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

Chapter 480 No Fathers or Sons in the Imperial Family, Little Warmth in Imperial Power

Shen Ye and Emperor Qianxi had previously discussed how to handle the Kong family's affairs.

Following Shen Ye's suggestion, the plan was to put Nan Kong in power and replace the current Duke Yansheng's mansion.

When Emperor Qianxi heard this, he exclaimed repeatedly, "What a great idea!"
But now? The tables have turned.

Shen Ye was eagerly awaiting Emperor Qianxi's decision.

Unexpectedly, he blinked slowly and said innocently, "I haven't thought about this matter yet."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, this cheap father of his was probably going to go back on his word!

He quickly straightened his back and earnestly advised:

"Your Majesty, you are wise! This incident involving the Duke of Yansheng's mansion has caused widespread outrage and resentment. If it is not dealt with, our efforts to promote the unified taxation of officials and gentry will surely be met with a backlash!"

"From this point of view alone, the Kong family is a major obstacle, and it will be difficult for them to smoothly implement the new policies!"

"After all, some people will be even more excited if they see that the Kong family can get away with it."

Emperor Qianxi, however, remained as steady as a rock and calmly said:
"Your Highness, the Duke of Yansheng's mansion has a history of over a thousand years. A single move here can have far-reaching consequences. This matter is of great importance."

"Moreover, Duke Yansheng Kong Yujin is already dead!"

"If the imperial court is too harsh and pushes too hard, then scholars throughout the land will lose heart!"

At this point, he added with a smile, "Well, I'll think about it some more."

"Don't worry about it for now."

After saying that, he changed the subject:
"By the way, when you get back, tell your men to stop making up rumors about Tong Guowei and the other two."

"To avoid letting Suo'etu toss and turn in bed, unable to sleep, dying with his eyes wide open, which would be so undignified."

Emperor Qianxi spoke lightly, but Shen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

The Qianxi Emperor made no mention of Tong Guowei, nor of anything else, but only of "Song'etu dying with his eyes open in disgrace"...

Could it be that he knows something?
That's impossible. Soetu's actions were flawless. Where would there be any loopholes?

His entire family had returned to their hometown in Shangjing and were staying there. They were far away from the capital, and with Suo'etu's shrewdness, it was impossible for him to reveal any flaws.

Shen Ye's mind was in turmoil, but on the surface he calmly replied, "Your subject obeys."

As Shen Ye emerged from Emperor Qianxi's study, a hint of solemnity appeared on his face.

Although Emperor Qianxi didn't say it explicitly, Shen Ye sensed something was amiss:

Emperor Qianxi probably already had a preference for the position of Duke Yansheng, and the candidate had already been chosen.

They probably want Kong Shangde to inherit it.

What are the benefits of Kong Shangde?

Could it really be as the Emperor said, that we can "stabilize the overall situation"?
Shen Ye didn't believe him at all!
After much deliberation, he concluded that there was only one "advantage" for Kong Shangde if he came to power:
This person is my father's killer!

It's not unreasonable for Kong Yujin to say that she drove herself to her death...

So, Emperor Qianxi's choice of Kong Shangde wasn't specifically to pick someone who hates me, someone who can annoy me, or someone who's targeting me, right?

As Shen Ye paced around the palace, he envisioned a grand drama of wits and power struggles unfolding in his mind.

Emperor Qianxi had just dismissed the Crown Prince when he turned around and summoned Grand Secretary Tong Guowei with a smile.

Although Tong Guowei was over fifty years old, he walked with the speed of the wind. As soon as he entered the door, he respectfully bowed and said, "This old minister greets Your Majesty!"

Emperor Qianxi personally offered a helping hand to him, saying, "Uncle, no need for formalities! It's cold, so I specially had ginseng tea brewed for you!"

He turned and ordered the eunuch, "Go and bring the Grand Secretary a cup of ginseng tea!"

"Take ten more ginseng roots from Changbai Mountain, which are tributes from there, and have your uncle take them back to replenish his energy."

Good heavens, a single ginseng root from Changbai Mountain costs several hundred taels of silver.

The emperor gave him ten ginseng roots at once. This was no reward for ginseng; it was as if he was stuffing gold ingots into Tong Guowei's arms, as if afraid they wouldn't be hot enough.

This is really going all out to build rapport!
Tong Guowei sat down with gratitude, and the two chatted over ginseng tea in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Until Emperor Qianxi casually asked, "Uncle, have you read that book 'The Record of the Three Prime Ministers Appreciating Flowers' that's been circulating in the market recently?"

Tong Guowei gave a wry smile, his wrinkles deepening into creases: "I did see a few pages of the manuscript."

"To be honest, Your Majesty, although I know it was copied by someone else, at first glance, even I was bewildered—"

"The handwriting and the tone of voice are exactly the same as what I wrote myself!"

"As for when it was written, this old minister really can't remember..."

Emperor Qianxi burst into laughter: "Mingzhu would probably react the same way!"

"Let's invite him to the palace tomorrow, and we can chat about this interesting story together."

Tong Guowei replied with a smile, "If Your Majesty wants to chat, why not invite the Crown Prince as well?"

He didn't say much, but Emperor Qianxi understood. The two exchanged a smile, everything was understood without words.

Seeing that the ginseng tea was almost empty, Emperor Qianxi casually got to the point:

“Uncle, the evidence for Kong Shangde’s poem accusing the Crown Prince is insufficient.”

"Now that Kong Yujin is dead, how do you intend to determine the position of Duke Yansheng?"

"The Crown Prince has proposed that Nan Kong take over as ruler. What do you think, Uncle?"

Tong Guowei's eyes darted around, and he knew exactly what was going on:
If His Majesty were truly determined to listen to the Crown Prince, why would he bother asking this old man?

It's obvious that she has some things she can't say herself, so she's dragging me, her uncle, to speak for her!
As a confidant of Emperor Qianxi, Tong Guowei knew that his position as Grand Secretary was given to him by his nephew. Whether he could hold onto this position depended on his nephew's mood.

So he immediately became serious and said:

"Your Majesty, this old minister believes that although Nan Kong is virtuous, he is still a collateral branch. If Nan Kong were to suddenly take over the Yansheng Duke's Mansion, it would be against etiquette and law, and the ministers would also discuss this."

He stole a glance at Emperor Qianxi's expression, then slowly added insult to injury:

"Although the Kong family made mistakes, Kong Yujin has already atoned with her death, so it can be considered that the debt has been absolved with her death."

"In my humble opinion, it would be better to let Kong Shangde inherit the title of Duke Yansheng, but as a punishment, he should be made to observe three years of mourning as the heir and reflect on his mistakes in seclusion!"

"It fulfills both the proper etiquette and serves as a deterrent—what does Your Majesty think?"

Emperor Qianxi pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"My uncle is thoughtful, mature, and prudent!"

"However, this matter involves a wide range of issues... and the ministers still need to submit a memorial for discussion and decision."

Tong Guowei immediately understood:
This is a case of wanting to get things done but not wanting to take the blame alone, so they have to involve the entire court in the performance, and incidentally give the crown prince an "explanation".

Having understood all this, Tong Guowei immediately bowed, his voice firm and resolute:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this old minister knows what to do."

On his way out of the palace, Tong Guowei carried ten ginseng roots, his steps light as if he were walking on auspicious clouds.

A gust of cold wind made his mind even clearer:
With Kong Yujin's death, the Kong family and the Crown Prince were now locked in a bitter feud.

The Crown Prince naturally wanted to remove this obstacle, but the Emperor refused—

They insist on keeping the Kong family as a major obstacle, and even make it more difficult to stand on.

If Nan Kong were to rise to power, he would surely be grateful to the Crown Prince, and wouldn't that make him a supporter of the Crown Prince?
How could the Emperor stand by and watch the Crown Prince's power grow stronger?

It would be better to keep Kong Shangde, give him a nominal title, and let him continue to cause trouble for the Crown Prince.

The key to imperial strategy lies in checks and balances!
The emperor checks and balances his ministers not because of their loyalty or disloyalty, but because he cannot allow the power in their hands to escape his control.

Having figured out what Emperor Qianxi was thinking, Tong Guowei's smile deepened.

This imperial court, isn't it just a matter of you setting the stage and me performing, you digging a pit and me filling it in, until finally a fool falls in?

Three days later, Shen Ye was reading reports in his study when his personal eunuch Zhou Bao came to report: "Your Highness, the Fourth Prince has arrived."

Shen Ye looked up: "Please."

When the Fourth Prince Yunzhen entered, his face was grim. Shen Ye took the initiative to greet him, but was interrupted by his meticulous bow.

"Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded."

Shen Ye looked him over: "Fourth brother, what happened? You look so pale!"

Yunzhen sneered: "Your subject went to the joint trial of the three judicial departments again today, and guess what?"

The fourth prince flicked his sleeve and sat down angrily:

"When I arrived, the trial was almost over!"

"They sentenced more than a dozen servants to beheading, saying that Kong Yujin 'failed to manage her household properly and committed suicide out of shame'... Haha, this fabricated story is even more convincing than the lyrics on a theatrical stage!"

The more he talked, the angrier he became:
"Kong Shangde, Kong Yushen, and all their direct descendants are completely clean and have nothing to do with it!"

"Among the people I arrested, there were clearly those who confessed that Kong Shangde was one of the masterminds who embezzled disaster relief grain, but what was the result?"

"These three judicial departments are turning a deaf ear and picking on the small fry to take the blame. Do they think I, a grown man, am just watching a show?!"

Shen Ye's face darkened upon hearing the verdict.

The three judicial departments have concluded their trial, and he didn't know a thing about it?
This clearly shows they don't respect him, the crown prince!
Moreover, Kong Shangde, Kong Yushen, and others have committed no crime whatsoever.

Judging from this situation, it seems that Kong Shangde is not only unharmed, but he will probably be celebrating his success in becoming the Duke of Yansheng soon!

If Kong Shangde were to actually inherit the title of Duke Yansheng, what would outsiders think?
The Kong family father and son were definitely involved in the love poem that framed him, "I only wish your heart were like mine"!
He framed the crown prince, but instead of being held accountable, he was promoted to the throne.
—It would be strange if he didn't have someone backing him up. And he could guess who that was even with his toes.

The Emperor is clearly trying to win over the Kong family so that they will fight the Crown Prince to the death in the future.

A scene immediately flashed into Shen Ye's mind:
Emperor Qianxi sat on the dragon throne drinking tea. To his left was the crown prince, who was furious, and to his right were the grateful Confucius family.

The two sides were locked in a battle of wits, while the emperor sat in the middle watching the show, reaping the benefits along the way.

It's just like Emperor Xuanzong of Tang back then, who made Crown Prince Li Heng and Li Linfu fight to the death.

In this struggle, he was basically biased towards Li Linfu.

Only when Li Heng was about to be killed by Li Linfu would he slowly emerge to balance things out, and then let the two sides continue fighting.

Thinking about the cause and effect, Shen Ye's face became increasingly gloomy.

Shen Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the roar of "Father, you've tricked me again!" that was bubbling up inside him.

He then raised an eyebrow and asked Yunzhen, "Fourth brother, are those witnesses you arrested still around?"

"He's still in the Shuntian Prefecture prison. Your brother has sent eight guards to keep watch on him day and night in shifts, just in case someone tries to silence him."

Yunzhen's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, do you have a solution?"

Shen Ye slowly dusted off his sleeves, a slightly cold smile playing on his lips.

There are some things that you can't do yourself, so I'll have to do them for you.

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(End of this chapter)