We'll have you impersonate the Crown Prince and create a prosperous era for the Great Qian Dyna

Let alone others, even Zhou Rui couldn't believe that this was the Crown Prince!

He looked at Zhou Tiancheng with a puzzled expression.

"Your Highness, have you thought this through?"

"Regardless, Hou Tian was sent to this military camp under his orders, and he did indeed attempt to harm you!"

Zhou Tiancheng held up his bitten arm to show Zhou Rui.

"Father, you can take a closer look. The bite Lord Zhou took before he died didn't even break my skin. It's clear he had no intention of harming me."

"Even so, he did not argue, but instead simply ended his own life. It is obvious that he was forced to this point, and he was not the real culprit behind the whole thing."

"Confiscating their property and exterminating their clan will not help the matter; on the contrary, it will only give people something to talk about and increase my infamy."

Zhou Rui was somewhat exasperated, wondering if the Crown Prince was too kind.

"Utterly foolish! Foolishly kind!"

"If you spare his entire family today, what if others follow suit in the future? Will you spare them or not?"

Zhou Tiancheng looked at the corpse and sighed deeply.

"Father, I know perfectly well what I am doing."

"It was I who hurt his only son first, which led to him being used by others and going down a dead end. I feel guilty."

"As for whether doing so is right or wrong, foolish or hypocritical, who can judge its merits and demerits throughout history? Let future generations be the judge."

"But at least at this moment, I have a clear conscience!"

His words and demeanor were completely different from those of the true prince.

But combined with his acting skills, it didn't feel out of place to anyone.

Some people even asked the question instinctively.

"Could it be that we misunderstood the Crown Prince before? Is the Crown Prince not a bloodthirsty person?"

And that's exactly the effect Zhou Tiancheng wanted.

He can kill a hundred people, but if he lets go of even one person who is not essential to his life, others will think he is reasonable, and may even think that all one hundred people deserve to die.

It's like a bad person who has done a hundred bad things, but if they do just one good thing, people will think that this bad person isn't so bad after all.

And Zhou Tiancheng's goal was achieved!

Immediately afterward, someone else sighed.

"The Crown Prince left behind the poem 'Sympathy for the Farmers' at Zui Chunfeng and a composite bow drawing at the Duke of Huguo's residence, which shows that the Crown Prince was not an incompetent fool."

"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me," and "Who can judge my merits and demerits throughout the ages?"

"In that case, our Crown Prince is by no means an incompetent person; his spirit and magnanimity far surpass those of ordinary people."

"Unfortunately, with the current situation in the court clear, it will probably take him quite some time to regain his footing."

Who among those standing here isn't a shrewd and exceptionally intelligent person?

They did change their opinion of the Crown Prince, but the Third Prince was quite powerful, so they didn't dare to support him rashly. They all lowered their heads and looked around, pretending not to know anything.

Zhou Tiancheng didn't seem to care.

To gain the support of court officials, changing the crown prince's reputation was only the first step.

Zhou Rui is currently in relatively good health, so he can take his time with the rest.

Zhou Rui stopped trying to dissuade him, but his gaze changed as he turned to look at Zhou Tianze, his eyes filled with disappointment.

Zhou Tianze looked completely bewildered.

What did he do?

Why is Father looking at him?

He subconsciously turned his head to look at Qin Zhiang, as if trying to shirk responsibility.

This moment.

Even if Zhou Rui is stupid, he knows who is behind this.

"snort!"

Zhou Rui's gaze swept fiercely over Qin Zhiang, then he snorted heavily, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave.

"Prepare the carriage and return to the palace!"

A group of eunuchs and servants immediately followed.

The civil and military officials exchanged glances and hurriedly followed Zhou Rui away.

The remaining Zhou Tiancheng and the others almost burst out laughing!

Zhou Tianze was indeed a terrible teammate. Zhou Rui only glanced at him, and he betrayed Qin Zhiang.

"Old Liu, I didn't expect such an unexpected bonus."

Manager Liu smiled and nodded.

"Your Highness is wise."

"By using the death of Zhou Qingyang, Your Highness not only gained a good reputation, but also sowed discord between the Emperor and the Third Prince."

"In that case, His Majesty will certainly not allow His Highness to abdicate and hand over the throne to the Third Prince in the short term."

Zhou Tiancheng nodded as well.

"Then all that's left is the important task of training the troops."

"Once I have trained my troops well, public opinion will surely turn around. When that time comes, when I try to recruit officials from the court, I'm sure the previous situation will not happen again."

It should be noted that when he first recruited court officials, he sent out invitations in his capacity as the Crown Prince, but in the vast Zui Chun Feng Restaurant, only Shi Cheng came.

This was a disgrace to the Crown Prince and a laughing stock in Kyoto.

But once today is over, things will likely take a dramatic turn.

Just as Zhou Tiancheng was filled with anticipation, Xinhua came into his life.

"Your Highness, the Duke sent a messenger to invite Your Highness to his residence for a chat."

Zhou Tiancheng paused for a moment, then hesitated.

"Did the Duke say why?"

Xinhua smiled helplessly.

"Naturally, it's for the safety of the young lady."

"An official of the imperial court died in the military camp. The young lady sent someone back to report the news, and naturally, this matter could not be kept from the Duke."

"Those people would dare to plot against even the Crown Prince. It is far too dangerous for Miss to be by His Highness's side."

Zhou Tiancheng was somewhat dejected upon hearing this.

Before their relationship could even be properly developed, Zheng Ye'er was already being taken away by her father?

Oh well, there's plenty of time in the future.

"New General, wait a moment. After I change into my everyday clothes, I will personally escort you and Miss Zheng home. New General, please don't forget our bet."

Xinhua looked apologetic.

"This humble general will not forget that if Your Highness wins the championship, I would be grateful if Your Highness would take me in."

"However, I have gained a great deal from following the Crown Prince. Every night when I return to the camp, I summarize some key points and wish to submit them to you, my lord. I humbly request Your Highness's permission."

Not to mention the Great Qian Dynasty, going back to all the dynasties, the so-called military strategies and training points were all closely guarded secrets.

Xinhua himself felt that it was a bit abrupt.

But Zhou Tiancheng didn't take it to heart at all.

"Just go ahead and do it."

"In the past, the Duke guarded the northern frontier. He is also a great hero and a great general in my heart."

"If this method is effective and can reduce casualties among the soldiers in the Northern Frontier, it can be considered that I have made a small contribution to the Northern Frontier."

What is atmosphere?

This is!

Xinhua looked up and sincerely praised it.

"Your Highness has a magnanimous heart; I admire you greatly."

Zhou Tiancheng didn't reply, but waved for Xinhua to leave. He changed into casual clothes and then had Steward Liu summon Zheng Ye'er.

Once the carriages and horses were ready and all the people were in place, he boarded the carriage and headed to the Duke of Huguo's residence.

Until the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke's Mansion.

Ten fully armed cavalrymen are standing right here!

"This is?"

Zhou Tiancheng stepped down from the carriage and stared at the knight in front of him in astonishment.

But Xinhua was even more astonished than him!

"Why are the Ten Demons of Fengcheng here?"