Prince Profits

Huan Mo Che calmly stood up, and as he did, he casually glanced at the prince. He was trying to figure out what the prince intended by bringing up this matter, and he wanted to lend the prince a hand.

Unfortunately, the prince’s gaze did not meet Huan Mo Che’s. It seemed that no matter what Huan Mo Che said, it wouldn’t affect her plan. A bitter feeling welled up in Huan Mo Che’s heart; the prince really seemed to dislike him. This was the first time he had been so openly distanced and despised by someone.

"Your Majesty!" Huan Mo Che slightly bowed, his smile gentle, but in his heart, he was thinking about the Crown Prince's plan. He was naturally exceptionally intelligent and could understand the Crown Prince's intentions with just a little thought, and he was willing to go along with it this time.

"The common people believe the best solution is to open the granaries and distribute food!" Huan Mo Che proposed the simplest solution, which many ministers despised. They knew it was simple, but opening the granaries required tapping into the national treasury. As ministers, how could they dare suggest it? Only Huan Gongzi, who was not considered part of the court, dared to speak frankly.

"However, historically, officials sent to distribute food have embezzled funds, and in the end, the treasury was emptied, but the people still starved in the streets!" Huan Mo Che bluntly stated the dark truth of officialdom, causing many officials to turn pale.

"Therefore, the most important thing now is to select an official whom Your Majesty trusts and who cares for the people to distribute food in the south!" Huan Mo Che said with a smile, then glanced at the Crown Prince. As expected, he saw the Crown Prince's gaze fixed on him—neither sorrowful nor joyful, but truly looking at him. Those eyes were truly beautiful.

Shang Wuxin had always known that this first prince, praised by everyone, was very intelligent, but she did not expect him to so easily guess her thoughts, and even slightly help her. She knew that this first prince was the son of the Left Prime Minister, and the Left Prime Minister…

The emperor was very pleased with Huan Mo Che’s straightforwardness. This young master Huan was not only wise but also honest. Unfortunately, despite multiple hints to have Huan Mo Che enter the court, he calmly refused each time. If this Huan Mo Che were to enter the court, even the position of prime minister might not be too high for him.

“Oh? Then may I ask which prince Huan thinks should be sent to the south for disaster relief this time?” the emperor asked. This was also a sign of great trust in Huan Mo Che. In fact, this was not the first time. Often when the emperor sought Huan Mo Che’s advice, he would ultimately adopt it, and Huan Mo Che never disappointed, always offering the most prudent and best suggestions.

Huan Mo Che glanced at the several princes, each of whom looked somewhat nervous. Whoever was sent to distribute the grain would gain the greatest benefits. Not to mention the countless silver coins that could be extracted from within, more importantly, this public appearance would earn a good reputation, something the princes desperately needed.

"The commoner believes the Crown Prince is the most suitable candidate!" Huan Mo Che's words stirred up a thousand waves.

The first to stand up and refute was surprisingly Huan Mo Che's father, the Left Prime Minister. Left Prime Minister Huan An Ping wore his official robes.

Although he was no longer young, it was still evident that he had once been a rare handsome man in his youth. He glared angrily at his son, Huan Mo Che. He had always known his son was restless and even he could not control him. If he had more than one son in the household, he would never tolerate such defiance from his child.

"Your Majesty, think twice. Mo Che is a commoner without any official position; how can he discuss state affairs? Mo Che, step down at once!" Left Prime Minister Huan An Ping scolded. Unfortunately, Huan Mo Che did not even glance at his father, causing the Left Prime Minister to almost lose face. Others envied him for having a son who was exceptionally intelligent and handsome, the famous First Young Master, but no one knew this son was a thorn in his heart.

Shang Wu Xin observed the Left Prime Minister's behavior and also noticed the awkwardness in the father-son relationship between the Left Prime Minister and Huan Mo Che. It seemed that there was little fatherly affection between them. No wonder Huan Mo Che was helping him; after all, the Left Prime Minister was aligned with the Crown Prince's faction.

The Emperor glanced displeased at the Left Prime Minister but did not reprimand him. The Emperor, seemingly lofty and in control of life and death, was the only one who truly understood the helplessness within. There were too many powers in the court; it had taken him many years to eliminate some and gain some imperial authority, but it was still not enough—far from enough.

"Prince Huan is the top son of the capital; who in the capital can match his wisdom?" Emperor Shang said discontentedly, then looked at everyone and said,

"Or do you have other candidates? I want to see who would enjoy such a difficult task so much!"

"I believe the Crown Prince is very suitable!" Left Prime Minister Huan Anping said. He knew that if he did not speak, surely another minister would step forward.

"Left Prime Minister, I fear your words are inappropriate!" Huan Moche looked at the Crown Prince as if about to say something but spoke first. He did not want the Crown Prince to confront the Left Prime Minister, as the Left Prime Minister still held great power, and if he bore a grudge against the Crown Prince, it would be detrimental to the Crown Prince’s future affairs.

Shang Wuxin raised an eyebrow; she had not expected this Huan Mo Che to openly defy her father in the main hall, yet still help her so earnestly. If it weren’t for those eyes, Shang Wuxin felt she should become close friends with such a man.

“The famine in the south is so severe, yet not a single prince has reported it to the emperor. Since the Crown Prince cares for the people, this task should naturally fall to him. If what the Left Prime Minister says is true, then no one knows where the eldest prince has gone, but this commoner knows that the south is the Great Emperor’s fief!” Huan Mo Che spoke without any fear, even if it meant offending a prince of the kingdom. It wasn’t because he was overly confident, but because he possessed such ability.

“This commoner believes the Crown Prince is the best candidate. As the head of the Eastern Palace, such matters should rightfully be handled by the Crown Prince, and since he has a heart that loves the people, this is truly a blessing for the common folk!”

After finishing, Huan Mo Che returned to his seat. He had done all he could; now it was up to the emperor’s attitude.

“I also believe that the Crown Prince is the best choice to go south and distribute grain!” Minister Bai, who had always remained neutral in court, also stood up to speak. This time, he truly admired the Crown Prince’s love for the people. Whether or not the Crown Prince was using this opportunity for his own gain, just seeing his concern for the famine-stricken people was enough to earn his respect.

Emperor Shang thought for a moment, then said loudly, "The matter of opening the granary and distributing grain is fully entrusted to the Crown Prince. Five days from now, the Crown Prince will take the grain to the south!"

A gleam of sharpness flashed in Shang Wuxin's eyes, and this gleam was clearly seen by Huan Mo Che. His eyes flickered as he said, "Your Majesty, there are many bandits on the way to the south. There should be someone to escort him!" He thought that if the Crown Prince went south, it might take some time before he returned, and he was willing to be that escort, but…

"Father, I think General Leng is a very good choice!" Shang Wuxin said with a smile. She had noticed Huan Mo Che's intentions, but she really disliked those eyes; she feared her peaceful heart would be disturbed.

Huan Mo Che's eyes, which had been smiling, stiffened, then he lowered his gaze, coming up with a new plan.

Leng Yufeng did not expect the Crown Prince to mention him, but he also knew he couldn't refuse. It seemed that his plan to leave the capital quickly would have to be put on hold.

"Then let General Leng escort the Crown Prince to the south!" Emperor Shang said.

"Disperse!" This was the happiest ending to Emperor Shang's birthday in many years. Many people were affected this time, but the biggest beneficiary was the Crown Prince.

Many officials looked at the Crown Prince, eager to curry favor, but the Crown Prince quickly left the Tai Chi Hall and the palace with his maid, leaving those officials who wanted to ingratiate themselves or take sides helpless. After this, everyone was wary of the Crown Prince, and many wise people realized they could no longer offend him casually. Many officials also began to set their sights on their own daughters.