CHAPTER 697: CHAPTER 343 PRINCE JING

With the help of the Song Family, the civil service examination in Jinling proceeded smoothly. Of course, the noble families of Jinling still did not participate.

The participation of noble families did not affect the civil service examination in any way. The main purpose of holding the examination was for the students from humble backgrounds.

Prince Jing also instructed the Song Family to collect evidence of the Jinling noble families opposing the civil service examination and threatening students from humble backgrounds not to participate.

"Your Highness, doing this will offend the entire noble class of Jinling." Song Qingyun knew the reason Prince Jing took such actions, partly due to personal reasons, as the noble families of Jinling disregarded him.

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, showing a disdainful smile: "Do you think I would be afraid of them?"

Song Qingyun certainly knew that Prince Jing was not intimidated by the noble families of Jinling. He continued to persuade: "Your Highness, instead of offending them, why not make them your allies?"

Prince Jing also wanted to turn the noble families of Jinling City to his side, but he felt it was unlikely.

"I’m afraid they won’t be willing, after all, they have always been on the Crown Prince’s side, and they’ve invested considerable effort over the years. If you ask them to suddenly abandon the Crown Prince to support me, all their efforts and expenses on the Crown Prince would be in vain." Although Prince Jing was confident, he was not a fool. If it’s about intelligence, the Crown Prince was not as astute as he was.

"Though I don’t know the exact amount they’ve spent on the Crown Prince, it must be an astronomical sum." Thinking of the Crown Prince, Prince Jing showed a hint of contempt on his face, "The Crown Prince and my uncle are both greedy like lions, a little money wouldn’t satisfy them. If they abandon the Crown Prince to support me, it means not only losing all they spent on the Crown Prince but also taking out another substantial sum to support me. And I am not the eldest legitimate son, besides the Crown Prince and Prince Dai, there’s also Prince Chu above me. They might not believe I can remove the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and Prince Chu, and ascend to the position of the Crown Prince."

He continued: "Father currently favors Prince Chu the most, and everyone is speculating that if Prince Chu investigates the truth behind the copper theft in Peng City, he will soon replace my good elder brother. Do you think the noble families of Jinling City would risk supporting me?"

Prince Jing’s analysis was very accurate, leaving Song Qingyun unable to refute. If he were in the Li Family’s shoes, he wouldn’t abandon the Crown Prince to support the seemingly hopeless Prince Jing either.

"Your Song Family is indeed powerful in Jinling City, and those noble families combined are no match for you. But, for the sake of benefits, they would fight your Song Family to the death." Prince Jing did not know much about the situation in Jinling before, but now he understands it very well. "The result of your conflict will only lead to mutual destruction, with no one gaining advantage."

Song Qingyun realized he had underestimated Prince Jing. He originally thought Prince Jing was just a clever trickster, but it now seemed that Prince Jing was much smarter than the Crown Prince.

"Since Your Highness knows that the result of our Song Family fighting the noble families would be mutual destruction, why do you still want to collect evidence against them for opposing the civil service examination?"

"Do you think if I don’t have you collect it, no one else will?" Prince Jing looked at Song Qingyun with interest, "I’ve found that you people in Jinling truly think you’re cunning."

Song Qingyun heard this, his brow furrowed slightly. He asked with some confusion: "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

"Do you really think that all you have done in Jinling has gone unnoticed by Father back in the capital?" Through investigation and understanding in recent days, Prince Jing found that the noble families of Jinling City were too arrogant, completely disregarding the court and not keeping Father in mind. "Do you really think you can treat my Father like a fool?"

Song Qingyun’s expression immediately changed, becoming somewhat serious.

"Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"Everything you’ve done over the years hasn’t escaped Father’s notice; Father has seen it all."

Song Qingyun was initially shocked, then showed a skeptical expression.

"Your Highness, are you sure?"

"Do you think that because Father hasn’t acted against you all these years, he isn’t aware of what you’ve done, or are you relying on the clout you all possess?"

Song Qingyun remained silent.

Prince Jing sneered: "You’ve truly underestimated my Father."

"If the Emperor knows everything, why hasn’t he taken action against Jinling City?"