In officialdom, it is very difficult to remain neutral.
Zhou Wencheng's situation was even more unique. He was not involved in the struggle between different factions, but rather in the power struggle between the emperor and the deposed crown prince.
Zhou Wencheng was determined to be a loyal subject and a staunch royalist.
However, deep down he wasn't truly fearless or reckless.
He wanted a good reputation and he also wanted to protect his family, which made him timid and hesitant.
Ultimately, it has led to the current awkward situation of "Pigsy looking in the mirror, neither inside nor outside being human."
Zhou Wencheng could only comfort himself in a way that was almost self-deceptive: I'll just be a good official who is wholeheartedly for the people, there can't be anything wrong with that!
The reality is: something is wrong!
Because once there is a major upheaval in the court, the people's hearts and minds are completely unimportant!
Zhou Wencheng still couldn't have it both ways.
Or, become a "traitorous villain";
Alternatively, one could sacrifice their entire family to gain a reputation for loyalty;
Zhou Wencheng was once again caught in a dilemma.
"Father, it's truly a difficult decision!"
Zhou Jiao'e was no ordinary woman; she was educated and often listened to her father discuss politics.
The key is that she's smart enough!
Zhou Jiao'e knew very well that there was no such thing as a perfect solution in this world!
Fame and fortune, you always have to choose one.
No! That's not right either!
If you bet right, you can gain both fame and fortune.
Between the sage and the King of Yue, as long as the victor is chosen correctly, there is a chance to achieve both.
The winner takes all.
For example, this palace coup is both a crisis and an opportunity.
Helian Jue's early arrival in Beijing must have been due to his unique information channels.
The Prince of Yue's residence may have been prepared for this all along.
Perhaps, the King of Yue can win!
Once the King of Yue ascended the throne, those who chose to follow him would naturally become meritorious officials.
What traitors and rebels!
History books are written by the victors.
Moreover, the King of Yue was the son of a sage, and he had served as the crown prince for over twenty years.
To try and steal it again is simply to return it to its rightful owner!
And there was also the Princess Consort of Yue.
Zhou Jiao'e had dealt with this first lady of Yuezhou, and she greatly admired the Yue Princess's competence.
"Those who are virtuous will find many helpers." The fact that King Yue had such a capable queen and was willing to trust her completely was enough to make him halfway to success.
The remaining half depends on various factors such as timing, location, and human factors.
Although there is still an element of gambling involved, the odds of winning are already very high.
Zhou Jiao'e thought that her father could give it a try!
If you still hesitate and think about not helping either side, then you will really miss a good opportunity.
And the Zhou family will probably stay in Lingnan for the rest of their lives!
Zhou Jiao'e refused!
She loved the hustle and bustle of Beijing, but also missed her close friends, relatives, and old acquaintances.
Under the rule of the King of Yue's Palace, Yuezhou was also doing very well.
But this isn't my hometown after all!
"...Never mind! I'll go and keep an eye on the promotion of the curved plow."
Zhou Wencheng remained indecisive as always.
After much deliberation, he simply did what an ostrich does and buried his head in the sand.
Zhou Jiao'e: ...Father doesn't make any decisions!
I dare!
However, to ensure her plan would go smoothly, Zhou Jiao'e did not tell her father.
She went directly to her grandmother.
Compared to Zhou Wencheng's contradictions and weakness, Zhou's mother was much more assertive.
Come to think of it, as a widow, being able to raise her son, support his education, and help him enter officialdom, she was definitely not an ordinary woman.
"Grandma, that's just how things are right now!"
"In the three years since you came to Lingnan, you must have seen firsthand the temperaments of His Highness the Prince of Yue and His Highness the Princess Consort."
"Grandma, I only have one question for you: do you think His Highness Prince Yue has a chance to go to the capital this time?"
Zhou's mother didn't rush to speak; she slowly processed the news her granddaughter had brought back.
Then, she began to recall what she had seen and heard over the past three years—
Putting aside everything else, the personal guards of the Prince of Yue's mansion alone are extremely convincing.
Back when we first left the capital, the Yue Prince's mansion only had three hundred trusted confidants and five hundred old, weak, sick, and disabled people.
While they were still on their way, Princess Xie of Yue, with her superb skills, trained five hundred old, weak, sick and disabled people into elite soldiers.
Perhaps there is still room for improvement in actual combat, but in terms of appearance, the five hundred people seem to have been reborn.
Zhou's mother didn't say anything, but she secretly admired this method of "training troops."
Later, upon arriving in Lingnan, Zhou's mother was full of praise for the various actions taken by the Yue King's Mansion.
Sometimes, Zhou's mother wondered: What exactly are the King and Queen of Yue trying to achieve by developing the region and recruiting soldiers?
The word "rebellion" rushed into Zhou's mother's mind, but she dared not say it aloud.
In Zhou's mother's view, even if there is no palace coup in the capital, given the momentum of the Yue King and his wife's development, they will raise an army within five years!
That was the real act of treason.
This time, at least the King of Yue had the Queen's decree, so it wasn't so blatant!
"Jiao'e, what do you want to do?"
Suppressing her inner thoughts, Zhou's mother asked the question directly.
"Three years ago, Her Highness the Princess wanted to select me to be a lady-in-waiting, but unfortunately, I missed my chance!"
Looking into her grandmother's eyes, Zhou Jiao'e said earnestly, "Grandma, your grandson wants to follow in the footsteps of the Princess!"
She chose the Prince of Yue's residence!
Zhou's mother's face was ashen as she weighed the matter repeatedly.
Alas, my son is too indecisive, while my granddaughter is quite opinionated.
Well, let's give it a shot. It's better than having the whole family stuck in Lingnan.
My granddaughters are getting old and need to get married.
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