with the Kong family. It seemed that His Majesty already had a plan regarding Kong Yujin's suicide.

Just as the ministers were pondering their next move, Emperor Qianxi had several imperial edicts announced. Some concerned sending troops to the snowy region, while others concerned personnel changes. However, the most eye-catching edict was the one that conferred upon Crown Prince Shen Ye the titles of Prince of Qingqiu, General Fubo, and Governor-General of Overseas Military Affairs.

Apart from Zhang Ying and Tong Guowei, who already knew, everyone else was stunned!
The crown prince is the heir apparent, and if the emperor is in a good mood, he might grant him the title of a prince. That seems acceptable.

However, the imperial court has always granted the titles of princes to honorary princes, such as Prince Cheng and Prince Lian. But now, the crown prince's title is actually granted, which makes people feel a bit strange.

More importantly, the crown prince was appointed as a Grand General!

General Fubo!
The imperial court has not conferred this title of Grand General for many years, and it has not even been conferred the title of Grand General of Subduing Waves since the previous dynasty!

As for the governor-general overseeing military affairs overseas, it seems rather strange that the Great Zhou Dynasty has no overseas territories.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the heir apparent. I believe it is unreasonable to bestow these three additional titles upon His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Just as everyone was surprised, Chen Tingjing stepped forward and spoke.

He was the Left Censor-in-Chief, whose job was to find fault.

Emperor Qianxi glanced at Chen Tingjing, then said indifferently, "The purpose of the Crown Prince's three positions is to expand and manage overseas territories."

"In urgent situations, we must act expediently and handle this as a special case. You may leave now."

Seeing the solemn face of Emperor Qianxi, Chen Tingjing felt somewhat uncomfortable, but still silently retreated.

Minister of War Nuomin hesitated for a moment, but still stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is in charge of all military affairs overseas. I would like to ask, where do the Crown Prince's troops come from?"

Emperor Qianxi said calmly, "The Crown Prince's navy is his own responsibility to handle."

"The Ministry of War need not concern itself with this."

Upon hearing that the Ministry of War didn't need to be involved, Li Guangdi, who was standing to the side, immediately understood. Don't be fooled by the increasingly impressive positions Emperor Qianxi bestowed upon the Crown Prince.

It sounds good, but in reality, this General Fubo was just a commander without any troops.

The crown prince had no soldiers under his command.

Without troops, how can the Crown Prince oversee military affairs overseas? Let alone establish overseas territories.

It seems that His Majesty gave the Crown Prince an empty promise.

"The provisions and supplies for this expedition will be the responsibility of the Crown Prince and the Ministry of Revenue. I will send troops to the snowy region within three days."

At this point, Emperor Qianxi's gaze fell on Shen Ye and Ma Qi, and he said, "If the provisions and pay are not issued within three days, I will punish them severely!"

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(End of this chapter)