How else could this be seen? If something goes wrong, we investigate. Gu Yanchen said, "Your Majesty, I beg your decree to go to Yangzhou to thoroughly investigate this case."
"You want to go to Jiangnan?"
"Your Majesty, Prince Ning has been in Jiangnan for less than three months, and the county town has fallen, with countless villages plundered. Even if this matter hadn't happened, you should consider replacing the general." When he was here, the Japanese pirates never broke through the defense line; he was the one who raided the Japanese pirates on the islands.
Changwu Emperor chuckled, "You dare to say anything, aren't you afraid of incurring resentment?"
"It's just the facts. Even if I don't mention it, Duke Cao will not pretend to be deaf and dumb. Moreover..."
"Moreover what?"
Gu Yanchen kowtowed, "Moreover, I believe that even if you favor your relatives, Your Majesty should not neglect the people of Jiangnan."
Li Furui shivered, "Audacious."
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." He had held these words in his heart for a long time, and now that he finally spoke them, he felt an unspeakable relief. He bowed his head and lay on the ground without feeling any fear. His Majesty was not the kind of foolish ruler who would punish people for their words.
Changwu Emperor was silent for a moment, "I thought you didn't plan to get involved in Jiangnan affairs."
"Your Majesty is mistaken. I do miss Jiangnan, but I don't want to help Prince Ning clean up his mess."
Li Furui's heart leaped. Did the Seventh Prince know his identity? Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to speak so boldly. Changwu Emperor found it quite pleasing. His son, in front of him, was always a minister first and a son second. His words were eloquent, but not entirely sincere.
Let alone sincerity, true words were rare.
He tidied the memorials on his desk, "You are not afraid of offending people."
Gu Yanchen subtly curled his lips.
Before he returned to the capital, he hadn't even met Prince Ning. If he wanted to snatch something, wouldn't he just snatch it? Fortunately, His Majesty was not a bad person, and he quite liked the position he had been given.
Changwu Emperor did not miss his expression but did not reprimand him for it. "I understand. You may go back now."
Gu Yanchen pressed his advantage, "Your Majesty, for General Mao's effort in delivering the message and leaving his post, could you please exempt him from punishment?"
"If this matter is verified, he will be a meritorious minister. What punishment would there be?"
"I thank Your Majesty on his behalf."
Changwu Emperor waved his hand, a trace of weariness appearing in his eyes.
Situ Jue had truly disappointed him.
It seemed that his prominence in the capital before was partly due to the considerable efforts of the Consort's faction behind the scenes. If the Crown Prince, who also had the Empress's faction supporting him, was the same...
Then this empire could never be handed over to him.
After Gu Yanchen withdrew, Changwu Emperor pondered for a long time, then struck the imperial decree twice.
With these two light sounds, two hidden guards appeared silently before the imperial desk. "What is Your Majesty's command?"
"An Yi, go investigate what the Crown Prince has been busy with recently. Focus on how many people around him are connected to Duke Cao's mansion."
"Yes."
"An San, you go to Jiangnan for a trip."
"Yes." The two hidden guards responded concisely and disappeared quickly after receiving the order. The imperial study remained as quiet as ever, as if the two had never existed.
Li Furui, who had left at some point, returned with a square, lacquered food box. "Your Majesty, this is ginseng tea personally sent by Consort Jian. Would you like to taste it?"
Changwu Emperor waved his hand, "Put it aside for now. Little Fuzi, who do you think would be suitable to send to Jiangnan?"
"Hasn't the Seventh Prince already requested it?"
"Little Seven has just returned to the capital; let's not have him travel again." Changwu Emperor tapped the imperial desk. "Let's go, summon the imperial carriage to Channing Palace."
Channing Palace was the Empress's residence. Li Furui glanced at the lacquered and gilded food box and thought he should inform his little apprentice to intercept anything sent from Shensfang Palace recently.
Gu Yanchen, having resolved Mao's matter, was in a good mood and thought they should treat their companions to a meal at a restaurant after their long journey. So, he took a detour to Hulu Street.
As it turned out, two of the three were asleep, and only Meng Changdong was awake. When Gu Yanchen knocked and entered the room, he was staring blankly at a sea chart.
"Still can't let go of the garrison?"
"Garrisons are full of common soldiers, what's there to hold on to? My subordinate, my subordinate is just worried about the people of Jiangnan. If Prince Ning stays any longer, the defenses you worked so hard to establish might all be destroyed."
Gu Yanchen said, "Don't worry, his misdeeds have reached the Emperor's ears. His Majesty will send someone to thoroughly investigate Jiangnan soon."
Meng Changdong's eyes lit up, "Boss, then you must take me with you."
"It's not necessarily me who will go. His Majesty hasn't decided yet."
"If a prince breaks the law, besides the Dali Temple, what other yamen can investigate? This matter must be yours. Fortunately, I haven't packed my luggage yet. I can pack my bags and set off later."
Gu Yanchen: "...... You've been traveling outside for so long, and you're thinking of running around again. Aren't you afraid of running yourself into the ground?"
Meng Changdong patted his chest, "Young people are resilient."
"Stop dawdling. I've booked a table at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. When they wake up, we'll all go there to eat."
"That's great. My subordinate wants crispy chicken."
"Anything you want to eat is fine."
"Boss, you've become generous."
"Scram, as if I were stingy before."
"Not stingy, just very poor before."
Gu Yanchen: ......