Shi Haoran is the crown prince and the eldest son of Daxia.
His biological mother was Queen Lu, who was supported by Privy Councilor Lu Qichang and a group of military generals, and was also highly regarded by Shi Le.
Shi Yuncheng's biological mother was just an ordinary concubine. He relied on his familiarity with government affairs to join the court and participate in government affairs.
The two brothers have a competitive relationship, but Shi Haoran has the upper hand, and Shi Yuncheng is just competing.
The relationship between the two cannot be said to be good, but they will not fight to the death.
Because Shi Yuncheng does not pose a fundamental threat to Shi Haoran and will not shake his status as crown prince.
Shi Le just wanted to use Shi Yuncheng to spur Shi Haoran and make Shi Haoran feel a little bit in crisis.
Everyone knows this very well.
This time, Shi Le was besieged in Yangcheng. The people in the country hated the imperial court. Shi Haoran was anxious, but he had nothing to do.
At this time, Shi Yuncheng came up with the strategy of abandoning the car to protect the commander and killing the donkey by removing the mill.
Shi Haoran thought it was feasible, so he went to report to Queen Lu.
This strategy seems to be for the country and the king, but in fact, Shi Yuncheng still has his own calculations.
Zhaoti Temple is a national temple no matter how you say it. After so many years of existence, the power of Zhaoti Temple has penetrated into all walks of life in the military and government.
Although many people in the ruling and opposition parties hate him, his power cannot be underestimated.
Especially since Kongji is still in Yangcheng and there are still more than 100,000 monk soldiers.
Shi Haoran took the initiative and killed the people from Zhaoti Temple. If it backfired later, Shi Yuncheng could say that it was Shi Haoran's doing, and he took the opportunity to win over the monks and gain power.
Of course, this is only a possibility.
Shi Haoran wanted to let Zhaoti Temple take the blame, win over the people, and recruit troops, so that the court could survive the crisis and repel Long Chen's invasion.
When the time comes, he, Shi Haoran, has defended the country of Daxia. He is the number one hero of the country and can protect his future.
From Shi Yuncheng's point of view, if Shi Haoran succeeds, he will also be a hero of the country's defense. When Shi Haoran ascends the throne, he can gain a foothold in the government.
From Shi Yuncheng's point of view, this matter is beneficial and harmless.
Shi Haoran made up his mind, and Shi Yuncheng immediately sent people to find Zhou Hao, the commander of the Forbidden Army.
Not long after, the commander of the imperial army, Zhou Hao, came in wearing armor and carrying a sword, and the guards at the door did not stop him.
The commanders of the Forbidden Army all carry swords, unlike others.
"Meet the eldest son, the second prince."
Zhou Hao walked in and immediately bowed to see him.
Shi Yuncheng stood up and closed the door. Shi Haoran said: "Commander Zhou, please take a seat."
Zhou Hao thanked him and sat down next to him.
Shi Haoran is the crown prince, and Zhou Hao is also an important official of the imperial court, so there is no need to be too restrained.
"To make a long story short, we are looking for Commander Zhou today to unearth a traitor."
Shi Haoran got straight to the point. Zhou Hao heard the word "hoeing out traitors" and was puzzled. Which one should Shi Haoran get rid of?
The person in Chaozhong who has a competitive relationship with Shi Haoran is Shi Yuncheng, but Shi Yuncheng is here, so it is impossible to kill Shi Yuncheng in person, right?
Seeing Zhou Hao's confused expression, Shi Yuncheng said: "Commander Zhou, you also know everything about Zhaoti Temple."
"The people pointed their finger at the court and their father, saying that his father condoned it and even instigated Zhaoti Temple to do this."
"These are insults and slanders. My father did not instigate them. My father once asked Zhaoti Temple to stop, but they relied on their status as a national temple and ignored the king's order."
"The situation is critical now. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has made the decision and wants Commander Zhou to follow us and kill the prostitutes in Zhaoti Temple to thank the people of the world."
Zhou Hao understood now that what Shi Haoran wanted to kill was the obscene monk from Zhaoti Temple.
But...
"Your Highness, the monks of Zhaoti Temple are indeed guilty, but the identity of Master Kongji is important. Without the king's order, is it inappropriate for us to attack Zhaoti Temple without authorization?"
Zhou Hao is not a fool. He knows that Zhaoti Temple's crimes are extremely heinous, but to deal with the monks of Zhaoti Temple, Shi Le's royal order must be followed.
Otherwise, he, Zhou Hao, would not be able to bear the burden of disturbing the Zhaoti Temple and asking Kongji the old bald donkey for the crime.
When Zhou Hao said this, Shi Haoran was not surprised.
"Commander Zhou, I know your concerns, but the situation is critical now. My father is besieged in Yangcheng. If we don't quell the people's anger, we will not be able to recruit troops at all, and we will even have to guard against rebellion by the people."
"As long as we kill the obscene monks of Zhaoti Temple and use their lives to apologize to the people of the world, the people's anger will be subsided."
"We can recruit troops again, the people's rebellion can be stopped, and even the military morale in Yangcheng can be stabilized."
"Commander Zhou, there may be morale problems within the Forbidden Army. Can you keep them stable?"
What Shi Haoran said made sense. Some people in the Forbidden Army under Zhou Hao did want to rebel.
Even Zhou Hao's younger brother Zhou Heng talked about rebellion, and his wife was also cheated on.
"What His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said is true, but...if something goes wrong, I will be the one to take action."
Zhou Hao was afraid that he would have to settle the accounts later in the year, and he would not be able to tell clearly when the time came.
Shi Yuncheng immediately said: "This matter is simple. The prince and I signed a document to prove that this matter was decided upon by us and that Commander Zhou was just following orders."
Shi Haoran said: "Yes, my prince is now the supervisor of the country. I will make the decision on this matter. Commander Zhou does not have to worry."
Shi Yuncheng immediately brought in pen and ink, and Shi Haoran wrote on the spot to prove that Shi Haoran had the final say in this matter and Zhou Hao was just following orders.
After writing the receipt, Shi Haoran pressed his fingerprints, followed by Shi Yuncheng.
"Commander Zhou, do you have no doubts now?"
Shi Haoran handed the written receipt to Zhou Hao.
After receiving the receipt, Zhou Hao nodded and said: "The Crown Prince and the Second Prince said this, how dare the general refuse to refuse!"
"The general will summon the Imperial Army now and ask the Crown Prince to lead the army."
The evidence has been established, but it is still up to Shi Haoran to publicly take the lead in arresting people and killing people. Zhou Hao is unwilling to take the lead.
Shi Haoran didn't care about this and immediately agreed: "No problem, you go gather the troops and we will meet at the gate of Zhaoti Temple."
Zhou Hao immediately went out to assemble the imperial troops. Shi Haoran and Shi Yuncheng immediately put on their armors. The soldiers and horses in the house immediately gathered together and went to Zhaoti Temple together.
By the time the two of them arrived at the gate of Zhaoti Temple, five thousand forbidden troops had already arrived.
All the Imperial Guards were wearing armor and holding weapons. They knew what they were here for today, and everyone was very happy.
Regardless of whether his wife has been raped or not, everyone is willing to kill such a perverted monk who is hated by everyone.
"His Royal Highness."
Zhou Hao came forward and bowed to see him.
Shi Haoran took the lead slightly and said: "Follow me!"
Shi Haoran was the first to ride in, followed by Zhou Hao and Shi Yuncheng.
The gate of Zhaoti Temple is closed, with roadblocks set up at the entrance and an arrow tower built inside, blocking it off like a military stronghold.
Shi Haoran came with his troops. The monks in the temple didn't know what was going on and immediately opened the door to welcome him.
Shi Haoran entered Zhaoti Temple smoothly.
"Where is Master Jingyan?"
Shi Haoran asked coldly.
Zhaoti Temple has suffered many deaths and injuries. Now the person in charge of the monks' affairs in the temple is Jingyan.
The monk immediately replied: "Senior Brother Jingyan is in the backyard, Your Majesty will wait a moment."
The monk hurriedly went to find Jingyan.
Shi Haoran raised his head and glanced at the damaged refuge Buddha, feeling a little afraid in his heart.
Shi Haoran said silently in his heart: I am doing this for Daxia, don't blame Buddha.
Not long after, Jingyan arrived with several senior monks and saluted Shi Haoran: "Jingyan, a poor monk, pays homage to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Shi Haoran glanced at Jingyan and said coldly: "Summon the monks in the temple immediately. Everyone must be present. I have something to say."
Monk Jingyan asked: "I wonder what the prince wants to say?"
Shi Yuncheng said angrily: "Jingyan, the prince is now supervising the country, and he has to report to you what he does!"
Jingyan was startled and immediately said: "Second prince, please calm down. I don't mean this by the poor monk. I will wait a moment. The poor monk will immediately summon the monks in the temple."
Monk Jingyan did not dare to ask any more questions and immediately summoned the monks in the temple to gather in front of the refuge hall.
