Chapter 894 - 894 32 Good Hoeing Makes the Wall Fall

Chapter 894: Chapter 32: Good Hoeing Makes the Wall Fall Naturally_5 Chapter 894: Chapter 32: Good Hoeing Makes the Wall Fall Naturally_5 “Yes, ‘roadshow,’ just hearing it doesn’t sound like a proper name. Ming Yuan isn’t usually like this; it must be that Wang family stirring things up behind the scenes,” Emperor Longchang huffed, “It’s embarrassing; he’s lost all the face of the royal family. Look at these impeachment memorials, they’ve piled up nearly as high as a desk. It’s just a major project, couldn’t he have proposed it at The Grand Assembly and had it discussed collectively by the ministers?”

“Well, Your Majesty…” Old Yao’s corner of the mouth twitched slightly and he gently reminded him, with a touch of embarrassment, “Dozens of years ago, An Commandery Prince did propose the development of the Great Desert at The Grand Assembly, and he was verbally attacked by all the ministers. Among them, the most vicious critic…”

At this point, he opened his mouth but didn’t dare to continue.

Emperor Longchang’s face turned awkward as he too remembered the past event. The person who had been the most vicious critic was none other than himself, wasn’t it?

But he couldn’t be blamed for that, for at the time, first, he felt that Wu Mingyuan was too overly imaginative, as many Prominent Families had failed to cultivate the land before, and Wu Mingyuan’s plan seemed very unlikely to succeed. Second, it was because he was advanced in years and his pioneering spirit had long been worn thin.

Furthermore, with the Kang Commandery Prince, Wu Chengsi, and his faction making a fuss and pressing him, he felt that Wu Mingyuan simply wanted to use this project to win over people’s hearts, to raise the status of a Quasi Emperor’s Son, and to struggle vainly.

However, what he did not expect was that Wu Mingyuan actually took the development of the Great Desert seriously and, over the decades, managed to turn the barren Anbei Command into an impressive experimental land, which somewhat served the purpose of a granary.

Based on this accomplishment, proposing to develop the Dala Desolate Desert was naturally a different matter.

Detailed data, a clear development path, future risks, and benefits – all were based on real accomplishments, making the proposal infinitely more convincing compared to Wu Mingyuan’s initial plan, which was just tall talk.

Moreover, with the support of figures like the Great Heavenly Proud, Li Yao and Zong’an, the credibility and feasibility of the project increased even more. Even Emperor Longchang felt that as long as An Commandery Prince was willing to put in the hard work, this project was likely to succeed.

“Hmph, it all sounds so noble, saying that this is just about making everyone rich together, and has nothing to do with the competition for the title of Emperor’s son,” Emperor Longchang thought bitterly, as if he had forgotten everything he’d just recalled, and naturally shifted the point of his criticism, “When all is said and done, Wu Mingyuan and the Wang family are just trying to gather support. Otherwise, why didn’t they go to Kang Commandery Prince’s Residence to seek investment?”

“This… Your Majesty, An Commandery Prince has already been to Kang Commandery Prince’s Residence,” Old Yao’s mouth twitched again as he spoke in a low voice, “but the Kang Commandery Prince’s wife, Zhao Yijing, hastily received them and then used the excuse that the Prince was not at home, saying it was inappropriate to make decisions without him, and politely sent them away…”

Speaking to this point, even he could not help but feel embarrassed for Emperor Longchang, maintaining his professionalism with great effort to stifle a laugh and not lose his composure.

He knew the Emperor well, aware that Emperor Longchang was actually somewhat in agreement with An Commandery Prince’s development plan and wasn’t truly angry. He was just annoyed that An Commandery Prince had acted without consulting him, feeling slighted and unable to resist voicing complaints.

“A pretense. He’s merely taking advantage of the fact that Kang Commandery Prince is at the battlefront abroad and not at home to pretend, in order to promote his own selflessness,” Emperor Longchang’s mouth twitched too, then once again feigned forgetfulness and focused on the next criticism, “If An Commandery Prince really had the country’s interests at heart, why didn’t he come to discuss it with me? Does he see me as a foolish, obstinate Emperor?”

“He must still hold a grudge from the slight scolding I gave him years ago and is bent on proving me wrong,” Emperor Longchang projected his own thoughts, growing convinced of this explanation.

No sooner had he spoken than an eunuch came to report from outside, “Your Majesty, An Commandery Prince along with the Great Sky Pride of the Changning Wang Clan, Zong’an, respectfully request an audience.”

Emperor Longchang’s face stiffened.

Wu Mingyuan was truly not giving him face. He had just finished complaining about the man’s pettiness, and there he was asking for an audience? Does Longchang have no dignity?

“Old Yao, that brat Wu Mingyuan now comes seeking an audience; it’s most likely that his grand undertaking has encountered difficulties,” Emperor Longchang fell silent for a while, finally finding a pretext and pretended to ponder, “What do you say, should I meet with him or not?”

Knowing the Emperor’s intentions well, Old Yao bowed his head with a sycophantic smile, “Your Majesty has always been magnanimous and caring towards the younger members of the family. You cannot keep dismissing An Commandery Prince, he is also the direct descendant of Princess Qingluo’s line, the father of Little Princess Yiluo. Besides, with the newly prominent Great Sky Pride Zong’an accompanying him, Your Majesty certainly wouldn’t refuse to see them.”

“Hmph, you old fox, presuming to know the imperial will, we’ll settle this later,” Emperor Longchang scolded with a smile and then cleared his throat, becoming solemn once more, “However, for the sake of Yiluo and Great Sky Pride Zong’an, I must offer some face. I also want to see what that lad has to say. Old Yao, announce~”

With a flattering laugh, Old Yao excused himself before going out to solemnly announce, “His Majesty summons An Commandery Prince and Wang Zong’an for an audience.”

Old Yao’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried precisely all the way to the gates of the Imperial City.

After a short while, An Commandery Prince and Wang Zong’an, led by the eunuch, arrived at Zhuozheng Pavilion to have their audience.