"What the King of Chu said aligns greatly with my thoughts!" Xiao Zhanping expressed his approval without any reservations.
Xiao Jinyan, standing by the side, turned green in the face.
Every time their father, the Emperor, asked for their opinions, Xiao Jinsen always managed to steal the spotlight, while he was always the one criticized and belittled.
Naturally, he felt very uneasy inside.
But in front of the Emperor, he dared not act rashly, so he could only swallow his anger and harbor jealousy.
Compared to Xiao Jinsen and Xiao Jinyan, Xiao Jinxing, standing by the side, was like an invisible man, unnoticed by anyone, merely a foil in the scene.
"Father," Xiao Jinsen, having received Xiao Zhanping’s approval, did not show any complacency. Instead, he suddenly knelt down and said solemnly, "Your son wishes to volunteer to go to Yuzhou City, to rescue the common people of Yuzhou City from their dire straits. I hope for Father’s blessing!"
Xiao Zhanping looked at Xiao Jinsen. He was naturally pleased with Xiao Jinsen’s courage and insight.
But the journey to Yuzhou was far too dangerous, he absolutely could not allow Xiao Jinsen to go in person.
Seeing that Xiao Zhanping did not agree, Xiao Jinsen pleaded again, "The epidemic is highly contagious, and sending anyone from the court at this moment would cause grievances. If we do not set an example, we cannot win over the people. I urge Father to prioritize the greater good."
Xiao Zhanping had naturally considered this.
It was a lesson from the past.
During the era of the Supreme Emperor, a severe epidemic also broke out in the Liaodong Region. The Supreme Emperor sent a high official to handle it, but the official, fearful of the epidemic, did not enter the city, nor did he timely send food and medicine. Eventually, the epidemic spiraled out of control, and the entire Liaodong Region almost turned into a mass grave.
When the Supreme Emperor learned of this, he was furious and beheaded the official in a fit of anger. Although the official deserved his punishment, it still caused turmoil in the court. Other officials were panic-stricken, fearing they would be next to go to the Liaodong Region, and they repeatedly evaded the Supreme Emperor’s orders.
Latter, an official, prepared to be beheaded, challenged the Supreme Emperor, asking why, since the lands of the Daxuan are the royal family’s territory, did the royal family not take the lead in the face of disasters? Why didn’t the Emperor send the princes to fight personally?! In the Emperor’s eyes, are the lives of his subjects considered worthless?!
The official was dismissed and exiled for the crime of great disrespect, but his words still prompted the Supreme Emperor to reflect. In wars, he could send generals to fight as it was their duty, but in natural and man-made disasters, which were unexpected, the royal family indeed should bear more responsibility!
Later, the Supreme Emperor sent his own son to control the epidemic in the Liaodong Region, thus truly winning over the officials and gaining the support of the people.
Xiao Zhanping, being such a wise man, would definitely not repeat the Supreme Emperor’s mistakes, and would surely send a prince to Yuzhou personally.
Xiao Jinsen’s voluntary request, if not for considering the dangers, Xiao Zhanping would have agreed outright.
But he had many concerns.
After all, he had few heirs, and Xiao Jinsen was the only Crown Prince he wanted to support; he could not afford any mishaps.
He said, "I understand your feelings! If it were not that my kingdom cannot be neglected, I would definitely go to Yuzhou with you to save the people from disaster. However, even before the outbreak in Yuzhou, I had already made new arrangements for you."
Xiao Jinsen was somewhat unexpected.
Logically, his father should not refuse.
During this critical period, the Emperor certainly hoped someone would take the initiative.
The Crown Prince is definitely out of the question.
It could only be him.
Yet his proactive volunteering was rejected.
Xiao Jinsen felt a bit uneasy inside, but his expression remained perfectly composed, his feigned appearance flawless.
"News from the front says the border is in critical need of aid, I need you personally to lead five thousand cavalry to support them!" Xiao Zhanping said sternly.
There were his informants in the army, and no news of an emergency at the border had come.
"But the epidemic in Yuzhou..." Xiao Jinsen appeared distressed.
In fact, he just wanted to go to Yuzhou.
He did not trust anyone else to go to Yuzhou, fearing the Military Governor there might betray him. Although ordinary people could not convict him, it could still cause unnecessary complications; hence, going by himself was naturally the best option.
Xiao Zhanping took a deep breath and suddenly turned to look at Xiao Jinyan.
Xiao Jinyan was inwardly shocked.
He absolutely could not go to such a dangerous place!
There was no way he could go!
Xiao Jinyan’s eyes visibly dodged, and Xiao Zhanping, seeing this, felt a surge of anger again.
Compared to Xiao Jinsen, Xiao Jinyan was simply useless!