kvmb Chapter 285 Winning Over Allies
Chapter 285 Winning Over Allies
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan knew that Zhao Yi had already made up his mind.
She took out a handkerchief to wipe her itchy neck, but realizing she had already wiped Princess Guangning's neck with water, she put the handkerchief in a small bamboo basket beside her and brought up the matter at the banquet.
"The wife of the Vice Minister of War is complaining that the Ministry of War has been very busy lately, and her husband leaves early and returns late. The birthday banquet that was originally planned for her husband has been canceled."
“Prince Rui has taken over the Ministry of War and is investigating old accounts. If this mess is not thoroughly investigated and left unresolved, and problems arise over time, the Emperor will hold Prince Rui accountable.”
Zhao Yi grasped Shen Qingtan's hand, pinching her fair and pink fingertips: "Prince Rui has been in charge of the Ministry of War for some time now. For the Vice Minister to be so overwhelmed, there must be a lot of messy issues."
"Prince Yu also helped with the disasters in Guanzhou and Qingzhou. The Ministry of War under his jurisdiction is hardly clean."
Shen Qingtan said thoughtfully, "After Prince Yu was stripped of his power, he was immediately placed under house arrest. At most, he had time to notify his subordinates to clean up the evidence, but those messy accounts could not be filled. Prince Rui is determined to investigate, so he should be able to find something. It all depends on whether we can follow the clues to find Prince Yu's private weapons workshop."
Zhao Yi said in a low voice, "Perhaps."
This fire was directed at Prince Yu, who then had no energy to interfere with them.
-
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke's mansion. Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi got off the carriage and headed towards Lanxue Garden.
On the way, the master's servant asked Zhao Yi to go to Jingde Hall.
Zhao Yi turned to look at Shen Qingtan: "Do you want to go back to the courtyard first, or come with me?"
“My father-in-law has something important to discuss with you, so I won’t go.” Shen Qingtan smoothed out his slightly wrinkled cuffs. “You should go quickly, don’t keep your father-in-law waiting.”
"it is good."
Zhao Yi followed the servant to the study in Jingde Hall. In the study, besides the master, there was another young man.
He recognized the man as Prince Rui.
Upon hearing the noise, Prince Rui turned to look at the door and saw that it was Zhao Yi. He put down his teacup and stood up.
"Young Master Zhao." Prince Rui showed no airs of a prince in front of Zhao Yi and directly stated his purpose: "I have encountered a thorny issue in the Ministry of War and do not know how to handle it, so I have come to ask you for advice."
Today, his mother sent him a message saying that Consort Ling was targeting the Qi family in the palace, and that he should seize this opportunity to win over the eldest branch of the Duke's mansion.
He skipped the pleasantries and probing, stating his request directly and showing Zhao Yi that he was sincerely seeking help.
Zhao Yi had never dealt with Prince Rui, nor had he investigated Prince Rui's deeds. He lacked decisiveness, was indecisive, and had little initiative.
"Your Highness, please tell me what happened first." Zhao Yi closed the door and gestured for Prince Rui to sit down: "My humble opinion may not be of any help to you."
"Young Master Zhao, only you can help me make a decision on this matter."
Prince Rui did not take a seat, but instead took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhao Yi.
"This is what I found out in the Ministry of War. The money that the Ministry of Revenue allocated to the Ministry of War in recent years has gone missing. In places where money is needed, it has even come to the point that officials of the Ministry of Revenue have to raise the money themselves."
When the matter was brought up, Prince Rui said with a distressed expression, "Such a large vacancy, which my elder brother has not filled, and I have not found any evidence. I don't know whether I should report it to Father."
"The affairs of the Six Ministries are of utmost importance, and His Majesty attaches great importance to them. Your Highness has discovered problems in the Ministry of War, so naturally you should report them to His Majesty truthfully and ask him to make a decision."
After reading the letter, Zhao Yi handed it back to Prince Rui: "If Your Highness conceals this and it is exposed in the future, you will bear all the blame."
Prince Rui wanted to report this, but he couldn't figure out Emperor Jing'an's thoughts, so he came to consult Zhao Yi.
Zhao Yi was a favorite minister of Emperor Jing'an and must have been able to understand the emperor's intentions.
He had another purpose: to use this incident to bring Zhao Yi into his camp.
After all, Zhao Yi and Prince Yu were secretly at odds.
“You’re right, I was overthinking it.” Prince Rui seemed relieved, his expression becoming relaxed: “I should handle this matter impartially, as I am in a position to fulfill my duties.”
Zhao Yi didn't reply, and poured tea from the teapot.
Prince Rui pondered Zhao Yi's thoughts and concluded that he was willing to lend him a hand.
Otherwise, Zhao Yi would avoid suspicion and make up an excuse to brush him off, instead of giving him advice.
However, judging Zhao Yi based on this alone is clearly insufficient.
Prince Rui tentatively asked, "Lord Zhao, the Emperor has instructed Princess Guangning to choose between my brother and me for a marriage alliance. In your opinion, what should I do?"
“Your Highness, since ancient times, marriage has always been a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker’s words.” Zhao Yi said respectfully, “As a prince, your marriage is not something I, as an official, can comment on.”
Prince Rui understood Zhao Yi's meaning and would not get involved in the marriage alliance.
He failed to discern Zhao Yi's attitude, but he also understood that too much of a good thing can be bad. He didn't probe any further, chatted casually for a few minutes, and then took his leave.
Only the father and son remained in the study.
The master sat quietly in the corner, listening intently to the conversation between Zhao Yi and Prince Rui.
He was shocked that Zhao Yi had actually interfered in Prince Rui's affairs.
Is this an attempt to participate in the struggle for succession?
“Son, with our family’s immense wealth, is there any need to take further risks?” The master looked at Zhao Yi calmly drinking tea, then snatched the teacup from his hand: “Tell me, what are you thinking? Why did you get involved in the struggle for the throne between the two princes?”
Zhao Yi raised an eyebrow: "You invited Prince Rui to your residence as a guest, and then specially invited me here. Aren't you trying to help Prince Rui?"
“I can’t just turn away Prince Rui, he’s a prince.” The master earnestly advised, “Son, with your status and position, you’ll be rich and noble for a hundred years to come. There’s no need for us to get involved in this mess.”
Zhao Yi said solemnly, "Father, today Manman and my cousin went to the palace banquet. The Imperial Concubine set a trap for my cousin. My cousin grew up in the northern border and rarely comes to the capital. She has no grudge against the Imperial Concubine. I suspect that the Imperial Concubine targeted my cousin because they want to target the Qi family."
He paused, then added, "Consort Ling's nephew is under his maternal grandfather's command. He has returned to receive his reward for his meritorious service. The Emperor intends to transfer him away, but he has refused."
The master was stunned for a moment before he realized that Consort Ling had her eye on the Qi family's position.
His face suddenly darkened. Did Consort Ling think of them as mere dough balls?
"This mother and son, for the sake of the throne, disregarded the loyal ministers and generals of the Qi family, eliminating them at will. If Prince Yu is ever made crown prince and ascends the throne, anyone who poses a threat to him will be eliminated one by one?"
The master knew very well that the Duke's Mansion and the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion would also be on Prince Yu's list.
“My son, this matter is of utmost importance. My son and I will go to the Qi family and discuss with your maternal grandfather how to deal with Consort Ling.”