CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: THE TACTICS OF DUKE ZHEN

"You all don’t dare?" The Emperor said with a half-smile, "I think you’re pretty daring."

The ministers responded in a state of fear and trepidation, "We are guilty of ten thousand deaths, we beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness."

"So tell me, should I add a pearl to Prince Dai’s title or not?" The Emperor asked the ministers in an inquiring tone, "You must help me make a decision."

The ministers kneeling below were filled with dread, "We do not dare."

"I don’t want to hear that," the Emperor leaned against the railing, arms crossed, smiling as he looked at the kneeling ministers, "Tell me, should I add a pearl to Prince Dai’s title or not?"

Although the Emperor had a smiling demeanor, the ministers were so frightened that their faces changed. Kneeling on the ground, they dared not utter a word.

"Why is no one speaking?" The Emperor said with some disdain, "Weren’t you all quite talkative just now?"

This made the ministers even more anxious, and some of the more timid ones began to tremble slightly.

The Crown Prince, kneeling, straightened up and said, "Father, based on merits, Prince Dai should indeed be awarded a pearl."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Duke Zhen added, "Your Majesty, what the Crown Prince says is very true."

Marquis Xuanping cursed the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen silently. Just as he was about to speak, the Crown Prince continued, "Father, I wish to personally go outside the capital to greet Prince Dai upon his triumphant return..."

Before finishing his sentence, Marquis Xuanping hastily interrupted, "That won’t do. Your Majesty, Prince Dai is a subject, how can the Crown Prince personally go outside the city to greet him?"

"Marquis Xuanping, Prince Dai is my own brother. This time he put down the rebels in Liangzhou, his accomplishments are of great merit. Both emotionally and rationally, as his elder brother, I should personally go outside the city to welcome him back," the Crown Prince said, turning to bow to the Emperor, "I ask for Father’s approval!"

Marquis Xuanping was anxious, hurriedly bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, absolutely not..."

Duke Zhen cut him off, "Your Majesty, having the Crown Prince represent the court to greet Prince Dai upon his victorious return will show Prince Dai the court’s appreciation and let the citizens see the court’s regard for him."

"Your Majesty, subduing the rebels in Liangzhou was Prince Dai’s duty, he..."

Duke Zhen interrupted Marquis Xuanping again, "Marquis Xuanping, although quelling the rebellion in Liangzhou was Prince Dai’s duty as a subject and son, the significant achievements he gained this time cannot be merely rewarded with some gold and silver jewelry. Besides, didn’t you just say that Prince Dai should be awarded a pearl?"

With a slap, Marquis Xuanping hit himself twice, "Your Majesty, I spoke wrongly just now, deserving of ten thousand deaths!" He realized he had been careless and fell into Xie Xiuchuan’s trap.

Since the news of the great victory in Liangzhou came back to the capital, Marquis Xuanping had been busy with the matter of adding a pearl to Prince Dai’s title. To ensure it happened before Prince Dai returned to the capital, Marquis Xuanping not only sent people around the city to boast of Prince Dai’s great military achievements but also allied with ministers to pressure the Emperor to agree quickly to adding a pearl to Prince Dai. Besides this, Marquis Xuanping also sent people to disparage the Crown Prince, letting the public know that the Crown Prince hadn’t contributed to the stability of Great Zhou’s realm.

In these days, whenever the citizens of the capital spoke of Prince Dai, they praised and thanked him. Speaking of the Crown Prince, they felt he was unremarkable, inferior to Prince Dai. Furthermore, more courtiers, especially military officers, began supporting Prince Dai.

Back when the Emperor dealt with rebellions everywhere, many military officers followed him, besides a few close confidants like Song Dekang and Chu Ying. Although these others also made significant contributions back then, they couldn’t match those made by Song Dekang and the like, and naturally didn’t enjoy as much favor.

They received titles and their status became considerably elevated, but they knew this was only temporary. As the saying goes, "a new sovereign means new courtiers." When the Emperor is gone, their prestigious status and lifestyle may not remain secure.

Wanting to enjoy prosperity for a long time for both themselves and the future of their offspring, these officers thought to choose a side early. Only by supporting Prince Dai in advance, when he ascends the throne, could their family’s glory continue.

As for why they choose to support Prince Dai early, the answer is simple. Prince Dai is also a military officer like them, contributing to the realm of Great Zhou. Moreover, he resembles the young Emperor. Most importantly, the Crown Prince is supported by civilian officials, and the military officers disdain those who only preach theories.

Not all these military officers fully support Prince Dai, and many adopt a wait-and-see approach. After all, the Emperor is still in his prime. They fear angering the Emperor if they support Prince Dai early, so they remain hesitant. But now it’s different; Prince Dai’s defeat of the rebels in Liangzhou showcased his extraordinary ability. Furthermore, his victory gained increasing fame both in court and among the public, prompting them to finally take a clear stand to support Prince Dai.

Recently, Prince Dai gained more influence both in court and among the public, overshadowing the Crown Prince. Whether in court or among the public, more people are calling for Prince Dai to become the Crown Prince. Most importantly, during this period, Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince couldn’t effectively counter this, allowing the rumors of Prince Dai being the most suitable heir to spread unchecked, making Marquis Xuanping’s faction increasingly complacent, assuming Duke Zhen had no recourse.

Marquis Xuanping guessed that Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince wouldn’t just watch as Prince Dai was granted the pearl and guessed they would counterattack. He secretly prepared defenses, but until today’s morning court, Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince did nothing, which relaxed his guard.

Compared to Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince’s tactics, Marquis Xuanping was more concerned about the Emperor’s attitude. Prince Dai was set to return to the capital this afternoon, but the Emperor hadn’t agreed to add the pearl, making Marquis Xuanping anxious, thus his earlier statement that Prince Dai should receive it.

Originally, Marquis Xuanping thought there wouldn’t be an issue with his statements, but didn’t expect Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince to agree with him. He didn’t realize at first, but when hearing their praise, saying without Prince Dai, there would be no stable Great Zhou, he suddenly understood; it was Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince’s scheme.

In this duration, Duke Zhen and Crown Prince did nothing, waiting here for this moment. This move was so insidious and caught Marquis Xuanping’s faction by surprise.

The Crown Prince cannot be allowed to personally leave the city to greet Prince Dai; otherwise, Prince Dai’s reputation will be ruined.

Prime Minister He, Grandmaster Liu, and the others knelt down, acting as if detached, as though the unfolding events had nothing to do with them, though they were somewhat surprised internally.

They had long guessed that Duke Zhen wouldn’t stand by idly, predicting he wouldn’t allow Marquis Xuanping to suppress the Crown Prince. However, even just an hour ago, Duke Zhen and the Crown Prince had done nothing, they were curious about Duke Zhen’s inaction. They didn’t expect that shortly after, Duke Zhen would strike back.

Duke Zhen’s support for adding a pearl for Prince Dai immediately frightened Marquis Xuanping’s faction and turned them against it, an impressive reversal unexpected by Prime Minister He and the others. They had anticipated Duke Zhen’s retaliation but hadn’t foreseen this approach.

Inwardly, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu sighed, feeling that Duke Zhen intended to metaphorically roast Prince Dai over a fire.

Regarding the matter of adding a pearl to Prince Dai, Marquis Xuanping’s faction suffered a total defeat.

"Prime Minister He, what do you think?" the Emperor turned to the calm Prime Minister He, "Do you think I should add a pearl to Prince Dai’s title?"

Hearing the Emperor call on him, Prime Minister He sighed deeply in his heart with unspoken resignation.

The Emperor needed someone to be the bad guy.