The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 75 Brothers Helping Each Other, Yet Suspicious of Each Other

Regardless of whether the third brother had thought about it that much, Tu Chengyu felt he should take it seriously, so he asked:

"Mr. Quan, do you think I should tell the Crown Prince about this?"

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness should naturally inform the Crown Prince, otherwise things will be bad if Prince Qi goes to the Crown Prince in person."

Tu Chengyu said, "But in doing so, wouldn't that push the problem onto the Crown Prince?"

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is already able to help the Emperor handle state affairs. These matters are not difficult for the Crown Prince."

"Furthermore, Your Highness must be careful in the future. When it comes to matters concerning the Crown Prince, whether good or bad, Your Highness must not make decisions on your own."

"This is not a student trying to sow discord within the imperial family, but a matter concerning the Crown Prince, which is related to the national system. The Emperor can make the decision, and the Crown Prince can make the decision himself. No one else can interfere."

"Even someone as close to the Crown Prince as a prince is not allowed."

Tu Chengyu frowned and said, "What if the Crown Prince asks me to make the decision?"

Quan Wenwei said, "It depends on the matter. The prince can make decisions on minor matters, but the crown prince must be informed of major matters. Even if it is an urgent matter that requires expediency, it must be reported immediately."

"Your Highness must remember, the Crown Prince is not only your elder brother, but also half a monarch. In private, Your Highness may be more casual, but in public, Your Highness must treat the Crown Prince with the respect due to a half-monarch."

Tu Chengyu frowned, feeling irritated. Although he had long anticipated that with the change in everyone's status, his relationship with the Crown Prince would not be as close and casual as it was at the Prince An's residence.

But when it comes to actually doing it, I still feel awkward.

Quan Wenwei continued, "Your Highness, just as I said, the Emperor sent you out to do this job in order to protect the Crown Prince."

"Therefore, the Emperor wanted the Prince to do things, but he could not let the Prince do things alone."

Tu Chengyu frowned and said, "Is Father afraid that I'll cultivate my own power base and develop inappropriate thoughts? But I have absolutely no such thoughts."

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness, this matter is not about what Your Highness thinks, but about what Your Highness does."

"Like this incident at Xishan, the prince mobilized troops without reporting it and also said things he shouldn't have."

"This student dares to say that what Your Highness did that day already had the suspicion of winning people's hearts. If it weren't for the Crown Prince's understanding of Your Highness and his lack of concern, there would have already been a rift between them."

Tu Chengyu said, "If the truth is so carefully concealed, how can I possibly do anything in the future?"

Quan Wenwei advised, "Your Highness, for someone of your status, abstract thinking is more important than practical matters. Only by avoiding trouble from above can you work peacefully below."

"Your Highness, in the future, you must do things openly."

"Just do the work without taking on power, do more and complain less, and volunteer for the dirty and hard work, and you will have no worries."

After hearing this, Tu Chengyu couldn't help but scrutinize Quan Wenwei several times.

What this guy said sounds just like what bosses in later generations say when they're making empty promises.

Although he was thinking this to himself, he said it aloud:
"I understand, and I will be more careful in the future."

Quan Wenwei continued to persuade him: "This should not be underestimated; it is the way to long-term success."

Tu Chengyu could only earnestly reply, "I will certainly keep it in mind."

Before Quan Wenwei could say anything more, a voice came from afar outside the study:
"Mr. Quan, there's some progress on the matter you asked me to keep an eye on."

The voice sounded unfamiliar, and Tu Chengyu turned to look at Quan Wenwei.

Quan Wenwei explained, "He is Zhao San's younger brother, now renamed Zhao Ji. I sent him to keep an eye on the movements of the scholars on the streets, and I suspect there's some new information. The prince hasn't met him yet, so today is a good day to see him."

Tu Chengyu said, "Then let's call them in."

After receiving permission, Zhao Ji quickly entered.

Tu Chengyu turned his head and saw a dark-skinned, thin young man who was not tall and looked reserved.

His appearance does resemble his brother Zhao San somewhat, but he doesn't seem as clever as Zhao San. He's probably new to this place and hasn't adapted yet.

Zhao Ji came in and saw Tu Chengyu and Quan Wenwei sitting at the table.

He had never met Tu Chengyu before, and guessed that he might be Prince Su, but he didn't know how to greet him. For a moment, he felt awkward and didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.

Fortunately, Quan Wenwei stepped in and said, "Zhao Ji, this is His Highness Prince Su, whom you've been talking about visiting every day. Now that you've met him, why don't you quickly pay your respects?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji knelt down with a thud and said, "This humble one, Zhao Ji, greets Your Highness. May Your Highness be blessed."

After saying a couple of auspicious phrases that he had somehow learned, he didn't know what else to say. In his haste, he actually kowtowed several times.

If Quan Wenwei hadn't reacted and grabbed him, he might have kept kowtowing.

Quan Wenwei helped Zhao Ji up. Seeing that Tu Chengyu had a sullen face and didn't say anything, he was worried that Tu Chengyu would look down on Zhao Ji, so he explained:
"Your Highness, the Zhao family has always been grateful for your care, so Zhao Ji came here wanting to kowtow to you to express his gratitude. That's why."

Tu Chengyu didn't speak just now because seeing Zhao Ji reminded him of his former follower, San, but it wasn't that he had any issues with Zhao Ji.

He said, "Let's not talk about gratitude, let's just focus on doing our jobs well here."

After exchanging greetings, Quan Wenwei asked, "Zhao Ji, you've come back, but what have those scholars done this time?"

Zhao Ji said, "Reporting to Mr. Quan, I just learned that the scholar Hu Jieyuan that you asked me to keep an eye on has sent a petition to the palace to apologize, saying that in order not to affect this year's imperial examination, Hu Jieyuan wants to request to withdraw from the examination." After Zhao Ji finished speaking, Tu Chengyu and Quan Wenwei exchanged a glance.

Hu Guangjin's actions are exactly the same as what Lao San said this morning.

Quan Wenwei quickly asked, "Who delivered Hu Jieyuan's memorial to the palace?"

Hu Guangjin is currently just a scholar and does not have the authority to submit memorials. If he wants to submit a memorial, he either has to send it through the government office or ask an official of the court to submit it on his behalf.

To quickly present a document to the emperor, one must find someone who frequently sees the emperor and holds a high position to help forward it.

Such people are hard to find, which is why Quan Wenwei was in such a hurry to ask.

Zhao Ji replied, "It was His Highness Prince Qi who helped Hu Jieyuan submit his memorial."

Tu Chengyu and Quan Wenwei exchanged another glance, their expressions quite different.

Seeing the surprise and confusion on Quan Wenwei's face, Tu Chengyu was left only with anger.

Tu Chengyu wasn't angry about helping with the memorial, but rather about why the third brother had gotten involved when he had clearly refused that morning.

If the third brother hadn't told Tu Chengyu before doing this, Tu Chengyu could still think he was helping him.

But what does this mean now? Is he trying to force help, or is he deliberately causing trouble?
Tu Chengyu asked, "Zhao Ji, when did the Prince of Qi help Hu Guangjin deliver the memorial?"

Zhao Ji replied, "Your Highness, Prince Qi has just left the garden, and I have rushed back to report this."

So the third prince must have just returned to the palace.

Tu Chengyu stood up and said to Quan Wenwei, "Mr. Quan, I will return to the palace first."

Quan Wenwei stopped Tu Chengyu and said, "Your Highness, what are you going to do?"

Tu Chengyu said, "Of course we should find him in person and ask him why he did this."

Quan Wenwei advised, "Your Highness, the deed is done. Going back to ask now will not help and will only cause unnecessary arguments."

Tu Chengyu said, "But I can't just do nothing and let him run wild."

Quan Wenwei said, "Your Highness, please calm down. We must first find out why Prince Qi did this before Your Highness can make a decision."

Tu Chengyu sat back down in his seat with a sullen face, while Quan Wenwei turned to ask Zhao Ji:

"When Prince Qi went to the garden, was there anyone else with him besides his guards?"

Zhao Ji replied, "There is no one else."

Quan Wenwei then asked, "How long did the Prince of Qi stay before leaving?"

Zhao Ji replied, "I went in for about fifteen minutes and came out very quickly."

Quan Wenwei asked, "How did you find out that Prince Qi helped Hu Jieyuan deliver the memorials?"

Zhao Ji said, "I didn't inquire. It was those scholars who said it when they saw Prince Qi off. I was nearby when I heard it."

Quan Wenwei asked doubtfully, "You said that when Prince Qi left, he was seen off by many scholars, and they even publicly discussed the matter of submitting memorials?"

Zhao Ji replied, "Yes, Mr. Quan. The scholars are still grateful to Prince Qi for his great understanding and righteousness."

Having asked this question, Quan Wenwei dismissed Zhao Ji, personally closed the door, and turned back to say:

"Your Highness, you really must not argue with Prince Qi this time."

Tu Chengyu asked, "Why?"

Quan Wenwei explained: "The fact that the Prince of Qi could act so ostentatiously must not be due to his own initiative."

Tu Chengyu said, "Are you saying that he did this on the Emperor's orders?"

Quan Wenwei said, "That must be the case. Otherwise, how could the Prince of Qi have the audacity to do such a thankless task?"

Tu Chengyu said, "How could Father Emperor allow him to do such a thing?"

Quan Wenwei said, "His Majesty stands at a high position, so he must see more than we do and consider things most thoroughly. Since His Majesty has instructed Prince Qi to do this, there must be a reason for it. Your Highness need not worry."

Tu Chengyu then asked, "Why does Prince Qi insist on doing this, even though I have refused him?"

Quan Wenwei thought for a moment and said, "In my opinion, there are only two reasons."

"First, Prince Qi wanted to prove to the Emperor that he was capable of handling matters."

"Secondly, Prince Qi may also be trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince. After all, if he can stop the scholars from causing trouble, it will benefit both Your Highness and the Crown Prince."

Tu Chengyu said, "These scholars are so troublesome, can they be calmed down just by the Prince of Qi sending a memorial?"

Quan Wenwei said, "The Prince of Qi may not be able to, but with the Emperor's support, he might be able to calm things down."

Tu Chengyu sneered: "I'll wait and see."

(End of this chapter)