si-mexico Chapter 598 The Emperor's Speculation
Chapter 598 The Emperor's Speculation
"I wonder what instructions the Emperor has?"
The prince, who was left alone, didn't understand what was going on and bowed with a puzzled look on his face.
The emperor stared at the prince and asked in a deep voice, "Who do you think robbed Chu Ning of the 10 million taels of silver?"
The prince's face changed drastically, and he immediately knelt on the ground: "Father, I swear that I did not do this."
This sum of money is related to the war situation on the front line. The emperor will not let off anyone who tries to take it.
In order to show his true feelings, the prince knelt down on the spot!
No one knows the emperor's character better than the prince. When there is no chance, the emperor is weak and can do anything to preserve his imperial power.
But once there is an opportunity to expand territory, the emperor's ambition will make him do everything he can to achieve his goal.
Anyone who disrupts the emperor's plan at this time will be killed by the emperor.
Therefore, the prince knew that he had to clear himself of suspicion.
Kneeling at this moment was not to admit defeat, but to dispel the emperor's suspicion.
The emperor seemed very satisfied with the prince's performance. He nodded slightly and said, "I know your ability very well. Besides, it is impossible for you to send people to rob the silver at this time."
Although the words were hurtful, the prince felt relieved.
As long as the emperor is not doing this for this matter, everything will be fine.
But the prince was also somewhat curious. If the emperor was not going to send an army to punish him, why did he leave him alone?
"Father, this matter is indeed a little strange. Who in this capital city has the ability to rob Chu Ning of his money?"
The prince was very puzzled and didn't understand who would dare to do something that would anger the emperor at such a critical moment.
You have to know that Chu Ning's guards are not vegetarians. It is not easy to snatch silver from them.
In addition, this matter would offend the emperor and might even affect the war situation on the front line, thus preventing other princes from going to Zhao's fiefdom. This would be a thankless task.
Who would do such a stupid thing after eating?
While thinking, the emperor sneered and said, "Yes, who in this capital city has the ability to do this, and who has the courage to do this?"
The prince thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Father, this matter should have nothing to do with the brothers. Most of them have been granted fiefs and will soon go to Zhao State. Doing this will not benefit them.
As for the noble families, after the destruction of the Xiahou family, they have become much more honest. After much thought, it seems that no one in Kyoto City can accomplish this."
"is it?"
The emperor sneered: "You forgot one person!"
The prince felt cold.
Forgot someone?
Who is this guy?
The prince racked his brains, but he couldn't think of who would be so bold as to do such a thing.
"I am a stupid son, please enlighten me, father." The prince gave up and asked for the answer directly.
The emperor shook his head in disappointment: "You forgot about Chu Ning!"
After hearing these words, the prince stood there dumbfounded.
Chu Ning?
Could it be that the Emperor suspects that Chu Ning staged and acted in this drama himself?
"Father, do you think Chu Ning himself sent someone to hide the silver?"
The prince came back to his senses and frowned, "But this is not right. What good will this do for him?"
Once the news gets out, Chu Ning's reputation will be damaged. Besides, this is not a glorious thing, so how could Chu Ning have done it himself?
"Don't you understand yet?"
The emperor's eyes were cold, and he sneered: "Once the silver is robbed, the battle situation on the front line will definitely be affected, and the enfeoffment will be suspended.
The purpose of doing this is nothing more than to prevent the princes from going to Zhao State's fiefdom. He wants to be in charge of Zhao State alone!"
The prince only reacted at this moment.
If the princes are unable to go to their fiefdoms in Zhao State, and the officials of Bingzhou arrive in Zhao State first, they will definitely govern there in advance.
Even if the princes later went there, the people's hearts had already been bought by the Bingzhou officials.
In this matter, Chu Ning will have the upper hand!
Once Chu Ning takes control of the State of Zhao, with his ability to make money, he will definitely be welcomed by the people of Zhao, and no one will be able to go to the fiefdom of Zhao in the future.
The prince's face changed drastically when he realized what was happening: "Father, do you think the King of Chu has rebellious intentions?"
"Rebellious intentions? He may not have any."
The emperor sneered, "But, it is certain that he wants to control the State of Zhao alone, so you must find out that Chu Ning hid the silver himself, understand?"
The prince frowned: "But, what if Chu Ning didn't do it?"
The emperor looked at the prince coldly and snorted, "You are such a blockhead, why can't you open your mind?
You have to find the money before Chu Ning does, and find a way to prove that Chu Ning hid it himself, understand?"
The meaning is clear. No matter who did it, the responsibility must be put on Chu Ning.
In a word, this incident was directed and acted by Chu Ning himself.
So, on the surface, Chu Ning was asked to investigate the robbery of the silver, but in fact, the purpose was to distract Chu Ning so that the prince could operate secretly.
The prince reacted and was overjoyed.
The emperor still trusts him, otherwise he would not have given this matter to him.
"Don't worry, Father. I know what to do!"
"It's good that you understand. After all, you are the prince. From now on, the world of Chu belongs to you. Do you understand?"
"My son, please remember your father's teachings!"
The emperor nodded in satisfaction: "Okay, go down and make the arrangements."
"My son, please retire."
The prince, with an excited look on his face, immediately withdrew, and then sent someone to summon his confidants He Peng and Yang Yuntao to discuss the matter.
Half an hour later, East Palace.
He Peng and Yang Yuntao shouted in unison: "Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
The prince laughed loudly and said, "My lords, there is no need to be polite. I have something important to discuss with you."
Afterwards, the prince briefly recounted what had happened last night and the emperor’s intentions.
He Peng smiled happily after hearing this: "So, His Majesty still trusts you, Your Highness the Crown Prince. As long as we find the silver in advance this time, the King of Chu will have no excuses!"
But compared to He Peng who was full of excitement, Yang Yuntao said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, I feel that this matter is a little strange. From what Your Majesty said, it seems that there is another purpose."
The prince frowned: "Master Yang, just speak frankly."
Yang Yuntao narrowed his eyes and said helplessly: "If Your Highness cannot find out where the silver went before the King of Chu, how should this matter be handled?"
"This..." The prince was stunned. He had not expected this.
If it was an ordinary matter, it would be fine if it was not found out, but this time the emperor gave a death order, requiring him to find out before Chu Ning.
If they can't find out, all their plans will be in vain.
While thinking, Yang Yuntao continued, "I think that His Majesty wants you, the Crown Prince, to pay the money. Once the King of Chu makes some progress, you can only pretend to find the money and put the blame on the King of Chu!"
Now, the prince finally understood.
It turns out that this is the emperor's real purpose.
Although this matter will bring him benefits, it will come at a certain price.
Ten million taels of silver is no small sum!
The prince's face suddenly turned gloomy.
He thought he had gotten a good job, but he didn't expect it was a trap set by the emperor for him.
"Father, this move is really powerful!"
The prince said coldly: "On the one hand, you used me to suppress Chu Ning and asked me to be grateful and thank you. On the other hand, you asked me to pay the money myself."
There is no doubt that once Chu Ning falls, the 10 million taels of silver he paid will definitely have to be turned over to the national treasury.
The emperor is killing two birds with one stone!
The prince was suddenly in a dilemma.