Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 54 This kid is slippery

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It is precisely because of your highness's noble status that you must act with caution."

"A few days ago, Your Highness purchased slaves in the palace. I was worried that the people in the market were of unknown origin."

"We have specially selected several highly skilled and loyal warriors from the Imperial City Department and sent them into the palace as menial servants to secretly protect Your Highness."

The Imperial City Office was not subject to any constraints and took orders directly from the emperor. It was responsible for enforcing palace restrictions and providing guards around the palace.

From the ministers in the imperial court to the common people in the market, everyone is under his eyes and ears.
Of course, it also includes secretly monitoring the princes and royal family members to prevent anyone from having evil intentions and plotting to usurp the throne.

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen's expression eased a little and he nodded slightly, obviously quite satisfied with this arrangement.

He pondered for a moment, then asked calmly, "Have Prince Yan and his son been behaving peacefully these days?"

"Back at the Imperial Household, I've been following the rules, except that I've been hanging out with Concubine Rong's brother a little too often."

Concubine Rong's name was Rong Feiluan, and her ancestors were bricklayers.

Because of her outstanding appearance and considerate nature, she was deeply favored by the emperor and was promoted from a beauty to a concubine in just eight or nine years.

The emperor loved her and her father as Marquis of Fuchang a few years ago. However, this title was only a nominal honor and had no actual power.

Rong Fei's brother Rong Xian is quite capable. He is currently the deputy commander of the imperial guards, and the commander is named Xu Xin.

"Keep a close eye on them. Report any unusual movements immediately." As Zhao Zhen spoke, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

The favor of a favorite concubine and the love affairs of children are nothing but passing clouds in the face of the safety of the country and the prince.

This official who ruled the country with benevolence did not lack the iron-blooded tactics that an emperor should have.

"I obey your order." Zhang Maoze responded without changing his expression.

At three quarters past noon, outside the Wenhua Hall, after the guards called out the names.

Zhao Han straightened his hat and expression, took a deep breath, stepped into the hall, and respectfully performed the etiquette between the emperor and his subject.

"I, Zhao Han, editor of the Hanlin Academy, pay my respects to the Emperor."

Zhao Zhen fiercely gripped the armrests of the dragon throne, suppressing the excitement and joy in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "No...no need to be polite."

When Zhao Han stood up, he raised his eyes quietly, and unexpectedly met Zhao Zhen's burning gaze.

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his eyes, holding up the Book of Documents, and said respectfully, "Today I will lecture on the nine categories of the Hong Fan for your majesty."

"Okay, my dear, there is no need to be so polite. Come closer and talk." Zhao Zhen waved to him with a smile.

Zhao Han's heart tightened slightly, but he did not dare to hesitate and immediately took a few steps forward.

"This is the great method of Heavenly Dao that Jizi taught King Wu. It begins with the Five Elements: one is water, two is fire, three is wood, four is metal, and five is earth. The Book of Han, "Records of the Five Elements," says that these five elements are the forms and qi of the Five Constant Virtues..."

Zhang Maoze, who was standing aside, had a smile on his face and looked at Zhao Han from time to time.

When he was talking about the "Five Imperial Principles, the Emperor established his ultimate," Zhao Zhen suddenly interrupted and said quietly, "I have read this passage in the Hong Fan and wonder if it has anything in common with the Zhou Li passage, 'Only the king can establish a state and distinguish the directions and correct the positions.'"

Zhao Han's heart trembled, and he replied cautiously: "Your Majesty, the two do have something in common."

"As the Hong Fan states: 'The emperor establishes his ultimate limit,' it means that the emperor should establish the doctrine of moderation and justice as the standard for the world."

"And the Zhou Li says: 'Only the king, when establishing a state, must clearly distinguish the directions and correct the positions.' This means that when a king establishes a capital and a state, he must first clearly distinguish the directions and correct the positions of the ruler and his subjects."

"I believe that the former focuses on establishing the orthodox doctrine, while the latter focuses on rectifying the status and position. However, at their core, both emphasize that the Son of Heaven should establish supreme authority so that the world can rely on it."

“As the Doctrine of the Mean says: ‘Only the Son of Heaven can discuss rituals, establish systems, or examine texts.’”

"Well said, you are worthy of being the third place winner chosen by me!"

Zhao Zhen clapped his hands and smiled, his eyes full of praise. The more he looked at Zhao Han, the more he felt that he had the demeanor of a crown prince.

After the lecture on classics and history ended, Zhao Han was about to leave when he saw a guard bowing and entering the hall and saying, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites, Lord Han, wishes to see you."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen's smile vanished instantly, and he couldn't help but furrow his brow. Han Zhang had come to see him for only one thing: to advise him to adopt a member of the imperial clan and establish an heir apparent as soon as possible.

"Let him go back, I don't want to see him today!"

Just as the guards withdrew, Zhao Zhen's heart moved. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhao Han with a smile, "My dear minister, you are well-versed in history and have a wide knowledge of both ancient and modern times. In your opinion, how should I decide on the issue of the crown prince?"

When these words were spoken, Zhao Han was stunned and thought to himself that something was wrong.

Could it be that the government felt that it couldn't do anything to Han Zhang, and wanted to use me, a lowly official, as an example to others?

Just as Zhao Han was contemplating a countermeasure with his eyes set, Zhao Zhen said quietly, "My dear, there is no need to be so reserved."

"Today's words come out of your mouth and enter my ears. Feel free to speak freely."

"Can I really speak freely?" Zhao Han looked up at Zhao Zhen cautiously.

"Sir, I'm not kidding. If your answer today is what I want, I won't treat you unfairly."

Zhao Han took a deep breath. In his opinion, the two kings of Yong and Yan were both mediocre in ability and arrogant.

Anyone who is too ambitious and is willing to use a palace coup to seize the throne is not a good candidate for the crown prince.

As for Zhao Zongquan of Yuzhou, Zhao Han was full of disdain.

This man is cowardly and ungrateful. He just got lucky and got away with it.

In order to ascend the throne smoothly, he voluntarily adopted Zhao Zhen, never expecting to sit firmly on the throne.

This guy started to burn bridges after crossing them, disregarding etiquette and the Queen Mother's face, and insisted on honoring his biological father, Prince Shu, as the Emperor's father, and even called it "benevolent and filial."

Looking around the royal family of the Great Zhou, there is not a single talented person who can shoulder such a big responsibility.

If I could have military power, I could wait until the government was gone for a hundred years and then rebel.

After silently weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Zhao Han bowed and said, "This minister has just entered the court and has little experience. I only know that the issue of the crown prince concerns the foundation of the country and has always been decided by the emperor."

"I do have a plan that can prevent the royal family from fighting and shaking the foundation of the country, and also ensure that the selection of the crown prince is made by Your Majesty without interference from outside the court."

"Oh? Tell me about it?" Zhao Zhen raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Han with great interest.

Zhao Han said respectfully, "Your Majesty, please write the name of the crown prince yourself and seal it in a golden box. After the emperor's death, the ministers will jointly open the box and establish a new emperor according to the will."

"Your answer is refreshing to me. It doesn't offend anyone."

While Zhao Zhen was speaking, he thought to himself: This kid is really ruthless. Even the old ministers of the previous dynasty couldn't think of a way to escape like this.

He snorted softly and asked, "What should I do if I already have a child?"

Zhao Han's breath hitched, and he immediately said, "When we return to the imperial family, we will naturally follow the ancestral law and make the prince the crown prince. However, we need to take good care of him and send more imperial guards to protect his safety."

He remembered that any brothers or nephews who showed some prominence among the royal family were assassinated by people sent by the two kings of Yan and Yong.

Otherwise, Zhao Zongquan would not have rushed to Bian Jing.

Even if he is a prince, Prince Yong and Prince Yan will never give up on the throne until they have become successful.

The corners of Zhao Zhen's mouth rose slightly, while Zhao Han's heart was full of doubts. The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

After leaving Wenhua Hall and approaching the palace gate, Zhang Maoze's voice suddenly came from behind him, "Editor Zhao, please stay!"

"Today's report on Zhao Bianxiu has won the emperor's favor. These are the rewards that the emperor has specially ordered me to deliver."

Zhao Han cast a sullen glance at the boxes behind him and whispered, "Master Zhang, is the emperor always so generous?"

Zhang Maoze had a meaningful smile on his face. "The power of heaven is unpredictable. Although I am a close minister to the emperor, I cannot always figure out the emperor's thoughts. Editor Zhao, please accept it."

"Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to report to the government."

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(End of this chapter)