My father is Emperor Wu of Han, how can I be different from him?

Chapter 69 Coming One After Another
If the rumor is groundless, its effect will be greatly reduced.

But if there is a certain foundation and it happens to be in an environment of indignation, rumors will find the most suitable breeding ground like bacteria.

The incident unfolded quickly.

The first person to feel the impact was the person involved. Eunuch Wei told the prince depressedly that the sales of paper in the prince's palace had dropped a lot recently.

At first Liu Ju did not think much about it, thinking that the publicity and promotion effect had weakened, but experience and lessons told him that next time it would be better to... think more about it!
into the night.

Around the hour of Hai.

There was a sudden knock on the door outside the prince's bedroom. "Your Highness, Your Highness! The Grand Doctor has something urgent to report!"

In a short while, the sound of someone dressing was heard from the inner room. Eunuch Wei realized that the prince had been alarmed and quickly pushed open the door of the palace.

The accompanying palace maid hurried forward to hold the lamp, and with the light, she could see clearly that the young eunuch was behaving in a panic.

"What happened?"

The prince's face was calm but his tone was serious. It was the first time he came to report so late at night since leaving the palace, so Liu Ju had no choice but to be serious.

While helping the prince dress, Young Eunuch Wei said anxiously, "The Grand Secretary was vague about what he said. He said that there were rumors outside the palace that your Highness had bewitched the emperor!"

The words fell.

Liu Ju's expression immediately darkened. Could one just say something like "to deceive the emperor"? The last person to bear such a title was Chao Cuo, who was beheaded!
The main hall of the Prince's Palace.

When Liu Ju arrived, he saw Dongfang Shuo walking back and forth in the hall. When he saw the master, he walked forward without asking any questions and said quickly:

"Not long ago, some officials in the capital were discussing the 'white paper money' that Your Highness had proposed. I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, thinking it was just a few villains slandering me."

"Oh, I never thought of that!"

Dongfang Shuo was very upset and said anxiously: "In just a few days, they have gone from white paper money to white gold coins, and they all said it was a suggestion from His Highness!"

The platinum coin issue is now at the center of public attention, and anyone who touches it will get into trouble. Liu Ju originally thought that this was bad news.

unexpectedly.

Dongfang Shuo said, "This is not the worst news. Rumors are spreading that the salt and iron monopoly was instigated by Your Highness!"

"Tonight, officials in Chang'an are discussing this matter. Rumors are spreading everywhere, and all the accusations are directed at Your Highness!"

Dongfang Shuo also heard the news from a colleague at a banquet. He suppressed his shock during the meal and rushed to the Prince's Palace without stopping after the banquet.

In fact.

He is well-informed and has first-hand information.

Linking the prince with "white paper money" was only the beginning of the rumor, and linking it to "white gold coins" was just the stage of fueling the flames.

The real moment of explosion is tonight!
When salt and iron were also linked to the prince, the situation got out of control.

Rumors always become more and more outrageous. The first person said that the prince was related to paper money, and by the third and fourth people's mouths, it became that the prince was related to the salt and iron monopoly!
And it is stained with salt and iron.

The power of the rumor has just reached its peak, and the current speed of its spread is far faster than in the past few days!

"Your Highness, this matter..."

Dongfang Shuo hesitated, and then said, "Regardless of whether Your Highness is involved in financial affairs or not, you cannot let the discussion spread. Otherwise, it will be very disadvantageous to you!"

Listen.

Liu Ju glanced at him and was about to speak when Wei Sheng came running outside the palace, "Your Highness, the Grand Tutor is here."

As soon as he entered the hall, the Prince's tutor came in with a solemn expression on his face.

Liu Ju hurried forward and saluted.

"No need!" Shi Qing glanced at Dongfang Shuo, then looked at Liu Ju, "You should know what happened. Regardless of whether you did it or not, public opinion must be suppressed!"

"Tomorrow morning, I will go with you."

"I will be your guarantor. I will first clarify the matter in front of all the officials. If there is any problem, the minting of coins and salt and iron will be pushed onto me. I will bear the blame for deceiving the king."

"We'll discuss right and wrong later!"

As soon as these words came out.

Liu Ju's gesture of bowing froze in place, and he said hurriedly: "Master, why is it so? I..."

He was halfway through explaining when he was interrupted by a man who came hurriedly from outside the hall.

Zhuang Qingzhai came in a hurry, his clothes were a little untidy, and after a quick greeting, without even waiting to catch his breath, he poured out all the countermeasures he had thought of earlier.

"Your Highness, this is an emergency."

"If you were involved in the salt and iron issue, how could the secret discussion with His Majesty be leaked? Either someone in Weiyang Palace leaked it, or there is something fishy going on in the Crown Prince's Palace! Please investigate thoroughly!"

"If Your Highness had not been involved..." he said.

Zhuang Qingzhai's tone suddenly turned cold, "That means someone is framing us. The late Madam Wang came from a prominent family, and the royal second son's mother's family is in the capital!"

"Li Ji is also a suspect!"

"Anyone can be accused of bewitching the emperor, except the crown prince. They have the greatest motive. On the way here, I had already sent people to keep an eye on the palace."

"Please send someone to the harem, Li Ji. If we can find evidence of her, we can strike back!"

When malice first befell the Prince's Palace, the passively triggered defense mechanism reacted strongly.

The Taifu and Shaofu have made clear arrangements on what countermeasures should be taken in different situations and how to deal with any problems.

During this period.

Liu Ju did not rush to explain. After Zhuang Qingzhai finished speaking, he bowed to the two teachers and then bowed to Dongfang Shuo who was standing beside him.

After finishing everything, Liu Ju said solemnly: "I did not interfere in the minting of coins, salt and iron affairs, and I did not deceive the emperor!"

Hear the words.

Shi Qing's tense expression relaxed a little. Zhuang Qingzhai first breathed a sigh of relief, then his eyes became fierce.

"There must be someone behind this, who is it? As Master said, there are not many people with motives. We must be on guard, and I will also be on guard in the palace."

Say it.

Liu Ju turned to Shi Qing and said, "As for the charge that the Grand Master said, there is no need for that. I will not resist the charges that others want to accuse me of, and I will not let others resist!"

The Grand Tutor and Junior Tutor both frowned; they could tell that the Crown Prince had his own plans.

really.

Liu Ju bowed again and stood up, his eyes full of indifference, "Please give me a few days. If I cannot handle it properly, I will ask the two masters to make the decision."

Dongfang Shuo, who had been listening, was about to pop his eyes out at this moment, thinking to himself: "It would be best to let the Prince's tutor take the blame, and then slowly investigate the real culprit, isn't it..."

'well! '

He interrupted himself halfway through his thought and sighed in his heart, "Whatever, if the prince really does this, I will never come to the prince's palace again..."

The other end.

Zhuang Qingzhai wanted to persuade him again, but Shi Qing stared at his disciple for a while and waved his hand to stop him.

The face of the Crown Prince's tutor was the same as always, as old-fashioned, stern and hard as a piece of iron as the day they first met in Shiqu Pavilion.

"The road ahead will only be more dangerous. We can help you temporarily, but not forever. Just give it your all. If you succeed, just consider it as gaining experience."

"If you lose, I will take care of you!"

Done.

Shi Qing did not stay any longer and turned to leave. After hearing this, Zhuang Qingzhai was stunned for a moment, shook his head, bowed to Liu Ju, and left.

The remaining Dongfang Shuo sighed again and said with a wry smile:

"Your Highness's character is something I admire!"

After performing the ceremony, Taizhong Daifu also left the Prince's Palace, leaving Liu Ju alone in the main hall, kneeling quietly on the left side, not moving.

Eunuch Wei thought that the prince was furious but was hiding his anger, so he stood by carefully and did not dare to utter a word.

But he was wrong.

Liu Ju sat alone late at night, just waiting for someone. After persuading one group of people to leave, there should be another...

Unsurprisingly.

In less than half an hour, the General of Cavalry sat opposite the Prince.

"Did you offer advice to His Majesty?"

"No."

"So someone framed me?"

"Yes."

"Wang, Li, which one?"

"…Cousin, calm down."

(End of this chapter)