After being demoted, my 300,000-strong army trampled the imperial city!

The conversation between Chen Futu and the Crown Princess just now was a risky move. Fortunately, they brought their relationship into the open. Otherwise, if they had been playing their cards in secret, things might have gone wrong.

Now that they can openly target the prince, they must deliberately create a trap to leave the prince room to maneuver, as they cannot afford to lose their real power.

Dian Wei muttered, "Young Master, that was too dangerous. I was really afraid that the Princess Consort would suddenly turn on us."

"It's alright. That woman isn't stupid. Now that the body is gone, there's no point in pursuing it. She can't exactly desecrate Zhongshan's tomb like the old emperor did; that would ruin the new emperor too. I just managed to fool her, and she can't quite grasp my identity. She'll most likely cooperate with me temporarily. We can proceed now."

Chen Futu instructed Dian Wei to send a message back to Longcheng, ordering Zhao Xier to return to Xizhao and retrieve the messenger's token. He also instructed Liu Bowen to pass on the news of Zhao Xier's falling out with the Crown Prince of Beijiang to Daqian's spies, and then they could simply sit back and reap the rewards.

As Chen Futu predicted, things turned out just as he had.

The Crown Princess returned to the Eastern Palace and informed the Crown Prince of the news. The Crown Prince immediately arranged for people to go to the northern frontier to gather information and investigate everything about Zhao Xier. Now, it was all about time.

These past few days, Chen Futu has done nothing but eat, drink, and be merry in the capital, and make friends with the sons of powerful and wealthy people.

Yan Qing, however, was slightly jealous when she learned that Chen Futu had slandered her to the Crown Princess. That night, she took advantage of Chen Futu several times, causing Chen Futu to have to cover her waist when she went out.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. The emperor ordered Prince Xin to be imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, but his military power was not taken back. This was mainly because other princes pleaded for him, as it concerned their own interests. The crown prince was quite angry about this, but he had no way to deal with it.

The Imperial Guards from Longcheng entered the residence at night, and Liu Bowen carried out their orders accordingly. It is believed that the Crown Prince will receive news from the northern frontier in the next two days, further confirming Zhu Guli's identity.

The following morning, Liang Qinian arrived in a hurry. "Mr. Zhu, the Crown Princess wishes to see you. Same place as always."

Chen Futu didn't delay and took Dian Wei with him to keep the appointment.

This time, the Crown Princess went straight to the point, "Mr. Zhu, the princes are now banding together for warmth, and the Crown Prince is at a loss. What should be done?"

She learned that Zhao Xier had missed the ceremony after a long journey and was angry with Chen Futu, so she had already left in a huff. This almost confirmed Zhu Guli's identity as a secret envoy from the Western Regions.

Chen Futu smiled slightly and took out a document.

The Crown Princess's expression changed drastically upon seeing this. "This is the policy for supporting princes! How could this be!"

"As you can see, His Majesty's policy on providing for the people has serious problems."

Chen Futu did not use those officials to take the initiative to deal with the prince, mainly because he was afraid that if they submitted a memorial, they would be discovered to be spies and expose their true colors. Therefore, he simply handed over some policy reforms to the Crown Princess himself.

This policy outlines the drawbacks of supporting princes. The current policy for supporting princes in the Great Qian Dynasty is similar to that established by Zhu Yuanzhang. In the end, the national treasury will be unable to cover the expenses of supporting princes, and the entire country will be unable to support those imperial descendants.

If things don't change, this will be a policy that leads to the downfall of the nation.

The Crown Princess looked at it for a long time and exclaimed, "Mr. Zhu is truly a man of great talent. I will thank you for your guidance on behalf of the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Hehe, you're welcome. I imagine that after His Majesty has seen this, he will be determined to reduce the princes' stipends. There are some things that His Majesty is best suited to do."

"I would like to invite you to the Eastern Palace, sir. Is that alright?"

"my pleasure."

Chen Futu agreed to the Crown Princess's request and went to the Eastern Palace with her.

The Crown Prince is currently reviewing memorials and cannot come over for the time being, so the Crown Princess has prepared a banquet to entertain him.

Chen Futu chuckled as he gazed at her aloof and elegant face, his heart pounding with a cat-like urge as he plotted how to sow discord between her and the Crown Prince. If only she could develop ambitions to become Empress…

The crown prince arrived about an hour later.

Chen Futu would not bow to him; he simply clasped his hands in greeting as a courtesy.

The crown prince didn't take it seriously. He picked up the policy essay and asked, "Mr. Zhu, could you explain it in detail?"

"Simple. The Crown Prince has someone bring a chessboard and millet. We'll find out by trying it out."

The crown prince didn't hesitate and immediately ordered preparations to be made.

Chen Futu used millet to set up a chessboard, vividly illustrating to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess the terrifying magnitude of the explosion.

The current Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty has thirteen sons, which are thirteen princes. If each of them has ten children, after several generations, the number of princes will not decrease, but the number of the lowest-ranking Assistant Ministers will reach an extremely exaggerated number, which the national treasury can hardly support. Further down the line, the number of royal nobles will be unimaginable.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess stared at the chessboard, filled with unease.

The crown prince hurriedly sent someone with a chessboard and millet to find the old emperor.

Seeing him leave in such a hurry, the Crown Princess pressed him for an answer: "Sir, you must have a solution, right?"

Chen Futu said solemnly, "Of course, it's either reducing the prince's annual salary or downgrading his title."

"This will displease the prince."

"Heh heh, the Crown Prince wants a wise and benevolent ruler, how can he be soft-hearted and soft-hearted?"

"Sir, are you genuinely helping the Crown Prince, or are you deliberately stirring up trouble for the Great Qian Dynasty?"

The Crown Princess was no fool; she knew the man before her must have a better way to solve everything, but he refused to say it.

"I am just a lowly envoy. It is not easy for me to come up with a way to deal with the prince. Please do not make things difficult for me, Your Highness."

"Whether you are sincere or not, I can tell. If you have any requests, please feel free to make them. I will grant them without hesitation."

The Crown Princess remained steadfast.

Chen Futu chuckled inwardly. He thought, "If you want good national policies, you can't just get something for nothing. You have to pay a price."

For example, her giving herself away or something.

Wow, such a beautiful Crown Princess must be very radiant.

Chen Futu was lost in thought, but he still shook his head and said he couldn't think of anything. The Crown Princess had no choice but to arrange for Chen Futu to leave the palace.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the old emperor lay on his sickbed, watching helplessly as the crown prince had the eunuchs arrange millet on a chessboard. By the end, he was exhausted.

"A strategy that leads to the downfall of a nation, indeed a strategy that leads to the downfall of a nation. That envoy is indeed a man of great talent."

"Father, what should we do?" the Crown Prince asked helplessly.

The old emperor remained silent for a long time before saying, "In that case, we can only reduce his salary or demote him."

"My younger brothers might have something to say about this!"

"I am still alive. You be your wise and benevolent ruler. I will take care of these matters!"

The emperor made a tough decision and summoned the eunuch in red robes, saying, "Tomorrow I will hold court. Summon all those princes to me."

The tongueless one accepted the order and went to deliver the message.

The Crown Prince smiled. This was the day he had been waiting for. The old emperor had personally issued the decree, which would not damage his reputation. Why not? If his younger brothers were dissatisfied, it was none of his business.

On the other hand, Chen Futu left the palace without causing any further trouble, and instead waited for the situation to develop.

If nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected is about to happen.