Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1016 - 94: Prince Han Really Overestimates Me_2

"Prince Han has typically kept himself quite hidden, steering clear of any ties with Prince Chu and his group, and he’s never clashed with them before. So why would he abruptly turn against them now?" He Lianfang believed Zhao Yao’s assumption could be off base too. "In this situation, Prince Han wouldn’t reveal his involvement."

Zhao Yao considered He Lianfang’s viewpoint to hold some validity. If his own hunch wasn’t right, then what could explain it? "Second Uncle, what’s your opinion on the cause?"

He Lianfang looked steadily at Zhao Yao and remarked, "Maybe Prince Han views you as his biggest competitor."

Hearing those words, Zhao Yao was stunned, gesturing toward himself in astonishment, "Me? You mean Prince Han sees me as his top opponent? What skills or merits do I even possess?"

He Lianfang observed Zhao Yao quietly for a moment, without responding to his query.

Zhao Yao gave a wry chuckle, "Prince Han truly thinks too highly of me."

"You pulled off that trade conference with flying colors, which put the folks in the capital on edge about you. If Prince Han regards you as his chief rival, is there anything odd about that?" He Lianfang had long sensed that Zhao Yao underestimated his own talents greatly. Leaving aside his past accomplishments, just this trade conference alone—nearly everyone, himself included, had doubted it would work out. Yet it turned into a massive hit, raking in huge profits and even scaring off the outsiders.

On the surface, organizing such a trade conference looked straightforward, but it was actually incredibly challenging. Few could manage one with such resounding success. Thanks to this event, it became clear to all that Zhao Yao’s capabilities exceeded what anyone had anticipated.

"I’m all the way out here in Swamp Prefecture—why would they feel threatened?"

"The triumph of the trade conference led Zhao Zheng to commend you openly before the court’s officials. Rumors in the capital suggest Zhao Zheng might summon you back soon. Don’t you think that would alarm them?" He Lianfang was well aware the emperor had no plans to bring Zhao Yao to the capital in the near future.

At those words, Zhao Yao’s brow furrowed, his face darkening, "Even if Father Emperor wishes to call me back, I refuse to return."

"Whether you wish to come back or not isn’t the issue—it’s how the capital views it. If they perceive you as a danger, they’ll scheme to remove you, regardless of your actions." He Lianfang moved a piece across the board, complicating the game’s layout in an instant. "You might stay out of the throne contest and flee to Swamp Prefecture, but that won’t stop the capital from targeting you."

Zhao Yao let out an exasperated sigh, "Ah, this is so frustrating. I’m not vying for the throne with them—why can’t they leave me alone?" He had hoped escaping the capital would spare him the vicious fights over succession, yet here he was, entangled anyway.

He Lianfang eyed the distressed Zhao Yao and stated flatly, "Nobody will accept that you harbor no desire for the crown."

"Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother trust my word."

"Their trust means little when Prince Dai and Prince Han don’t share it." He Lianfang dropped the topic and shifted back to Prince Han, "If Prince Han aims to take you down, how will you respond?"

Zhao Yao arched his brows and grinned mischievously, "Naturally, I’ll turn his schemes right back on him."

"So you’re thinking of poisoning Prince Han?"

Zhao Yao shook his finger toward He Lianfang, teasingly withholding details, "You’ll find out when the moment comes."

He Lianfang let it go without pressing further.

"When you head back to the capital next year for the wedding, the people there won’t allow you to slip away to Lingnan without a fight."

Zhao Yao shrugged casually, "Next year’s troubles can wait until next year." He had zero intention of going back for a marriage next year. "Right now, I’ve got plenty on my plate and can’t worry about future affairs."

He Lianfang recognized Zhao Yao’s solid hold on things, so he held his tongue.

"Now that Prince Han’s agents are in Swamp Prefecture, what’s your plan?"

"Not much—just let them keep trading." He was open to anyone conducting business in Swamp Prefecture; even Prince Han wouldn’t be turned away. Prince Dai and Prince Jing would likely send their own traders too. While he wouldn’t partner with them, he wouldn’t block their operations there either. Plus, their presence let him keep tabs on their activities.

Just days earlier, a bunch of visitors from the capital had sought out Zhao Yao, some straightforwardly, others covertly, all angling for partnerships. Zhao Yao turned down the deals but permitted them to trade in Swamp Prefecture. Still, trading there meant following his regulations. Violate them, and they couldn’t fault him for cracking down hard.

The capital envoys, though irritated by Zhao Yao’s refusal to collaborate, were relieved he’d let them trade in Swamp Prefecture and avoided forcing the issue or trying bribes.

"Letting Prince Han and Prince Dai’s men operate in Swamp Prefecture is playing with fire," He Lianfang objected to Zhao Yao’s strategy.

"Second Uncle, the riskiest spot often proves the most secure," Zhao Yao noted wisely. "Having them scheme openly where I can watch is preferable to them plotting in the shadows." His true secrets remained safe from them; he’d dangle exactly what they expected to see.

"Don’t push your luck too far." He Lianfang sighed to himself; this kid, Little Ten, was every bit Zhao Zheng’s heir.

"I won’t. It’s all firmly in my grasp." He refused to allow the capital crowd to derail his efforts.

After Zhao Yao delivered his composed words, he set down another piece, a satisfied grin spreading across his face, "Second Uncle, you’ve lost."

He Lianfang looked over the board and replied calmly, "Indeed, you’ve won." These days, facing Zhao Yao in chess had become a tough battle for He Lianfang; the young prince had outmatched him.

Zhao Yao rose and stretched lazily, "Second Uncle, I’m heading out." Duties awaited him elsewhere. "Tomorrow, I’ll be out of the Prince Mansion briefly, so rest easy here."

"What’s keeping you occupied this time?"

"The harvest," Zhao Yao answered smilingly. "Tomorrow marks the start of early rice reaping; I must inspect it."

"Hasn’t this year’s early rice been thriving? What’s left to check?"

"To gauge just how bountiful this year’s early rice harvest will be."

He Lianfang was aware of Zhao Yao’s deep investment in agriculture. Come early spring, he’d toiled in the fields for planting. To boost the yield, he’d even crafted windmills prior to the trade conference.

"This year’s early rice output ought to surpass last year’s, yes?"

"Definitely higher, though the exact increase remains unclear." Zhao Yao yearned for the maximum yield possible. "Should this year’s early rice double last year’s, the residents of Swamp Prefecture will finally eat their fill." Since arriving in Swamp Prefecture, all his efforts had centered on uplifting the locals’ welfare. "A doubled yield would mean my field innovations could spread to other regions across Great Zhou."

"Then off you go."

"Second Uncle, farewell." Leaving He Lianfang’s study, Zhao Yao made his way to his own. As he neared, Xiao Jin and General Hu bounded over excitedly.

These two thrived on the hunt and had been gone for days. Their return today meant they’d bagged plenty.

Xiao Jin and General Hu eagerly recounted their recent adventures with pride. Zhao Yao paid close attention, offering nods of approval for their prowess now and then.

Once their tales concluded, Zhao Yao abruptly sensed something amiss in what they’d just shared.