Drunk Bamboo

Han Mansion Study

After the court session, Han Shangshu Han Jian returned home and went into the study with his only son Han Xin. The father and son discussed the situations they had encountered that morning.

"Dad, today when you went to the palace and reported to His Majesty about the situation of the Crown Prince and the two sides of the river, how did His Majesty react?"

Han Xin had the same mean eyes as Han Jian, but Han Xin had thin cheeks while Han Jian had a plump figure.

Han Jian shook his head, his eyes deep.

"Your Majesty's thoughts are becoming more and more unpredictable. A year ago, floods broke out on both sides of the Yangtze River, flooding many farmlands and destroying many houses. The people were in mourning and crying. Since the prince led the officials of the Ministry of Works and folk craftsmen to build dams and repair houses on both sides of the Yangtze River, he has won the hearts of the people for more than a year. Local officials have written memorials to praise the prince for his virtue and his closeness to the people. Whenever your majesty sees such memorials, his brows are always furrowed."

Prince Hua Qinyu was smart and upright since childhood, and was loved by the old ministers in the court. He was appointed as the crown prince early. He did not disappoint the old ministers, performed his duties conscientiously, and pleaded for the people. For ten years, he did practical things and worked hard. His reputation even surpassed that of the emperor.

The emperor was suspicious by nature. He had been in power for nineteen years. Now at the age of fifty-eight, he was still quite energetic. The prince's reputation was too great, and the ministers in the court liked the prince and often followed his lead. The emperor naturally felt threatened. Over the years, he favored King Wen and gradually became estranged from the prince, thus forming a faction supporting King Wen.

The Han family was one of the important forces supporting King Wen.

Han Jian supported it openly, while Han Xin had a very good relationship with King Wen in private.

Han Xin was greatly surprised to hear this result: "Aren't there several more umbrellas for the people this time? Will Your Majesty be angry when he sees them?"

"It seems that the emperor is displeased, but Your Majesty heard that half of the houses on both sides of the river have been repaired, the dam is also being built smoothly, and the prince has used the gentle slopes to cultivate land and taught the people to grow rice. The people have food to eat, and their hearts are at ease. Your Majesty did not say anything."

Han Jian said this and shook his head, "The king's mind is hard to predict."

Han Xin was anxious: "Dad, if the prince ascends the throne in the future, our Han family will always be inferior to the Wang family! The Han family is a family of nobility, but in Zhongdu there will always be a Wang family above us. In the court, although the Han family holds a high position, they have never produced a prime minister. The prince's mother's family is Wang, and the princess's mother's family is also Wang. As long as the prince succeeds to the throne, the status of the Wang family will never change for the next few generations. When will our Han family be able to rise to the top?"

Han Jian nodded, his eyes full of ambition: "So we must firmly grasp King Wen. Helping him is helping our Han family."

"Prince Wen attaches great importance to the results of this report and wants to know what His Majesty's attitude is towards the Crown Prince. Although the Imperial Noble Consort is favored, His Majesty never brings state affairs to the harem, nor does he discuss them with the Imperial Noble Consort. His Majesty loves the Imperial Noble Consort and does not want her to worry."

"After all, the Imperial Concubine is just a dancer from the small Nanjiang tribe. In terms of talent and knowledge, she cannot compare with the Empress who comes from an aristocratic family. Any concubine in the palace is more knowledgeable than her."

Privately, the father and son said whatever they wanted. Han Jian supported King Wen on the surface, but in fact, he acted mainly based on the emperor's mood. The emperor was still in good health, and who knew who would sit on the supreme position in the future.

And it is most beneficial for the Han family for King Wen to sit in that position. Apart from that, he does not value the Imperial Concubine personally.

Han Xin disagreed with his father's opinion: "What's the point of a woman being smart and capable? Being beautiful and pleasing to men is the most important thing. The Imperial Concubine is the best example. It is precisely because His Majesty loves the Imperial Concubine that he favors Prince Wen. As a result, the situation in the court has not been stable for many years since the crown prince was canonized. As Prince Wen grows up, it becomes more and more chaotic. Now that Prince Wen has come of age, he will be able to attend court meetings after the canonization ceremony. At this time, we must help him solve all hidden dangers. In addition to the crown prince, Prince Feng is one of them."

"We can't rush the prince's affairs. We can only add fuel to the flames secretly. King Feng has no roots in Zhongdu, but he cannot be underestimated." Han Jian said cautiously.

The King of Wind is a martial arts master so powerful that ordinary people cannot get close to him at all. Now there is the Xie family behind him, and many ministers in the court are from the Xie family's Baiyun Academy, so they have to be more cautious.

What's more, the Xiao family in the west has a close relationship with King Feng. The Xiao family army is a national defense army, and the soldiers are all brave and invincible.

The Wind King is half Bai country blood. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, the Wind King's life cannot be taken away at will. He should never stand up again and pose no threat.

Han Xin said sarcastically, "Even if we don't cause trouble for him, he will cause trouble on his own. Today, King Wen and I watched a big show."

Han Jian's eyes were sharp: "Please ask the imperial physician to save the master?"

He was surprised and said, "How did Dad know? Could it be that His Majesty already knew that Prince Feng had made the Master faint outside of Taohua Tower?!"

"Outside Taohua Tower? Fainted from anger? Was the Master sickened by the Wind King's anger?" Han Jian asked in astonishment.

"He just offended the Prime Minister in the court, and now he has made the Grand Tutor faint. He really makes us worry less."

"Tell me quickly, what exactly is going on?"

……

Han Xin told his father everything he saw outside Taohua Tower in the morning, with a look of gloating on his face.

"Dad, if His Majesty knew about this, should King Feng be banished to the western frontier and never come back?"

Han Jian pondered for a while and analyzed: "We cannot be sure whether the Grand Tutor was angered by the King of Feng or not, but the Grand Tutor has always been impartial. If it is not true, the Grand Tutor will explain to His Majesty. We seem to be deliberate in reporting this. However, we can make a fuss about the King of Feng entering the brothel."

"I understand, Dad. Leave this matter to me. It will definitely confirm the reputation of King Feng who indulges in promiscuity in broad daylight and hangs out in brothels."

"Today I heard Eunuch Dong report to His Majesty that the imperial physician had left the palace to treat the Grand Tutor, and that the Empress was also involved."

"It is not a simple matter to go to the palace and ask the imperial physician to come out of the palace. Given the impulsive and unruly nature of Prince Feng, there will definitely be mistakes along the way." There was a flash of conspiracy in his eyes.

Han Jian smiled knowingly.

"Since Prince Feng entered the palace, all the palace servants who have seen him must be carefully examined and questioned in secret. Don't make it too conspicuous. With his personality, I don't believe that we can't find faults. The rules of the palace are not so easy to follow."

"Dad is right. I'll ask someone to check it out tomorrow."

If he could find any faults in Hua Qinfeng, he would not let them go. When Hua Qinfeng beat him when they were children, now was the time to take revenge.

Han Xin smiled coldly.

Han Jian suggested: "Wouldn't it be more reliable to ask the Imperial Concubine to help with palace matters?"

He asked doubtfully, "Dad, we have people planted in the palace. If we ask the Imperial Concubine for help, will it make our Han family seem useless?"

"Xin'er, they have no background or backing, but they have relied on your majesty's favor to this day, and they can even compete with the crown prince for the throne. They must be scheming. There are some things that we shouldn't intervene in, so we should not intervene."

The older, the wiser. Han Jian is a shrewd and resourceful person.

Han Xin replied, "I understand, father. Tomorrow I will go to Prince Wen and ask him to ask the Imperial Concubine for help."

Han Jian said with relief: "Very good, my son is smart."