Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 158 Accusation

Chapter 158 Accusation

"He certainly won't let me go."

The Prince of Yong said disdainfully, "But he can't compete with me."

"Does Your Highness know about the Xuanwu Gate Incident?" Wang You asked.

"How could the King not know about the Xuanwu Gate Incident?"

Prince Yong frowned and asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Jiancheng also felt that victory was in his grasp and did not take Li Shimin seriously at all, which gave Li Shimin the opportunity to launch the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

Wang You said, "Li Shimin knew that Li Jiancheng would not tolerate him after ascending the throne, or perhaps he did not believe that Li Jiancheng could tolerate him."

So he took a desperate gamble and launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, and the first thing he did was kill Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Even if he failed, the other princes were far inferior to him in terms of ability and other aspects, so Li Yuan had no other choice.

Most importantly, once news of his power grab spreads, Li Jiancheng, as the crown prince, can rally countless soldiers to his cause and support him in suppressing the rebellion.

How similar is the current Prince Chong to Li Shimin back then?

The prince said that if he won, he wouldn't let the prince go. And wasn't the Prince of Yan thinking the same thing?

Since the prince's victory would cost him his life, taking a gamble offers a sliver of hope. If the prince were him, what do you think he would choose?

Prince Yong originally wanted to say that he had no chance of success, but when he thought of what Wang You had just said about Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng, wasn't that the same situation?

Li Yuan also knew that Li Shimin had too high a prestige in the army, and many of the generals in the army were either trained by him or recruited during the process of conquering the country.

These people, let alone Li Jiancheng, even the emperor himself, didn't have as much influence as Li Shimin.

Therefore, after the country was basically pacified, he not only prevented Li Shimin from leading troops, but also arranged for his confidants to go elsewhere.

Even his trusted advisors were transferred away.

The reason why Changsun Wuji was able to become the number one meritorious official of Lingyan Pavilion was not because he was Li Shimin's brother-in-law, nor because he was particularly capable.

It was because all of Li Shimin's trusted advisors had been transferred away, and during that period, it was Changsun Wuji who offered him advice and helped him contact his trusted confidants who were far away.

His ability to quickly stabilize the situation after seizing power through a coup was largely due to Changsun Wuji's efforts in winning over the Guanzhong nobility.

Did Li Shimin know that he would definitely succeed?

He didn't know either; he just knew that by then there was no turning back.

And wasn't the Prince of Chong in the same situation at this time?

The reason he felt that Prince Chong had no chance was because neither the Imperial Guards outside the city nor the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guard were ones he could win over.

Even if the Prince of Yan were to rebel, the Prince of Chong was not a son of the Emperor, so it would be useless for him to control the palace.

But Wang You was right about one thing: the first step in Chong Wang's rebellion was to kill him.

If he dies, he will not be able to see whether the Prince Chong's rebellion succeeds or fails.

"What you said does make some sense, but trying to negotiate with me without any evidence is rather naive," Prince Yong sneered.

"What if I have evidence?" Wang You countered.

"Is there any evidence?"

Upon hearing this, the Prince of Yong was overjoyed. If he could truly obtain evidence of the Prince of Chong's rebellion, then he could completely secure victory.

Moreover, it can also address potential dangers in advance.

However, he quickly calmed down and said calmly, "As long as I am careful and send people to keep a close watch on Prince Chong, he is nothing to be afraid of."

Once I ascend the throne, I'll have plenty of ways to deal with him.

You want to negotiate with me using evidence? Impossible.

However, since you reminded me, I will give you a chance. If you are willing to abandon the engagement and marry my daughter, I will not only not pursue your crimes in the future, but I will also compensate the Sheng family.

Wang You dared to come see him alone and showed no fear in front of him, which he greatly admired.

He felt that his daughter had good taste, and thought he might as well just grant Princess Jiacheng's wish.

Moreover, once Wang You agrees, he will also be given the evidence regarding the prince's claim.

"Your Highness is thinking too simply. Even if there were no guards to prevent theft the other day, does Your Highness really rely on the few servants and guards in your mansion to guard against Chongwang?"

As for close surveillance, that's even more unrealistic. Since Prince Chong intends to rebel, he will certainly be very careful.

If Prince Chong discovers something amiss, and feels that his rebellion is hopeless and he has no way out, then in his despair, he may only have one goal: to kill the prince.

Without evidence, even if the prince takes the matter to the emperor, it will be useless; it will only make the emperor think that the prince is framing him.

Wang You smiled faintly, "The evidence I have can allow Your Highness to eliminate this thorn in your side and become the Crown Prince. Does Your Highness still think it's not worth it?"

"State your conditions!" Prince Yong said after a moment of silence.

"It's very simple. The prince has arranged a marriage for the county princess. Anyone but me will do. I will immediately provide the evidence to the prince."

Wang You said.

"Is my daughter so unworthy of your attention?" the Prince of Yong said angrily.

"Your Highness is of noble birth, and I dare not presume to be worthy of such a title," Wang You said.

Prince Yong sneered, "What a fine excuse of not daring to aspire to your level. I'm very curious, where do you get the audacity to negotiate with me?"

What good will it do me if I agree now? Do you really think I won't touch you in the future?

"We'll deal with the future later. I just want to resolve the current predicament first," Wang You said, his expression unchanged.

"That doesn't seem right?"

Prince Yong smiled and said, "You're trying to buy me time so you can escape before I ascend the throne, aren't you?"

"All land under heaven belongs to the emperor; where can I escape to?"

Wang You felt a pang of panic, but his expression remained unchanged.

He was actually completely helpless; all eyes were now on the Wang family.

Moreover, it's impossible for the Wang and Sheng families to abandon everything and flee with him.

Once Wang You proposes to flee the Song Dynasty, both the Wang and Sheng families will agree to cancel the engagement and allow him to marry the Princess of Jiacheng County.

He came to the Prince of Yong to negotiate terms, thinking that after the Prince of Yong arranged the marriage for Princess Jiacheng, no one would pay attention to the Wang family anymore.

Then he told both families about his threat to the Prince of Yong to negotiate terms, letting them know that there was no way out.

Only in this way can he get both families to flee with him.

Wang You was not worried about whether he could escape the Song Dynasty.

Firstly, even if the Prince of Yong wanted to take revenge on him, it would only be after dealing with the Prince of Chong.

Before that, the Prince of Yong would never have paid him any attention.

Since the Wang and Sheng families had not committed any wrongdoing, they could find an excuse to stay indoors and secretly leave Bianjing, and no one would know in a short time.

But he didn't expect that the Prince of Yong would guess his thoughts.

"Whether you want to escape or not is not important. I can agree to your conditions, but I will send people to keep an eye on the Wang family."

The Prince of Yong said, "So you still insist on your conditions?"

Wang You fell silent upon hearing this; the Prince of Yong had gambled away his entire future.

Even if he could find someone to monitor him, as long as Prince Yong arranged for daily reports, he would have no way to stop him.

"I have a solution."

Prince Yong smiled and said, "If you marry my daughter, I will allow you to take a concubine."

At that time, you will be my son-in-law, and you will not need to worry about me retaliating against you.

"And your fiancée from the Sheng family, although she has become a concubine, I will compensate the Sheng family, how about it?"

"Let me in!"

Just then, the reprimanding voice of the County Magistrate of Jiacheng came from outside.

Prince Yong frowned slightly and said, "Let her in!"

Those who were blocking the county magistrate of Jiacheng quickly made way.

Princess Jiacheng rushed in, glaring at Prince Yong: "Father, why are you making things difficult for Brother Ziqian?"

"Am I making things difficult for him?"

The Prince of Yong pointed to himself, then said angrily, "When have I ever made things difficult for him? It is you who keep saying that I made things difficult for him, yet you made things difficult for your father, who has always doted on you, for the sake of an outsider!"

"Then why did Father have people guarding outside?" Princess Jiacheng's imposing manner also weakened somewhat.

The Prince of Yong, too lazy to explain, pointed at Wang You and said, "This is the person you've taken a fancy to. I've already agreed to let him take a concubine, but he still refuses to marry you."

"This is my own choice, and Brother Ziqian is already engaged. The more he does this, the more it shows that he is loyal and righteous," said Princess Jiacheng.

"Then why didn't you grant his wish? Now the scandal is known throughout Bianjing."

Prince Yong said, "Do you know how everyone outside is laughing at me? You've completely disgraced the royal family."

Princess Jiacheng paused for a moment upon hearing this, and then said, "Father, may I speak a few words with Brother Ziqian alone?"

'

"snort!"

Looking into his daughter's eyes, the Prince of Yong wanted to refuse, but the words remained unspoken.

He snorted coldly, got up, and left the main hall.

"Brother Ziqian, I'm sorry," Princess Jiacheng whispered.

"Doesn't the county princess think it's a bit late to say these things now?" Wang You said calmly.

"It's a bit late."

The county magistrate of Jiacheng said, "I am also reflecting on whether it is worth doing this."

Perhaps you're right, it's not you I like.

Perhaps because my father and his family spoiled me too much when I was young, I never considered the consequences.

I thought that if I did this, my father would agree, and my brother Ziqian would also agree because he would have no other choice.

I never expected it to turn out like this.

"It's pointless for the county magistrate to say these things now; solving the current problem is the key," Wang You said.

"I see."

Princess Jiacheng said, "Now only Brother Ziqian can marry me. I guarantee I can persuade Father to let you marry Miss Sheng as your secondary wife."

"Look—"

"Brother Ziqian, please listen to me."

Princess Jiacheng said, "If you marry me, it's up to you whether you sleep with me or not. After Father ascends the throne and builds a princess's residence for me, it's up to you even if you don't step into the princess's residence."

"But I don't trust what the county princess says," Wang You said.

"I know your brother Ziqian doesn't believe me, but there's no other way right now. You can only trust me this once."

The Lady of Jiacheng said with a sorrowful expression, "Now that things have come to this, is there any need for me to lie to you?"

Even if I do nothing, my father will use all sorts of methods to force you to agree.

Wang You remained silent for a long time before saying, "I hope the county magistrate will keep her word."

"Don't worry, I will definitely do what I said I would do," Princess Jiacheng said firmly.

"However, I need His Highness Prince Yong's personal consent before this can be done!" Wang You said.

"good!"

Princess Jiacheng said, "Brother Ziqian, please wait a moment!"

After saying that, she walked out. Wang You watched her leave and rubbed his head.

He still didn't believe Princess Jiacheng, and even if Princess Jiacheng's words were credible, the two of them would be husband and wife in name only.

Would the Prince of Yong and his wife be willing to do so?

Once the Prince of Yong ascends the throne, he won't have a choice anymore.

But he had no other choice at the moment, so he could only agree and see how things went.

Wang You waited for about half an hour, when footsteps sounded outside, and only Prince Yong entered.

"I agree to let you take a concubine, but when you do, everything must be kept simple and you must not make a big fuss!" Prince Yong said with a dark face.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Wang You bowed and said.

"If you dare to betray my daughter, I will castrate you!" Prince Yong said coldly.

Wang You did not respond to this.

"What evidence is there regarding Prince Chong's alleged rebellion?" Prince Yong asked.

"I don't have direct evidence."

"You dare to play me, kid?"

The Prince of Yong retorted angrily, "Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"Your Highness, please calm down."

Wang You said, "I just don't have direct evidence, but I know that in recent months, Prince Yong has been secretly buying a large number of beautiful women from Jiangnan and bringing them back to the capital."

Given the Prince of Yan's status, there's absolutely no need for him to take a concubine.

"I understand. Go back and wait to marry my daughter!" Prince Yong said, waving his hand.

"I'll take my leave!" Wang You bowed and withdrew.

After Wang You left, the Prince of Yong immediately sent people to investigate whether any of the generals of the city defense camp and the five city garrisons had recently taken on concubines.

He didn't completely believe what Wang You said, but assuming that what Wang You said was true, with a large number of beautiful women being sent to the capital, and the city defense battalion responsible for guarding the city gates, it was impossible that no news had gotten out.

Unless someone is covering for Chong Wang.

The only people that Prince Chong could directly win over were the generals of the city defense battalion and the five city garrison.

If we investigate these generals, we will surely find some clues.

Soon news came back that nearly half of the more than one hundred military officers above the rank of commander in the city defense battalion and the five city garrisons had taken a concubine in the last two months.

It was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines, and taking concubines was not done in a big way. Since no one deliberately kept track of it, no one noticed anything amiss.

The generals didn't deliberately hide the news; their families and servants all knew.

By simply contacting the servants who went out to make purchases for these generals, and asking them a few questions, one could easily extract information from them.

Although there is no direct evidence, this is enough.

Prince Yong immediately went to the palace to request an audience with the Emperor.

After meeting the Emperor, Prince Yong requested to speak privately about important matters. The Emperor did not think much of it and dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs from the hall.

"Speak, what is it?" the official said, waving his hand.

"Your Majesty, I have learned by chance that Prince Chong secretly purchased a large number of beauties from Jiangnan and brought them to the capital. These beauties eventually became the concubines of the generals of the city defense camp and the five city garrisons."

"According to my investigation, more than half of the generals in the city defense battalion and the troops of the five cities have taken a concubine in the past two months, and their accents are all from the Jiangnan region," said the Prince of Yong.

The official's expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I know, but the matter is of great importance, and I dare not remain silent," said the Prince of Yong.

The official remained silent for a moment before saying, "Don't make this public. You may leave."

"Your subject takes his leave!" Prince Yong bowed and withdrew.