Chapter 266 (2/2)

”Oh? And you were ranked second four years ago... wasn’t that the year Nangong Hao partic.i.p.ated?” The Crown Prince’s eyes glowed.

”Yes your highness. I was not as good as him, and he defeated me four years ago. However, Nangong Hao is incredibly talented, I am not ashamed to have lost to him!” Su Qing replied respectfully.

”Mm, losing to Nangong Hao really isn’t much of a loss. You mentioned some concerns about the border territories. Are you talking about the Southern Mountain Range?” The Crown Prince nodded and queried.

”Exactly, the Stabilisation Constabulary’s expedition to Cang Ling Mountain should be known by all. This incident was caused by an ambush started by the demons. More importantly, Shan Jia from the premier family in the Southern Mountain Range had a role to play in it. As such, the problem there is the main thing on the emperor’s mind!” Su Qing replied.

”You are right. This is what my father is most concerned about. However, how does this link to the court examinations?” The Crown Prince acknowledged Su Qing’s point.

”Your highness, after I pa.s.sed the imperial examinations, I have examined the questions for the past 10 editions of the court examinations. The combat examinations eventually determine the top spot. As for the theory examinations, there are questions on politics, military, cultivation etc., there are also questions on the six ministries - Personnel, Revenue, Law, Rites, War, and Work! The emperor has always placed a huge emphasis on the court examinations, especially since it is the last exam. Based on the current dynamic of the courts, he will aim to use this to appease the four va.s.sals and allay the fears of the public!”

”Appease the four va.s.sals and allay the fears of the public?” All of the officials were stunned by what they heard. For an imperial messenger to know the past year court examination questions was not unexpected. However, for someone like that to have such foresight was rare.

”Yes, the emperor lacks people who can

who can appease the four va.s.sal states! As such, my guess is that the emperor will set questions on that!” Su Qing said confidently.

”Official Su, your a.n.a.lysis is thorough. You are concerned about the people and have shown a great appreciation for the intent of the emperor! Since you can guess what the emperor wants, why didn’t you partic.i.p.ate in the court examinations four years ago?” The Crown Prince asked doubtfully.

”I hope to serve the nation, not become a sage. I have already spent over 20 years studying the Law of Dao. Since I pa.s.sed the imperial examinations, why waste more time attending the court examinations?”

”Hahaha... Official Su, you are quite the maverick! There are many in the courts who chose this path because the couldn’t make it in the cultivation world. However, you chose to give up cultivation!” The Crown Prince chuckled.

”My ambitions are small, your highness!” Su Qing replied respectfully.

”It does not matter. Everyone has different dreams. Official Su, you have a heart for politics, and your future is bright! Tell us more about your plan.” The Crown Prince waved.

”Yes, firstly, you will be able to allay the concerns of the emperor. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a son. Secondly, you can strengthen ties with the va.s.sal states. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a leader of this empire. As for the third and fourth, these were results that I did not plan for. However, with things as they are, we have no other choice!”

”Tell me about it!”

”In the courts, the Crown Prince controls the politics and King Duan controls the army. This is the will of the emperor. However, should you ascend the throne one day, you have no one in the army... This is not good for the public. As such, for the stability of the empire, you must plan ahead!”

”My father does not like me to meddle in the affairs of the military.”

”That is the case if you partic.i.p.ate directly. However, you could influence it in a way that comes under your jurisdiction!”

”Oh? How would I do that?”

”I hear that the annual exercise is about to happen soon. If... if this exercise is linked to the court examinations in some way, then it is only right that you have a say in it!”

”Link the exercise with the court examinations? Good plan, good plan! Quickly, tell me what the fourth benefit is!” The Crown Prince was getting excited.

This man was mature well beyond his age. Furthermore, he had a mind of an experienced politician. Most importantly, he was committed to politics!

All of the other officials were captivated. They no longer talked amongst themselves, their gazes fixed firmly on Su Qing.

Even Yu Yiping glanced at Su Qing. However, he did not take a second glance.

”The fourth benefit concerns Fang Zhengzhi.”

”Fang Zhengzhi? I see... what does Official Su think of Fang Zhengzhi?” The Crown Prince was taken aback. He leaned forward in antic.i.p.ation.

”I believe that you should stabilize the Eastern Palace. However, Fang Zhengzhi is the biggest variable here. It would be best to eliminate him, but...”

”But what?”

”Fang Zhengzhi is already in the system. In order to convict a rank four official of a crime, the emperor has to make the final decision. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi is at his peak, and there are many unknowns standing behind him. Chi Guyan, King Liqin, Xing Hou, the Yan Family... are just some of them. They may not have made their stands clear, but we cannot put them out of the equation!”

”You are correct.”

”As such, I do not think that this is the right time to kill Fang Zhengzhi. Even though the time is not right, you should focus on stabilizing the Eastern Palace. When things take a turn for the better, you can use someone else to do the killing for you!” Su Qing’s eyes glimmered without any killing intent.

His eyes were calm like a lake. It seemed like killing was not something that bothered him at all.

”Have someone else kill him for me? I see... you have told me the four benefits. So, what is the plan?” The Crown Prince gripped the jade in his hand tightly.

”Yes, my method is simple. The Crown Prince can just observe the theory examinations. However, for the combat examinations, you can pitch the Southern Mountain Range as the location for it. Even though we have traditionally used pocket dimensions for these examinations, recent events can be a chance for you to convince the emperor otherwise!” Su Qing said solemnly.

”What? Hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range?!”

”Official Su, this may not be wise for the Crown Prince. The Southern Mountain Range is not stable right now, why would the emperor agree to hold the combat examination there?”

All of the officials stepped forward when they heard that.

”Your honors, that’s where you are all wrong. The emperor is likely to agree to it precisely because the Southern Mountain Range is not stable!” Su Qing shook his head confidently.

Just as an official was about to rebut, he was pulled back by yet another official. When the official saw the Crown Prince’s expression, he swallowed his words.

”Official Su, you make a lot of sense. However, how will holding the combat examinations there help me get these four benefits?” The Crown Prince asked appreciatively.