The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 67 There can only be one sun in the sky, I will never rule the country.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony under the morning sun has a unique beauty!
However, Nian Dongliang was not in the mood for such thoughts at the time.

Normally, he wouldn't need to participate in things like court audiences.

However, this time, an imperial edict was issued, ordering him and the magistrate of Wanping County to attend today's grand court assembly.

This made him worry.

After all, news had already spread that in the same year he took office in the Censorate, several censors had proposed to execute him to appease the public.

Although the likelihood of this happening is slim, he is genuinely afraid!

He knew very well that some things wouldn't go unpunished just because you didn't do anything wrong; rather, it depended on whether you were the right person to take the blame.

Although the Crown Prince was the biggest driving force behind Wanfuyuan, and the county magistrate Shen Ye was in charge of handling the matter, when it came time to punish him, others might think that he was the right person to be punished, so they might as well just dump the blame on him without saying a word.

In that case, he really has nowhere to reason with.

"Brother Dongliang, I owe my attendance to you this time. Otherwise, I really wouldn't be qualified to attend this court assembly," said Wang Shande, the magistrate of Wanping County, with a smile.

Wang Shande was about ten years older than Nian Dongliang and was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the year before Nian Dongliang.

Normally, Wang Shande would use his senior status to suppress Nian Dongliang. Although Nian Dongliang was annoyed by many things, he could do nothing about it.

Wang Shande's words now made Nian Dongliang even angrier.

This guy is just asking for trouble!

In the past, he would have tolerated it!

But now, at a time like this, he felt he couldn't hold back any longer.

He immediately glanced at Wang Shande and said calmly, "Brother Wang, you should cherish this opportunity, because you might not have another chance like this in the future."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shande felt a tickle in his throat.

He wanted to swear!

As a county magistrate under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture, although he had a lot of superiors, as long as he did a good job, his future was bright.

Some predecessors even rose from magistrate of Daxing County to Grand Secretary.

Nian Dongliang's words about cherishing Wang Shande were clearly a curse, wishing him no future promotions.

To Wang Shande, these words were utterly vicious!
He didn't even consider what time it was, yet he still made fun of Nian Dongliang.

"Brother Dongliang, I think you're the one who should be cherished." After saying this, Wang Shande chuckled.

The meaning is self-evident.

Just as Nian Dongliang was about to retaliate, he noticed that his superior, Yu Chenglong, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, was looking at him.

Yu Chenglong was not only famous, but also a serious person. As his subordinate, Nian Dongliang was quite afraid of his boss.

So he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Just then, the sound of whips rang out, and with the crisp crack of the whips, the crowd in front began to walk towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

There were so many people attending the regular court session this time that minor officials like Nian Dongliang and Wang Shande couldn't even get into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

They could only listen from the outside.

Standing outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Nian Dongliang followed the officials in performing the three kowtows and nine prostrations, and then quickly took their places in their respective classes.

Several censors stood on the steps, constantly scanning the area.

Anyone who dares to behave improperly before the emperor at this time will definitely be impeached by these censors.

In the past, Nian Dongliang would never have said anything in such a situation, but this time, he took the opportunity of bowing his head to look towards the main hall.

On the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there was a blinding bright yellow light that, under the rising sun, stung the eyes.

However, he didn't want to see the emperor; he wanted to see the crown prince.

But to his disappointment, he did not see another bright yellow patch.

The Crown Prince didn't come?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when Nian Dongliang gently patted his head.

My head has been so busy these past two days that I've completely forgotten that the Crown Prince has already handed over the apricot-yellow robe. The reason for handing it over was to atone for the sins of his wet nurse and her family.

Although many people thought this atonement was not worth it, Nian Dongliang felt that the Crown Prince was a man of great loyalty and righteousness.

I wonder if the Crown Prince will save himself this time in the same way he saved his wet nurse.

If I could save myself, that would be wonderful.

Just as Nian Dongliang was filled with anticipation, Chang Chao's report to the emperor had already begun.

Although Nian Dongliang understood that the most crucial matter at this court session was the increasing number of disaster victims outside Shuntian Prefecture, it was not the first thing he mentioned.

Instead, the gentry of Jiangnan jointly submitted a memorial, earnestly requesting Emperor Qianxi to visit Jiangnan once again.

Regarding this memorial, Nian Dongliang knew that it was just a pretext. In reality, Emperor Qianxi simply wanted to travel to the south of the Yangtze River, but he couldn't say it out loud.

This naturally led to the earnest request from the gentry of Jiangnan.

It wasn't that I wanted to go; it was the gentry of Jiangnan who invited me, and I couldn't refuse their kind invitation!
In fact, Shen Ye, who was standing in front of the imperial steps, had the same guess as Nian Dongliang.

However, what he was thinking at that moment was that he should go to Jiangnan.

Staying in the capital to oversee the country sounds like a lot of power, but in reality, one is constantly suppressed and monitored by one's father, the Qianxi Emperor.

Moreover, what's so good about being a regent? It's not only mentally and physically exhausting, but it also increases suspicion.

It would be better to happily travel to the south of the Yangtze River.

Emperor Qianxi was able to take the opportunity to bring beautiful women from Jiangnan into the palace, and he believed that he, as the crown prince, would also receive gifts in return.

Why not do something that offers so many benefits? It's a waste not to go!
But how can I resign from the position of regent?

After all, in the past, whether Emperor Qianxi was fighting a war or making an inspection tour, he always left the former crown prince to oversee the country.

While Shen Ye was pondering this, Emperor Qianxi had already made a decision: the emperor would begin his journey to the south of the Yangtze River by boat in March of the following year.

One piece, two pieces, three pieces...

After these events were brought up one by one, Shen Ye finally heard someone report: "Your Majesty, your subject, Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Yu Chenglong, reports that a large number of disaster victims have gathered in the suburbs of the city, with an initial estimate of more than 60,000."

"According to the scouting reports, a large number of disaster victims are still flocking in from Tongzhou and other directions, and it is estimated that there are two to three hundred thousand of them."

"We implore Your Majesty to open the granaries and distribute grain to relieve the disaster victims!"

Yu Chenglong, who was dark-skinned and thin, had a very loud voice. As soon as he spoke, the entire court fell silent.

Almost everyone's attention was focused on him.

Those who can stand in the imperial court are all shrewd and capable.

They were all well aware of the reasons behind today's court assembly, especially the sudden return of Emperor Qianxi from his summer retreat at Changchun Garden.

They also knew that the key to this grand court session lay in the relief of these disaster victims.

After Yu Chenglong made his report, no one spoke.

It's not that no one has an opinion; it's that everyone is waiting.

Others may remain silent, but Emperor Qianxi could not remain silent. He turned to Ma Qi, the Minister of Revenue, who was standing below, and asked, "Ma Qi, how much grain can the Ministry of Revenue's thirteen granaries produce?"

Ma Qi was not yet fifty years old, but he was already the head of the Ministry of Revenue, one of the six ministries. This was not only because of his outstanding abilities, but also because he had a powerful father.

Upon hearing Emperor Qianxi call his name, he did not hesitate at all and said directly, "Your Majesty, last year when we fought against Galdan, most of the grain in the thirteen granaries of the Ministry of Revenue was transferred to the army as rations."

"Most of this year's grain has not yet been transported. The remaining grain in the thirteen granaries is not much, and at best, it can only barely support the capital's expenses."

Upon Ma Qi's report, the atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony immediately became solemn.

Just then, someone loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I, Qian Youzhong, the Supervising Censor of the Capital Region, have impeached Nian Dongliang, the Magistrate of Daxing County, for seeking fame and fortune, being ambitious and reckless, which has led to a large influx of disaster victims and unrest in the capital."

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that Your Majesty execute Nian Dongliang to appease the people!"

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(End of this chapter)