At noon the next day, Prince Tuobayan was discussing the border march with several of his generals.
Now the army of the prince's family has basically been assembled.
As soon as the Qianlan Empire's South China Sea battlefield begins, the prince will personally go south and lead an army to conquer.
While everyone was discussing, they heard someone coming to report.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Second Prince, I have something urgent to ask you to see me!"
Upon hearing that the second prince had arrived, the prince frowned, waved his hand to reject the crowd, and received the second prince.
The second prince's crotch injury has not healed at this moment. Although his steps are strange, he is in a hurry. The expression on his face is like a thunderstorm in June, extremely gloomy.
"Second brother, why are you in such a hurry?"
The second prince took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Brother, don't you know that some rumors suddenly spread in Yancheng overnight yesterday?"
The prince was stunned when he heard this. He had been focusing on the battle in the South China Sea recently, and he really didn't care about the so-called rumors.
"I wonder what rumors make my second brother so upset?"
Seeing the indifferent expression on the prince's face, Tuoba Jun said in a dark voice: "There are rumors in the imperial capital that my father is critically ill, and that my brother and the emperor have turned against each other, with the intention of killing my father and seizing the throne."
"What!"
After hearing this, the prince's expression also changed. This rumor was indeed malicious.
The second prince said coldly: "In addition, rumors also say that the father originally intended to depose the prince and wanted to establish a prince other than you and me as his heir, because the two of us were captured in the Qianlan Empire and it was humiliating. Royal dignity.
And the emperor brother, you and I are leading the army south this time, and it is also said that we want to wash away the shame, seize military power, and forcibly succeed to the throne! "
"Snapped……!"
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stood up and slapped the table, and the tables beside him turned into ashes!
"Asshole!"
His Highness the Crown Prince's expression was now gloomier than that of the Second Prince.
These rumors were a hundred times more vicious than he imagined.
Not only were they strictly banned by the empire, but word spread that the two had been captured by the Qianlan Empire.
He also had sinister intentions, linking the empire's current troop dispatch with "killing his father to seize the throne", which can be described as murderous and heart-wrenching!
"Can the rumors be blocked in time?" the prince asked in a deep voice.
The second prince shook his head.
“These rumors were deliberately spread by people with serious intentions, and they spread throughout the imperial capital overnight.
Nowadays, rumors have spread even in the counties surrounding the imperial capital. They are spreading so fast that they can no longer be stopped! "
The prince's face became more and more ugly, and now the army was about to go out for battle.
The sudden emergence of such rumors in the country will inevitably destabilize the people in the country.
"Who is spreading the rumor?"
"Hmph, who else could it be? Han Feng must have done this.
Although we have him under close surveillance, this person's cunning must have planted a secret line long ago, sneaked into the imperial capital, and cooperated with him inside and outside! "
Tuobayan actually had a suspicion in his mind. Hearing this, a cold light flashed in his eyes.
"It seems that Han Feng really can't keep him."
The second prince's eyes lit up and he said, "Brother, what are you going to do?"
The prince's eyes narrowed slightly, "While the rumors haven't caused much reaction yet, find a reason to send them away. The moment they step out of my Great Yan Kingdom, Han Feng will die!"
The second prince agreed: "This method is feasible. Since this is the case, I will immediately order people to expel the Qianlan Empire mission!"
The two brothers had just made up their minds and waved their butcher knives when there was a loud noise outside the door.
The prince frowned, "Who dares to make noise in the East Palace?"
Just heard someone come to report.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Rites, the Minister of Punishments, three lords, together with dozens of civil and military officials in the court, as well as three old dukes, seven marquises, and many high-ranking officials who have served at home, are here to seek an audience! "
As soon as they heard the long list of names announced by the servant, the prince and the second prince looked at each other, their hearts thudding, and they had a bad premonition.
The Prime Minister and these three ministers are all ministers who are loyal to Emperor Yan and have not joined the camp of the prince and the second prince.
At the same time, they are also the source of all the opposition to this southern expedition. How could the other party gather so many dignitaries to the East Palace at this time?
Although the prince didn't want to see these people, he couldn't deal with their status and the family power behind them.
Even if he succeeds to the throne in the future, he must maintain good relations with these people.
He had no choice but to order people to set up seats in the hall and summon everyone.
After a while, the hall was packed with people.
The leader has white beard and hair, but his tiger eyes are like torches, and he has a majestic aura.
Although the other party did not release any energy, the power of the True Sun Realm powerhouse and the majesty of the current Prime Minister also made His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince feel a little oppressed.
The prince kept smiling and looked at everyone.
"Lord Xiangguo, you and other ministers paid a sudden visit today. What important matters do you have?"
"Shang Long", Prime Minister of Dayan, took a step forward, bowed to the crown prince and the second prince, and said.
"Your Highness, there are many rumors in the Imperial Capital today. Do you know?"
After hearing this, the prince's heart sank slightly, and he secretly thought that this was indeed the reason.
But he was also confused. Although these rumors had spread, it had only been one night after all.
But looking at the lineup assembled by Lord Xiangguo and others, it seemed as if they had received the news last night and had discussed it in advance, and the reaction was surprisingly fast.
Although he was confused in his heart, the prince could only pretend not to know.
"Oh...I have been busy with state affairs recently, so I didn't pay attention to any rumors in the market."
When Shang Long heard this, he immediately stated the rumors in the city, which were very similar to the news brought by the second prince.
But at this moment, the crown prince and the second prince both started to act out, showing extremely angry and aggrieved looks at the same time.
Then the prince said: "This matter must be a rumor spread secretly by someone with intentions. Now our empire's army is about to march south. According to what I have seen, this may be something people from the Qianlan Empire secretly did."
The second prince interrupted at the right moment.
"I think it is most likely the work of the Qianlan envoy in the city. Our Great Yan Empire treats us so well, but they secretly spread rumors and slander us. It's really abominable.
According to what this prince sees, they should be expelled from our Great Yan Kingdom immediately! "
Shang Long looked at the reactions of the prince and the second prince, twirling his beard lightly, his heart as clear as a mirror.
"What His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince said is absolutely true, the Qianlan Mission should indeed be expelled!
However, the veteran believed that before expelling the Qianlan delegation, a summons ceremony was needed. It would be best if His Majesty could show up in person. "
The Crown Prince and the Second Prince frowned at the same time.
The second prince said: "Master Xiangguo, I don't think this is necessary."
Shang Long said seriously: "Your Highnesses, rumors are spreading all over the imperial capital and have spread to the outside world. The people in the country are unstable, and the civil and military affairs of the country are worrying.
If we directly expel the Qianlan mission at this time, it will appear that we are guilty, and the rumors will be mistakenly believed to be true, which will also directly affect the frontline war.
Therefore, the veteran hopes that the two royal highnesses can ask His Majesty to come out of seclusion and summon the Qianlan envoy as soon as possible to quell the rumors! "
"this……"
When the prince hesitated, behind the Prime Minister, the three ministers, the Duke, and the Marquis... all spoke in agreement.
They all requested that a grand ceremony be held immediately and the Qianlan Empire’s envoys be summoned to calm the people’s minds.
Everyone here is of great importance, and now all the ministers are speaking with the same voice.
If he were in the court, the prince would have officials from his own faction helping to speak out, but now he had to make the decision alone.
For a moment, the prince was in a dilemma.
He tried to use a slow-down strategy.
"Lord Xiangguo, please allow me to consider this matter again."
However, Shang Long did not back down even a step and said: "Your Highness, important matters related to the stability of the country must be made immediately. Otherwise, rumors will harm the country and cause disaster. Please make a decision immediately, Your Highness!"
The sentence "Rumors harm the country" shocked the prince. Shang Long's words were quite threatening.
He could almost conclude that the purpose of Shang Long and others coming today was to force him to summon the Qianlan envoy.
The purpose is self-evident. Shang Long and others also doubt that the rumors are true. They also want to see their father and calm their minds.
Although he was threatened by his ministers and felt angry, the prince did not dare to turn against him.
After all, he is still just the prince!
The second prince on the side, seeing that the situation was not good, would not interrupt at this moment to avoid getting into trouble.
Finally, under pressure from Shang Long and others, the prince had no choice but to speak.
"What the Prime Minister said is reasonable. I will go to the palace to see my father, hold a grand ceremony, and summon the Qianlan envoy."
Shang Long and others bowed their heads.
"Your Highness is wise!"
