Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 458: The Way of the Crown Prince, The Struggle of the Puppet_1
"Wang, you are thoughtful. This item is indeed very nourishing. Place it in the imperial treasury." Emperor Jing’s expression was weak. He wasn’t particularly interested in what Wang Linchi had sent; it wasn’t exceptionally precious, and he possessed better things. It was just that, for him, they were of little use.
His current condition was, naturally, due to the curse growing stronger.
After Wang Linchi eliminated the Wolf God faith, it was equivalent to completely cutting off the possibility of a Hu Lu resurgence. As a result, the north was incorporated into Dajing’s territory. This, in turn, strengthened the curse in his bloodline, further hastening his demise.
According to his estimates, he had at most three months left.
"Your Majesty, should we recall Sir Wang? He might have a solution," a nearby eunuch said in a low voice.
Wang Linchi was now recognized as the most powerful Spirit Master in all of Dajing. If anyone could cure Emperor Jing’s illness, it would be Wang Linchi and no other.
"There’s no need. What I have is not a disease." Emperor Jing refused outright. He knew his own situation best; Wang Linchi definitely couldn’t cure it.
Unless it was the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence from a future age, manifested as a Heroic Spirit, who could draw upon the Heroic Spirit’s mighty power to eradicate the Devil’s Curse within him. At his current stage, Wang Linchi was truly very weak.
"Your Majesty, Grand Secretary Zhang has submitted another memorial, stating that Sir Wang could take charge of the south, allowing the north and south to complement each other and thereby strengthen Dajing." A nearby eunuch fetched a memorial and presented it to Emperor Jing.
After reading it, Emperor Jing couldn’t help but give a wry smile.
Zhang Lin’s memorial was very reasonable and feasible. Emperor Jing also wished to implement it; given Wang Linchi’s capabilities, he could indeed manage both the north and south.
However, if he truly did so, his lifespan would also decrease sharply.
"So be it. Approved." Emperor Jing sighed. He decided to make a big gamble.
To have Wang Linchi, within three months, transform the southern bandits and northern Hu Lu into Dajing’s northern and southern cornucopias.
"Confer upon him the title of Governor-general of Two Regions, granting him the imperial regalia and the authority to establish his own administration." As he said this, Emperor Jing couldn’t help but gasp heavily.
The nearby Crown Prince was stunned. All of this is being granted?
Once this decree was issued, it would be as if Wang Linchi had established a separate court in both the north and the south, possessing the authority to appoint officials in all regions.
What, then, would become of me, the Crown Prince? If Wang Linchi showed even the slightest hint of dissent, best-case scenario, I would become Wang Linchi’s puppet. Worst-case, the dynasty would be overthrown entirely.
Yet, the Crown Prince dared not speak. In recent days, accompanying Emperor Jing, the phrase he heard most often was that Wang Linchi was the stabilizing pillar Emperor Jing was leaving for Dajing. After ascending the throne, the Crown Prince was to delegate power to Wang Linchi and support him. He needn’t concern himself with the rest, merely stay in the imperial palace and focus on diligently producing heirs.
However, he was unwilling to accept this. If I truly followed Emperor Jing’s words, would I be an emperor or a puppet?
Nevertheless, with Emperor Jing still alive, he dared not reveal too much of his true feelings. Secretly, he had contacted many individuals and built a faction loyal to himself.
He planned to bide his time and make his moves gradually after ascending the throne.
He was mediocre and weak, but not foolish. Wang Linchi was at the zenith of his power, protected by the prevailing trends. Without an absolute advantage, the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare to move against Wang Linchi.
As for whether Wang Linchi was truly as loyal as Emperor Jing claimed, the Crown Prince couldn’t discern that.
The Crown Prince and Emperor Jing had fundamentally no emotional bond. After all, they hadn’t spent much time together. Moreover, he was an adult with his own sense of morality.
In fact, I have my own suspicions as to why Emperor Jing chose me as his successor. He probably chose me simply because he saw my incompetence and weakness, making me perfectly suited to be Wang Linchi’s puppet.
"Your Majesty, granting him the imperial regalia and authority to establish his own administration is somewhat inappropriate. Sir Wang already holds a high position and wields great power. If he gains this authority as well, in the future, it will inevitably lead to..." The eunuch didn’t finish, but Emperor Jing knew the rest: it was nothing more than the issue of a subordinate becoming too powerful to control.
"No matter. I trust Wang." Emperor Jing held this trump card and was determined to utilize it to its fullest potential. This was only the beginning. Later, when he was about to die, he would play his ultimate hand.
He was gambling that the quality of his own Heroic Spirit would become more closely tied to that of the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence. By basking in that glory, it could definitely reach an Unparalleled in the world quality.
"Write it. What are you standing there dazed for?" Emperor Jing urged the eunuch.
The eunuch glanced back at the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince kept his gaze lowered, feigning unawareness. Emperor Jing wasn’t dead yet; how could he dare to overstep? Naturally, he pretended not to see.
Seeing this, the eunuch had no choice but to begin writing the imperial edict.
Eunuchs had different roles, such as Keeper of the Seal, Scribe, and so on, assisting the Emperor with various affairs.
The entire process went very smoothly. After the Jade Seal was affixed, it was handed to a eunuch, who then hastily departed the palace for the Northern Prairie to proclaim the decree.
Fortunately, they had airships; otherwise, such a journey would have been exceedingly troublesome.
"You are all dismissed," Emperor Jing said calmly.
The eunuch tactfully withdrew, evidently intending to speak with the Crown Prince.
"I know you are very unconvinced, but as long as you listen to me, your name will undoubtedly be recorded in history." Emperor Jing lay down again.
"I dare not. I will certainly abide by Your Majesty’s final words." The Crown Prince would not argue with Emperor Jing; he would comply with whatever Emperor Jing said at this point.
"Your answer is perfunctory." Emperor Jing discerned his insincerity; the Crown Prince would inevitably cause trouble in the future.
But it didn’t matter. Emperor Jing had countermeasures prepared. Besides, with Wang Linchi’s abilities, Wang Linchi would deal with any defiance and the troubles stirred up. Therefore, Emperor Jing was not concerned.
"Speak. What do you want? If you don’t want to be the Crown Prince, I can replace you." Emperor Jing had more than one candidate in mind; replacing him was an option. At worst, it would merely damage his own reputation somewhat.
"I dare not. A sovereign’s command is a subject’s duty," the Crown Prince replied with a solemn expression.
"A very conventional answer. I hope you won’t do anything foolish." The foolish act Emperor Jing referred to was, naturally, killing Wang Linchi. Such a thing had, in fact, happened once before. If it were to happen again, all his efforts would be for naught.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your subject understands." In the Crown Prince’s understanding, the ’foolish act’ was, of course, refusing to be a puppet. He was determined to wield power himself, but he could not say this aloud.
"Enough. I am tired. You may go back," Emperor Jing waved his hand.
"Your subject takes his leave." After speaking, the Crown Prince bowed and departed. The entire process was meticulous, without a single flaw.
What he needed to do now was nothing at all. Wait for Emperor Jing to die, and he would smoothly ascend the throne. If he did anything, it would likely backfire.
Therefore, being cautious and not giving anyone any leverage against him was better than anything else.
If only I had another three years... Alas... Emperor Jing sighed. His three months of life remaining—if only it could be three years.
By then, with Wang Linchi’s assistance, he was confident that even if he couldn’t become an emperor for the ages, he could at least become a Martial Sovereign.
Unfortunately, there were no ’ifs’ in reality. He could not resolve the Devil’s Curse upon him.
To eliminate the Devil’s Curse, I can only, in the next simulation of the Tai Dynasty world, seek out the power of the monks, Emperor Jing thought to himself.
「...」
"Governor-general, and the authority to establish my own administration?" Wang Linchi had never imagined that Emperor Jing would actually bestow upon him such an official title and such power.
A Governor-general integrated military, civilian, and financial authority. With the authority to establish his own administration, he also gained the power of appointment. This was equivalent to a small imperial court, holding political power.
Moreover, he was to be the Governor-general of both the southern and northern regions. If this truly came to pass, it wouldn’t just be wielding power that overshadowed the imperial court; it would be tantamount to being granted territory and enfeoffed as a king.
All that was missing was the title itself.
Li Zheng was also thoroughly alarmed. This was too terrifying.
The main issue was that Wang Linchi concurrently held a series of other official posts, such as Grand Academician, an official Knowing the Affairs of the Privy Council, and so on. First-rank high officials, various Vassal Kings, and the like would all have to defer to Wang Linchi.
"Could it be that His Majesty is going to..." Li Zheng blurted out instinctively, but fortunately, he managed to suppress the word ’die’ just in time.
Wang Linchi’s expression also turned somewhat grim. It was truly too hasty. Without Emperor Jing, if the next Emperor Jing ascended the throne, that successor might not necessarily support him.
"This matter must not be discussed recklessly." After issuing this warning, Wang Linchi began to ponder: Consolidate the south within one month, making it an important strategic region for the Court, just like the north.
Given the urgency, I can only go and oversee it personally. Besides the edict for his promotion, Wang Linchi had also received an edict instructing him to develop the south.
"Then, the north..." Li Zheng asked. The entire north was currently flourishing, a veritable cornucopia for everyone in Dajing, from the highest dignitaries to the common peddlers. If Wang Linchi were to leave, who knew what might happen.
"Don’t worry. I will leave a contingent behind to manage things." Wang Linchi mentally reviewed the development projections and confirmed that he could leave.
The necessary groundwork had already been laid. The rest could be entrusted to his memory body.
Going to the south was also fine; it was a perfect opportunity to expand his influence. He had been wondering how to further enhance his reputation. Now, the opportunity had come knocking.
