Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 803: Chapter 391: Candidate for Prime Minister_2

"Many ministers in the court like you, and the common people also adore you." Yet, the Emperor does not like the tenth brother. No matter how much the tenth brother has done, the Emperor turns a blind eye and deaf ear, even wanting to exile him to Lingnan.

Zhao Yao smiled guilelessly, "I didn’t feel that normally."

Prince Chu smiled and said seriously to Zhao Yao, "Tenth brother, you are wonderful, being liked by so many people is what you deserve."

"Fourth brother, I understand."

"I’ve already had these things packed up, and you’ll take them with you when you leave." Prince Chu is unsure how many people the Emperor will send to escort Zhao Yao to Lingnan. However, considering the Emperor’s disregard for Zhao Yao, he fears that only a few will be sent, and perhaps even the General escorting him won’t be reliable. "Tenth brother, I have something to discuss with you."

"Fourth brother, go ahead."

"On your way to Lingnan, there will be many dangers. I want to send some people to escort you; what do you think?" Prince Chu is thoroughly disappointed in the Emperor, believing he will not assign a proper escort for Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao blinked bewilderedly and said, "Fourth brother, the Emperor should arrange for someone to escort me to Lingnan, right?"

"The Emperor is the Emperor; I am me." Entrusting the tenth brother’s safety to those sent by the Emperor makes Prince Chu extremely uneasy. He fears something will happen to the tenth brother before reaching Lingnan. "Liu Du, whom you know, is with me. I’ll send him to escort you to Lingnan."

"Ah?" Zhao Yao was shocked, "Fourth brother, Liu Du is your personal guard, always by your side protecting you. If you let him send me to Lingnan, what about you?"

"I have other guards besides him, and there’s no danger in the capital." If he doesn’t send someone he trusts the most to escort Zhao Yao, Prince Chu won’t be reassured. "Liu Du is skilled in martial arts and meticulous in his work. If he escorts you to Lingnan, I will be at ease."

Zhao Yao knew that if he refused, it would only make Prince Chu overthink. Moreover, this is a token of Prince Chu’s care, and he couldn’t just reject it.

"Fourth brother..."

Prince Chu interrupted Zhao Yao, saying, "Listen to me; let Liu Du take you to Lingnan."

Zhao Yao was moved and said, "Okay, I’ll listen to you."

"After Liu Du escorts you to Lingnan, let him stay by your side for some time, and once you’re completely safe there, he can return." Prince Chu has never been to Lingnan, but he knows it’s a dangerous place, and he worries Zhao Yao might be bullied there.

"Alright." It’s like the fourth brother is willing to lend Liu Du to him. However, he doesn’t lack people by his side and doesn’t need Liu Du’s protection. Once he reaches Lingnan, he’ll let Liu Du return to the capital to continue protecting the fourth brother.

"I’ve petitioned the Emperor to arrange competent people to go with you to Lingnan." Prince Chu is concerned that the Emperor might appoint incompetent people to accompany Zhao Yao, who will cause more trouble than help.

"The Emperor didn’t agree, did he?"

Prince Chu hesitated and nodded slightly, "The Emperor said it’s not something I should worry about."

"Fourth brother, since the Emperor said so, you shouldn’t involve yourself. Save yourself from angering the Emperor."

"I can’t just ignore it. The officials accompanying you to Lingnan must assist you in managing Lingnan well in the future; it must not be done perfunctorily." Prince Chu is worried sick about this, as the Emperor doesn’t allow him to intervene, and capable people are unwilling to risk their lives in Lingnan. "There’s still time before you leave for Lingnan, and I can help select some people."

"Fourth brother, no one is willing to go to Lingnan with me, right?" Zhao Yao has already made arrangements for his small court but cannot disclose them to the fourth brother.

Prince Chu remained silent.

"Fourth brother, if no one is willing to go, don’t force people for my sake." Zhao Yao appeared indifferent about this issue, "Once I reach Lingnan, I might find talented individuals."

Hearing this, Prince Chu felt a pang of sorrow, "Tenth brother..."

Zhao Yao interrupted Prince Chu, looking more serious than ever, "Fourth brother, if people are unwilling to follow me to Lingnan, forcing them will only breed resentment, and they’ll never be loyal to me. This will only be detrimental, don’t you think?"

Prince Chu naturally understood but worried that once Zhao Yao reached Lingnan, he wouldn’t be able to gather enough officials for his small court.

"Fourth brother, let the Emperor handle it."

Prince Chu was filled with remorse, "I am useless, unable to help with this matter."

"Fourth brother, you’ve helped me so much already." Zhao Yao comforted Prince Chu, "Besides, this isn’t your fault; if the Emperor doesn’t agree, there’s nothing you can do, right?"