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

Once the matter was settled, Master Liu didn't waste a moment and immediately went back to the city to make his life a reality.

His students were spread throughout the capital's private schools and academies, and coupled with his reputation as the leader of the literati, the news spread throughout the entire capital in just one day.

The Crown Prince Lin Xuan of the current dynasty has opened a new bookstore, which he named Daqian Wenyuange.

Breaking the millennia-old tradition of exorbitant book prices, it is now sold for only five taels per book.

The news spread throughout the city, causing countless students from impoverished backgrounds to erupt in excitement.

Countless impoverished scholars and students from humble backgrounds flocked to Master Liu's residence to register and reserve copies, all hoping to snag a copy when the Wenyuan Pavilion opened in ten days.

In an instant, Crown Prince Lin Xuan's popularity among the people soared, becoming unmatched by anyone.

Meanwhile, at the Third Prince's residence.

Several trusted officials gathered together, all with solemn expressions, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere.

The Third Prince, Lin Fu, sat in the main seat, his expression inscrutable.

Vice Minister of War Gao Song spoke first, his face full of anxiety:

"Your Highness! We must come up with a solution as soon as possible!"

The Crown Prince's momentum is too strong now; it's impossible to control him!

The whole city is buzzing with the news that the Crown Prince has opened the Wenyuan Pavilion, where books are sold for only five taels each!

If this continues, the hearts of all the poor students in the world will belong to Lin Xuan!

Another official who was affiliated with the Third Prince chimed in:

"Your Highness! That's not all!"

The Crown Prince recently ordered Song Lian to conduct a thorough investigation of all shops in the capital.

Every merchant's goods are registered, including where they source them from and who they sell to. Any shop that refuses to cooperate will be shut down.

Upon hearing this, the other officials in the room nodded in agreement, their faces filled with worry.

Which official in the capital doesn't own a few properties and have some illicit income?

Whose business can withstand thorough investigation and analysis?

Lin Xuan's move was not just about investigating shops; it was about cutting off all their sources of income!

Everyone was extremely anxious and repeatedly urged the Third Prince to take action to suppress the situation as soon as possible.

Lin Fu, who sat in the main seat, remained silent with a gloomy expression.

He knew in his heart that his uncle, Duke Qin Lie, had already secretly sent a message.

There is still more than a month until the hunting expedition of the six kingdoms in the Qilian Mountains.

Qin Lie has made all the arrangements. He will make sure that Lin Xuan dies in the Qilian Mountains and never returns to the capital!

During this period, all we need to do is remain patient and lie low, refrain from provoking trouble, and wait for the hunt to begin.

But now Lin Xuan is pressing forward relentlessly, growing stronger every day, and is already suffocating them.

With a month to go before the hunt, he simply couldn't tolerate this threat.

One official suggested, "Your Highness, why don't we join forces and submit a memorial to impeach him!"

"Just say that the Crown Prince illegally sealed off private shops, overstepped his authority, and disrupted business in the capital. Punish him for the crime of usurpation!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone retorted:

"It's no use!"

The Crown Prince's public pronouncements were all about regulating the marketplace, eliminating chaos, and stabilizing commerce in the capital.

The reason is perfectly legitimate, and His Majesty will not hold him accountable at all; on the contrary, he will praise him for his diligence!

This is something you can't reason with!

Gao Song pondered for a moment, a ruthless glint in his eyes, and said in a low voice:

"Since we can't intervene openly, we'll create chaos!"

They secretly stirred up trouble and created chaos in the capital, then impeached the Crown Prince, accusing him of dereliction of duty and causing chaos in the capital region!

Lin Fu frowned slightly and shook his head in denial:

"That's not advisable. If we rashly stir up trouble and the Crown Prince finds out what's going on, it will only backfire. It's too risky."

Everyone chimed in with their opinions, discussing the matter repeatedly, but they still couldn't come up with a safe and feasible solution.

Just then, Gao Song, the Vice Minister of War, suddenly had a flash of inspiration, as if he had thought of some brilliant plan, and abruptly looked up:

"Your Highness! I have a plan!"

This plan could directly overthrow the Crown Prince and completely cripple Lin Xuan!

Lin Fu looked up at him: "What plan? Tell me quickly!"

Gao Song's eyes were sinister, and he lowered his voice:

"Has Your Highness never had any doubts?"

The current crown prince is not the same crown prince as before!

The room fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

Lin Fu's pupils contracted slightly, and he remained silent.

Of course he suspected it!

The former Lin Xuan was a spoiled, arrogant, ignorant, and foolish man.

But Lin Xuan now is completely different from before.

He didn't believe it for a second if you said it was the same person!

However, even after thoroughly investigating the Eastern Palace, there was not a single piece of evidence to prove that Lin Xuan was a stand-in.

Gao Song continued:

"Your Highness cannot find any clues because we are outsiders!"

But there is one person who knows best whether the current crown prince is genuine or not!

Lin Fu immediately pressed, "Who?"

Gao Song spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Princess, Shen Qingyi!

As long as Shen Qingyi publicly testifies that the current Crown Prince is an imposter!

This one sentence alone is enough to stir up a huge wave in the court and among the people!

At that time, His Majesty will be furious, the world will question him, Lin Xuan will be unable to defend himself, and his position as crown prince will collapse instantly!

Lin Fu was greatly shocked and instantly fell in love.

This plan is insidious, deadly, and strikes at the heart of the matter!

Gao Song sneered, having already devised a plan to manipulate the situation, and continued:

"We can use Shen Wenyuan as leverage, as long as she's willing to come forward and testify that the Crown Prince is an imposter."

We'll get Shen Wenyuan out of prison. If she doesn't want to... hmph.

As Gao Song spoke, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

After hearing this plan, the gloom in Lin's father's eyes dissipated.

This plan is perfectly unsolvable!

A single accusation could overthrow the Crown Prince!

Lin's father immediately made the decision and gave the order in a deep voice:

"Alright! We'll do as you suggest!"

……

The drill ground was bathed in the blazing sun.

Three thousand new soldiers are undergoing intensive training. Each squad carries a thick log on their shoulders and runs along the training ground track.

Lin Xuan was also carrying a large log, his forehead covered in sweat and his breathing heavy.

A young recruit beside him, panting heavily, couldn't help but tease, "Your Highness, are you alright? If you can't hold on any longer, take a break!"

Lin Xuan gritted his teeth, steadied himself, and forced out, "A man can't say no!"

Lin Xuan has been training with the team these past few days, and his originally weak physique has indeed become much stronger.

But ultimately, they are still far inferior to these strong, hardworking men who have farmed year-round.

However, it was precisely because they trained and endured hardships together every day that he had already become one with these new recruits.

at this time

"Snapped!"

A crisp crack of the whip struck the log in front of Lin Xuan, sending splinters flying.

Su Ling Shuang, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, rode a tall horse, holding a long whip, her cold eyes sweeping over the entire group, and she shouted sharply:

"Speed ​​up no matter how fast! If you dare to dawdle again, don't blame me for my merciless whip!"

The new recruits carrying logs all ducked their heads and instantly quickened their pace.

These days, Su Ling Shuang is in charge of the new army's training, enforcing the law strictly and showing no leniency whatsoever.

Even the most mischievous and lazy soldiers were disciplined and made obedient by her.

In the military, she had long been given a nickname: "Devil Su".

Lin Xuan glanced sideways at Su Ling Shuang on horseback, inwardly grumbling:

This woman is definitely taking revenge. I just hugged her, why is she being so petty? If it's really so bad, I'll let you hug her back and we'll call it even.

Some time ago, he handed over the entire new collaborative training method to Su Ling Shuang. At first, Su Ling Shuang did not believe that the new method was superior to the old one and was full of doubts.

On a whim, Lin Xuan made a bet with her.

The bet was simple: if the new law outperformed the old one, Su Ling Shuang would let Lin Xuan hug her.

The result was naturally a complete victory for the new law.

Su Ling Shuang accepted her loss, but she was still resentful and from then on, she focused on finding fault with Lin Xuan on the training field.

Lin Xuan muttered to himself, feeling secretly aggrieved.

"Snapped!"

Another whip lashed out, and Su Ling Shuang urged sharply, "What are you dawdling for! Speed ​​up!"

"Brothers, charge!"

Without a shout, Lin Xuan gritted his teeth, shouldered the log, and sprinted forward with the team at full speed.

This new type of weighted coordination training, improved by Lin Xuan, is far superior to the rigid training methods of the past.

It can hone individual endurance and physical fitness, as well as improve teamwork and coordination, doubling the speed of combat effectiveness improvement.

Su Ling Shuang surveyed the area from her horse with a cold eye, but she had to admit that this training method was a divine skill for training soldiers.

Just as the team was practicing enthusiastically, a panicked figure came running from the entrance of the training ground.

Wang Fuquan, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, was covered in sweat and looked anxious. He rushed forward and shouted an urgent report:

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Her Majesty requests your immediate return to the palace!"