Three hundred and ninetieth chapters with the king as with the tiger
Because the second prince had previously recommended Gu Chengyu, the emperor felt that Gu Chengyu might be a member of the second prince's party. He asked this question partly because he wanted to test him, and partly because the officials were pressing hard and the matter of establishing a crown prince was imminent.
But those officials have been divided into factions, and the two days of court meetings have become a place for them to bicker. The emperor also knew that there was absolutely no way to pass the buck this time, but he was undecided, so he decided to ask Gu Chengyu for his opinion.
Of course Gu Chengyu knew that such an answer dissatisfied the emperor, but could he express his thoughts?
As a king, the emperor is in a difficult position to oppose the prince. As a father, even if he is partial, he certainly does not dare to follow his own preferences.
Establishing a prince is not a child's play, it is related to the inheritance of Dayan. On the surface, it seems that the emperor has a preference for the eldest prince, but the eldest prince is ruthless and unscrupulous in doing things.
Although the eldest husband does things informally, the previous mountain bandit case has fully exposed the eldest prince's temperament of treating human life as nothing.
A king should not only protect the country, but also love his people. If he does not even care about the lives of innocent people, it would be unethical.
Gu Chengyu had not personally contacted the second prince. However, there were rumors that he was kind and virtuous. If he only wanted to maintain peace and prosperity, then the second prince would certainly be the best choice for the crown prince.
After all, the second prince's background gave him an advantage. What the late emperor wrote in the edict was that the current emperor would inherit the throne.
The current emperor is the legitimate son of the late emperor, born from the empress of the palace, and his name is justifiable.
But now that Dayan is in trouble internally and externally, can the second prince really handle these state affairs with such a benevolent temper? However, these are all rumors from outside. Gu Chengyu has never met anyone, so it is difficult to make a conclusion. In fact, he has also secretly analyzed it before
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He believed that it was not simple for the second prince to be able to stand up well despite the calculations of the eldest prince and others, and to gain a reputation of being loyal and virtuous.
In the past few years, the fights between the princes have become more and more frequent, and they are all eagerly looking at that seat! He does not believe that the eldest prince and the others have not plotted against the second prince.
Therefore, he remained skeptical about the second prince's loyal and virtuous character.
As for the third prince, he is equally resourceful, but he is also ruthless. This can be seen from the last incident where Wan Xuenian died and learned a lesson. For his own benefit, he can also scheme against his close relatives.
Wanfu's home was confiscated, and the third prince was released from prison. He did not dare to plead for Wanfu's remaining relatives in front of the emperor.
Even if it's just a show, even if the emperor doesn't agree, it's still full of face, right? Who would have thought that the third prince might be afraid of being implicated and didn't even mention it, which is too chilling.
The shortcomings of the eldest prince and the third prince were too obvious. The second prince had not yet interacted with each other and had no idea of his character. As for the last prince, Prince Jing, Gu Chengyu felt that the emperor had excluded him from the competition for the throne.
Having been made a king and given a fiefdom, the emperor's intention was already clear. Besides, regardless of whether Prince Jing was really ill or fake, his reputation outside was already that of a sick man, and he had no chance to compete.
Prince Jing was as strategist as anyone, and he also liked to make all kinds of calculations. Gu Chengyu's feelings for Prince Jing could not be said to be good, but he could also understand that who would be innocent when he first became the prince in that position?
Since you want it, but there is no external assistance, you can only try your best to get it yourself.
All he can rely on is his own power.
After analyzing so much, he is still just a small official. It is not his turn to worry about who becomes the prince.
But having said that, if he were the emperor, then he would have no less headaches than the emperor.
All of these princes have major shortcomings, and none of them lacks strategies. It is quite normal for the emperor to be in trouble.
In fact, he said, it would be better to choose a person you like and make him a prince when you were a child, take him with you and teach him carefully, and you can always cultivate a temper that satisfies the emperor. Why is it so troublesome now?
"Weak ministers are just hearsay, so they can't be accurate. People say that the eldest prince has a calm temperament and is very capable in doing things. He often takes care of the emperor's worries. The second prince is benevolent, loyal, broad-minded, serious in his work, and his ability is beyond doubt."
Seeing that the emperor's expression did not change, Gu Chengyu continued confidently: "The third prince is even more clever and has a deep heart. He will spare no effort to complete the tasks assigned to you. And although Prince Jing has not yet recovered,
, but you are also smart, studious, and humble in nature. Under your careful guidance, the princes and princes are all the best among men!"
Since he can't say what's in his heart, he should brag as hard as he can! He expanded on the princes' merits and never mentioned their shortcomings. Although the emperor is a king, he is also a father. He should feel comfortable when his son is praised.
?
Besides, he even flattered the emperor a little bit later.
Even though Gu Chengyu said so much, it was of no help to the establishment of the crown prince, so the emperor did not get angry. However, he was amused by Gu Chengyu's cleverness.
He originally didn't expect Gu Chengyu to say anything to relieve his worries, so he wasn't disappointed after hearing Gu Chengyu's words.
This Gu Chengyu is a little fox, he doesn't mention the shortcomings of the princes, and he seems to be a smooth person.
Naturally, he didn't think that was what Gu Chengyu was thinking, but he didn't intend to go into details.
It wasn't that he didn't know how to propose, but he didn't dare to say it. The emperor didn't want to embarrass Gu Chengyu, so he replied with a smile.
"In your opinion, are all the princes suitable to be princes?"
"This is what Weichen has heard. It shows that this is what everyone thinks. Your Majesty is so wise, and I am afraid he has already planned for the establishment of a crown prince. It is best not to use your humble opinion to show your embarrassment."
Seeing that the emperor didn't look angry, Gu Chengyu felt that the emperor was quite tolerant towards him, and his expression relaxed a little, and finally he said two witty words.
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then pointed at him with a smile and said: "Glib tongue!"
Coming out of the imperial study room, Gu Chengyu let out a long breath. No wonder people often say that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. He had just worked hard to deal with it.
He could imagine how those eunuchs, such as De'an, who were with the emperor every day, lived their lives. Wouldn't that mean they were on tenterhooks every day?
De'an sent Gu Chengyu out of the imperial study, glanced at the youngest official of the Dayan Dynasty, smiled and said to Gu Chengyu: "It's easy for Mr. Gu to leave, so we won't send him away. The emperor is still waiting for us to serve him!"
Gu Chengyu quickly turned around and took the things from De'an's hand, and said to De'an: "Eunuch Chen, please stay. It is more important to serve the emperor. I can go on my own."
De'an is a fourth-grade eunuch, and he is also a celebrity around the emperor. Being able to be so polite to Gu Chengyu is a bit of a face. 11