In just three years, through the hands of Tang Bingfu alone, the Crown Prince had sold no less than twenty to thirty low-ranking posts across the provinces, all eighth or ninth grade.
Foolish sons of landlords, merchants who could not even pass the scholar exams...
As long as they were willing to pay, the Crown Prince hardly discriminated.
Perhaps he thought these minor posts in remote locales held no sway over court matters, and thus saw no harm in handing them out. In his eyes, these petty positions were too insignificant to stir any waves.
His mind was fixed solely on silver.
Yet he failed to grasp one thing— the lower the rank of an official, the closer they were to the common people.
What kind of good could possibly come from entrusting governance to useless men who, lacking the ability to pass even the simplest civil exams, had instead bought their way into office through crooked means? What could such men offer the people?
The common folk knew nothing of selling or buying official titles. All they saw were officials who, one after another, were nothing but heartless scoundrels.
And with such experiences, how could the people hold any trust or goodwill toward the imperial court?
The people were the foundation of a nation.
If even the foundation was filled with resentment, how far could a court like that go?
What the Crown Prince had done was no different from eroding the very roots of the Tian Sheng Dynasty.
This was the Crown Prince he had painstakingly raised.
The thought that he had nearly handed over the Yun clan's empire to such a disgraceful heir left Emperor Xuanwu lightheaded.
It was a small mercy that not all was lost.
Had he acted any later, he truly would have had no answer for his ancestors when the day came for him to descend into the afterlife.
With both hands braced against the edge of the dragon desk, Emperor Xuanwu, shaken with fury, swayed slightly before slowly sinking back into the dragon throne. He took two deep, deliberate breaths.
Then, when the Crown Prince once again tried to stammer out a plea, calling out "Father Emperor," the Emperor cut him off coldly and without hesitation.
"Guards. Return the Crown Prince to the Eastern Palace. Until We permit otherwise, he is not to take a single step beyond its gates."
"Father Emperor, your son has been wronged! I swear it is a grave injustice, Father Emperor!"
The last time he was confined, at least there had been a set term.
But this time, not even a time limit had been mentioned.
How long was he meant to be locked away?
Until the Emperor finally abolished him as heir?
Panic surged in the Crown Prince's chest as he tried to defend himself. But Emperor Xuanwu had already steeled his heart. He refused to hear another word. The guards seized the prince by force and dragged him away without ceremony.
It was thoroughly damaging to the Crown Prince's dignity.
But that no longer mattered.
Because this time, Emperor Xuanwu fully intended to keep him confined until he was officially stripped of his title.
Were it not for the political entanglements, he might have issued the decree then and there.
Yet over the past decade, with his own tacit indulgence, the Crown Prince had built quite the formidable network of influence. The Right Prime Minister alone possessed the means to find a scapegoat for this incident and push all blame onto another in the Crown Prince's stead.
That old fox might even turn the situation around and go after Xiao Wu in retaliation.
A moment of satisfaction now could lead to endless trouble later for both himself and Xiao Wu.
Better, then, to keep the Crown Prince under lock and key for now.
So long as he refrained from drastic moves, the Right Prime Minister would still cling to hope and not dare to act recklessly.
Besides, with the Crown Prince out of sight, he could finally enjoy a brief moment of peace.
He would wait. Wait until the Crown Princess gave birth in a few months' time, then catch the Right Prime Minister unprepared. When that happened, abolishing the Crown Prince would follow naturally.
Emperor Xuanwu pressed his fingers against his brow, weariness etched into his expression.
"Xiao Wu."
"This daughter is here."
Yun Shu had been watching as the once-favored Crown Prince and the dumbstruck Tang Bingfu were both dragged away. Just a moment ago, she had been lost in idle thought.
Then, hearing her name called, she quickly straightened and responded.
Fortunately, Emperor Xuanwu was not the sort to take out his anger on the innocent.
His voice remained even as he said, "That cement is quite good. The reconstruction of the dam outside the city shall be entrusted to you. One month from now, We expect results."
"I was just about to bring that matter to Your Majesty's attention."
Though the Emperor clearly needed a moment of quiet, this was no small issue. It had to be resolved promptly.
Yun Shu stepped forward, her tone earnest.
"Producing cement in large quantities is no simple task. If we rely solely on Xiao Yuanzi, there's no way he can manage it all within a month.
Thus, I was thinking— may I build a temporary cement workshop outside the city walls? I can recruit laborers to begin firing the cement needed for the dam's construction.
And should future demand arise, we can reinforce and expand the facility."
"Approved."
Emperor Xuanwu nodded without delay.
"Whatever silver is required, ask the Ministry of Revenue."
"Many thanks, Father Emperor!"
With the first matter resolved, Yun Shu smoothly moved on to the second promise she had made to Xiao Yuanzi.
"In addition, this daughter wishes to petition for a reward."
A petition for merit?
Yun Chuhuan's eyes lit up. He straightened his back at once.
After all, he had been the one to uncover all that damning evidence in Tang Bingfu's residence— the evidence implicating the Crown Prince.
If Fifth Elder Sister was about to petition for someone's reward, surely it must be for him.
Yun Chuhuan was already bracing to be praised.
But the next moment, he heard his Fifth Elder Sister speak, clear and composed.
"The curved plough, the waterwheel, and now the cement. All of them are invaluable innovations.
Yet Jiang Yuanbao, the man who created them, has yet to receive even a modest official title.
This daughter believes such treatment is deeply unfair."
"Jiang Yuanbao?"
Emperor Xuanwu furrowed his brows. The name was unfamiliar.
"Who is that?"
"It is Xiao Yuanzi. Jiang Yuanbao is his original name."
Worried the Emperor might refuse due to Jiang Yuanbao's former identity as a eunuch, Yun Shu quickly explained.
"I understand that by convention, someone of Jiang Yuanbao's background cannot enter court as an official.
But the contributions he has made are not ones the average person could achieve. What Tian Sheng needs most right now is capable minds like Jiang Yuanbao.
If Father Emperor would grant him an official post and let the world see that anyone— regardless of birth or background— can receive honor and high reward so long as they bring true benefit to the realm, even achieving social elevation in the process...
Then surely, more and more 'Jiang Yuanbao's will emerge, each helping to usher the Tian Sheng Dynasty into an era of unprecedented prosperity."
An era of unprecedented prosperity?
Emperor Xuanwu was momentarily dazed. He had not expected such words from his own daughter.
Truly, she was worthy of being the heir he had chosen.
He had once been blind when it came to the Crown Prince.
But the heavens had not forsaken him. They had gifted him a successor more capable and far-sighted than he could have hoped for.
With heartfelt satisfaction, Emperor Xuanwu nodded.
"Sheng An speaks wisely. Tomorrow, We shall issue a decree appointing that Xiao Yuanzi— Jiang Yuanbao— as a Langzhong of the Ministry of Works.
Furthermore, he shall oversee the operations of the temporary cement workshop as well."