Chapter 456 Difficulties
All the officials turned to look at him. This Prince Zhong had always been respectful and humble to the Emperor, and utterly loyal. This time, being stationed in the northern frontier, although it certainly wouldn't be as comfortable as being a leisurely prince in the capital, he was still, at least, the local emperor of the northern frontier.
He could both be loyal to the emperor and achieve political success.
They had assumed that Prince Zhong would be happy to agree.
But now, Prince Zhong actually rejected the emperor directly in front of all the civil and military officials during the morning court session.
This behavior is tantamount to disobeying an imperial order!
All the officials were holding their breath for him, but Wen Zhiming showed no anger on his face. He simply asked gently, "Can't I go? Why not?"
The more gentle his attitude was, the more ashamed Wen Kehao felt.
"Your Majesty, I have my own reasons and I beg you to rescind your decree."
If he had known this task would fall to him, he shouldn't have just watched the show; he should have done everything in his power to stop it. Now that the matter is settled, it's no longer appropriate to object.
After a thousand thoughts raced through his mind, Wen Kehao stammered, "Why must a prince be sent to guard the northern frontier? A general or another official could be sent instead..."
The officials were even more puzzled. Could it be that Prince Zhong's past respect and loyalty were all an act, that he only wanted to be comfortable and at ease, and that he was now unwilling to do anything serious?
The Emperor has already spoken; how can he refuse to go if he doesn't want to?
Moreover, this matter is different from electing local officials.
The fact that the letter from the Blue Feather Kingdom stated that both countries had sent princes to garrison the area has its own significance.
The capital city is also known as the deputy capital. Once this matter is accomplished, the northern frontier will be equivalent to the second capital of the Golden Moon. The people who govern this place can only be members of the royal family.
Aside from having specific tasks, this situation is similar to a vassal king going to his fiefdom.
What general or officer would dare to take on this task?
Seeing this, Meng Xingyuan said, "Prince Zhong has not yet reacted when he first heard the news. If His Majesty gives him another two or three days, he will surely come to his senses."
Wen Zhiming's expression was unreadable, but he nodded upon hearing this.
"Then let's do as Prime Minister Meng says and give Prince Zhong three days. After three days, we will muster 50,000 soldiers to go to the northern frontier with Prince Zhong."
Wen Kehao wanted to refuse, but since they were in the imperial court at the time, if he repeatedly rejected his brother's decree, even if his brother wanted to protect him, the court officials would object.
He nodded in confusion, intending to explain to his elder brother after the officials left, but after thinking about it, he realized he couldn't confide his troubles to his brother. So he hurriedly returned to the Prince's Mansion to find Su Leyan for help.
The two brothers were in complete agreement on this point; Wen Zhiming went to Fengyi Palace to find his wife as soon as he finished court.
Meng Lingge had already prepared tea and fruit, and when she saw Wen Zhiming come in, she first handed him the tea.
"You must be thirsty from talking all morning. Sit down and have some tea."
Sunlight streamed into the room, and Meng Lingge looked up at him, her face bathed in a soft glow.
Afraid that Meng Lingge would get too much sun, Wen Zhiming got up and moved to a spot in the sunlight, where he could completely block out the light for her.
Seeing him like this, Meng Lingge couldn't help but laugh.
"Wouldn't it be better if we closed the doors and windows, or if we both sat on the side where there was no sunlight, so that neither of us would get sunburned?"
Wen Zhiming's expression was very serious.
"no the same."
Sometimes he likes to do simple, silly things for his wife. This behavior is not in line with his status, but it makes him inexplicably happy.
Meng Lingge didn't dwell on the matter and pushed the fruit towards Wen Zhiming. She asked excitedly and expectantly.
"How's it going?"
Seeing how anxious she was, Wen Zhiming couldn't help but smile slightly.
He gestured with his eyes towards the fruits in front of him and gave instructions.
"Feed me."
Meng Lingge was eager to hear the progress of the matter, and upon hearing this, she obediently took an apricot from the plate and fed it to Wen Zhiming.
The man's smile deepened.
After slowly and carefully finishing the apricots, he whispered under Meng Lingge's warning gaze.
"Only the first step has been completed so far."
Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge's plan to leave the palace was to do so openly and legitimately. Only in this way would their relatives and friends in the capital not be affected, and they would no longer have to worry about being recognized when they traveled outside.
But it's not easy to do that.
After years of planning and deliberation, Wen Zhiming finally came up with a way to resolve the conflict between the two countries and leave openly and legitimately.
Meng Xingyuan guessed correctly. The idea of building a separate capital, opening a trade market, and requiring a prince to be stationed there was not proposed by Mo Siyan, but by Wen Zhiming.
Wen Zhiming helped Mo Siyan ascend the throne not only because Mo Sixuan was his greatest rival, but also because his investigations over the past few years had convinced him that Mo Siyan was the prince most likely to accept his proposal.
As he expected, Mo Siyan acted swiftly, and after dealing with Mo Sixuan, he had Gu Yan bring back the letter he needed.
Using Mo Siyan to propose this plan, and then using the economic situation in the northern border to get the ministers to agree to it, is only the first step in the plan.
The most crucial and important step is to abdicate the throne to Wen Kehao, allowing him to succeed to the throne, and to make Wen Kehao a prince stationed in the northern border.
From the very beginning, Wen Zhiming knew that Wen Kehao could not be stationed in the Northern Frontier, because the journey was too long, and once Wen Kehao set off, his secret would be impossible to keep.
Meng Lingge picked up her teacup and took a sip, her expression solemn.
What was Prince Zhong's reaction?
Wen Zhiming smiled and said, "At first, my third brother thought this matter had nothing to do with him. He only realized it when I asked him to go to the northern border to guard the border. He said he had no choice but to decline repeatedly. In the end, I gave him three days and asked him to go to the northern border on time in three days."
This guy tricked his own brother and is still secretly laughing here.
It's hard to say whether Wen Kehao is lucky or unlucky to have such an older brother.
Meng Lingge turned her head and said seriously, "What if Prince Zhong refuses to reveal his secret and insists on going to the northern frontier?"
Wen Zhiming raised an eyebrow and said, "Then I'll have to find someone to leak his secret. However, I reckon he might stubbornly refuse to tell, but Su Leyan won't let him take any risks and will come to you to discuss it."
To ensure the success of this plan, it is essential to understand the personalities of all those involved.
Wen Zhiming picked up a slice of honeydew melon, fed Meng Lingge a bite first, and then gave her instructions while she tasted it.
"The reason for abdicating the throne to my third brother is not only because he is the most suitable and the one I trust the most, but also because his situation requires the throne. We are planning for ourselves, but at the same time we are helping Prince Zhong and his wife. So you must not be swayed by Su Leyan's words and give up. Otherwise, not only will our plan fail, but they will not be able to hold out for long either."
At first, Wen Zhiming thought that Wen Kehao, like him, only had one wife.
Therefore, he originally did not intend to abdicate in favor of Wen Kehao. He did not want Wen Kehao and Su Leyan to experience the suffering of being forced by the court officials to select concubines.
He changed his mind only after his secret guards discovered a secret at the Prince Zhong's residence.
Meng Lingge nodded, and was about to speak when she heard a palace maid rushing over.
"Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Prince Zhong requests an audience."
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