Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 926 - 762: He Who Wins People’s Hearts Wins the World

Indeed, now that the Third Prince hasn’t ascended to the position of Crown Prince, it won’t be long before he is sent back to his fief. What will happen to his advisers then? Will the Third Prince take them with him?The throne is out of reach for the Third Prince; perhaps he won’t need them anymore.

Furthermore, the Third Prince has often been displeased with them, believing that they have no strategies and merely eat and drink idly at the Prince Mansion.

And since they know so many of the Third Prince’s secrets, would the Third Prince let them go? It might be that the final outcome for them is death.

You Guangzong had long harbored the thought of withdrawing, but he knows that is an impossible matter.

Escape is even more unlikely. No matter where he flees, the Third Prince’s men will find a way to catch him.

By now, the Third Prince had already vented his anger, and You Guangzong stepped forward to dissuade him. Perhaps, the Third Prince would take this chance to save some face.

After all, a solution must be found, right? He cannot just watch the Second Prince ascend the throne.

"The Astronomical Bureau has already calculated an auspicious day—December 8th. That’s in five days, and the ceremony to appoint the Crown Prince will take place. You all know that once a Crown Prince is appointed, Father will definitely enfeoff me with a title, and soon I’ll be heading to the fief, by which time the opportunity will have passed."

The Third Prince glanced at the few people in the room, and when his gaze fell on the two advisers huddled in the corner, he couldn’t help but snort coldly.

He truly couldn’t stand these two, and planned to dispose of them in the next couple of days, as they were an eyesore.

Liu Xian and Wang Chang were chilled by the sinister look from the Third Prince, and panic surged in their hearts.

Just as the two were feeling uneasy, the Third Prince finally shifted his gaze away, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"We are all in the same boat now, and you must rack your brains to come up with a solution for me. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

The Third Prince was unwilling to hear any more excuses from these people; the situation was already critical. If they tried to gloss over things again, he would not keep them around.

"What His Highness says is quite true; the matter is already urgent, so everyone should stop holding back and bring out some real skills."

You Guangzong knew very well what these people were thinking. Wasn’t it simply because they doubted the Third Prince’s ability to ascend the throne that they wanted to quit?

Therefore, whenever the Third Prince called everyone to discuss, these few would always be half-hearted about it, hoping the Third Prince would get tired of them and dismiss them from the mansion.

To think these people were naive enough: they entered the Third Prince’s Mansion but still thought of leaving?

Even if they performed mediocrely and contributed nothing to the Third Prince’s future, the Third Prince wouldn’t possibly let them leave the mansion.

No! He wouldn’t let them leave vertically, only horizontally.

You Guangzong’s mind raced; he realized that now wasn’t the time for internal strife—it was essential to unite and get through the current difficulty.

The biggest problem right now isn’t the Third Prince’s failure to succeed to the position of Crown Prince, but how to stabilize the Third Prince and survive the day.

With You Guangzong’s comment, adviser Fang Yan and the others quickly expressed their commitment to brainstorming for a solution.

They could also see that the Third Prince was genuinely angry this time. If they couldn’t come up with a plan that satisfied him today, none of them would have any peace.

"Your Highness, from this official’s point of view, this matter has probably already been settled!" Huo Huai Zhong only spoke after the Third Prince had finally calmed down.

He disapproved of the Third Prince’s earlier actions—his abilities were not great, but his temper certainly was.

Could throwing a tantrum solve the problem? Why not stay calm? Huo Huai Zhong found himself increasingly disappointed with the Third Prince.

Peng Fang, the Left Minister of the Ministry of Justice, glanced at Mr. Huo, opened his mouth, but then closed it again.

What Mr. Huo said was the truth—the major situation was over, so why were they still struggling?

Actually, when the Third Prince dared not intercede even for his maternal grandfather, people’s morale had already collapsed.

The actions of the Third Prince were truly disheartening; not to mention trying to rescue anyone, he even hit someone when they were down, draining the last drop of the Wan Family.

If you talked about loyalty, who could compare to Wan Xue Nian, a member of the external family?

The Third Prince was able to abandon even his maternal grandfather, Wan Xue Nian; how could they expect him to protect them in a critical moment?

And then there was the incident with Mr. Huo last time, which was another living example.

Today, the Third Prince didn’t only summon him and Mr. Huo, but look—all the others who were invited didn’t come.

Other officials either excused themselves due to urgent matters, didn’t respond at all, or some hadn’t even let the Third Prince Mansion’s servants in the door.

Doesn’t this show that the Third Prince has already lost people’s support? Winning people’s hearts is winning the world.

Assistance from all sides for the righteous cause and scarce help for the unrighteous—this is precisely the principle.

Now, the officials associated with the Third Prince are like a scattered sand, and it’s likely that some have already pledged allegiance to another master in private. The Third Prince surely understands this too.

The tantrum just now wasn’t entirely due to the loss of the Crown Prince position; it was mostly because no officials took the Third Prince seriously anymore.

Actually, he thought that if the Third Prince were patient, there would be no need to be overly anxious; the only pity is that the Third Prince doesn’t listen to his advice.

"Your Highness, you really don’t need to be so anxious! Since ancient times, there have been many precedents in the previous dynasties. There have been countless Crown Princes appointed right from their birth. Later on, many have failed to ascend the throne smoothly. Until the last moment, who can guarantee that things will remain unchanged?"

Huo Huai Zhong sighed in his heart but felt he had to give some advice.

"Mr. Huo is right! Your Highness, we cannot be discouraged now. After all, if we are anxious, there are those even more anxious than us!" You Guangzong hastily responded.

Huo Huai Zhong’s meaning was very clear: so what if he is the Crown Prince? There are numerous examples of deposed Crown Princes in previous dynasties, aren’t there?

However, this can’t be said explicitly, or it would be treasonous. Because although that one is not yet the Crown Prince, he will be in a few days.

"Indeed! Aren’t there still the Eldest Prince and others? I don’t think the Eldest Prince can swallow this anger," Wang Chang, still frightened by the Third Prince’s earlier glare, quickly agreed.

Their words eased the Third Prince’s expression slightly, but he still coldly snorted, "Let’s not talk about the future for now, let’s focus on the present. Rather than pinning our hopes on those changes, why not nip them in the bud?"

Everyone present understood the Third Prince’s meaning: he had no intention of returning to the fief. The Third Prince’s aim is probably to prevent the Second Prince from becoming Crown Prince.

But that’s a difficult task! The Emperor has already issued a Holy Edict! They are also powerless to reverse it unless something unexpected happens to the Second Prince.

Unexpected? Huo Huai Zhong thought of this and glanced quickly at the Third Prince, his heart trembling slightly.