bestfiction Chapter 187: Not for power, status
Chapter 187: Not for power, status
Zhou Yichen raised his eyes and happened to see the meaningful smile on the boy's lips, and quickly guessed Qi Bai's thoughts.
I'm afraid this move is exactly what Qi Bai wants, this is exactly the effect he wants!
Over the years, my father has always attached the greatest importance to the face of the royal family and his own reputation, even though he is so incompetent that the people in the Great Zhou all know that the current emperor... does not love government affairs and is not wise.
He only loves to cultivate immortality, make elixirs, and beautiful women.
In order to cultivate the so-called elixir of immortality, he ignored the lives of the people and increased taxes, whether they were businessmen or ordinary people.
He collected beauties and wasted manpower, material resources and financial resources, totally ignoring the declining situation of the sun, and only cared about his own pleasure.
However, not all of those young and beautiful women entered the palace willingly. Many of them were forced to enter the palace by local officials out of selfish desires and the desire to please the emperor and higher officials.
On the one hand, he wants immortality, and on the other hand, he wants to indulge in enjoyment. In order to wait for the elixir of immortality, he has to be forced to "maintain health". Even if Xiu is chosen, in the face of life and death, Your Majesty can only reduce the number of times he enters the harem.
This makes people even more angry, as if the youth of those women is not worth mentioning!
Even if they die in the deep palace, it is only natural.
It is one thing for the world to know it, but my father still likes to deceive himself and does not want the world to blame him for his incompetence.
Zhou Hanjin seemed to have the same status as himself, both were born to the "Queen", but after all, one was the first wife and the other was the Queen's successor, which were completely different in meaning.
Zhou Hanjin has been considering himself as the legitimate son for so many years, and believes that he is superior to other princes except Zhou Yichen. If this matter is exposed...
Even if he has the full support of the Yao family, it is difficult to save the situation. The old ministers in the court who are usually invisible and have little presence will definitely not turn a blind eye to this if they know about it!
You must know that if the Eighth Prince's plan succeeds, and the Great Zhou is powerless to resist and cannot successfully expel the alliance of Japan and Western Chu, then what the Great Zhou will face is not just the capture of the city!
Since ancient times, massacres have been almost commonplace for cities that have been successfully captured by foreign nations!
In the next few years, unless these cities are recaptured, the people in the cities will become the cheapest and lowest slaves of foreign countries!
Losing control over life and death, being oppressed and humiliated are all common occurrences.
The previous dynasty had experienced such a dark period. If the late emperor had not appeared out of nowhere and driven out Western Chu and the northern grasslands, which had occupied most of the Great Zhou at that time, I am afraid that the days of wanton oppression would have continued.
Anyone of the older generation who has experienced such dark and hopeless days will not sit idly by. It is foreseeable that public anger will reach a peak.
Unless the Eighth Prince makes extraordinary achievements in the future, he will inevitably be disqualified from vying for the throne and severely punished.
Rong Qingzhu frowned slightly. Some things...cannot be thought about too deeply. The more you think about them, the more terrifying they are.
He thought about it, tapped the table with his fingers, and then proposed again in a serious manner.
"Your Highness, I think we should write to His Majesty together and explain the pros and cons of this matter. We must not let this matter be brushed aside so easily."
After all, once these people were allowed into the capital, they would be entering the Eighth Prince’s sphere of influence.
Life or death, isn’t it all in the hands of the Eighth Prince and his entourage?
"I have already told you the key points of this matter. Your Highness has always been feared by His Majesty. Even though Your Highness has tried his best to restrain his edge and not conflict with anyone over the years, His Majesty is still dissatisfied with Your Highness in every way."
"By analogy, if Your Highness dares to submit a memorial to the capital, I'm afraid His Majesty will not only be wary of the Eighth Prince, but also Your Highness. This matter..."
Chu Xi looked at Rong Qingzhu with neither servility nor arrogance, and said without any hesitation, "Your Highness cannot participate."
Rong Qingzhu was stunned. He had been rejected no less than three times in a row. Qi Bai's rejections were more firm each time, which made it difficult for him not to feel strange emotions in his heart.
He thought, perhaps it was because in this struggle for the throne where interests were the top priority, Qi Bai's pure and firm protection of the Third Prince made it difficult for him not to be... shocked.
Rong Qingzhu couldn't help but glance at Zhou Yichen, who was being protected and silent, and quickly retracted his gaze and replied, "I see. I will submit a letter in my personal name to the capital on this matter."
Chu Xi glanced sideways slowly and said calmly, "Brother Qingzhu, let's go out and eat first. I think you must be tired and hungry. It's just right for you to eat and then take a nap."
What this means is that I don't want to continue the discussion.
Rong Qingzhu understood the hidden meaning and did not force them. He looked at the two of them, then left the tent first and gave the space to them again.
Chu Xi also stood up, and seemed to be planning to go out of the tent to have lunch.
After a long silence, Zhou Yichen, who had been silent as if invisible, suddenly walked towards her with big strides.
Several archers stepped forward and blocked Chu Xi's way. "Why do you have to make it so clear?"
Chu Xi raised his eyebrows slightly, "Which one are you referring to, Your Highness?"
Zhou Yichen's gaze paused for a moment on Chu Xi's fair and elegant face, and then he said slowly, "The Rong family never takes sides. Even if you explain it to him so clearly, it's just a waste of words. He won't support me."
Chu Xi didn't seem surprised by Zhou Yichen's words. Hearing this, the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
"Your Highness, I never expected him to support you, but Rong Qingzhu is upright and talented, and is a rare good minister. If you can really inherit the throne in the future, his determination now will be a great help to you."
Since Zhou Yichen is a prince, he has been carefully trained by the royal family since he was a child. He and other princes have studied under great Confucian scholars. Naturally, he will quickly understand the deep meaning of Chu Xi's words!
Rong Qingzhu's attitude of neither being humble nor overbearing, and not bowing to power or status, is indeed... very tricky in the process of winning the throne. But if Zhou Yichen can legitimately inherit the throne, Rong Qingzhu's integrity and fearlessness of power will naturally be his greatest advantage.
In a court, there always needs to be a clear stream that will not change its stance for the sake of power.
"I know what you mean, but I believe in you." Zhou Yichen did not hide his partiality and trust in Chu Qibai. "As long as you are by my side, even if there is no sincere support from others, I believe you will remain steadfast."
"Let the Great Zhou Dynasty have no more wars, let the four sides not dare to invade, let the people live and work in peace, let the children be able to go to school, and let the farmers work hard all year round and have enough food to eat. These are our common wishes and thoughts. I believe you will realize them one by one with me."
Chu Xi was stunned, and at this moment his heart was still slightly moved. He felt a sense of relief and mixed emotions for the original owner's steadfast following and support for Zhou Yichen's efforts over the years.