The Frontier Prince: Starting From Scratch - Chapter 44 - The Emperor's Mind

“So the ninth prince has truly recovered and is back to his old self.”

By the lotus pond, Liang Cheng stared at the bobber in the water, his thoughts swirling. The ninth prince had been in a daze for three years, and yet, within three months of arriving in Yan Prefecture, he had recovered. This was indeed unexpected.

Although the prince’s move to Yan Prefecture wasn’t orchestrated by him, Zhang Han had been sent there after Liang Cheng received some silver, and the sale of the mansion was also under his suggestion. Could the prince be unaware of this?

Given that he knew, yet still sent gifts, it was clear the ninth prince had regained his wits and developed some cunning after his recovery. He could discern what was important and wouldn’t hold a grudge against Liang Cheng for selling the mansion.

“I saw it with my own eyes, there’s no mistake,” the servant bowed his head.

“Then let him in,” Liang Cheng mused for a moment before speaking.

The servant left and soon returned with Guan Zhong.

Upon seeing Liang Cheng, Guan Zhong bowed and signaled to the two servants. They immediately brought forward the silver and opened it before Liang Cheng.

“Your Excellency, these are some modest gifts from His Highness, totaling ten thousand taels of silver. Firstly, to thank you for the care you showed Liu Fu in the capital, and secondly, to hope you will look after His Highness’s business in the capital.”

Liang Cheng’s reputation for greed was well-known in Jinling. People lined up to offer silver in exchange for his services. With enough silver, one could buy connections or even an official position from him.

“Business?” Liang Cheng showed a keen interest.

Guan Zhong nodded. This was also part of Prince Yan’s instructions.

Liang Cheng, being close to the emperor, had seen plenty of silver and treasures. Ten thousand taels of silver were hardly enough to sway him. Therefore, after the Huang and Du families were expelled from the merchant house, Prince Yan took over their shares to test Liang Cheng.

“The recent booming ice-selling business in Jinling belongs to His Highness, and he intends to give you twenty percent of the profits,” Guan Zhong explained.

Hearing this, Liang Cheng finally turned to look at Guan Zhong directly. Putting down his fishing rod, he stood up. “So this is Prince Yan’s business. Remarkable, truly remarkable.”

He had heard about this venture. Although his mansion didn’t lack ice, the rest of Jinling did. This business was indeed lucrative, and many nobles were trying to get involved, gathering information from all sides.

As far as he knew, the ice from the merchant house wasn’t transported from Yan Prefecture but was made by the merchant house itself. That made it even more intriguing. Who wouldn’t want to possess the art of ice making?

He wanted it too but didn’t wish to compete with others and make enemies. After all, not everyone would give him face. Now that Prince Yan had offered it, it was ideal. Moreover, with Prince Yan’s reputation, the profits would be even more secure.

“Additionally, His Highness wishes for you to deliver a letter to Gui Ren Mi and promises that future business in the capital will be even more profitable, ensuring you won’t be shortchanged,” Guan Zhong presented the letter.

Liang Cheng accepted it with a smile. “Prince Yan is indeed generous. Please convey to His Highness that this small matter is hardly worth mentioning.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency,” Guan Zhong expressed his gratitude, bowed, and took his leave.

Liang Cheng nodded. After Guan Zhong left, he opened the envelope and found it was merely words of longing for Gui Ren Mi. He put the letter back.

“These days, the emperor is troubled by the Yuan Family’s military ambitions. If he learns that the ninth prince has recovered from his ailment, he should be pleased. Well, this is an unexpected boon,” Liang Cheng murmured. “Someone, prepare my attire, I’m heading to the palace.”

Zijin Palace, The Southern Study.

Emperor Zhao Heng gazed at the map of the Dasong Dynasty on the wall, a swirl of emotions churning within him.

The Dasong Dynasty had stood for over two hundred years, with sixteen emperors passing the throne down the line. By the time it reached him, the once mighty dynasty had become increasingly difficult to manage due to deep-rooted issues.

He ascended the throne at the age of twenty-six, only to find his attempts to exercise power met with constant resistance.

Over the years, countless border wars had severely weakened the imperial guards, the forces directly under the Dasong royal family, leading to significant losses.

The enormous cost of these wars had also gradually drained the national treasury.

Faced with such challenges, his two predecessors had no choice but to rely on the powerful clans to fend off external threats, allowing them to recruit soldiers to join the battles at the borders.

This, however, gave the powerful clans the opportunity to amass their own military forces.

This led to the current situation where the Dasong imperial guards and the local forces of the powerful clans were on equal footing.

With military power in their hands, the powerful clans gained significant influence in court.

Since his ascension, Zhao Heng had been constantly hindered, unable to make any progress, like a puppet on strings.

Helpless, he turned to indulgence in liquor and women, neglecting state affairs.

Over twenty years had passed, and he had grown accustomed to this lifestyle, caring little as long as his pleasures were undisturbed.

He put down his imperial brush, unwilling to review any more documents.

After all, Chancellor Dou Wei had already made the decisions, and whether he approved them or not made little difference.

He might as well think about which concubine to spend the night with.

Just as he was about to return to the harem, Liang Cheng approached with a sycophantic smile.

Zhao Heng asked, “Weren’t you off duty today? What brings you here?”

Liang Cheng had served him since his days as a prince.

When Zhao Heng ascended the throne, Liang Cheng played a significant role, earning his trust and closeness.

“Heh, Your Majesty, there’s good news, great news,” Liang Cheng whispered in his ear.

“The ninth prince’s mental illness has been cured?” Zhao Heng was slightly surprised.

“It’s true,” Liang Cheng replied, handing over a letter from Zhao Xu.

Zhao Heng glanced at it, recognizing Zhao Xu’s handwriting.

Before Zhao Xu’s madness, he had been the most diligent reader among the princes, with the most beautiful handwriting.

“…” Zhao Heng paused for a moment, showing no emotional reaction.

In the harem, most of his concubines came from the powerful clans of the Dasong Dynasty.

Only Zhao Xu’s mother had been chosen for her beauty during the selection process and brought into the harem.

At that time, Zhao Heng indeed had a period of affection with Zhao Xu’s mother, but she was soon replaced by others.

As an emperor, he had always distributed his affections evenly among the harem.

As for Zhao Xu, he had never been of much importance to him.

This empire was originally conquered by the nine powerful clans together.

The Zhao Family was chosen as the imperial family because it was the strongest among the nine clans.

In the Dasong Dynasty, a prince whose maternal family was not a powerful clan faced a grim fate.

Even Zhao Heng himself had ascended the throne with the support of the powerful clans.

To him, such a prince would at most become a person of leisure, of no great use.

He turned a blind eye to the bullying Zhao Xu suffered from other princes.

After Zhao Xu’s madness, rumors in the palace suggested that Zhao Heng and Zhao Xu were incompatible.

Thus, he grew to despise him, sending him to Yan Province to fend for himself.

And now, Liang Cheng was telling him that Prince Yan’s mental illness had been cured.

“If he’s cured, let him stay in Yan Prefecture,” Zhao Heng said, tossing the letter to the ground as he headed towards the harem.

Liang Cheng maintained his smile and whispered something in Zhao Heng’s ear.

Zhao Heng’s steps halted abruptly, his eyes widening in disbelief.