If the soldiers aren't getting enough to eat, it's because of improper transport of supplies... or because someone is holding a position without doing any work and lining their own pockets. But all of this was handled by the Ministry of Revenue. He had checked the supplies with the Minister of Revenue before they were transported away from the Ministry of Revenue, and there would only be more, not less.
The problem now is simply that there isn't enough food for the soldiers, or that the food was lost along the way.
Fourth Master remained silent, only to hear Third Master, standing beside him, add: "I heard it was General Liu Hu and Admiral Yin Huaxing who mishandled the rebellion..."
What does this have to do with the Crown Prince?
Fourth Master remembered that the Yao people's rebellion in Lianzhou and Yangzhou had occurred last year. At that time, the Yao people were very arrogant in places like Litong and Youling, and even surrounded and killed a court general and his subordinates.
Only then did the imperial court appoint Minister Song Zhu as general, and order Yin Huaxing and the governors of Guangxi and Hunan to send troops to suppress the rebellion.
Prince Zhi was appointed by the Emperor as a semi-supervisor. If he made a contribution, he would naturally be rewarded; if he failed, Prince Zhi would not be punished too much.
However, if we consider the imperial court's dispatch of troops to quell the rebellion last year as an example, then suppressing the Yao people's rebellion this time can be considered a tough nut to crack.
Shortchanging people on grain is one thing, but if the higher-ups set an example, then the lower-downs will follow suit. Historically, no dynasty has ever been without corrupt officials…
However, if the Yao people remain a threat for too long, then the food supplies will naturally run out...
As Fourth Master was pondering this, he caught a glimpse of Su Peisheng approaching from a distance, and he made a gesture without making a sound.
Now that Su Peisheng has returned, it seems he has already found out some inside information. However, after hearing what the Third and Ninth Masters said, Fourth Master can guess most of the details.
It was simply that the lower-ranking officials were corrupt and delayed the pacification, so the Emperor took his anger out on the Crown Prince.
This wasn't the first time the Crown Prince had been criticized for this matter. Although it might not have been directly related to him, and he might have been completely unaware of the corruption and inaction, failing to properly supervise his subordinates was still a mistake.
When this thought popped into his mind, even the Fourth Prince was startled. After all, based on his previous understanding, how could the Crown Prince have made a mistake?
But now, the Fourth Prince actually has the idea that the Crown Prince has made a mistake.
The rain was getting heavier and heavier. Su Peisheng went to inquire about the news. At this moment, Fulu was holding an umbrella next to Fourth Master. However, the rain was so heavy that raindrops blew in with the wind, and most of Fulu's body was in the rain.
Fourth Master simply took the umbrella from Fu Lu's hand, and at the same time gestured for Fu Lu to retreat to Su Peisheng's side first.
The chill and dampness mingled and clung to the exposed skin, then seeped into the heart, making one feel cold all over.
Before anyone knew when the Emperor had arrived, everyone outside the palace, shrouded in rain, involuntarily held their breath.
The rain was so loud that even when the Emperor arrived and stopped in front of the Crown Prince, no one could hear what the Emperor and the Crown Prince were saying.
Fourth Master also looked at the father and son. He never dared to imagine that the Crown Prince would be in such a situation before. Now he gradually understood that even the most loving father and son could turn against each other one day.
He suddenly felt a chill, and his hands under his sleeves unconsciously clenched tightly.
After a moment, the Emperor seemed to reach out his hand, but the Crown Prince remained kneeling upright.
After a long while, His Majesty raised his hand and brushed the water-drenched sleeves off the Crown Prince's shoulder. Without turning back, he went straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Third Master let out an "Ah," clearly surprised but also seemingly unsatisfied.
Fifth Master muttered to himself, "So, are we just going to wait here like this?"
The Eighth Prince frowned, staring at the Crown Prince's kneeling back as if deep in thought.
Ninth Prince and Fifth Prince were under the umbrella together when they heard Fifth Prince muttering something and chuckled: "Going to Mother's for zongzi? Or if that doesn't work, going to Cining Palace?"
Fifth Master glared at him.
But at this moment, they really didn't know what to do.
Let's go, Father hasn't given any orders yet. If we don't leave, will we just stay here and wait?
In the end, it was Liang Jiugong who came out of the hall to rescue the gentlemen. He bowed respectfully and then said to the Third Prince, "His Majesty invites you in to speak. This way, please..."
He made a gesture of invitation as he spoke.
Third Master immediately puffed out his chest, then bowed to Fourth Master and the others, his face beaming with an undisguised smile: "Brothers, please be patient, I'll take my leave first..."
Fourth Master returned the greeting, still standing ramrod straight in the rain.
Holding an umbrella, Liang Jiugong had the eunuch lead the Third Master to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and then said to the Fourth Master and the others, "His Majesty said that this matter has nothing to do with you gentlemen. The weather is not good today, so you gentlemen should go back first."
He made another gesture of invitation, but it was extremely difficult to discern anything from Liang Jiugong's face.
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince all agreed. The Fourth Prince did not linger and took the lead in leaving with his men. However, he did not leave the palace but went to the Imperial Study.
If the Fourth Prince had just come out of the Qianqing Palace and then immediately went to the Yonghe Palace, it would have been too conspicuous.
The Fourth Prince decided to give some instructions to the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Princes, as the Emperor's mood had likely been poor these past few days.
However, he was still a little uncomfortable after arriving at the Imperial Study. Thirteen and Fourteen had not yet finished their studies, so the Fourth Prince waited outside while giving instructions to Su Peisheng.
"Once the Crown Prince gets up, send him some warm clothes, and also find some knee pads and medicinal wine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Send them to Yuqing Palace later."
Su Peisheng couldn't help but say, "If His Majesty isn't appeased, who knows how much the Crown Prince will have to kneel down..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Fourth Master gave him a cold look.
Su Peisheng silently bowed and agreed.
With no one around, the Fourth Prince stood in the pavilion outside the Imperial Study and asked Su Peisheng what he had found out.
Just as Third Brother and Ninth Brother had said, the battle to quell the rebellion was indeed critical. Prince Zhi personally led the troops to suppress the rebellion, but was seriously injured and is still unconscious.
No wonder the Emperor was so furious.
"Who is most implicated in the embezzlement of grain and supplies so far?"
"I heard it's the Hesheli clan and some collateral branches," Su Peisheng whispered.
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