Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 925: Chapter 49: Prince Chu’s Proposal

A group of ministers led by Marquis Wuping sat in silence at the entrance of the Imperial Study for an entire day, leaving only when the palace gates were to be locked in the evening.

Although they didn’t spend the day kneeling, sitting silently at the entrance of the Imperial Study all day without having lunch left them exhausted and famished by the evening.

Back home, the ministers were keen to have their meal, devouring it ravenously.

Their families could see their hardship and urged them not to resist. However, the ministers argued that if they yielded to the emperor’s wishes this time, the emperor would act even more excessively in the future. To protect their interests, they could not give up easily.

As long as they could make the emperor withdraw his decree, they were willing to sit silently at the entrance of the Imperial Study for a year if needed.

Their families, however, dared not question if sitting silently there was indeed effective.

In the dining hall of Zichen Hall, the emperor was savoring a hot pot meal with delight.

Seeing the emperor sweating profusely due to the spiciness, Sun Kui hastily offered a handkerchief for him to wipe off the sweat.

The emperor accepted the handkerchief, wiping his sweat while continuing to eat.

Observing the emperor’s face not only flushed red but also his neck, Sun Kui couldn’t help but worry that the emperor might suffer from the heat.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn’t eat such spicy dishes, let me switch to a lighter broth for you," Sun Kui suggested.

"I’m not bothered by the spice," the emperor stubbornly replied, "I’m enjoying the meal, don’t ruin it for me."

"I’m worried that you’ll have stomach pains later on," Sun Kui expressed his concern, noting that every time the emperor indulged in overly spicy food, he ended up with stomach discomfort.

"I won’t," the emperor asserted, "I can handle spice now." He picked up the dried mushrooms soaking in the pot and remarked, "I must say that rascal knows his food. Making these mushrooms into dried form, who would have thought they’d taste so delectable."

"Your Majesty, you forget Prince Han is a renowned culinary expert. Everyone in the capital knows Prince Han enjoys his food," Sun Kui remarked, noting that Prince Han stands out in culinary matters. "Prince Han outshines everyone in his culinary prowess."

"The rascal mentioned fresh mushrooms taste even better, and he’s working on cultivating them artificially. Once successful, we can have mushrooms growing in the capital too." The emperor mused over his youngest son’s culinary research, both curious and amused. "Oh, by the way, the chilis I’m having now were sent back by that rascal, who made them into dried chilis."

"Didn’t Prince Han also send you a box of chili sauce, claiming it’s a specialty from Lingnan?" Sun Kui noted, having received a bottle of chili sauce from the emperor as a gift, enjoying it despite its intense heat. "The chili sauce sent by Prince Han is truly delicious, whether mixed with noodles or used as a dip for steamed buns; it’s delightful. I wonder how Prince Han managed to create such yummy chili sauce."

"The rascal said the chilis in Lingnan are different from those in the capital. He mentioned using unique Lingnan spices to marinate them, which can’t be done in the capital."

"Your Majesty, how did Lingnan seem to transform into a treasure land after Prince Han went there? You see how many wonderful things Prince Han sent back," Sun Kui felt that Lingnan, a place historically seen as a land of exile and desolation, turned into a treasure trove under Prince Han’s touch. "These mushrooms, though found in many places like the capital and Jiangnan, aren’t widely consumed. But after Prince Han visited Lingnan, he turned them into a delectable dish."

"The rascal claimed that the inland mushrooms differ from Lingnan ones. Lingnan’s mushrooms not only taste good but are also beneficial to health." The emperor chuckled, "He said women can enhance their beauty by eating them, and men can receive virility benefits."

"Ah, do mushrooms have such effects?"

"The rascal is making up stories just to sell mushrooms," the emperor expressed skepticism about the purported benefits but acknowledged the mushrooms’ taste.

"Your Majesty, Prince Han is really adept at business," Sun Kui remarked, noting that Prince Han’s new creations always yield great profits, recalling how white sugar produced earlier brought significant revenue to the Ministry of Revenue, making the Minister of Revenue consistently happy.

"The rascal is clever, fully focused now on business and making money," the emperor spoke with a mix of pride and helplessness, "If only he used this intellect towards more crucial matters, I’d have fewer troubles."

"Your Majesty, Prince Han is most like you, neither of you enjoys being an emperor," Sun Kui remarked, recalling the emperor’s constant complaints about the burdens of reign over the years, often wishing to abdicate.

"Being a bit like me isn’t good," the emperor admitted his reluctance to be the ruler, though he felt duty-bound to do so. "If circumstances allowed, I wouldn’t force him to become emperor, but heaven has chosen him as emperor, and he must assume the throne." The emperor’s demeanor turned unusually solemn, "For the sake of the people, I must resolutely ensure he becomes emperor."

Sun Kui consoled, "Your Majesty, I believe Prince Han will eventually understand your intentions."

"That rascal won’t grasp my intentions, he’ll only resent me for making him emperor," the emperor foresaw the possible resentment his youngest son might feel upon being coerced to reign.

"Perhaps Prince Han won’t comprehend immediately, but surely over time, he’ll understand," Sun Kui remarked, aware that many would desire the throne while the emperor and Prince Han showed a marked disinterest yet bore the unavoidable duty.

"I don’t expect him to understand, yet I know once I propel him to the throne, he will share my sense of responsibility for the people." The emperor felt torn between his paternal role and obligations as a ruler, prioritizing the welfare of Great Zhou’s governance over paternal sentiments.

"In this regard, Prince Han mirrors Your Majesty precisely."

The emperor smiled warmly, "He’s very much like me." His youngest son’s disposition was a mirror of his own.

"Your Majesty, I suspect that Marquis Wuping and the others might protest by sitting silently again tomorrow," Sun Kui noted.

Having finished his meal, the emperor picked up a handkerchief to wipe his mouth, "It’s a pity."

Sun Kui, puzzled, asked, "Your Majesty, what are you sorry about?"

"It’s a pity there’s no rain in the forecast these days." The emperor suddenly broke into a mischievous smile, "If it were to rain, it would be amusing."

Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, you are truly mischievous.

"Later, go ask the Chief Historian to see if it will rain in the next few days."

Your Majesty, are you serious?

"Your Majesty, if it does rain, Marquis Wuping and the others will certainly get sick," Sun Kui reminded the emperor. "Though Marquis Wuping and Marquis Chiyang are quite fit, the other courtiers do not seem as healthy. If they get caught in the rain, getting sick is a minor issue; I’m afraid..." They might perish. If a minister were to die, the situation would become severe.

The emperor spoke with a faint smile, "If they die from getting wet in the rain, it could be seen as fulfilling their loyalty and righteousness, leaving them with a good reputation in the annals of history."

Hearing the emperor speak so earnestly, Sun Kui’s heart sank, "Your Majesty, you wouldn’t actually want God to rain, would you?"

"I would like to, but God doesn’t obey me," the emperor joked, "I can’t just pray for rain."

Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, you really do intend for those officials to die.

"They wish to sit in protest, so let them sit until they are satisfied."

The next day after the morning court, Marquis Wuping and the others again sat in protest at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

Thoughtfully, the emperor had Sun Kui prepare cushions, tea, and snacks for them.

When Prince Chu arrived at the Imperial Study and saw Marquis Wuping and the others sitting sternly at the entrance, he found it amusing.

Seeing Prince Chu arrive, Sun Doudou hurried to greet him and paid his respects.

Prince Chu politely said to Sun Doudou, "I need to see the Emperor Father, please announce my arrival."

"You’re too kind, this servant will report at once."

Prince Chu stood at the entrance of the Imperial Study, as if not seeing Marquis Wuping and the others.

After a while, Sun Doudou came out and respectfully said to Prince Chu, "Your Highness, the emperor invites you in."

"Thank you." After expressing his gratitude, Prince Chu entered the Imperial Study.

"Your son greets the Emperor Father."

"Rise." The emperor looked warmly at Prince Chu, "What brings you to me?"

Prince Chu spoke frankly, "Father, I believe Third Brother should return to the capital."

"Oh?" The emperor was surprised that Prince Chu was suggesting Prince Zheng’s return to the capital, which took him aback. He gazed deeply at Prince Chu and asked, "Why do you want Prince Zheng to return?"

Prince Chu candidly replied, "Father, Duke Anyang supports the reforms to align farming households with tax policy, public control of revenue, and equal taxation for officials and common people, all to ensure Third Brother’s return."

The emperor was somewhat surprised by Prince Chu’s straightforwardness, raising his eyebrows slightly, "Duke Anyang did not plead with me to let Prince Zheng return. Are you trying to curry favor with him?"

"Your son doesn’t seek to gain favor with Duke Anyang, merely thinking it’s time for Third Brother to return."

"Reasons."

"There is no reason," Prince Chu couldn’t well tell the emperor about Prince Zheng’s deeds in Jiaozhou without evidence. "Your son just feels Third Brother should come back to the capital."

The emperor gave Prince Chu another meaningful glance and then said, "I understand. Do you have anything else?"

Prince Chu: "Your son takes his leave."

After Prince Chu left, the emperor chuckled softly, "The fourth one truly surprises me."

In fact, Prince Chu could have given a hundred reasons for Prince Zheng’s return, yet he chose not to say any, simply stating that he felt Prince Zheng should come back.

Sun Kui was also full of questions in his heart: Why does Prince Chu feel Prince Zheng should return? Prince Chu said he wasn’t currying favor with Duke Anyang, so why suggest Prince Zheng’s return? Could he want to ally with Prince Zheng?

However, when Prince Chu proposed Prince Zheng’s return, there was no joy in his expression; instead, his face was very cold. Was it his imagination, or did he sense an air of hostility from Prince Chu?

"Your Majesty, will you have Prince Zheng return?"

The emperor smiled enigmatically, "Duke Anyang has made such sacrifices, if I don’t bring back Third Brother, wouldn’t it chill Duke Anyang’s heart?" After saying this, he added with deep meaning, "It is indeed time for Third Brother to return."