Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 800: Chapter 390: Injustice for the Tenth Prince_2

Over the years, everything Zhao Yao has done has not only changed the lives of the people of Great Zhou but also brought considerable benefits to the Great Zhou dynasty.

Upon learning that Zhao Yao was to be exiled to a barbaric place like Lingnan to become a Prince, many ministers and citizens were indignant on his behalf, feeling the emperor was too harsh on him. After all, the tenth Prince is the emperor’s own son; even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. How could the emperor be so cruel as to banish his youngest son to Lingnan to die?

Going to Lingnan to be a Prince, in the eyes of the world, was tantamount to sending Zhao Yao to his death.

Some ministers who were on good terms with Zhao Yao wrote memorials, requesting the emperor to rescind the order and not send Zhao Yao to Lingnan.

The emperor patted a pile of memorials on the imperial desk and laughed, "These all plead for me not to exile Little Ten to Lingnan. It’s the first time I realized that Little Ten is so popular in court."

Prime Minister He said, "The Tenth Prince is very likable." If the Tenth Prince didn’t ruin his orchids, he would be even more likable.

"They think the Tenth Prince going to Lingnan is a death sentence, so they are interceding on his behalf," Grandmaster Liu stated objectively, "Many ministers in the court like the Tenth Prince, and they cannot bear to see him go to Lingnan."

Prime Minister He echoed Grandmaster Liu’s words, saying, "The Tenth Prince is personable and sincere, adept at both tea and cuisine, who wouldn’t like him?"

The Grand Supervisor of Agriculture nodded repeatedly, "The Tenth Prince can also make money; I really like the Tenth Prince." In the mind of the Grand Supervisor of Agriculture, Zhao Yao was dearer than his own grandson.

The emperor deliberately put on an angry expression, "These memorials all indirectly accuse me of being cruel."

"They do not understand Your Majesty’s pains." Seeing the emperor feigning anger, Prime Minister He found it amusing, knowing the emperor actually wanted to boast about how the ministers liked the Tenth Prince so much, yet pretended to be angry.

"The Tenth Prince going to Lingnan is a blessing for the people of Lingnan, and a blessing for Great Zhou."

The emperor was very surprised when Grandmaster Liu praised Zhao Yao so highly. He raised his eyebrows towards Grandmaster Liu, looking astonished, "Oh, Lao Liu, this is the first time I’ve heard you praise someone like this."

Grandmaster Liu glanced at the emperor and said disdainfully, "Your Majesty, try to curb your smug expression."

"You praise my son like this, and I’m not allowed to feel proud?" The emperor teased Grandmaster Liu, "Tsk tsk tsk, I’ve known you for decades and this is the first time I’ve heard you give someone such high praise. Come to think of it, you’ve never praised me like that."

Grandmaster Liu couldn’t be bothered with the emperor.

"It seems, in your heart, Lao Liu, I can’t compare to Little Ten, this brat." The emperor spoke, his face showing sadness, looking plaintively at Grandmaster Liu, "Lao Liu, you are my good brother, how can you treat me so ruthlessly?" The emperor’s demeanor and tone were as if he had been heartlessly abandoned by Grandmaster Liu.

Grandmaster Liu was already accustomed to the emperor’s melodramatic antics, calmly replied, "Your Majesty, can you produce new paper, or invent printing technology, or make a curved-plow, or a new loom?"

The emperor was left speechless by Grandmaster Liu’s barrage of questions. Of course, he couldn’t do these things.

"Lingnan is barren; if the Tenth Prince goes there, he will surely transform Lingnan and allow its people to lead good lives." Grandmaster Liu, although known for his cunning plots, was not only about devising strategies but also doing things beneficial to the country and its people. When Great Zhou was just established, it was not only Zheng Xilin who set national policies; Grandmaster Liu was also involved.

Grandmaster Liu is a pragmatist, who appreciates people who get things done with solid work, and not those who merely talk. Zhao Yao’s achievements over the years have genuinely benefited the people and the country, so Grandmaster Liu holds high regard for the Tenth Prince.

The emperor asked, "Do you have such faith in Little Ten’s abilities?"

"Your Majesty, you also believe in the Tenth Prince’s abilities, that’s why you let him go to Lingnan." Lingnan is regarded by the world as a place of bad omen, and no one is willing to go. Thus, neither the previous dynasty nor Great Zhou was willing to spend manpower and money to develop Lingnan.

The emperor stubbornly said, "I didn’t do it. It was Little Ten, that brat himself, who asked to go there, not me."

Upon hearing the emperor say so, Grandmaster Liu praised, "The Tenth Prince indeed cares for the people." No one was willing to go to Lingnan, only the Tenth Prince volunteered to go. The Tenth Prince is truly remarkable.

Hearing Grandmaster Liu praise Zhao Yao like this, the emperor’s smile grew wider, "He’s indeed my son."