Hongshi and Guanbin plotted for a while, taking into account the local customs, people, and geography of each place. Finally, they chose a place called Geshan Village. This place had few water sources around it, and the disaster was more severe than in other places.
After selecting the location, Guan Bin ordered the food supply to Geshan Village to be stopped. Hong Shi thought for a moment and said, "If you're going to do it, do it thoroughly. Why don't you find a few people to disguise themselves as bandits, go to Geshan Village, and rob all their food from house to house! Then, under the guise of protecting them, don't let anyone leave the village."
Guan Bin said with some difficulty, "Your Highness, won't this lead to someone's death?"
Hongshi sneered, "It's better if someone dies. That way, the court will take it seriously, and I can gain merit in front of Father Emperor." Then he waved his hand and said, "Hurry up and do it!"
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately." After leaving the house, Guan Bin glanced back inside, his face full of disdain: Can such a person become emperor? The person that the Duke of Yingguo and the Eighth Prince want to support is just like this.
After finalizing the plan, Hongshi was very happy. Linlang brought in some snacks and asked, "Master, what makes you so happy? Can you tell Linlang about it?"
As Hongshi ate the pastries Linlang fed him, he asked her, "Do you want to be an imperial concubine?"
Linlang thought that Hongshi was going to offer her to the Emperor, which would ruin the Eighth Prince's plan, so she quickly knelt down, hugged Hongshi's legs, and cried with tears streaming down her face, which was heartbreaking to see.
"My lord, Linlang only wants to stay with you for the rest of her life. Please don't send Linlang away. As long as I can stay by your side, Linlang will serve you as your servant! My lord!" Linlang cried.
Hongshi knew he had misunderstood, so he helped Linlang up and let her sit on his lap, putting one arm around her and wiping away her tears with the other.
"How could I send you away? You're so wonderful, I'm too busy taking care of you!"
Linlang stopped sobbing and asked, "So what do you mean?"
"I'm asking if you want to be my imperial concubine?" Hongshi asked.
Linlang replied in surprise, "Yes, of course I want to! I dream about it all the time, so that I can stay with you, Prince, for the rest of my life." After saying that, Linlang put her arms around Hongshi's neck and pressed her alluring lips to his neck.
Hongshi smiled and replied, "Okay, okay, you'll be by my side for the rest of your life."
But Linlang's lips were fiery, yet her eyes were icy cold, and her hands were extremely seductive, making Hongshi unable to resist. He carried her to the bed, where they spent a warm night in the boudoir.
A few days later, rumors began to circulate in Kaifeng that Geshan Village had been robbed by bandits. The villagers reported the incident to the government office, and the officials promised to send soldiers to guard the area.
Hearing that things were going smoothly, Hongshi was very satisfied. He praised Guan Bin highly, saying that he would never forget him after he became the crown prince. Guan Bin also stopped the food supply to Geshan Village, leaving the village without food, and soldiers guarding the entrance to the village. The villagers, unaware of what was happening, began to panic.
A few days later, Guan Bin reported to Hong Shi that some elderly and frail villagers could no longer hold on.
Hongshi told him to wait a little longer. He said that as long as someone died, it would incite a popular uprising, and then he could step in to quell it. This way, he could gain merit in front of his father, the Emperor.
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