Yu Hai understood the intention of the Eighth Prince, "Your Highness, I mean we can secretly win over Zheng Zhengshi." Haven’t we often secretly befriended some court officials?
The Eighth Prince shook his head and said, "Zheng Rang cannot be approached, not even privately." As he spoke, his brow furrowed, "Once I get close to Zheng Rang, I will be exposed."
Upon hearing this, Yu Hai understood the Eighth Prince’s meaning.
"Your Highness, should we just ignore Zheng Zhengshi then?" Zheng Zhengshi is a treasure, and it would be too wasteful to leave him be.
"What else?" The Eighth Prince also wanted Zheng Rang to work for him, but he currently lacked the capability to win over Zheng Rang. In fact, he didn’t even have the power to approach Zheng Rang.
Zheng Rang is a coveted figure; everyone wants to have him. Everyone is watching him, and once someone approaches him, the Crown Prince and Prince Dai will notice.
Although Zheng Rang and the Grand Commandant Zheng behind him are useful, he would not recklessly expose himself for them. He cannot afford to be exposed now, as exposing himself would be a death sentence.
He cannot come into the light now and must continue to lie low in the shadows.
"To expose myself for Zheng Rang? Do you know what fate would await me then?"
Yu Hai knew. He showed a panicked expression and quickly apologized to the Eighth Prince, "Please forgive me, Your Highness."
The Eighth Prince waved his hand, not minding Yu Hai’s earlier words.
"Do you think Zheng Rang is that easy to win over?"
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince and Prince Dai will definitely try every means to win over Zheng Zhengshi." For the Crown Prince and Prince Dai, getting Zheng Zhengshi on their side would mean gaining the Grand Commandant Zheng’s support and subsequently securing the throne easily.
"Neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Dai can win over Zheng Rang." The Eighth Prince said blandly, "Although Zheng Rang is not as esteemed as Grand Commandant Zheng, he is no fool. He can’t be unaware of the struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Dai. Besides, if Grand Commandant Zheng were in the court, he would not support any Prince but would remain loyal to the Emperor like Prime Minister He and the others."
"Even if Grand Commandant Zheng is not in the court, I believe his heart is inclined towards the Emperor. As the son of Grand Commandant Zheng, how could he run off to support other princes?" The Eighth Prince continued speculating, "Since Grand Commandant Zheng doesn’t want to return to the capital himself, he has sent his son, which means his son represents him and will only be loyal to the Emperor."
"It would be good if Zheng Zhengshi is loyal only to the Emperor. If he were won over by Prince Dai, it would be very disadvantageous for us," Yu Hai said, "At that point, the Crown Prince wouldn’t stand a chance against Prince Dai."
"Zheng Rang could never support Prince Dai. Back when Great Zhou was established, it was Grand Commandant Zheng who proposed the rule of establishing the legitimate eldest son." The Eighth Prince laughed, "Though the rule of establishing the legitimate eldest was set by Kong Family ancestors, it was Grand Commandant Zheng who brought it up again in the context of appointing the Crown Prince. It was he who initially proposed our eldest brother as the Crown Prince."
"If Zheng Rang could be won over, he could only be won over by the Eldest Brother. After all, the Eldest Brother is the rightful Crown Prince, while Prince Dai is just a concubine-born son," the Eighth Prince added, "Besides the Eldest Brother, Zheng Rang won’t be wooed by other princes."
"If Zheng Zhengshi does end up being won over by the Crown Prince, it would actually be beneficial for us."
"Unfortunately, neither Duke Zhen nor the Eldest Brother has the ability to win over Zheng Rang." As long as Duke Zhen is around, Zheng Rang could never be won over by the Crown Prince. "I worry that in the end, Zheng Rang will be won over by the Fourth Brother."
"The Fourth Prince?" Yu Hai exclaimed in surprise, "If Zheng Zhengshi is won over by the Fourth Prince, it would be very detrimental to us."
"The Fourth Brother has the ability to win over Zheng Rang, but he is likely not approaching Zheng Rang right now," the Eighth Prince mused, "Like me, the Fourth Brother is also not willing to expose himself at the moment."
"Your Highness, that doesn’t seem right— the Fourth Prince is also a concubine-born son. Zheng Zhengshi wouldn’t disregard the rule set by Grand Commandant Zheng and go to support the Fourth Prince, would he?" The Fourth Prince is capable, but he is also concubine-born.
"Let’s hope Zheng Rang won’t be swayed by the Fourth Brother." Though the Eighth Prince didn’t want to admit it, the Fourth Brother had many more advantages than he did, and the Fourth Brother was quite capable in his own right. Besides, the Fourth Brother is steady and comes across as reliable, with a very good reputation among the court officials.
"Your Highness, if in the end Zheng Zhengshi is swayed by the Fourth Prince, then we must..." Yu Hai lifted his hand and made a throat-slitting gesture.
"If Zheng Rang really ends up allying with the Fourth Brother, he naturally cannot continue living in this world." The Eighth Prince narrowed his eyes slightly, a flash of icy danger appearing in them, "Since he can’t be used by me, then he won’t be used by the Fourth Brother either." If Zheng Rang is used by the Fourth Brother, then the Fourth Brother will become difficult to handle. "If I can’t have something, the Fourth Brother certainly won’t either!"