jdhmnovel Chapter 509: Countdown to Logout?
Chapter 509: Countdown to Logout?
In the end, the two sides did not engage in any fierce fighting, after all, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture personally went to the Water Transport Office.
The Prefect of the Capital did not try to smooth things over or make excuses; he directly ordered someone to invite the Third Prince to the Prefect's office.
The Water Transport Bureau is always busy with its work, but the Prefect of the Capital's residence has been quite quiet these past few days.
"Your Highness, please come back with me to explain the situation clearly, so that we can have a plan for how to handle these goods."
The Third Prince sensed the softening in the Prefect's words, then glared at the Director of the Water Transport Department before leading his men to follow the Prefect.
"Director, with so much gunpowder, is it really necessary to return it to the Third Prince? Even if he is a prince, it's highly suspicious that he would buy so much gunpowder to bring to the capital."
The minor official in charge of the Water Transport Department didn't want such a great achievement to go to waste. The director was about to report it today when the Third Prince blocked him at the Water Transport Department. It was infuriating!
"This isn't the end of the matter. The Third Prince is of noble birth, but aren't there even more prestigious people above him?"
Director Liu spoke slowly and deliberately, taking out the memorial from his pocket.
"This……"
"Let's wait for news from the Prefect of the Capital. The Prefect is not foolish."
"Sigh, that's all we can do," the subordinate said helplessly.
"Keep a close watch on the black fire, be careful with the flames, and also prevent some people from going all out."
Let the brothers take turns keeping watch at night. Everyone must stay alert and no drinking. I'll reward everyone after this period!"
"Yes, Director! Everyone is on high alert. After all, it's such a massive black fire, and having it here makes us very nervous."
Just as everyone was bracing themselves for their shift rotation, news came from the Prefectural Governor's Office that the Third Prince insisted that the gunpowder was for fireworks prepared for the celebration, leaving the Prefectural Governor in a difficult position to decide.
Upon hearing this, Director Liu sneered and said, "This Third Prince is quite stubborn. Fireworks? Heh, there's one in the capital that does very poor business."
"Yes, Director, that shop is about to go out of business. Could it be that the Third Prince has taken a liking to this business and wants to take it over?"
"You just believe everything people say? It's just a temporary excuse; as for its real purpose..."
Director Liu didn't say anything more, and his subordinates seemed to understand as well.
"No need to wait any longer. Have someone send the memorial to the palace. I want to see if the Third Prince will still be so stubborn when he gets to the Emperor!"
Director Liu was determined to take a hard line, and all his subordinates supported him.
The memorial was immediately sent to the palace by fast horse.
The Third Prince was not idle at the Jingzhao Prefecture either. He personally kept an eye on Prefect Li of the Jingzhao Prefecture and asked him to issue a pass to pick up the goods.
The Water Transport Bureau was under the jurisdiction of the Jingzhao Prefecture, so they were in a superior-subordinate relationship, but they rarely had business dealings and were not close.
In theory, Lord Li did have the authority to issue a permit to allow the shipment, but since such a large quantity of gunpowder had never been brought into the capital before, he was somewhat hesitant to do so.
The passes issued in the past were just for overloaded silks, dried fruits, and nuts; this was the first time for gunpowder.
Lord Li was inwardly groaning; the Third Prince seemed poised to wage a protracted war.
If the gate isn't opened, people won't leave; they'll just stay put.
The Prefect of the Capital even provided the other party with lunch.
I regret it now. Why did I have to be so eager to get close to them?
Why not just let Old Liu and the Third Prince fight it out? What a miscalculation!
Lord Li used delaying tactics, and the Third Prince was no longer as anxious as he had initially appeared.
Eat and drink as you please, and the pressure is directly transferred to Lord Li.
It's just waiting, right? I have plenty of time, I can afford to wait.
Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Director Liu's memorial was presented to the emperor.
It wasn't supposed to be this fast; Qiu Cheng helped out with a minor, insignificant favor.
This turned Director Liu's memorial, which should have been submitted tomorrow, into an "urgent document."
As dusk fell, Lord Li was debating whether or not to provide the Third Prince with another dinner when his subordinate came in and whispered a few words in his ear.
The Third Prince appeared unconcerned, but inwardly he felt a chill. Had something unexpected happened that he was unaware of?
Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Lord Li immediately felt relieved and thought he should quickly arrange for someone to "escort" the Third Prince into the palace.
The Third Prince is still out of the loop, so why did Lord Li suddenly relax?
He relaxed, and then it was the Third Prince's turn to be nervous.
In the palace, the emperor sat regally on the dragon throne, his expression majestic.
Director Liu was also summoned to the palace at this time. Outside the palace, a carriage was carrying a man whose tendons in his hands and feet had been severed.
Director Liu gave a detailed account of the whole story and also prepared witnesses and testimonies.
They came prepared and were well-prepared.
The third prince entered the palace and the first thing he saw was Director Liu of the Water Transport Department, which made him furious.
That old scoundrel! He actually pulled this stunt on me, daring to bring the matter directly to the Emperor's attention!
Who gave him the audacity?!
The Third Prince is unaware of this, but Director Liu is considered one of the Emperor's men. After all, over the years, the Water Transport Department has never sided with anyone, making it a neutral party among neutral parties.
Director Liu had submitted memorials before, but he himself hadn't expected such a swift response this time.
Despite all the evidence, the Third Prince still insisted that the gunpowder was for celebratory fireworks and that he wanted to open a shop in the capital to earn some money.
However, the sheer volume of gunpowder made his claims untenable.
The emperor sneered, secretly sizing up his gentle and refined son.
This son was highly regarded by officials and scholars; to put it bluntly, in the eyes of scholars, the third son even held a slightly higher position than his father, the emperor.
It is often said that scholars are useless, but isn't a scholar's pen a powerful tool?
If used properly, it can be an invincible force, no less capable than an army.
The more he thought about it, the more chilled he became. Emperor Zhao Yong was furious and rebuked the Third Prince for deceiving the emperor.
The third prince knelt down with a thud, now truly panicked.
How could Father Emperor doubt him at this time? He really didn't do anything!
Just as the Third Prince was kneeling and pleading his innocence, the man with severed tendons in his hands and feet, who had been dragged in from outside the palace, was carried in.
This man was the one secretly arranged by the Third Prince to transport gunpowder. No one knew what method Director Liu used, but he had no choice but to tell the truth.
Although he didn't know the Third Prince's overall plan, he did know the final destination and storage location of the black powder. It was so secretive that it didn't seem like it was intended for fireworks.
"You unfilial son, with such wolfish ambitions, I will never let you off lightly!"
"Father! You cannot convict your son based on the words of others. If you do so, you will make everyone in the world feel insecure!"
"The people of the world? The people of the world are all my subjects. Would they question my decision?"
Emperor Zhao Yong waved his hand in disappointment, and the Third Prince was temporarily detained in the Imperial Clan Court.