A daughter from a prominent family is desired by many, yet the daughter of the Yong family is sought by none. Noble families consider her nouveau riche and vulgar, while scholarly houses pride them...
Emperor Mingde looked at Wei Tingsi, who stood motionless like a stone pillar to the side. He was much more lenient with Wei Tingsi than with others. "Minister Wei, before the Fengshan ceremony, I should have toured the country. However, I have been busy with government affairs recently. In your opinion, who is suitable to tour the country on my behalf?"
Sun Gan stood there with a hint of schadenfreude. Everyone else was kneeling, but he stood alone. No, there was also Wei Tingsi standing there, who had not joined forces with this group of traitors. He had misjudged Wei Tingsi before; he was truly a good young man.
Before he could finish rejoicing, Wei Tingsi reported, "Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Yong is the most suitable."
Liu Huan's memorial did not specify who he wanted to represent the emperor in inspecting the country. He actually planned to recommend Prince Yong himself. However, to his utter surprise, he received an unexpected and wonderful surprise.
Not only did my younger cousin speak up for me, but even Wei Tingsi, who is usually cold and silent during court, took the initiative to push Prince Yong. Could it be that the Prince's mansion is in cahoots with these people?
He couldn't help but have doubts.
Emperor Mingde also favored Prince Yong. The princes were restless because of the Crown Prince's disappearance. If he were to allow the Crown Prince to tour the country on behalf of the Emperor, it would be like feeding him into power. As for the princes, it was even more impossible. These princes were ambitious. It could be said that he did not even trust his own sons. However, Prince Yong was different. Prince Yong had no ambition and returned his fiefdom. For more than 20 years, he had seen through his younger brother.
The reason for asking Wei Tingsi was that Liang Yunsi had just mentioned it, saying, "Lord Wei doesn't usually interact with court officials, but he treats Prince Yong differently."
He feared that if he asked others, the answer wouldn't be Prince Yong; among all the court officials, perhaps only Wei Tingsi could understand his heart.
As expected, as soon as Wei Tingsi said this, someone immediately objected, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed. Prince Yong has never participated in court affairs. Inspecting the country is no trivial matter. I suggest that Prince Rui be allowed to inspect the country on behalf of the Emperor."
"I suggest that Prince Hui be allowed to tour the world on behalf of the Emperor."
"Your Majesty, I suggest that a prince be selected to tour the country on your behalf."
Prince Yong was somewhat injured. At first, when Wei Tingsi pushed him, he thought Wei Tingsi was too reckless. He still had to go find the Crown Prince, how could he have time to inspect the world?
However, when all the ministers came out to object, he felt uneasy. It turned out that these people didn't want him to tour the country on behalf of his elder brother. It was just taking a group of people here and there, as if he was so interested in it.
Qiu Tangshi and Xie Yun exchanged a glance and chose to remain silent. Although they agreed to the Fengshan ceremony, they did not intend to carry out Emperor Mingde's grand Fengshan ceremony in the near future. The new policies had not yet been implemented, and the vassal kings were still eyeing the capital with covetous intent. It was truly not a good time for the Fengshan ceremony.
Moreover, from birth until now, Prince Yong has never contributed a single bit to the country and its people. The person who tours the country on behalf of the emperor is required not only to have good moral character, but also to have good achievements.
If they agree to Wei Tingsi's proposal today, wouldn't they be betraying their principles?
Wei Tingsi did not approve of the Fengshan ceremony, considering it merely a formality, so he did not stand up to second it. However, Emperor Mingde was clearly not muddle-headed or incompetent, and he knew that now was not a good time for the Fengshan ceremony, but it was indeed necessary to tour the country.
Therefore, when Emperor Mingde asked him, he pushed the Prince of Yong onto the throne, just as Emperor Mingde thought: among the imperial clan, only the Prince of Yong would not usurp the throne.
The ministers all disagreed with Prince Yong's inspection tour of the country on behalf of the emperor, and their reasons were irrefutable. Emperor Mingde was helpless and secretly disappointed in Prince Yong.
He feigned concern and asked, "In your opinion, who is the most suitable person?"
Lu Yuan, the Vice Minister of the Secretariat and a member of Yang Zhongyi's faction, held up his jade tablet and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Hui is the most suitable candidate. Prince Hui is Your Majesty's uncle, of noble status, and he is in charge of the Imperial Clan Court, making him an elder of the royal family."
"Your subject seconds this proposal," said Zhang Jiye, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review and a member of Yang Zhong's faction, who stepped forward to second the proposal.
“Your Majesty, I object. I believe that it is most appropriate to select a prince of virtuous character to tour the world on behalf of the emperor. Now that the crown prince is seriously injured, I believe that the eldest prince, as the emperor’s eldest son, should be entrusted with this important task.” Ji Dongxue, a member of Sun Ganzheng’s faction, stepped forward.
Sun Gan was so angry that his veins were bulging. The betrayal was so swift, it was simply hateful! However, if the Fengshan ceremony was already a done deal, then he would not agree to Prince Yong's appointment to tour the world on behalf of the emperor.
"This old minister seconds the motion." Since the Crown Prince is absent, it is only natural and reasonable for the eldest prince to tour the country on behalf of the Emperor.
Emperor Mingde glanced at him. This old fool, seeing that the situation was beyond saving, went against him. If the eldest prince were to tour the country in place of the emperor, wouldn't he force the emperor to abdicate upon his return! Don't think he didn't know what his good sons were doing after the crown prince's disappearance!
"Oh dear, Lord Sun." Huo Baichuan chuckled twice, slowly walked up to Sun Ganzheng, and looked him up and down a few times. "Tsk tsk, Lord Sun, you should change your clothes."
"Young Master Huo, do not act recklessly in the court just because you are from the Huo family. Please be mindful of the occasion!" Sun Gan glared at Huo Baichuan. He had disliked this so-called eldest son of the Huo family for a long time, who acted like a commoner. In the court, everyone was cautious in their words and actions, but he seemed to move freely, saying whatever he wanted and doing whatever he wanted. Everyone knelt before the emperor, but he stood there pointing out the state of the country, and with just a few words, he persuaded these traitors to agree to the Fengshan ceremony.
The so-called eldest son of the Huo family is the biggest treacherous minister!
"Lord Sun is right." Huo Baichuan nodded, looking like he had been taught a lesson. He paced slowly behind Sun Ganzheng, sniffed, and said, "Oh dear, Lord Sun, how long has it been since you changed your clothes? They smell musty."
Sun Gan was so angry that he stomped his foot, pointed at his nose, and didn't know what to say. After thinking for a while, he said, "You brat!"
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