The struggle for the throne among nine princes—I really don't want to be the crown prince.

Chapter 539 The New Master of the Forbidden City

Emperor Qianxi is finally gone!
He led his mighty army on a grand and spectacular expedition!
Of course, the 300,000-strong army could not all be crammed together at the gates of the capital. Therefore, when Emperor Qianxi left the capital, he only took with him the Green Standard Army soldiers from the vicinity of the capital, as well as his trusted confidants—the Ruijian Battalion and the Yongshi Battalion!

The line was so long that you couldn't see the end of it at all.

After Emperor Qianxi's figure had completely disappeared, Shen Ye waved goodbye to the thirteenth prince.

This Thirteenth Prince was carrying a heavy responsibility. He was entrusted with Shen Ye's instructions and had gathered a group of guards by all means. He headed straight for the Prince of Qingqiu's residence.

Before leaving, Shen Ye not only assigned him a bunch of tasks, but also gave him a branch token of Yuqing Bank, plus a limit of one million taels of silver.

This is definitely a great business trip gift package; it's truly enviable.

The thirteenth prince's hands trembled as he received the token: "Second brother, Crown Prince, this...this is far too weighty! Your subject will certainly live up to your expectations!"

After these two left one after the other, Shen Ye moved back to the Forbidden City.

Today, the Yuqing Palace and several adjacent palaces in the Forbidden City have been quietly connected.

Although the plaque reading "Eastern Palace" hasn't been hung up yet, everyone knows that this is the Crown Prince's territory.

After seeing Emperor Qianxi off, Shen Ye looked up and exclaimed: "Wow, the sky over the Forbidden City seems even bluer! Even the birdsong sounds much clearer!"

It feels so good to have no one watching you from above all day long!
No wonder so many princes throughout history have longed to take over the throne as soon as possible.

It feels so good to not have any mountains weighing down on me!
While Shen Ye thought to himself that this idea was a bit dangerous, he couldn't help but smile.

As soon as Shen Ye sat down in Yuqing Palace, he called Nian Jinfu over.

Now that the Imperial Household Department has seized power, it's time to put the expansion plan of Yuqing Bank on the agenda!
Nian Jinfu took the proposal written by Shen Ye, his hand trembling slightly:
"Your Highness, opening ten branches of Yuqing Bank in one go... isn't that a bit too aggressive?"

Shen Ye waved his hand with a smile:
"When you're old, you have to think long-term! It's really hard and tiring if we just rely on ourselves to work hard."

"But the Imperial Household Department's industries are spread all over the country!"

"By using their territory and hanging up our signboard, opening fifteen branches wouldn't be difficult!"

"Once these branch offices are established, there will be many benefits—more flexible funds, more ways to make money, more profit points, and so on..."

"This is called 'using borrowed resources to generate wealth,' or resource integration!"

Nian Jinfu certainly understood the benefits of bank expansion, but he always felt that the Crown Prince was too aggressive, taking too big a step and risking trouble.

However, he couldn't fight city hall, and in the end he obediently accepted the order.

Shen Ye had told Nian Jinfu so many benefits, but there was actually one more crucial thought that he had kept hidden.

The biggest advantage of opening so many branches is that it allows "Yuqing Silver Dollars" and "Yuqing Gold Notes" to circulate more widely.

Once more people use gold notes and they become everyday currency, Yuqing Bank's position will be as secure as Mount Tai.

Shen Ye's purpose in taking control of the Imperial Household Department was never merely to help Emperor Qianxi raise military funds; that was just a favor he did on the side.

His real plan was to use the channels of the Imperial Household Department to plant the flag of Yuqing Bank all over the country.

When Yuqing Bank is everywhere and Yuqing Gold Notes can replace silver as hard currency...

Emperor Qianxi wants to touch him again? Heh heh, that won't be easy!
However, Shen Ye kept his thoughts to himself and never revealed them to anyone.

No sooner had Nian Jinfu left than Wei Zhu entered respectfully:
"Your Highness, Lord Tong, along with several officials from the Southern Study, requests an audience."

Wei Zhu and Liang Jiugong were Emperor Qianxi's right-hand men, and the emperor usually took them with him when he went out.

This time, Emperor Qianxi kept Wei Zhu in the palace, ostensibly because "the palace cannot be without a chief steward," but in reality, it was just to keep him as an informant.

This matter was an open secret within the palace.

Shen Ye was perfectly aware of Emperor Qianxi's thoughts.

So they simply transferred Wei Zhu to work right under their noses, giving her "important use" in every task, especially serving tea and water, relaying messages and running errands—she was given every single job.

"Invite them in."

Wei Zhu agreed and quietly withdrew.

A short while later, Tong Guowei led Zhang Ying, the Third Prince, and the Eighth Prince in.

Several people bowed in unison: "Your subjects greet Your Highness!"

Shen Ye smiled warmly, like a gentle spring breeze:
"Lord Tong, please rise. We'll be seeing each other often in the future, so there's no need to be so polite. Wei Zhu, please take a seat!"

After everyone sat down, Shen Ye casually asked, "Lord Tong, is there something you need?"

Tong Guowei took out a memorial to the throne:
"Your Highness, there is an urgent matter here. We dare not act on our own and have come to consult Your Highness."

"Songjiang Prefecture has just reported that the typhoon has caused severe damage. Countless houses have collapsed, and people have been displaced. They request the imperial court to provide disaster relief."

Shen Ye's expression turned serious. He took the memorial, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.
"How did the Southern Study handle such disaster reports in the past?"

"Your Highness, in the past, the Southern Study would draft disaster relief proposals for Your Majesty to decide. In this case of the Songjiang typhoon, we suggest that Songjiang Prefecture be exempted from taxes and levies for one year."

Shen Ye nodded: "Then let's do as the Southern Study suggests, and send another copy to Father Emperor so that he can rest assured."

Tong Guowei continued his report: "The second matter is that a report from Huguang states..."

He reported more than a dozen matters in a row, and the Southern Study had already discussed and devised solutions for each one, waiting only for Shen Ye's approval.

As Shen Ye listened, his brows furrowed: This wasn't a report; it was clearly a notification!

Although he did not intend to launch a major campaign during this regentship, he also did not want to become a "human jade seal"!

Everything was arranged by the Southern Study, so when it came to him, all that was left was to go through the motions—wasn't this just like the treatment of the "puppet emperor" back then!

Even stamping machines aren't this convenient.

After Tong Guowei finished his report, Shen Ye tapped the table lightly with his fingers:
"Prime Minister Tong has worked hard. Now that Third Brother and Eighth Brother have entered the Southern Study, they should learn more from Prime Minister Tong and Prime Minister Zhang." "The two elders are getting old, so you should share more of the burden."

The Third Prince and the Eighth Prince barely spoke throughout, but a hint of anticipation flashed in their eyes.

They had witnessed how Emperor Qianxi governed the country—he was incredibly autocratic!
The words of Nan Shufang are just for reference; whether to listen to them or not depends entirely on my mood.

But now?

Tong Guowei constantly invoked "His Majesty's past decisions" and "ancestral rules," clearly intending to severely restrict the Crown Prince, the regent.

If anything goes wrong, the Crown Prince will definitely be the one to take the blame—after all, the Emperor entrusted the empire to him before he passed away.

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's instructions, the two quickly bowed their heads and replied, "Your subject obeys."

Watching the four people leave, Shen Ye frowned slightly.

Although he had no interest in being regent, the current situation seemed increasingly unsettling to him.

This isn't some kind of regent; it's pure torture! It's so frustrating.

Shen Ye tapped the table absently with his fingers, muttering to himself:

We can't let Tong Guowei and his gang lead us by the nose anymore.

After a few thoughts, Shen Ye made up his mind.

Although he didn't want to act arbitrarily, he couldn't always be treated like a kite to be flown.

Back in the Imperial Study, Shen Ye took out a piece of paper and quickly began to write: Meeting Procedures...

Once Tong Guowei and his entourage returned to the Southern Study, they each got busy with their own tasks.

Although the Eighth Prince and the Third Prince were newcomers, they each had their own duty room.

Their task was to process the less important memorials sent by the Office of Transmission.

Most of the important tasks were handled by Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying.

The Eighth Prince had just sat down in his room when the Third Prince entered with a teacup, smiling as he said:
"Eighth brother, I've really learned a lot from being regent this time!"

The Third Prince's words seemed to come out of nowhere, but the Eighth Prince understood his meaning immediately.

He smiled and said, "Third brother, Father is not here, but we have kept all the necessary contingency plans."

"I believe that with Prime Minister Tong around, the sky won't fall, and everything will be back to normal!"

The Third Prince smiled and said:
"Yes, Prime Minister Tong and Prime Minister Zhang have assisted Father for many years. Even though Father is no longer here, it is difficult to bypass them."

"However, things aren't going well for the Crown Prince."

The Eighth Prince smiled but did not speak.

For him, the Crown Prince's regency this time was actually an opportunity to strengthen his own power.

Because of his concern for the crown prince, Emperor Qianxi delegated a great deal of power to Tong Guowei and Zhang Ying.

Now, one of these two people is his person, and the other is also close to him.

While he may not be able to handle major matters, he can make decisions on minor ones quietly and without anyone noticing.

For example, promoting the rank of someone who comes to rely on you, moving them to a different location, or doing someone a favor...

Isn't it a piece of cake?
And what about the crown prince?

They were tightly bound by the rules and regulations set by Emperor Qianxi before his death.

The supreme imperial power was right before their eyes, yet they couldn't even touch it.

With the Emperor around, the Crown Prince could neither take action against Tong Guowei and his group, nor could he increase the number of Grand Secretaries in the Southern Study.

If things continue like this, this regent will probably only be a lonely figurehead.

As soon as the Third Prince left, the Eighth Prince came to Tong Guowei's official residence, ostensibly to ask for advice, but actually to finalize something with Tong Guowei.

"Prime Minister Tong, according to the Emperor's wishes, this year's imperial examination should be held as scheduled. In my opinion, Ma Qi is a very suitable chief examiner."

After exchanging a few casual words with Tong Guowei, the Eighth Prince revealed his purpose with a smile.

The position of chief examiner for the imperial examination has always been highly sought after.

Why? Because the greatest benefit of the imperial examination was not how much money one could earn, but rather the list of successful candidates.

Anyone who passes the imperial examination with flying colors must address the examiner as "teacher" upon meeting them.

Although most of these people are minor officials of the seventh rank, they may rise to prominence in the future, and there is endless possibility for them.

Moreover, once they become disciples, no matter how these people develop, they will not dare to openly oppose their teacher.

Who dares to go against the teacher? That would be tantamount to betraying one's teacher and ancestors.

With these students, it's easy to win over a group of people on your side.

Therefore, the chief examiner of this imperial examination has always been a highly sought-after position.

The Eighth Prince recommended Ma Qi with a very clear purpose: Ma Qi was one of their people.

Tong Guowei slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said gently:

"His Majesty instructed before leaving the capital that the selection of the chief examiners for the imperial examination should simply be reported."

Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince's smile deepened.

(End of this chapter)