Chapter 80: The Crown Prince, Unfit to Remain

Chapter 485: Leaked Military IntelligenceChapter 80: The Prince, Unretainable

“The incident happened suddenly. Whether it's about punishing the guilty or holding people accountable, they are all after-the-fact measures. However, the most urgent task right now is to provide disaster relief and comfort the victims. The matter of the Imperial Guard massacring civilians can be big or small. Thousands of lives are undoubtedly tragic, but the sin has been committed. We must immediately comfort the victims, otherwise, facing public opinion, it will be detrimental to the imperial court.”

Li Chen couldn't fault Zhao Xuanji's words.

And this is exactly what Li Chen was worried about.

So he didn't interrupt, just waiting for Zhao Xuanji to continue.

Zhao Xuanji didn't pause, taking a breath and saying again: "Therefore, this old minister asks Your Highness to issue an order immediately to select a person who is benevolent and compassionate, can represent the royal family, and is also capable, to go and appease the disaster relief."

The moment this statement was uttered, Zhao Xuanji's intentions became crystal clear.

Of all the civil and military officials, who can represent the royal family

Besides the prince, there's no one else.

But as the crown prince was in charge of the government, he couldn't personally go to alleviate the disaster, so he could only choose from other princes.

Yet, now that the disaster victims have suffered such great injustice, the court will inevitably do its utmost to appease them. The necessary grain and silver will undoubtedly be provided without hesitation. This is tantamount to effortlessly reaping a massive reputation and credit.

“As an old minister, I have observed the capital and its surroundings. Since his childhood, the Ninth Prince has been taught by the Empress Dowager and often listened to the Emperor's teachings in court. In terms of ability and character, he is truly outstanding. Therefore, it would be suitable for the Ninth Prince to lead, with Wang Tenghuan, Grand Scholar of the Jidian Palace, as his assistant, to go to Tongxian County to comfort and provide relief to the disaster victims.”

This way, it can demonstrate the imperial benevolence and magnanimity, and allow the disaster victims to understand the royal attitude, achieving a win-win outcome.

After Zhao Xuanji finished speaking, the scholar behind him spoke at the same time: "The chief minister is right. Please decide, Your Highness."

Li Chen's eyes were cold, staring fixedly at Zhao Xuanji.

This old fox, what a skill!

Under such circumstances, his reaction was no slower than his own, and he managed to find the best way to cut losses in all unfavorable conditions.

Everyone knows that the Imperial Guard is the royal personal army. Once this incident of massacring disaster victims happened, the common people of the world wouldn't say anything about Zhao Jianye, they would only say that the royal family was heartless and that the crown prince acting as regent was incompetent. But when the ninth prince came out to appease and provide relief at this time, he took all the good reputation for himself.

In political struggle, reputation can be more useful than anything else.

Zhao Xuanji, in just a few words, pushed this already no-choice choice question in front of Li Chen.

Unless Li Chen rips off his mask and personally goes to disaster relief, there is no other way.

And once the mask is torn, Li Chen will stand directly opposite the group of civil officials. The conflict between the two sides will erupt completely, becoming irreconcilable. These officials who control national government secrets, if they were to go on strike simultaneously and threaten to die, then Li Chen, this prince, would have truly reached his limit.

"Very good."

Li Chen took a deep breath and said indifferently, "Very well, then I will follow the chief minister's suggestion."

But I hope that the Ninth Prince and Minister Wang will not betray the trust placed in them by the court. This disaster relief effort, if something goes wrong, this palace will not show leniency.

Li Chen's words sounded to the civilian officials more like a threat veiled as concession.

They answered confidently, "Your Majesty's command will be obeyed."

Looking calmly at Li Chen, whose expression remained unchanged, Zhao Xuanji's inner vigilance did not diminish one bit because of this victory on the chessboard. Instead, he felt even more wary.

The prince's joy and anger were not limited to expressions, his most composed choice made Zhao Xuanji realize that the prince before him was more mature than the one he had forced into palace confinement a few days ago.

Such rapid progress astonished him.

The prince, must not be left!e.And in the very center of the mourning hall lay an open coffin. Inside, lay Cai He, adorned and serene, looking as if asleep.Zhou Changshou wore the garb of a mourning husband, his face etched with...