Chapter 27: Let His Highness the Prince of Yan Take the Position!

Outside the Palace of Heavenly Mandate, Prince Qin Zhu Rui, dressed in official robes, nervously said to Qin Feng, “Master, why did you recommend me to be the Overseer of the Riverways? Even my eldest brother said this post is a hot potato, and I don’t know the first thing about managing the Yellow River. How could I possibly serve as Overseer?”

“Master, please spare me. Let me return to my residence. Don’t let me make a fool of myself before the court.”

Qin Feng looked at Zhu Rui with a gaze full of frustration, as if scolding a fool. “Fool! Think about it: since you established your mansion, has His Majesty ever called you to court?”

Zhu Rui shook his head.

“This is a rare chance for you to attend court. Besides the Crown Prince, you are the second prince allowed to participate in state affairs. Such an honor—do you want to miss it?”

Zhu Rui forced a bitter smile. “But I’m really nervous! The river management strategy you made me memorize yesterday—I still haven’t mastered it. What if Father asks me questions in court? I’d be a laughingstock.”

“Master, I’d rather not attend court. If I mess up, it’ll be a disgrace to Father. I’d rather return to the Prince’s mansion and continue the sugar business you entrusted to me.”

Seeing Zhu Rui’s retreat, Qin Feng was speechless. Despite being a formidable hero in his own right, how did he end up with such a coward?

With Zhu Rui backing out, Qin Feng turned his attention to the other princes.

“Which of you can recite my river management plan?”

The princes glanced nervously at the Palace of Heavenly Mandate’s grand doors, clearly afraid to enter court. Facing the assembled civil and military officials was far more daunting than standing in the main hall and answering questions.

“The river management plan is just a few sentences. None of you can recite it?”

Silently, Prince Yan Zhu Di raised his hand and whispered, “Master, I can recite it, but… I’m nervous about attending court.”

At that moment, the Crown Prince Zhu Biao approached with a graceful stride. He asked with curiosity, “Sir, which of my brothers do you intend to appoint as Overseer of the Riverways?”

Qin Feng shot a glance at Zhu Rui and felt a deep frustration. The court session was about to begin, and the originally designated Prince Zhu Rui had suddenly chickened out. The other princes seemed incapable of the responsibility, unable even to recite a simple river management plan. How could they command respect in court?

With no other choice, Qin Feng pulled Zhu Di aside and said to Zhu Biao, “Let Prince Yan be appointed.”

Zhu Di was taken aback. The master was sending him into court just like that? He wasn’t ready!

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Di’s palms were clammy with nervous sweat.

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Zhu Biao sized up Zhu Di and comforted him, “Fourth Brother, don’t be nervous. Once in court, just recite the river management plan as the master instructed.”

How could Zhu Di not be nervous? This was his first time participating in court affairs, a rare honor for a vassal prince. Naturally, he wanted to impress Father.

But once led into the Palace of Heavenly Mandate by Qin Feng, his mind went blank.

The palace was vast. On either side stood rows of civil and military officials. The throne, symbolizing supreme authority, faced the main entrance. His father sat there with a commanding presence.

Countless eyes fixed on Zhu Di, making everything feel surreal.

On the main hall floor, Zhu Di knelt alongside Qin Feng and Zhu Biao, performing the rites of subjects to their sovereign. The intense discussions of the court officials echoed throughout the hall.

Zhu Di was so nervous he couldn’t understand what was being said; his mind replayed the passages Qin Feng had made him memorize.

Suddenly, the grand voice of the emperor rang out: “From today onward, I hereby appoint Prince Yan as Overseer of the Riverways, with Qin Feng assisting in managing all river affairs.”

The court erupted in shock.

The emperor was appointing his own son as Overseer of the Riverways? And Qin Feng was to assist?

Did that not effectively place Qin Feng in control of the river governance?

Hu Weiyong cursed silently in his heart at the emperor’s cunning. Even the seasoned prime minister had been outmaneuvered. The river affairs remained fraught with hidden dangers and vulnerabilities, easy for enemies to exploit.

All the officials involved in the river embezzlement schemes with Hu Weiyong wore grim expressions. The emperor’s executioner’s blade would soon fall upon them.

Qin Feng tugged at Zhu Di’s sleeve, signaling him to kneel quickly and express gratitude.

But Zhu Di, still in a daze and overwhelmed by nerves, instinctively began reciting the river management plan.

He knelt hurriedly, sweating profusely, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe river management is essentially about controlling the sand. Only by restraining the water and attacking the sand can the river be properly governed.”

“To prevent breaches during floods, we must build water-reducing dams at key embankments such as Xiaojia Ferry, Fengling Ferry, and Mengjin Ferry to reduce flooding.”

“At the Yellow River’s estuary, the river channel needs widening, and similarly, a dam must be constructed to prevent seawater intrusion. This forms a comprehensive strategy for managing the river.”

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After reciting the plan, Zhu Di knelt, drenched in sweat but relieved. The pressure of the court had been immense, but he flawlessly recited Qin Feng’s strategy word for word.

The emperor’s heart swelled with joy. The Fourth Prince had not disappointed—he showed some nerve in court.

The civil and military officials, seeing Zhu Di’s awkwardness, secretly chuckled. Everyone knew the content he recited was exactly Qin Feng’s plan.

Hu Weiyong quickly stepped forward for one last plea: “Your Majesty! Prince Yan is still young and may lack experience in river management. I believe this appointment is unwise. Please reconsider.”

Once again, Hu Weiyong! This corrupt official wanted to block the investigation into the river affairs. But the emperor was determined to proceed.

The emperor smiled. “Prime Minister Hu, I disagree. I believe this is an excellent opportunity for Prince Yan to gain experience. Moreover, it is commendable that he could recite such a complete river management plan. I intend to nurture this talent.”

“Besides, Qin Feng will assist him. I see no fault in this. The river affairs are settled.”

“From today, Prince Yan is Overseer of the Riverways. All river officials shall obey his orders!”

Zhu Di finally snapped out of his trance and quickly responded, “Your son thanks the Emperor for his great favor.”

Seeing the emperor settle the river affairs so decisively, Hu Weiyong was filled with despair. The prince had recited Qin Feng’s plan without deviation and was appointed Overseer. Did the emperor not care for the court officials’ opinions at all?

The corrupt officials allied with Hu Weiyong grew uneasy. If not for the emperor still seated on the throne, they might have fainted outright.

With Prince Yan taking over as Overseer, there was no turning back on the river affairs.

If they wanted to keep their crimes hidden, their only option was to eliminate Prince Yan.

The emperor was pushing them to the edge of a cliff.

They had no choice but to strike back.

Hu Weiyong thought bitterly, “Your Majesty, do not blame us for our ruthlessness.”