Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1152: Chapter 158: Not Long to Live (Part 2)

"That leaves Prince Jing and Prince Chu, along with Lord Wei."

"Once Prince Han and the others finish their reckless deeds, Prince Jing will be next." Zhao Yao speculated that something would happen to Prince Jing before he got married. Once he was wedded and had left the capital, his Eighth Brother would focus on dealing with his Fourth Brother. The Fourth Brother was no match for the cunning Eighth Brother, but fortunately, the Eighth Brother promised not to kill him.

"Is it that thrilling?" Tong Xi said, though his face showed a look of anticipation. "Is it His Highness Prince Chu or Lord Wei dealing with Prince Jing?"

"Eighth Brother."

"By the way, Your Highness, should we inform the Emperor about the matters regarding Prince Yue and Prince Dai?"

"I’ve received news, which indicates that Father is already aware." The intelligence from the Dragon Guards is very swift. Besides, he didn’t believe that Father would not have planted spies around the Second and Ninth Brothers.

"The Emperor is probably very upset." In Tong Xi’s view, the Emperor always favored Prince Dai the most, and didn’t expect that Prince Dai would want to rebel.

"Who knows?" Maybe all of this is within Father’s expectation. Sometimes, Father is truly kind, yet sometimes he is very ruthless.

"Your Highness, shouldn’t you go into the palace to accompany the Emperor?"

Zhao Yao gave Tong Xi a huge eye roll and then said irritably, "Why should I go into the palace to accompany him?"

"The Emperor might be feeling sad."

"Tong Xi, is there something wrong with your brain?" Zhao Yao pointed to the door and unceremoniously said, "Go bump your head against the wall to get the water out of your brain."

Tong Xi dared not speak, obediently retreated out, and then dutifully bumped his head against a pillar.

The Emperor, whom Tong Xi thought to be sad and angry, was instead calmly playing chess with Prime Minister He. As for the matter of Prince Yue colluding with Prince Han to rebel, he had long been aware. He had also learned of Marquis Xuanping persuading Prince Dai to plot rebellion.

"Your Majesty, the Yu Family is your maternal family," Prime Minister He reminded the Emperor.

The Emperor toyed with the chess piece in his hand, smiling with a hint of ambiguity, "And so?"

"Your Majesty, are you certain about dealing with Marquis Xuanping?"

"It’s not me dealing with him; it’s he who wants to rebel against me. If he seeks death on his own, how can he blame me?" The Emperor added, "Even if it’s my maternal family, if it threatens the Great Zhou, even if Mother were alive, I wouldn’t show mercy."

Prime Minister He was not surprised upon hearing this from the Emperor.

The Emperor is clear-headed and ruthless.

"Your Majesty, you will be criticized for being heartless towards your family."

The Emperor scoffed, "Do I care? If I did, I wouldn’t have let my sons fight each other all these years." The Emperor knew well that because of this, many ministers believed he was too cruel and heartless. "What I care about is the people of this world."

"To the people of the world, Your Majesty, you are a wise ruler." It is precisely because of this that Prime Minister He and the others are wholeheartedly devoted to the Emperor, even if the Emperor is domineering or comes back again, they are willing to help him. "But to several princes, you are a cold and ruthless father."

The Emperor also knew he was not a good father, saying with some helplessness, "I am first the Emperor of the Great Zhou, then their father. I can only be a good Emperor, not having the energy to be a good father."

"Your Majesty, if Prince Han’s maternal family were also an aristocratic family, would you still pass the throne to him?" Only Prime Minister He dared to ask so directly.

"I would still pass the throne to him, but before that, I would let him deal with his maternal family first." The Emperor squinted slightly, a cold gleam in his eyes, "I promised the late emperor that I would never allow aristocratic families to wreak havoc on the court or harm the people again, nor would I let aristocratic families dominate the court. Before I die, I will finish off all the aristocratic families and noble clans, making them disappear forever." This is why the Emperor lets his sons fight each other.

Whether it’s the former Crown Prince, or Prince Dai, or even Prince Chu, behind them are either aristocratic families or noble clans. The Emperor lets his sons fight to have their maternal families fight each other, leading them to mutual destruction, and then he will capture them all in one sweep.

"You also know that the reason the late emperor and I established the Great Zhou was not for ourselves, but for the people of the world." The Emperor rarely adopts a solemn tone, "Back then, we suffered at the hands of aristocratic families and nobles, living a life worse than death. Later, the world descended into chaos, and to survive, we had no choice but to rise up. Over those years, the only ones who genuinely helped us were the poor commoners, while the aristocratic families helped us solely because there was gain to be had."

The Emperor continued, "I still remember those people hoping that someday an ordinary commoner would become Emperor because only such an Emperor could help the people, and only then would the people have a good life. I don’t know what my future descendants will be like, but I must fulfill the promises made to those who helped us."

Prime Minister He also recalled those righteous people of yore, "Your Majesty, you have never broken your word to them."

"I chose Little Ten for a few reasons: first, his maternal family is not an aristocratic family; second, he always has the people in his heart; third, he is capable; and fourth, he will teach his son well, ensuring the Great Zhou’s throne won’t be ruined in his son’s hands. So, for a hundred years, there will be no chaos." Prime Minister He did not expect the Emperor to think so far ahead, even contemplating a hundred years into the future.

"Only Prince Han can meet Your Majesty’s expectations."

"I never thought of letting the Great Zhou last for a thousand years; I only wish that the Zhao family can allow the people of the world to have a stable life for a hundred or more years." The Emperor never even considered two hundred years.

"I believe Prince Han can achieve this."

"I believe so too," the Emperor smiled, "Before I hand over the throne to him, I will take care of all the aristocratic families and noble clans so that once he ascends, he can focus on benefiting the people and creating a prosperous Great Zhou."

"Your Majesty, you are reluctant to have Prince Han offend the aristocratic families and noble clans," Prime Minister He continued, "Your Majesty, have you considered that your actions might leave a harsh, unkind reputation in history books? Future generations might curse you."

"Do I care?" The Emperor showed no concern for his reputation, "I don’t have a good reputation now anyway. As for being cursed by future generations, I won’t hear it, so let them curse."

Prime Minister He also knew the Emperor didn’t care about such concerns, and neither did they.

"I only seek a clear conscience in my actions; as for other things, I don’t mind." If an Emperor cared too much about his reputation, he was destined not to be a good Emperor. Even if he was labeled a tyrant or a bad ruler later in history books, he wouldn’t care because he knew he never wronged the people.

"You are broad-minded, Your Majesty."

"I have always been broad-minded."

Prime Minister He brought the conversation back to how to handle Prince Dai’s impending rebellion.

"Your Majesty, behind all this is Lord Wei’s handiwork. How do you plan to handle him?"

"He is a good sword, and I still need to use him." The Emperor’s tone was devoid of any emotion as if Lord Wei were not his own son but someone insignificant. "Rest assured, he won’t stir up any trouble."

"Your Majesty, Lord Wei’s depth and methods are not simple; do you think Prince Han is his match?" Prime Minister He expressed his concern, "Lord Wei is also quite ruthless. Are you sure he won’t cause any disruption?"

The Emperor smiled reassuringly at Prime Minister He, "He won’t live for many years."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister He widened his eyes in surprise but quickly understood the deeper meaning behind the Emperor’s words.

"In that case, I am relieved."

"He knows he won’t live for many years, which is why he orchestrated this rebellion."