The main hall of the Eastern Chu Kingdom.
Looking at the assembled officials, Xuanyuan Peng announced directly, "Yesterday, the Holy King offered excellent suggestions regarding the drought in the North and made corresponding plans in advance. Since the Holy King governs effectively, the affairs of the North will be entrusted to the Holy King."
Upon hearing this, the courtiers all looked at each other in bewilderment.
The Holy King's abilities are indeed evident to all, but should we entrust the affairs of the North to the Holy King?
The neutral officials, being unaffiliated with any political party, naturally had no objections, but the officials from the Second Prince's faction and the Third Prince's faction were not happy about it.
Anyone with discerning eyes can see that the matter in the North is a meritorious deed, so how can it be given to the Holy King!
Liu Zhenghe was the first to step forward: "Your Majesty, the disaster relief in the north is complicated, and the bandit suppression is extremely dangerous. Now that the Holy Princess is about to give birth, she cannot be separated from someone. Why not let the Second Prince handle the matter in the north?"
It must be said that Liu Zhenghe is quite good at persuasion.
This is not only about persuading Xuanyuan Peng, but also about persuading Xuanyuan Zhan.
Knowing that the Holy King doted on his wife, Liu Zhenghe deliberately tried to persuade people in a way that resonated with their hearts.
Before Xuan Yuanzhan could speak, Xuan Yuanpeng said coldly, "What do you mean by 'about to give birth'? The Holy Princess is still three or four months away from giving birth. In three or four months, the situation in the North may not be so bad."
Xuanyuan Peng was also saying this to Xuanyuan Zhan, knowing that the boy loved his wife dearly, and he was genuinely afraid that he would refuse to go to the North because his wife was about to give birth.
"But the north is dangerous..."
Liu Zhenghe wanted to say something, but before he could open his mouth, Xuan Yuanpeng interrupted him coldly: "The North is dangerous. Does that mean it won't be dangerous for the Second Prince? I believe the Holy King can resolve these dangers."
These words left Liu Zhenghe speechless. He glanced at Xuan Yuanzhi.
It wasn't that he, as the father-in-law, didn't want to help; it was just that he genuinely didn't know how to persuade them any further.
Moreover, the Emperor's meaning is all too clear; even if he could find a thousand reasons, it would probably be in vain.
Liu Zhenghe gave up, but some people still wouldn't give up.
Zhao Ji stepped forward again: "Your Majesty, when Zhongjing suffered a locust plague, it was the Third Prince who went to provide disaster relief. The Third Prince has experience in disaster relief, so why not entrust the disaster relief work in the North to the Third Prince?"
Xuan Yuanpeng did not deny Xuan Yuanyu's contributions: "Third brother did a good job in dealing with the famine in Zhongjing before, but the Holy King also governed Xiangnan very well. He made Xiangnan, which suffered from famine every year, completely get rid of famine within five years and even had surplus grain to pay taxes every year. If we talk about experience, the Holy King is more suitable."
"..." Zhao Ji really had no way to refute this reason.
Who can blame them when the Holy King has indeed done a very good job in this regard? To be honest, in terms of strength, Xuan Yuan Yu is really no match for Xuan Yuan Zhan. But what can they do when their daughter marries Xuan Yuan Yu instead of Xuan Yuan Zhan?
Zhao Ji could only continue to bow and say, "Your Majesty, suppressing bandits requires troops. The Holy Prince already has an army in Xiangnan. It is not appropriate to let the Holy Prince lead the troops. The Second Prince and the Third Prince are more suitable."
Zhao Ji's words couldn't be clearer; he was practically saying the words "using military power to bolster one's own position."
Throughout history, what emperors have always feared most is that vassal kings have amassed power and become too influential.
Now the Holy King not only has his own fiefdom, but also his own army. If he were to lead troops in the capital, and if the Holy King were to rebel, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Zhao Ji was also reminding Xuan Yuanpeng to be wary of Xuan Yuanzhan's growing power and influence.
Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, all the civil and military officials looked at Xuan Yuanzhan with some apprehension.
Under normal circumstances, given the situation of the Holy King, the Emperor would certainly not allow him to remain in the capital, much less lead troops to suppress bandits or provide disaster relief.
But this is not the usual situation. The Holy Prince is not an ordinary prince. He is the emperor's illegitimate son. The emperor dotes on him so much that he can't wait to make him the crown prince. Not to mention that the Holy Prince is unlikely to rebel, the emperor should not be worried that he will rebel!
Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words about "using military power to enhance one's own importance," Xuanyuan Peng's face darkened instantly, clearly indicating that he did not like hearing these words.
Xuanyuan Yu seized the opportunity to step forward: "Father, I am willing to lead troops to the north to suppress the bandits!"
Not to be outdone, Xuanyuan Zhi stepped forward and volunteered: "Father, I am also willing to lead troops north to share your burdens."
Xuanyuan Peng glanced at the two men with a dark and displeased expression: "It is precisely because the Holy King is leading troops in Xiangnan to protect our southern border and is skilled in leading troops that he is more capable of completing this bandit suppression mission. As for the second and third sons, they have never led troops before, and the journey to the north is extremely dangerous. I am still not at ease with them."
Xuanyuan Peng's words first praised Xuanyuan Zhan's achievements, highlighting that he wasn't using his military power for personal gain, but rather leading troops to defend the border. Secondly, he expressed doubt about the abilities of his two sons, Xuanyuan Yu and Xuanyuan Zhi. Finally, he reiterated his fatherly concern for his two sons. This immediately silenced the assembled officials.
"Father..."
Xuanyuan Yu was still unwilling and wanted to say something more, but Xuanyuan Peng had already given him no chance to speak: "Alright, stop talking. My mind is made up! If I send the two of you to suppress the bandits, I will have to assign you a general. It would be better to send the Holy King directly, which would save us trouble."
"..." Xuan Yuan Yu looked at Xuan Yuan Peng angrily, then turned and glared at Xuan Yuan Zhan with a huff.
Father Emperor, what nice words you have! What do you mean you don't trust him and Xuanyuan Zhi to lead the troops? You just want to give the credit for the disaster relief and bandit suppression in the north to Xuanyuan Zhan. The more you say it in such a high-sounding way, the more infuriating it is!
They even said they'd never led troops before, but that's because he didn't give them a chance.
If he had favored them as much as he favored Xuanyuan Zhan, and had let them lead troops early on, how could they not have any experience in leading troops!
Once they were all silent, Xuanyuan Peng smiled and looked at Xuanyuan Zhan: "Holy King, receive the decree."
"Your subject is present."
Xuanyuan Zhan immediately stepped forward.
Xuanyuan Peng looked at Xuanyuan Zhan with satisfaction and announced the decree: "I hereby appoint Holy King Xuanyuan Zhan as Imperial Commissioner, leading an army of 100,000 and carrying 10,000 dan of grain, to go to the north to provide disaster relief and suppress bandits. I bestow upon him the Xuanwu Sword, which can be used to kill traitorous generals and ministers, and to kill corrupt officials!"
As soon as Xuanyuan Peng finished speaking, Zong Jiu descended the jade steps carrying a black bronze sword.
When the courtiers saw Xuanyuan Peng use the Xuanwu Sword, they instantly erupted in excitement once again.
"His Majesty has even brought out the Xuanwu Sword!"
"Legend has it that the Xuanwu Sword is a divine weapon, a national treasure of our Eastern Chu!"
"It is said that the Xuanyuan royal family has an unwritten rule that whoever obtains the Xuanwu Sword can succeed to the throne, which is more effective than an imperial edict of succession."
"If His Majesty is willing to give the Xuanwu Sword to the Holy Prince, then the position of Crown Prince must be..."
When Xuanyuan Yu saw that Xuanyuan Peng had even taken out the Xuanwu Sword, he immediately became anxious: "Father, how can you give the Xuanwu Sword to Xuanyuan Zhan? This Xuanwu Sword is meant to be passed down to all the emperors of Eastern Chu!"
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