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

Chapter 558 You fight your way, I'll fight mine.

The cold wind was blowing like a whistle, and the sky was finally beginning to brighten!

But this light, shining on Shen Ye's face beneath the Sumeru pedestal in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, only made his expression appear even more somber.

At that moment, he suddenly understood the feelings of the Daoist Emperor of the previous dynasty.

When you try to reason with someone, they rely on their numbers and power, ignoring all reason and only focusing on their "mass."

Back then, Emperor Daojun didn't want to acknowledge his father, but those people forced him to sever ties with his biological father and acknowledge a new father.

Enraged, the Daojun Emperor raised his court staff!
However, Shen Ye thought again and realized that he was not as good as Emperor Daojun at the moment!
For example, the most obvious point is: after all, he was the emperor.

And what about himself? He was merely a prince.

He's older than the Emperor, yet his official rank is lower. Where can you find justice in this?

Furthermore, Daojun controls the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and can make people "disappear" with a single order.

As for himself? Whether the people in the Infantry Commander's Office would listen to orders was another matter entirely.

He glanced down and saw a huge, dark mass of censors and attendants kneeling before the hall, like a meeting of crows.

None of Tong Guowei's old hands showed up this time; they sent all the lowly soldiers to fight.

They, on the other hand, remained calm and collected, waiting to watch the show unfold.

Shen Ye's eyes darted around, and her gaze landed on Tong Guowei, who was standing at the very front of the throne. She smiled and spoke:

"Prime Minister Tong, what do you think of everyone's enthusiastic participation?"

Tong Guowei slowly took a step forward, then said in a deep voice:
“Your Highness, your efforts to improve social order in the capital are for the long-term peace and stability of the capital’s residents.”

"The data that Lord Zhen just mentioned fully demonstrates that the action you have promoted has achieved excellent results."

"The order to 'investigate back three years' was well-intentioned, but it led to the tragedy of Shen Zhuowang's family."

"In my humble opinion, the order in the capital is already much better, and there is really no need to launch another major attack."

"It would be best to keep the status quo of the Infantry Commander's Office and the Shuntian Prefecture."

The implication was: Your Highness, that's enough. If we continue investigating, it will only make things worse for everyone.

As soon as Tong Guowei finished speaking, Zhang Ying also stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I completely agree with what Prime Minister Tong said."

As Zhang Ying took the initiative to speak, Ma Qi, Yarjiang'a, and others followed suit, lining up to express their support for Tong Guowei.

Such a scene of unanimous agreement would likely have caused Emperor Qianxi to back down.

After all, although the emperor is supreme, without the support of his ministers, he will become a lonely figure.

We can't just leave no one to do the work!

Yu Chenglong, standing among the officials, shifted his feet, wanting to say a few words, but Shen Ye stopped him with a look.

He knew what Yu Chenglong was going to say, but if Yu Chenglong came out alone, he would just be cannon fodder and wouldn't be able to achieve anything.

He doesn't have many people he's willing to train, so he can't just give them away casually; every one he gives away is one less person he can train.

Then he spoke slowly:

“What Prime Minister Tong said makes some sense.”

Then, changing the subject abruptly, he raised the memorial in his hand, shaking it loudly:

"However, the reason I'm pushing for improved security in the capital is simply because things here are in such a chaotic state!"

"Located right under the emperor's feet, in the most virtuous and prosperous land!"

"Yet, acts of bullying men and women, and oppressing the innocent continue to occur!"

"Not to mention ordinary people, even scholars who went to the capital to take the imperial examinations could have their legs broken and miss the exams."

"If such people are not severely punished, can the capital still be called the capital?"

"If this gets out, where will we put the face of our Great Zhou?"

"Anyone who didn't know better would think that we'd added a combat element to the imperial examinations!"

At this point, his gaze suddenly shifted to Ma Qi:

"Ma Qi, tell me, how did you raise your son? How come he's so... domineering?"

Ma Qi's face darkened, and his heart skipped a beat.

He originally thought that by taking the initiative to apologize, the matter was over, but now he realizes that he was too naive.

That Crown Prince is showing absolutely no respect for me!

Now that the whole capital knows about this, how can he still deny it?

At this moment, he felt a little regretful, wondering why he hadn't claimed illness and refused to attend court!
"Your humble servant is guilty... It is because I have failed to properly educate my son!"

Ma Qi knelt down with a thud, his voice bitter:
"After I learned of this, I punished that unfilial son with thirty strokes of the cane and personally apologized to the scholar who was beaten."

There was nothing he could do; his tail had been stepped on, so he had no choice but to accept it.

Shen Ye nodded, his tone lingering: "If a child is raised but not taught, it is the father's fault!"

"Since you know you are wrong, it means you haven't completely forgotten the teachings of the sages."

He suddenly leaned forward slightly, his voice low but clear:
"However, Ma Hechang's matter is definitely not something that can be resolved simply by offering an apology."

"A country has its laws, a family has its rules, and where is Longkodo in the Infantry Commander's Office?"

Longkodo, who had been hiding in the back and keeping quiet, suddenly stepped forward when he heard Shen Ye's stern question and said, "This servant is here."

"According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, how should Ma Hechang be punished for this?"

"Your Highness, Ma Hechang has crippled another person by beating him. He should be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and exiled three thousand li away."

Longkodo answered crisply and decisively, secretly pleased with himself.
Ma Qi, Ma Qi, you're usually so capable, how come you've fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince this time?
Ma Qi's lips twitched, and a chill ran down his spine.

He never imagined that today's collective petition would turn into his own public execution! This humiliation made him blush with shame.

If the emperor were here, he might be able to squeeze out a few tears, lament his years of hard work, and make a scene.

He knew that Emperor Qianxi could not do without him.

However, if the Crown Prince were to oversee the country, and the man dared to throw a tantrum, the Crown Prince would absolutely not let him off easily.

He would absolutely not let go of such an opportunity to establish his authority!

Shen Ye didn't give Ma Qi a chance to catch his breath and continued:
“You’ve already given him thirty lashes, this one should be counted.”

“Then let the Infantry Commander’s Office continue to give him seventy more lashes, making up a hundred, and then exile him to Ningguta.”

"Lord Ma, you have no objection to acting in accordance with the law, do you?"

Ma Qi's lips twitched as if he had caught a cold, and he looked at Tong Guowei with pleading eyes.

At this point, it seemed that only Tong Guowei could help him out of his predicament.

Tong Guowei's face was also very ugly. He wanted to tell Ma Qi, "What use am I to you?!"
Your son's secrets are being held by others!
You can't expect me to act like a muddle-headed old minister and distort the truth on the spot because of that good-for-nothing beast of yours, can you?

I still have a reputation to maintain!

At this moment, the Eighth Prince stepped forward, steeling himself:

"Your Highness, I feel the punishment is a bit too harsh!"

"Lord Ma Qi devoted himself to the court, which is why he neglected to discipline his son."

"Moreover, after he learned the cause of the matter, he had already punished Ma Hechang!"

"He also obtained the forgiveness of the scholar who was beaten, so I think he should be treated leniently."

Shen Ye glanced at him and said earnestly, "Eighth brother, the key to governing a country is to have clear rewards and punishments!"

"The laws of the country are there, and no one can change them at will."

"Otherwise, what's the use of national laws?"

"Your father appointed you to the Southern Study to hone your abilities."

"You've been on duty for so long, and you still can't distinguish between what's important and what's not. I'm really disappointed in you."

Shen Ye shook his head, looking as if he were disappointed in his son, and said with great heartache:

"After court, copy and read through the Great Zhou Code, and then write a reflection for me."

"The word count must be no less than three thousand, it must be profound and thorough, and it must show me your remorse!"

The Eighth Prince was filled with resentment, and his face turned red.

Maqi is someone who supports me!

How can I turn a blind eye and remain indifferent when I watch you strip him of his power?
I just raised a different opinion, how did it become you assigning me homework?
And they said it so grandly!
The Eighth Prince couldn't help but look at the Third Prince, only to see that the Third Prince was watching the show with great interest.

Ma Qi supports the Eighth Prince, while the Third Prince is more than happy for him to quarrel with the Crown Prince.

He was equally pleased to see the Crown Prince curb the arrogance of the Eighth Prince.

Even as your older brother, I don't have as many supporters as you. Humph, where do you put me, your older brother?

"Your subject obeys." The Eighth Prince gritted his teeth and withdrew.

Shen Ye then turned his gaze to Ma Qi, indicating that it was his turn to express his opinion.

Ma Qi took a deep breath, knowing that there was no way to reverse the situation, and clasped his hands in resignation, saying, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

“Oh, right,” Shen Ye said, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“Ma Qi, in this matter, you should also bear the blame for failing to properly manage your household.”

"But your eighth brother just pleaded for you, saying that you have devoted yourself to the court, so... you won't be punished."

Shen Ye spoke magnanimously, as if he wanted to bestow an immense favor upon Ma Qi:

"I'm giving you three months off. Go home and take good care of your family."

"Once you've taken care of your household, then you can go out and do other work."

"Alas, the saying goes, 'Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.' If you can't even manage your own family, how can you be expected to work in the Southern Study?"

The last sentence sounded like concern, but everyone in the hall understood it:

The Crown Prince has directly stripped Ma Qi of his position as Minister of Revenue!
They stripped him of all his real power in one fell swoop!
Several ministers secretly exchanged glances:
Your Highness, does His Majesty agree to this?

Tong Guowei finally couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward:
"Your Highness, Lord Ma is the Minister of Revenue!"

"He now bears heavy responsibilities. The imperial court needs him to raise funds and allocate supplies for two military campaigns and the suppression of bandits in Jiangnan."

"This official position, personally bestowed by His Majesty, is probably not suitable to be changed lightly!"

Before Zhang Ying, who was standing to the side, could speak up again, Shen Ye waved his hand and smiled calmly:
"Prime Minister Tong, you've misunderstood."

"Where did I dismiss Lord Ma from his position as Minister?"

"He's still the Minister of Revenue!"

"I'm just being considerate of my old minister, so I'm giving him a break to take care of some household chores."

“I am just concerned. Even if Lord Tong doesn’t report this to the Emperor, I will.”

"I certainly don't want such unfilial descendants to appear in Lord Ma's family again!"

"As for the Ministry of Revenue," Shen Ye said lightly, "I've overseen it before, I know it very well, so I'll take charge of it!"

"Just keep an eye on things for now, nothing should go wrong!"

After speaking, he gave instructions to the imperial guards standing in the main hall:
"You are responsible for escorting Lord Ma back to his residence, so that he can focus on managing the household for the next three months."

(End of this chapter)