Chapter 22: Fight, Censor Zhang! New Book Seeking Collection
“Waste! All of you are waste!!”
Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, also heard the news of Old Zhu punishing Zhao Qian, Lu Ping, and Qi Tai. He was so angry that he roughly tore off the heavy mourning clothes he was wearing and threw them to the eunuch standing by, as if the white hemp garment was some kind of suffocating shackle.
The grief on his face had long been replaced by a gloom mixed with impatience, unwillingness, and ambition.
“That fool Lu Ping! He was provoked so easily! Qi Tai is also a fool who thinks he’s clever! And that Zhang Biao, who doesn’t know his place! A troublemaker! He stirred up all the trouble!”
As the words fell, he angrily slammed his fist onto the table, making the teacups clatter.
Zhu Yunwen’s appearance at the funeral, so filial and sincere, drawing the attention of all officials, pricked him like a thorn.
Why?
Just because his father was the Crown Prince, could some snot-nosed kid naturally stand in that position?
And he, Zhu Shuang, a dignified legitimate second son, holding a powerful fief, with brilliant military achievements, had to bow and perform rituals to that kid?
“Your Highness, please calm your anger.”
Zhu Shuang’s trusted subordinate, Zheng Yi, immediately stepped forward to console him, saying, “The Imperial Second Grandson’s performance at the funeral has indeed won people’s hearts. In his grief, the Emperor dotes on him even more. At this moment, you absolutely cannot reveal your sharp edge!”
“Calm my anger? How can I calm my anger!”
Zhu Shuang turned abruptly, his eyes bloodshot, “Look at Fourth Brother! He’s acting like nothing happened! And Third Brother, with his inscrutable demeanor! They must be laughing at me in their hearts! Father Emperor only has Biao’er in his eyes, and now that his Biao’er is gone, he only sees his Biao’er’s son! What do we sons count for in his eyes?!”
“Your Highness, mind your words! Be careful of ears on the wall!”
Zheng Yi’s face turned pale with fright, and he quickly stepped forward, lowering his voice even further, “The Emperor’s grief is genuine, but his heart is inscrutable. This is not the time to contend. Lu Ping, Qi Tai, and Zhao Qian have already been dealt with by the Emperor. Your Highness’s most pressing task is to stabilize yourself and observe the situation.”
“Stabilize? How do I stabilize?”
Zhu Shuang panted heavily, but his voice finally lowered, “Father Emperor might issue an edict to drive us out of the capital at any moment! Once we leave Yingtian Prefecture, it will be difficult to return!”
“Leaving the capital may not be a bad thing.”
A glint flashed in Zheng Yi’s eyes, “Being far from the vortex of the storm allows one to see the situation more clearly. Your Highness has a deep foundation in Xi’an and commands significant military power. As long as Your Highness remains patient, leaves reliable informants in the capital, and closely monitors the developments regarding the establishment of the Crown Prince, should there be a change in the capital, Your Highness will have your formidable army as your greatest reliance!”
“Are you suggesting?”
“Emperor Taizong of Tang was also once Prince of Qin.”
“Hiss—”
Hearing this, Zhu Shuang couldn’t help but gasp, and then looked at Zheng Yi with a face full of shock.
However, the impatience and ferocity in his eyes gradually gave way to a deeper, more dangerous ambition.
He slowly sat back in the main seat, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold armrest, his gaze fixed on Yingtian Prefecture outside the window, as if weighing something.
“You’re right.”
After a long pause, Zhu Shuang finally spoke slowly, his voice returning to its usual somber tone, but with a hint of decisiveness, “Send a letter to Xi’an, tell the Chief Clerk and Commander to be alert, have them train the troops well, and stock up on provisions! Also, in the capital…”
He looked at Zheng Yi, narrowing his eyes, “Keep a close watch for me! On Yunwen, on Third Brother and Fourth Brother, and that kid named Zhang Biao, if there’s any slightest movement, report it to me immediately by flying horse!”
“Yes! Your Highness is wise!”
Zheng Yi bowed and accepted the order, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his face.
On the other side, Prince Jin’s Mansion.
Compared to the restlessness of Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, appeared exceptionally quiet.
He did not vent his anger like Zhu Shuang, but sat silently behind his desk, unhurriedly flipping through the purple “Zizhi Tongjian”.
However, his gaze was not on the pages, but vaguely fixed on the flickering candlelight, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
He too had received news from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and knew very well how much Old Zhu valued Zhu Yunwen.
This made his sense of crisis even more acute than Zhu Shuang’s.
Zhu Shuang could still fight with a bit of reckless bravery and the military strength of the northwest, but he, Zhu Gang, although Taiyuan was also a strategic town, in terms of military merit, or in Old Zhu’s estimation, he knew he couldn’t compare to his late elder brother Zhu Biao, nor to his fourth brother Zhu Di, who seemed low-key but was unfathomably deep.
“Fourth Rank Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.”
The name of Zhang Biao, that young censor, suddenly appeared in Zhu Gang’s mind.
Although they had only received news of Zhang Biao’s promotion to Fourth Rank Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, in his opinion, there was definitely something more behind this matter.
Because he knew Old Zhu too well. With Old Zhu’s personality, it was good enough to survive after being sent to the Imperial Prison. And then get promoted? And to the Fourth Rank? Was he dreaming?
Therefore, he was certain that Zhang Biao must have done or said something else in the Hall of Supreme Harmony!
“Then, what could it be?”
Zhu Gang couldn’t figure it out after racking his brains, and finally cast his gaze back to the purple “Zizhi Tongjian”, muttering to himself, “Could it be related to the Crown Prince? Or… abolishing the feudal lords?”
“Your Highness!”
Just as Zhu Gang was talking to himself, his confidant Xie Cheng walked over and whispered, “There seems to be quite a stir from Prince Qin’s side. As for Prince Yan… he has not left his mansion since returning.”
Zhu Gang came back to his senses, a faint smile playing on his lips, “Second Brother is impatient, he’s not worth worrying about. Fourth Brother… hmph, the quieter he is, the more uneasy I feel.”
He paused, his gaze sharpening, “Father Emperor is immersed in the grief of losing his son, a time when he is most easily moved by filial piety!”
“Your Highness means?” Xie Cheng’s eyes flickered.
“Propriety!” Zhu Gang uttered the two words decisively, “This is our opportunity, and also our greatest obstacle. Father Emperor values emotion, but he values law and order even more! Establishing the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state, and propriety cannot be ignored!”
He stood up and walked to the window, gazing towards Prince Qin’s Mansion and Prince Yan’s Mansion, his voice lowered to a whisper, “We cannot be as rash as Second Brother, nor as deeply hidden as Fourth Brother. What we must do is remind Father Emperor of the importance of propriety! But not by us coming forward!”
Xie Cheng understood, “Your Highness intends to… use others to speak?”
“Exactly!”
A calculating light flashed in Zhu Gang’s eyes, “Zhao Qian, Lu Ping, and Qi Tai have all been punished, and the hearts of the court are in turmoil. This is precisely when someone needs to stand up and set things right!”
“We only need to observe the situation and, when necessary, add fuel to the fire. Let this fire of propriety burn brighter, preferably until it reaches Yunwen and his mother!”
“I’d like to see how Father Emperor chooses between emotion and law!”
Xie Cheng bowed in admiration, “Your Highness’s foresight is commendable! I will attend to it immediately!”
Zhu Gang nodded, then, as if remembering something, said faintly, “Pay more attention to that Zhang Biao for me. If you get any news about him, report it to me immediately!”
“Yes!”
Xie Cheng immediately responded and retreated.
At the same time, as Zhang Biao arrived outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he was stopped by Jiang Huan drawing his sword.
“Censor Zhang! Without the Emperor’s order, you cannot enter!”
“Then quickly report to the Emperor that I want my salary back!”
As the words fell, Zhang Biao directly took out a crumpled booklet with worn-out corners.
On the cover of the booklet were five crookedly written characters: “Return My Hard-earned Money”.
“???”
Jiang Huan’s hand on his sword froze instantly.
