"Signing the affairs of the Privy Council and concurrently serving as the Grand Commissioner of the Six Routes Southeast!"
Hearing this news from the imperial palace, Zhao Kai felt a wave of dizziness.
How could this be?
After a prince received such an appointment, who in Bianliang City would be able to stand above him after this war?
Could it be that the one in the palace had already made up his mind and decided to pass the throne to Zhao Zhen?
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Seeing Zhao Kai's distraught appearance, Cai You quickly got up and asked.
"The official family giving him such an appointment, isn't this trying to force me to death?"
After a long time, Zhao Kai finally let out a long breath and said with a wry smile.
Looking at the bitter smile on his face, even Cai You didn't know how to comfort him at the moment.
Since the day he decided to participate in the succession struggle, Zhao Kai had poured all his energy into this matter.
Over the years, he had spent countless efforts, pushing the Crown Prince to the brink of death several times. Although each time it was just a narrow margin, at least in the struggle between him and the Crown Prince, he had maintained absolute initiative. kanδん
However, this sudden move by the emperor this time was a direct blow to him.
To lead hundreds of thousands of troops at the age of twenty, if he returned victorious, who among the many princes would be his match?
"Your Highness, I actually think Your Highness doesn't need to be so pessimistic!"
Just as Cai You and Zhao Kai were worrying, Wang Fu suddenly spoke.
"Why does Prime Minister Wang say that?"
Hearing Wang Fu's words, Zhao Kai, like a drowning man grabbing a straw, immediately stood up and looked at Wang Fu.
"Has Your Highness noticed something? The official family did not designate anyone else to help Prince Xin raise grain and fodder, but instead let him raise military funds and grain in Bianliang City himself!"
"But, but what does that matter?"
Hearing him say this, Zhao Kai looked at Wang Fu with some confusion, not knowing what he meant.
"The official family is in his prime. If he so overtly supports a prince, is he not afraid of internal strife?"
"Moreover, raising grain and fodder is a thankless task. Once the war starts, who knows how much grain and fodder these hundreds of thousands of troops will need. Given the current prices in Bianliang City, those wealthy families will definitely hoard their grain tightly. At this time, asking them to take out money and grain is no different from taking their lives!"
"Prime Minister Wang means!"
Hearing him say this, Cai You also seemed to understand all of a sudden.
"That's right. The official family never intended to let Prince Xin ascend the throne in the future, nor did the official family ever intend for Prince Xin to return to Bianliang City victorious!"
Wang Fu lowered his voice and said decisively.
"But isn't His Majesty afraid that Zhao Zhen will have other intentions?"
Although Wang Fu's explanation seemed flawless on the surface, Zhao Kai still felt uneasy.
"Other intentions? Your Highness, aren't you thinking of this matter too easily? Since the founding of the Great Song, has any prince ever ascended the throne by rebelling?" wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Before Wang Fu could speak, Cai You interjected with a cold laugh.
"However, since the founding of the Great Song, there has never been a precedent for a prince to command hundreds of thousands of troops as a prince!"
Although the two of them spoke with certainty, this was related to the succession of the throne, and Zhao Kai still frowned.
"Your Highness, please look carefully. The troops the official family has prepared for Prince Xin this time, apart from the elites of the Western Army, are only those local Xiang armies!"
"Even if these people gain experience on the battlefield this time, can they still contend with the army led by Grand Commissioner Tong? As long as the court's northern expedition goes smoothly, Prince Xin's side will be a joke. I think Your Highness need not worry about this!"
"Moreover, the one leading the troops is Zhong Shidao. Even if Prince Xin has other intentions, is Zhong Shidao crazy? Would he risk his life's reputation and his own life?" kΑnshu伍.ξà
After listening to Cai You's analysis, Zhao Kai's uneasy heart finally calmed down for the time being.
"Then, if that's the case, isn't this a good thing for me?"
"That's right, Your Highness. If you understand it this way, it's not wrong. We don't even need to do anything. We just need to watch Prince Xin offend all the powerful officials in the court, and then we can wait for the official family to make a move!"
"Thank you both. If it weren't for the two of you being here today, Zhao Kai would have made a big mistake today!"
After listening to Wang Fu's words, Zhao Kai finally breathed a sigh of relief. After taking a few deep breaths, he immediately regained his former spirit.
Smiling, he stood up, tidied his clothes, and cupped his hands seriously at the two of them.
"Your Highness is too kind. We are all in the same boat as Your Highness. It is our duty to offer advice to Your Highness."
Cai You spoke while glancing at Wang Fu from the corner of his eye.
Through today's events, he suddenly realized that this Wang Fu, who appeared to be a simple-minded fellow on the surface, had an alarmingly meticulous mind.
What was even rarer was that he could remain calm at a moment like today.
It seemed that he did indeed have some ability to hold the position of Shao Zai.
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In Prince Xin's mansion, Zhao Zhen, having washed away the dust, casually wore a moon-white Confucian robe, his hair tied with a single jade hairpin, making him look quite heroic.
"Sir, what do you think Prince Yun and the Crown Prince are doing at this time?"
As Zhao Zhen spoke, he poured a cup of tea for Zong Ying.
"I cannot guess what Prince Yun is doing for the time being, but I think the Crown Prince must be in a state of panic and unease right now?"
Looking at the faint smile on Zhao Zhen's face, Zong Ying did not mean to spoil the mood and went along with his words.
"If I'm not mistaken, my brother Prince Yun is probably preparing to hold a celebratory banquet at this moment!"
After finishing the remaining tea in his cup, Zhao Zhen said with a cold smile.
"Celebrate? Your Highness, are you that confident in Han Mo?"
After a moment of hesitation, Zong Ying still looked at Zhao Zhen with some concern and asked.