Protect Our Chief

Chapter 1074: Chapter 70: Suppressing Second Rank! Emperor’s Son Scheme_4

The one involved in smuggling and colluding with enemies is not the Changning Wang Family, but the Zhao Family’s Great Celestial Pride, Zhao Zhikun! Even the current Chief Minister, Elder Zhao, resigned from his position due to guilt.

For a time, people were in an uproar, and the court was shaken.

On the streets and alleys, over tea and meals, almost everyone was discussing this matter.

Initially, everyone’s attention was focused on the fact that Zhao Zhikun was involved in smuggling and collusion, secretly criticizing Zhao Zhikun as a Divine Power Species, enjoying the treatment of being the star among stars, yet privately doing disgraceful deeds, truly a parasite and disgrace within the Noble Family, deserving severe punishment!

But soon, the wind direction took a subtle turn.

Someone proposed that Zhao Zhikun, being the Great Celestial Pride which the Zhao Family cultivated meticulously, was extremely likely to inherit Uncle Zhao Hongbo’s position as Chief Minister, having a bright future ahead. What possible need did he have to take such risks to smuggle?

What was he after? What use did he have for so much money?

This indeed was a dubious point.

The eyes of the masses are sharp.

Even though when public opinion becomes a storm, people’s attention can easily be misled, and the crowd can fall into a state of collective irrationality, there is never a lack of astute individuals among them.

"Could it be that Zhao Zhikun wasn’t the mastermind after all, and there are others behind this?"

Once the first voice of doubt emerged, many soon began to come to the same realization.

Right? Everyone knew Zhao Zhikun was a staunch supporter of Prince Kang. Since he didn’t actually need money himself, wasn’t it obvious that the smuggling for wealth was for someone else?

Only Prince Kang, for the Struggle of the Imperial Sons, needed immense funds to win people’s hearts.

In normal times, even if someone realized this, such statements couldn’t possibly spread. After all, the Struggle of the Imperial Sons is a competition for hearts and reputation, and wouldn’t Prince Kang understand the importance of controlling public opinion?

"Dawn" organization is certainly not just a bunch of idle hands.

In fact, as soon as they sensed the wind direction was off, "Dawn" had already started acting secretly to steer public opinion to prevent people from turning their focus on Prince Kang.

However, this time "Dawn" faced the combined efforts of "Celestial Palace" and "Luoxian Hall."

Even though "Dawn" had exerted every effort, they couldn’t reverse the situation, and public opinion continued to shift incrementally toward the predetermined direction.

More and more small and medium Noble Families and ordinary people came to realize this matter was likely related to Prince Kang. Zhao Zhikun might just be the unlucky one pushed out as a scapegoat.

Those Third and Fourth-grade Noble Families had long guessed the truth of the matter almost entirely, and might even have speculated that there were one or several forces behind steering public opinion.

They just didn’t speak out.

The saying goes, if it doesn’t concern you, keep your hands off it. Since this didn’t involve them directly, they were content to simply watch the spectacle.

Of course, they might have given it a little push themselves.

After all, judging by Prince Kang’s behavior, he had previously pulled people from everywhere for his imperial son battle, so it was only natural for some Noble Families to dislike him.

"Tsk tsk tsk~ Zhao Zhikun is really quite pitiful~" In the teahouse, as they sat idly drinking tea, some heirs of smaller Noble Families couldn’t help but lament, "Originally, I thought since he followed that person for so many years and had the talent of a Great Celestial Pride, he should be well valued. But unexpectedly, that person dropped him so easily."

"This Prince Kang is truly cold-hearted."

"I really didn’t see it coming, Prince Kang turned out to be like this. Initially, I thought he was quite good, especially since over the years he has donated money for disaster relief and fought battles against Outer Domains, he had decent reviews from top to bottom in the court and among the people. Guess I was too ignorant, misjudged him." Some felt they had mistaken him, feeling quite conflicted, "But this Zhao Zhikun, although a bit unscrupulous, is still quite loyal, actually bearing all the blame himself."

"Indeed, indeed~ And he really is brave. The Cannon Fodder Camp— what kind of place is that? Just thinking about it makes me shiver in fear, but he complied without hesitation, it’s said he didn’t even change his expression. Really tough!"

"Rumor has it he’s still imprisoned now, stubbornly withholding any mention of Prince Kang, ’unyielding loyalty’ isn’t an exaggeration."

Such statements whispered and spread quietly, and for a time, the nickname "unyielding loyalty Zhao Zhikun" bizarrely circulated in Upper Capital City.

It’s unclear whether those speaking these words meant more insult than praise.

These rumors were transmitted with lightning speed to the ears of Prince Kang at the Outer Domain Battlefield by individuals with vested interests.

Upon hearing these rumors, Prince Kang almost spat out blood.

Who, who is spreading "rumors" behind my back?

At this moment, he could not stay at the Outer Domain Battlefield any longer and was compelled to rush back to Gui Long City at the fastest speed to personally quell the rumors.

...

At the same time.

In the Daqian Wang Family’s Four Seasons Garden.

Prince Anjun was sitting opposite Wang Shouzhe.

Prince Anjun exerted great effort to restrain himself from looking at the two women competing to serve beside Wang Shouzhe... one of whom was the "his" intelligence organization "Celestial Palace" co-leader, Tianyan Fairy.

"Shouzhe, you did beautifully in this battle. Just as you predicted, Prince Kang can’t sit still anymore and is bound to return to Gui Long City as quickly as possible." Prince Anjun drank his spirit tea and said with admiration, "Now with the Zhao Family pushed into the spotlight, unable to maintain its position and only able to keep a low profile. If Prince Kang falls, the Struggle of the Imperial Sons will have an obvious conclusion."

"However, Mingyuan is puzzled by one thing. The Zhao Family’s current situation can only be salvaged by protecting Prince Kang." Prince Anjun said seriously and with doubt, "Even if Prince Kang returns to Gui Long City, how can you ensure the Zhao Family would turn against Prince Kang?"

"Whether they turn against him or not, let’s set that aside for now. I simply trust the principle that when disaster strikes, each to their own." Wang Shouzhe drank his spirit tea and said, "It’s almost time for the grand court assembly in a few days. Is Your Highness prepared for the final strike?"

"Shouzhe, rest assured, Mingyuan will certainly not hold back." Prince Anjun said with a stern expression.

After pausing, he asked with some hesitation, "Shouzhe, I’ve heard that His Majesty has been furious several times... privately scolding you for being unappreciative. According to Eunuch Yao, His Majesty still desires to meet you in person, yet you’ve disregarded his hints numerous times, greatly angering him."

"Well..." Wang Shouzhe feigned innocence and said, "Shouzhe is naturally dull and has never grasped such hints. If His Majesty truly wishes to see me, how could I not know? Why doesn’t His Majesty issue a decree to summon me?"

Prince Anjun put his hand on his forehead, and became deeply exasperated with Wang Shouzhe.

You dare ignore even His Majesty’s hints, no wonder His Majesty bangs the table and scolds you daily.

"Shouzhe, one more thing puzzles me: why are you so certain that Prince Kang is inherently cold-hearted, the type who burns bridges after crossing them?" Prince Anjun couldn’t wrap his head around this point, extremely curious. After all, Prince Kang seems reliable on the surface.

Wang Shouzhe sipped his spirit tea leisurely and said, "Explaining the specific reasons is somewhat complex. To put it simply, if he weren’t the cold-hearted type and instead was someone loyal and heartfelt, with ideals and beliefs..."

"I would have accepted his offer long ago. It wouldn’t have been Prince Mingyuan’s turn."

"Uh..."

Prince Anjun broke into a cold sweat, indeed sounding quite precarious.

If Prince Kang were reliable, wouldn’t it mean there’d be no space left for Prince Mingyuan?

...