Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 182 - 153 Yangzhou’s Noble Families_2

"Does Father still need my help?" The Eighth Prince said with a half-smile, "Father has been planning for a long time to deal with those noble families in Yangzhou. Even without Dong Jin, he could eliminate them."

"So, this time, is the Emperor planning to uproot those noble families in Yangzhou?"

"Almost." The Eighth Prince said indifferently, "Father is doing this first for the people, and second to intimidate all the noble families, making them fear imperial power."

Those noble families in Yangzhou completely disregard the court. In Yangzhou, they act like emperors themselves. If left unchecked, they will eventually rebel.

Compared to the noble families in the capital, those in Yangzhou are easier to deal with.

Though they are all noble families, the noble families in the capital look down on those from other regions. Even if the noble families in Jiangnan are wealthy, the noble families in the north dismiss them.

Because since ancient times, most aristocratic families have originated from the north. Most importantly, the northern aristocratic families hold a lot of power, with many having controlled the fate of the court. Even more important is that many members of the imperial family come from northern aristocratic families. While the noble families in Jiangnan rarely produce emperors, nor do they often wield great power in the court.

The aristocratic families in Jiangnan only have influence in the Jiangnan area and not much outside it. So, the noble families in Jiangnan are easier to contend with than those in the capital.

Most importantly, the noble families in the capital are under the emperor’s watchful eye. If they make any moves, the emperor can detect them. Whereas Yangzhou is too far from the capital, and the emperor cannot constantly monitor their actions.

"In a few days, Grandmaster Liu should arrive in Yangzhou." Just a few days ago, Grandmaster Liu suddenly fell ill and needed to rest at home for a while. The ministers did not doubt this, as Grandmaster Liu’s health was not good, and he often needed to rest; the ministers were accustomed to it.

"From Father’s covert dispatch of Grandmaster Liu to Yangzhou, one can see Father’s attitude towards Yangzhou." The Eighth Prince smiled, "In terms of conspiracy and tactics, those in Yangzhou are no match for Grandmaster Liu."

Yu Hai thought of Grandmaster Liu’s usual cold demeanor and couldn’t help but shudder.

"I’ve also heard that Grandmaster Liu is very ruthless." He suddenly thought of that matter and curiously asked, "Your Highness, is that matter from back then true?"

The Eighth Prince asked, "Which matter?"

"The matter of Tong City. I’ve heard that back then, when the Emperor attacked Tong City but couldn’t take it after a long time, Grandmaster Liu gave the Emperor a suggestion, and then everyone in Tong City died." Yu Hai asked, "Is this true?"

"Also, whenever Grandmaster Liu makes plans, he ends up killing a lot of people on the other side."

"The matter of Tong City could be true." This was also the Eighth Prince’s guess.

Yu Hai said in a terror-stricken voice, "I’ve heard that back then, over a hundred thousand people died in Tong City, this... Grandmaster Liu is certainly cruel." He added, "With Grandmaster Liu being so ruthless, why does the Emperor still keep him around and use him heavily?"

"The matter of Tong City is likely more complex than we imagine. If it were under normal circumstances, Father would never agree to Grandmaster Liu’s scheme of poisoning the people of Tong City." Although the Eighth Prince did not receive the Emperor’s affection, he, like other princes, was full of admiration for the Emperor. "Father is not one to sacrifice a city’s people just for victory."

"Indeed." Yu Hai sighed, "But Grandmaster Liu is scary; just one look from him makes you feel as if he can see through your thoughts."

"That’s because you’re afraid of him, so you feel that way." The Eighth Prince said with amusement, "Although Grandmaster Liu is adept at using mysterious tactics, he isn’t as magical as you say."

"There must be no one who isn’t afraid of Grandmaster Liu." After speaking about this, Yu Hai thought of another matter and quickly asked, "Your Highness, Miss Kong has already returned to the Bodhi Temple. In the past two days, someone has been secretly watching Miss Kong."

"Whose people?"

"Unclear."

"They’re just watching, no other actions?"

"No other actions for now."

The Eighth Prince slightly frowned and said, "Send someone to watch them."

"Your Highness, if those people make a move against Miss Kong, should we intervene or not?"

"No need to intervene." Whether Miss Kong lives or dies has nothing to do with him. "However, we must find out their true purpose. If it has any value, we’ll make good use of it."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Eighth Prince said nothing more and continued reading the book in his hand.

Yu Hai dared not disturb the Eighth Prince’s reading any further and quietly withdrew.

At this moment, far in the south suburb of the capital, Zhao Yao was sitting on a furrow, eating coarse grain pancakes and corn buns with the Fourth Prince.

The pancakes and corn buns were extremely hard, and very unpleasant to eat, even cutting the throat while swallowing.

This was a lunch arranged by special order of the Emperor.

Currently, many people in Great Zhou still eat this kind of food.

Zhao Yao did not show any disdain or complain that the pancakes and corn buns were unpalatable. He ate very earnestly, taking small bites and eating slowly.

The Fourth Prince initially thought Zhao Yao would be reluctant to eat or would ask why they were eating such food, but Zhao Yao didn’t say a word and obediently ate it.

"Fourth Brother, are there many people eating the same food as what we’re having now?"

"Yes, many." The Fourth Prince said somberly, "And quite a few can’t even get such food." Even now, many places in Great Zhou still have people who cannot fill their stomachs.

"That’s so pitiful for them." He must quickly find the potatoes and sweet potatoes from his dreams so that everyone can eat till they’re full.

"That’s why we must cherish food." The Fourth Prince gently said to Zhao Yao.

"Fourth Brother, I’ve never wasted food." Every meal, he ate completely and left not a grain of rice or bit of vegetable. "I always eat everything cleanly."

"Yes, you do very well in this regard."

"Mother often told me not to waste food." Liang Zhaoyi experienced famine when she was young and knew what it felt like to have no food.

While talking with the Fourth Prince, Zhao Yao took big bites and finished the hard corn bun in his hand.

The Fourth Prince quickly handed him a water bag.

Zhao Yao took the water bag, drank deeply, and washed down the bun stuck in his throat.

Though the bun wasn’t delicious, it was filling.

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