This is a "battlefield" that belongs exclusively to Zhao Xiangqi.
There is no need to go through a fight, and there is no need to scheming to the point of exhaustion.
Concubine Mu was favored by the old emperor again, and her status as a merchant's daughter destined that her son, Prince Qi, would never have anything to do with that position.
Even if you are a member of the royal family, you still have three, six or nine grades.
Or perhaps, the royal family is more important when it comes to the classification of status classes.
Only by maintaining the division of classes can we ensure that they can always be at the top and support one clan with the power of the entire country.
Therefore, King Qi's mother was more favored by the emperor than King Yu's mother. However, compared to King Qi, all the officials in the court and even the old emperor were more accepting of King Yu who was born as a palace maid, inheriting that position.
Of course, if you can't inherit the throne, you can still support a close brother.
King Qi actually did the same thing.
Is he really not interested in the position of co-owner of the world?
No, no one can resist the temptation of the power that that position holds.
It's just that some people are self-aware.
As a prince born to a merchant's daughter, King Qi knew that unless all the sons of the old emperor died suddenly except him, he would never be able to take the throne.
And it is almost impossible to get rid of other princes without anyone noticing.
King Qi also believed that he did not have that ability.
Therefore, he can only choose one person to support.
With the wealth he possesses, any prince who aspires to the throne will not refuse his surrender.
However, the discrimination he had experienced since childhood made King Qi understand that, except for King Yu, who had been a close friend since childhood, even if he supported others to ascend the throne, he would be kicked away like garbage.
In this case, why should he go through such thankless efforts!
Therefore, under the circumstances of the former King Yu's behavior, which at best was called hiding one's strength and bided time, and at worst was considered weak, King Qi had no choice but to be his own playboy and ignore everything.
After the arrival of Emperor Xin, he changed his normal behavior and made a big fuss in the household department. He also expressed his attitude immediately.
As a prince, how could he really be willing to spend his whole life just like a rice bug that could reach out for clothes and open its mouth for food?
Only by helping King Yu ascend to the throne will he not be kicked aside because of his mother's identity and be able to make a career of his own.
If Di Xin had not left the capital, the money in his hands would have helped Di Xin build his power, and at the same time he would have changed his image as a playboy.
But when Di Xin went to Northern Xinjiang, this plan needed to change.
As a prince, he cannot leave the capital without the emperor's will.
Moreover, because the business of the two uncles has its roots in the capital. Only by staying in the capital can he make better use of this wealth to help Di Xin.
Therefore, at this time, King Qi, who was left alone in the capital, needed to face King Cheng alone.
If King Cheng discovers substantial evidence that he helped Di Xin fight for the throne, he will not be able to protect himself from the numerous calculations, let alone help Di Xin.
No matter how big the money is, it cannot be defended without sufficient strength.
The King of Qi also knew himself and knew that he could not become a king.
If you can't resist, then just let it go!
Businessmen pursue profits, and since there is profit to be made in Northern Xinjiang, they naturally cannot let go of that market.
As for whether this period affected the prince's fight for the throne, his two uncles were just pure businessmen, and the identity of the marquis was only a title but no power. How could he know this?
They don't care about the affairs of the court, they just want to do their own business.
As for the King of Qi himself.
He was a prince born to a merchant's daughter. He had no competition for the throne, so he was too lazy to get involved in those matters.
Even if the person supporting him ascends to that position, he will still be the prince and his status will not change; and if the support fails, not only will the prince's identity be preserved, but his life may be lost.
Only when he is stupid would he do such a stupid thing that has no benefit to him and is too risky.
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy silk and satin and delicacies every day?
In order to show this in front of King Cheng, King Qi, who never liked to go out before, has become more and more extravagant in recent years.
To wear it, you have to have the best silks and satins woven by embroiderers stitch by stitch in the water town of Jiangnan; to eat, you have to find delicacies and wild beasts from all over the country, regardless of the price to ensure they are fresh; to drink, you have to have the sweet mountain springs brought back from the mountains outside the city;
Play, that's more.
The rarest and most expensive pets are bought in batches after death; the oirans are selected from thousands and one is redeemed.
Anyway, it’s just a waste of money.
Regarding King Qi's extravagant life, I don't know how many sons of men envied him and cursed him for being a prodigal, but who allowed him to have two uncles who could make money!
Even with such squandering, the money King Qi spent was still not as fast as his two uncles making money.
And every time the King of Qi heard someone mention this, he would show off and say that it was because his brother in northern Xinjiang made his two uncles make more money.
And this lack of concealment of his closeness to King Yu further reduced his suspicion.
All in all, King Cheng believed that he didn't know it, but now that Di Xin expressed his covetousness for that position in front of almost everyone, most people still felt that it had nothing to do with King Qi.
It can only be said to be a "coincidence". Because of a little kindness, the two uncles of King Qi allowed their business to intersect with Northern Xinjiang, and then in order to make more money, they ended up paying more taxes to Northern Xinjiang.
This was done unintentionally, and they couldn't say anything.
And there is no reason to stop it.
As Concubine Mu's two brothers, before she lost the favor of the old emperor, they didn't have to look at other people's faces to act.
However, the price of this is that due to his arrogant and luxurious life, King Qi's body has absorbed a lot of nutrients, coupled with the lack of exercise, it has been like blowing air, constantly expanding in the past few years.
expand again.
Then it became what it is now.
Nowadays, even if he wants to stand up with his own strength, it is difficult for him, but his previous wish has been granted.
If you can sit, never stand; if you can lie down, never sit.
He couldn't even think about it now.
After finishing speaking, King Qi shrugged his shoulders, and after struggling with the fat all over his body for a few times, he said helplessly: "Fifth brother, I am not smart. The only way I can think of is this way."
Then, with difficulty, he picked up the snacks on the table next to him and stuffed them into his mouth.
Di Xin watched Zhao Xiangqi finish a plate of snacks without stopping during the process he just described. Not only was he not moved, but veins popped out on his forehead.