Xue Pan had a rare moment of clarity and asked this question.

"Violating the emperor's taboo?" Baoyu was stunned and hesitated, "Isn't that true? What kind of taboo can he violate? This is not a big deal? Besides, Zhijie is also the emperor's son after all, and the Wucheng Army and Horses Division can really control Zhijie. Jie is locked up all the time, doesn’t it look good on the emperor?”

Xue Pan hesitated and said: "I heard that the relationship between several princes seems to be a bit indescribable. Even the King of Chu and the King of Wei are not in harmony with each other. Baoyu, are you sure you want to ask the King of Qin or the King of Zhao?" King, King Han, are you okay?"

Although Baoyu was a little blunt in this regard, he was a little unsure when Xue Pan asked.

However, when he thought that these were just what Xue Dashu said, he was a little dismissive. When did he need Xue Dashu's turn to remind him?

Baoyu also knew that he had no idea. This time he finally made up his mind, but was "interrupted" by Xue Pan. He felt a little unhappy and quickly said firmly: "It's no big deal. I'll go find King Qin and King Zhao." Talk to King Han, if it really doesn’t work, then let’s talk.”

"Okay, you go and talk to them. As long as Zhijie can come out, I promise to let Concubine Qin ground Zhijie for a period of time so that he can stay at home peacefully and stop causing trouble."

Xue Pan saw that Baoyu became firm and stopped saying anything. Originally, he just thought of this and said it casually. In fact, he didn't think much about it.

No one knew that such a simple trust argument would cause such a big disturbance in the 28th year of Daguan, so that almost all the princes were involved, and even caused a great shock in the court, and also As a result, Jia Yucun, a cabinet minister and minister of the Ministry of Punishment who was known as the political tumbler, was dismissed and went home in despair.

　　************

"What's going on? Why did it become like this?" Feng Ziying frowned and looked at her confidant Ni Debiao in front of her.

That's right, this one is the son of Drunken Vajra Ni Er, who has been sending out dragon forbidden commanders since the 16th year of Daguan.

Ni Debiao is the eldest son of Ni Er. He was arranged by his father to break away from the "underworld" and join the army early on. Later, as a martial arts scholar, he entered the flag guard of the Shangsan Army, then to the Wucheng Soldiers and Horses Division, and finally joined the Dragon Guard. , from Nanzhen Fusi to Beizhen Fusi all the way to the commander.

Sweat was pouring down Ni Debiao's back. He knelt on the ground and did not dare to say anything.

He really didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing, and he didn't dare to get involved, but when the emperor asked him, how should he answer?

Long Jinwei controls the secrets of the entire capital court. How can things inside and outside the palace be hidden from him?

To put it bluntly, the emperor never hid it from him, even which concubine he visited tonight, or even which prime minister he went to when he left the palace.

 From the founding of the new dynasty, the responsibilities of the Dragon Guards and the Banner Guards began to change.

The Dragon Guard has to deal with both internal and external affairs. In many cases, it has begun to overlap with the responsibilities of the Ministry of War. The Flag Guard has begun to replace some of the original Dragon Guard's internal security and investigation responsibilities. Of course, its main responsibilities remain He is responsible for the safety of the emperor, but it is no longer limited to simple guarding and protection, but must take the initiative to eliminate danger.

This was also a conscious change made by Feng Ziying to several major security and intelligence agencies. The Banner Guard gradually evolved into an agency similar to the Ministry of National Security in later generations, while Long Jinwei transferred its functions to the CIA, and the Ministry of War's Staff Division became Military Intelligence Service.

"De Biao, answer me, is there anything you dare not say in front of me?" An intriguing smile appeared on Feng Ziying's lips, "I think I am confused and don't want to pursue some things, so you are pretending to be confused. Oh, is it for my own good not to tell me, or is it because my sons have made you jealous, and you are afraid that you will make a wrong bet and your Ni family will suffer disaster in the future?"

Ni Debiao was so horrified that he grabbed the ground with his head and repeatedly begged for mercy: "I dare not, it's just..."    "Just what? I tell you, I am not old enough to lose my hearing and sight. The tricks played by my sons are all... They were left over from playing when I was young. I turned a blind eye before, just to see how they performed, but I also warned them not to cross the line, but these sons of mine seem to be a little too smart... "

Feng Ziying said leisurely and authentically.

Everything is still under the control of the emperor. Ni Debiao sighed secretly in his heart and couldn't help but feel pity for the emperor's sons. With such a father and emperor, he spends all day thinking about them. In fact, everything they have done has nothing to do with the emperor. Insightful observation is more like an observation and evaluation of the princes.

 But what are the criteria for observational assessment? Value family ties? Respect the law? Ingenuity? Deep scheming?

 Ability is definitely not among them, Ni Debiao knows it very well.

Starting from the 20th year of Daguan, the emperor began to gradually let the princes get involved in government affairs. From local government affairs to court affairs, the adult princes were basically involved in various government affairs. It can be said that among the emperor's more than ten children, Those who are incapable of doing so, or who have no ambition for a big position, have made their attitude clear or covert early on.

Like King Lu, the Empress of the West Palace was born directly, and she was actually quite liked by the emperor, but she made it clear to the emperor early on that she had no intention of becoming a powerful person.

Of course, it is not ruled out that he will support his compatriot brother King Qi in his bid for the throne.

Several princes have shown their excellent ability to operate government affairs. In Ni Debiao's view, there is no problem who among them will take over the throne in the future.

 This means selecting the best among the best, choosing the person who best suits the emperor's wishes.

 But who is most in line with the emperor’s wishes? What is the emperor's true intention?

Sitting in the position of the emperor, I am afraid that I cannot decide who will be the prince based on personal preference alone.

As Ni Debiao observed, the emperor liked the kings of Lu who were born from Empress Xigong, the kings of Wu who were born from Concubine Miao, and the kings of Shu who were born from Concubine Qi, but he would definitely not give the throne to them.

 The King of Wu was good at the study of objects. He and Li Zhitong, who was born by Mrs. Li (Li Wan) outside the palace, were both students of the Imperial Academy of Investigation. They both liked the study of objects.

The king of Shu liked music, and he had the same interests as Jia Zhitong, the second son of Mrs. Yuan (Yuan Chun) outside the palace, and they had many contacts.

Outsiders don’t know, but Ni Debiao knows that Li Zhitong and Jia Zhitong are actually the emperor’s illegitimate children outside the palace, but the emperor and the ladies in the palace seem to prohibit them from interacting with each other.

"Your Majesty, I think that although all the princes have their own thoughts, or they all hope to leave an impression in the mind of the Emperor that is more in line with your wishes, they are also working hard. As for some ways, they are not consistent. , I think it is impossible to force it, not to mention they have not exceeded the bottom line you have drawn for them..."

 Ni Debiao couldn't help but distinguish between the princes, although he didn't know what the emperor's thoughts were, whether he was dissatisfied with which prince's behavior, or whether he was dissatisfied with none of them. (End of chapter)