Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 951: Chapter 62: Does Prince Han Have No Desire for the Throne?

In the study room of the Han Prince Mansion, Zhao Yao was looking at the results of Hidden Guard Alpha’s investigation on Prince Han. After reading, he was very surprised and asked incredulously, "Are these findings superficial, or are they real?"

Hidden Guard Alpha respectfully replied, "Your Highness, this information is real."

"Does Fifth Brother really have no intention of vying for the throne?" Zhao Yao had no interest in the succession matter, only caring about Prince Chu and Prince Wei, not concerning himself with others, so he had never investigated Prince Han.

"No, Prince Han is only interested in making money." Hidden Guard Alpha thought that in this aspect, Prince Han was very similar to Prince Han. "These years, Prince Han has been busy doing business."

"Even if Fifth Brother himself doesn’t want to vie for the throne, what about the Xun Family?" Zhao Yao still couldn’t believe that Prince Han had no desire for the throne at all. "The Xun Family would never allow him not to fight for the throne; they would definitely force him to do so."

"The Xun Family has always tried to coerce and entice Prince Han, but he turns a deaf ear and continues with his business." Hidden Guard Alpha, although he had left the Dragon Guards, still conducted investigations through their channels. In other words, the information about Prince Han came from the Dragon Guards. "Prince Han’s ambition is to become the wealthiest merchant in the world."

"The interest in business and making money is something Fifth Brother and I share." Zhao Yao then asked, "Over the years, Fifth Brother has made a lot of money. Has he not secretly raised private soldiers or suicide squads, forged weapons, or given money to the Xun Family?"

Hidden Guard Alpha: "No."

Zhao Yao asked again, "Then does he spend money lavishly, living an extravagant lifestyle?"

Hidden Guard Alpha replied, "Very extravagant. Prince Han’s mansion is built with extreme opulence, even more luxurious than the Imperial Palace."

He continued, "In everyday life, Prince Han’s food, clothing, shelter, and travel are all extremely luxurious."

"Does he use his own money, or exploit the people?"

"His own money," Hidden Guard Alpha said. "Prince Han once said that he spends the money he earns himself. He is very benevolent to the people in his fief, reducing a lot of taxes and labor duties, and even encourages them to do business with him..."

Hidden Guard Alpha spoke much about what Prince Han had done in his fief. After listening, Zhao Yao was very shocked.

"This is completely different from what I imagined." In his impression, Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother always followed Third Brother around, usually appearing carefree and irresponsible. He thought that once Prince Han went to his fief, he would continue being a frivolous princely figure, not treating the people well. He didn’t expect Prince Han to be a diligent and people-loving prince, not only managing his fief well but also leading the people to do business and prosper.

"Your Highness, Prince Han sincerely wants to do business with you because he is very interested in what you have produced."

Zhao Yao slightly frowned and said, "This development doesn’t seem right."

Hidden Guard Alpha politely asked, "Your Highness, what do you think is wrong?"

"Even if Fifth Brother himself doesn’t want the throne, the Xun Family wouldn’t let him stay out of it." As the saying goes, a prince who doesn’t want to be emperor is not a good prince. There isn’t a prince who doesn’t want the throne—except for him, of course. "Moreover, with Fifth Brother’s intelligence, he’d know he can’t stay away from the succession battle. He should also realize that if he doesn’t fight, it’s likely he’ll end up dead or imprisoned. How could he not make any preparations?"

"Your Highness, are you suggesting that the results of my investigation are false?"

Zhao Yao slightly nodded, "Very likely."

Hidden Guard Alpha thought it was unlikely. No matter how capable Prince Han was, it would be impossible for him to deceive the eyes of the Dragon Guards.

"Even if Fifth Brother has no desire for the throne, he would ensure some future security for himself." Like Zhao Yao himself, who doesn’t participate in the succession battle but also ensures his safety. "He must have done something secretly. You guys need to investigate carefully again, and also, you should investigate the Xun Family."

"Yes, Your Highness." If Prince Han really managed to deceive the Dragon Guards, then the extent of Prince Han’s capabilities... would be unfathomable.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Your Highness overpraises." After saying this, Hidden Guard Alpha silently withdrew.

Zhao Yao continued to look at the investigation results just brought by Hidden Guard Alpha, with thoughts swirling in his mind: If even Hidden Guard Alpha and the others couldn’t uncover Fifth Brother’s true nature, then Fifth Brother’s ability to hide and disguise himself is truly terrifying.

He had always thought that the final competition for the throne would be between Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother, and that the others were not a match for them. Now, it seems that Fifth Brother is actually their biggest rival.

Zhao Yao felt he should caution Prince Chu and Prince Wei, to make them wary of Prince Han.

He Lianfang came to find Zhao Yao and saw his heavy expression, asking with concern, "What happened?"

Zhao Yao handed the letters about Hidden Guard Alpha’s investigation on Prince Han to He Lianfang, "Second Uncle, take a look."

He Lianfang took the letter, bowed his head, and carefully read it. After reading, he exclaimed, "This Prince Han is very much like you!"

"Second Uncle, do you think Fifth Brother genuinely has no desire for the throne as the letter suggests?"

"Do you think what’s written in this letter is false?"

"Yes, I don’t believe Fifth Brother is that simple." None of his imperial brothers are simple, even Ninth Brother, who may have a robust build and be simple-minded, has over eight hundred scheming thoughts.

He Lianfang looked at Zhao Yao with amusement, "Do you not desire the throne, so you can’t allow others to be like you?"

"Can Fifth Brother be like me? He has the Xun Family behind him, and how could the Xun Family allow him to be a carefree and happy prince?" In the previous dynasty, the Xun Family had produced a noble princess, and the son of the noble princess eventually became emperor, even if he only reigned for a few years before dying of illness.

Having tasted the overwhelming power, how could the Xun Family allow Prince Han not to become emperor? As long as Prince Han becomes emperor, the Xun Family can leap into a top-tier noble family.

"The emperor is behind you, and didn’t the emperor allow you to run to Lingnan?" He Lianfang mocked, "Why can’t Prince Han be uninterested in the succession like you?"

Zhao Yao directly ignored He Lianfang’s remark and asked incredulously, "Second Uncle, you don’t really believe Prince Han has no interest in the throne, do you?"

He Lianfang coldly replied, "You’re the only fool in this world uninterested in the throne."

Hearing He Lianfang’s sarcastic comment, Zhao Yao felt a sense of relief: "I thought for a moment you believed Fifth Brother had no aspirations for the throne."

He Lianfang snorted coldly, "I’m not a fool."

Zhao Yao felt that He Lianfang was hinting at something, but he chose to act as if he didn’t understand.

"I always thought Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother were the final contenders for the throne, but now it seems to be Fifth Brother."

"What do you plan to do now?"

"Second Uncle, send spies to investigate." Zhao Yao thought that without the intelligence from the Dragon Guards, Hidden Guard Alpha’s resources would be limited. "Also, send people to infiltrate Fifth Brother’s fief."

"Alright." He Lianfang asked, "Didn’t Prince Han write a letter, saying he would send someone to attend the trade conference? What do you plan to do about that?"

"Naturally, I will probe his true intentions."

"Now that you know Prince Han is not simple, do you still dare to let his people come to Swamp Prefecture?" He Lianfang furrowed his brows and looked at Zhao Yao, "With Prince Han’s capabilities, can you hide everything you’re doing in Swamp Prefecture from him?"

"Even if I refuse, he would still secretly send people to Swamp Prefecture." Zhao Yao had considered this point, "Since that’s the case, it’s better to let his people come openly, so we can keep an eye on them. However, once the trade conference ends, whether they can return or not is uncertain." Moreover, what Prince Han’s people can see also depends on how much Zhao Yao lets them see.

Seeing that Zhao Yao had already figured out how to deal with Prince Han, He Lianfang said no more.

Zhao Yao raised his hand and patted his forehead, his voice filled with regret, "I really failed to anticipate Fifth Brother; I was too careless." He had always thought that Fifth Brother, like Third Brother and others, was not worth worrying about, but it turned out that the deeply hidden one was actually Fifth Brother.