The emperor's attitude towards King Chen has been too cold recently, and instead he has become close to King Zhan.
This is never a good sign.
"In the past two days, people have come forward one after another, saying that waterlogging has begun again in Shuozhou, and all crops have been flooded. The people have no harvest this year, and their lives are miserable." Emperor Mu quickly resumed his dignity when discussing politics. They are all officials. This year I want to select a prince to go to the disaster relief department to calm the people's hearts. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I thought we could send King Chen there." Jiang Chenglian hurriedly handed over his hand, trying to gain opportunities for King Chen to gain political achievements. "His Royal Highness, King Chen, cares about the people and has a reputation as a virtuous person. His going to provide disaster relief best represents the Emperor's concern for the people."
"Your Majesty, I think we can send His Royal Highness Prince Yu to go." Zhao Shangshu of the Ministry of War said respectfully, "Although His Highness Prince Yu is not as smart as His Highness Prince Chen, he acts prudently. This time he just lacks an opportunity to practice——"
"I think His Royal Highness the King of War is the most suitable candidate." Uncle Xie Xiaoguo, the young minister who just took office in the Ministry of Revenue, said, "This matter of disaster relief is of great importance. The disaster relief money allocated by the imperial court passed through many checkpoints and reached the hands of the people. There is not much left. His Royal Highness, the War King, has led troops and fought in wars. He is an upright man and does not recognize his relatives. Only by acting in this way can we ensure that the disaster relief money is safely delivered to the disaster area in Shuozhou instead of lining the pockets of corrupt officials. Please think twice before making a decision."
Prime Minister Jiang said angrily: "Uncle Xie Xiaoguo, do you mean that if His Highness King Chen provides disaster relief, the money will definitely be embezzled?"
Uncle Xie Xiaoguo was neither humble nor arrogant: "I am just stating the facts. The War King is indeed more suitable."
"The King of War has no experience, and if the Shuozhou disaster continues, the people's lives will only become more difficult day by day..."
"Stop arguing!" Emperor Mu frowned, raised his hand to stop their argument, and looked at Rong Cang, "Rong Cang, what do you think?"
Rong Cang was silent for a moment, then slowly raised his eyes: "Father, are you talking about Shuozhou, which is close to Liancheng?"
Emperor Mu nodded slowly: "Yes."
"Before deciding on the candidates for disaster relief, I suggested that my father announce Qi Jin to the palace first." Rong Cang's tone was indifferent and did not distinguish between joy and anger. "After my father announced his reply, he will definitely be surprised."
As soon as this statement came out, there was a lot of discussion in the civil and military circles.
"What does the disaster relief matter have to do with Prince Qi? Why did you call him to speak?"
"His Royal Highness the War King is playing riddles?"
"The disaster is urgent. Your Highness, the War King, may speak out if you have something to say. There is no need to waste time with pretense."
Rong Cang raised his eyes slightly: "May I ask Father, who submitted the information about the disaster?"
"The memorial about the disaster naturally came from the officials of Shuozhou City." Prime Minister Jiang said with a worried look on his face, "Does His Highness the War King doubt the authenticity of the disaster?"
"Rong Cang." Emperor Mu's voice was low, "Above the main hall, all civil and military officials are present. If you have anything to say, you can speak out."
Rong Cang said calmly: "A few days ago, I had a chat with Prince Qi while drinking tea, and he mentioned what he saw and heard on the way back to the capital from the southern border. Because he had plenty of time, Prince Qi loved to play. We even made a special detour to the Shuozhou Liancheng area.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Prime Minister Jiang's expression suddenly changed.
Emperor Mu's eyes were attentive: "In that case, Yang Dexi will immediately declare his presence as Crown Prince Qi."
"This slave obeys the order." Yang Dexi responded and announced the order in a loud voice, "The Crown Prince of Qi is here to see you!"
"I have an audience with Crown Prince Xuanqi!"
The oral instructions of the summons were passed down one after another, reaching outside the palace gate.
"Your Majesty!" Prime Minister Jiang suppressed the sudden uneasiness in his heart, walked out of the queue, bowed and handed over his hands, "Prince Qi has been staying in the south all year round and knows nothing about disaster relief. I'm afraid it won't be of much use if he comes to speak."
"Whether it works or not, let's wait until Prince Qi comes. Why is the Prime Minister so anxious now?" Rong Cang looked at him coldly, "Or is it that the Prime Minister has something in his heart and is starting to feel guilty now?"
"His Royal Highness the King of War!" Prime Minister Jiang's expression darkened and he looked at him displeased, "I care about the people of Shuozhou and I have never been selfless. How can I feel guilty? Your Highness the King of War, please don't talk nonsense and chill the heart of this old minister! "
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, what you said makes sense." Zhao Shangshu nodded, "His Royal Highness, the King of War, has been staying at the border all year round. He only knows how to fight and does not understand people's livelihood. It is understandable to have doubts about the flood disaster in Shuozhou, but there are all important ministers in the court. Your Majesty, Prime Minister He is loyal and has never been selfish, and I can guarantee this."
The Lord Protector followed up and said, "Yes, the people who suffer the most from natural disasters and man-made disasters are always the people. Your Highness, the War King, has never seen the tragedy of the disaster with his own eyes. He has never seen the scenes of people struggling to survive, so he cannot sympathize with the disasters of the people. But every time I think of it, The people are displaced and dying of hunger all over the place, so I feel very sad. I hope that His Highness, the War King, will have some compassion, so as not to chill the hearts of the people in the world."
Emperor Mu's eyes were attentive. Prime Minister Jiang was the father-in-law of King Chen, while Lord Protector and Shangshu Zhao were from King Yu's faction. The two factions were supposed to be mortal enemies, but now they all turned against Rong Cang?
"It is true that I have never provided disaster relief, nor have I ever gone to Shuozhou to see the horror of the disaster, but I called Prince Qi to ask, but it only took half an hour." Rong Cang's voice was cold, and he looked at Prime Minister Jiang with a look that seemed to mean something. He meant, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, do you think you can't afford to waste this half hour?"
Prime Minister Jiang suppressed his panic: "Of course not."
"Since Prince Qi went to Shuozhou for a few days, why did he never mention the disaster in Shuozhou after arriving in the capital? I have to wonder whether the place he went to was not Shuozhou at all, or whether Prince Qi ignored the people and didn't care about the victims at all. Their life and death, that’s why you didn’t say a word about the disaster?”
Prime Minister Jiang's face was green and white: "Maybe Prince Qi thought that the victims would be resettled by the government, or maybe Prince Qi got carried away and forgot about the victims..."
Rong Cang said coldly: "So I asked him to ask, so that we can know the severity of the disaster in more detail. What does the Prime Minister think is wrong?"
Prime Minister Jiang was speechless.
Emperor Mu sat on the dragon chair without saying a word, his eyes with a hint of coercion flowing on the faces of Prime Minister Jiang and Rong Cang. For a moment, he looked at Zhao Shangshu and the Protector who were standing uneasily, and his dragon eyes slowly narrowed. He stood up, his eyes thoughtful.
There were still people in the main hall who continued to argue. Emperor Mu held his forehead with one hand and closed his eyes in deep thought.
Until a member of the Royal Guards hurriedly came to the palace and knelt down on one knee: "Your Majesty, Prince Qi is here!"
Emperor Mu opened his eyes: "Xuan."
Yang Dexi once again raised his voice to convey the emperor's decree: "Xuan Qi Crown Prince is coming to the palace!"
All the civil and military officials in the court fell silent and turned to look in the direction of the palace door.
Qi Jin, dressed in red, walked out of the palace. His face was handsome, and his red clothes were like fire. He seemed to be carrying the brilliance of the sky. He was as beautiful as an ancient painting, which made people lose consciousness for a moment.
Walking up to the main hall, Qi Jin lifted his robe and knelt down: "My dear minister Qi Jin, I'd like to see the emperor. Long live the emperor. Long live the emperor."
