Free Web NovelChapter 1279: Chapter 1268: Illegitimate Son
The two Princes spoke, immediately creating a tense atmosphere in the grand hall. Everyone lowered their heads, afraid to make a sound.
The old Emperor faced the two of them with a gentler demeanor, "This is not your concern, leave for now."
"But big brother..." Prince Min hesitated, fully expressing his concern.
"Third brother, rest assured, if Father Emperor agrees to let me go to Nanyue, I will take an Imperial Physician with me. I can endure all other hardships. When the Great Ancestor Emperor was conquering Jiang Shan back then, he even chewed tree bark. What is this compared to that?" Prince Kang said with a moved expression, following the scripted lines he had rehearsed before.
Prince Min’s face suddenly looked as if he was constipated, and the other Ministers also had varied expressions.
If this had been said by Prince Shi’an or Prince Min, everyone would have thought it was all an act, but it was Prince Kang who said it. Who wasn’t aware that Prince Kang was straightforward by nature? He generally just said whatever was on his mind, which is why he had offended quite a few Ministers, and even Your Majesty wasn’t particularly fond of him.
However, precisely because of his nature, everyone disdained using tactics against him. Even Prince An and Prince Min at most made things difficult in his duties, and then complained to their Father Emperor.
They did not want to believe that Prince Kang sincerely wanted to go to Nanyue because that place was truly harsh, but hearing his earnest expression now left them all undecided.
"Do you truly not regret it?" the old Emperor asked once more.
Prince Kang answered with passion, "Your son absolutely does not regret it, please Father Emperor, grant your approval."
"Does your Empress Mother know about this?"
"I had a long conversation with Empress Mother yesterday. At first, she disagreed, but I persuaded her."
The old Emperor internally rolled his eyes. Persuaded? She was probably so exasperated by this foolish son and said something in anger. And now he took it seriously?
However, indeed this could be considered. The people of Nanyue are truly unyielding to education, and the local officials have always struggled to govern. Even the local people don’t report issues to the officials but rather have their Clan Leaders handle them.
Over the years, the court has invested considerable manpower and financial resources in Nanyue, yet the tax revenue has always been minimal, which has been a constant annoyance.
Moreover, due to the harsh conditions of Nanyue, no noble family offspring are willing to govern there; only scholars from poor families could be sent. Without family support, they find themselves powerless and sometimes struggle to protect even themselves.
But it would be different if a Prince were to be sent. Just the personal soldiers of the Prince number two thousand, which would not only intimidate the local commoners but also express concern and love for those people.
Aside from the fact that sending his son there is indeed dangerous, there are truly only advantages.
"Do you not regret?" The old Emperor decided to give his eldest son one more chance.
Upon hearing this, everyone understood that if His Highness said he did not regret, then his departure to Nanyue was practically a certainty, and future factional disputes would have nothing to do with him. But if he regretted now, it would surely leave a terrible impression in Your Majesty’s mind, making it even harder to vie for the throne.
Prince An and Prince Min couldn’t contain their delight; they had never expected one of their formidable opponents to voluntarily step back. After all, the eldest brother was the legitimate son, and by rule, he was the one most qualified for that position.
But once the eldest brother went to Nanyue, it would be difficult for him to return. Speaking treasonously, if Father Emperor’s health were to decline in the future, even if the eldest brother aspired to seize the throne, could he return in time?
By the time he comes back from Nanyue, everything would likely be settled.
"Your son absolutely does not regret it, please Father Emperor, grant your approval." Prince Kang earnestly stated again.
"Good, worthy of being my son. Since you have such ambition and perseverance, if I don’t grant you your wish, would that not make me appear unkind?" The old Emperor excitedly looked at him, "Apart from going to Nanyue, do you have any other requests? State them today, and I will grant them all."
The old Emperor made a rather sweeping statement—grant anything? Including the throne?
But everyone knew that if Prince Kang had any sense, he wouldn’t make such a request. It’s best if he didn’t make any requests; with His Majesty’s compassion, he might give him more.
"May I make two requests?" Prince Kang straightforwardly asked.
The Ministers’ hearts jolted, and Prince An and Prince Min covertly curled the corners of their mouths.
"What requests?" The old Emperor still smiled, but his demeanor darkened a bit.
"Since your son will be heading to Nanyue, I won’t be able to take care of my Empress Mother personally. I ask Father Emperor to take good care of her on my behalf," Prince Kang sincerely said.
Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he hadn’t made a demand that would trouble His Majesty.
"Your Empress Mother is naturally my Empress, and of course, I will treat her well. You don’t need to worry about that. What is your other request?"
"Your son wishes for the right to develop ports in the Nanyue region."
"Oh?" The Emperor became curious, "Why do you say this? I remember that Nanyue is lush, and the climate and terrain are perilous. Developing a port there is no easy task, and our dynasty already has two well-established ports in Min. Everyone is accustomed to going there. Isn’t building a new port in Nanyue a waste of resources?"
"Your son and the staff in my residence have reviewed the climate in Nanyue. The extreme weather is only concentrated in a few months; during other times, conditions suitable for sailing can be met. Although our dynasty has two established ports in Min, it doesn’t mean we can’t build new ports. Once the port is constructed, there would be no lack of merchants passing through and settling there. As people gather, the area naturally prospers. Seeing profits, locals will gradually be assimilated."
The Emperor listened and felt it somewhat made sense. However, constructing a port is not a minor project. He was reluctant to invest substantial funds into an uncertain venture.
Seeing that his Father Emperor hesitated, Prince Kang knew that though he had piqued his father’s interest, he was unwilling to use court funds, so he continued speaking as prepared before coming. "Father Emperor, what if your son completes the port without using court funds?"
"Oh? Are you willing to use your own assets to construct the port?" The old Emperor frowned again. If it were so, what would the people say about him?
"Naturally not. To be honest with Father Emperor, your son is not that magnanimous. I’m not yet clear about Nanyue’s situation. To invest my own silver at the start—what if the locals get used to it? So I thought of proceeding slowly. Initially, I would develop small ports and exempt them from taxes. Surely some daring but not particularly strong merchants would go there. Gradually, the economy could be driven, and when there’s capital, I’d then renovate it into a major port."
"That could take a long time."
"Your child is still young and will eventually accomplish it one day."
"Excellent! That’s the spirit! I shall draft an imperial decree."
