Catching Monsters

Chapter 454 Don't Talk Nonsense
How could Xiao Jingzhi possibly be willing to hand over the throne?

From a young age, his father hired renowned scholars from the imperial academy to teach him how to govern the country and how to become a wise ruler in the future.

As a result, he also possessed profound cultural knowledge, was devoted to scholarship, and exchanged ideas with renowned scholars from all walks of life.

After working hard for most of his life, it turned out that he wasn't the one who was supposed to be emperor.
Who could accept this?
Not only could he not accept it, but the Confucian scholars and civil officials who placed high hopes on him also could not accept it.

Many people devoted themselves to currying favor with Xiao Jingzhi, hoping to rise to prominence after he ascended the throne.

Xiao Jingzhi also regretted it at this moment. When he was young, he had also wanted to befriend some military generals and nobles.

As a result, he was reminded and resisted by his father, after all, as the eldest prince, he was the most likely person to become the crown prince.

He is also the most legitimate and orthodox heir.

At such a young age, while his father was still in good health, he secretly contacted and won over military generals. What was he planning to do?
Therefore, Xiao Jingzhi gave up on this idea at the time.

On the contrary, Xiao Jingfu was bold and, disregarding the possibility of being suspected, became very close to many military families, and probably secretly promised them many benefits.

Jiang Yun remained silent and did not answer the question, but simply smiled faintly.

Xiao Jingzhi also knew that this matter could not be rushed, so he said, "Brother Jiang, I won't cause you any trouble. However, my fourth brother is only temporarily acting as regent."

"Do you think you can find a way to cause some trouble in the capital?"

Jiang Yun shook his head and refused without hesitation, saying, "Your Highness, I have important business to attend to, and I'm afraid I can't help you with this matter."

"An important task?" Xiao Jingzhi frowned.

Jiang Yun was afraid that the other party would misunderstand that he was just making up an excuse, so he said, "I have to go to the overseas immortal islands to see if I can find a way to prolong His Majesty's life."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingzhi's eyes lit up immediately!
Father Emperor has not intended to die like this; he still wants to try his best to live on!

If Jiang Yun can find a way to prolong his life, then there is still hope.

At the very least, Xiao Jingfu will not be able to ascend the throne for some time.

That's how it is, people.

For Xiao Jingzhi now, whether or not he ascends the throne is irrelevant.

He felt extremely uncomfortable watching Xiao Jingfu ascend the throne.

"Yes, yes, this is a big deal, this is a big deal."

……

Meanwhile, in a secluded room in the backyard of the Fourth Prince's residence.

Xiao Jingfu was sitting in the room. At the dining table were five sons of nobles, Zhang Yao, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Zhang Yuhu, the commander of the Tianqi Army, and an elderly general.

These five sons of noble families all have fathers who are currently serving as generals leading troops in the field.

There's no need to elaborate on Zhang Yao and Zhang Yuhu.

This elderly general is a senior official who has served three dynasties. He is over ninety years old, with gray hair, but his spirit is still quite good.

This man was Ji Jingchuan, the Duke of Chen, who held immense prestige in the army.

Sixty years ago, he led his army deep into the Northern Hu territory, inflicting a major defeat on the Northern Hu royal court and nearly causing its collapse.

The grandchildren of the Duke of Chen's family now hold important positions in various military units.

At this moment, Duke Chen, Ji Jingchuan, was sitting next to Xiao Jingfu.

"Why didn't Li Wangxin come?" Xiao Jingfu glanced at everyone at the table. He had naturally sent an invitation to Li Wangxin, asking him to come to his residence for a chat.

It had been quite a while, and Li Wangxin still hadn't arrived, so Xiao Jingfu couldn't help but frown. Zhang Yao, the commander of the Imperial Guards beside him, explained, "Perhaps something has delayed him, Your Highness, please don't mind."

Xiao Jingfu could only chuckle and say nothing more, after all, Li Wangxin represented the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Before he could officially ascend the throne, he could only feel unhappy. Just then, a young eunuch walked in from outside.

The young eunuch approached Xiao Jingfu and whispered a few words to him.

After listening, Xiao Jingfu's eyes darkened slightly, and he slowly said, "My elder brother seems to still be somewhat dissatisfied. You tell me, what was he planning to do by secretly going to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"

"How about we get the support of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?" Xiao Jingfu looked at Ji Jingchuan beside him and said, "Duke Chen, you are a senior in the army. When you have some free time, please go and invite Duke Xu Xiaogang of Zhenguo to my Crown Prince's mansion for a visit."

The elderly Ji Jingchuan slowly opened his eyes and said slowly, "The Duke of Zhenguo is currently fighting the rebels at the front line. It will probably be difficult for him to get back."

A young man muttered in a low voice, "It would only take five or six days to ride back from the front lines at top speed."

"His Highness the Crown Prince just wants to see him now. If he doesn't come back, will he still be able to obey His Highness's orders in the future?"

boom.

Ji Jingchuan slammed his hand on the table, nearly overturning it. He glared at the younger man and scolded, "Is this how your parents raised you?"

"Were the generals who led the troops at the front lines made to rush back at top speed, just to see the Crown Prince and flatter him?"

"Should we continue fighting on the front lines?"

"Get out! How dare you provoke the Duke of Chen to anger?" Xiao Jingfu shouted at the young man.

The younger member was taken aback, realizing he had tried to flatter the Crown Prince but hadn't done it well. He could only raise his wine cup and say, "Your Highness, I will punish myself with a cup."

"I told you to get out, didn't you understand?"

Upon hearing this, the man knew he couldn't stay inside any longer. He could only glance at Duke Chen with some resentment before reluctantly leaving the house.

Ji Jingchuan, being old and having served three emperors, earnestly said to Xiao Jingfu beside him, "Your Highness, you must remember that the war at the front is the one thing that cannot be delayed."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Since Li Wangxin did not appear for a long time, everyone could only eat first, which was considered a celebration of Xiao Jingfu becoming the crown prince.

After the meal, Xiao Jingfu had someone escort Ji Jingchuan back to his residence.

Then Zhang Yuhu, the commander of the Tianqi Army beside him, said in a low voice, "Your Highness, if the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion supports the First Prince..."

"After all, he commands hundreds of thousands of troops."

"And it also has the support of the entire court of civil officials..."

Xiao Jingfu glared at Zhang Yuhu and said in a deep voice, "My elder brother only went to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion once, and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion supported him?"

"Don't talk nonsense without evidence."

Although Xiao Jingfu said this, a seed of unease was planted in his heart.

Because he was very clear about the past conflict between him and Jiang Yun...

If Jiang Yun were to interfere in this matter...

Xiao Jingfu took a deep breath, then summoned a eunuch from the Crown Prince's residence: "Send someone to inquire about Jiang Yun's movements and activities in the next few days. Inform me of everything, understand?"

"Yes."

(End of this chapter)