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

Chapter 81 The Crown Prince is Wise; He Will Surely Be a Sage Ruler
At the Nalan residence, Mingzhu, who had just returned from the Southern Study, summoned her son, Kuixu.

Looking at his father's serious expression, Kui Xu felt a sense of worry rising in his heart.

Kui Xu knew his father very well; his father always greeted everyone with a smile, no matter who they were.

When he no longer smiles, it means things have gotten serious.

Neither his reputation nor his literary talent could compare to that of his famous elder brother.

Therefore, he was extremely respectful in front of his father.

"Greetings, Father." Kui Xu bowed respectfully.

Mingzhu didn't speak, but instead looked her son over carefully for a few moments before saying, "Use a road that can make money to attract princes and nobles to contribute funds, then use that money to build roads and provide disaster relief, and finally collect revenue from the completed roads and share the profits!"

"Could you have come up with this method?"

Kui Xu had already heard about this road from the eldest prince, so when his father brought it up again, he honestly replied, "I didn't expect that."

Mingzhu said, "But the Crown Prince has thought of this method!"

Do you think the Crown Prince really came up with this on his own?

Kui Xu pondered for a moment before saying, "Although the Crown Prince has always been exceptionally talented, he doesn't seem to have made any significant achievements in the field of finance."

"Could it be that a highly skilled person has arrived by the Crown Prince's side?"

"Or perhaps it was Songgotu and his group who devised this plan and then informed the Crown Prince, hoping to make him famous?"

Mingzhu glanced at her son but did not answer his question.

The reason he didn't answer wasn't that he didn't want to, but rather that he wasn't sure himself at that moment.

Just as Kui Xu was pondering this in his heart, Mingzhu said, "Suo'etu has always been arrogant. Even when facing the Crown Prince, he still has a childlike attitude towards him."

"I guess it's unlikely to be him."

"Moreover, it is said that... the relationship between Songgotu and the Crown Prince has already developed cracks."

"At the court meeting some time ago, the Crown Prince was attacked, and Songgotu instructed his subordinates to ignore it."

At this point, he said with a hint of solemnity, "I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse!"

Kui Xu listened to his father's analysis and thought it made a lot of sense.

But a question arose in his mind regarding his father's last sigh.

The falling out between the Crown Prince and Suo'etu is exactly the kind of situation they'd like to see.

The crown prince has lost his wings, and with the crown prince gone as their support, people like Suo'etu may soon fall apart and vanish into thin air.

Under such circumstances, why is the father so worried, unsure whether it is a blessing or a curse?
Mingzhu glanced at her son and then said, "Regarding the shares in this road, do you think we should buy them or not?"

Kui Xu said directly, "Father, I think we shouldn't openly sabotage this matter."

"After all, His Majesty is still watching from up there!"

“Our family can actively buy some, but we can also secretly make arrangements with those who are close to our family.”

"After all, buying and selling is free, and even His Majesty would find it difficult to find fault with it."

Mingzhu sighed, somewhat displeased with her son's words.

Actually, it's already quite good that the son was able to distance himself from his family in this matter; it's just that his expectations are too high.

"You're still a bit short-sighted; you don't see far enough!"

"Regardless of the relationship between our Nalan family and the Crown Prince, we should buy more shares in this road."

“My Nalan family could not possibly be involved in such treasonous acts, but nothing lasts forever.”

"As the head of the household, one must plan ahead."

At this point, Mingzhu solemnly said, "Not only should our family buy some, but we should also buy some for our close relatives."

Kui Xu felt a little ashamed as he listened to his father's instructions.

He considered himself a clever man, but he still couldn't see as far ahead as his father. Although the Nalan family was currently very prosperous, it was like oil on a hot fire; once the eldest prince failed in his bid for the throne, their family would inevitably suffer a blow.

No matter how much wealth you have, it can't withstand being seized.

Given their family's circumstances, even if the crown prince ascends the throne, the possibility of him killing them is unlikely, but their property will be confiscated and they will be suppressed.

This road was proposed by the Crown Prince and endorsed by the imperial edict of Emperor Qianxi.

Even if the crown prince despises their family, he cannot confiscate these shares.

This could be considered a very useful card for their family when they face future decline.

"Father, I'll arrange it right away."

Watching her son leave, Mingzhu sighed softly.

Although my son is intelligent, he hasn't been through the hardships of life yet. He lacks experience and is not tempered by adversity.
Although he could see through the essence of things, he couldn't think too far ahead.

Slightly disappointed, a cold glint flashed in Mingzhu's eyes. He clapped his hands lightly, and a person dressed in a gray robe walked in.

The man bowed respectfully to Mingzhu and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister Ming."

Mingzhu calmly said, "The Crown Prince built Wanfu Garden, and now he has created a road from Tongzhou to Chaoyangmen to give disaster victims work. How many people know about this?"

The person had an ordinary appearance and would be difficult to notice at first glance in a crowd.

Upon hearing Mingzhu's question, he said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister, not many ordinary people know about this kind of thing."

"After all, they don't care about these things."

"As for the disaster victims, no one will talk to them about these things."

Mingzhu said, "How can we not publicize something like this?"

"However, when spreading the news, we can add a line: 'The Crown Prince is wise; as ruler, he will surely make the lives of the people better!'"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man, whose face had been calm, changed his expression.

Although he was doing secret work for Mingzhu, he never expected that Mingzhu would give him such a job.

If I keep doing this kind of job, I might lose my head at any time, without even realizing it.

However, he could also feel the destructive power of those words.

What would be the outcome if these words reached Emperor Qianxi's ears through the ears of the disaster victims?

The imperial family is the most ruthless!

The reason why emperors are ruthless is only one: suspicion!
Despite his shock, he respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."

Mingzhu waved her hand, signaling her subordinates to leave.

Once Mingzhu was the only one left in the room, he sighed softly.

Although he had taken precautions, it didn't mean he wanted to lose.

He will still strive to win, as long as he can.

After all, how can the retreat after losing compare to the benefits of winning?

"The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind!" After saying this, Mingzhu let out a long sigh.

He didn't know if his plan would succeed; all he could do now was try his best.

While Mingzhu was arranging for his son to buy shares in Shiban Road, Suo'etu was also gathering his confidants to discuss the matter.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the main hall of Suo'etu's residence was quite solemn.

Because what they are discussing now is how they should proceed next.

　The second update for today is here! Please support, recommend, subscribe, and vote with monthly tickets!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)