There was quite a lot of criticism from the public, and the next day, after the court session, the emperor privately summoned Zong Zhengchen to the imperial study.

"Father, you are looking for me."

Zong Zhengchen is here.

The emperor had just come out of court and took off the heavy crown on his head and placed it on the table. "You should know why I'm looking for you."

Today, in the court, many officials also brought up the matter of conscription to criticize King Chen.

Zong Zhengchen naturally knew.

The emperor touched the tassel on the crown and sighed deeply:

"For a country, its people are the most important."

Since ancient times, there has been a saying that the people are more important than the king.

"The people are the standard for testing whether a country is strong. If the people live and work in peace and contentment and their hearts are won, then the country is strong. On the contrary, even if the country is strong, without the support of the people, it will collapse sooner or later."

Zong Zhengchen knew this truth.

Standing there, saying nothing, listening to the instructions.

The Emperor said again:

"The people are very biased against you. If you don't go to the war, how can I save face? How can you save face too?"

Only if Prince Chen goes to the northern border to fight can the people be silenced.

This is the only way.

Zong Zhengchen frowned:

"Father, you know Qin Ye's current situation. How can I leave? How can I leave without worry?"

In two months, Qin Ye will give birth.

He will never leave.

"Besides, I never intended to go on an expedition. It was Prince Li who changed the contents of Prince Feng's secret letter, which caused this misunderstanding. Don't you know all about it?"

"I know you were framed by Prince Li, but what's the use of knowing this? Can I stop the people from talking about you? Can I?"

The emperor naturally wanted to protect his son, but he also had to consider the people.

"Last month, the imperial mausoleum collapsed, and the people were talking about you as an ominous person. I tried my best to suppress the rumors."

"Now, there is trouble again."

"If you continue like this, you will lose the support of the people. Without the support of the people, how will you ascend the throne in the future? How will you govern Dongling Kingdom well?"

The emperor slammed the table and accused loudly.

At the same time, it expresses a meaning:

He wants to pass the throne to Zong Zhengchen!

"A king who loses his credibility will not be popular with the people. A gentleman is based on trust and honesty. Don't you understand this principle?"

Today's royal family appears harmonious on the surface, but is actually a mess.

Since the death of the eldest prince, Prince Feng has been causing trouble every now and then, Prince Jue has followed suit, and Prince Li is not being honest...

Brotherly love and respect for each other is a joke.

Among his six sons, the one he valued the most was Zong Zhengchen.

Zong Zhengchen pursed his lips.

Want the throne, but don't want to leave:

"Father, I can agree to anything else, but not the expedition."

Even if he was offered the throne, he refused:

"For the past three months, I will not leave Qin Ye even a step. As for the lost people's support, I will find a way to make up for it."

"you!"

The emperor was immediately a little angry.

How could a child who was once so obedient and sensible become so irrational when it comes to women?

Is it so easy to gain the support of the people?

"People are talking about me protecting my son. My imperial edict is just a piece of waste paper. It has no authority at all. You won't go to the battle... You won't go... All right, all right!"

He laughed angrily.

"If you don't go, I'll go for you!"

"Defu, prepare the horses. I will set out in half an hour!"

When Defu heard this, he was almost frightened: "Your Majesty, you are not in good health, how can you go to the war? Don't make such a joke!"

The emperor is the ruler of a country. If anything happens to him, the entire Dongling Kingdom will be affected.

The emperor's cold face:

"My son made a mistake, and the people are unhappy. As a father, I can only come out to quell the criticism!"

He untied his belt and took off his dragon robe:

"Bring me my light armor, I will set out immediately!"

Defu hurried forward to stop him:

"No, Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

“Get out of the way!”

"emperor!"

"Get out of my way... cough, cough! Go mobilize the troops... cough!"

The emperor was so excited that he couldn't catch his breath and started coughing violently. Defu was so scared that he patted the emperor's back to calm him down, while his eyes were red and he looked at Prince Chen anxiously:

"Your Highness Prince Chen, please say something quickly. The emperor is nearly fifty years old. How can he go to the battlefield? He can't go! Your Highness Prince Chen, please persuade the emperor!"

Zong Zhengchen stood there, his thin lips pursed into a straight line, his hands clenched slightly at his sides, his face looked extremely ugly...