Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 880: Chapter 27: The Deposed Crown Prince Is Killed (3)

Before coming to Lingnan, Zhao Yao visited the Royal Garden to see the deposed Crown Prince’s family. With the care of Prince Chu and Prince Wei, his elder brother’s family was faring quite well.

Although the deposed Crown Prince’s family was trapped in the Royal Mansion, doomed never to leave for a lifetime, they were neither resentful nor bitter; on the contrary, they lived very comfortably. When Zhao Yao went to visit him, he was shocked by his serene demeanor.

In Zhao Yao’s view, the deposed Crown Prince seemed not only detached from worldly affairs but almost enlightened. His elder brother spent his days reciting sutras, copying Buddhist scriptures, then writing essays, and painting. He also compiled numerous books that were well-liked by scholars.

Zhao Yao told the deposed Crown Prince he was going to Lingnan. His elder brother didn’t discourage him from going to Lingnan; instead, he said it was a good place to go and advised Zhao Yao to stay there and not return to the capital.

The deposed Crown Prince had nothing valuable to give Zhao Yao, so he gifted him some books that he personally annotated and compiled.

"That would depend on whether Prince Chu and Prince Wei can protect the deposed Crown Prince."

"Fourth brother and eighth brother joining forces will surely manage it."

He Lianfang smiled ambiguously and did not pursue the topic further.

"In early February, Lao Gao will return to Great Zhou with the gold, so you need to quickly arrange to dig the underground vault."

"We’ll dig the vault after the Lantern Festival," Zhao Yao asked, "Earlier, I instructed Uncle Gao to bring back some slaves from Japan; did he manage it?" Compared to buying slaves from Siam or Annan, it would be better to directly acquire people from Japan as slaves, which wouldn’t cost anything.

"Naturally, he will handle what you’ve entrusted," He Lianfang said, "He’s already secured ten thousand laborers for you. If you feel it’s insufficient, he will arrange another ten thousand."

"Ten thousand laborers indeed," Zhao Yao exclaimed with a face full of joy, "That will suffice for now." Ten thousand laborers could accomplish many things. Most importantly, there was no need to treat them kindly or spend a lot of food to sustain them. They could be used like mules. "By the way, how is the situation in Japan?"

"Lao Gao has already controlled Japan’s Kansai. Without surprises, he should control Kantou this year as well," He Lianfang suggested, "Lao Gao mentioned he would need you to send people to help manage Japan."

"Second uncle, make the arrangements then, send more people to Uncle Gao for him to take to Japan."

"Sure, I’ll be selecting some competent people during this period," He Lianfang finished the liquor in his hand, poured himself a cup of strong tea. He picked up the teacup, sipped a couple of times, then asked, "With Lao Gao’s ability, within two years, he could completely subdue the entirety of Japan. Do you plan to turn Japan into a vassal state of Great Zhou, or will it become your Prince Han’s backyard?"

"Ah?" Zhao Yao was taken aback by He Lianfang’s question. He only considered conquering Japan, but never thought of making it his backyard.

"Are you really planning to hand Japan over to the court?"

Zhao Yao was somewhat puzzled by He Lianfang’s meaning, counter-questioning: "Shouldn’t I present it to the court?"

"Japan is a conquest entirely planned by you; the court didn’t contribute anything. Are you really willing to present Japan to the court?" Although Japan was a tiny territory, it had an inexhaustible amount of gold and silver, making handing it over to the court a loss in He Lianfang’s view. "Japan is so small, not even comparable to a prefecture of Great Zhou. Even if you offer it to the court, they might not necessarily value it."

"But Japan has inexhaustible gold and silver for hundreds of years, how could the court not value that?" Zhao Yao felt He Lianfang was overthinking, "If the court learns of this, they’d be wildly ecstatic."

He Lianfang suddenly asked: "Have you ever thought about one thing?"

"What thing?"

"Once the court learns about the endless gold and silver from Japan, what would they think of you?" He Lianfang further questioned, "How would your good second brother and seventh brother view you?"

Zhao Yao was stifled by He Lianfang’s barrage of questions. Just with a glass trade, Prince Dai and Prince Jing were already eyeing him. If they knew about Japan’s gold and silver mountains, they certainly wouldn’t let him off easily.

Japan’s gold mountain and silver mountain were astonishing. Anyone who heard of it would covet Japan. And being the one who discovered the gold and silver mountains would certainly attract their attention.

"Then you’d be completely embroiled in the court’s disputes, never able to extricate yourself."

He Lianfang’s words made much sense, but...

"Second uncle, even if I don’t mention Japan, is this something that can be concealed?"

"If you don’t mention the gold and silver mountains, no one would pay attention to Japan," He Lianfang said with a laugh, "The court doesn’t care for the tiny land of Japan."

"Whether the court cares is irrelevant, if those ministers learn I conquered Japan and don’t report it, they would suspect me of treason."

"You can report to the court that you conquered Japan, but you absolutely cannot mention the gold and silver mountains."

"I’ll think about it."

He Lianfang stopped discussing Japan after making his point.

Zhao Yao temporarily ceased contemplating Japan, continued playing chess with He Lianfang. After playing for a while, he returned to his courtyard.

After Zhao Yao’s departure, He Lianfang summoned a Hidden Guard and gave him some instructions.

Several days later, right after the Lantern Festival, Zhao Yao received news that the deposed Crown Prince’s family had been killed.