bookcurios Chapter 171 Resignation
Chapter 171 Resignation
The prince gradually stabilized the situation. The rumors that had once spread like a raging flood, like a tide encountering a solid dam, gradually lost their momentum and slowly receded.
However, the huge stage of the palace is like a lake that will never be calm. It may seem calm, but in fact, there are undercurrents surging underneath and it is full of dangers that may cause new waves at any time.
Mu Chenye, the Prince who had always stood firmly behind the Crown Prince amidst the ever-changing whirlpool of the palace, was quietly harboring the idea of retiring.
He witnessed how the prince, like a sword tempered in fire, gradually became more mature and steady in this thrilling storm, and he knew in his heart that the prince was gradually acquiring the ability to stand on his own.
Prince Chen looked back on the past. He had been struggling in the quagmire of power struggles and political intrigues in the palace for many years. He was like a traveler struggling forward in endless darkness. Fatigue overwhelmed him like a tide, and the desire for freedom was like a flickering lighthouse in the distance, constantly shining in his heart.
So, on a sunny morning with a clear blue sky, Prince Mu Chenye, dressed in gorgeous and solemn court robes, respectfully holding his resignation letter in both hands, slowly stepped into the magnificent, majestic and solemn palace.
The golden bricks in the palace reflected dazzling light under the sunlight, as if silently demonstrating the supreme majesty of the palace.
He walked with steady steps, each step seemed to be well thought out, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable determination.
After seeing the emperor, he kneeled three times and kowtowed nine times with great respect, then slowly raised his head and said with a firm and clear look: "Your Majesty, I am Mu Chenye. Thanks to your Majesty's love and unreserved trust over the years, I am able to do my insignificant work in the court. However, now my body and mind are like an overstretched bowstring, exhausted, and my yearning for freedom is like a bird trapped in a cage longing for the blue sky. I long to get away from this palace full of disputes and calculations, to travel around the world, and see the famous mountains, rivers, lakes and seas in the world. Therefore, I have come here to submit my resignation to Your Majesty and return the military power in my hands."
The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, which symbolized supreme power, and a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes for a moment.
He gazed deeply at the loyal minister in front of him who had made great contributions to the court. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Mu Chenye has devoted himself to the court for many years. On the battlefield, he is like a brave and fearless god of war, leading his soldiers to charge into battle and repeatedly making military exploits. In the power struggles in the court, he is like a wise strategist, giving advice to the court and resolving countless crises.
The emperor was well aware of his outstanding talents and his utter loyalty to him, and he also understood that the fatigue he showed at this time was the inevitable result of years of hard work and exhaustion.
However, how could the emperor bear to let such a capable minister, who was like his right-hand man, leave?
The emperor frowned slightly, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his majestic face. Then he slowly said, "Prince Chen, I know in my heart how hard you have been through these years. You have given so much to me and this country. However, if you leave me now, it will be like losing a pillar by my side, and I will lose an indispensable minister. I hope you can be at ease as your prince, and I will not mention the matter of military power. As for your idea of traveling around the world, I can agree to it, but you don't have to resign from the position of prince. Moreover, I have another thing I want to entrust to you."
Prince Chen couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, but he still replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, please give your orders."
The emperor stood up slowly, and his dragon robe embroidered with golden dragons swayed gently with his movements, like a golden ocean with shining light and flowing waves.
The emperor paced back and forth in the palace with solemn steps. His voice was steady and serious: "In recent years, I have noticed that corrupt officials in the court are like weeds, growing and spreading. They are like a group of greedy termites, quietly but unscrupulously eroding my country. Although I am willing to do a great job of rectifying it, I am the king of a country after all, and I have many affairs to deal with. My strength is really limited, and it is not convenient for me to investigate this matter personally. You are traveling around this time, so you can help me carefully investigate the situation of corrupt officials in various places. If you find conclusive evidence, report it directly to me."
After hearing what the emperor said, Prince Chen lowered his head and thought for a moment. He knew the emperor's good intentions very well. The emperor was skillfully balancing his desire for freedom and the court's need for him.
He also knew clearly that corrupt officials were like a cancer. If they were not eradicated, the country would fall into a deeper crisis.
If we can eliminate these cancers for the court during our travels, it will undoubtedly be a great meritorious deed for the country and the people.
So he bowed respectfully again and said firmly, "Your Majesty is wise and I will obey your command."
After leaving the palace, Prince Chen began to prepare for his travels in an orderly manner.
He decided to take his princess Shen Tangan and his son, the young prince, with him on this journey full of unknowns.
Princess Shen Tangan is a gentle, virtuous and intelligent woman. She understands and supports Prince Chen's decision.
Although the young master is still young, he is very clever and full of curiosity about the outside world.
They packed up their simple bags, and the King only brought a few trusted people with him. These trusted people had followed him for many years, were highly skilled in martial arts, and were loyal and reliable. They were like the King's shadows, silently guarding him.
Prince Chen changed out of the gorgeous prince's attire that showed off his noble status and put on simple clothes. Although he no longer had the luxury of the past, the noble temperament emanating from his every move could not be concealed, just like a bright pearl, whose brilliance could not be concealed even if covered by dust.
He rode a horse. The horse was tall and strong, with shiny fur that was as smooth as black silk. It was like an old friend of the King, loyal and reliable.
During their travels, the Prince and his family passed through many towns and villages.
They saw all kinds of people's lives. In some places, people lived and worked in peace and contentment, with a prosperous life. Children's faces were filled with innocent smiles, and the streets were filled with laughter. However, in places where corrupt officials were rampant, people lived in dire straits. They were all pale and thin, with despair and helplessness in their eyes, like dead trees that had lost their vitality.
This sharp contrast made Prince Chen's sense of mission even stronger. He secretly swore in his heart that he must bring these corrupt officials to justice and give the people a fair and clean world.
In the palace, after stabilizing the situation, the prince began to make drastic changes to the palace system, like a highly skilled craftsman, carefully carving out the palace's management system.
He continued to strengthen his own power while also focusing on cultivating his own influence.
He often discussed state affairs with the emperor. His insights were unique and profound, and his strategies were comprehensive and long-term. This made the emperor more and more satisfied with him, and also made those forces who were once dissatisfied with him and attempted to oppose him dare not make any more moves. They were like mice seeing a cat, and could only lie dormant.