Read Novel Full Chapter 785 - 385: Opposition to Zhao Yao Going to Lingnan
Chapter 785: Chapter 385: Opposition to Zhao Yao Going to Lingnan
In the Imperial Study, Prince Chu was reporting to the Emperor about the preparations for the imperial examination.
The Emperor listened and nodded in satisfaction, complimenting, "Well done."
"Thank you for the praise, Father."
Seeing that Prince Chu had finished his report and had not left, but instead looked as if he wanted to say more, the Emperor, curious, asked, "Is there something else?"
Prince Chu hesitated for a moment and then respectfully said, "Father, I have something I wish to seek your advice on."
The Emperor replied warmly, "Speak."
Prince Chu straightforwardly asked, "Father, has the fief for my tenth brother been chosen?"
Hearing this question, the Emperor was somewhat surprised, but he had somewhat anticipated it.
"What are your thoughts?"
"I wouldn’t dare have any thoughts. I just feel that my tenth brother is too young to be sent to a remote place. He..."
The Emperor, impatient with Prince Chu’s long-winded speech, interrupted him, "Just say what you want."
Prince Chu didn’t hesitate: "I hope you might consider Yangzhou as my tenth brother’s fief."
"Yangzhou?" The Emperor thought to himself, old Fourth really dares to speak, suggesting sending little Ten to Yangzhou.
"Father, my tenth brother’s maternal grandfather, Governor Liang, is in Yangzhou. It would be most appropriate for my tenth brother to go there."
The Emperor’s face darkened, and his tone turned severe: "Old Fourth, are you not aware of the significance of Yangzhou?"
Noticing the Emperor’s displeasure, Prince Chu boldly continued: "Father, I know Yangzhou is crucial to the court, which is why I suggest my tenth brother go there."
The Emperor rebuked coldly, "Sending that useless Ten to Yangzhou, do you want him to ruin the lives of the people there?"
Sun Kui, observing the Emperor’s sullen anger, mentally applauded the Emperor’s performance.
"Father, my tenth brother would never harm the people." Prince Chu could not accept the Emperor speaking of Zhao Yao this way, "From a young age, my tenth brother invented new paper, printing technology, and the curved plow..."
Prince Chu recounted everything Zhao Yao had done. Over the years, Zhao Yao’s achievements have benefited the people and contributed to the welfare of Great Zhou. Prince Chu believed that while the ministers might overlook what Zhao Yao had done, the Emperor could not be blind to it.
"Father, my tenth brother is not useless; on the contrary, he is extremely talented, and what he has done benefits the state. I believe there is nothing wrong with letting him go to Yangzhou." Prince Chu said confidently, "Yangzhou, being rich in resources and talents, is a place where my tenth brother can focus on what he excels at. I believe he will create more useful things for the nation and the people once he is there."
Sun Kui sighed internally: His Highness truly cares deeply for the Tenth Prince, considering and planning in every way for his well-being.
The Emperor’s tone revealed neither approval nor disapproval: "You certainly think highly of little Ten."
"I don’t want my tenth brother’s talents to be buried." Prince Chu knelt down, his tone full of pleading, "I earnestly request, Father, that you send my tenth brother to Yangzhou."
"Where little Ten goes is not your concern." The Emperor’s tone was slightly displeased, "Focus on the matters of the imperial examination and don’t meddle in other affairs."
"Father..."
The Emperor waved Prince Chu away: "Leave."
Prince Chu could only retreat.
Wei Mian noticed Prince Chu emerge from the Imperial Study with a somber face and hurriedly asked out of concern, "Your Highness, what has happened?" Could it be that His Highness was reprimanded by the Emperor?
"Father, he..." Prince Chu knew it was not his place to criticize the Emperor, "My tenth brother is also Father’s son, why does Father..." Seeing the Emperor, like the ministers, ignore what Zhao Yao had achieved over the years broke Prince Chu’s heart for Zhao Yao, and he was equally disappointed in the Emperor.
"Your Highness, what has happened to the Tenth Prince?"
Prince Chu shook his head and said no more.
Wei Mian also knew the palace wasn’t the place to speak and said nothing further.
After getting into the carriage, Prince Chu instructed Wei Mian, "Send a message to Prince Wei; meet at the usual place."
Wei Mian was quite shocked by the instructions, "Yes, Your Highness." Only matters concerning the Tenth Prince would prompt His Highness to meet with Prince Wei. "Your Highness, has something happened to the Tenth Prince?"
"I just suggested to Father that my tenth brother go to Yangzhou, but Father did not agree." Prince Chu felt aggrieved for Zhao Yao, "What my tenth brother has accomplished over the years has been for the country’s and people’s benefit, yet Father and those ministers remain blind to it. Isn’t the tenth brother Father’s own son? Why does Father treat him this way?"
"Your Highness, hasn’t the Emperor always been like this?"
"If my tenth brother went to Yangzhou, he could better utilize his talents, and thus he would be able to create many more good things for Great Zhou and its people." Prince Chu clenched his fists tightly and spoke through gritted teeth, "Yet Father ignores everything my tenth brother has done; it is so unfair to him."