Chapter 869 - 768: None Are Willing (Part 3)

Chapter 869: Chapter 768: None Are Willing (Part 3)

This time, everyone summoned knew that the Emperor was testing them. For a moment, not only did Prince Lu, Prince Xin, Prince Li express their opinions, but even Prince Lu’s son and Prince Xin’s son had insightful thoughts.

The Emperor listened to their systematic discussions and felt quite satisfied, asking, "We still need an imperial envoy for the disaster relief this time. Are any of you willing to help alleviate my burdens?"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a sudden silence in the room.

Prince Lu, Prince Xin, and Prince Li exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts. They understood that this time, Father wasn’t testing them; he was trying to send someone away.

Father summoned all the vassal kings back to the Capital City for his birthday, making it too obvious—it was to establish the Crown Prince.

Especially this time, Prince Liang and Prince Zhuang were excluded, and although Prince Cheng wasn’t in the Capital City, if he were, he would surely be excluded too. Clearly, they weren’t even considered, so the Crown Prince must be among them.

Although managing disaster relief well would certainly merit achievement, and the Court allocates silver for disaster relief, the imperial envoy in charge would handle so much silver that they could pocket a bit and still profit. It’s enough if thirty percent reaches the disaster victims.

But going to Qingzhou for disaster relief would take at least two months, wouldn’t it? At such a crucial time, if one goes away for two months, wouldn’t they be handing the opportunity over for nothing?

Not to mention earning tens or hundreds of thousands of silver taels, even if it’s millions, it’s still a tiny profit. After all, securing that position means controlling all of Nanxia. How can one be so shortsighted to care about mere tens of thousands of silver taels?

Therefore, none of the three princes spoke up.

Prince Lu’s son and Prince Xin’s son also remained silent, thinking that at the critical moment of their father’s struggle for succession, they should stay to help rather than running to aid some irrelevant commoners. Isn’t that putting the cart before the horse?

They had been in the Capital City for quite some time, seemingly idle every day, but secretly they had been doing things. If they left, wouldn’t their fathers be left struggling alone?

Besides, isn’t living comfortably in the Capital City better? Despite rich prospects in disaster relief, they didn’t lack silver. Especially considering that while pretending to relieve disaster here, someone might secretly sabotage them. How was Prince Liang dethroned from the Crown Prince position back then? If not for Prince Zhuang’s schemes, how would there be any place for them now?

Therefore, none of them actively volunteered.

The Emperor felt a little disappointed, thinking that with this question, the sons should be eager to go. Unexpectedly, not a single person was willing.

Fortunately, only princes and imperial grandsons were present, no outsiders.

The Emperor tentatively asked, "Old Fourth?"

Prince Lu quickly replied before the Emperor finished, "Father, I think we should send Third Brother! Third Brother’s fief was originally in Qingzhou, this time the disaster struck near his fief! He is familiar with the geography, customs, and people there. It’s better to have someone familiar with the situation go as the envoy rather than someone who doesn’t know the area, achieving twice the result with half the effort!"

The Emperor frowned; ever since Prince Zhuang became Crown Prince, he no longer needed a fief. Originally, the fief in Qingzhou Shiyuan County reverted to the Court, and later, upon becoming a deposed Crown Prince, the Emperor bestowed another place, and the fief had returned long ago.

Unwilling to go, the Emperor asked, "Old Sixth?"

Prince Xin saluted, very respectfully and with a righteous tone, "Father, I disagree with Fourth Brother’s suggestion. I believe Eldest Brother is the most suitable candidate. From Ningzhou to Anxin, those counties suffering are facing floods after a drought. It was due to Eldest Brother volunteering and successfully completing that relief effort, even though Eldest Brother is sometimes muddled in private matters, his ability in disaster relief is widely acknowledged! Eldest Brother has experience, and going now will surely allow the victims to settle sooner!"

The Emperor felt even more disappointed and gave Prince Li a glance.

Prince Li anxiously said, "Father, once a disaster strikes, time cannot be wasted! Sixth Brother’s suggestion of sending someone experienced has my full support! I consider the post-disaster reconstruction vital. Because after drought comes a flood, leaving people without a harvest, providing assistance after relief to help them cultivate is very important. Fifth Brother managed to grow millet in the harsh climate of Yunzhou Qingyuan County, so he can surely help the victims cultivate next year’s crops after the disaster!"

The Emperor: "..."

Apparently, not one of them is willing to go!

And they are desperately trying to push responsibility onto those not present.

Send Eldest Brother, Third Brother, Fifth Brother?

How creative of them!

The Emperor’s gaze swept over their faces, softly saying, "None of you are willing to go?"

Prince Lu sincerely replied, "Father, it’s not that I’m unwilling to go, as Ninth Brother mentioned, when disaster strikes, there’s no time to waste. It’s not the time to let novices try their hand; sending someone experienced or familiar with the geographical features is the way to quickly alleviate the disaster!"