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

Chapter 69 Turning black into white, who can't do that?

Qian Youzhong's voice was strong and clear, conveying an image of selfless magnanimity.

Hearing Qian Youzhong's words that he was irreconcilably opposed to the traitors, Shen Ye remained completely calm.

However, Nian Dongliang was cursing inwardly.

Hearing Qian Youzhong say this, anyone who didn't know better would think they had done something heinous!
But in reality, all I did was give a little more money to the disaster victims.

"Imperial Censor Qian, you say that Nian Dongliang disregarded precedents and acted recklessly. Then I want to ask you, how was the disaster relief done according to precedent?" Shen Ye looked at Qian Youzhong and asked calmly.

Qian Youzhong wasn't very clear about disaster relief.

Before he passed the imperial examination, he basically just studied, and he studied the Four Books and Five Classics, which were the materials for the imperial examination.

After passing the imperial examination, he mainly impeached people; he did virtually nothing else.

Although he fabricated charges against Nian Dongliang, he genuinely had no idea how to conduct disaster relief.

He could brush off the question if someone else asked him.

But now, the person asking this question is the Crown Prince!

Some of the people who could have spoken up for him fell silent.

After all, when a half-ruler speaks in court, the only one who can stop him is the emperor sitting in the main hall.

Emperor Qianxi did not speak at this moment.

“Your Highness, the precedent for disaster relief is to serve porridge twice a day. The porridge must be cooked until chopsticks can stand upright to be considered acceptable,” Qian Youzhong said to Shen Ye after carefully considering his words.

Shen Ye nodded and said, "According to Imperial Censor Qian, it means ensuring that the disaster victims are well-fed."

Qian Youzhong cupped his hands and said, "Yes."

"Imperial Censor Qian, did Nian Dongliang fail to ensure these disaster victims had enough to eat?" Shen Ye said coldly.

“Your Highness, although Nian Dongliang has made sure these disaster victims are fed, many things are best done in moderation.”

"Because of his actions, countless disaster victims saw the benefits and flocked to the capital, which led to unrest in the capital."

"He disregarded the world for the sake of his own selfish interests and personal fame."

“These villains are treacherous yet appear loyal, which is why I implore Your Majesty to execute this pillar of the state to appease the people and serve as a warning to those who crave fame!”

At this point, Qian Youzhong knelt down abruptly and cried out, "Your Majesty, please make your judgment!"

Hearing this, Shen Ye almost laughed out of anger.

Qian Youzhong's words sounded righteous and awe-inspiring, and at first glance, they seemed to be completely correct.

But in reality, it's just sophistry!

Shen Ye looked at Qian Youzhong kneeling on the ground and said coldly, "Qian Youzhong, His Majesty asked me to ask you questions, and I haven't finished yet."

"You're suddenly requesting a divine judgment; do you have a problem with my inquiry?"

Although Qian Youzhong was already standing opposite the Crown Prince, he still couldn't help but break out in a sweat when the Crown Prince questioned him like this in the court.

He quickly replied, "I dare not. I was merely asking Your Majesty to understand my loyalty."

Shen Ye ignored him and instead clasped his hands in a fist salute to Emperor Qianxi, saying, "Father, I request to continue seeking advice from Imperial Censor Qian."

"Granted!" Emperor Qianxi picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly.

Shen Ye smiled and said, "Imperial Censor Qian, what you said makes a lot of sense to me."

"But according to your logic, killing a pillar of the nation wouldn't be enough."

"After all, these disaster victims were not caused by Nian Dongliang."

Upon hearing Shen Ye's words, Qian Youzhong was taken aback. What was the Crown Prince trying to do?
A strange, uneasy feeling arose in his heart.

The eldest prince and the others, who were already watching intently, now focused their attention on Shen Ye.

Then Shen Ye said, "Father, the ancients said that when a great drought occurs, there will be treacherous officials in the court!"

"More than thirty counties are now affected by the disaster, and the refugees are fleeing to the capital, causing unrest. According to Imperial Censor Qian, the culprits who caused all this should be severely punished."

"Moreover, the treacherous official is of a high rank, otherwise there wouldn't be so many disaster victims." "I believe that the treacherous official who could cause such a severe drought must at least be a Grand Secretary."

"Your subject believes that, according to Imperial Censor Qian's suggestion, Grand Secretaries Suo'etu and Mingzhu, who caused the severe drought, should be executed to appease the people."

Shen Ye's voice was not loud, but it was powerful and resounding. With the echo effect of the Taihe Hall, it gave people a deafening feeling.

Slay Suo'etu!

Slay the pearl!
Has this prince gone mad?!

These are the two highest-ranking Grand Secretaries of the current dynasty.

Their students and old friends were spread throughout the court and the countryside.

Many things simply cannot be done without their approval.

What is the Crown Prince trying to do?
Originally, he was calm and collected, hoping to make the Crown Prince realize that without his protection, he would be all alone, but Songgotu was taken aback.

His goal this time was simply to watch the show.

I want to see the Crown Prince's utter dejection.

Unexpectedly, the drama unfolded and I saw myself reflected in it.

He felt extremely wronged.

They were just yelling and shouting at a pillar of the nation, how did it suddenly turn around and involve me!

The drought is our fault.

It seems there's really nowhere to seek justice here.

After all, when disaster strikes from heaven, it is a warning from the heavens.

The reason for the warning was not the emperor, but the prime minister.

According to Qian Youzhong's claim that he was going to execute the culprits who caused all of this, it seems that they really were going to be beheaded to appease the world.

That makes so much sense!
Suo'etu glanced helplessly at Shen Ye, then quickly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

Although everyone knew he was innocent, with natural disaster looming, and it was the crown prince who said these words, he had to stand up and confess, whether he was guilty or not.

This is an attitude.

Just as Suo'etu walked out, Mingzhu also came out and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I am also guilty."

Looking at the kneeling Soetu and Mingzhu, Emperor Qianxi had a sudden thought: to simply send these two to appease the world, and his days would be much easier.

But he absolutely cannot do that!
After all, these were his two chief ministers. Even if he wanted to kill them, he needed to have a valid reason. Otherwise, how would the people of the world view him as emperor?
Emperor Qianxi immediately waved his hand and said, "Nonsense!"

"Thunder and rain, all are blessings from Heaven!"

"If my Grand Secretary is executed because of a little drought, who in the world will dare to take office or do anything in the future?"

"Please rise, my two ministers."

As he spoke, he looked at Shen Ye and said, "If you make such absurd statements again, you'd better go back to the study and study properly!"

Shen Ye hurriedly said, "Father, what I said was not to execute the two Grand Secretaries, but rather a deduction based on what Imperial Censor Qian said."

"Fortunately, Father Emperor is wise and has not been disturbed by such remarks."

Qian Youzhong's face turned ashen. He never imagined that his memorial would be interpreted so far-fetchedly by the Crown Prince.

It seems as if he himself has written a petition demanding the execution of Suo'etu and Enxiang.

Even if the Prime Minister is wise and discerning and will not be swayed by such words, what about Suo'etu?

In an instant, large beads of sweat began to roll down his forehead.

Just then, Emperor Qianxi continued, "Crown Prince, you spoke eloquently just now. Now I ask you, do you have a plan to help these disaster victims?"

　third chapter!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)