freenovelworld Chapter 749 Prince Chang Le pleads for mercy!
Chapter 749 Prince Chang Le pleads for mercy!
Instead of answering him directly, the emperor asked, "What do you think should be done about this?"
Duanmu Chuze never expected that the Emperor would suddenly throw this difficult problem at him to solve.
After all, he was of royal blood, and the eldest son of the Crown Prince. At this moment, the Emperor felt more disappointment than resentment towards him.
Duanmu Chuze thought carefully for a moment, "Your Majesty, I believe that while Duanmu Chen's mistake this time may have been due to his own actions, it is also inseparable from those who have been instigating him. If it weren't for their instigation and provocation, he probably wouldn't have made such a crazy move."
The Emperor's eyes flickered slightly. "Oh? You mean the fault doesn't lie with him?"
Duanmu Chuze shook his head, somewhat uneasy, and said, "Father, I'm not saying he's without fault. I just feel that his actions this time were not without reason. Would Father be willing to hear it?"
The Emperor hadn't expected him to try to exonerate Duanmu Chen, and raised an eyebrow, "Speak."
"Yes, Father. There is a reason why Duanmu Chen came up with this method this time. Firstly, his elder brother has just passed away. For him, the eldest grandson, his status has not only become more delicate, but his situation is also more awkward."
The Emperor frowned slightly. He had naturally considered this point, but hearing it from his son made a significant difference.
“Father, at this time, if someone were to stir things up again, and they saw Prince Ming and Prince Kang entering the capital, Duanmu Chen would naturally feel some fear, and inevitably, he would make some unwise decisions.”
"Fourth brother, have you ever considered this? If you were in the capital, he would have done the same to you. And yet, you still speak up for him?"
Duanmu Chuze suddenly smiled, "Father, I'm not bragging, but he can't hurt me! Even if I return to the capital, I won't be completely unprepared."
At this point, Duanmu Chuze suddenly knelt down in front of him. "Father, if I were to speak such a rebellious word, even if you ordered me to return to the capital, I certainly would not return with only my family, or even alone. Besides, the military forces in the capital may not all be under Duanmu Chen's command. Didn't Father prove this point this time?"
The emperor turned to look at him. This son was truly unexpected.
He actually didn't shy away from discussing military power right in front of me.
"Get up. I'm a little thirsty."
"Yes, Father, please wait a moment."
Duanmu Chuze immediately went to the side, poured tea, and brought it over, saying, "Father, come here."
The Emperor took a couple of sips of tea, his complexion becoming slightly rosy, and suddenly asked, "How has Zonghua been lately?"
"Reporting to Father Emperor, he is doing well. He was able to walk before the New Year. This child is brave and fearless. He was running around just a few days after learning to walk. He is having a great time, but it's poor Nuan, who has to watch over him every day, afraid that he will fall or bump into something again."
The Emperor carefully observed every expression on his face, with great tenderness and sensitivity.
It seems he really cares about his wife and children.
The Emperor's heart stirred slightly, and an idea suddenly popped into his head: "Fourth Prince, have you ever thought about taking my throne?"
Duanmu Chuze was taken aback, his eyes glazed over, then he lowered his head, pursed his lips, and said, "Father, in my younger years, when I was still young, I did think about it. But later, I realized that the dragon throne looks impressive, but only those who sit on it know the hardships involved. Especially after I arrived in my fiefdom, I felt this even more strongly."
The Emperor suddenly became interested. "Oh? Why?"
"Your subject only governs his own fiefdom, whose territory is less than one-tenth of that of the Great Yong, yet he is always exhausted. If it weren't for A-Nuan and a group of capable ministers helping him, I'm afraid the Yan region would still be suffering from harsh cold."
The Emperor nodded. "Well, speaking of which, the situation in Yan has improved a lot since you went to your fief. At least, the people have enough food. Before, the court would allocate relief grain every year, but less was allocated last year, and this year, not a single grain was allocated."
"Yes, thank goodness God has been watching over us these past few years, otherwise the people would have gone hungry."
"I am aware of all your policies in Yan. You need not be modest. You have governed Yan very well. In particular, your emphasis on the people's education has pleased me greatly. Education is not only about passing the imperial examinations, but more importantly, it is about educating the people. In this respect, you are better than the others! You have even done a better job than me."
"Father?"
The Emperor raised his hand to stop him from continuing, and sighed softly, "You were able to set up a public school without any scruples or concern for the money. You should know that the annual cost of such a public school is at least tens of thousands of taels of silver, right? Not to mention, your preliminary preparations must have cost hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. Yet you were willing to give up all of this. I, on the other hand, could not do it."
"Father, don't we have the Imperial Academy?"
"How can they be the same? The Imperial Academy has certain requirements for admission. But the public school you founded has no requirements at all. In this respect alone, I am inferior to you."
“Father, you are busy with state affairs and have countless responsibilities every day. How can you only think about this one thing? Your son governs only a small area, which is why you have the energy to think about this one thing.”
The Emperor smiled and said nothing more. After a while, he let out a long sigh and said, "You may go back now. We will discuss this again at court tomorrow."
"Yes, Father."
After Duanmu Chuze finished speaking, he hesitated for a moment, licked his lips, and still said with great determination, "Father, Duanmu Chen has followed you for many years and has always received your careful guidance. In life, it is inevitable to make mistakes. This time, please just consider it as his youth and give him another chance."
"Hmm, I will think about it again."
Duanmu Chuze then lowered his head and withdrew.
Only after the emperor could no longer hear his footsteps did he close his eyes and rest for a while. An hour later, he went to the empress's place.
Although the Empress could not know everything the Emperor was thinking, she had a general understanding of it.
Hearing the Emperor mention that the Fourth Prince had pleaded for Duanmu Chen, the Empress couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Of all his sons, some died and some were imprisoned, and even his only favored grandson committed such a heinous act.
"I'm growing to like the Fourth Prince more and more. He's genuinely pleading for Chen'er. I'll see what he says and does at the morning court tomorrow. Whatever my decision, don't let them leave the palace for now. I'm still a little worried."