Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 38 The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong

"Zhao'er."

Han Zhang, dressed in a purple robe, walked out of the main hall, accompanied by two people.

The man was over fifty years old, with a back as straight as a pine tree, graying temples, and dressed in a purple robe.

The man was nearly fifty years old, but did not look old, and wore a red robe of a fifth-rank official.

"Lord Wang, Lord Zhang," Jiang Zhao bowed respectfully.

The elderly man in the purple robe, standing tall like a pine tree, was none other than Wang Yaochen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who had once personally selected Jiang Zhao as the top scholar in the imperial examination.

That year, the official, who was nearly fifty years old and dressed in a red robe, was named Zhang Fangping. He had served as a Hanlin Academician and Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, among other positions. However, he was demoted for more than ten years due to the Qingli Reforms.

A few days ago, Han Zhang sought the help of Grand Chancellor Fu Bi, which allowed him to return to the capital as a fifth-rank official.

"Haha! No need for formalities." Zhang Fangping stepped forward to help Jiang Zhao up, his face full of admiration.

Who wouldn't like a polite and well-mannered top scholar?
They helped Jiang Zhao up, and the four of them walked slowly towards the outside of the palace.

"What does Zhao'er think?" Han Zhang asked, stroking his beard.

"I can't see clearly!" Jiang Zhao answered truthfully.

"If Huang Jing were someone from the Prince of Yong, it would be reasonable for him to step forward. But for him to step forward immediately after the Emperor spoke, and to directly recommend the Prince of Yong, is rather foolish."

"If it's someone from the Prince of Yan who came forward to frame us, that would be plausible, but who can be sure?"

“However, if you say he was simply trying to persuade the emperor to establish an heir, I would never believe it even if you killed me,” Jiang Zhao added, ruling out one possibility.

A childlike heart? You're kidding me.

Not everyone is like Hai Rui!

"Ha ha!"

"Makes sense!"

Wang Yaochen and Zhang Fangping both smiled, their eyes filled with admiration.

This habit of considering the big picture is truly commendable.

Jiang Zhao shook his head, somewhat doubtful: "I just don't know if this matter was also orchestrated by a certain Grand Secretary."

This matter involves three possible outcomes.

Firstly, this matter was not planned by any party.

Huang Jing was a simple, loyal and filial son who was concerned about the country and recommended the Prince of Yong. However, he never expected that things would backfire and anger the king.

Secondly, Huang Jing was a man of the Prince of Yong.

Huang Jing's untimely appearance will undoubtedly provoke the emperor's fury and disgust.

But once they calm down and think things through, they will definitely suspect that this is a scheme by the King of Yan.

After all, Huang Jing's method of "framing" was really not clever.

Huang Jing's statement, "The Prince of Yong is old and has many descendants," made the Prince of Yong an undeniable victim.

When the Prince of Yong defends himself before the Emperor, he will be both the mastermind and the victim.

If the plan goes well, Huang Jing will falsely accuse the Prince of Yan at a crucial moment, and the Prince of Yan will suffer a great loss.

Thirdly, Huang Jing was a man of the King of Yan.

If Huang Jing is a man of the Prince of Yan, then his coming out like this makes perfect sense. His inappropriate praise of the Prince of Yong is actually an attempt to damage the Prince of Yong's image in the emperor's eyes.

Besides, it's also possible that it was a scheme within a scheme set up by the King of Yan, but that's unlikely.

This matter is nothing more than to damage the impression of the Prince of Yan or the Prince of Yong in the emperor's mind. If a scheme within a scheme were set up, it would be too complicated and might have the opposite effect.

When making a plan, one must consider not only the sophistication of the scheme, but also the emperor's competence.

If the emperor is not very capable, he cannot set up a plan that is too sophisticated.

However, in this matter alone, regardless of the specific arrangements, it is highly likely that it was orchestrated by a certain senior official.

If the emperor wants to offer birthday greetings, it is certainly not a decision made on a whim; at least the night before, he must consult with the six Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet.

If it involves birthday celebrations, the Ministry of Rites must submit a memorial to inquire, and perhaps the person who knows about it is Han Zhang, the Minister of Rites.

But that's where it ends.

In the imperial court, most of the high-ranking officials in purple robes looked surprised, indicating that the matter had not yet spread.

If the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong were to take this opportunity to frame each other, someone would certainly need to deliver the message.

It's nothing more than some high-ranking official taking action!
Was this the work of the Grand Secretary?

Han Zhang and the other two frowned in unison.

I fear this might be Liu Hang's scheme.

These days, Liu Hang is showing signs of decline, and his defeat is already evident. But no matter how much he declines, he is still a figure who holds a high position in the government.

If the struggle between the Han and Liu factions were to become intertwined with the conflict between the two kings, things would get really chaotic.

"there is always a solution to a problem."

Before leaving the palace, Han Zhang did not have the habit of speaking much.

"Let's go eat!"

Prince Yong's Mansion.

After the third watch drum, the moon and stars were few.

The beautiful concubine danced lightly, while the Prince of Yong drank alone, his face full of smiles.

"Does Your Highness have any concerns about the political situation?" It was Princess Yong who spoke.

Seeing that Prince Yong did not rest even after the third watch of the night, and even had the leisure to watch the dance, she knew that her husband had something to be happy about.

So she came over carrying a bowl of Qibao Lei Cha (a type of tea).

"Regarding Huang Jing," the Prince of Yong said with a look of delight but also disdain, "that Huang Jing suddenly appeared and said that I am older and should inherit the throne."

"Haha!" Prince Yong laughed and waved his hand, "I don't know where that good-for-nothing Prince Yan got these fools."

That Huang Jing isn't one of his men!
In other words, Huang Jing is one of the Prince of Yan's men!

"Such a setup is too crude!" Prince Yong commented disdainfully.

"His Majesty intends to celebrate his birthday and bring good fortune, hoping that a prince will be born to inherit the throne."

Prince Yong stroked his beard and smiled confidently: "It would be better if Your Majesty's marriage to bring good fortune turned into a disaster, but how can you be so impatient?"

"His appearance at this moment is perfectly clear to the Emperor; how could he not see through such a clumsy attempt at framing him?"

"More trouble than good!" Prince Yong shook his head repeatedly: "Everyone says that Prince Yan is shrewd and capable, but I don't think so!"

As a dignified fifth-rank official, his political skills were certainly far inferior to those of Grand Secretaries, Ministers, and Vice Ministers.

But the timing of this appearance was really rather foolish!
The Prince of Yong was overjoyed.

The advantage is mine!

Prince Yan's Mansion.

The King of Yan stood alone, gazing up at the moon.

"Your Highness, what about Huang Jing?" The Princess Consort of Yan dismissed her attendants and walked to the Prince of Yan's side, her face full of surprise and doubt.

“Huang Jing is not one of my men!” The Prince of Yan shook his head.

Princess Yan's expression changed slightly: "So that's Prince Yong's scheme? He's trying to frame the Prince? But... how are we going to explain this to the Emperor?"

In this way, Prince Yong is both the strategist and the victim, which is hard to explain.

“He’s not one of Prince Yong’s men either,” Prince Yan said in a deep voice, his hands behind his back. “He’s one of Minister Liu’s men.”

"Lord Liu?" Princess Yan was delighted and asked softly, "Lord Liu is biased towards the Prince?"

So far, no Grand Secretary of the Cabinet has shown favoritism towards either of the two princes. If Prime Minister Liu were to favor the prince, that would be a tremendous advantage.

"We are still in a cooperative relationship," the Prince of Yan said, shaking his head.

"This matter is destined to be a mess." The Prince of Yan looked towards the palace: "Prime Minister Liu made a very good point: those who devise grand schemes use conspiracies as their foundation and achieve their goals through open strategies!"

“But the Emperor will probably suspect you immediately! How can you plan something like this?” Princess Yan argued.

The Prince of Yan waved his hand and said, "In a few days, I will personally enter the palace and thoroughly and openly analyze this matter."

“The framing of Prince Yong this time may very well be a ‘self-inflicted injury’ ruse.”

The Prince of Yan put his hands behind his back and glanced at the palace: "Besides, no matter what, we still have to focus on the outcome of Prime Minister Liu's victory or defeat."

This account is too complicated, and everyone is bound to have their own version of events.

The outcome is unclear, and the cause is also unclear.

However, no matter how messy the situation, people's hearts will always be biased.

If the emperor shows even the slightest favoritism towards him, then he has already gained three points.

Even if the government doesn't favor him, it doesn't mean he's lost.

This struggle is not the main battlefield of the conflict between the two kings!
If Liu Xianggong defeats Han Zhang and then sides with him, he will gain the support of another Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

If we include Minister Wang, who comes from the same lineage as Minister Liu, then there would be two Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet.

Furthermore, Liu Xiangong's plan will also thwart the Emperor's plan to celebrate his birthday and bring good fortune.

It is still unknown who will win!
(End of this chapter)