Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 78 Is the throne easier to sit on than imagined?

at the same time.

Inside the palace, the Prince of Qin listened to his trusted subordinates' reports on the people's conditions over the past two days, his face turning a terrifyingly ashen.

What exactly does the emperor want to do?!

Why did he allow public opinion to develop to this extent?

Does he not know that those lowly commoners have become so arrogant that they dare to glare angrily at the Prince's mansion?!
What is this behavior?
This is blasphemy against the imperial authority! This is rebellion!

He simply hadn't gone to pay his respects to the emperor immediately when he arrived.

However, everyone in the Prince of Qin's mansion did nothing but stay obediently in the mansion.

Therefore, on the surface, the imperial clan was still closely linked to the imperial power.

But now the emperor allows the people to violate the dignity of the imperial family.

This left Zhu Cunshu completely baffled as to what the emperor was trying to do.

Judging from his ability to lead his people out of Beijing in such a short time and his actions in Shaanxi, he doesn't seem like an unreasonable person at all.

However, Zhu Cunshu was somewhat puzzled by his actions of ignoring public opinion.

Could it be that the emperor was able to reach this point solely through cruelty?

In reality, he wasn't as cunning as people imagined.

Several thoughts intertwined in Zhu Cunxu's mind, making him feel uneasy and agitated.

Just then, the steward bowed and came over to report, "Your Highness, news of the people's plight outside has reached our palace recently."

"The soldiers in the manor were all thrown into a state of panic by those rumors, and their morale plummeted."

Zhu Cunshu waved his hand impatiently: "Take another sum of money from the treasury and distribute it."

After a pause, he continued, "Go and invite the gentlemen from the manor over."

"I understand." The steward bowed and withdrew.

Not long after.

Several advisors from the Prince's Palace were brought before Zhu Cunshu.

Looking at the group, Zhu Cunshu dismissed the maids on his left and right, and then asked:
"The uproar caused by those lowly people outside has greatly exceeded my expectations. What do you gentlemen think about this?"

The group exchanged glances, then one of them stood up and asked, bowing respectfully, "Your Highness, has His Majesty received a reply to the letter you sent?"

Zhu Cunshu shook his head: "It's like a stone sinking into the sea."

"That's strange. As a first-class member of the imperial family, Your Highness, regardless of whether His Majesty intends to harm the Prince's residence, should at least have a resolution to this matter, and should not ignore public opinion."

"Could it be that, as the rumors say, the emperor is truly preoccupied with disaster relief and has no time to pay attention to these developments in the capital?"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone else chimed in, "That possibility cannot be ruled out."

Zhu Cunshu waved his hand: "We don't care what he thinks now."

"Now that things have come to this, you all should help me think of a way to get him out of the city and a way to quiet those lowly people down."

Upon hearing this, the group stopped arguing and their minds began to race.

After a moment, the one in the center stood up first, cupped his hands, and said:
"Your Highness, I believe you should write another letter to His Majesty now, explaining to him the impact of the current surging public opinion on the imperial authority."

"The imperial family shares the same fate as the imperial power. His Majesty will surely have something to say after reading the letter."

"At the same time, the emperor's visit to Xi'an did involve surgery."

"Therefore, Your Highness, you will probably need to give up some land to support the Emperor's reforms, and you must also make sure that everyone knows about this."

"In this way, the people's grievances will dissipate, and the emperor will benefit. He will probably immediately go to other places to clean up the mess there."

After this person finished speaking, another person stood up and added:

"Furthermore, since the emperor came to Shaanxi to provide disaster relief and help the people."

"Then Your Highness can select a loyal follower from your household and have him impersonate a refugee who fled from Yan'an Prefecture, the hardest-hit area, and publicly beat the grievance drum in front of the government office." "As long as he explains the tragic situation in Yan'an Prefecture, he can divert the attention of the people and the emperor, and keep the emperor away from Xi'an Prefecture."

Zhu Cunshu fell silent upon hearing this.

When the emperor first arrived, he had no intention of shedding any blood.

Trying to get back what you've given away will only create a lot of trouble.

But now they are facing a surge of public opinion.

Zhu Cunshu was still somewhat worried.

Seeing that Zhu Cunshu was wavering, an advisor beside him further advised:

"Your Highness, it's just a few acres of land. You should consider the bigger picture."

"If public opinion continues to grow unchecked, the situation will likely become uncontrollable."

"Now, as long as the emperor leaves, public opinion will naturally fall apart on its own."

"As for those fields, you can take them back under the emperor's name after he leaves."

As soon as this person finished speaking, the last person stepped forward to deliver the final blow that moved Zhu Cunshu.
"Furthermore, Your Highness, have you considered that the Emperor's actions have infringed upon the interests of too many people, and that Yan'an Prefecture, the hardest-hit area, is extremely dangerous? Therefore..."

Zhu Cunshu's gaze sharpened as he looked at the man, then he slowly nodded, encouraging him to continue.

Having received the signal, the man continued, "So if that day ever comes..."

"At that time, taking advantage of the fact that you donated land during the emperor's disaster relief efforts, you, Your Highness, will be the one in the right!"

"They're just ordinary people. At that point, won't they just believe whatever we say?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cunshu felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

Yes.

I had completely fallen into a misconception.

In retrospect, temporary gains and losses are nothing at all.

As long as I stabilize the current situation and prevent those arrogant and ignorant people from causing any more trouble, I can deal with them slowly in the future.

Moreover, there are many people who want the emperor dead.

It wasn't just Zhu Cunshu, but also Qiao Yingjia and his group of officials, the gentry from other prefectures, and even the powerful families in the inland regions.
These people definitely wanted the emperor to die a tragic death in Shaanxi.

Therefore, if he really goes to Yan'an Prefecture, then there will be many ways to fight back.

With that thought in mind, Zhu Cunshu finally stopped hesitating: "Then let's get on it right away. I'll personally write a letter and send it to that person later."

soon.

Zhu Cunshu then completed a heartfelt letter.

In the letter, he emphasized that the prince and the emperor were bound by blood, but now some officials were maliciously inciting public opinion and sowing discord in the capital.

We hope the Emperor will take swift action.

Not only that.

Zhu Cunshu also said that he was willing to donate 100,000 mu of fertile land to help the emperor govern Shaanxi.

After writing the letter in great detail, Zhu Cunshu immediately ordered it to be delivered to the government office.

Then, looking at the group of strategists in the room, he couldn't help but recall the thought that had just flashed through his mind:
Could it be that the emperor was able to travel from the capital to Shaanxi solely because of his ruthlessness?

Then what right does he have to become emperor?

Or is it that the throne is much easier to sit on than one imagines?
Thinking about these things, Zhu Cunshu narrowed his eyes with an inexplicable expression.

　I recommend a good bro's book, a Xianxia (fantasy/cultivation) novel about immortality. If you're interested, you can click the book recommendation link to check it out.
　　

(End of this chapter)