Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 786 - 622: Submitting a Memorial

Could it be that the Fourth truly has no supporters and has already given up on the position of Crown Prince?

The Emperor looked at Prince Jing, who was bowing his head in silence, with a complex expression in his eyes.

Then a few more officials stepped forward, also supporting those three Princes, with Prince Jing being ignored by all.

Thus, the hall became noisy, with some officials remaining neutral, objectively analyzing the Princes. Others, naturally, supported their own factions, dividing the hall into four groups.

Among them, three factions were mocking and ridiculing each other, aggressively attacking with saliva flying everywhere.

Some even rushed forward to gesticulate in each other’s faces, spraying saliva all over, making the scene as chaotic as a workshop.

Officials who remained neutral watched the spectacle, occasionally discussing with each other.

Some, like Xia Qing, behaved as if in deep meditation, their eyelids not even flinching.

The Chief Eunuch in De An Hall saw the chaos and the Emperor’s slightly angry countenance and cursed inwardly at how these people were bringing disgrace to themselves; some officials were even close to pushing one another.

"Your Majesty, I have a submission to make!"

Suddenly, a vague voice rang out in the hall, and the Emperor, seeing the person bowing to him, rubbed his throbbing temples.

"Enough! Acting like market street shrews in broad daylight, what decorum is this?"

The Emperor slapped the armrest of the Dragon Throne, instantly quieting the hall.

Everyone hurriedly kneeled and shouted, "Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor waved his hand, "Dai Aiqing, what do you have to present?"

"Your Majesty, I have heard that half a month ago, the Military Equipment Bureau produced some weapons resembling long spears, but upon testing, found them extremely impractical."

Minister of War Dai Yuanji said this with apparent anger.

The Military Equipment Bureau’s production of these weapons should have been reviewed by the Third Prince; this matter must be reported to the Emperor.

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince’s heart sank. He had already returned the Silver Taels spent on those weapons; why bring it up again?

If it weren’t for the imminent succession, he would never have been willing to use his Silver to fill the gap; Minister of Ministry of Industry Tong Shunmin is not without blame either.

The Third Prince glanced at Dai Yuanji, wondering which faction Dai Yuanji belonged to, causing trouble at such a critical moment.

He knew that his mother consort was favored by the Emperor; if more courtiers supported him, perhaps his father would establish him as Crown Prince.

The fact that Dai Yuanji exposed this issue now surely had ill intentions.

"Oh? What kind of weapon is it?"

The Emperor squinted slightly, looking at Minister of Ministry of Industry Tong Shunmin. The Military Equipment Bureau falls under the Ministry of Industry; why hadn’t Tong Shunmin reported this?

Tong Shunmin was secretly alarmed, knowing that what should come will come, but fortunately, he had already filled the gap.

Otherwise, if the Emperor learned how much Silver was lost, he would certainly be furious.

If the Third Prince were punished for his actions, well, that goes without saying, but Tong Shunmin couldn’t escape responsibility either; he certainly had to cover for the Third Prince to some extent.

"Tong Aiqing, are you aware of this matter?"

The Emperor’s expression slightly darkened, startling Tong Shunmin, who was lost in thought.

He hurriedly stepped forward, "Your Majesty! This matter has been properly dealt with, and those weapons can only be used under specific circumstances, so it wasn’t entirely a waste."

Tong Shunmin glanced at Dai Yuanji, wondering which faction Dai Yuanji belonged to.

Previously, he had feigned being a Pure Minister, not siding with anyone. Now, with the establishment of the Crown Prince imminent, the fox’s tail has been revealed.

"Oh?" The Emperor turned his gaze to Dai Yuanji, with a look of inquiry in his eyes.

Dai Yuanji, seeing the Emperor’s somewhat skeptical gaze, naturally was displeased.

He could swear that everything he said was true; if these weapons were taken to the battlefield, no amount of soldiers would be enough to survive.

"Your Majesty, perhaps the Ministry of Industry should bring the weapon’s blueprint; then Your Majesty will know that my words are not false. This weapon is utterly impractical; if sent to the borders, wouldn’t it harm the soldiers there? Mr. Tong, what are your true intentions?"

Dai Yuanji spoke righteously, making Tong Shunmin fume with anger.

At this point, Tong Shunmin could no longer conceal the matter and had to lay everything out.

The Third Prince realized that although he had patched the Silver, Dai Yuanji would certainly not let him off the hook.

Had he known earlier, he might as well have confessed to his father sooner, rather than having this brought up in court.

The lower officials immediately began to discuss, guessing what kind of weapon it was and why it was impractical.

Some officials, already aware of the news, were watching the excitement.

The Eldest Prince had a hint of surprise in his eyes; to which faction did this Dai Yuanji belong, to have preempted them?

The Eldest Prince glanced at the Second Prince, who also seemed surprised, feeling doubtful inside.

Prince Jing looked at the two kneeling people before turning away, appearing uninvolved, easing the Eldest Prince’s suspicions.

The faction of the Third Prince was naturally extremely anxious; today, even if the Emperor did not punish him, the Third Prince would still lose all face, not to mention the reputation for sloppy work.

"Mr. Dai, stop making baseless accusations. Even if the Ministry of Industry was at fault in this matter, the lost Silver has already been returned. Those weapons can be refashioned, so how much is really lost? Besides, I never said these weapons would be deployed at the borders, nor do I know from where Mr. Dai hears such things."

Tong Shunmin, seeing Dai Yuanji not letting go of the issue, felt extremely displeased.

He snorted coldly, harboring a grudge against Dai Yuanji.

"You speak lightly; earlier, news from the border requested a quick production of weapons to be sent to the frontline due to the urgency. I ask Mr. Tong, with these weapons needing refashioning, how long will that delay? Refashioning will also cause wastage; our National Treasury is not abundant now, yet Mr. Tong seems not to consider the court’s welfare."

Dai Yuanji, not to be outdone, having raised the issue, naturally wanted to achieve his objective.

"I have already mentioned that the Silver has been advanced. Once we purchase the iron, we can resume production."

"So you mean the Military Equipment Bureau has no inventory? The government’s iron mines have no reserves? And where did the advanced Silver Coin come from? As far as I know, this batch of weapons cost a full 280,000 taels; Mr. Tong, please clarify."

The Eldest Prince smirked lightly; after so much talk, the main point was finally reached.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s face was stone-cold, "As much as 280,000 taels? Why wasn’t such a major issue reported to me? Dai Aiqing is right, where did that Silver come from? Are you saying you filled it out of your own pocket?"

How could the Emperor possibly believe that? 280,000 taels is no small amount; could Tong Shunmin really be willing to fill such a gap?

The Second Prince had learned of this matter a few days prior; his advisers in the residence suggested exposing it in front of everyone, certain that it would reach the Emperor.

This was a great opportunity to suppress the Third; surely the Emperor would be furious.

He indeed arranged for officials to report on the Third today; who would have thought that Dai Yuanji would speak up first?

He glanced at the Eldest Prince, noticing a hint of pride in his eyes; could Dai Yuanji possibly belong to the faction of the Eldest Prince?