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

Chapter 582 Swords Unsheathed in the Imperial Court, the World is in My Hands

When the good news arrived, the vast imperial court was silent for only a moment before erupting into a cacophony of noise.

Tong Guowei glanced sideways at the Crown Prince sitting on the Sumeru Throne, feeling utterly bitter. It was as if he had swallowed two ounces of bitter herbs and had to chew them up before swallowing them.

He muttered to himself: Back then, who in the entire court didn't laugh at the Crown Prince's Fubo Navy? Everyone thought it was just a childish, playful navy.

Who would have thought they could actually fight!

Not only were they skilled fighters, but they also swiftly and decisively wiped out the rebel forces controlling the Yangtze River naval fleet.

Oh, this achievement is far greater than transporting four million bushels of grain.

This truly quelled the rebellion!
The Yangtze River waterway has resumed operation and is open again!

What if this guy really gets to power in the future?
He must be another ruthless and decisive master.

No matter how unwilling Tong Guowei was, he could only step forward and bow to Shen Ye, saying:

"Congratulations, Your Highness, on your strategic planning and decisive victory from afar!"

"We didn't hear a single word, and you... quelled the rebellion in Jiangnan without a sound!"

On the surface, Tong Guowei’s words sounded like congratulations, but upon closer examination, a hint of sourness emerged: “He didn’t even tell me, the dignified Grand Secretary!”
However, by this time, the imperial court was already under the Shen family's control.

He waved his hand dismissively and replied slowly:
"Prime Minister Tong, the key to mobilizing the Fubo Navy is to catch them off guard, so that we can catch the rebels off guard."

“In the past, when we transported grain by sea, we said we had to keep it a secret.”

"But what happened? The rebels found out even faster than we did!"

"If we had announced the mobilization of the Fubo Navy in court earlier, would the rebels have been fooled?"

"They've probably already vanished without a trace!"

At this point, Shen Ye glanced at Zhang Ying:
"Prime Minister Zhang, although the rebels have been wiped out, I feel that the death of Ge Li is not so simple."

“Cen Youguang has been in the position of Governor-General of Liangjiang for so long, but he still hasn’t found out the truth.”

"In my opinion, we should send someone to Jiangnan to thoroughly investigate this case and find out whether Ge Li's death was caused by Guan Shaopeng and others, or whether there was another dark force behind it."

Zhang Ying's face tightened!
The matter of Ge Li can't withstand close investigation! If it is investigated, it will surely cause a huge mess, and that would be troublesome.

After all, Ge Li's death had far-reaching implications.

He hesitated for a moment, then quickly said, "Your Highness, His Majesty already made a decision regarding Ge Li's death while he was in the capital."

"It was Ge Li's harsh treatment of the river-controlling navy that led to his death."

"Now that the rebellion has just been quelled, the people of Jiangnan yearn for stability and peace. If Your Highness were to send people to reopen old cases in a grand manner, I fear it would only cause panic and create unnecessary trouble..."

"In my opinion, if Your Highness finds any suspicious circumstances surrounding Ge Li's death, you can send someone to Jiangnan to investigate secretly."

"Once we have concrete evidence, we will take swift and decisive action."

As soon as Zhang Ying finished speaking, Chen Tingjing immediately followed suit:
"Your Highness, I second that proposal!"

"His Majesty is currently on a distant expedition, and it is truly unwise for any further turmoil to erupt in Jiangnan!"

Many officials came from Jiangnan. Chen Tingjing took the lead, and four or five more followed, all saying the same thing: "seeking stability."

Shen Ye looked at the group of people below and smiled coldly: "Ge Li is an important official of the court, a first-rank official and the Governor-General of Liangjiang!"

"He was a representative of the imperial court, guarding a region and touring the country, but he died a pathetic death in office."

"Without a thorough investigation, where is the imperial court's authority?"

"How can we give Ge Li an explanation without a thorough investigation?"

As he said this, his gaze swept over Zhang Ying and the others like a knife:
“My beloved ministers are from Jiangnan and wish to seek peace for their hometown. I understand your intentions.”

"However, if we allow certain people to continue stirring up trouble, then Jiangnan will never truly be at peace!"

That's practically saying, "You bunch of heartless bastards, you must have something to hide!"
Zhang Ying's expression changed!
Her eyes quickly glanced at Tong Guowei, the meaning of which was crystal clear:

I do not wish for the Crown Prince to cause further trouble in Jiangnan.

Quickly persuade the Crown Prince!
Of course, I won't let you do this for nothing. As for the price, we can discuss it!

Tong Guowei knew perfectly well:

The Crown Prince is now very powerful. If he and Zhang Ying fight each other individually, they will both be in trouble in a one-on-one battle with the Crown Prince.

The situation is dire; it would be better to join forces.

He has to help with this.

As for Ge Li...

He's dead, so be it. Anyway, he was a traitor.

His mind raced, and he slowly stepped forward:
"Your Highness, Prime Minister Zhang is also thinking about the stability of the court, fearing that trouble might arise again during His Majesty's expedition."

At this point, he bowed to the Crown Prince and said:
"Your Highness, we are very grateful that you wish to seek justice for Ge Li."

"This old minister has an idea. Why don't we entrust this matter to the Eighth Prince to investigate?"

"Eighth Prince himself was to go south of the Yangtze River to supervise grain production and was also in charge of the Ministry of Justice."

"Furthermore, Ge Lisheng had a close relationship with Eighth Master. It's reasonable and logical to let Eighth Master investigate, and he'll definitely get to the bottom of it."

Tong Guowei's words made Zhang Ying and the others' eyes light up.

This fox, Tong, is no ordinary cunning and treacherous person!

The ideas this guy came up with are absolutely brilliant!

Since they couldn't stop the Crown Prince from investigating the Ge Li case, they might as well send their own people to investigate.

By having the Eighth Prince investigate, he can not only keep the case under the control of his own people, but also win the hearts of the gentry in Jiangnan and gain their support. This plan is truly killing two birds with one stone!
Upon hearing Tong Guowei's suggestion, Shen Ye inwardly sneered, but outwardly remained calm and said:
"Eighth Brother is supervising grain production in Yangzhou, a very important task. How could he possibly have time to investigate a case?"

"It would be better to send someone else to investigate."

As soon as he said this, the Eighth Prince immediately stepped forward, his face filled with sorrow:
“Your Highness, it was my younger brother who recommended Ge Li to His Majesty, which is why the court prepared funds for the western expedition.”

"But he lost his life because of it... Your humble servant is filled with unease day and night!"

"If the cause of Ge Li's death cannot be found out, I will never have peace of mind for the rest of my life. I beg Your Highness to entrust this task to me."

"Your Majesty, I can assure you that I will definitely give Ge Li justice!"

After saying that, he actually knelt down.

Looking at the Eighth Prince's sorrowful expression, Shen Ye thought to himself, "This drama queen, the Eighth Prince, is getting more and more adept at acting!"

However, none of that matters anymore.

He had already received a secret message and knew that Guan Shaopeng had been captured alive.

The reason why the thirteenth brother reported that "Guan Shaopeng has been beheaded" was only to lull outsiders into a false sense of security.

Let these guys lower their guard.

With Shao Peng alive in our hands, everything is under our control.

He wanted to see what kind of tricks this good eighth brother could pull out.

However, on the surface, Shen Ye pretended to hesitate and said:

"Eighth brother, Ge Li's ancestors made many great contributions to the imperial court."

"And he himself was devoted to the court and died in office as Governor-General of Liangjiang."

"You must find out the truth. We can't let Ge Li die without knowing why!"

After saying that, he glanced at Zhang Ying and the others: "Minister Zhang and the others are from Jiangnan. Why don't you ask your old friends if there are any hidden reasons for Ge Li's death?"

"If you learn the truth, report it to your eighth brother and the court immediately."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's cryptic words, Zhang Ying and the others stiffened their expressions, but could only grit their teeth and say, "Your subject... obeys."

With the matter in Jiangnan temporarily settled, Shen Ye turned his gaze to Yu Changyuan, the censor who had previously impeached him.

At this moment, the "frontline soldier" was ashen-faced and shivering uncontrollably as if he were cold.

He had previously made it known throughout the court that "the Crown Prince harbors rebellious intentions" and "the Crown Prince disregards the lives of Emperor Qianxi's expeditionary army because of ulterior motives!"

He also said...

If the Crown Prince were forced to retreat to the inner palace and lose his power to oversee the country, he might still be pardoned by Emperor Qianxi and escape death by chance.

After all, few ministers who impeach their ruler survive.

But now...

"Prime Minister Tong, Yu Changyuan is trying to sow discord among the imperial family, intending to arouse the emperor and his ministers' suspicion of me, thereby shaking the foundation of the empire. How should we deal with this?" Shen Ye asked in an icy voice.

Tong Guowei knew, of course, who Yu Changyuan was working for, and he also knew that the Crown Prince was asking him questions to use Tong Guowei to convict him.

But knowing this doesn't mean he has to speak up.

After a moment of silence, he said in a deep voice, "Yu Changyuan has been far from the imperial family, which is a capital offense."

"I urge Your Highness to transfer Yu Changyuan to the Court of Judicial Review, where the three judicial departments will jointly determine his crime and then execute him in accordance with the law."

Upon hearing this, Yu Changyuan's legs went weak.

Although he was prepared to die, he still couldn't control his fear at this moment.

Shen Ye replied calmly, "Has Prime Minister Tong ever read any history books?"

Tong Guowei was taken aback for a moment, then he understood.

Before he could speak, Shen Ye coldly asked and answered his own question: "What was the fate of Jiang Chong, who slandered Liu Ju in the history books?"

Upon hearing this, the entire court of officials changed color!

Yu Changyuan collapsed to the ground!
It would be one thing if he died, but if it were Jiang Chong, it would be like winning a match between three entire clans!

So before Tong Guowei could speak, Yu Changyuan scrambled forward, crying out, "Your Highness! I...I am submitting this memorial out of utmost loyalty!"

"Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention of sowing discord between the Emperor and his son! I only... I only worry that the Crown Prince's actions will hinder Your Majesty and the expeditionary army, which is why I risked my life to offer my advice!"

"Your subject is utterly loyal and has no other intentions."

Shen Ye looked down at Yu Changyuan, his eyes like knives:

"Yu Changyuan, do you think I don't know what your little scheme is?"

"You just want to drive a wedge between me and my father, and force him to depose me as the crown prince."

"Are you going to use my head, the Crown Prince's head, as a stepping stone for your new master to curry favor and seek rewards?"

"I don't know who your new master is, but since you dare to be this pawn, you should be prepared to lose your head."

"Don't assume that whatever others promise you is what it is."

Not all flatbreads are fit for the stomach!

"I don't want this matter to involve too many people. I'll deal with you the same way Jiang Chong did. This will serve as a warning to those who want to climb the social ladder by framing others."

At this point, he looked at Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying again: "Minister Tong, Minister Zhang, what do you two think of my handling of this matter?"

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(End of this chapter)