The fact that the grain supplies were burned and then delivered to Tongzhou was so late, that no one would believe there wasn't something fishy going on.
Although Daying won the battle, the casualties were extremely heavy, and one of Xiao Changqi's deputy generals even died under the enemy's spear.
So as soon as the war ended, Xiao Changqi sent people to investigate, but at that time they could only find out that the matter was related to a certain prince in the capital, but they did not know who it was.
Even after all these years, Xiao Changqi has never allowed his men to give up investigating the burning of the grain supplies back then.
As expected, perseverance pays off, and the person behind the scenes finally revealed a flaw.
Crown Prince...
...
When they woke up on New Year's Day, they had already returned to the Prince's Mansion. After Xiao Changqi returned, he changed into his court robes and went to the palace, so there was only her bird in the room.
After squatting on the table to finish eating bamboo fruits, she went to the garden to do aerobics as usual on New Year's Day, and then had Green Sprout carry her to the study to read.
Green Sprout knew that their royal palace's bird master was no ordinary bird. Seeing that it was watching quite intently, she withdrew.
Not just anyone can enter the prince's study.
She wouldn't be allowed into the study if she weren't taking care of the little bird, Yuan Yuan.
On New Year's Day, she was reading other people's stories in her study, unaware that a new story about her and Gan Wang had been circulating outside.
On the other side, the imperial palace.
The poor autumn harvest this year is not only affecting the area around the capital; other prefectures and counties have also harvested very little grain. As a result, how to collect this year's taxes has become a problem.
The court officials were divided into three factions. One faction believed that taxes should be collected as usual, while another faction believed that the people had harvested too little grain, and that they might not even be able to feed themselves, let alone pay taxes. Therefore, they argued that taxes should be reduced this year. The remaining faction simply said they would side with whoever won the argument.
The old emperor sat lazily on the dragon throne, deeply annoyed by the quarreling of his courtiers below, his brows furrowed in worry.
At this moment, the Crown Prince stepped forward and said, "Father, this year the Ministry of Revenue is going to hold a grand birthday banquet for the Empress Dowager. If the people don't pay taxes, where will the national treasury get the money to hold the banquet for the Empress Dowager?"
The Third Prince, who had always been at odds with the Crown Prince, followed up by saying, "Your Majesty, you are mistaken. Your Majesty has always been compassionate towards the people. If she knew that the money used to host the birthday banquet was extorted from the common people, she would surely be heartbroken."
"Paying taxes is a matter of course for the country. How can it be called extortion? Third Brother, you should be more careful with your words."
"..."
With the two princes arguing, the other ministers naturally dared not speak up, so only the Crown Prince and the Third Prince remained in the court, arguing back and forth.
The old emperor, his head throbbing from the noise, said impatiently, "Enough."
The Crown Prince and the Third Prince immediately fell silent, bowed to the Emperor, and acted as dutiful sons who followed the Emperor's lead.
"The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet must be held, and taxes must be paid. Everything will proceed as usual." The Emperor's younger brother waved his hand. "Dismiss the court."
The crowd kowtowed three times and bowed nine times, saying, "Respectfully seeing off the Emperor, may His Majesty live ten thousand years!"
After the court session ended, Xiao Changqi was about to return directly to the Prince's residence when Xiao Yan suddenly called him back.
"Seventh Brother, please wait."
"Fifth Imperial Brother." Xiao Changqi stopped and nodded indifferently.
“A few days ago I captured a group of Ledan people in the capital, but they refused to cooperate during interrogation. You have fought against the Ledan people before, do you have any ideas?” Xiao Yan asked, looking like he was humbly seeking advice.
Xiao Changqi said calmly, "To make an example of someone."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan hesitated slightly: "Won't this anger them?"
Xiao Changqi glanced at him expressionlessly: "No."
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