Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

"Hahahaha, I thought the prince would have some problems, but it turns out to be this!"

After hearing Chu Ning's test questions, the fifteenth prince couldn't help but burst into laughter, with a smug look on his face.

"Don't worry, Prince. I will be the first one to find out about this matter!"

"Without further delay, I will take my leave first. As for this gift, please accept it, Your Highness!"

After saying this, he put down the gift, bowed, turned around and left without hesitation.

Upon seeing this, the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Princes looked at each other and secretly cursed the Fifteenth Prince for being cunning and actually wanting to strike first.

However, they did not hesitate, and immediately put down the gifts and said in unison:

"Prince, since someone is spreading rumors that are unfavorable to you, there must be someone behind this. I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left without waiting for Chu Ning to speak.

Chu Ning looked at the three people's departing backs, with a hint of amusement on his face.

This round has already begun, and now it depends on whether the other party will be fooled.

This time, he wants to show his cards to the other party!

Since neither the Jinyiwei nor the aristocratic families of the three states of Jiangnan can find each other, let the royal family investigate.

Don't underestimate the power of the royal family. These people's strength should not be underestimated. In some aspects, they even surpass the aristocratic families.

The reason why he offered such a test was, firstly, to lure the other party into taking action, and secondly, to test the strength of the royal family.

Of course, it would be more beneficial to him if he could find the mastermind behind this.

Next, we just have to wait for other royal relatives to come to Beijing. I believe something will happen at that time.

In order to get the position of Zongzheng, someone will definitely take action. He can also take the opportunity to capture some people and weaken the strength of the royal family.

Through the mutinies of Prince Anding and Prince Fufeng, he realized that the royal family was too powerful.

Must be weakened!

But he is only the regent prince now, not the emperor yet. If he rashly reduces the power of the princes, it will definitely cause resistance.

The best strategy is to use the position of Zongzheng to let these people fight among themselves and reap the benefits.

Now that Qin has just been defeated, it will not send troops in the short term. Wei and Han are fighting fiercely and have no time to take care of other things.

The Tang Dynasty and the State of Jin were too far away from the State of Chu, and there were other dynasties in between, so naturally they would not take action against the State of Chu.

The Zhou Dynasty and the State of Chu were on good terms and would not take action.

The best strategy is to take advantage of this period of peace and stabilize the internal situation as quickly as possible!

Only by stabilizing the country can he conquer the world with peace of mind in the future.

Now, we just have to wait for other royal relatives to come to Beijing!

In the next few days, Kyoto city became lively.

Many royal relatives came to Beijing with their servants. Their eating, drinking, defecating and urinating boosted the local economy, making Kyoto prosperous.

Deng Hongwen, the Minister of Rites, was very busy in the following month.

The first person to arrive at Kyoto City was King Wu, who was closest to the place.

On this day, Deng Hongwen and officials from the Ministry of Rites personally welcomed him at the city gate.

A cavalry force of about three hundred men rushed in from outside the city.

The leader was a man wearing black armor, with a sword on his waist. He was tall, with broad and thick shoulders and high temples.

"Xu~"

At the city gate, the man reined in his horse and waved his hand, signaling everyone behind him to stop.

Deng Hongwen stepped forward and bowed, "I am the Minister of Rites Deng Hongwen, and I pay my respects to His Majesty the King of Wu!"

King Wu nodded slightly and laughed loudly, "The last time we met was at the Crown Prince's coronation ceremony. I haven't seen you for more than half a year. Lord Deng has lost a lot of weight."

"I guess you have been busy recently because you have received many royal relatives for the Zongzheng matter?"

His voice is as loud as a bell, his words are straightforward and direct, without any affectation.

Deng Hongwen smiled bitterly: "Your Highness King Wu, please don't make fun of me. There are many royal relatives coming to Kyoto this time, and I am very busy with this matter."

After a pause, he extended his hand and gestured: "Your Highness, King Wu, please come into the city to talk."

But King Wu shook his head and laughed loudly, "Before that, I want to know what the Crown Prince will be evaluating this time?"

Deng Hongwen's expression changed slightly: "How could this humble official know this?"

"You're dishonest!"

King Wu suddenly straightened his face and sneered, "Don't think I don't know. The three princes have already started to act."

"If they didn't know the content of the assessment in advance, why would they start in advance?"

Although King Wu looks rough, he has a very smart brain.

The actions of the three princes in the past few days could not be hidden from his eyes and ears.

Deng Hongwen smiled bitterly upon hearing this: "Your Highness King Wu, this makes it difficult for me. I was not involved in this matter."

"If you want to know the content of the assessment, why not go directly to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

King Wu narrowed his eyes and stared at Deng Hongwen for a long time. Seeing that Deng Hongwen looked calm and fearless, he suddenly smiled and said:

"Forget it, since this matter was done by the prince, then I will go find the prince myself!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and entered the city!

Deng Hongwen made way and looked at King Wu's departing back, his face showing no joy or sadness, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

A few days later, King Wen of Yangzhou arrived with his men.

Deng Hongwen once again led the team to welcome them personally and showed them full courtesy.

King Wen was wearing a purple robe and a purple crown. Although he looked a little thin, his eyes sparkled with wisdom. He looked like a Confucian scholar, refreshing and warm.

"Meet His Royal Highness Prince Wen."

"Master Deng, there is no need to be so polite."

Prince Wen personally helped Deng Hongwen up and said solemnly, "This time, I have been summoned to the capital. If there is anything I do not understand, please enlighten me, Lord Deng."

Deng Hongwen was flattered: "I dare not..."

"Hey, Lord Deng, why should you be so modest?"

King Wen smiled and said, "Everyone knows that Lord Deng is trusted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I'm afraid he has already known the content of the assessment in advance, right?"

I actually came here just for the assessment content!

On the surface he said nothing, but his words revealed his purpose.

Deng Hongwen quickly explained: "Your Highness Prince Wen, the content of the assessment was determined by His Highness the Crown Prince, and only His Highness the Crown Prince knows it at present."

Deng Hongwen raised his eyebrows, and when he saw that Deng Hongwen didn't look like he was lying, he nodded slightly:

"Since Lord Deng doesn't know, I will go find the prince myself."

Afterwards, King Wen led his men into the capital.

After sending King Wen away, two days later, King Yan of Youzhou also arrived with a cavalry of 300 men.

Although the Prince of Yan is older than the current emperor, he looks energetic. He has a broad face and big ears. He is dressed in a white robe as white as snow, holding a string of Buddhist beads. He always has a smile on his face, just like Maitreya Buddha.

"Greetings, His Royal Highness Prince Chen!"

"Master Deng, there is no need to be so polite."

The King of Yan asked with a smile, "I wonder if King Wu and King Wen have already entered the capital?"

Deng Hongwen nodded and smiled, "Your Highnesses have already arrived in Beijing and have met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

King Yan laughed and said, "In that case, I am late. It seems that I have to go see the Crown Prince as well."

But Deng Hongwen shook his head and said, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not meet with the two princes, but waited three days for everyone to gather and announced the content of the assessment in public."

This surprised the King of Yan, but he remained calm and asked, "Besides the three princes, King Chen, King Wu, King Wen and me, is there anyone else vying for the position of Zongzheng this time?"

Deng Hongwen nodded: "And Prince Teng, Prince Han, Prince Lu, Prince Jiang and others are all here."

Prince Yan shook his head: "So many people are fighting for the position of Zongzheng. It seems that Jingdou will be in turmoil again."

After saying this, he led his men into Beijing.

Although he didn't get the answer he wanted, since Chu Ning was going to gather everyone in three days, he would just wait for another three days!