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

Chapter 76 Two Interpretations of Following the Rules

Inside the Qianqing Palace, all was silent!
Apart from the ticking of the clock, there was no other sound.

As Emperor Qianxi's trusted eunuch, Liang Jiugong felt that his back was almost soaked with sweat.

He was in a house with the air conditioning blasting.

However, what His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince said was truly terrifying.

If possible, he definitely didn't want to listen to it anymore.

The emperor asked the crown prince for his opinion on the other princes, and the crown prince actually gave his opinion.

In Liang Jiugong's opinion, the Crown Prince was truly audacious.

Emperor Qianxi remained silent for a long time, as if he were pondering or in a daze.

Shen Ye also broke free from the conversation.

It doesn't matter!
Anyway, what I said was mostly true.

As long as I don't say anything like the fourth prince about sending all my brothers away, the current Emperor Qianxi will definitely not depose me.

Aside from being crippled, I really don't have many desires anymore.

After comforting himself, Shen Ye became even calmer.

Even while Emperor Qianxi was pondering, he picked up a piece of Eight Treasure Duck with his chopsticks.

Well, the prince's taste is pretty good.

At the very least, this Eight Treasure Duck is very flavorful.

Just as Shen Ye was about to finish a duck leg, Emperor Qianxi finally spoke.

"Although Eight Treasure Duck tastes good, you shouldn't eat too much of it."

"You've had a weak stomach and spleen since you were little, so you should limit your intake of greasy meat."

Hearing these words of concern, Shen Ye, though in the middle of eating, still dutifully thanked them, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Father. I will certainly remember it."

Emperor Qianxi nodded and said, "The idea you gave Yu Chenglong is good."

"It can be said that the work of providing disaster relief to the victims can be done without spending much money."

"However, Yu Chenglong is an honest man, so asking him to make money is a bit of a stretch."

"You should handle the money-making."

Looking at the composed Emperor Qianxi, Shen Ye really felt like cursing.

You just asked me about several princes, and I gave you my comments on each one. Can't you share your thoughts with me?
That turn was a bit too fast!
Thinking this in his heart, he obediently replied, "Your subject obeys."

However, after accepting the task, Shen Ye, somewhat unwilling, couldn't help but say, "Father, if you could issue an imperial decree for this road, I could sell it for an additional 500,000 taels of silver!"

After discussing with Yu Chenglong, Emperor Qianxi also estimated the price of the stone-paved road.

After calculating all the expenses, it would be about 500,000 taels of silver.

With just one imperial decree, I can sell for an extra 500,000 taels of silver. That seems pretty worthwhile.

Although imperial edicts are precious, their contents must also be examined.

Even if Emperor Qianxi were to promote someone to the rank of Grand Secretary, he wouldn't sell the position for 500,000 taels of silver.

However, other options are not out of the question.

After all, he only had 400,000 taels of silver left in his storage warehouse.

Some time ago, he secretly prayed that nothing bad would happen that would leave him, the emperor, without money.

"What imperial edict?"

Shen Ye solemnly said, "Father, the meaning of this decree is that those who purchase shares in this road shall not have their shares confiscated except for those who commit treason."

When Emperor Qianxi first heard Shen Ye's suggestion, he didn't seem to think much of it.

But upon closer examination, I immediately understood.

For high-ranking officials and nobles, what they fear most is making a mistake and having their property confiscated.

Once this happens, no matter how much wealth you have, it will all be for nothing. As a result, many people are still alive, but have lost all their money.

Without money, not only will life become difficult, but one may also be unable to recover.

However, once this stone-paved road from Chaoyangmen to Tongzhou is completed, it will generate a steady stream of income every day.

If Emperor Qianxi had issued this imperial edict, it would undoubtedly have been a sure thing for those involved in this path.

This would definitely tempt many wealthy nobles and aristocrats.

Emperor Qianxi had a sudden thought and felt that issuing this edict seemed quite worthwhile.

He immediately nodded and said, "Your Highness, this matter can be handled as you request."

"However, don't hand over that silver to the Ministry of Revenue; just pay it directly to the Imperial Household Department."

Seeing Emperor Qianxi's expression of "I'll accept this money," Shen Ye hurriedly said, "Father, I don't want any more of this extra silver. You should at least give me 100,000 taels as a reward for my hard work."

"What do you need so much silver for?" Emperor Qianxi asked sternly.

Shen Ye didn't hide anything at this moment, and said with a smile, "Father, I plan to build a garden near Changchun Garden."

"That's exactly what we need: 100,000 taels."

"As the saying goes, even an emperor doesn't starve his soldiers. Father, you wouldn't bear to let your son work for nothing, would you?"

Looking at Shen Ye, who was displaying a slightly roguish demeanor, Emperor Qianxi waved his hand helplessly and said, "Fine, as long as you can get this money over here, I will give you 100,000 taels of it!"

Seeing that Emperor Qianxi agreed to his request so readily, Shen Ye suddenly felt that he might have asked for too little.

After all, if they could get an extra 500,000 taels of silver, they would only need 100,000 taels themselves.

However, considering that the imperial edict still needed to be issued by Emperor Qianxi, he said no more.

After having a meal, Shen Ye said goodbye and left.

After watching Shen Ye leave, Emperor Qianxi turned to Liang Jiugong, who was standing beside him, and asked after a long while, "Liang Jiugong, do you think the Crown Prince's words today are credible?"

"Will he treat the eldest prince and the others well?"

Liang Jiugong's mind raced. Although he had made many preparations, he still felt flustered when the moment came.

After all, if you don't answer this kind of question well, you could be fired in no time.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered his courage and said, "Your Majesty, when the Crown Prince spoke to you, he appeared calm and composed, not like he was lying."

After saying this, Liang Jiugong was about to defend himself, but Emperor Qianxi waved his hand gently, indicating that he could leave.

Seeing Emperor Qianxi's gesture, Liang Jiugong breathed a long sigh of relief.

While Emperor Qianxi was eating, a similar meal was being taken at the residence of Songgotu.

Soetu's expression was rather unpleasant at this moment.

The Crown Prince being impeached with veiled accusations was exactly what he had expected.

He wanted to use this impeachment to make the Crown Prince realize his importance, thereby increasing the Crown Prince's dependence on him.

Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince himself stepped in to debate with the Imperial Censor.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, it seems that the Crown Prince has won.

Will the Crown Prince gradually drift away from them in the future?

If this happens, will his subordinates still obey him in the future?

Just as Suo'etu was having a flurry of thoughts, Yin Jishan, who was having dinner with him, said, "Father-in-law, what should we do now that the Crown Prince is in charge of the disaster relief efforts?"

Looking at Yin Jishan, who had a somewhat worried expression, Suo'etu knew what he was thinking.

However, his current position no longer allows him to change course or retreat!
So after taking a breath, he said calmly, "Your Highness's leadership is due to His Majesty's high regard for you."

"Just tell your subordinates to follow the rules."

Upon hearing that things should be done according to the rules, Yin Jishan's expression immediately turned ugly.

According to the rules, this can be interpreted not only as strictly following the rules, but also as meaning that where there is a need to be a restriction, it should still be enforced!
　An extra chapter is here! I'm asking for your support, everyone! If you have any monthly tickets, please give me two!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)