Chapter 535 Test
Emperor Jing'an summoned the ministers who were sent to Northern Qi to welcome the bride in Taiji Hall. After listening to their reports one by one, he asked the ministers to return home and have a good rest, leaving Prince Yu alone.
"I know you faced many hardships on your diplomatic mission to Northern Qi. I apologize for the burden you've endured." Emperor Jing'an stood up and slowly walked to Prince Yu's side. "You provided a lot of support to Yi'er during your time in Northern Qi. I'm very pleased."
Emperor Jing'an originally suspected that it was Prince Yu who attacked Prince Rui. After all, Prince Rui reported Prince Yu for privately manufacturing weapons and eliminated Prince Yu's minions one by one. Given Prince Yu's vengeful nature, how could he not retaliate?
What's more, Prince Rui and Prince Yu are also having conflicts of interest.
However, when he sent people to investigate, they found out that King Rui had fallen from his horse and suffered a head injury due to an accident, and he never regained consciousness.
It is no wonder that Emperor Jing'an is suspicious of Prince Yu, because in Prince Yu's eyes, there is no distinction between good and evil, and he always puts his own interests first.
Even if you fight to the death with the other party for profit today, you will lend a hand to the other party for profit tomorrow.
At the beginning, Prince Yu regarded Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan as obstacles to his becoming the crown prince, and he wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Now that Zhao Yi had gone to Northern Qi, he no longer had any conflicts of interest with Prince Yu. Far from opposing Zhao Yi, Prince Yu instead helped him gain a firm foothold in Northern Qi.
On the one hand, Zhao Yi stayed in Northern Qi and no longer posed a threat to Prince Yu.
On the other hand, Prince Yu hopes that Emperor Jing'an will be more inclined towards him when choosing the crown prince because of his help to Zhao Yi.
So when Prince Rui got into trouble, Emperor Jing'an immediately suspected Prince Yu.
"Father, this is my duty," Prince Yu said in a gentle and respectful tone. "As a matter of courtesy, my cousin is my aunt's only bloodline, and I must protect his safety. Logically, if my cousin can become the new emperor of Northern Qi, he won't start a war with Great Zhou. An alliance between the two countries would also benefit Great Zhou's recovery."
Emperor Jing'an couldn't help but look at Prince Yu again, vaguely realizing that his son had changed.
But I couldn't tell exactly what had changed.
"Before, Northern Qi was defeated and intended to make peace with Great Zhou, forming an alliance and sharing peace. I sent you to Northern Qi to personally welcome the bride, which was enough to demonstrate Great Zhou's sincerity. However, Northern Qi did not take Great Zhou seriously, sending secret guards to hunt you down along the way. Not only did they want to kill you, they also wanted to use your cousin to sow discord between me and the King of Zhenbei, and then launch an uprising against Great Zhou."
At this point, Emperor Jing'an angrily said, "You and Princess Guangning haven't even married yet, so this marriage can still be annulled. Jing'er, what are your thoughts on this marriage?"
Prince Yu's heart was in turmoil. He didn't know whether Emperor Jing'an mentioned this marriage to test him, or was he really angry about the Northern Qi Emperor's actions and was unwilling to marry into Northern Qi again?
But now he personally brought Princess Guangning back to the Great Zhou, placed her in Huitong Hall, and was just waiting for the wedding.
This marriage concerns the national system, how can it be abandoned so easily?
Besides, rumors were circulating throughout the Northern Qi court and the public that the Right Pillar State had imprisoned the Northern Qi emperor and controlled the government, making life miserable for the people. The people requested Zhao Yi to raise an army to attack the Right Pillar State and rescue the Northern Qi emperor.
Regardless of whether the rumors are true or false, as long as Zhao Yi takes this opportunity to raise troops, the Right Pillar State will be convicted of conspiracy to usurp the throne, and the Emperor of Northern Qi will not survive.
In this way, Zhao Yi not only broke the situation of the Northern Qi Emperor, but also seized the throne naturally.
Thinking of this, Prince Yu's eyes sank slightly, and then he thought a little bolder.
Perhaps, the matter of Right Pillar of the State was originally a trap set by Zhao Yi and others for the Emperor of Northern Qi.
Otherwise, Zhao Yi will be in a dilemma.
Or, attack the Great Zhou.
Or, die a violent death.
Prince Yu gathered his thoughts and said respectfully, "I have no other ideas and will follow your father's instructions."
Whether Emperor Jing'an was testing him with this marriage or really wanted to cancel it, it was not something he could express his opinion at will.
When Zhao Yi becomes the new emperor of Northern Qi, the relationship between Northern Qi and Great Zhou will only become closer and closer.
By then, Emperor Jing'an would naturally forget the unpleasantness brought to him by the Emperor of Northern Qi.
When Emperor Jing'an heard Prince Yu's answer, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
Prince Yu was as cautious as ever, leaving no room for gossip.
In the eyes of Emperor Jing'an, Prince Yu had no chance of becoming emperor simply based on what he had done to Qingzhou.
Now, Prince Yu's mood seems to have changed slightly.
Emperor Jing'an was silent for a moment, then asked, "Jing'er, in your opinion, given the current situation of the Great Zhou, how should we govern the country?"
Prince Yu's heart trembled, sensing an unusual signal from this sentence.
If nothing unexpected happens, the emperor must be testing him.
He pondered for a moment, then cautiously replied according to Emperor Jing'an's statecraft: "Given the current situation of the Great Zhou, it is inappropriate to start a war. We should rest and recuperate. In my humble opinion, we should listen to the opinions of all, listen to the ideas and suggestions of officials and the people. We should seek out talented people, allowing them to display their abilities and strengthen the Great Zhou. Strict laws will deter treacherous and evildoers from acting recklessly, and only then will the Great Zhou be peaceful. Secondly, we should develop water conservancy projects, reclaim wasteland, and ensure the people live and work in peace. Only when the country is prosperous can we have a strong army and a strong cavalry."
Upon hearing the familiar policy of statecraft, Emperor Jing'an smiled slightly and said, "The people are safe and the country is prosperous. You make a lot of sense." After a pause, he continued, "Let me test you again. I'm organizing an autumn hunt. The person who kills the most prey will win the prize. One person killed the most prey, a full twenty. Another person didn't kill any prey, but only captured a few alive. In your opinion, who should receive the prize?"
Prince Yu lowered his eyes slightly, and Emperor Jing'an continued to test him. It was obvious that he was not satisfied with his previous answers and wanted to hear his true thoughts.
In particular, the example that Emperor Jing'an used to test him was an actual incident that happened during the winter hunt two years ago.
At that time, he shot the most prey, and the third prince captured three prey alive.
Logically, the reward should be given to him.
Prince Rui said, "Third brother, you cannot bear to kill and have a benevolent heart. This reward should go to you. Our father ruled the country with benevolence, earning the love and support of the people. Third brother has emulated our father's style. We should follow your example."
All the ministers agreed with Prince Rui's suggestion, and finally the reward was given to the third prince.
The next day, all the prey that the third prince had captured alive died.
Many people suspected that he did it.
When Prince Yu thought of this incident, anger surged in his heart.
Although he is not a good person, he would not do such a lowly thing.
In his opinion, the third prince was the same type of person as him and was the most hypocritical.
Prince Yu pondered for a moment, then said carefully, "Father, rewards and punishments are clearly defined. The person who kills the most prey should be awarded first place, but the person who captures the prey alive, showing compassion and not wanting to kill, should be given a different reward."
Prince Yu's answer was extremely fair as far as the rules of this hunting game were concerned, and there was nothing wrong with it.
The reason why Emperor Jing'an brought up this old matter again to test Prince Yu was to see whether Prince Yu's mood had really changed.
Obviously, from Prince Yu's answer, it can still be seen that Prince Yu pays attention to rules and does not care about morality, so he does not approve of giving the reward to those who catch the prey alive.
Giving a separate reward to those who catch the prey alive is just to please him and pass his test.
Emperor Jing'an knew very well that his son was very intelligent, shrewd, and resourceful, and was very suitable to be emperor.
It’s a pity that he lacks the two most important qualities: benevolence and magnanimity.
Emperor Jing'an sighed in his heart that no matter how much a person changes, he cannot change his nature.
This is Prince Yu's nature.
"You're right. Rules can't be broken, but those with pure and kind character should also be encouraged." Emperor Jing'an patted Prince Yu on the shoulder. "As for the marriage, the Great Zhou has always been a place of propriety. The overall situation should be prioritized. Choose an auspicious day to welcome Princess Guangning into the palace."
Prince Yu responded, "I obey your command."
"You've been exhausted from the journey. Go back home and rest well." Emperor Jing'an waved his hand and said, "Withdraw."
"Yes, I will take my leave."
Prince Yu bowed and left the Taiji Hall. Looking at the long staircase, his expression gradually grew colder.
What Emperor Jing'an wanted was not an answer, but to see through his heart through the answer.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
