Chapter 175: Sneak attack 3 (2/2)
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The Emperor's audience hall
The officials stood in small groups and discussed between themselves. Their conversation all focused on the Crown Prince's suicide attempt, the citizens demanded the Crown Prince be removed from office. Things were not looking well for the Crown Prince and the Emperor, they had nearly given up on the morning court sessions holding after waiting for over an hour without a response from the Emperor.
When a eunuch at the door announced, ”play the music, the Emperor has arrived”. The ministers immediately broke away from their groups and good their various positions on either side of the wide audience hall. The officials went on their knees, they rested their forehead and hands resting on the ground.
”Long live the Emperor, Long Live the Emperor, Long live the Emperor,” the officials all announced loudly. They stayed that way as the Emperor walked in with his small procession of maids and Eunuchs. Finally standing when the Emperor was seated and ordered them to rise.
The officials picked up their white blanks and stood. The Eunuch standing on the last step below the dragon throne once again announced
”Court has begun!!”
Emperor Zhong looked and felt wary of these officials serving him. Because of the entire fiasco with the suicide, he had failed to control the spread of news regarding the Crown Prince's health. The news of his suicide had already spread and as expected the demand for dethroning the Crown Prince's was louder but he secretly hopes that no one would bring that up.
He was only seated for ten minutes when an old courtier who had served under his father came forward and bowed.
”Your Majesty, news of the Crown Prince's suicide attempt has spread. While the entire citizens sympathise with your majesty, in these trying times. We need a Crown Prince both physically and mentally strong. If the Crown Prince isn't up to the task, we could consider relieving him of these responsibilities”.
As the minister stepped back to his previous position, a stout minister with white beards stepped out holding up his white plank bowed and shouted,
”Your majesty, we have a huge problem in our hands. The citizens are demanding that the Crown Prince be disposed of, I fear that if we ignore their cries a riot may begin. Your majesty should consider relieving the crown Prince of his position. This suicide attempt was unsuccessful this time, what about the next time he tried this. There are four mature princes to choose from. Any of them could easily fill up the position, please relieve the Crown Prince of his position”.
The officials in support of his request, which were more than half of the officials, stepped to the centre of the doom and knelt behind him. They shouted, ”Please relieve the Crown Prince of his position”.
Emperor Zhong looked down at the long line of officials kneeling before him and sighed. He moved gaze to his good friend Minister Zhu who stood in the front lines. His old friend remained silent throughout the arguments these past few weeks. He was curious which side minister Zhu would take, he needed a level headed person to break the tie.
His good friend was in-laws with one of the three princes that were vying for the Crown Prince's position. Emperor Zhong was curious how his good friend would answer, he glanced at Minister Zhu and asked, ”Maquis Zhu has been silent for some time, I am curious what you would suggest. Do you think that the Crown Prince should be relieved of duty or not”.
Minister Zhu Looked up, he saw the challenging look the Emperor gave him. He could tell that this was a trap that he couldn't avoid easily. The Emperor wanted to play games with him, this was a question that had no correct answers. If he supported the removal of the Crown Prince, it would be seen by the Emperor as supporting the sixth prince.
The Emperor would think that he did so for his benefit and if he supported the Crown Prince Emperor Zhong will assume that he did so to get on his good side and isn't to be trusted. Both results were undesirable, so he might as well be undecided. Minister Zhu came forward, held up his white plank and bowed.
”Your majesty the citizens are right to demand the Crown Prince's removal from office. A good official is one of both sound mind and health. The Crown Prince should be removed if he is indeed found to be of sound health and mind. Although his suicide attempt calls for attention, I don't think it is proper for him to be removed on just that ground.
”When should focus on the war at our borders Instead of focusing on non-existent problems like this. After the war at the borders is settled we can take care of these other matters. It is my opinion that he highness the Crown Prince be given more time to get accustomed to his new reality before making any drastic moves”.
There were some seconds of silence as Emperor Zhong gazed at minister Zhu. Finally, his lips curved up and he laughed softly, ”Well said, let us talk about this when the Crown Prince is healed and can defend himself”.
The small smile n the sixth Prince's face fell and he turned to his left to glare at Minister Zhu.