Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 678: Chapter 332: Empress Xie’s Trump Card_3

"I didn’t expect the Song family to be so powerful in Jinling." Prince Jing thought it made sense, as the Song family had been salt merchants for generations.

"The wealth and influence of the Song family surpass even the noble families of Jinling," Empress Xie said to Prince Jing with deep meaning. "The Song family’s wealth and influence can help you achieve many things."

Prince Jing understood Empress Xie’s implication and said with joy, "Mother, Grandmother has truly left us something extraordinary." Suddenly, he thought of something and showed a smug smile, "The most important thing is that Uncle and the Crown Prince have no idea."

"Indeed." Empress Xie, recalling the late Duchess, could not help but show sadness, "Your grandmother foresaw that after her departure, your uncle and the others would not support me, so she left the Song family to assist me."

"Mother, in the whole Xie family, only Grandmother cared for you. If Grandmother were still alive, she would never allow Uncle to bully you like this."

Thinking of the Duke Zhen not supporting her filled Empress Xie with hatred.

"Your uncle and the others have operated in Jinling for many years, and over these years, they’ve sent a lot of money and people to him and the Crown Prince. This time when you go to Jinling, if those people are willing to work for you, accept them. If they’re not willing to work for you, then they mustn’t be allowed to serve the Crown Prince either."

"Mother, do you mean to eliminate those people?"

Empress Xie nodded, her face cold and fierce: "If they can’t be used by you, they also cannot serve the Crown Prince, understood?"

"Mother, I understand." What Mother said was right; those who couldn’t be used by him had no reason to remain and continue serving the Crown Prince.

Empress Xie clenched her handkerchief tightly and raised the corner of her mouth in a cold smile: "Jinling can be said to be the money bag of your uncle and the Crown Prince. If Jinling is destroyed, your uncle and the Crown Prince will have no money to act recklessly."

"Mother is wise." Prince Jing hadn’t thought of this.

"This time when you go to Jinling, there are mainly two objectives. The first is to organize the imperial exams well; the second is to disrupt your uncle and the Crown Prince’s treasury." Sometimes Empress Xie’s mind was still sharp, "The noble families don’t want to see the imperial exams proceed smoothly. The noble families in the capital don’t dare to disrupt the exams, but the noble families in other places may not be so restrained. If I’m not mistaken, the noble families in Jinling definitely won’t participate in the imperial exams. They might even threaten the peasants’ children. When you go to Jinling, don’t worry about whether the noble families participate in the imperial exams. Make sure the humble children in Jinling can participate in the county exams smoothly, do you understand?"

Prince Jing nodded, "Understood!"

Empress Xie instructed Prince Jing on many matters, and he listened very attentively, remembering everything.

Duke Zhen, upon learning that the Emperor had sent Prince Jing to Jinling to oversee the county exams, didn’t take it to heart. He believed Prince Jing’s trip to Jinling wouldn’t stir up any trouble. It was a perfect opportunity to let his sister and Prince Jing suffer some setbacks and teach them a lesson, making them become more obedient in the future.

After assigning Prince Jing to Jinling, the Emperor called Prince Chu into the Imperial Study.

"Fourth Son, you will depart for Peng City tomorrow."

"Peng City?" Prince Chu asked doubtfully, "Father, has something happened in Peng City?"

"A new iron mine has been discovered in Peng City, go there to take a look for me." Just a few days ago, the governor of Peng City submitted a report saying a new and very rich iron mine had been found. In addition to the iron mine, Peng City also has copper mines and charcoal kilns. "While you’re there, also take a look at the imperial exams in Peng City."

"Yes, Father." Prince Chu, recalling the message he had just received, hastened to report to the Emperor, "Father, the Tenth Prince has gone missing." Even if the Emperor hadn’t summoned Prince Chu to Peng City, he would have come to the Imperial Study to seek an audience.

"I’m aware." Seeing Prince Chu’s worried face, the Emperor calmly reassured him, "The Tenth Prince is in no life-threatening danger, don’t worry."

Reassured by the Emperor’s words, Prince Chu felt at ease.

"When you get to Peng City, carefully inspect the copper mine." As the Emperor spoke, his expression turned grim, "I’ve heard reports of copper coins with very low copper content in the Jiangnan area. Investigate whether the copper needed for these copper coins has been smuggled from Peng City."

Prince Chu’s heart tightened, and his expression immediately became serious.

"Someone tampering with copper coins—it’s lawlessness!"

The Emperor continued to instruct, "Also, carefully investigate where those inferior copper coins have gone."

"Yes, Father."

The Crown Prince and Prince Dai soon learned of Prince Chu’s assignment to inspect the new iron mine in Xuzhou, which made them resentful and dissatisfied.