Chapter 34

Editor: ghost

“Father Emperor, calm your anger,” the crown prince’s faint, cool voice sounded, “Jingzhou indeed has barren land and nine out of ten houses would be in poverty. General Zhou and Prime Minister Qi cannot bear to send their children off; it is pardonable. If your majesty decides to behead Zhou Zong Han now, I’m afraid it would cause fear in many officials’ hearts.”

“Then what do you think is the right course of action?” The emperor’s words carried a clear trace of anger.

“Father Emperor, why don’t you dismiss him from his official post using the reason of his weak body. Since he is not willing to go Jingzhou, then let him live a common person’s life. Father Emperor, he is unworthy of your anger.”

The emperor took two deep breaths and spoke to the two trembling old ministers, “Since the crown prince has pleaded for mercy, then we’ll heed his suggestion. Both of you can withdraw. If you come again, then see if we will change our decision not to kill you.”

“Thanking the emperor for his grace.”

General Zhou and Prime Minister Qi kowtowed and departed. The emperor still had some anger so he asked, “Zhou Xu ah, Zhou Zong Han is your elder brother, didn’t you know that?”

Zhou Xu shook his head to express: “Truly didn’t know.”

The crown prince interjected, “Zhou Zong Han is General Zhou’s son with his concubine. This son has seen him once or twice, but this person indeed cannot be used.”

“For what reason?”

The crown prince detailed the day Zhou Zong Han badmouthed Zhou Xu. He did not add any embellishments, simply repeating Zhou Zong Han’s original words for the emperor to hear.

The emperor shook his head and sighed, “Ai, treating his own younger brother this way. In the future, he might even oppress the common people.”

Zhou Xu went to the crown prince’s palace to eat dinner as usual. During the meal, Zhou Xu’s slender eyebrows curved slightly, “Thank you, your highness.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us. Moreover, I also dislike Zhou Zong Han.”

“Oh?”

“Because you dislike him. However why keep him alive? The emperor could have directly killed him.” In truth, the matter of sending Zhou Zong Han to Jingzhou was indeed Zhou Xu’s doing. He mentioned it in front of the crown prince and unexpectedly the latter really did it.

Zhou Xu smiled faintly and did not say anything. Zhou Xu knew that Qi Lan was a transmigrator and would bring Zhou Zong Han to earn a lot of money. Two years later, the south would have a great flood, causing a frightening plague to spread. At that time, he would let Qi Lan and Zhou Zong Han take out their wealth to save the commoners.

Of course, Zhou Xu himself would also start businesses in these two years since he did not want to have too many difficulties to cope with, especially financial ones.

Zhou Zong Han never expected that he would lose his official position without even performing any duties. However it was too late for him to cry about it.

Prime Minister Qi and Qi Lan had currently severed all relations. While General Zhou originally disliked him, this time counted as actually making an effort for him, but in the end he and Prime Minister Qi came back . Zhou Xu smiled slightly, “Long time no see, Young Master Zhou.”

“Do you have any matters to settle? Zhou Xu, your Zhou family and I seem to no longer have any relations now.”

“Correct, I do have matters. I want to ask you to donate a bit more money to the south. As you already know there was a great flood in the south and our country’s treasury is lacking in some money.”

“Hmph, blame that I’m unable to tolerate you. I’ve already said that I won’t give; it can’t be you can still forcibly snatch it?”

“But the victims in the south are all suffering. Young Master Zhou, are you not giving me face or not giving the southern common people face?”

“The southern commoners have all already starved to death. Otherwise the surviving people would have all been infected by the plague. What does this have to do with me? How laughable. Zhou Xu, please scram back to where you came from.”

“It is none of your business that the southern victims have all starved to death? Hmph, with just these words, We can graciously bestow you with capital punishment.” An aged, hoarse voice sounded. A person walked out from behind Zhou Xu. It was precisely the current emperor, except that he wore coarse robes. The crown prince and third prince were to his left and right.

Zhou Zong Han had a lifeless look in his eyes as he silently kneeled down, “This commoner pays respect to the emperor.”

Translator’s Note:

ZZH is actually disgusting… Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, regardless! See you on Monday ^^