The number one rebel of the Great Wu

At the Crown Prince's residence, the banquet has begun.

On the huge table, twelve elaborate dishes were painstakingly prepared using various green vegetables and eggs.

This time, the cooks in the Crown Prince's residence really suffered.

However, the only people eating there besides the Crown Prince were Shen Qingci.

Upon receiving the summons, Chen Changgeng, having just finished eating two steamed buns, rode over at full speed.

When Crown Prince Xiao Lie saw Chen Changgeng approaching, he immediately stood up and smiled kindly.

"Little Gengzi, come here quickly and sit down."

"Try what these people have given me, the Crown Prince!"

Chen Changgeng glanced at it only once, but he was secretly pleased.

That boiled cabbage dish, though the broth looked clear, actually revealed itself to be made from a rich stock derived from simmering several chickens, as evidenced by the yellow oil droplets on the surface.

This meal, in accordance with the Crown Prince's wishes, consisted entirely of meat, without any visible meat, making it even more extravagant and wasteful than usual.

No wonder Xiao Xizi and Xiao Shunzi went out of their way to buy themselves two chicken drumsticks.

"No, I wouldn't dare."

"How dare a lowly servant like myself sit at the same table as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess?"

"If Your Highness truly wishes to bestow a reward, even allowing me to serve you meals would be an immense honor!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lie glanced at Chen Changgeng with considerable surprise.

"You little brat, you actually know how to be polite?"

"It's alright, it's alright. Sit down and eat. After all, I, the Crown Prince, still have something to ask you."

Xiao Lie chuckled and waved for a servant to bring another pair of bowls and chopsticks.

Chen Changgeng wanted to decline again, but seeing Shen Qingci give him a serious look, he reluctantly sat down.

"You did a great job today; Father Emperor was overjoyed when he heard about it!"

"Not only has he lifted his confinement, but after dinner, he also summoned me to the palace again."

"You're so clever, quickly give me some advice! What will Father ask later, and how should I answer?"

Chen Changgeng was holding an empty bowl, but when the Crown Prince asked a question, he quickly put it down.

After thinking for a moment, he looked troubled.

"Your Highness, you're putting me in a difficult position."

"The last time you went to the Imperial Study, it was because His Majesty specifically requested that you go there to discuss the matter."

"His Majesty didn't say anything this time, and I don't know how to tell fortunes, so how am I supposed to know?"

Although Chen Changgeng said this, he could guess most of the meaning in his heart.

This time, the Crown Prince will go to the Ministry of Rites first and then meet the Emperor, so he probably won't be taking me with him.

Given the current situation, Chen Changgeng felt it best to stay out of it.

"Oh dear, this is a difficult situation. Even you don't know..."

Crown Prince Xiao Lie looked annoyed, scratched his head, and looked at Shen Qingci.

"In that case, to be on the safe side, we have no choice but to bring Xiao Gengzi into the palace and deal with the situation as it arises."

"Your Highness, you should set off first. I will bring Xiao Gengzi into the palace later under the pretext of meeting my aunt."

Shen Qingci's aunt is none other than Consort Shun, who is currently in the imperial palace.

I don't think this is necessary.

Chen Changgeng's eyes widened. "You two are teaming up as husband and wife? Are you determined to trick me?"

The last time I went to the Imperial Study, the Crown Prince didn't take me in, which saved me from being discovered by the Emperor.

This time, they're determined to get themselves involved... that's going to be a huge problem!

"Actually, I have some guesses about this, but I'm not sure, so I dare not say it."

Chen Changgeng quickly offered his answer.

"Firstly, the Emperor may be using this incident as an excuse to strengthen your father-son bond with you and encourage you to offer suggestions to the court in the future, so that the Emperor may implement benevolent policies."

Crown Prince Xiao Lie frowned.

"What does this mean? Does Father Emperor order me to speak out?"

"I've always loved war, who would believe me if I said that!"

"It is precisely because Your Highness is best at fighting that these words carry weight among the ministers. This is a strategy you devised after much painful reflection, Your Highness, and the Emperor has no choice but to take it seriously."

Shen Qingci also thought it made sense and nodded immediately.

"The second one is..."

Chen Changgeng raised his head slightly and glanced at Shen Qingci.

"Your Majesty, you want to hold your grandson..."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiao Lie was greatly alarmed.

What's going on here?

The first matter was manageable, but the second one was different. Chen Changgeng had even met the Emperor, so how did he figure out that the Emperor wanted a grandson?

This is just too outrageous!

"Little Gengzi!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci immediately became angry and glared at him with her phoenix eyes.

"This cannot be said lightly; to presume to know the Emperor's will is a capital offense!"

Chen Changgeng smiled bitterly. Being a servant was really tough; if you didn't speak, you'd die, and if you did speak, you'd die too.

"Yes, Little Gengzi, you'd better explain this to me clearly."

"Your answer makes absolutely no sense; even I, the Crown Prince, cannot believe it!"

"Your Highness... to be honest with you..."

"There are even bigger things waiting for you."

Chen Changgeng was about to speak, but then he remembered that it was a very serious matter and quickly covered it up.

The moment the words "deposed crown prince" are uttered, Xiao Lie, with his fiery temper, will probably chop him up on the spot.

Seeing the two men looking at him with suspicion, Chen Changgeng quickly coughed and changed the subject.

"Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Princess, I dare to guess that His Majesty desires war."

"Now that the various tribes of the Di people have unified and formed a powerful force, they are constantly causing trouble abroad, which is a test of the bottom line of the Great Wu Dynasty."

"But His Majesty rules the world from horseback, possessing exceptional martial prowess; how can he tolerate such provocation!"

"Then let's fight!"

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiao Lie immediately slammed his fist on the table: "What I fear least is war! Every single one of those Di people will be utterly defeated by me!"

"But now, we can't afford to attack the Great Wu Dynasty!"

Chen Changgeng shook his head repeatedly.

Why?

Crown Prince Xiao Lie glared angrily.

"His Majesty has been on the throne for 27 years, and 11 of those years were spent at war. The national treasury is already running out of food and silver."

"Of the expenses for the border garrison of my Shen family, half of them are borne by the Shen family itself."

Shen Qingci was well aware of this and immediately added to it.

Crown Prince Xiao Lie's expression changed slightly. As a talented general, he was well aware of the importance of provisions and military pay, and naturally fell silent.

He knew perfectly well that the Emperor had made him marry Shen Qingci for the same reason.

If they weren't family, why would the Shen family ask Kuku to pay money to stabilize the border troops on behalf of the imperial court?

It was precisely because of this that the Crown Prince was so tolerant of Shen Qingci in the mansion.

"Since they wanted to fight but lacked the means, His Majesty devised a plan to do the opposite."

"Your Highness, you have angered the Di people and war is imminent. If you propose a policy to govern the country and bring peace to the people at this time, it will surely be opposed by the court officials. After all, you are the one who caused this trouble, and you cannot just ignore it."

"And His Majesty only needs to agree to your plan in a logical and reasonable way, and the war issue can be pushed forward."

"By then, war will be inevitable, and only one problem will remain: procuring provisions and military supplies."

After Chen Changgeng finished his analysis, Xiao Lie only half understood and his mind was buzzing. He blurted out a question.

"Yes, but how do we solve the problem of food supplies and military pay?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci's expression changed drastically, and she opened her mouth slightly to utter five words.

"The Third Prince... Xiao Ce!"