It is uncertain when they will meet again.
Zhang Yanru waved to Tong Sui and said, “Alright, everyone sit down. You don’t need to leave.”
Tong Sui obediently sat down.
Zhang Yanru began today’s lecture.
Chu Yunyu whispered, “Next time, don’t stare so at that person from earlier.”
“Who?”
“Rong Jin,” Chu Yunyu replied. “Don’t be fooled by his sickly appearance; he is a notoriously great villain. This world was originally under the control of the Chu family, but Rong Jin has seized power for himself, forming cliques. When I ascend the throne, he will definitely be the first to be executed.”
Tong Sui’s hand trembled while grinding the ink, splattering some ink.
Chu Yunyu thought he was frightened and comforted him, “Don’t be scared. I would never treat you like this. Keeping you by my side means I like you.”
Tong Sui looked at him, his thoughts becoming complex for a moment.
If the plot were to unfold normally, after Chu Yunyu ascended the throne, he would not only take Rong Jin’s life but would also display his corpse in the bustling market.
But right now, Chu Yunyu was still an innocent youth.
Yet, he already harbored intentions of killing Rong Jin.
What to do…
Inside the Office of Ceremonial Affairs.
Rong Jin sat in the highest position, with documents awaiting his approval by the side. He leisurely took the hot tea offered by his subordinate, took a small sip, and then slowly raised his gaze.
“Supervisor, all the names associated with the case of the Minister of Revenue are listed here,” the commander of the Imperial Guards presented the list. “Should we also take down the officials who are close to him?”
Rong Jin opened the document, the long list densely packed with names, there were at least several hundred. He picked up a red pen and circled a few names.
“Keep these individuals; execute the others.”
The commander of the Imperial Guards looked at the list and said, “Supervisor, these people frequently speak ill of you behind your back. Especially this Governor of Suzhou, who openly insulted you while drunk and even wrote a poem to defame you.”
He presented the evidence.
Rong Jin glanced over the content of the poem; it was full of insults directed at him. Just as everyone expected him to explode with anger, he merely smiled, “The writing is quite good. Inform the Governor of Suzhou that this supervisor has accepted it.”
“This…”
The commander of the Imperial Guards could only comply, respectfully taking his leave, confused.
“Big Brother, why is this supervisor’s temperament so strange?”
A younger subordinate beside him said, “The Minister of Revenue just insulted him in private a couple of times, and he mobilized troops to execute the entire family, pulling many officials down with him. So why is he suddenly so lenient on the Governor of Suzhou?”
Logically, the Governor of Suzhou was known as a clean official and couldn’t possibly connive with Rong Jin; keeping him would be useless. It would be better to kill him and replace him.
The commander of the Imperial Guards, still bewildered by the situation, waved his hand in annoyance, “If you could guess what the supervisor is thinking, this position would belong to you.”
The younger subordinate chuckled, “How could I dare?”
“Alright, just do as directed,” the commander of the Imperial Guards said. “As long as we serve Supervisor Rong well, we won’t have to worry about not having good days ahead.”
Inside the Office of Ceremonial Affairs, only Rong Jin and the Grand Scholar remained.
Rong Jin opened the memorials on the desk, casually reading while calling out, “Liu Zhongtang.”
The Grand Scholar became tense and bowed to pay his respects.
“Liu Zhongtang has been teaching in the Ministry of Education for quite some time, so you must have some understanding of the princes. In your opinion, if the emperor were to pass away, which prince is most likely to ascend the throne?”
Liu Zhongtang nervously swallowed, “Though there are no explicit regulations, it has always been the custom to designate the eldest legitimate son. Naturally, the son born to the empress, Chu Yunyu, is the first candidate.”
“You are quite right, Liu Zhongtang,” Rong Jin sighed, almost helplessly saying, “In every dynasty, new emperors seize power through bloodshed, murdering the old ministers. Now that the emperor’s health is deteriorating, I fear it won’t be long before both of us cannot escape this calamity.”
After hearing this, Liu Zhongtang’s knees weakened, and he fell to the ground.
“Although Chu Yunyu is indeed the most favorable candidate for the throne, he has not yet been formally appointed as the crown prince, and the empress’s family is currently weak and not to be feared.”
Liu Zhongtang’s voice trembled, his heart pounding.
“Everyone knows only your name. You could proclaim yourself king when the time comes…”
Rong Jin said, “Liu Zhongtang, you have such boldness!”
Liu Zhongtang knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold floor, his heart hanging by a thread; cold sweat soaked through his inner garments, and he trembled in fear.
“Supervisor, please do not be angry. I do not intend to encourage rebellion, but you have contributed greatly to the Chu dynasty. Surely you should not end up like the rabbit that dies and the hound that gets cooked.”
A weak cough came from above, and Rong Jin slowly spoke, “Liu Zhongtang, please rise.”
Liu Zhongtang was drenched in cold sweat and momentarily could not respond. He cautiously observed Rong Jin’s expression, confirming that there was no anger on his handsome face before struggling to rise with his already soft legs.
“I understand that you are thinking of me, but I have a natural defect and no offspring. I go against the will of heaven and lack the support of the people,”
Rong Jin said, “How could I sit on this dragon throne?”
Liu Zhongtang understood his intention, “If that is the case, Supervisor, you can choose a prince from among them, and I could assist your chosen heir. After he ascends to the throne, your position will be unshakeable.”
A smile appeared at the corner of Rong Jin’s mouth.
“Then according to Liu Zhongtang’s advice, how should I make my selection?”
Liu Zhongtang said, “The second prince’s mother is strong-willed and difficult to manage. The third prince is too foolish and lacks the emperor’s favor. The remaining princes are all too young…”
“I have heard that among the princes, there is one born from outside the capital, the offspring of the emperor and a courtesan.”
“That is indeed the case. This child is the little scholar we saw today, now already twelve years old,”
Liu Zhongtang advised, “But he is naturally weak, foolish, and often bullied by the princes and servants without speaking up.”
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