“Tian Zhongxun!” Emperor Feng’s eyes blazed with anger as he said coldly, “Are you trying to pressure Us with the White Horse Alliance Oath?!”
“Your subject believes that the ancestral laws cannot be changed!”
Tian Zhongxun refused to budge an inch.
This was the bottom line; he absolutely could not yield!
As a Prince, Prince Ning held immense power, constantly overshadowing them, the Other surname Princes. They had finally outlasted Old Prince Ning and enjoyed two years of comfortable living. If Ning Que ascended, what would be left for them in the future?
Moreover, Emperor Feng’s methods were ruthless; he had long disliked the Other surname Princes and already harbored thoughts of curbing their power. If Ning Que were to assist him, their future would become unbearable. The family fortunes they had painstakingly built up would likely be reclaimed by Emperor Feng!
Emperor Feng’s gaze was like a torch, fixed on Tian Zhongxun.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
See, he fell for it!
Over the years, Ning Que had earned many merits.
If it were just for the coronation, it wouldn't be difficult.
He wanted to use this opportunity to prove one thing.
The ancestral laws could still be changed!
“Grand Tutor Yu, is what this Prince said correct?”
Tian Zhongxun, however, didn't realize he had fallen into a trap.
He looked at Yu Ji with a hint of challenge.
Yu Ji held the position of Grand Tutor, which was an honorary title.
He had the power to discuss state affairs but no real authority.
However, Emperor Feng held him in immense respect.
After all, Yu Ji was his teacher.
Yu Ji was a man of extensive learning, well-versed in classics, but extremely pedantic. He most advocated the governance of the former kings, believing that future generations should not easily change laws. Otherwise, it would not only harm the country but also make them disloyal and unfilial!
Therefore, Tian Zhongxun chose to bring up Yu Ji.
To prove the inviolability of the White Horse Alliance Oath!
After all, Emperor Feng held Yu Ji in considerable respect.
Under the gaze of the assembled officials, Yu Ji slowly stepped forward.
He did not answer immediately but instead looked at Ning Que.
After a long period of contemplation, he finally spoke.
“Your subject heard a story, and today I will tell it to everyone,” Yu Ji nodded towards Ning Que, raised his hand, and said, “There was a man from Chu who was crossing a river. His sword fell into the water from his boat. He immediately carved a mark on his boat… but the boat had already moved, and the sword had not. To seek a sword in such a manner, is it not confusing?”
“Therefore, your subject believes that when times change, affairs change; when affairs change, preparations must change. And there is no single way to govern a prosperous age, nor should a beneficial state imitate the ancients! Emperor Wen’s breaking of the White Horse Alliance Oath was a compromise made three hundred years ago to quell the struggle for the throne. It was to select a suitable successor based on merit and talent. However, in the Battle of Yumen Pass, all three eldest sons died in battle, leaving only the young Prince. It is only right for him to inherit the princely title!”
“???”
“…”
Tian Zhongxun was utterly bewildered.
Were these guys in cahoots?
How did Yu Ji suddenly change his tune?
He even had a string of eloquent phrases!
Didn't he used to clamor that ancestral laws couldn't be changed?
“Your subject believes this is unacceptable!” Gu Mingzhi quickly stepped forward, raising his hand to dissuade, “Prince Ning, as a Prince of Great Feng, is below one person and above ten thousand. In the past, the White Horse Alliance Oath stipulated that one could not succeed as a Prince without great merit to the country. This is not only an ancestral rule of Great Feng but also for the sake of public approval. Now, the young Prince Ning Que is still young and has no great merit to the country. How can he win public approval?”
“Your subject risks death to speak, please postpone the coronation ceremony for the Prince!”
“Your subject seconds the motion!”
“Your subject +1!”
“Your subject +10086!”
“…”
More and more officials stepped forward.
Most of them were from Prince Qi’s faction.
Naturally, they had to join in preventing Ning Que’s coronation.
Of course, some also supported his succession.
Sima Changqing stepped out, holding his jade tablet.
“Gentlemen, you are mistaken!”
“The young Prince’s disaster relief this time is an undeniable merit!”
“Hahaha, what kind of merit is disaster relief in Jingyang?”
“Prime Minister, please do not deceive us.”
“Everyone knows that the disaster relief was due to His Majesty’s grace and command, opening the granaries of Chang’an to quell the disaster!”
Gu Yuan let out a heavy snort.
He looked at Ning Que, his eyes cold.
As long as he was here, Ning Que wouldn't be able to succeed smoothly!
He wouldn't easily give up the military power in his hands!
“This disaster relief did not use a single grain of food from the Chang’an granaries.”
Emperor Feng, seated high on the imperial throne, spoke slowly.
The noisy court instantly fell silent.
Everyone was utterly astonished.
“Heh, His Majesty truly dotes on the young Prince,” Tian Zhongxun said with a cold sneer, “However, what His Majesty has done, who in Chang’an city doesn’t know? Please, Your Majesty, remember, to strengthen public service, private feelings must be cut off!”
“Presumptuous!”
Sima Changqing immediately flared up, pointing at Tian Zhongxun’s forehead and reprimanding, “Prince, you must remember your duty as a subject! How dare you disrespect His Majesty?”
“This Prince speaks the truth, what is wrong with that?”
“Terribly wrong!”
Tian Zhongxun did not back down, sneering, “His Majesty personally issued an edict to spare no expense in disaster relief. The Chang’an granaries were opened wide, and a continuous stream of grain was transported to Jingyang. Whose merit is this if not His Majesty’s?”
“Ah, Prince Qi, you are mistaken,” Ning Que finally spoke, smiling, “What was transported from the granaries was not necessarily grain. I needed to build roads and bridges in Jingyang, and also repair the ancestral home, which required a lot of sand and gravel. It just so happened that there was some in the granaries, so I had that transported.”
“What did you say?!”
“Those cartloads were not grain, they were sand and gravel.”
“You… you…”
Gu Yuan’s pupils contracted.
Staring at Ning Que, he almost spat blood.
So they had all fallen into a trap?
This was all Ning Que’s ruse!
Emperor Feng was exceptionally pleased at this moment.
This time, he had made them suffer in silence.
He looked at Tian Zhongxun and said calmly, “We did indeed issue an edict to spare no expense in relieving Jingyang, but We never said We would open the Chang’an granaries. It was merely your unwarranted speculation. Ning Que successfully relieved the disaster victims and achieved great merit, so he should succeed as Prince!”
“…”
Gu Yuan’s eyes were cold, and he tightly clenched his fists.
They had fallen into a trap!
They had been played for fools by Ning Que!
Because of the sand and gravel, they competed to lower prices.
After the grain prices dropped, Ning Que sent people to buy it up.
He easily resolved the grain shortage in Jingyang.
And them?
They suffered a huge loss!
Gu Yuan clutched his chest, blood surging.
Looking at Ning Que, he gnashed his teeth in hatred.
Tian Zhongxun’s mind raced, and he stepped forward again.
“Even if the young Prince’s disaster relief had merit, what does it count for? Gentlemen, do not forget, Emperor Wen established an ancestral rule that this line of Prince Ning must have great merit to the country to inherit the princely title. A mere disaster relief cannot be called a great merit!”
“Your subject seconds the motion!”
“What great merit is disaster relief? I could do it too!”
“Please, Your Majesty, withdraw your command and postpone the enthronement!”
Emperor Feng watched them, noting each one.
Watching their bickering, he was not at all anxious.
In fact, it was easy to legitimize Ning Que.
Just by speaking of the things he had done over the years.
Every single one was a great merit!
However, he still had something he wanted Ning Que to do.
And it just so happened that they could help.
“Enough!”
“Your Majesty, calm your anger—”
The assembled officials simultaneously raised their hands in a bow.
Emperor Feng looked at them and said calmly, “What you are arguing about is nothing more than whether there is great merit or not. We think today We shall proceed with the enthronement ceremony first.”
“Your Majesty!”
“We have not finished speaking.”
Emperor Feng looked at Tian Zhongxun.
The latter could only obediently retreat.
“Today’s enthronement will only grant the princely title but no princely power,” Emperor Feng looked at Ning Que, “In two days, the Western Liang envoys will arrive in Chang’an. They are ostensibly coming for peace talks, but in reality, they seek to gain advantages. Ning Que, We order you to temporarily lead the Ministry of Rites and be fully responsible for this diplomatic mission. If you can gain benefits for Great Feng, then you will be the true Prince Ning of Our Great Feng!”
“Your subject will not fail His Majesty’s trust!”
Ning Que rose and bowed deeply.
Even Tian Zhongxun fell silent this time.
Clearly, this was all part of Emperor Feng’s plan!
If he continued to be aggressive, it would only be counterproductive.
So, now there was only one way…
To sabotage the peace talks between Western Liang and Great Feng!