Wang Gang and Meng Zhi met for a martial arts competition, and soon the news spread throughout the palace and beyond.
After Emperor Liang got the news, he narrowed his eyes slightly and frightened the hands of Gao Zhan, the eunuch who was serving him.
But soon Emperor Liang's eyes returned to normal.
Because there was another news from the Xuanjing Division, Prince Jing’s Mansion sent people to look for masters everywhere in Jinling, and half voluntarily and half forced those masters to go to Prince Jing’s Mansion to discuss martial arts, and the winner would be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold.
People from Prince Jing's Mansion traveled to many places in the capital, and almost everyone who could be called an expert gave challenge invitations. Even the experts from the Xuanjing Division were invited, causing a storm in the city.
"What does this rebellious son want to do!" When Emperor Liang received the news, he angrily cursed: "The noble prince actually associates with those warriors, which is a disgrace to the royal family."
Gao Zhan waited on Emperor Liang to wash his hands and said with a smile: "His Royal Highness Prince Jing has been fond of practicing martial arts since he was a child. Maybe he wants to invite some masters to compete in martial arts and discuss martial arts."
Emperor Liang said angrily: "He is a king, and he should have learned the art of war that can defeat ten thousand enemies. He spends all his time discussing the art of war with warriors.
Gao Zhan, send someone to Prince Jing’s Mansion to warn that treacherous son not to continue his mischief."
Gao Zhan asked, "Your Majesty, Commander-in-Chief Meng of the Forbidden Army has also received a challenge from Prince Jing. Do you want to support him as well?"
Emperor Liang threw the towel into the basin and said angrily: "This Meng Zhi is really a martial arts idiot, and he is fooling around with Jingyan."
Gao Zhan smiled, knowing that Emperor Liang had given up his suspicion on Meng Zhi. Suddenly Gao Zhan thought of something and his eyes became deep.
When Emperor Liang saw Gao Zhan motionless for a long time, he said, "Forget it about Meng Zhi. Just give that traitor a warning and ask him to be more honest."
Gao Zhan took the order and left.
Emperor Liang was no longer suspicious, but others could not sleep at night, especially the prince and Prince Yu.
After the prince learned that King Jing was going to compete with Meng Zhi, he immediately summoned Xie Yu into the palace, thinking that Wang Gang intended to make friends with the commander of the imperial army.
Xie Yu comforted the prince, but became increasingly wary of Wang Gang.
Similarly, in Prince Yu's palace, Prince Yu also asked his counselor Qin Banruo.
Qin Banruo is a very beautiful woman. She is in her twenties, which is the age when women are most beautiful.
Ever since Prince Yu got Qin Banruo, a beautiful counselor, he visited her more often than Princess Yu at night.
"Prince Jing has invited the masters from the capital to compete in martial arts. What do you think of this?" Prince Yu always treated Qin Banruo with courtesy, but he was also closer than the others.
"The martial arts competition was originally proposed by Meng Zhi. Prince Jing might have been worried about His Majesty's suspicion, so he simply made an appointment with all the masters in the capital." Qin Banruo said with a smile:
"This time Prince Jing returned to Beijing, his temperament changed a lot. Today he opposed His Majesty's resumption of farming and suggested revising the tax system."
Qin Banruo has his own intelligence system in the capital, and even matters within the palace cannot be hidden from her.
This is also the reason why Prince Yu cannot do without her more and more.
"How dare he say anything about changing the tax system," King Yu said disdainfully.
Qin Banruo smiled slightly and said: "This Prince Jing is not simple. Who in the world doesn't know that the Minister of Household Affairs is the prince's pocketbook. Modifying the tax system is, in the final analysis, tampering with the prince's pocketbook."
Prince Yu was startled and said, "Prince Jing also wants to compete for that position?"
Qin Banruo said calmly: "As a prince, who doesn't want to fight for that chair?
Your Majesty has nine sons. The eldest and second sons of the Emperor are dead. The third son of the Emperor is disabled. The sixth son of the Emperor is too mediocre and has withdrawn from the competition for the throne early. The eighth and ninth sons of the Emperor are young and there is no threat for the time being.
Only the Crown Prince, Prince Jing and you are left, and they are the most powerful contenders for the throne."
Prince Yu snorted coldly: "Prince Jing, why should he fight for the throne? How could the father pass the throne to an unpopular prince?"
Qin Banruo smiled and said: "Prince Yu, please don't underestimate this younger brother. Although Prince Jing has been absent from the center for a long time, he is very famous in the border areas and has the support of many border generals, not to mention Princess Nihuang of Prince Mu's Palace and him.
Friendship is irreversible.
This time we defeated Beiyan, and the people think highly of this prince!"
Prince Yu's face slowly darkened, and he exuded a dangerous aura, exactly like Emperor Liang.
"As soon as Prince Jing returned to Jinling this time, Meng Zhi immediately made friends with him. I guess he also thinks highly of this prince!" Qin Banruo said with a chuckle.
King Yu couldn't sit still anymore and said angrily: "I have invited Meng Zhi several times, but I have been rejected. Could it be that he has been King Jing's for a long time?
How can my father allow the prince to make friends with the commander of the imperial army!?"
Qin Banruo said quietly: "This is the cleverness of Prince Jing. If he doesn't make a sound, he will become a blockbuster. I'm afraid the prince will have one more opponent in the future."
King Yu said anxiously: "No, we must remove the threat of King Jing!"
Qin Banruo frowned and said, "Your Highness wants to assassinate Prince Jing?"
Prince Yu said viciously: "Is there anyone of yours in Prince Jing's palace?"
Qin Banruo shook his head and said: "Prince Jing has never been fond of women. There are few maids in the palace, so it is difficult for my people to get involved."
Prince Yu frowned and said, "Is there any way to get rid of Prince Jing?"
Qin Banruo smiled confidently and said, "It is not necessary to assassinate Prince Jing."
King Yu was very interested and said: "Do you have any idea?"
Qin Banruo smiled softly and said: "Your Majesty has never liked Prince Jing. Although I don't know the reason, the prince can take advantage of this and find a way to drive Prince Jing out of the capital. Even if he befriends Meng Zhi, he cannot threaten the prince.
.”
Prince Yu nodded and said: "You are right, but I am worried that if he leaves the capital and becomes friends with the generals, he will still be a big threat in the future."
Qin Banruo said: "Your Majesty has never thought of letting Prince Jing lead the troops to fight against foreigners. On the battlefield, no matter how good your martial arts skills are, you will die under thousands of troops."
Prince Yu frowned and said, "If you still want to give him military power, wouldn't that be raising a tiger's head?"
Qin Banruo said confidently: "When the two armies are fighting, if the prince secretly leaks the court's strategic deployment to the enemy, do you think Prince Jing will still have a chance to come back?"
King Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"So that's what you had in mind." King Yu said happily: "You are right. Since my brother is good at fighting, let him fight against the enemy. I will have many opportunities to trick him to death on the battlefield!"
Talking about the excitement, King Yu held Qin Prajna's slender hand and said: "My king's acquisition of Prajna is like the emperor of Han Dynasty's acquisition of the ovary."
Qin Banruo did not resist when King Yu grabbed his hand, and even showed a hint of affection in his eyes.
King Yu's heart became hot and when he wanted to go further, Qin Banruo suddenly stepped back and kept his distance.
"Your Majesty, it's late at night." Qin Banruo slowly walked to the door, intending to see off the guests.
King Yu sighed and said, "Prajna, don't you understand my intention?"
Qin Prajna said: "Prajna made an oath in front of the master at the beginning that he would never be a concubine in this life."
King Yu said: "I will not force you. When I ascend to the throne of God, Prajna will not be able to refuse me!"
Qin Prajna smiled brightly and said, "My lord, please go slowly."
Prince Yu twitched his lips, maintained his composure, and left angrily to spend the long night with Princess Yu.
