Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

In fact, all of them had met Jiang Zhao.

At that time, when members of the imperial family came to the capital, Jiang Zhao was in charge of receiving them.

Polite, warm, and courteous.

As the proposers of the secret succession law, the group clearly knew of Jiang Zhao.

However, since it was in the Imperial Study, they dared not make any announcements without permission.

The group bowed, and Jiang Zhao quickly returned the bow with his hands clasped.

These people could all be future emperors!

"The matter of the frontier concerns the very foundation of the nation. You are all eldest sons, and you may all inherit the throne in the future." After exchanging glances, Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice, "Do you have the courage to go to the frontier and live there for a period of time?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhao was suddenly surprised.

With just this one sentence, he understood what Zhao Zhen meant by "You have not failed me, and I will not fail you."

For Emperor Zhao Zhen, Jiang Zhao's expansion of territory was already a testament to his loyalty to the emperor.

Now, naturally, "the emperor will not fail his subjects."

Zhao Zhen said that several of his sons might inherit the throne. For these sons, it would be a matter of their fathers ascending the throne, with the eldest son being made crown prince, thus inheriting the throne.

Little did he know that once the "good grandson" theory came out, Zhao Zhen simply stopped thinking about establishing a crown prince.

The Crown Prince is the new emperor!

Once all the heirs have gone to the frontier, as long as he manages the relationships well...

Whoever ascended the throne was familiar with him.

Jiang Zhaowei lowered her head.

This can be considered a version of his proposed secret succession law and the "good grandson" theory.

Several people nodded in unison.

Regardless of what they thought, the emperor had already spoken, and there was no room for compromise.

"Jiang Qing."

Zhao Zhen looked intently at the young man he had just selected: "Give these members of the imperial clan any official position of the seventh or eighth rank to give them some experience."

Zhao Zhen turned to look at his "good grandsons" and said, "Once you enter the border region, write a letter to the capital once a month, telling us what you have done and what you have learned."

“Jiang Qing writes one copy per quarter and submits it privately,” Zhao Zhen added.

"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation." Jiang Zhao quickly bowed.

This posture clearly indicated that he was to be inspected by several members of the imperial clan.

How... how else can this be investigated?

Of course, in just a moment, Jiang Zhao had some ideas in his mind.

First of all, you should definitely praise them, but you should praise them from different aspects depending on their personalities.

However, praising someone is also a skill.

On the one hand, you should praise people.

On the one hand, it is also necessary to understand the emperor's intentions so that the emperor can choose a satisfactory successor based on the words of praise.

The members of the imperial clan looked at each other in bewilderment.

However, everyone has a gut feeling.

This matter is probably related to the older generation's decision on choosing an heir.

Otherwise, there's absolutely no need to go to such lengths.

You must behave well.

Chapter 105 The Royal Family's Reaction!

In officialdom, the most important thing is to pay attention to the actions of your superiors.

A casual remark from a high-ranking official may reveal the direction of policy.

For the nobles, officials, and civil and military officials of Bianjing, the emperor was their highest superior and the most important person.

Every move the emperor made revealed the direction of the political situation.

In particular, the secret succession law made the crown prince less visible, which made the emperor's preferences even more noteworthy.

The conversation in the Imperial Study, involving several imperial grandsons and other members of the imperial clan, has spread silently.

For a moment, all the civil and military officials, the crown prince and members of the imperial family fell silent.

Prince Yan's Mansion.

The dancers twirled gracefully, their light silk robes trailing on the ground.

The King of Yan stood with his hands behind his back, turning his head to look at his eldest son.

"You mean, the Emperor specifically summoned several younger members of the imperial family to give them experience and tests?"

Zhao Shiyi, a portly man, nodded and said, "His Majesty wants several members of the imperial clan to live in Xihe Road and submit a letter every month explaining what they have been doing. Jiang Xuanfu Envoy will submit a letter once a quarter, explaining what the imperial clan members have been doing."

"Is that so?"

The Prince of Yan put his hands behind his back and pondered for a moment.

The fact that the crown prince is not prominent does not mean that there is no competition among the members of the imperial family.

Several members of the royal family were candidates for the throne.

The throne is the prize to be fought over; who wouldn't be tempted by it?

The difference lies in the fact that the direction of competition has gradually changed.

In the past, when the two kings vied for power, the main competition involved accumulating strength and winning over court officials.

Because the emperor had no son, the two princes even showed signs of openly trying to win over court officials, becoming extremely arrogant.

However, since the six members of the imperial clan were summoned to the capital, the competition has subtly shifted to showcasing their abilities in hopes of gaining the emperor's attention and being chosen as the crown prince.

Building up strength and winning over court officials is certainly meaningful, but it's already difficult to influence the overall situation.

The existence of the secret succession law necessitates the process of "entrusting the orphanage to another family."

This gave powerful dukes and civil officials in purple robes the impression of sitting idly by, neither taking the initiative to choose sides.

Ultimately, who would risk their life and fortune for a one-in-five chance of success if they could secure their power?

It's possible that someone hasn't achieved success or fame.

The powerful dukes and high-ranking officials were all figures of great power and prestige.

Thus, officials with real power naturally remain seated on the sidelines, unwilling to participate.

Without winning over high-ranking officials of the third rank or above, no matter how much power the five members of the imperial clan accumulate, it will be difficult to influence the overall situation.

Furthermore, the secret succession law gave the emperor the opportunity to renege on his decision.

The title of Crown Prince can be changed at will.

Even the edict establishing the heir apparent may have had its name changed several times.

Today, the only way to win the throne is to demonstrate the wisdom and virtue of the imperial family.

As for whether they are wise or not, the members of the imperial clan are currently about the same, with little difference between them.

The meeting in the Imperial Study, during which the Emperor specially sent a younger member of the imperial clan to Xihe Road for training, must have been related to the decision on the position of Crown Prince.

"The Emperor's move is likely to ensure that the Great Zhou Dynasty will produce two generations of wise rulers!"

After a long pause, the Prince of Yan spoke up and made a definitive statement.

Five members of the royal family were chosen, and he was selected as a wise and virtuous ruler. This was already a wise and virtuous ruler.

The frontier tests the younger generation, which means selecting outstanding imperial grandsons.

In that case, wouldn't they be two generations of wise rulers?

"Father."

Zhao Shiyi's plump figure trembled, his eyes darting around in panic, as if he were afraid of ruining things.

Having lived a wealthy life since childhood and being the eldest son of a prince, he really had no goals to strive for.

If one lacks patience in reading, one's ability to learn characters will be limited to memorizing words, making it difficult to even pass the imperial examinations.

Practicing martial arts is too much for someone of your precious health; how can you endure hardship?

Of the five younger members of the imperial clan, he was relatively mediocre.

If the Emperor truly intends to choose the heir apparent based on the abilities of the imperial grandsons, he will definitely be a hindrance.

"No hurries?"

The King of Yan's expression darkened.

In the past, it didn't matter that my son was mediocre.

Little did they know that this would be a decision that could affect the throne.

"Judging from the official's words, it should be that Jiang Zhao was put in charge of observing and testing."

The Prince of Yan instructed, "Jiang Zhao is indeed a virtuous minister who has expanded the territory. Once you enter Xihe Road, you must restrain your temper and avoid offending people recklessly."

Time was short, and these were the only solutions he could think of for the time being.

Compared to mediocrity, stupidity is undoubtedly more unpleasant.

"Father, rest assured."

Zhao Shiyi nodded quickly.

He's mediocre, but not stupid.

Now that we know this is a test, and we know who the examiner is.

He certainly wouldn't offend the examiner.

Prince Yong's Mansion.

Prince Yong looked troubled.

He really had no idea how to make his son stand out.

He is a prince, but he is only a prince.

His hand wasn't stretched out particularly far.

We can't let someone betray the country and be implicated by the eldest son, thus gaining merit for their actions.

hiss~!

Guangqin Residence.

In a small wheat field, Zhao Zongquan held a rake, poking and prodding the wheat, lost in thought.

"Father, this is wonderful news!"

Zhao Ceying, in her late twenties, was full of energy and ambition.

He is of royal blood, his grandfather was once trained in the palace, and his father was one of the six members of the imperial clan who were expected to be made crown prince.

Such an experience could not help but ignite his passion.

There are countless members of the imperial family in the world. My father has become one of the candidates. We have already come this far. Who wouldn't want to make something of themselves?

"shut up!"

Zhao Zongquan threw down the rake in his hand, his face grim.

“I have neither connections nor reputation or talent. What’s the point of fighting?” Zhao Zongquan retorted angrily.

"Father."

Zhao Ceying had heard her father's words countless times.

"Father, this is a secret selection of an heir!"