Chapter 194: Yes

Pei Jingzhou raised his eyes from the battle report and looked at Emperor Hong Qi, unable to hide his joy: "Father, the battle in the southwest has been won."

Emperor Hong Qi suddenly became excited.

Jiang Zhaoyue, Concubine Hui and Princess Duojia were very surprised.

Pei Jingzhou placed the battle report in front of Emperor Hong Qi and explained, "Although the Kings of Jingzhou, Anshun, and Jinxiang rose up together, they each had their own agenda.

“In the end, we decided to have the Duke of Zhenguo meet only the King of Jingzhou in the name of our father. On the surface, it was for peace talks, but in reality, it was deliberately to make the Kings of Anshun and Jinxiang suspicious of the King of Jingzhou.

"General Lin took the opportunity to disguise himself as several Jingzhou soldiers and constantly provoked, suppressed, and even bullied the Anshun soldiers, causing conflicts between the two armies.

"At this time, Chen Xuanmo attacked King Jinxiang's fiefdom from the side, threatening to raze Jinxiang City.

"Upon hearing the news, King Jinxiang had to rush back to his fiefdom to rescue the people.

"General Lin spread rumors among the army, saying that the King of Jingzhou was going to betray the Kings of Anshun and Jinxiang in order to please the emperor and monopolize Jingzhou, Anshun, and Jinxiang.

"Prince Anshun thought about his recent experiences with Prince Jinxiang and became more convinced by the rumors, and his conflict with Prince Jingzhou deepened.

"Chen Xuanmo returned quickly and joined General Lin. He selected some elite soldiers and sneaked into the Anshun King's camp on a dark and windy night. He killed several soldiers and quickly disappeared from the Jingzhou camp.

"Prince Anshun, who was already suspicious of Prince Jingzhou, rushed to Prince Jingzhou's camp and argued with him without hesitation.

“Chen Xuanmo, General Lin and other soldiers took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on both sides.

"The suspicions between the Princes of Anshun and Jingzhou remained, and they were unable to form an army. They were quickly defeated by our offensive.

"When King Jinxiang heard that the Second King had been defeated, he immediately surrendered."

Pei Jingzhou finished describing a war in just a few words.

Jiang Zhaoyue knew that he had been working day and night these days, analyzing the terrain, weather, local customs and people, the temperaments of the three kings in the southwest with the court officials, and constantly changing the attack plan, which was why he achieved this victory.

Emperor Hong Qi also knew Pei Jingzhou's efforts. He looked at Pei Jingzhou with a look of satisfaction, appreciation, and pride, and asked, "How are the three kings doing now?"

Pei Jingzhou came to talk to Emperor Hong Qi every day, so he could understand what he said and replied, "Detain them all. The Duke of Zhenguo, Chen Xuanmo, General Lin and others will guard the borders of the three places and wait for the emperor's orders."

"What do you think?" asked Hong Qidi.

Pei Jingzhou said bluntly: "Take the three kings back to the capital for trial."

Emperor Hong Qi then asked, "How should the fiefdom be dealt with?"

"Fiefdoms are meant to reward meritorious officials. They don't know how to cherish them, and instead use the opportunity to rebel, which has chilled the heart of your Majesty's love for your subjects. Since this is the case, I will take back the fiefdoms and establish them as counties. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Hong Qi looked straight at Pei Jingzhou without saying a word.

Pei Jingzhou didn't know what Emperor Hong Qi meant.

Emperor Hong Qi slowly turned his gaze to the chubby little Yuan Yao, then to Pei Jingzhou, and in his heart he felt that his son had grown up very well. Not only was he tall and handsome, but he was also rigorous and flexible in his work.

A sense of pride welled up in his heart again, and he nodded gently, "Just do as you say."

"Then who will be the county magistrate?" Pei Jingzhou asked.

Emperor Hong Qi asked again: "What do you think?"

"My son doesn't know the court officials very well." Pei Jingzhou is the crown prince and knows his limits. He cannot do things without going beyond the authority of Emperor Hong Qi.

Emperor Hong Qi was very pleased and said, "First, set up counties and let the court officials recommend candidates."

Recommending candidates is a science. On the one hand, it can help you understand the relationships between court officials, and on the other hand, it can also help you understand the officials' inner thoughts. Pei Jingzhou said, "Yes, son, I will do it right away."

"Go ahead."

Pei Jingzhou spoke a few more words to Jiang Zhaoyue, touched Yuan Yao's little face, and left Yongxiu Palace.

Emperor Hong Qi looked at Pei Jingzhou's back and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, as if he had made some kind of decision, he relaxed and called out, "Yuan Yao!"

Yuan Yao immediately turned around: "Ancestor!"

"Come, let your grandfather hold you." Emperor Hong Qi stretched out his left hand.

"Ancestor!" Yuan Yao wanted to go into Emperor Hong Qi's arms again.

Jiang Zhaoyue just let him do it.

As soon as Yuan Yao sat on Hong Qidi's lap, he hugged Hong Qidi's neck and called him "Ancestor".

Emperor Hong Qi laughed heartily.

Jiang Zhaoyue, Concubine Hui and others were surprised that Emperor Hong Qi was laughing so happily.

After returning to the East Palace, Jiang Zhaoyue told Pei Jingzhou about this.

Pei Jingzhou said: "Only when you are cheerful can you feel better."

Jiang Zhaoyue didn't think much about it and nodded.

Pei Jingzhou continued to be busy and asked Emperor Hong Qi whenever he encountered any problems.

Hong Qidi would answer at the beginning, but later he would ask "What do you think?", "What do you think?", "Tell me about it?", "Do as you wish", and later he would ask "You decide for yourself", "Don't ask me about this", "Just do whatever you want".

After Pei Jingzhou handled some things on his own, he went to Yongxiu Palace to ask Emperor Hong Qi for advice.

Emperor Hong Qi and Yuan Yao were walking while holding onto stools.

"Father." Pei Jingzhou called.

"Don't disturb me, Yuan Yao and I are learning to walk together." Emperor Hong Qi didn't even look at Pei Jingzhou.

Jiang Zhaoyue teased softly, "Your Highness, you have fallen out of favor."

"What should we do then?" Pei Jingzhou asked.

"I don't know either." Jiang Zhaoyue was obviously enjoying the fun.

Pei Jingzhou smiled bitterly and said with a stiff upper lip: "Father, I have something important to discuss with you."

Emperor Hong Qi asked in return, "What could be more important than me and my grandson learning to walk?"

This... Why did the emperor suddenly become unreasonable? Pei Jingzhou continued: "Father, this matter is——"

"Can't you just let me live in peace?" Emperor Hong Qi raised his eyes and asked.

Pei Jingzhou was stunned.

Emperor Hong Qi called out, "Eunuch Gao."

"Yes." Eunuch Gao took a step forward.

"Go get the stuff."

"Yes." Not long after Eunuch Gao entered the bedroom, he brought out an imperial edict.

"Show him." Emperor Hong Qidi looked completely unconcerned.

Eunuch Gao then handed the imperial edict to Pei Jingzhou: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Pei Jingzhou bowed politely, took the imperial edict with both hands and slowly unfolded it.

Jiang Zhaoyue stretched his head to look.

Pass on, pass on, the decree of succession!

Jiang Zhaoyue was shocked.

Pei Jingzhou looked at Emperor Hong Qi in shock: "Father——"

"You choose a suitable time and ask Eunuch Gao and the Prime Minister to announce the imperial edict to the public." Emperor Hong Qi said casually.

"But Father, I, your son——"

Emperor Hong Qi said unhappily, "I've been emperor for so many years, can't I take a break?"

"Yes!" Yuan Yao suddenly replied in a milky voice.

"Look, your son is more filial than you!" said Emperor Hong Qi.

Yuan Yao chuckled happily.

Pei Jingzhou glanced at Yuan Yao.

The little fellow held onto the stool, stood up straight, and with his bulging belly, he didn't understand what his father and grandfather were talking about, so he said confidently, "Father! Yes!"

"That's right!" Emperor Hong Qidi continued.

Pei Jingzhou said: "But father——"

"Why are you so long-winded?" Emperor Hong Qi interrupted Pei Jingzhou.