How can you rule the world if I'm just a substitute for you?

Fu Youde's eyes were resolute, and he refused to budge an inch.

"Tonight, despite the emperor's suspicions, I shielded the Crown Prince from the turmoil in the court and stabilized his plans in Jiangzhou."

"This favor is immense!"

He stretched out his hand, decisively:

Ten.

"No more, no less, I want ten Northern Di women."

"If even one is missing, I will not admit fault! From now on, in the court, you won't expect me to intervene on behalf of the Crown Prince!"

Meng Yuanbao was taken aback when he saw the way the man looked at him with such confidence, and then he couldn't help but laugh.

He shook his head: "Lord Fu, you're taking advantage of my misfortune."

"I'm just taking advantage of their misfortune!" Fu Youde said without any hesitation, his tone self-righteous. "Tonight's mission was incredibly dangerous! I almost got myself killed!"

Meng Yuanbao pondered for a moment, then looked intently at Fu Youde.

He knew in his heart that Fu Youde had indeed made a great contribution tonight.

After a moment, Meng Yuanbao slowly nodded.

"Can."

"Ten, just ten."

"I just don't know if Lord Fu's body can handle it? How about this, as long as Lord Fu completely sides with us, I have a medicine here, which I will also give to Lord Fu to ensure that Lord Fu remains strong and doesn't fall down."

Upon hearing this, Fu Youde nearly spat out the tea he had just drunk.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Do I need that medicine? You should keep it for yourself."

Meng Yuanbao moved closer to Fu Youde, draped his arm over Fu Youde's shoulder, and said with an air of knowing everything, "Ah, Lord Fu, you can't say that. It's better to be prepared. What if you need it someday?"

Fu Youde flung Meng Yuanbao's arm away and said irritably, "You brat, don't think I don't know what you're up to. There's no room for negotiation."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yuanbao stopped insisting. He dropped his playful demeanor and asked seriously, "Lord Fu, what did His Majesty say tonight?"

Fu Youde picked up the teacup on the table, took a big gulp, and then slowly spoke:

"Although I spoke on behalf of the Crown Prince today, I was extremely careful to maintain my composure."

"I offered Your Majesty a suggestion: temporarily appoint Liu Huai'an as Prefect and delegate personnel appointment authority to officials below the fifth rank, but..."

"The military power in Jiangzhou will not be relinquished, and the appointment and removal of officials of the fifth rank and above will be handled by the imperial court."

Fu Youde looked at Meng Yuanbao and said seriously, "My help to the Crown Prince is a matter of duty."

"I never intended to bet on the crown prince and get involved in the succession struggle."

Meng Yuanbao nodded slightly, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

He naturally understood Fu Youde's intention to protect himself.

In tonight's power struggle before the emperor, Fu Youde not only helped Brother Lin gain favor but also protected himself, proving himself to be a cunning old fox among cunning old foxes.

"I understand," Meng Yuanbao said softly. "It's a good thing that Lord Fu is being cautious."

Fu Youde put down his teacup and stood up.

"At the morning court tomorrow, all the officials will surely rise up to attack the Crown Prince."

"His Majesty has decided to protect the Crown Prince, and I will do my best to speak up for him."

"The rest is up to you."

Meng Yuanbao cupped his hands again and said, "Thank you, Lord Fu."

Fu Youde waved his hand and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he turned back and gave another word of advice:

"Remember, ten of them, not one less!"

Seeing that Fu Youde was about to leave, Meng Yuanbao quickly stepped forward and grabbed his arm, saying urgently, "Lord Fu, don't be in such a hurry to leave. Since you're already here, why not have some fun?"

Fu Youde had been waiting for this very sentence. He turned around and sat down, feigning modesty, and said, "Alright then, I have some things to tell you. I'll only talk about business and nothing else."

"Rest assured, Lord Fu." Meng Yuanbao turned and called out, "Call the young ladies in; I have important matters to discuss."

……

The next day, as dawn broke, the morning court session began in the Golden Palace of the capital.

The civil and military officials stood in two rows, solemn and dignified; you could hear a pin drop in the hall.

"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."

As soon as Li Fuquan finished speaking, before Emperor Qian could even open his mouth, Chen Jingxiu, the Vice Minister of Rites, stepped forward and loudly announced his arrival.

"Your Majesty! I have a memorial to present!"

His voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire Golden Palace.

"His Highness the Crown Prince traveled to Jiangzhou to investigate a case, intending to rectify taxes and appease the local people. However, his actions have now plunged Jiangzhou into chaos!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials in the court immediately looked up.

Following this, Chen Jingxiu, the Vice Minister of Rites, continued:

"The Crown Prince is ruthlessly purging aristocratic families, forcibly distributing their lands to the common people, thus destabilizing the local populace!"

"Without going through the imperial court or following proper procedures, the prefect of Jiangzhou, Liu Chengzhang, was executed in public!"

"Disregarding the law, arbitrarily killing high-ranking officials, and disturbing the local area! Your Majesty, I implore you to issue an edict immediately! Summon the Crown Prince back to the capital for accountability! Thoroughly investigate the Crown Prince's crimes of abusing power and disrupting the government in Jiangzhou!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall erupted in chaos.

The officials from the powerful families, who were prepared in advance, stepped forward one after another and knelt down to request an audience.

"I second that proposal!"

"The Crown Prince's actions have been excessive and may have violated the conduct expected of a heir apparent. We request Your Majesty to recall him and discipline him!"

A large, dark mass of officials knelt down; most of them were from aristocratic families and courtiers from the Third Prince's lineage.

Their purpose was very clear.

Taking advantage of Liu Chengzhang's murder and the suppression of the Jiangzhou aristocratic families, they forcibly accused the crown prince of abusing his power and disrupting the government, and forcibly recalled him to the capital.

Once the Crown Prince returns to the capital, the Qin family's crisis will be resolved, and Jiangzhou will once again be dominated by powerful clans.

Emperor Qian sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression calm and unwavering. His gaze swept lightly over the kneeling officials below him, without uttering a word.

The atmosphere inside the hall was extremely oppressive.

Everyone was waiting for His Majesty to make a statement.

At that moment, Fu Youde, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward steadily, his posture upright, his voice deep and powerful, overpowering the clamor of the court.

"Your Majesty, I have an objection!"

All the kneeling officials turned their heads and looked at Fu Youde.

Fu Youde surveyed the officials, and speaking calmly and clearly:

"My lords say that the Crown Prince is causing trouble in politics, but in my opinion, the Crown Prince not only did not make any mistakes while in Jiangzhou, but actually made great contributions!"

"You all say the Crown Prince is purging the powerful families, but why don't you mention that Jiangzhou has been short of taxes for many years, and all these shortfalls came from the hands of these powerful families?"

"The Crown Prince's purge of the aristocratic families is an investigation into long-standing abuses, and he is wholeheartedly thinking of the Great Qian Dynasty."

"Furthermore, you all say that the Crown Prince forcibly distributed land, but this is to appease the people and stabilize the region. How could it cause chaos in Jiangzhou?"

"You all insist on focusing on Liu Chengzhang's death, saying that the Crown Prince arbitrarily killed court officials and showed no respect for the law!"

Fu Youde's tone suddenly sharpened, and his gaze swept across the entire room.

"But you all have forgotten! His Majesty personally ordered the Crown Prince to go to Jiangzhou, granting him the authority to oversee both military and political affairs in Jiangzhou, and the power to execute first and report later!"

"Liu Chengzhang embezzled taxes and protected powerful families; the evidence is irrefutable! The Crown Prince's public execution, though contrary to usual procedure, was entirely within his authority!"

"How can you talk about usurpation? How can you talk about disrupting the government?"

His words were well-reasoned and supported by evidence.

The group of impeaching officials, who had been so aggressive just moments before, were instantly rendered speechless and their faces turned ashen.

Fu Youde continued loudly:

"Your collective outcry today, seemingly on behalf of the country, is in reality a plea for justice for the powerful families of Jiangzhou whose interests have been threatened!"

"The Crown Prince's actions in Jiangzhou, involving powerful families and reforming the bureaucracy, have surely cut off your benefits, which is why you have all risen up against him!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly beseech you to investigate thoroughly! Do not heed one-sided accounts and discourage the Crown Prince from upholding justice!"