Chapter 0179: Emperor Material Xie Chengze? Actually Just a Sweetheart!
No one expected that the Second Prince, originally in a disadvantaged position, would instantly turn the tables.
And Chen Yushi chose to submit his memorial neither earlier nor later, but precisely today, targeting exactly those who had just spoken out to impeach the Second Prince. This allowed the Second Prince to seize the opportunity and eliminate numerous political opponents in the court…
Was this a coincidence, or was it premeditated?
If it was premeditated, how did the Second Prince know which individuals the opposition would send to impeach him?
On the way back to the Imperial Study, Emperor Jian couldn’t help but ask Eunuch Zhao, “Zhao Quan, do you think Ze’er is still hiding his capabilities? Could it be that he actually has quite a talent for political strategy?”
Then, his previous claims of not wanting to ascend the throne and putting on an unwilling-to-attend-court demeanor—were they all just to lower my guard?
If that’s truly the case, then this child might genuinely possess the qualities of an emperor.
Eunuch Zhao smiled, “Your Majesty, whether the Second Prince has such abilities—don’t you already know?”
“I certainly believe he doesn’t.” That child really does seem guileless. He probably can’t even remember the names of all the civil and military officials in the court, so how could he shrewdly calculate exactly who would step forward to impeach him?
“So, there must be someone helping him behind the scenes.”
In a private garden elsewhere, a man in purple robes chuckled lightly as he plucked a narcissus flower and twirled it gently between his fingers. “I suppose it must be that Lord Shen currently in prison.”
This person truly is exceptionally capable. Sheng Shihai considered himself to have been immersed in court politics for eight years, progressing from arrogant ignorance to confident mastery step by step. Yet Shen Yuan seemed naturally gifted, like a born Powerful Minister, manipulating the entire court from the moment he entered the palace.
Such talent made Sheng Shihai both envious and admiring, both fearful and desirous.
If Shen Yuan could be used by him, that would naturally be ideal. However, it appeared Shen Yuan clearly favored the Second Prince’s faction…
The Shen family had always been royalists. He wondered what expression Shen Yuan would make—how shocked and amusing it would be—when he learned that the Second Prince he supported to the throne wasn’t actually of royal blood…
Hahahahaha, he truly looked forward to it!
“My lord, you originally intended to leave the Second Prince isolated and forced to seek cooperation with you. But now the Second Prince has turned the tables instead. What are your plans moving forward?”
“No matter. That he could counterattack and weaken the Cao family’s influence behind the Crown Prince actually solves quite a few troubles for us in advance.” Sheng Shihai waved dismissively. “Moreover, the fact remains that aside from Shen Yuan, he has no one else to rely on. Just have Hu Lai continue whispering in his ear.”
According to the wet nurse, Hu Lai enjoyed the Second Prince’s deep trust—this pawn must be used well.
Thus, upon receiving the letter, Hu Lai came scampering to find Xie Chengze, who was on break—no, under house arrest.
Xie Chengze was writing teaching materials when he saw Hu Lai approaching, looking at him with a meaningful, hesitant expression. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes, “Here to complete your mission again?”
“Your Highness” Hu Lai batted his eyelashes, “This subject will be quick~ It won’t take much time~”
“…” Xie Chengze immediately felt chills run down his spine, “I told you, no acting cute!”
“Shall this humble subject begin?” Hu Lai cleared his throat and started whispering in his ear, “Your Highness! Given how the Crown Prince and His Majesty have treated you, doesn’t it chill your heart? You’ve exhausted your mind and energy for Jian’an, working tirelessly day and night, nearly working yourself to death until you coughed up blood, all to secure the lives and futures of the people in both regions!”
“And what about them! Fearing you might threaten the Crown Prince’s position, they’ve been eagerly dismantling your influence ever since you returned from Liaozhou! Despite your merits far outweighing any faults, His Majesty actually dares to place you under house arrest! Your Highness! Don’t grin with delight at the mention of house arrest! Mind the atmosphere!”
“Oh, right…” Xie Chengze quickly hid his little white teeth and continued listening attentively to the whispers.
“The Cao family has gone too far this time! They only reached their current position by riding on coattails of past achievements, yet now they dare to dominate everything and plot against Your Highness! That Cao Yun was originally just an old Yamen Runner with some martial skills. He took credit for military merits earned together with his strong young son on the battlefield, shamelessly getting himself called a founding general!”
“And His Majesty too! Just a descendant of beggars, claiming imperial bloodline—since when has the imperial bloodline become so pathetic? Since when can beggars become emperors? To put it bluntly, the Crown Prince is merely the offspring of a beggar and an old Yamen Runner. What’s worth continuing about such lowly bloodline?”
Hu Lai spoke with righteous indignation, gradually infusing genuine emotion into his words, “Your Highness, your ancestors served as officials through generations—isn’t your bloodline far nobler than some beggar’s descendant? In this humble subject’s opinion, your bloodline should be the one continuing for ten thousand generations! How ridiculous that a stinking beggar’s bloodline can be called imperial!”
“Throughout history, the highest position belongs to the most capable. Your Highness, since they’re heartless and unjust, we needn’t hold back either! Rebel! Ascend the throne! Declare yourself emperor! This humble subject believes the people would support your reign!”
Having delivered this passionate speech, Hu Lai hastily added, “This is just to complete the mission—it doesn’t count as me urging you to ascend the throne! You can’t deduct my monthly salary, Your Highness!”
Xie Chengze: “…But I get the distinct feeling you’re being completely sincere, as if deliberately using the mission to hint at me?”
Hu Lai put on an expression of upright integrity, “If that’s what Your Highness believes, then there’s nothing this humble subject can do! Since you think so, then so be it! What more can I say!”
Xie Chengze: “…”
Those words he’d spoken years ago had ultimately become a bullet that struck right between his own eyebrows today!
After completing the assigned ear-whispering, Hu Lai finally understood, “Your Highness, no wonder Sheng Shihai designed the code phrase as ‘Eliminate the Beggars’—it literally means exterminate beggars. It seems this person really detests beggars!”
“It’s not about hating beggars, but believing beggar descendants are unworthy of being emperor.” Xie Chengze smiled faintly, “Don’t forget who Sheng Shihai’s ancestors were.”
Hu Lai thought for a moment, “Sheng Shihai’s grandfather Sheng Hui was the Secretariat Director of the previous dynasty, and his maternal grandfather Song Xian served as Minister of the previous dynasty. Though Song Xian died early after bravely remonstrating with the tyrant by crashing against a pillar. When the late emperor stormed into Jingcheng, Sheng Hui, seeing the situation was hopeless, led many officials to surrender to the late emperor.”
“The late emperor recognized his genuine talent, and coupled with the fact that the late emperor himself lacked deep understanding of court politics at the time, if all former dynasty officials were executed, the court would temporarily lack capable personnel. Thus, he continued to employ the other party, utilizing Sheng Hui to manage the ministers inherited from the previous dynasty.”
One could say that if the previous dynasty hadn’t fallen, Sheng Shihai would have been the grandson of a prime minister and minister. This status was indeed far more noble than that of a mere stinking beggar.
“So he believes he’s more suited to be emperor!”
Hu Lai clicked his tongue, “But according to what your servant knows, Sheng Shihai’s father Sheng Yunhai is quite an elegant and gentle person, serving as the director of the Hanlin Academy. If his son were to rebel…”
The reputation of the Hanlin Academy would likely be ruined.
“Correct.” Xie Chengze nodded. In the original story’s conclusion, when Sheng Shihai joined forces with the Second Prince in rebellion, Sheng Yunhai, upon learning of it, couldn’t bear the humiliation and took his own life. The vast Hanlin Academy then fell into the hands of the Su Family.
Such a pity for this noble and pure-hearted man.
After finishing the gossip, Hu Lai had completed his mission. After bidding farewell to Xie Chengze, what came next was…
“Why suddenly summon me? His Highness can’t do without me right now. Coming out to meet you makes it easy for me to be exposed!”
At the secret meeting point, Hu Lai wore a cautious expression, sneakily looking around. Only after confirming there was truly no one nearby did he whisper to his contact, “The Second Prince has been drowning his sorrows in drink every day recently, completely despondent. He curses the Emperor and Crown Prince daily, calling them ungrateful. Occasionally, when deeply drunk, he even threatens to rebel, lamenting that he has no one to use…”
The contact nodded slightly, taking out the bribe money, “You’ve done well. Return now.”
“Hey, wait!” Seeing the person about to leave, Hu Lai quickly grabbed their sleeve, puzzled, “I just asked you – why suddenly meet to discuss the Second Prince’s recent situation? Why not continue conveying information through letters?”
The contact: …
Why not use letters? Don’t you have any common sense?!
Watching the contact walk away speechless with anger, Hu Lai discontentedly stroked his beard and spat, “Tasteless bastard! How is someone like you fit to be emperor?!”
The Second Prince is much better!
Only the Second Prince truly understands his talent!