Dressed as the prince's substitute? I took the throne

Zhou Chuxuan walked in from outside the Taiji Hall. He was not wearing court robes, but only a plain dress that he usually wore. He came in front of Emperor Wu and bowed slightly.

"Sixth brother, you are so brave! What are you wearing? Also, why don't you kneel down when you see our father?" Zhou Heguan was caught red-handed by Zhou Chuxuan. He swallowed his saliva and quickly took the opportunity to find an excuse to attack Zhou Chuxuan.

Yang Li smiled and said solemnly, "Your Highness, the Second Prince, King Xiaoyao is now a prince and no longer in the imperial court, so he naturally doesn't need to pay too much attention to the imperial etiquette!"

"But, Sixth Brother..."

Zhou Heguan wanted to say more, but was interrupted by Emperor Wu on the spot: "Your Highness is right, Sixth Brother, I will not pursue you this time. Next time you go to court, don't dress so casually!"

"Yes, father!" Zhou Chuxuan bowed.

After everyone quieted down, Emperor Wu said in a deep voice, "Sixth Brother, yesterday we received news from the coastal areas that your Fuling Army suffered a defeat, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities. The local authorities requested instructions on whether to send out government troops to eliminate them."

As soon as these words came out, the court was in an uproar.

"I knew it long ago. These people are indeed a bunch of bandits. Their nature has never changed! Haha, we should have sent troops to wipe them out long ago!"

"How dare you do such a thing even though you've already been recruited by the imperial court? Your Majesty, please send troops to confiscate it immediately!"

"That's right, Your Majesty. This is a group of bandits. I'm afraid any orders or imperial decrees will be useless now. Please send troops quickly!"

Zhou Heguan, who was standing by, gloated upon hearing this, saying, "Sixth brother, who was it that promised Father that there was no problem with this group of bandits? Why did they insist on recruiting them and even gave them the name Fuling Army?"

Emperor Wu did not say anything, but looked at Zhou Chuxuan with a stern gaze, wondering what he was thinking.

Zhou Chuxuan's eyes flickered, knowing that this must be a conspiracy by someone with ulterior motives. The Fuling Army was led by Han Bin, and would definitely not commit acts of burning, killing, and looting. Most likely, someone was framing them.

"Sixth Brother, this is a memorial from merchants along the coast. They've signed a petition asking the court to eliminate this bandit group. What do you think we should do?"

Emperor Wu glanced at Zhou Chuxuan and threw down a thick memorial. Zhou Chuxuan picked it up and opened it. His pupils shrank slightly. The words on the memorial were very firm and fierce, almost describing the Fuling Army as an unforgivable army.

"Father, I believe someone must have framed Han Bin behind this. I believe Han Bin is a man who would never allow his men to do such a thing!"

"Please let me see clearly, Father!"

Zhou Heguan wouldn't miss any opportunity to kick someone when they're down, and immediately stood up and said, "Sixth brother, don't be too hasty with what you said. What do you mean by 'you think'? If everything is just your opinion, then what do we need evidence and the government for?"

"Investigation? This is the result of the emperor's investigation! Officials and merchants along the coast jointly reported and reached this final conclusion. Are you saying that these people are colluding with each other to deceive their superiors and subordinates?"

Zhou Chuxuan smiled slightly, then slowly walked up to Zhou Heguan and stared into his eyes. He felt a little uneasy when he saw Zhou Heguan. "Actually, this isn't a bad idea."

"You, you, you!" Zhou Heguan's words were a little stammering, his eyes constantly shifting between Zhou Chuxuan and Emperor Wu. "Countless court officials are involved in this, and you dare to accuse them of deceiving their superiors and subordinates?"

Zhou Chuxuan held the memorial in his hand and said, "Father, I am willing to go to the coastal area to investigate. If the situation is true, I will personally lead the troops to annihilate them!"

"Sixth brother, your plan is too grand, isn't it?" Zhou Heguan glanced at Zhou Chuxuan with disdain and snorted coldly, "Does this count as shielding someone? What if you go to the coastal areas, join forces with Han Bin, and then turn around and attack the capital?"

Although the civil and military officials in the court did not speak, most of them had the same idea in their minds. They did not believe Zhou Chuxuan.

At this time, Emperor Wu coughed lightly and said, "Sixth Brother, since you want to investigate in person, I will grant you permission! You can mobilize troops outside the city, but I will send someone to accompany the army to supervise you. This person needs to know all your whereabouts. How do you do that?"

Zhou Chuxuan bowed slightly: "Everything is up to Father's arrangements!"

"Okay, my dear ministers, who is willing to accompany King Xiaoyao to the coastal areas to conduct investigations?" Emperor Wu glanced at the civil and military officials, but without exception, almost all of them lowered their heads and said nothing.

There were already bandits roaming around the coastal areas, and now there was an army of Fuling soldiers with unclear motives. They were all pampered officials, so how could they be willing to leave the comfort of the capital and take risks there?

Emperor Wu took a quick look around and was immediately disappointed. The foundation of the Wu Dynasty's court had not changed. It was still like a stagnant pool of water, lifeless!

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go with King Xiaoyao!" Yang Li stepped forward in time and bowed.

Emperor Wu nodded in satisfaction. "Are all the civil and military officials in the court inferior to my consort? My consort is not from the Wu Dynasty, yet he cares about the world. Don't you feel ashamed?"

All the civil and military officials lowered their heads and half-closed their eyes, letting Emperor Wu say whatever he wanted. They pretended not to hear. After all, they were only doing it for a salary, so how could they really risk their lives?

There were a few young officials among them, all of whom had just entered the court. Seeing that the group of old men were silent, they naturally lowered their heads and joined in, remaining silent. No one wanted to be the first to speak out.

Zhou Chuxuan glanced at Yang Li and had already made up his mind. This guy was so active, so this matter must have something to do with him!

"Thank you, Father!"

After the court was dismissed, Zhou Chuxuan took many detours to avoid the people who were following and monitoring him, and came to Xu Qinglong's mansion.

"Haha, I was a special forces soldier in my previous life. Do you want to play reconnaissance and reconnaissance with me?" Zhou Chuxuan curled his lips and went straight to Xu Qinglong's study.

"Boom boom boom!"

Xu Qinglong said impatiently: "Don't bother me, if you have anything to say, wait until I come out!"

"Master Xu, this matter cannot wait!"

Under Xu Qinglong's shocked gaze, Zhou Chuxuan slowly entered the room and looked at him with a smile: "Why, we just met in the court, and now Lord Xu finds me unfamiliar?"

Xu Qinglong gave a bitter laugh, quickly closed the windows and doors, and invited Zhou Chuxuan into his secret room. Only then did he dare to speak: "Your Highness, why are you doing this? Why do you insist on reducing yourself to a commoner? You have no real power, and even your status is far lower than before. Now, a stranger has taken your place."

"Besides, Han Yan..."

Zhou Chuxuan waved his hand: "Master Xu, I didn't come here to reminisce with you, I came here to ask for your help!"

"What's the deal?"