The profits held by the governnt can never be maximized by the court, as there are just too many parasites within.
"The Third Prince himself replenished it with Silver, twenty-eight thousand taels; credit to the Third Prince for being so willing."
He Jisheng shifted his gaze away from Gu Chengyu, and shook his head, sighing.
With the release of these twenty-eight thousand taels of Silver, it would naturally arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.
Now the Emperor is already quite distressed over Silver, the tea permits have just been perfected and are ready for implentation; where would the court get this Silver?
The Third Prince suddenly producing so much, what must the Emperor think?
He Jisheng thought the Third Prince really made a blunder, even if he had confessed to the Emperor earlier, things wouldn’t have turned out so bad.
"Why wouldn’t he be willing? Wasn’t it said before that he dipped his toes in the salt permits and made quite a profit?"
Wu An also chid in; the Third Prince’s earnings from the salt permits weren’t much of a secret anymore.
The Emperor likely knows in his heart as well, but just wants to compensate the Third Prince who suffered an unwarranted disaster due to the previous examination scandal.
Unfortunately, the Third Prince was too greedy, and the Emperor hadn’t expected him to be so bold, surely the Silver embezzled from the salt permits must be more than twenty-eight thousand taels?
If it weren’t for Huo Huai Zhong stepping forward today to divert the previous topic, the Emperor would surely have probed into the matter in rage.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Huo really did go above and beyond for the Third Prince, to step forward at such a ti is truly in dignity for the Third Prince. It’s just a pity, the Third Prince..."
Yin Kun ntioned this matter with so regret, feeling sowhat unjust for Huo Huai Zhong.
Back then, he saw that the Third Prince’s birth mother, Consort Xian, was favored, and wanted to enlist his brother-in-law to make connections and submit allegiance to the Third Prince.
Fortunately, his mother strongly opposed after finding out. She said the Third Prince was ruthless and arrogant, consider him unsuitable for great purposes.
He thought his mother was exaggerating; he previously deed among the princes, only the Eldest Prince and Third Prince had any capability. However, his mother always had foresight, had guided him many tis, and repeatedly helped him avoid disaster.
Thus he decided to wait and see, after all, he had waited so many years; there was no rush.
It’s fortunate he didn’t hastily submit allegiance back then, who would’ve thought the Third Prince beca increasingly rash in the past two years, always caught by other princes?
First was the downfall case of Wan Xue Nian, then the failure of the Military Equipnt Bureau, now the ministers in the court favoring the Third Prince are absolutely few.
Except for those with familial ties and those who initially pledged allegiance, the Third Prince’s followers probably don’t include many talents anymore.
"Teacher, whom do you think has a bigger chance among the princes?"
He Jisheng turned his gaze to Liang Zhirui, curious about which prince his teacher deed most suitable as Crown Prince.
The eyes of the other two also turned to Liang Zhirui, while Gu Chengyu was quite curious himself. Yet today, with He Jisheng present, he thought the teacher might be reserved in speaking.
Who would have thought Liang Zhirui wasn’t holding back this ti, "Old man believes the capabilities between the Eldest Prince and Second Prince are closely matched. The Eldest Prince indeed has talents and is very decisive in deeds. But the Second Prince is the legitimate son from the Central Palace, and has pure character, perhaps his chances are slightly better than the Eldest Prince!"
Gu Chengyu was a bit surprised, not expecting the teacher to reveal his true thoughts so easily.
Additionally, it makes sense! Although He Jisheng and the teacher don’t get along well, nonetheless they are in a teacher-student relationship. The teacher may be afraid He Jisheng goes astray, so he revealed his real thoughts, providing reference for everyone.
After Liang Zhirui finished speaking, he observed the expressions of the four disciples below.
Yin Kun frowned in contemplation, Wu An was slightly shocked. However, Gu Chengyu looked calm, seeming not at all surprised by his opinion.
But He Jisheng’s expression was quite intriguing, first being surprised, then furrowing his brow, and lastly barely lifting the corners of his mouth.
Yet it was just a mont, promptly returning to normal.
Liang Zhirui felt a sinking heart from this—is it disdain?
He understands this disciple a bit; although their personalities don’t match, they’ve lived together for years; thus it appears He Jisheng has taken sides.
And the candidate he sided with should be the Eldest Prince. He Jisheng, being shrewd, surely wouldn’t fancy the Third Prince, and naturally wouldn’t consider Prince Jing, leaving only the Eldest Prince.
Since he just ntioned the Second Prince has better chances, He Jisheng’s attitude implies he doesn’t favor the Second Prince.
Liang Zhirui sighed slightly; it would be fine if it’s the Eldest Prince ascending as Crown Prince in the end; at least He Jisheng didn’t choose wrong. But what if the Emperor chooses the Second Prince instead?
"Are you saying the Second Prince has better opportunities? However, the Second Prince is still sowhat inferior in talent compared to the Eldest Prince."
Wu An was startled by the teacher’s chosen candidate, admitting the Second Prince has a gentle nature and could be considered a benevolent king if he beca a monarch.
But the Second Prince’s character is still sowhat soft, now with the looming threat of Da Xing; could he suppress Da Xing if he beca ruler?
Over the years, they’ve observed the Emperor’s tolerance and regard for the Eldest Prince, feeling his chances were greater.
"Indeed! The second senior brother is right. Teacher, you’re aware of the Emperor’s favor of the Eldest Prince, aren’t you? The student still thinks the Eldest Prince has bigger chances. Moreover, the late Emperor also said, only choose the wise, not the legitimate."
He Jisheng placed the tea cup on the table, expressing his opinion.
Liang Zhirui’s face suddenly darkened, "Although there are no outsiders here, you should still speak cautiously; be careful, walls have ears!"
It’s not surprising that He Jisheng has such thoughts; in fact, the late Emperor wasn’t quite fond of the current one either, having said this phrase.
Back then, the late Emperor had five sons, and the current Emperor was of the rightful birth, supposedly to be enfeoffed as the Crown Prince.
However, the late Emperor imnsely favored the mother of the fourth son, Prince Xiang, Consort Xiao, who was renowned for her beauty even before her marriage in the Capital. Naturally, the late Emperor loved her beauty and extended love to Prince Xiang.
The late Emperor indulged Prince Xiang, wishing to enfeoff him as the Crown Prince, but was blocked by the ministers, causing the legitimate Emperor’s heartache often.
But at that ti, the current Emperor’s maternal family held significant power, ultimately leading to the selection of Emperor Huiming as the Crown Prince.
The current Emperor has notable talents, even the late Emperor couldn’t deny it. The late Emperor, seeing Emperor Huiming was indeed suited to be Monarch, seriously taught him afterward.
Nevertheless, Emperor Huiming’s ascension wasn’t easy; those royal princes were not simple, indeed he faced many hardships.
Given Emperor Huiming’s past struggles, he should consider enfeoffing his legitimate son as Crown Prince sooner.
Yet, the Emperor surprisingly learned from the late Emperor’s splendor, even more stubborn than him, and has hesitated for a long ti to enfeoff a Crown Prince, leaving others puzzled.
"If judged by virtue, wouldn’t the Eldest Prince be inferior to the Second Prince?"
Yin Kun chid in, provoking a glance from He Jisheng.
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