Chapter 153: The Struggle of Positions

The person who came was none other than the Chang'an Prince's Crown Prince, Xiao Xiao Hongqi.

His figure was tall, wearing a vermilion python robe. He looked young, but his forehead was high and his face wide, his shoulders were loose, and his small belly protruded; he inexplicably had a trace of an adult's oiliness.

Especially his lips, which were thick, and his appearance wasn't much to speak of either.

Some officials had privately discussed that Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi, let alone having the appearance of a dragon or phoenix, was even below average compared to ordinary aristocratic children.

The decline of the Chang'an Prince's lineage was only a matter of time.

Li Li Kongqing was a bit nervous. The Crown Prince basically didn't study recently and rarely came to the Renxiao Building, so why did he suddenly run over?

Could something have happened?

Seeing his cautious appearance, Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi laughed dumbly and waved his hand. "Why, aren't you happy to see Gu?"

According to Great Da Xuan etiquette, the Crown Prince who was to inherit the title of Prince could call himself "Gu," while the Commandery Prince who couldn't inherit the title of Prince would call himself "Little Prince."

"Your Highness is joking."

Li Li Kongqing had cold sweat on his forehead.

While speaking, a small official had already brought tea.

Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi waved his hand, let the small official go out, closed the door, and then touched his chin and looked at Li Li Kongqing. "Do you know what Gu came to do today?"

Li Li Kongqing shook his head. "This... this subordinate doesn't know."

Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi's mouth revealed a smile, and he said meaningfully: "I heard that you learned to fish for benefits, and someone privately reported you to Gu, so I came to see how this blockhead of yours opened up?"

"Ah?!"

Li Li Kongqing was stunned on the spot.

Wasn't his relationship with his colleagues better?

How did he get reported in the blink of an eye?

This is life...

"Hahaha!"

Seeing his appearance, Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi laughed heartily, took a letter from his bosom, cleared his throat, and read:

"There is a companion reader in the Prince's Mansion named Li Li Kongqing, who privately associates with martial world sorcerers, usurps the private property of the Prince's Mansion, does not perform his duties while in his position, takes the Prince's Mansion's cakes and wine for his own, and forgets righteousness for small gains..."

As he spoke, he scolded with a laugh: "It's simply nonsense. He can't even write a report letter well, yet he wants to climb up with this; how did the Prince's Mansion raise such people."

"Tell me, how should this matter be handled?"

Li Li Kongqing's brain was already numb. He sighed, bent over, and cupped his hands. "Everything said in the letter is true, this subordinate is willing to accept punishment."

"Accept punishment?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi smiled mockingly. "What crime is there?"

"In the Prince's Mansion, there are many people who have their hands in the till. If we really investigate, those who should be beaten would have to line up."

"However, Gu is also strange. Since you have already decided to go with the flow, why don't you fish for some oil and water? Finding someone to watch the house to save rent, taking some wine and food home—you aren't even ashamed..."

"But compared to these, Gu is more curious, how did you think it through?"

Li Li Kongqing hesitated for a moment. "This subordinate met a person who said that Your Highness is truly smart, and this subordinate shouldn't talk too much..."

"You are quite honest."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi nodded slightly, the playfulness on his face gradually disappearing, and he said in a deep voice: "How is that martial world sorcerer?"

"He is not a martial world sorcerer, but a disciple of this subordinate's mother."

Li Li Kongqing was afraid of implicating Li Yan, so he explained the whole process from beginning to end, and emphasized that it was his own active request.

"Hmm."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi's expression softened slightly. "Since that's the case, it's not a big deal, but remember, if it's just plotting small gains for ordinary relatives, it's fine, but if it involves people from the martial world and the Mystic Sect, you cannot make decisions on your own."

Li Li Kongqing finally understood, only feeling a chill on his back, and then a sense of depression surged into his heart. He bent over and cupped his hands. "Your Highness, this subordinate requests to resign from the position of companion reader."

"Oh?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi raised his eyebrows. "Why?"

Li Li Kongqing said bitterly: "This subordinate is too stupid."

"This subordinate is neither good at human relations nor good at scheming. Staying by Your Highness's side is like a piece of trash, and sooner or later I will be harmed by others, so I might as well go back and be a teacher."

"Hmm, you can be considered to have self-knowledge." Xiao Xiao Hongqi took a sip of tea and said calmly: "According to the customs of the Prince's Mansions in various places, the position of companion reader is mostly held by children of aristocratic families."

"Do you know why it fell to you?"

Li Li Kongqing was stunned. "This subordinate doesn't know."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi said calmly: "Because you understand your place!"

"The world is in chaos, and those who are restless often stand out. If they have a bit of cleverness and a bit of luck, they can ride the wind and rise."

"But now that my Great Da Xuan is flourishing, understanding one's place is even more important."

"Before you, there were several other companion readers, all aristocratic children, but they were either foxes and dogs who liked to bully others. 【1

"Either they are ambitious, inciting me to fight for power while actually seeking profit for themselves, all of whom I have cleared out."

"On the day of the selection, everyone else was busy networking with each other; only you ran to the bookshelf to read those lost ancient books. That is why the position of study companion fell onto your head."

So that's how it was...

Li Li Kongqing suddenly realized.

Xiao Xiao Hongqi said calmly, "In this Great Da Xuan Dynasty, one's proper place is the most important thing. All trouble lies in the fact that some people do not keep to their proper place."

"Officials have the proper place of officials, the common people have the proper place of the common people, and people of the martial world also have the proper place of people of the martial world."

"I am the same; I cannot be too dissolute and lose the face of the imperial family, nor can I be too dazzling and do things I shouldn't do. Do you understand?"

Li Li Kongqing gave a bitter smile, "This subordinate knows his mistake."

"I see you still don't understand."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi shook his head, "You are a study companion. The proper place of a study companion is to convince people with knowledge, to surpass people with character, and to urge me to study and cultivate virtue, without needing to blend in with the crowd."

"How I act is my business."

"But if you lose your proper place, that is your fault."

Li Li Kongqing's mind cleared instantly, and he hurriedly bent over and cupped his hands, "Many thanks for the guidance, Your Highness. This subordinate will keep to his proper place."

"Hahaha!"

A playful smile appeared on Xiao Xiao Hongqi's face again, "You're not too stupid yet. Remember, I am not short of people who flatter and play small tricks around me; that is not what you are supposed to do."

"Otherwise, if I encounter something I don't want to handle, and I can't even find a way out, wouldn't that be pitiful?"

"This subordinate understands."

Li Li Kongqing finally thoroughly understood his duties.

"That's good."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi nodded, then his expression became serious, and he said calmly, "Around my father, there is now a group of people inciting the Prince's Mansion to provide funds to organize a fleet to go to sea for trade, and even to form a Shaanxi Chamber of Commerce."

"In the past two years, some Prince's Mansions have privately gone to sea and made a great profit, even colluding with local power-holders to train naval troops for escort. My father is already tempted. You... what do you think?"

Li Li Kongqing immediately stiffened his neck, "This subordinate doesn't know. This subordinate only knows that being a merchant is a lowly profession, and for the Prince's Mansion to contend with the people for profit is even more inappropriate, not to mention forming a private army, which violates the laws of the Great Da Xuan!"

"Hmm."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi smiled with satisfaction, stood up, and shook his head slightly, "Some things are meaningless if said too clearly, but with your blockhead, if I don't point it out, you really would take the wrong path."

"Remember your proper place, and I will ensure your lifelong peace."

Having said that, he stood up and strode away.

Li Li Kongqing, standing behind, felt as if his whole body was already soaked...

…………

Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi left Renxiao Building, turned his head to look at another palace, and said thoughtfully, "Are those people here again?"

A guard hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "Yes, Your Highness. The Prince is holding a treasure-appreciation banquet, and several chambers of commerce have sent people to attend, one after another presenting exotic items from overseas."

"Did anyone from the Li Chamber of Commerce come?"

"They only sent rare treasures, but did not send anyone."

"Who is leading it?" "Mr. Master Yue."

"Hmph!"

Crown Prince Xiao Xiao Hongqi's expression immediately turned gloomy, but soon returned to normal, and he said lightly, "Let's go, follow me to take a look."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi walked quickly with his guards, and before long, they arrived in front of a small building by the lake.

Hearing the laughter inside, a smile also appeared on his face, and he quickly entered the building.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Following the guard's announcement, the many gazes inside the building were immediately focused on him.

This Snow-Viewing Building was a place for the Prince's Mansion to host private banquets for guests; it was not very large, and relatively not as solemn as the main hall of the Prince's Mansion.

At this moment, a row of wooden shelves was set up in the hall, filled with all kinds of objects, and many people had already left their seats to accompany a fat, middle-aged man wearing a python robe to view them.

The man was none other than the Prince of Chang'an, Xiao Qingyuan. Although he was fat, he had a delicate long beard and regular facial features, possessing a natural air of dignity.

!.

"Greetings, Father."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi wore a smile, bent over, and cupped his hands.

"The Crown Prince is here." Seeing his eldest son arrive, the Prince of Chang'an was in a very good mood and pointed to the table, saying, "Come, accompany me to take a look. Do you recognize this item?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi hurriedly stepped forward, only to see a piece of black, rotten wood covered in pits, with dense, golden long worms wriggling inside.

Xiao Xiao Hongqi felt nauseated in his chest; he endured the discomfort, shook his head, and said, "I don't know these worms, but they don't look like treasure."

"Hahaha, my son is wrong."

The Prince of Chang'an looked to the side and laughed, "Squire Zhou, since you presented this treasure, explain it to the Crown Prince."

"Yes, Your Highness."

An old man dressed in luxurious clothing bent over and cupped his hands, smiling, "Replying to the Crown Prince, this item is called a ship-worm. It can erode wood and stone. Docks and ships going out to sea fear this item the most; every year, a large number of seagoing ships are scrapped because of it."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Then that's strange. If it's clearly harmful, why did you present it as a treasure?"

"The Crown Prince may not know."

The old man respectfully cupped his hands, "Although ship-worms are harmful, they can feed on wood and stone. This wood is sunken wood from the sea; having been eroded by ship-worms, it happens to be hidden in the spiritual aperture of the sea."

"We traveled to the Sulu Kingdom in the Nanyang, exchanging silk and porcelain for this item. These special ship-worms have become heavenly spiritual treasures, revered by local witch doctors as gifts from the gods."

"After testing by famous doctors, it is excellent for clearing meridians and removing dampness. After being dried and ground into powder, it has miraculous effects on wind-dampness, and can be called a precious medicine."

"Oh?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi's expression softened slightly, "In that case, it can also be called a treasure."

Although Xingqing Palace is good, sometimes it accumulates water in summer, and the palace is dark and damp. If one lives there for a long time, occasionally someone will get wind-dampness.

His mother, the Empress, had wind-dampness, and every time it rained, she would be in unbearable pain. If it really had miraculous effects, then no matter what, he had to buy it.

Just because of this, he also became a bit interested.

"What is this item?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi pointed to a strange golden mask.

Another old man, tall and with charred skin, possessing a bit of a martial world air, stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Replying to the Crown Prince, this was obtained by chance after I captured some barbarian pirates. According to them, it was obtained from a continent deep in the extreme sea, originating from the Kingdom of Gold."

"And this one?"

Xiao Xiao Hongqi pointed to a box made of pure gold.

"Crown Prince, please look."

A fat, middle-aged man hurriedly stepped forward and opened the box, only to see a small person dancing on it. Turning the knob on the side, crisp music immediately sounded, and the small person also slowly rotated along with it...

The middle-aged man looked proud, "This item comes from a country called Farangt. I only exchanged a hundred jin of broken tea for it."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi nodded slightly, "It is indeed quite exquisite. Then how is the national strength of that Farangt country?"

"The national strength is passable, but now it is in the midst of constant war. I heard that there is a Red-robed National Preceptor of the Li clan serving as Prime Minister, assisting its ruler in suppressing vassal kings everywhere..."

"Hehe."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi gave a playful smile, "National Preceptor, sounds like someone from the Mystic Sect. I didn't expect that they could also serve as Prime Minister. Mr. Master Yue, you all still need to work hard."

Hearing this, the Prince of Chang'an immediately frowned, "Speaking with such sarcasm, is the Crown Prince here to anger me on purpose?"

Although the words were heavy, his eyes were full of doting.

He knew better than anyone what kind of person the Crown Prince was; if he were to leave, only the Crown Prince could protect his lineage.

It was just that he was extremely opposed to this matter of organizing a fleet to go to sea.

"This son wouldn't dare."

Xiao Xiao Hongqi hurriedly lowered his head, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall also went cold.

Just at this moment, a middle-aged Daoist walked out from the crowd, wearing white Daoist robes, with handsome features and a long black beard hanging over his chest, possessing an extraordinary air.

He sighed, flicked his horsetail whisk, and respectfully bent over, "Crown Prince, please do not be angry. This Daoist only meant well. If there is anything inappropriate, I hope you will forgive me."

The speaker was none other than Master Yue Master Yue Fachong, a retainer of the Prince's Mansion.

"Enough, enough."

The Prince of Chang'an shook his head slightly, "It's all for the sake of the Prince's Mansion, don't argue and ruin my mood. Everyone, take your seats."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Everyone took their seats one after another, and soon there were maidservants singing and dancing to liven up the atmosphere. Amidst the clinking of glasses, no one mentioned the matter of forming a fleet anymore.

After the banquet, everyone dispersed one after another.

Watching the Prince of Chang'an and the Crown Prince walk away, Master Yue Master Yue Fachong stood expressionless by the lake, silent for a while, before turning back to his small courtyard.

"Greetings, Feng Feng Shixiong."

Luo Luo Faqing was waiting in the courtyard, and upon seeing him, hurriedly cupped his hands.

"Hmm."

Master Yue Master Yue Fachong nodded slightly, his expression softening slightly.

Seeing that his expression was not right, Luo Luo Faqing hurriedly asked, "Feng Feng Shixiong, I heard that at the treasure-appreciation banquet, the Crown Prince lost his temper?"

"Sigh~"

Master Yue Master Yue Fachong sighed, shook his head, and said, "The Crown Prince is very wary of me. If he insists on opposing it, I'm afraid this matter will end up with nothing."

"The Prince is in poor health. In the future, when the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne, it will be difficult for me to stay in the Prince's Mansion. But the Crown Prince treats you, Junior Feng Feng Shixiong, differently; do not fall out with him."

Luo Luo Faqing hesitated for a moment, "Feng Feng Shixiong, forgive me for being blunt, the Crown Prince's worry is nothing more than fear of the imperial court's suspicion, and besides, we are really not suited to participate in this kind of thing."

"I naturally know."

Master Yue Master Yue Fachong said lightly, "The various Dharma lineages of the world each have their own territory. Although my Shangshan lineage is increasingly prosperous in Shaanxi, only ranking below the Tai Da Xuan Orthodox Sect, once we leave Shaanxi, we are nothing."

"I have sent out many disciples, but they are squeezed and suppressed, making it difficult to get ahead. If one day we want to rank among the Mystic Sect orthodox sects, relying on our current strength is simply not enough. Only through the promotion of all parties will we have a chance."

"Using the name of going to sea might be a way to break the deadlock."

"What a pity~"

Luo Luo Faqing hesitated for a moment, "Feng Feng Shixiong, I also feel that going to sea is not a good choice. Perhaps we should be like those Mystic Sect orthodox sects, spending some energy to hold more ritual assemblies for dispelling disasters and praying for blessings."

Hearing this, Master Yue Master Yue Fachong's eyes turned cold, "Suddenly saying this, you must have heard some idle gossip from someone, right?"

"Have you forgotten... how Master died?"

"Some things are done with great effort, but those ignorant people will initially remember your kindness, and then they will take it for granted."

"In the end, if you don't sacrifice your life to save them, you will be reviled by thousands. Even if they are wrong, they won't have any good words for you, at most hypocritically building a temple to sacrifice to you."

"I will not walk Master's path again."

"It is not your turn to make decisions here yet!"

Rest today, only two updates.

(End of chapter)