Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 538: Chapter 287: There’s a Good Show to Watch (Part 3)

”The situation in Annan Country is not as complex as in Great Zhou.” Zhao Yao glanced down at the contents of the letter, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said, ”At this rate, Annan Country will be thrown into chaos by the Crown Prince and Prince Dai.”

He Lianfang snorted and said, ”At this rate, Annan Country’s money will all be siphoned off by them.”

”Indeed.”

”Your Crown Prince brother and Prince Dai brother don’t care about the lives of the common people in Annan Country; they only focus on exploiting its wealth.” He Lianfang said expressionlessly, ”The way they’re going, they’ll leave Annan Country in dire straits.”

Zhao Yao frowned and said nothing.

”The power struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Dai in Annan Country is fierce and will soon shift to Great Zhou.” He Lianfang continued, ”In the Jiangnan officialdom, the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s people are already fighting intensely, but with your grandfather holding them back, nothing major has happened for now.”

Zhao Yao was aware of the situation in the Jiangnan officialdom.

”Their people are still managing to make quite a bit of money on the side.” Although his grandfather was the governor of Yangzhou, he didn’t have absolute control there. Some officials in Yangzhou were placed by the Crown Prince and Prince Dai. These officials had tasks: to gather money for the Crown Prince and Prince Dai and to win over the scholars and literati of Yangzhou for them.

”Your grandfather knows about this, and naturally, so does your father.” He Lianfang snorted, ”Since your father hasn’t interfered, it means the timing isn’t right yet.”

”With Father’s malicious nature, he will probably wait until the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s people have gone too far before dealing with them.” Zhao Yao speculated, ”Perhaps Father is waiting for the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s factions to fight amongst themselves.”

”Are you aware that the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s people are trying every means to curry favor with the great scholar?”

”Which great scholar?” Zhao Yao asked curiously, ”Isn’t the most respected great scholar in Yangzhou Meng Changce, Mr. Meng?”

”That’s right, both the Crown Prince and Prince Dai want to win him over.” He Lianfang let out a scornful laugh, ”Seeking fame and fortune.”

”Mr. Meng is not someone who seeks fame and fortune; he is a true great scholar.”

”I was referring to the Crown Prince and Prince Dai as the ones who are seeking fame and fortune.” He Lianfang said with a face full of sarcasm.

”With Mr. Meng’s integrity, it’s impossible for him to agree to the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s solicitations.” Zhao Yao thought the Crown Prince and Prince Dai were overestimating themselves, ”Even my emperor grandfather couldn’t persuade him back then.” Father was sensible enough not to disturb Meng Changce.

”By the way, the Empress and Prince Jing have secretly sent people to win over Meng Changce.”

”Not surprising, Seventh Brother always considers himself talented, probably secretly writing a lot of poems and essays to send to Mr. Meng.”

”Why have I never seen you write anything?” About writing, He Lianfang looked at Zhao Yao with some curiosity and doubt.

Hearing the question, Zhao Yao widened his eyes.

”Uncle, I’m a dunce at studying, how could I possibly write anything?”

He Lianfang glanced askance at Zhao Yao, full of suspicion, and asked, ”Do you really not know how to write?”

Zhao Yao shook his head like a rattle drum: ”I don’t, I really don’t know how to write articles, Uncle, don’t overestimate me.” Writing articles, spare him, please.

”Meng Changce is coming to the capital city to give lectures in a while.”

”Ah, Mr. Meng is coming to the capital to lecture, why?” Zhao Yao was startled, ”Didn’t he refuse to leave the mountain?”

”Perhaps he’s been annoyed enough by the Crown Prince’s and Prince Dai’s people, so he’s decided to come out and lecture.” He Lianfang said in a faint tone.

”This is a big event; it will cause a sensation throughout the capital. No, it will shake all of Great Zhou.” Zhao Yao suddenly laughed with a mischievous smile, ”There’ll be a good show to watch then.”