The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 58: Hoping for Father to Become a Dragon

Offending so many people could lead to anything from losing one's job to the destruction of one's family; there would be no good outcome.

Therefore, all the civil and military officials avoided the task at all costs, and no one was willing to take on this important responsibility.

The court officials recommended several people, but all of them declined with various reasons.

Ultimately, someone suggested that the prince should be given this important responsibility.

This proposal received strong support from almost all officials.

Princes hold a prestigious position and are naturally unafraid of offending people.

There is an even more important point: it is better for me to die than for my fellow Daoists.

The prince has taken on this important responsibility, so they won't have to do this kind of troublesome business.

Even Emperor Yonglong acquiesced.

With the prince in charge, no matter what trouble arises, he can cover for the family and stop the situation at any time.

Ultimately, the crown prince stepped forward and volunteered to take on the task.

Emperor Yonglong was very satisfied with this and gave the Crown Prince a few words of encouragement.

They also expressed their full support for the Crown Prince.

After the Crown Prince returned to the Eastern Palace after accepting his mission, he summoned Jia Jing, Jia She, and several other advisors to discuss important matters.

Jia Jing frowned and said, "This is a task that will offend people; Your Highness shouldn't have accepted it."

"If we do it well, we'll offend countless people; if we do it poorly, we'll displease the Emperor."

"This task is thankless and requires a lot of effort. Why did Your Highness accept it?"

The Crown Prince sighed and said, "Do you think I didn't think of this? It's just that my father now despises me very much, and last year he even punished me by making me study behind closed doors."

"He might depose me from my position as crown prince one day. If I can't share his burdens and solve his problems, how can he possibly respect me?"

"I have already accepted this task, so let's stop with this nonsense and give me some advice on how to recover the debt."

Jia Jing frowned and pondered deeply. After a long while, he smiled and a plan came to him.

"Your Highness, I have a brilliant idea! Why don't you find a vanguard to charge into battle?"

"If something really goes wrong, we can throw him out as a scapegoat, and Your Highness can come out and clean up the mess later."

"Any credit will be due to Your Highness. In this way, all the credit can be claimed."

Upon hearing this, the crown prince's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Who is capable of undertaking this important task?"

Jia Jing said, "Prince Zhongzheng."

The crown prince clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"

"People have always said that I am mean and ungrateful. My third brother took the blame for me, but after he was released from the royal palace, I did not take care of him."

"They have no idea how difficult my situation is. I can barely take care of myself, let alone others."

"Now is the perfect opportunity to find a good job for my third brother, and let's see what they have to say then!"

"My third brother has a good son. This time, appointing him to a post will surely offend many people, which will also give my good third brother the opportunity to give up his thoughts."

After saying this, the Crown Prince and Jia Jing looked at each other and smiled.

Next, the Crown Prince sent a letter inviting Prince Zhongzheng to come.

After the two brothers met, the Crown Prince first shook hands with Prince Zhongzheng and exchanged pleasantries.

He then recounted his own hardships, lamenting that he should have taken care of his third brother, but he was too preoccupied with his own problems to lend a helping hand in time, for which he felt extremely ashamed.

Prince Zhongzheng was moved to tears and quickly expressed that he understood the Crown Prince's predicament and had no resentment whatsoever.

The Crown Prince then said that he had taken on a job, and that he would be happy to assign him a task, and so on.

Prince Chung-jung, with tears in his eyes, accepted the task without hesitation and expressed his deep gratitude to the Crown Prince.

The crown prince encouraged him, telling him to go back and rest before officially taking office the next day.

When Prince Chung-jung stepped out of the East Palace gate and was hit by a cold wind, he realized what had happened.

It seems he's being used as a pawn by the Crown Prince!

Prince Chung-jung grew increasingly disappointed with the Crown Prince.

At the same time, he also felt a sense of resentment.

This resentment stemmed from his third son, Xia Chengzong.

After returning to the palace, Prince Zhongzheng was restless and uneasy.

His next task was one that would definitely offend people.

If he were to truly charge into battle for the Crown Prince, he would offend countless people.

If you show up but don't put in the effort, people will think you're incompetent.

He was restless and extremely anxious.

Upon seeing this, the princess advised, "Since Your Highness is undecided, why not bring Zong-ge'er back and let him offer some advice?"

Prince Chung-jung laughed in exasperation, "Do you expect an eight-year-old to make decisions for me?"

The princess said gently, "Zong-ge'er is very intelligent and has a very good mind. Your Highness should not treat him like an ordinary child."

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongzheng's face showed a thoughtful expression.

"The princess is right."

Next, Prince Zhongzheng indeed sent Xia Shouzhong to the palace to bring Xia Chengzong back.

Along the way, Xia Chengzong was still wondering what major event had happened at home.

Upon returning to the Prince's residence and entering the study, after paying his respects to Prince Zhongzheng, he inquired:

"My father is in a hurry to summon me back, but what happened at home?"

After pondering for a moment, Prince Zhongzheng recounted how the Crown Prince had ordered him to lead the charge and collect the national treasury's debts.

Xia Chengzong sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

My cheap father really is a man without prejudice.

This is clearly the Crown Prince trying to use him as a pawn. How could he possibly accept such a task?

She's really easily swayed; she can't resist a few words from others and readily agrees without thinking.

Now that I've already accepted it, what's the point of calling me back?

Do you think I'd collect your debts for you?

However, this was ultimately his cheap father.

He can't really just let it go unchecked.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Chengzong said:

"Father, this task cannot be accepted."

Prince Chung-machi sighed, "But I have already accepted it; what can I do now?"

Xia Chengzong said, "Then we should pretend to be sick and decline! No, we can't pretend to be sick. The Crown Prince will definitely bring the imperial physician to treat Father in person."

"Therefore, Father, you must feign illness to decline this assignment! The temperature difference between day and night is extreme these days; Father, you may catch a cold and contract typhoid fever to decline this assignment."

Prince Chung-jung was filled with fear upon hearing this.

You have to understand that in this era, typhoid fever can be fatal if not treated properly.

Prince Zhongzheng, who was terrified of death, asked hesitantly, "Zong-ge'er, is it necessary to contract typhoid fever? Can't we just pretend to be sick?"

Xia Chengzong shook his head and said, "Father, feigning illness is absolutely not going to work! It has to be a real illness!"

"Father, this task is truly unacceptable. Your greatest strength is your composure; if you take on this task, you will offend everyone."

"How can Grandfather be at ease then...?"

Xia Chengzong did not say the rest of his words.

But Prince Chungjang had already understood.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, Zong-ge'er, your father guarantees that I won't catch a cold."

Seeing that Prince Zhongzheng listened to his advice, Xia Chengzong smiled and nodded.

That evening, Prince Chung-mae stayed in Consort Mei's room.

After their passionate encounter, Prince Zhongzheng was panting heavily and covered in sweat.

Just as Consort Mei was about to call her maid in to serve her, Prince Zhongzheng stopped her.