Bian Shengrong felt that this was the perfect opportunity to topple the Third Prince. Strike while the iron is hot!

The Emperor made it clear he wouldn’t let this matter rest. Attempting to murder the Crown Prince is a grave sin; why not add more charges against the Third Prince, and make them even fiercer?

If the Third Prince could be eliminated this time, the Eldest Prince would have one less rival in the future.

"Mr. Bian speaks wisely, twenty-eight thousand liang of Silver is no small amount. The salt tax is the largest tax of our dynasty, and no one should meddle with it. Moreover, the National Treasury is still not abundant, and every year the tax revenue is high, but where has it gone? Why do the border soldiers lack clothes and food, unable to receive their stipend?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Left Imperial Censor Deng Chenghong stepped forward, he felt that those who meddled with tax revenue were the court’s parasites, and he particularly despised such officials.

Every year taxes are collected from the bottom up, layer upon layer of exploitation, and the people suffer immensely, yet the National Treasury remains inadequate. It’s time to reform the courtly affairs.

The Third Prince merely received annual tributes and could casually produce twenty-eight thousand liang of Silver.

It begs the question, how much benefit have the officials below gained?

Whenever there’s mention of the National Treasury’s inadequacy, the court can only suggest cutting expenses.

However, after Gu Chengyu from the Hanlin Academy raised the tea tax and salt permit, the situation improved somewhat.

No official has ever delved deep into the root cause of the National Treasury’s inadequacy, surely because the Crown Prince had not been established before?

Everyone feared offending a Prince, worried that if one was established as Crown Prince later, would they face dire repercussions?

Now that the Crown Prince is established, and he is compassionate and considerate of the people, it’s time to bring up these topics that were previously dared not to speak.

Gu Chengyu, standing back, lowered his head and coldly sneered; these people are too eager.

The Emperor appears very angry now, handing the matter to Dali Temple for investigation clearly implies punishing the Third Prince severely.

Ultimately, the Third Prince could be confined in the Imperial Clan Court, or even expelled from the Imperial Family, demoted to a commoner is not impossible.

But this is what can be seen on the surface now, while the Emperor is in a rage, he certainly won’t let the Third Prince off lightly.

But once the Emperor’s anger slightly subsides, seeing these officials eagerly kicking someone when they’re down, can the Emperor tolerate it?

If these officials had their way, penalized the Third Prince severely, or had him killed, wouldn’t the Emperor regret it later when he thought about it?

The blame would fall on these officials who kicked someone when they’re down; no one would come out well.

No matter how bad the Third Prince is, he is still a Prince, the Emperor’s flesh and blood.

They, mere ministers, are trying to bring a Prince down into the mud, disrespecting royal authority, which would inevitably displease the Emperor.

Originally, if the poisoning attempt on the Crown Prince is confirmed, the Emperor won’t spare the Third Prince easily for the sake of the Crown Prince and the world’s explanation.

But adding more charges to the Third Prince now, losing the Imperial Family’s dignity, seems redundant.

It would also lead the Emperor to suspect more, wondering if it’s the Crown Prince trying to eliminate the Princes quickly, seizing the chance to kick someone when they’re down.

"So, Bian Aiqing and Deng Aiqing mean to suggest that all these shortages in the Dayan Dynasty are due to the Third Prince receiving benefits?"

The Emperor squinted slightly, his face growing darker than before.

Though the Third Prince indeed took action against his elder brother, the crime deserves punishment. But after all, it’s his son; do they mean to force him?

Force him to expel the Third Prince from the clan or even kill him to eradicate future troubles?

"Calm your anger, Emperor. I did not mean that. I wasn’t solely focusing on the Third Prince earlier; I was talking about the majority of the court’s parasites. Whether the Third Prince accepted bribes or not, I did not investigate personally, so it’s inappropriate to conclude. Leaving this aside, I believe there’s significant corruption among the court officials; please investigate thoroughly, Emperor!"

Deng Chenghong, though affiliated with the Second Prince’s faction, truly cared for the court and the people.

The people’s taxes are not heavy, but that’s because the court is currently balancing income and expenses with the help of tea tax.

Once the National Treasury is insufficient, naturally, the court would increase taxes.

"Emperor! Like Mr. Deng, my words were not aimed at the Third Prince, but because rumors were rampant a while ago. If the Third Prince did not commit this act, then please clear the Third Prince’s name, Emperor."

Bian Shengrong, seeing the Emperor’s words still somewhat protecting the Third Prince, felt resentful.

Despite the Third Prince committing such a blunder, the Emperor still wants to shield him.

The Crown Prince, poisoned, had his health greatly deteriorated, narrowly avoided the Third Prince’s plot.

Luckily, the Crown Prince was blessed with wisdom and strategies comparable to his brothers; otherwise, he might have perished.

A fine Central Palace Legitimate Son was forced into such a situation by other Princes, indeed tragic.

Now the Emperor still wants to protect the culprit, leaving them uneasy!

"Previously, in the Hejian Prefecture case, the Emperor uprooted many officials and ordered Dali Temple to investigate thoroughly. Now the court is clear, where comes the talk of corruption and bribery? Are both of you suggesting there are no honest officials in the court?"

Minister of War Dai Yuanji disliked their relentless pursuit, yet he doesn’t want the Emperor to let the Third Prince off easily either.

It’s because these two belong to the Crown Prince Faction, which he can’t find pleasing.

"Enough! Now is not the time for this talk, the poisoning case of the Crown Prince must be resolved quickly to appease the officials and the people."

The Emperor intervened in their confrontation, aware of their intentions, merely to add more charges to the Third Prince.

Once the wall falls, everyone pushes. Previously, when an official made a mistake and lost their position, even had their family exterminated, these officials were also kicking the fallen.

Each wished to stomp harder, ensuring those officials never rise again.

The Emperor had grown accustomed to the officials’ ways, but now the target to be kicked is his son, which ultimately irks him.

Besides, if the Third Prince proves truly unworthy, it tarnishes the Imperial Family’s reputation; people would even say this is the extent of a Prince’s upbringing.

The Third Prince, gazing at the long red wall before him, found the path he walked daily never seemed this long.

His legs felt weak, if not for the guards holding his arms, he wouldn’t know if his feeble body could reach Taihe Palace.

Taking a deep breath, what must come will come. Shaking, he stepped onto the stair.

Beside him, two guards held the Third Prince’s arms, their eyes unable to conceal contempt.

Dare to plot against the Crown Prince, yet lack the courage to face consequences.

"Your son pays respect to Father, may the Emperor live ten thousand years!"

Once inside Taihe Palace, a few steps forward, the Third Prince’s knees buckled, falling to the ground.

"Old Third, you poisoned the Crown Prince, evidence is clear. Do you have anything to say?"

The Emperor, seeing the Third Prince’s demeanor, felt a sudden tenderness in his heart.

Originally intending to reprimand harshly, unexpectedly faced with his son’s limp and lifeless state, the words of reproach stuck in his throat.