Chapter 433: Chapter 247 Duke Zhen Really Dares_3
"It’s very simple, Fourth Brother is Minister Li’s grandson," the Eighth Prince explained. "The Imperial College is the highest learning institution in Great Zhou. The reason Father has us perform rites for Confucius and Mencius at the college is to showcase the elegance of our scholars in Great Zhou to the foreign envoys."
"Although Fourth Brother is Minister Li’s grandson, he is ultimately just an ordinary prince," the Crown Prince still thought it was more fitting for him to attend the rites with Minister Li. "Father letting Fourth Brother go is nonsense."
"If you, Big Brother, were to perform the rites, Prince Dai’s people would certainly be displeased. Conversely, if Prince Dai were to go, your people would surely object," the Eighth Prince analyzed for the Crown Prince. "Father likely wants to prevent any quarrel between your people and those of Prince Dai, so he simply let Fourth Brother attend the rites."
The Crown Prince found some logic in the Eighth Prince’s analysis, "You have a point."
"Big Brother, as long as it’s not Prince Dai performing the rites on behalf of Father, it should be fine," the Eighth Prince reassured the Crown Prince. "Whether it’s Fourth Brother or Third Brother, they don’t pose a threat to you by performing the rites on behalf of Father."
The dissatisfaction in the Crown Prince’s heart was dispelled by the Eighth Prince’s remark. His expression improved significantly, "You are right, as long as it’s not Prince Dai."
"Big Brother, you don’t have to dwell on this matter," the Eighth Prince continued to console the Crown Prince. "This is not an important rite. You see, Father even brought it forward by a day to make a show for the foreign envoys."
The Eighth Prince suddenly asked, "Big Brother, don’t you see?"
"See what?" the Crown Prince asked with a puzzled expression.
"Father doesn’t really want to hold this rite," the Eighth Prince had correctly guessed.
The Crown Prince was surprised by these words: "Why do you say that, Eighth Brother?"
"If Father truly wanted to hold this rite, he would have scheduled it on the actual day of the Longevity Festival and conducted it personally. But he didn’t," the Eighth Prince knew the Emperor very well.
After hearing the Eighth Prince’s analysis, the Crown Prince revealed an epiphanic expression, "That’s true."
"So, there’s no need for you to be concerned about this rite," the Eighth Prince said, his expression suddenly becoming solemn, "Big Brother, we need to focus on Prince Dai approaching the Princess of Annan Country. I believe Prince Dai will propose to Father to marry the Princess of Annan Country as a consort on the Longevity Festival."
The Crown Prince heard this, showing neither anger nor ridicule but responded very calmly, "Uncle has foreseen this."
"What does the Duke Zhen plan to do?" the Eighth Prince asked curiously, "Will he stop Prince Dai?"
"No, Uncle intends to facilitate Prince Dai."
"Facilitate Prince Dai?" the Eighth Prince was shocked. "Big Brother, if Prince Dai marries the Princess of Annan Country as a consort, he will have an extraordinary relationship with the royal family of Annan, which could be detrimental to us."
Yet, the Crown Prince remained unperturbed. He said calmly, "It’s useless."
Seeing the Crown Prince’s composed demeanor, the Eighth Prince quickly asked, "Big Brother, what exactly are you and the Duke Zhen planning to do against Prince Dai?"
"Uncle hasn’t told me, but he advised me to beat Prince Dai to it on the day of the Longevity Festival and suggest to Father that Prince Dai marry the Third Princess of Annan Country as a consort," the Crown Prince smiled and said, "Following Uncle’s advice won’t go wrong."
"Since the Duke Zhen said that, it must be correct," the Eighth Prince smiled and said, "Then we’ll just wait for the Longevity Festival."
"Eighth Brother, do you know that Annan Country has iron and gold mines?" the Crown Prince suddenly asked.
The Eighth Prince nodded slightly, "Yes, I read about it in books, Annan Country also has copper and silver mines."
"If we were to acquire Annan’s iron and gold mines, would Prince Dai still be a match for us?"
"Certainly not a match," the Eighth Prince thought to himself; indeed, the Duke Zhen and they also had their eyes on Annan’s iron and gold mines. "Big Brother, what do you and the Duke Zhen plan to do?"
"We plan to support the Prince in ascending to the throne."
"Big Brother, the Prince is already the heir of Annan Country."
"However, the King of Annan favors the Second Prince, just as Father favors Prince Dai over me," the Crown Prince spoke with a hint of bitterness in his eyes, "Uncle and I plan to support the Prince in claiming the throne, so we can take control of the Annan royal family. At that time, Annan’s iron, gold, copper, and silver mines will be ours."
"Of course, Annan’s military forces will also be ours, and we won’t fear Prince Dai’s army by then."
"That’s indeed a good plan," it seems the Duke Zhen wants to control the entire Annan Country, though he oversimplifies things.
"Some at court are planning to suggest to Father to establish a protectorate in Annan Country, but I intend to oppose it," the Crown Prince said with a meaningful look. "If a protectorate is established in Annan, the royal family of Annan would be controlled by the court, and we wouldn’t be able to obtain what Annan has to offer."
"Big Brother is right."
Duke Zhen truly dares.
It’s a pity that neither Duke Zhen nor Big Brother have anticipated that all this is part of Father’s scheme.
The Duke Zhen has truly underestimated Father.