CHAPTER 700: CHAPTER 344: CHECKS AND BALANCES_2

"I know that." Prince Dai, somewhat impatient with Marquis Xuanping’s long-windedness, said, "Uncle, stop beating around the bush. Get to the point quickly."

"The situation in Jinling is even more complicated than you think."

"What do you mean?"

"It means the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen’s actions in Jinling have already crossed the emperor’s line." Marquis Xuanping sneered, "The copper theft in Peng City is certainly not unrelated to them either."

Upon hearing this, Prince Dai’s eyes lit up instantly. He eagerly asked, "What have the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen done in Jinling?"

"I don’t know the specifics, but it must be something audacious." Marquis Xuanping reminded Prince Dai, "That’s why the emperor sent Prince Jing to Jinling."

Prince Dai seemed somewhat confused: "What does this have to do with you stopping the imperial examinations in Suzhou?"

"If we obediently hold the imperial examinations in Suzhou while Jinling cannot proceed smoothly, won’t Jinling attract a lot of attention?"

"Yes."

"I don’t know exactly what the emperor intends for Jinling, but I understand he certainly doesn’t want to alert the enemy right now. So, Suzhou must also refrain from holding imperial examinations like Jinling." Seeing Prince Dai still appeared perplexed, Marquis Xuanping elaborated further, "Despite both Jinling and Suzhou having no students participating in the examinations, the emperor only sent Prince Jing to Jinling for them, not to Suzhou. Why is that?"

At this point, Prince Dai finally understood.

"So, that’s how it is."

"Thus, we need to ensure the examinations in Suzhou proceed smoothly."

Prince Dai never expected there to be so much intricacy involved. He looked at Marquis Xuanping with admiration: "Uncle, you truly grasp Father Emperor’s intentions."

"Although the foundation of Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion is not as deep as Duke Zhen’s, I am not inferior to Duke Zhen." Marquis Xuanping proclaimed proudly, "Moreover, having grown up with the emperor, I have some understanding of his mind."

"Then let us hold the examinations in Suzhou."

"Your Highness, instruct the people in Suzhou to allow noble family scions to participate in the examinations as well." Marquis Xuanping stroked his beard and smiled cunningly, "Since in Jinling only students from humble backgrounds participate, with no noble families involved, let Suzhou have noble families participate. We must not lose to the Crown Prince and them."

"Uncle is right." Prince Dai looked at Fu Zhong and instructed, "Communicate what my uncle just said to the people in Suzhou."

"Yes, Your Highness." Fu Zhong respectfully retreated.

"Uncle, what exactly have the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen done in Jinling to anger Father Emperor?"

"I suspect over the years, the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen have amassed considerable wealth in Jinling."

"What’s that worth? We’ve made quite a fortune in Suzhou too."

"Your Highness, the wealth we’ve accumulated is likely far less than what the Crown Prince has." Marquis Xuanping, while stroking his beard, speculated, "The Crown Prince might be using the funds from Jinling to gather troops or secretly forge weapons. The copper theft in Peng City was probably to steal copper for weapon forging."

Upon hearing this, Prince Dai stood up in astonishment and said with a stern look, "The Crown Prince intends to rebel!"

"The Crown Prince and Duke Zhen won’t rebel now, nor do they dare, but in the future, who knows." Although Marquis Xuanping’s capabilities and tactics are not as good as Duke Zhen’s, he is not a fool. Having seen various intrigues and schemes over the years in the court, even if he were ignorant, he gained some experience and can understand some things. "When one day the emperor deposes the Crown Prince, I’m afraid they’ll plot treason."

"He dares!" Prince Dai said angrily, "If he dares to rebel, I’ll make sure they can’t die in peace."

"If someday the Crown Prince truly plots treason, only you, Your Highness, can stop them. By that time, you will have achieved great merit, and the position of Crown Prince will be yours."

Prince Dai listened with delight but suddenly thought of Prince Chu. The smile on his face vanished, and he said, somewhat through clenched teeth, "Prince Chu, he must be eliminated!"

"Your Highness, given the current situation, the Crown Prince and his faction desire Prince Chu’s death more than we do," Marquis Xuanping said nonchalantly, "We don’t need to send anyone to assassinate Prince Chu anymore."

Prince Dai understood this time: "Uncle is right, compared to us, now the Crown Prince and his faction are keener to finish off the fourth prince."

"Your Highness, instead, we should ensure Prince Chu returns to the capital safely." Marquis Xuanping smiled meaningfully, "Only if Prince Chu returns to the capital smoothly can their copper theft be exposed. By then, the crimes of the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen will not be light."