Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

“This is absolutely impossible! I warn you, don't you dare stir up trouble with the Crown Prince!” Li Yansong immediately became anxious, stood up, and glared at Fang Zheng.

He knew the Crown Prince's personality all too well.

Knowing that His Majesty was going overseas, he would definitely volunteer to follow, never missing out on excitement.

This was precisely why His Majesty insisted on abdicating before the expedition.

But he never expected that before the Crown Prince even made a move, Fang Zheng had already conceived this idea.

Li Yansong was momentarily shaken.

What exactly was this kid up to? His Majesty hadn't even retired yet, and he was already trying to curry favor with the Crown Prince?

Even if he wanted to, wouldn't this be too risky?

Fang Zheng looked at his expression and asked helplessly, “Lord Li, what do you think of the Crown Prince's abilities and character?”

Li Yansong replied without hesitation, “Both are excellent. Although his actions are often unconventional, they may not be unsuitable for the present.”

“Then, how likely do you think the Crown Prince is to surpass His Majesty's current achievements?”

Li Yansong pondered carefully.

His Majesty's achievements were unparalleled, almost unprecedented.

Rapid population growth, soaring grain production, pacifying foreign troubles, opening up the West Sea, industrial development, and so on...

To surpass such achievements, it was truly...

It was really hard to imagine what kind of achievements the Crown Prince would have to make to surpass His Majesty.

After a long silence, Li Yansong uttered two words.

“Hard to say.”

“Yes, hard to say...” Fang Zheng said with his hands behind his back, looking up and muttering, “If His Majesty pacifies the Church, then it will be even harder for the Crown Prince to surpass him.”

“Why does he need to surpass him? It's enough for him to be a preserver of the status quo. This grand era was left for him by His Majesty,” Li Yansong said.

Fang Zheng shook his head and said, “No, anyone else could be a preserver of the status quo, but not him. The Crown Prince has a free and unrestrained personality and great ambitions. He will never allow himself to be a mediocre leader; it's an internal drive.”

“Moreover, the current situation is still changing. Perhaps in the next few decades, the distribution of benefits from the common people to the court in Da Jing will change drastically, and a preserver of the status quo will definitely not be able to adapt to such changes.”

“Most importantly, he will face the world, the real world. The complexity of the situation will far exceed what His Majesty has faced in the past, so... if we want to conquer the West and pacify the Church, the Crown Prince must go in person!”

Fang Zheng's voice gradually rose: “The Crown Prince bears the weight of the world on his shoulders. He must be pioneering, brave, and confident—this is his destiny.”

“And a successful man can never live in the shadow of his father. His Majesty's light shines too brightly; this opportunity must be left to the Crown Prince.”

“Only when he pacifies the West Sea will the people of the world be truly convinced, and only then will he be qualified to govern the world.”

“Even if what you say is reasonable, what about safety? His Highness's safety is paramount. There are so many risks on the road. If anything goes wrong, it will shake the foundation of the country. Can you take responsibility for that?” Li Yansong worried.

“Everyone has to be responsible for themselves. As an emperor, one must take greater risks than ordinary people; this is reasonable,” Fang Zheng said without doubt, “But don't worry, I won't let him take risks alone. If he goes on the expedition, I will go with him.”

“I have poured my heart and soul into this country and this world. Like you, I don't want him to be in any danger, but some things must be done.”

“Lord Li, I hope you can come with me to the palace and explain everything to His Majesty.”

Nonsense! It seemed he had misjudged Fang Zheng. This guy was inherently adventurous.

If he really let him enter the Grand Secretariat, he probably didn't know how many crazy things he would instigate the Crown Prince to do in the future.

Li Yansong stomped his foot heavily: “Go talk to His Majesty yourself! Just pretend I never came to you today!”

......

The two parted unhappily. Fang Zheng felt a little heavy-hearted and went straight to the palace to see Emperor Jing.

Inside the warm pavilion, Emperor Jing was still recovering from his injuries. Li Yuanzhao sat beside him, reading memorials to him sentence by sentence.

Seeing Fang Zheng arrive, he closed the memorial.

Emperor Jing, hearing the voice disappear, opened his eyes and glanced: “Zheng'er is here. What's the matter?”

“Your subject greets Your Majesty. How is Your Majesty's injury?”

“I just changed the medicine. In another ten days or half a month, I'll be fine.”

Fang Zheng nodded, approached Li Yuanzhao, and whispered: “I have something I want to say to His Majesty alone. Why don't Your Highness go out for a walk? It's quite stuffy here.”

“Hmm? What do you have to say that you're hiding from this prince?”

“It's just words that His Majesty likes to hear. Hearing them will help with his recovery. It's talk therapy.”

“Then I'll leave.”

Li Yuanzhao took his leave, and Emperor Jing immediately said: “Li Shifu told you everything?”

“He did, but I don't agree.”

“Reason.”

Fang Zheng said sternly: “This is neither in accordance with ancestral systems nor in accordance with the rules. Everything must be done according to rules. If the court can act without following the rules, then it is not qualified to govern the people of the world. I am speaking from the big picture.”

“Rules?” Emperor Jing chuckled, “It's really interesting to hear you, Fang Zheng, talk about ancestral systems and rules.”

“If you don't want to, you don't want to. Why come up with such high-sounding reasons? Can't the court function without you? I'm telling you, if you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who will!” Emperor Jing said resentfully.

Fang Zheng didn't dare to interrupt, and changed the subject: “I'm here for another matter. Has Your Majesty made a decision to pass the throne to the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, it's only a matter of time. I plan to tell him in a while.”

“Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, I dare not say more, but I absolutely disagree with Your Majesty's plan to go overseas to fight,” Fang Zheng said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty has worked hard your whole life, and now is the time to enjoy your old age. You must not be rash and take risks.”

“Some things, I believe, are better left to His Highness to handle.”

Emperor Jing frowned: “Nonsense! Don't you know the Crown Prince's personality? If it's left to him, the first thing he'll think about is personally leading the expedition! By then, it will be difficult for me to stop him. Rather than let him take risks, I might as well help him solve it in advance.”

“Then let His Highness go. I will take good care of His Highness. After a successful battle, His Highness will be famous all over the world, and no one will dare to have disloyal thoughts.”

Emperor Jing turned his head, his eyes showing surprise: “What nonsense are you talking about? You should be the one stopping him! War is unpredictable. Who dares to say they can win every battle?”

Fang Zheng pursed his lips: “I... It's useless to say more. After Your Majesty has rested for two days, I would like to invite Your Majesty to visit Peach Garden in person. Some things, when you see them, may change your mind.”

“Okay, then I'll see what you can come up with that will make me change my mind!”

......