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

Chapter 7 Is the Love Deep?
"Father, the Six Ministries govern the entire realm. If I were to go and observe the government, I would likely only be seeing things through a fog."

Shen Ye looked at Emperor Qianxi and said sincerely, "Some time ago, I was reading and saw a saying: 'Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish!'"

"During the Tang and Song dynasties, there was a saying that fierce generals rose from the ranks and prime ministers emerged from local prefectures and counties."

"Therefore, I wish to observe the administration of Daxing County."

Emperor Qianxi, who was already wary of the Crown Prince's political observations, was taken aback by Shen Ye's answer.

He never expected that the Crown Prince would choose Daxing County as the location.

Although Daxing County is an attached county, its status is too low. To say nothing of other things, their county magistrate is only a sixth-rank official.

Even if the crown prince wanted to expand his power, what kind of power could he possibly develop in such a small county?

If he wanted to, he could wipe out all those officials in Daxing County with a wave of his hand.

Moreover, the inner city was not managed by the Shuntian Prefecture, but by the Infantry Commander's Office!

Shuntian Prefecture only managed the outer city!
The location chosen for observing the government's affairs is rather low!

With less suspicion in his heart, Emperor Qianxi's fatherly instincts began to kick in, and he wondered if he was being too demanding of the crown prince.

After all, this was his eldest son, whom he had raised for many years!

“Your Highness, Daxing County is of a very low status. It would be improper for you to go there to observe the administration.”

Emperor Qianxi hesitated for a moment, then solemnly said, "If you really want to observe the administration of the prefectures and counties, then go to Shuntian Prefecture."

Shuntian Prefecture governed seventeen counties, making it a crucial area surrounding the capital.

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture was a high-ranking official of the third rank, wearing a red robe. Although nominally under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of Zhili, he was able to submit memorials to the emperor on his own initiative.

Historically, many prefects of Shuntian Prefecture were able to rise directly to the position of vice minister of the Six Ministries or other important posts.

In Emperor Qianxi's view, sending the Crown Prince to Shuntian Prefecture to observe state affairs was beneath his station.

Shen Ye wasn't particularly interested in observing politics.

Just now, I was so focused on being humble with Emperor Qianxi that I didn't expect that Emperor Qianxi, who still harbored thoughts of cultivating a crown prince, would inexplicably want me to observe politics.

Not wanting to go to the Sixth Ministry, he then thought of Daxing County.

Upon hearing that Shuntian Prefecture was only slightly inferior to the Six Ministries, he simply declined, saying, "Your Majesty, I know very well that you would not want me to suffer."

"However, I think it's better to take things one step at a time when it comes to matters like political observation."

"I also want to see how the people of our Great Zhou live."

From a young age, Emperor Qianxi enjoyed strolling through the streets in white dragon robes, partly to relax and partly to learn about the lives of ordinary people.

Shen Ye's insistence now suits his temperament.

However, he still advised, "Daxing County is too low-ranking. If you go there, the entire Daxing County government office will probably be unable to function properly!"

Upon hearing that he didn't have to go to Shuntian Prefecture, Shen Ye, with a strong survival instinct, quickly said, "Yunye, a member of the imperial clan, greets Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing the words "idle imperial relatives," Emperor Qianxi immediately understood his son's thoughts.

A thought inexplicably popped into his mind: if the Crown Prince were to use his status as a member of the imperial clan to observe government affairs in Daxing County, it wouldn't be easy for him to win over the old hands in Daxing County.

"so be it."

Emperor Qianxi nodded and said, "I have instructed the Ministry of Personnel to make arrangements so that you can go to Daxing County to observe the administration tomorrow."

"Write a reflection on your observations of governance every five days and show it to me."

Shen Ye was overjoyed after Emperor Qianxi agreed, but he did not expect that he would have to write an essay every five days.

This is so annoying!

However, faced with the stern-faced Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye, who harbored thoughts of lying down and accepting the situation, had no choice but to swallow her bargaining words.

After all, he had already bargained. Since Emperor Qianxi had many things to do, Shen Ye chatted for a few more minutes before taking his leave.

Emperor Qianxi watched Shen Ye leave for a long while before slowly saying, "The Crown Prince has changed quite a bit!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Jiugong, who was serving him, wished he could turn into a fart and disappear without a sound.

It's best not to listen to the evaluation of the number one person in the world by the number two person in the world.

So he lowered his head, trying his best not to make a sound, so that His Majesty would not pay attention to him.

But this kind of thing is not so easy.

Emperor Qianxi sighed and said to him, "Liang Jiugong, have I been too harsh on the Crown Prince?"

Hearing this question, Liang Jiugong felt helpless, thinking to himself, "Can't you just ignore me like a fart?"

He had already wanted to disappear, but His Majesty still called on him to answer questions.

This is a question that can't be left unanswered.

“Your Majesty, you have a bit too high expectations for the Crown Prince.” Liang Jiugong said respectfully, “As the old saying goes, the deeper the love, the harsher the expectations. The more parents love their children, the more they hope they will achieve great things.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qianxi's smile deepened.

He wasn't being demanding of the crown prince; his expectations were too high.

He would never tell anyone about the needle-like feeling in his heart.

Just then, a series of light footsteps came from behind.

Upon hearing this voice, Liang Jiugong was overjoyed, as he had the deepest understanding of the changes in the relationship between Emperor Qianxi and his son.

Therefore, he really didn't want to get involved.

Now that something's happened, he's finally free.

"Your Majesty, the candidates for the provincial examination in Shuntian Prefecture feel that the examination is unfair and are causing a disturbance at the examination hall," the eunuch who came to report said in a deep voice. "Now they are carrying the tablet of the Great Teacher of Virtue and Goodness and heading towards the Temple of Confucius."

Upon hearing this report, Emperor Qianxi's expression changed.

Having reigned for many years, he now felt that his civil and military achievements far surpassed those of his predecessors, when this incident occurred!
This is a disgrace to him.

He said coldly, "Summon Grand Secretaries Suo'etu, Mingzhu, and Zhang Ying."

"Furthermore, the Minister of Rites and the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate shall be summoned to an audience with the Emperor."

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi's arrangement, a young eunuch immediately went to deliver the imperial decree.

Looking at Emperor Qianxi, whose face had turned somewhat pale, Liang Jiugong felt that this time, many people might lose their heads.

After all, Emperor Qianxi, who aspired to be a sage ruler, disliked nothing more than problems with the imperial examinations.

Knowing that Emperor Qianxi was unhappy, he acted even more cautiously.

"Liang Jiugong, did Zhang Xuezan, the examiner for this year's Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination, previously serve as the Crown Prince's daily lecturer?" Emperor Qianxi seemed to have thought of something and suddenly asked Liang Jiugong.

Liang Jiugong felt a dryness in his throat!
He couldn't quite understand His Majesty's thoughts; how did this imperial examination cheating case involve the Crown Prince?

However, regardless of what he was thinking at that moment, after pondering for a moment, he honestly said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Xuezan was the lecturer you appointed for the Crown Prince in the twenty-eighth year."

Emperor Qianxi nodded and remained silent.

Just then, the young eunuch led in four or five officials dressed in red robes.

After a series of salutations, Emperor Qianxi's cold voice echoed in the hall: "Mingzhu, you are in charge of this matter. You must investigate it thoroughly."

"I want to see who dares to cheat in my provincial examination!"

The second update of the day is here! My new book has started, please support me!
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(End of this chapter)