Rumors have always spread in this manner.
The password is 563743675.
It begins with someone fabricating stories in private chambers, then releasing them through casual conversations in crowded places. Afterwards, a few individuals with a semblance of status act as intermediaries, linking to an authoritative source, and everything falls into place.
However, there's a crucial element: the person spreading the rumor must possess genuine influence. They need to be able to compensate those who spread it, allowing the rumor-mongers a sense of gain, such as getting closer to Yan Shifan's inner circle, or being perceived as lackeys by those on its periphery.
Today at Liuquanju, some keen observers noticed—
Shopkeeper Liu and the eunuch were putting on a show, pretending not to know each other while actually working in tandem. Only someone from the Yan faction would be capable of starting a rumor of this magnitude. The effectiveness of this rumor was amplified by the involvement of a eunuch, adding an aura of mystery.
Therefore,
Starting from Liuquanju and several other tea houses and taverns, the rumor quickly spread throughout the capital, and also through merchants and post stations to Zhili and beyond. Once rumors reach a tipping point, people tend to dismiss them as amusing stories, leading to wildly legendary versions.
These past few days,
The atmosphere within Prince Yu's mansion has, naturally, become quite unusual.
Xu Jie felt his head swell several times larger. Li Chunfang, usually composed and steady, was restlessly pacing today. Tan Lun, who should have taken up his post long ago, was being detained by Prince Yu. Coincidentally, Censor Zou Yinglong also arrived today but lamented that after finally getting a chance to see Prince Yu, he was met with such an occasion, and thus sat in a corner, silent.
Prince Yu paced back and forth in the hall, his expression furious, yet inwardly, he felt a measure of relief. After all, Zhu Mo's background had finally been clarified...
A few days prior,
Yan Shifan had approached Feng Bao, stating that Zhu Mo was the heir of a certain vassal prince from the south. Due to a Taoist prophecy in his childhood claiming a lonely and destructive fate, he was raised by Taoist priests and thus went to Mount Wutai. Feng Bao also mentioned the Taoist priest's dharma name as "Pu Qing," and as for which vassal prince, the Yan family was still investigating...
He harbored doubts and immediately instructed Feng Bao to find Chen Hong, a Palace Attendant, in the palace to examine all archives of the imperial Taoist temples. However, there was still no trace of anyone named Pu Qing. In the vastness of the Great Ming dynasty, Pu Qing seemed to have vanished as if he never existed!
And the more mysterious it became,
The more Prince Yu believed the news to be true!
Recalling it all carefully, his mind became clearer and clearer—
No wonder the Emperor supported him so much, even letting him propose the principles of state-building! He had done so many outrageous things, and the Emperor was still pleased? This situation was so reminiscent of the founding emperor's era!
The Emperor valued him so highly that even if he wasn't to inherit the throne, he would be like another Prince of Yan! The Emperor was likely waiting for the reform to be completed before officially declaring Zhu Mo's identity, and then observing... observing what? Observing if he, Prince Yu, was a suitable heir? If not, perhaps a vassal prince would truly ascend the throne...
Now,
Rumors were rampant, having spread across several provinces. Although he had investigated the truth, he was still angry at being held hostage by the Yan family! If the Emperor were to learn of this, wouldn't it be a great embarrassment? Wouldn't he think Prince Yu was associating with the Yan family out of worry that he wouldn't succeed to the throne? If that were the case, he would be moving further and further away from the throne...
The password is 563743675.
Thinking of this,
Prince Yu became agitated and chided,
"Alas, Grand Secretary Xu, the cabinet cannot entirely ignore these rumors! You must devise a method! In the two hundred years of the Great Ming dynasty, has there ever been such a matter?"
Xu Jie shook his head and sighed,
"Your Highness, the more importance you place on rumors, the more they proliferate... There has never been a solution for them since ancient times..."
Li Chunfang forced a bitter smile,
"Your Highness, even if everyone in the world knows the Yan family is spreading these rumors, they insist on spreading them. Who can stop them? If the cabinet were to instruct the Six Ministries, the Shuntian Prefecture, and the prefectural yamen to suppress them, wouldn't that confirm them? Alas, Your Highness, you must endure it for now..."
Tan Lun, having been resentful of the Yan family's manipulation for some time, which prevented Prince Yu from promoting him further, and now seeing Prince Yu's dissatisfaction, said,
"Your Highness, your humble servant believes that rumors, since ancient times, are not entirely insurmountable. As long as the key individuals are found to clarify the matter, they will eventually subside..."
Mm-hmm,
Prince Yu nodded,
"Yes, Zi Li speaks the truth! Grand Secretary Xu, please send people to the tea houses and taverns in the capital to spread word that there is no such thing! Say it's the work of some disgruntled officials! Regarding imperial matters, tell the ignorant populace not to gossip carelessly!"
Seeing that he was already somewhat unstable, Xu Jie could only reply,
"Your humble servant obeys."
Although he said this,
He understood in his heart—
Yan Song's move was extremely vile, yet highly effective, truly vicious! Based on his years of experience and consistently unconventional thinking, he almost instantly grasped the truth: Zhu Mo was definitely not the heir of a vassal prince!
Why?
Because if he were, Yan Song would have simply informed Prince Yu privately. Prince Yu, concerned about the throne, would have risked everything to fight Zhu Mo, thus relying entirely on the Yan family's strength. Because it wasn't the case, or he was uncertain, and the Emperor's punishment was imminent, Yan Song took a desperate gamble, spreading rumors across the land using his usual tricks to manipulate public opinion.
This rumor had already spread. If the Emperor were to punish the Yan father and son now, not only would the officials and gentry, but even ordinary people across the land, say that the Emperor was clearing the path for Zhu Mo's succession while sacrificing the Crown Prince for nothing...
The Yan family could then declare to the world: you cannot depose the elder and enthrone the younger, nor abolish the legitimate heir for a concubine! Thus, it would be another "Great Rite Controversy," throwing the court into utter chaos, potentially leading to internal strife...
Thinking of this,
Xu Jie couldn't help but say,
"Your Highness, some matters are mere conjecture. Your Highness should not believe them too readily... Your humble servant believes that Zhu Mo is absolutely not the heir of any vassal prince! Your Highness only needs to know this in your heart. The Emperor has only you, his only son, and according to the ancestral traditions of the Great Ming, once the Crown Prince comes of age and shows no lack of virtue, it is impossible for a vassal prince to ascend the throne!"
At this point,
His tone already carried a hint of displeasure.
Prince Yu could only offer a bitter smile, thinking: Wasn't I of the same mind as you at first? But imperial affairs are truly bizarre... If there were no problems, then what about that Taoist priest Pu Qing? How did he vanish into thin air? Someone saw him at Chaotian Temple last year, so why is he gone now? How would you, Xu Jie, know about the secrets of the imperial family since ancient times? Take my brother, Prince Jing, for instance; there are rumors that he hasn't gone mad but was confined by the Emperor?
Furthermore, if Zhu Mo's background were not an issue, why would the Yan family still be investigating? Why would figures like Yu Dayou, Li Wenjin, Ma Fang of Datong Right Guard, and Ma Lu listen to him so readily?
Also, during his first trip to Jiangnan, the Yan family had already investigated everything, yet he still carried a token of Wanshou Dijun! Additionally, he also possessed a jade pendant from Jiangnan, which was an imperial ceremonial artifact!
But how could he possibly tell Xu Jie these things?
He could only offer a bitter smile and say,
"Grand Secretary Xu, Your Highness knows what he is doing..."