Novel Full Chapter 920 - 46: Duke Anyang’s Scheme (2)
Chapter 920: Chapter 46: Duke Anyang’s Scheme (2)
"It is quite surprising." Previously during the morning court, when Prince Chu heard Duke Anyang say he supported the three new policies, he was also very surprised at first. But after thinking carefully, he understood why Duke Anyang did this. "However, it was within expectations."
"Within expectations?" Yang Ling was slightly taken aback, then after pondering for a moment, he said, "Duke Anyang did this for Prince Zheng."
Prince Chu said, "It seems so."
"If it’s for Prince Zheng, it’s not surprising that Duke Anyang publicly supports the three new policies like ’equal land taxation’ and others." Yang Ling stroked his beard as he spoke, "However, by doing this, Duke Anyang has offended all the noble families in the capital. In the eyes of Marquis Wuping and others, Duke Anyang is a traitor. Marquis Wuping and the others probably won’t let Duke Anyang off."
"Duke Anyang did this mainly for Prince Zheng, but he understands clearly that Father Emperor’s intent to implement the three new policies can’t be stopped by anyone." Prince Chu saw through the thoughts of Duke Anyang clearly, "Rather than opposing Father Emperor, it’s better to curry favor with him for some benefits to Prince Zheng, especially considering that Prince Zheng has not been called back to the capital for a long time."
"This is the cleverness of Duke Anyang." Paying taxes based on land indeed means Duke Anyang Mansion will pay a lot of taxes, but these taxes mean nothing to Duke Anyang Mansion. If paying more taxes can make the Emperor call Prince Zheng back to the capital, Duke Anyang Mansion would be willing to do it a thousand times over. "Duke Anyang Mansion has long been the leading noble family in the capital, but Prince Zheng being excluded from the capital is not beneficial for Duke Anyang Mansion."
Duke Anyang Mansion now indeed surpasses the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, but in recent years, as Prince Jing has been increasingly relied upon by the Emperor, Duke Zhen Country Mansion seems to be surpassing Duke Anyang Mansion. The Wang family has finally become the leading noble family in the capital, and they cannot be stepped upon by the Xie family again. For the sake of the Wang family, Prince Zheng must return to the capital.
Prince Zheng has always been on his own fief, far from the power of the capital, and how can he compete with other princes for the throne? Prince Zheng only has a chance to fight if he returns to the capital and gets a key position in the court.
If they can bring Prince Zheng back to the capital, they would even be willing to let Duke Anyang Mansion go bankrupt, let alone pay more taxes.
"Speaking of which, only Prince Zheng and Prince Han remain on their fiefs." Prince Han is the fifth prince, and his mother is Princess Consort De, making Duke Anyang his uncle. "Prince Yue is in the army camp." Prince Yue is the ninth prince, and is a full brother of Prince Dai. He has always regarded Prince Dai, his elder brother, as a role model; Prince Dai joined the army at twelve, and he also entered the army camp at twelve. Over the years, Prince Yue has been honing himself in the army. Although he is not as good as Prince Dai, compared to other princes, he is still quite competent. He is currently a General of Pacifying the West.
"Your Highness, why does the Emperor not let Prince Zheng and Prince Han return to the capital?"
"Prince Zheng was despised by Father Emperor because of the Princess of Annan incident, which is why he hasn’t been called back to the capital for a long time." Mentioning Prince Zheng, a gleam of disgust flashed in Prince Chu’s eyes. "As for Prince Han, he himself doesn’t want to return to the capital."
Yang Ling, puzzled, asked, "Why doesn’t Prince Han want to return to the capital?"
"He enjoys doing business and making money, and likes freedom, not the various rules of the capital."
Yang Ling was somewhat skeptical: "Is that really the case? Isn’t that just a cover?"
Prince Chu nonchalantly replied, "Whether it’s a cover is not important."
Hearing Prince Chu say so, Yang Ling felt relieved. He was worried that Prince Chu might actually believe that Prince Han only wanted to do business and make money.
"Even if Prince Han really only wants to do business and make money, the Xun Family behind him would never allow him to remain just a leisurely prince."
Prince Chu: "Hmm."
"It seems that Prince Han will have to return to the capital sooner or later." Yang Ling had never met Prince Han himself and had rarely heard anything about him. Among all the princes, apart from Prince Han being not favored, it seems he had no special traits and wasn’t very ostentatious. "Your Highness, how does Prince Han compare to Prince Zheng?"
"Prince Han is a bit better than Prince Zheng."
"Your Highness, do you think the Emperor will let Prince Zheng return to the capital because Duke Anyang is supporting the three new policies?" Prince Han is not returning at the moment, so there’s no need to pay too much attention to him. But Prince Zheng is different; he might return to the capital soon. Plus, with the support of Duke Anyang Mansion, he can’t be underestimated."
Prince Chu pondered for a while and said, "He will."
Yang Ling also believed he would. His expression turned somewhat grave: "Prince Zheng returning to the capital is not a good thing." The current situation is already very delicate, and once Prince Zheng returns, everything might get messed up. "Duke Anyang Mansion cannot be underestimated." For the past few years, because Prince Zheng was not in the capital, Duke Anyang Mansion maintained a neutral stance in the court and didn’t participate in the struggle for the throne. But if Prince Zheng returns to the capital, Duke Anyang Mansion will inevitably join in the battle for succession. Prince Chu is greatly relied upon by the Emperor, and when the time comes, Prince Zheng and Duke Anyang Mansion are certain to confront him.
"Sir, you are mistaken; Prince Zheng returning to the capital is a favorable event." When Prince Chu recalled Prince Zheng’s proclivities, his eyes became sharp and cold, "Once he returns to the capital, the people from his fief will be spared from disaster."
"It is not a favorable event for you, Your Highness." Yang Ling said seriously, "You will become Prince Zheng’s primary target."
Prince Chu sneered, "I am not afraid of him; I am waiting for him to return." While Prince Zheng remains on his fief, Prince Chu found it difficult to act against him. If Prince Zheng returned to the capital, it would be much easier for Prince Chu to deal with him.
"Your Highness, we need to prepare." With Prince Zheng about to return to the capital, they could not sit idly by.
Prince Chu looked at Yang Ling and said with a very serious tone, "Sir, I have no intention of letting him return to his fief."
Understanding Prince Chu’s implication, Yang Ling replied calmly, "Then let Prince Zheng meet his demise in the capital."
Prince Chu squinted his eyes, his face dark and cold as he said, "The things he has done are enough crimes for him to die many times over." Despite his dislike for Prince Wei, Prince Chu had never considered putting Prince Wei to death. However, for Prince Zheng, Prince Chu did intend to have him dead. In Prince Chu’s opinion, someone as beastly as Prince Zheng deserved death long ago.
It was the first time Yang Ling saw Prince Chu express such clear disdain towards someone. He couldn’t help but wonder if Prince Zheng had done something in the past to make Prince Chu loathe him so much.
"Your Highness, Marquis Wuping and the others won’t take this lying down. How do you think they will stir things up next?"
"They wouldn’t dare cause trouble by submitting their resignations to Father Emperor." Prince Chu displayed a trace of ridicule on his face, "All they can do is kneel in front of Zichen Hall or the Imperial Study, attempting to pressure Father Emperor to retract his decision."