Do You Know?: Rule the World

Could it be that one of the concubines in the harem is pregnant again?

As soon as this idea came up, he rejected it himself. It was already known to everyone that the old emperor had difficulty in having children. If there was any good news, it would have been spread long ago.

Could it be that he already has a candidate in mind? Neither Prince Yong nor Prince Yan.

But Zhao Zongquan is still working with a hoe in Yuzhou.

Zhao Han shook his head, feeling that the five words "serving the king is like serving a tiger" had taken shape at this moment.

After exiting the Chuigong Hall, Sheng Hong and Zhao Han walked side by side.

He whispered, "The emperor is completely different today than when he summoned me."

As he spoke, Sheng Hong couldn't help but recall that day in the Wenhua Palace. The emperor smiled and waved to him affably, saying, "Mr. Sheng, please sit down and answer your questions."

Zhao Han saw beads of sweat on his forehead and asked gently, "Are you frightened, father-in-law?"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong straightened his back, twirled his beard, and shook his head repeatedly: "My dear son-in-law, you are joking."

"After all, I've been in the officialdom for decades, and I've seen all sorts of situations."

A smile immediately flashed across Zhao Han's face. He had just seen in the hall that Sheng Hong was so frightened that his face turned pale and he almost couldn't hold the imperial sceptre properly.

As they approached the palace gate, Sheng Hong smiled and said, "My dear son-in-law, the old lady's birthday is in two days."

"The old lady is old and doesn't like those empty hustle and bustles."

"We're just having a family dinner at Shou'an Hall. He specifically told me to tell you before I left this morning."

Zhao Han's expression froze, and he quickly bowed, "I'm sorry for neglecting it. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to pay my respects to the old lady."

"I hope my father-in-law will tell you that in two days, I will go to kowtow to the old lady and wish her a happy birthday."

Sheng Hong nodded in satisfaction, "That's great. The old lady and Hua'er must be so happy to hear you're here."

At the same time, in Wenhua Hall, a wisp of green smoke rose from the incense burner.

The emperor leaned against the dragon throne, playing with half of a delicately carved heart-shaped pendant in his hand.

Sitting on the rosewood chair below, Hanlin scholar Haining frowned and said with a puzzled look on his face, "How dare this old minister."

"Your Majesty, you've been playing with the jade pendant for almost half an incense stick of time, yet you've hurriedly sent someone to summon this old minister. What's the matter?"

Zhao Zhen sighed softly, "I have something I don't know how to start."

These words made Haining even more confused.

"Your Majesty, your words are too humiliating for me. You are the emperor, and I have no choice but to go through fire and water for you."

Zhao Zhen's eyes were deep and deep as he whispered, "How is Zhao Han, this year's third place winner, doing in the Hanlin Academy?"

Haining raised his eyebrows and replied with a bow, "Your Majesty, he just entered the Hanlin Academy yesterday. Although he has only been there a short time, it is clear that he is an outstanding talent who is meticulous and rigorous in his work. With a few more years of experience, his future is immeasurable."

"Why is the emperor suddenly asking about him? But what's wrong with Editor Zhao?"

Zhang Maoze stood aside and interjected gently, "Master Hai, your eyesight is failing. You have been with His Majesty for decades. Can't you see that Editor Zhao and His Majesty..."

The words stopped abruptly here, and Zhang Maze had a meaningful smile on his face.

Haining was stunned at first, then he quickly stood up and looked at Zhao Zhen with wide eyes in disbelief.

"When I first met Editor Zhao yesterday, I felt that his features resembled Your Majesty's."

"I thought it was just a coincidence, but I didn't expect him to be your Majesty..."

Before he could finish his words, Haining felt a lump in his throat and quickly knelt down again, saying, "God bless your majesty, God bless the Great Zhou. Your majesty no longer needs to worry about the position of crown prince!"

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Chapter 48 Prince Yong and Prince Yan

"Your Majesty, would you please inform Lord Han and Lord Xue about this?"

"They are both loyal to Your Majesty, as the sun and the moon can attest."

"Although my words at the court meeting today were harsh and offended the emperor, I was worried about the country and the people in my heart." Haining looked up at Zhao Zhen with excitement in his eyes.

Zhao Zhen took a deep breath and shook his head repeatedly, with a look of helplessness between his brows.

"I know they are both loyal, but one of them has a strong character, and the other is straightforward and doesn't know how to be tactful."

"If they knew, they would force me to immediately appoint Han'er as the crown prince in front of all the civil and military officials at the next court meeting."

"Han'er has lived among the common people since he was young. He has no support from his family outside the family, nor any foundation as an official in the court. I am afraid that he will find it difficult to win the support of the people. If I ever..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Zhen's voice suddenly lowered, and his eyes were filled with deep worry.

"I'm afraid he won't be able to convince the public. The royal family has been eyeing him covetously for years. If they intend to make things difficult for him, how will he cope?"

Hearing this, Haining was shocked.

The words "axe sounds and candlelight" emerged in my mind, and beads of sweat appeared on my forehead.

"Hai Qing, you are over seventy years old this year, and Han Qing, Xue Qing and other old ministers are all old."

Zhao Zhen slowly stood up, a look of determination flashing in his eyes, "I will clear all obstacles for Han'er, so that he can sit on the throne with peace of mind!"

Haining's face was solemn. After he lowered his head to weigh the pros and cons, his voice trembled slightly.

"If the prince knew that Your Majesty was so worried about him, he would definitely be deeply saddened..."

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, "Don't mention it. After all, I owe him a lot."

"After I return to my ancestral home, I will make amends to him."

"It's getting late. Hai Qing, please go back and take good care of him in the Hanlin Academy for me."

Haining bowed deeply.

Just as he was about to leave Wenhua Hall, Yu Guangzhong suddenly caught a glimpse of Zhao Zhen's face, which showed a look of relief and anticipation that had not appeared in many years.

The night is dark and the moon is high in the sky.

In the main hall of Prince Yong’s Mansion, candlelight flickered.

After learning about today's court meeting, Prince Yong felt a little uneasy.

"Why are you not allowing the ministers to discuss the matter of adopting a crown prince? What exactly does the emperor want to do?"

Several ministers in the hall, including Liu Xingzhi, who clearly stood on the side of Prince Yong, frowned and looked solemn.

"Is any lady in the harem pregnant recently?" Prince Yong asked in a deep voice.

Liu Xingzhi shook his head repeatedly, "After the court meeting, I went to the Imperial Hospital to inquire, and there was no such thing."

"It's strange. The emperor summoned me a few days ago and personally told me: I have no biological son, so you should encourage him."

"Who do you think among the royal family, besides this prince and Prince Yan, is likely to become the crown prince?"

Liu Xingzhi exchanged a glance with his colleagues, then bowed and said, "Except for Prince Yan, who among the clan members isn't cowering like a cow?"

"Those who live closer to Bianjing don't even dare to leave their homes easily!"

"In my humble opinion, the emperor is probably very angry today because of those two old guys, Han Zhang and Xue Pu."

"After a few days, when the official's anger has subsided, he will definitely still be thinking about you, Your Highness."

Before Zhao Han appeared, Zhao Zhen did prefer Prince Yong over Prince Yan.

Otherwise, Prince Yong would not have been allowed to perform the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven. After all, apart from the emperor, only the crown prince could perform the ceremony.

"That's right, Your Highness, don't worry. Prince Yan is a nobody and has no legitimate reason!" A court official echoed.

Prince Yong raised his hand and stroked his beard, a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes.

"Send some people to keep an eye on my brothers and nephews. If anyone shows signs of disobedience, they will be directly..."

Prince Yong stopped talking and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

At the same time, Prince Yan's Mansion.

Prince Yan was also in a state of anxiety. The two princes had been fighting openly and secretly for many years, and the situation had reached a point where they would fight to the death.

No matter who becomes the crown prince, the first thing he will do is to kill the other person.

Prince Yan's lecturer, Qiu Zheng, stood by and whispered, "The emperor is very thoughtful. I'm afraid he's still hoping the concubines in the harem can give birth to a prince."

Prince Zhao Cexiao of Yan raised his chin, snorted coldly, and said disdainfully: "Prince? You are an old man, and you are still dreaming of the Spring and Autumn Period!"

"Your Highness is right. Given the emperor's physical condition, this dream is doomed to be shattered."

"But in my humble opinion, the emperor will not appoint a crown prince until the last moment." Qiu Zheng said in a deep voice.

He and his younger brother Qiu Jing, who was the prefect of Kaifeng at the time, had placed all their lives and property on the shoulders of Prince Yan.

As long as Prince Yan ascends the throne in the future, his Qiu family will be the first noble family of the new dynasty and will enjoy endless wealth and glory!

"Most of the royal family members are mediocre and useless. Prince Yong may be the eldest son, but he is nothing but a fool."

"If this country falls into his hands, I'm afraid it will be in danger!"

Prince Yan sighed softly, and under the light of the candlelight, his already sinister face looked even more grim.

"Your Highness is right. For the sake of the Great Zhou, we must not let Prince Yong succeed."

Qiu Zheng stroked his beard and chuckled, with a flattering look in the corners of his eyes.

Zhao Cexiao clenched his fist and said, "We currently have people in the Five Cities Military Department and the Three Yamen. Even if the emperor wants to make Prince Yong the crown prince before his death, we have plenty of ways to deal with it."

Upon hearing this, Prince Yan looked at Zhao Cexiao with even greater reliance.

The idea of ​​forcing the emperor to abdicate has been lingering in the minds of the father and son for many years.

Over the years, they have spared no effort to place their trusted confidants in the imperial guards and build up their influence in the wing troops, just in case.

The next morning, Zhao Han arrived at the Hanlin Academy at the hour of Mao as usual.

After greeting his colleagues and just about to sit down, he saw Haining walk into the main hall.

"Greetings, Lord Hai." All the officials in the hall stood up and bowed.

Haining's eyes were calm as he looked around at everyone before finally settling on Zhao Han.

He smiled, his voice gentle as a spring breeze across Lugu Lake, "Is Mr. Zhao familiar with the affairs of the Imperial Academy?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into silence, and the teacup in the hands of Wang Qun, a fourth-rank academician, clattered against the table.