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

Chapter 502 The position of regent belongs to me alone.

After throwing the unfortunate Qiu Qianli into the prison of the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Ge Li immediately wrote a reply to the Eighth Prince.

Besides repeating the same old platitudes about "unwavering loyalty to the Eighth Prince," the letter also included a special note in red ink announcing a major victory:

The loan has been arranged!

Before the New Year, the silver carts transporting the silver will set off from Jiangnan, ensuring that the important matters of the Eighth Prince and the imperial court will not be delayed!

As soon as the letter was written, Ge Li waved his hand and ordered it to be sent to the capital by express courier.

He also specifically instructed that this letter must be delivered to the Eighth Prince before the New Year.

He wanted to take advantage of the New Year to send his master some good news.

The letter was delivered very quickly, and it reached the Eighth Prince at noon on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

After reading the letter, the Eighth Prince's mouth practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

He knew Ge Li was quite reliable, but he never expected him to be so outstanding!

The money can be raised before the end of the year, and it can be transported to the capital before the end of the year.

This...this is a lifesaver!
Moreover, this lackey was particularly adept at currying favor. Feeling that six million was too little, he directly added the auspicious number of eight million.

This guy really knows how to make himself look good!

That's great, that's really great!
The Eighth Prince, feeling quite pleased with himself, quickly made up his mind and hurried towards the Qianqing Palace.

How could I not share such a wonderful thing with my father?
As the Lunar New Year approaches, the Qianqing Palace is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating an increasingly festive atmosphere.

Although the war in the Northwest was giving Emperor Qianxi a headache, the New Year still had to be celebrated.

Moreover, as an emperor, one should cultivate the demeanor of a great general, maintaining composure even under immense pressure.

"Greetings to the Eighth Prince!" Liang Jiugong, with his sharp eyes, quickly bowed as soon as he saw the Eighth Prince.

The Eighth Prince never dared to neglect Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch who was Emperor Qianxi's personal attendant. He replied with a smile, "Greetings, Chief Eunuch Liang."

"Father, are you free right now? I have something important to report."

Liang Jiugong frowned and lowered his voice:
"Eighth Master, why don't you rest in the corner room for a while?"

"The Shaanxi-Gansu Governor's Office just sent a report today about the war situation. His Majesty is currently convening the Ministry of War and several nobles to discuss the war."

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince was not disappointed at all; instead, his eyes lit up.

The more tense the war became, the more the Emperor needed money.

At this critical juncture, wouldn't sending the message that "the money has arrived" be a timely and effective way to help someone in need, achieving twice the result with half the effort?

"Thank you for your guidance, Steward Liang. I will wait. Please inform my father when he has time."

"My matter is also related to the provisions and pay for the troops."

By the end, the Eighth Prince's eyes and brows were full of smiles.

How shrewd was Liang Jiugong?
Upon seeing the Eighth Prince's barely concealed smirk, he immediately understood:

It seems the Eighth Prince has made progress in raising funds and provisions this time.

Otherwise, they wouldn't be so excited.

As he led the Eighth Prince to the corner room to rest, he sighed inwardly:
The Crown Prince has really made a terrible mistake this time!
No one is indispensable before His Majesty.

If you become complacent after achieving a little success, you will be replaced by someone else in no time.

If even the Crown Prince is like this, if I were to accidentally kick the bucket one day, I'd probably be replaced by Wei Zhu immediately.

The Eighth Prince waited for half an hour.

Although Liang Jiugong had many teas and snacks delivered, he still became restless and impatient as he waited.

Fortunately, after another fifteen minutes, Liang Jiugong finally came to invite him.

Upon entering the study, one sees Emperor Qianxi drinking tea, his face showing signs of fatigue.

He'd been in meetings for over an hour straight; how could he not be tired?
To make matters worse, the Arabtan in the northwest has switched from defense to offense, and the general in Lanzhou is in a state of constant alarm.

Although the urgent report from the Lanzhou general did not mention any major defeat, his desire for troops to be dispatched as soon as possible was evident in his words.

Emperor Qianxi wanted to send troops out as soon as possible, but with the New Year approaching, he had to let the soldiers have a holiday.

Most importantly, we don't have enough money!
Mobilizing a large army without provisions is no laughing matter.

"Why are you in such a hurry to see me? What brings you here?"

Emperor Qianxi put down his teacup and asked the Eighth Prince, who had finished bowing, in a deep voice.

Seeing his father's cold expression and indifferent tone, the Eighth Prince felt a little disappointed.

He thought his relationship with his father had reached a new level.

My father should be very close to me, not as indifferent as he is now.

However, the Eighth Prince was no ordinary person; he instantly concealed his emotions and said with a smile:
"Father, Ge Li has replied! He says that the eight million in military funds have been prepared and will be transported to the capital before the end of the year."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's face lit up instantly, and he stood up abruptly from his throne, loudly proclaiming:
"Good! Ge Li is indeed someone who can share my burdens!"

"To raise eight million taels in such a short time is truly a great achievement!"

"Yun Si, write a letter to Ge Li and tell him that once the silver arrives, I will reward him handsomely!"

At this point, Emperor Qianxi seemed to suddenly realize that his son beside him had also made a great contribution, and he coughed lightly and said:

"Yunsi, when I lead the army on a campaign, the overall situation in the capital will depend on your efforts."

Tsk, they're starting to make empty promises again.

However, this pancake smells quite delicious, and it seems like I could actually eat it.

The Eighth Prince quickly knelt down: "Father, please let the Crown Prince stay and guard the capital." "Your subject is willing to go to war with Father and personally cut off Arabtan's head."

Emperor Qianxi was even more pleased with what the Eighth Prince said. He personally helped his son up and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Yunsi, get up."

"You are a sensible and good child, knowing how to share your father's burdens."

"Unlike some people, who become arrogant and overconfident just because they have a little bit of ability!"

"How dare you abandon me!"

"If he doesn't want to do it, then he shouldn't! I want him to know that once something is thrown away, it's hard to pick it up again!"

The Eighth Prince lowered his head, his heart pounding wildly.

Of course he knew who his father was referring to.

The Crown Prince has really gone down the wrong path this time, provoking his father to such a great anger... Heh heh, he might not be far from being deposed.

This position of regent must belong to me.

“Father, I think differently from others.”

“These days, I have been unable to eat or sleep properly, and I have been thinking about only one thing: how can I share some of my father’s worries.”

"Seeing how exhausted you've been these past few days breaks my heart. It's really hard for me to feel this way."

These words were so thoughtful and considerate, showing both warmth and care.

Emperor Qianxi's smile deepened. He patted the Eighth Prince on the shoulder and said nothing more.

He turned to Liang Jiugong and instructed, "Have the imperial kitchen prepare the meal. The Eighth Prince will dine with me today."

Dining with the emperor was an honor.

For the emperor to offer you a meal is an extremely high honor.

The Eighth Prince's smile spread all the way from the study to the dining hall.

During the meal, Emperor Qianxi chatted with the Eighth Prince about some old stories.

The atmosphere between father and son was harmonious and joyful, and their relationship seemed to have warmed up considerably.

When the Eighth Prince left the Qianqing Palace, he was carrying many treasures bestowed upon him by Emperor Qianxi, and he was beaming with pride.

After the Eighth Prince left, Emperor Qianxi leaned leisurely against the couch and asked Liang Jiugong in a low voice:
"Many people say that the Eighth Prince is most like me. What do you think?"

Liang Jiugong had just brewed a cup of tea for Emperor Qianxi and was about to catch his breath when Emperor Qianxi suddenly threw out this deadly question.

It hit him so hard his scalp tingled instantly.

He really wanted to pretend he hadn't heard, but how could he not answer the emperor's question?

He could only force a smile and say cautiously:

"Your Majesty, this servant...this servant believes that the Eighth Prince is as kind and magnanimous as you."

After saying that, sweat began to appear on his forehead.

This magnanimity seems somewhat ironic when applied to the Eighth Prince.
Fortunately, Emperor Qianxi did not pursue the matter further, but instead said:

"Is that rebellious son still hiding in his palace?"

Emperor Qianxi had many sons, more than a dozen in total, and several of them could be called "rebellious sons".

However, at this moment, Liang Jiugong was able to accurately grasp that the "rebellious son" that Emperor Qianxi was referring to was the Crown Prince.

He instructed people to keep an eye on the Crown Prince's movements every day, in order to prepare for any questions the Qianxi Emperor might ask.

He quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince spends most of his time at home, but he did go out yesterday to stroll around Liulichang."

"Hmph, they ignore all matters of state and don't care about a thing, yet they have the leisure to wander around? How infuriating!"

Emperor Qianxi's face darkened, and he paced back and forth a few steps, wanting to teach this wretched child who showed no consideration for his father a lesson.

But then I thought—wait, there doesn't seem to be anything that can punish him right now?
Yuqing Palace, get out!

The New Year's Day court audience was also cancelled for him!
He was also removed from his position as Minister of Revenue!

The current crown prince, besides the title of crown prince, only has the three positions he previously traded with.

These are three positions that he cannot change at will.

Although he was the emperor, his words were law.

However, to blatantly break a contract in front of everyone... such a breach of trust still requires some consideration for saving face.

"By imperial decree, the Eighth Prince, Yunsi, is of noble character and deeply favored by me. His mother, Consort Liang, is hereby promoted to Imperial Concubine Liang!"

After pacing back and forth a few times, Emperor Qianxi gave instructions to Liang Jiugong.

For Emperor Qianxi, the promotion of imperial concubines was a matter of a single word.

However, this time the situation is different.

Emperor Qianxi promoted Consort Liang's rank, but it was because of the Eighth Prince. This was clearly a way of praising his son while praising his mother!
Moreover, it specifically mentioned that the Eighth Prince was of noble character.

Although it wasn't explicitly stated that the emperor resembled him, the meaning behind it is...

Is this a compliment to the Eighth Prince, or a deliberate warning to the Crown Prince?

Liang Jiugong muttered to himself for a long time, but his face remained expressionless. This was not something he could get involved in.

So he obediently replied, "This servant obeys the decree."

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand and said, "Go and do it."

After Liang Jiugong left the study, Emperor Qianxi lay on his bed, feeling a sense of comfort.

Hmph, how dare this unfilial son throw a tantrum at me?
Then I'll let you know that what I can give you, I can also take back at any time!
It can be given to others!
(End of this chapter)