The Captivating Crown Prince

(23) The Crown Prince Reaps Benefits

Huan Mo Che unhurriedly stood up, and as he rose, he inadvertently glanced at the crown prince. The scholar wanted to lend a hand, so he was trying to surmise what the crown prince wanted to achieve by bringing up the matter of famine in the south.

Unfortunately, the crown prince’s gaze did not turn to Huan Mo Che at all. It was as if, regardless of what Huan Mo Che said, his words would have no way of interfering with the his plans.

Huan Mo Che felt bitterness in his heart, thinking that the crown prince seemed to really hate him. This was his first time being alienated and so detested by someone.

“Your Majesty!” Huan Mo Che gave a slight bow and a gentle smile, but in his heart, he was still incessantly pondering over the crown prince’s intentions.

Huan Mo Che was a man of peerless intelligence, so only a brief moment of contemplation was enough for him to understand what the crown prince wanted to do, and Huan Mo Che was willing to give the boat a push along the current.

“Caomin believes that the best solution would be to open granaries and distribute relief grains!” He proposed the simplest solution, eliciting disdain from several officials.

They also knew of this solution, but the thing was that this solution utilized the national treasury, and as imperial officials, they didn’t dare suggest it. Only this man, who served no position in the Imperial Court, Huan gongzi, would state it so bluntly.

“However, there are officials who fail to send the grains, and they fill their own pockets instead. So in the end, even if the national treasury was employed to open granaries, the common populace would still starve to death on the streets!” Huan Mo Che voiced the dark reality of officialdom, sparing any hint of euphemism, causing the officials to pale.

“Therefore, the most important matter right now is to select an official who sincerely cares for the common people and is worthy of Your Majesty’s trust. He shall be the one to distribute the relief grains!” Huan Mo Che finished with a smile and then looked at the crown prince.

As expected, the crown prince’s gaze was on him. Although there was neither sorrow nor joy in their depths, the eyes that stared at Huan Mo Che were earnest. Those eyes were breathtaking.

Shang Wuxin had always been aware that this highly-praised man was very intelligent, but she hadn’t thought that he would be able to guess her intentions so easily. Moreover, he’d even helped her a bit. She knew that this man was the son of the left premier, and the left premier…

Emperor Shang was particularly satisfied with Huan Mo Che’s “call a spade a spade” manner. Huan gongzi was wise and equally honest. It was a pity that his repetitive attempts to enlist him into the Imperial Court were all met with flat rejections. If Huan Mo Che did join the Imperial Court, then even the position of the prime minister might not be considered superior to him.

“Oh? Then who does Huan gongzi think should sent to provide relief for the south?” Emperor Shang asked. This was his way of putting Huan Mo Che in an important position. It was actually not the first time either-on countless occasions, Emperor Shang had turned to Huan Mo Che for advice, and his suggestions were usually accepted. Huan Mo Che did not disappoint him. Every time, his proposals would be reliable and foremost.

Huan Mo Che looked at the princes, and they each returned his gaze with somewhat nervous ones.

No matter who was sent to distribute the relief grains, the benefits reaped by the chosen one would be exceptional. Countless silvers could be gained. More importantly, showing one’s face while carrying out this task would ensure a good reputation, which was exactly what every single prince desired.