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

Chapter 503 The Emperor's Silent Blessings Speak Louder Than Words

Although there is fighting on the front lines, the New Year still needs to be celebrated.

Especially within the Forbidden City, the New Year celebrations cannot be taken lightly.

War is only temporary. If the Forbidden City doesn't celebrate the New Year properly, as some people say, then the whole country won't have a peaceful year.

Inside the palace, Emperor Qianxi was writing calligraphy.

Longkodo, the Grand Commander of the Infantry Commandery, was standing to one side, quietly reporting on the major and minor events in the capital.

Longkodo was Emperor Qianxi's "ears," and many things were passed on to Emperor Qianxi through him.

In the eyes of the princes and ministers, Longkodo was someone they dared not offend.

If he were to secretly report you one day, causing a complete disaster and resulting in a family-wide "cancel" game, that would be no joke.

"Your Majesty, Yuqing Bank has recently launched a new type of ten-tael gold note. Although the workmanship is not as exquisite as that of the one-hundred-tael note, the anti-counterfeiting features are really quite good."

"I heard that someone tried to counterfeit the Yuqing gold notes, but the counterfeit was immediately recognized."

"The manager of Yuqing Bank demanded that Shuntian Prefecture thoroughly investigate and punish these people."

Upon hearing that someone was counterfeiting the Yuqing gold notes, Emperor Qianxi paused, looked up at Longkodo, and asked, "Are the Yuqing gold notes really that difficult to counterfeit?"

"It's harder than climbing to heaven! I don't know where Yuqing Bank found such an expert to print the picture so clearly, and the paper they used is also very rare."

"What's even more amazing is that they publicly revealed as many as fifteen or sixteen anti-counterfeiting secret marks."

"Yuqing Bank even sent people to explain these secret marks. Now, everyone in the capital has developed a keen eye and can tell the difference between the real and fake marks."

Longkodo's tone held a hint of emotion as he said this: "This servant is thinking that if Yuqing Bank were to roll out these gold notes, wouldn't that be the same as... directly printing silver!"

The moment the words "printing silver" were uttered, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed.

Even an emperor values ​​silver highly.

Printing silver—just thinking about it makes me incredibly happy.

Is this the kind of intention the Crown Prince had in mind when he started Yuqing Bank?
However, he immediately remembered that only 10,000 of the 100-tael Yuqing gold notes had been printed.

The prince said that this kind of paper is difficult to make.

Despite his thoughts, Emperor Qianxi still felt that he needed to keep a close eye on the Yuqing Bank matter.

"You should pay close attention to Yuqing Bank in the future. If there is any disturbance, report it to me immediately."

After Emperor Qianxi finished speaking, he placed the written "福" (Fu, meaning good fortune) character aside.

Liang Jiugong and Wei Zhu, who were serving nearby, worked quickly and efficiently, one collecting the paper and the other spreading it out, their movements flowing smoothly together.

Emperor Qianxi rubbed his wrist and sighed, "Writing the character '福' (fortune/blessing) is quite a tiring task!"

Upon hearing this, Longkodo quickly smiled apologetically: "This is because everyone holds His Majesty in high esteem and hopes to receive a 'Fu' character bestowed by His Majesty!"

"Being able to display a 'Fu' character written by His Majesty himself means that the whole year will be filled with wealth and good fortune!"

Seeing his obsequious expression, Emperor Qianxi smiled and said, "Alright, when you leave, take two of these back with you to put up."

"By the way, what is the reaction in the capital to the promotion of the Eighth Prince's birth mother to the rank of Consort Wei?"

Looking at Emperor Qianxi's smiling face, Longkodo thought to himself: You're just asking a question you already know the answer to!
While inwardly grumbling, he outwardly said respectfully, "Your Majesty, you just appointed the Eighth Prince as the Minister of Revenue, and then you promoted his birth mother to the rank of Consort Wei."

"Many people in the capital are talking about it quietly. Although they are speaking very cryptically, my people have still heard quite a bit."

"Some nobles and ministers are speculating whether His Majesty... intends to change the heir apparent."

"Moreover, in the past two days, the gifts sent to the capital by governors and viceroys from various regions have all doubled the amount given to Eighth Prince's uncle, Naharo."

"It's much more substantial than the gifts sent to the Crown Princess's family."

Hearing this, Emperor Qianxi was not angry at all.

This was all part of his plan, so what's there to be angry about?

Rather, this is exactly what he wants to see; he's just waiting to watch the show.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is the Crown Prince aware of this situation?"

A thin layer of sweat appeared on Longkodo's forehead without his noticing.

He knew perfectly well: the Emperor's words were truly a matter of life and death!
After hesitating for a moment, he honestly replied:
"These past few days, the Crown Prince has been busy with two things: figuring out how to celebrate the New Year and fishing."

"This servant heard that the Prince of Qingqiu's mansion sent over ten cartloads of fireworks. Good heavens, they were piled up like a small mountain!"

"The Crown Prince said he plans to release more during the New Year so he can watch as much as he wants!"

"The Crown Prince doesn't meet with just anyone who comes to the Prince's residence to deliver New Year's gifts."

"However, the magistrate of Daxing County, Nian Dongliang, was called in by the Crown Prince for a private chat."

Longkodo's last sentence is the key point.

He mentioned it casually, but his words were actually loaded with hidden meaning; the implication was clear:

Your Majesty, Nian Dongliang has been in the capital for so many years, he's a local bigwig. How could he not know about the things you're talking about?
When the Crown Prince saw him, he understood everything.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi raised the corners of his mouth and smiled at Longkodo—he was clearly very satisfied with the answer.

Longkodo was pondering what the Emperor should ask the Crown Prince next when he heard Emperor Qianxi suddenly say, "Alright, you may take your leave."

“It’s the New Year, and you have a lot to do at home, so go and get busy.” With that, the Emperor pointed to the stack of newly written “Fu” characters on the table: “Take two of these Fu characters and put them up in your… home.”

The words "that home" were spoken slowly, and Longkodo broke out in a cold sweat.

He thanked the emperor and respectfully withdrew.

Only after leaving the palace gates did Longkodo take out his sleeve and wipe his forehead.

Despite his seemingly casual manner in front of the Emperor, he was actually on edge, terrified that a single wrong word could cost him the Emperor's favor.

The Emperor bestowed these two "Fu" characters upon Longkodo, which on the surface appeared to be an act of favor and high regard, but Longkodo always felt that there was a hint of a warning in them.

Otherwise, why bring up "that home" out of the blue?
Everyone in the capital knows that Longkodo did something incredibly reckless—

He snatched his father-in-law's concubine. Only because the emperor protected him did no one dare to touch him.

But what if one day the emperor no longer wants to protect us...? That would be a classic case of everyone kicking someone when they're down, and I don't even want to think about the scene of that utter devastation.

Longkodo took a deep breath, straightened his back, and adopted the air of a "favorite of the emperor," walking away from the Qianqing Palace with his head held high.

After he walked away, Emperor Qianxi turned to Liang Jiugong beside him and said, "These characters will be bestowed upon the princes later."

"Six cards for the Crown Prince, two cards for the other princes, and six cards for the Eighth Prince as well."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong's face showed a hint of surprise, but he still honestly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will take care of it immediately."

Emperor Qianxi waved his hand and casually picked up a memorial.

This is an urgent report from the General of Lanzhou, requesting reinforcements. He said that Lanzhou has been besieged for more than half a month, and if the imperial court does not send reinforcements to rescue it, it can only hold out for three or four months at most.

If the city falls, the imperial court will suffer huge losses!
Sending troops is imperative!

Moreover, he intended to personally lead the army. But warfare is a complex undertaking with far-reaching consequences; if the rear is unstable, everything else will be in vain…

Can the Eighth Prince truly maintain order by overseeing the country?
Emperor Qianxi was uncertain.

But that rebellious son thinks that I have no one else to use but him. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Putting down the memorial in his hand, Emperor Qianxi instructed Wei Zhu beside him: "At the imperial family banquet on the 30th of this year, arrange the Eighth Prince's seat at the head of the princes."

Wei Zhu's eyelids twitched—he had been in the palace for so many years and knew the rules inside and out.

The banquet for imperial relatives was attended by members of the royal family. The fact that the emperor placed the eighth prince so prominently was almost a clear indication that the emperor valued him.

The Emperor's sudden elevation of a prince carries a profound meaning...

Thinking of Liang Jiugong's reaction just now, Wei Zhu didn't dare to ask any more questions and simply answered honestly, "Yes."

On New Year's Eve, everyone from Emperor Qianxi to the princes was extremely busy.

The various rituals never stop, and the sheer complexity is overwhelming.

Crown Prince Shen Ye had hoped to stay in bed longer, but alas, that was just a pipe dream. He couldn't avoid any of the occasions he was required to attend.

So before dawn, he took Zhou Bao and rushed to the Forbidden City.

When he arrived outside the Qianqing Palace, the other princes were already lined up and waiting quietly.

Upon seeing him arrive, they all bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Shen Ye quickly returned the greeting, and even reached out to help the eldest prince up.

Although he was very annoyed with him, this was in front of the Qianqing Palace, so he still had to put on a show of brotherly affection.

The eldest prince stared at the crown prince and chuckled, "Your Highness, I heard you haven't been feeling well these past few days? I recently acquired some honey and hawthorn berries, I'd like to bring you some."

Besides being sweet, honey and hawthorn are mainly good for relieving bloating—Shen Ye knew immediately that the Crown Prince was teasing him.

Shen Ye smiled and replied, "Thank you, brother. Then send more, it won't be enough to eat if you send less."

"Brother, during the Spring Festival, you should go out and visit more people, see old relatives and friends. After all... it's a rare opportunity!"

The eldest prince also sensed the hidden meaning in his words and snorted, "No need for Your Highness to worry, I know what I'm doing."

"I heard that the Crown Prince received six 'Fu' characters from Father Emperor this time. Amazing! I'm so envious!"

“I only have two, not as many as you and your eighth brother—they have six.”

Shen Ye was not annoyed and replied with a smile, "Eighth brother is sharing the Emperor's burdens, so his hard work will naturally be rewarded."

"Brother, you should try to make things easier for Father these days. If you can improve in the future, you might be able to get a few more next year."

After saying that, he stopped looking at the eldest prince and turned his gaze to the eighth prince beside him.

The Eighth Prince stood there calmly, as if he hadn't just been spoken of. When Shen Ye looked over, he simply nodded calmly.

Shen Ye didn't say much, then turned to the Third Prince and Fourth Prince: "Third and Fourth Princes, on the second day of the Lunar New Year, I'll have someone prepare a few pots, let's have a drink together, brothers?"

The third and fourth princes naturally agreed with smiles.

Just then, Liang Jiugong walked over: "Your Majesty summons the Eighth Prince to the palace."

Upon hearing this, the eldest prince immediately glanced at Shen Ye, his eyebrows raised high, his eyes clearly saying: See? Those who know, know.

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(End of this chapter)