Chapter 228: Du Shoufu in the Capital

"How much does His Majesty hope this old man will donate?" the Master asked Eunuch Qiu calmly.

Qiu Defu came to the Marquis's Mansion in person just to ensure the donation matter could be successfully achieved. The old Emperor typically looked for the Marquis of Pingjiang when there was trouble, and looked for civil officials when there was none.

Who let the Marquis of Pingjiang be a cripple? Even if he made meritorious service, there was an excuse not to promote him or grant him titles, only giving material rewards. Plus, the Marquis of Pingjiang had been very honest and obedient over the years, having almost cut off contact with the Eastern Palace, which made the old Emperor feel very relieved. For a subject who kept his place, he had to be valued.

The Master didn't care about this valuation at all; whoever cared could take it. He pondered in his heart whether the old Emperor had other deep meanings in this move.

Qiu Defu raised his finger—three fingers.

The Master frowned. Thirty thousand taels; why not just go rob someone?

He curled his finger and tapped the table lightly. "Jiang Tu is His Majesty's loyal subject, and he talks about sharing His Majesty's worries every day. Now that such a big thing has happened, why haven't I seen Jiang Tu stand out? Not to mention thirty thousand taels, even three hundred thousand taels wouldn't be difficult for Vice Minister Jiang."

Jiang Tu had been promoted.

He was promoted to Vice Minister of Works, making the civil officials jump with anger.

However, the old Emperor was too strong, strongly suppressing all opposing voices. Plus, the nobles and military generals didn't get involved in this matter, so in the end, the civil officials could only pinch their noses and accept it.

Qiu Defu was a bit embarrassed and gave an awkward smile. "The Marquis is right; Vice Minister Jiang is duty-bound and will definitely donate actively. However, Vice Minister Jiang has no appeal in the court and cannot compare to the Marquis's ability to summon a hundred responses."

"Don't, don't, don't! Eunuch Qiu, this old man has no grudge against you; you can't harm me. What summon a hundred responses? You are wishing for my death!"

"The Marquis speaks too seriously! At least your words are useful in the court, and Vice Minister Jiang is far inferior in terms of prestige."

Qiu Defu was not lying.

With Jiang Tu's foul reputation, if he were asked to lead the donation, I'm afraid a fight would break out on the spot. The matter wouldn't be accomplished, and he would just get covered in filth.

Someone with prestige must come out to lead.

Who else but the Marquis of Pingjiang!

The Marquis of Pingjiang made great meritorious service this year, returning with a great victory; this matter had only passed half a year ago. The court officials, whether civil or military, all had to give the Master some face.

The Master chuckled, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Old Qiu, you just like to give people high hats, lifting them up high, and then happily watching them fall from a high place."

"The Marquis speaks too seriously. This servant is all well-intentioned."

"Well-intentioned or not, let's not discuss it for now. In terms of prestige, who can compare to the two Prime Ministers? I am far inferior." The Master refused to loosen his mouth no matter what.

This was originally a tug-of-war.

"The two Prime Ministers naturally have to contribute. But in terms of influence in the military and among the nobles, how can the two Prime Ministers compare to you, Marquis? We are all subjects of the imperial court; I ask the Marquis to share His Majesty's worries and share the court's worries."

The Master glanced sideways at Qiu Defu. "Old Qiu, how long has it been since the Crown Prince came out?"

Qiu Defu's heart shook. "Why does the Marquis suddenly ask about the Crown Prince?"

"I heard that recently Prince Jin, Prince Qin, and Prince Ning have been participating in government affairs very actively, but the Crown Prince is nowhere to be seen. People have started to worry. Old Qiu, people's hearts are not stable! If the heart is not stable, one doesn't feel at ease in the heart; don't you think so?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" In the middle of winter, Qiu Defu sweated a few drops.

It had to be this bunch of nobles; they had deep foundations and were bold. They dared to say words others didn't dare to say, and dared to mention people others didn't dare to mention, not fearing the old Emperor's rage and punishment at all.

The nobles are one!

If the nobles united, their power would be enough to turn the world upside down.

If the old Emperor wanted to stabilize the court, he had to first stabilize this bunch of nobles.

"His Highness the Crown Prince's health has always been not very good; His Majesty's meaning is that it won't be too late for His Highness the Crown Prince to come out after he has completely recuperated."

"What kind of illness is it, that it's taken nearly a year to recuperate?" The Master smiled but didn't smile. "The few Princes have been truly high-profile recently. A few days ago, a steward below told me a matter, saying that a steward in Prince Jin's mansion was forcing buying and selling, causing the accounts below to be unfillable, and it made a scene in front of me. I thought, it doesn't matter if the Marquis's Mansion suffers a little loss, but the rules cannot be broken, right? The rules set by the ancestors have their own reasons; at least they can stabilize people's hearts. Don't you think so?"

Qiu Defu wiped the sweat from his forehead secretly and accompanied with a smile. "The Marquis is right; the rules of the ancestors cannot be broken. This matter... this servant is also powerless. How about this, during the Great Court Meeting, take the opportunity of donating silver, and the Marquis can mention it to His Majesty."

The Master sneered on the spot, disliking Qiu Defu for being unkind and treating him like a fool to be teased.

However, he also saw some clues from Qiu Defu's attitude. The old Emperor was truly disgusted with the Crown Prince, even disregarding the ancestral rules and the overall situation of the court, just to suppress the Crown Prince and support other Princes.

Did the old Emperor not know this was a way to invite disaster and a source of chaos in government?

He definitely knew.

However, in the old Emperor's heart, obviously suppressing the Crown Prince and raising other Princes was more important than the stability of the court. And he had confidence that even if the court really became chaotic one day, he had the ability to extinguish the chaos and it wouldn't affect the imperial power.

After his suppression, the Crown Prince's prestige was greatly damaged. In this way, what did the Crown Prince have to fight with, what did he have to snatch imperial power with? From then on, the old Emperor could sleep soundly.

Truly... sure enough, he was old and muddled, a proper muddled monarch.

The Master played with a white jade pendant and then gave it to Qiu Defu very casually. "This jade nourishes people; Old Qiu, you take it."

Qiu Defu didn't refuse and took the pendant smoothly.

"You go back to the palace to report, and tell His Majesty that this old subject will naturally share His Majesty's worries. The commoners are suffering, and this old subject cannot bear it in his heart; being able to contribute is this old subject's honor. Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving this old subject this opportunity. It's just that..."

"Just what?" Qiu Defu asked nervously, fearing the Master would pull another trick and say something inappropriate.

As long as he didn't mention the Crown Prince, everything was easy to talk about.

The Master smiled but didn't smile. "Jiang Tu is the richest man in the capital; you let him contribute one hundred thousand taels, and this old man will naturally share His Majesty's worries."

"Master, words cannot be spoken recklessly. Since when did Vice Minister Jiang become the richest man in the capital?" Qiu Defu was anxious. He hated Jiang Tu, which didn't mean he would sit by and watch others slander Jiang Tu at will. Jiang Tu was the red man in front of His Majesty, a favored subject; many times he needed to suppress his own likes and dislikes and speak from His Majesty's standpoint. This was the duty of someone by His Majesty's side. Defending Jiang Tu at this time was defending His Majesty's face.

"Whether he is the richest man or not, you know, I know, and everyone in the world knows. Old Qiu, why do you have to cover your ears and steal a bell, covering for the one surnamed Jiang?"

Qiu Defu smiled bitterly repeatedly. "Marquis, spare this servant; this servant begs you. Rest assured, this servant will definitely bring the words to Jiang Tu; this time it is to share His Majesty's worries, he must contribute silver, and it must be the first portion." ===== CHAPTER 229 =====