She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1036 - 1034: She Cannot Be Touched

Prince Fu spoke with a sharp glint in his eye, "Minister Liu rushed here just to tell me that there is no longer an opportunity to intervene in the craftsmanship industry?"

He recalled the look Jinrong gave him before entering the palace. It was a blatant provocation, mocking him for his years of efforts, yet Jinrong navigated the Imperial Court with ease, mocking him for his inevitable downfall!

Even Liu Chengzhi hesitated in how to deal with the current situation. Should he tie himself to Prince Fu and take a desperate gamble, or break away from him? He had cooperated with Prince Fu for many years, entangled too deeply; extracting himself would be almost impossible.

If the Ministry of Revenue is a place of financial manipulation, then the Ministry of Works is the source of wealth.

The Ministry of Works is a money-consuming place, with various construction funds allocated annually taking up the court’s major expenditures. If managed properly and discreetly, without breaking the law, it would ensure prosperity for the officials involved.

Before Prince Fu assumed control of the Ministry of Works, Liu Chengzhi had already been operating there for years. Starting as a practical official, he steadily rose to the position of Minister, amassing considerable wealth along the way.

Throughout this time, he only did one thing well, which was the proper use of the Silver Tael allocated by the court. Handling the court’s affairs steadily, without harm to himself or his subordinate officials, was the hallmark of a capable officer. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

In the political path, the higher the position, the greater the power, but also the closer the margin between honor and disgrace. If Prince Fu loses influence today, his affiliated officials would face decline tomorrow.

In serious cases, adversaries—even those with enmity—might dig up old accounts to ruin them.

Having served as an official for so many years, who doesn’t have scandals? Even if they don’t, losing power would expose them to fabricated accusations.

Therefore, the ship of Prince Fu cannot sink.

Liu Chengzhi said, "Your Highness, we must think of a way to curb Prince Yu’s influence. Otherwise, Your Highness and his subordinates might truly miss their chance."

Prince Fu’s demeanor slightly relaxed; Liu Chengzhi was overly cautious, always seeking a perfect solution. However, these words were reasonably said.

Humph! Minister Liu has been in a high position for years, yet he can’t grasp such simple matters? Since choosing to support a prince, there’s no turning back. Unless they haven’t offended anyone, or they willingly forgo official status to become dependent gentry, witnessing early family decline.

"Minister Liu mentioned this today; has he thought of something crucial?" Prince Fu recalled Liu Chengzhi’s reporting of the emperor’s discussion today, but seemingly without anything special.

Liu Chengzhi spoke slightly bitterly, "Did Your Highness notice the mention of coal mines during today’s discussion?"

"Coal mines? That black stone coal?"

"Yes, coal. Without steam engines or blast furnaces for smelting, coal mines are practically useless. It might serve some purpose for common folk, but for officials and wealthy individuals, coal is far inferior to top-quality charcoal for heating or cooking."

Prince Fu began to grasp, "Operating steam engines and participating in smelting require no special conditions; for steam engines, as long as the coal’s firepower is strong, it is greatly beneficial. Impurities or black smoke are inconsequential."

Liu Chengzhi nodded, "Moreover, Ye Xinyan suggested today to try using charcoal-making methods to process coal. I believe that this should be feasible, and might succeed in a very short time. If they remove impurities from coal for smelting, it might produce astonishingly fine iron materials. This achievement would be immense."

Liu Chengzhi frowned, today’s discussion left him deeply worried. The woman’s mind, Ye Xinyan, is beyond understanding. She and the craftsmen under her, and the Mechanical Workshop, cannot be judged by common sense.

If Ye Xinyan cannot be utilized by Prince Fu, she might need to be eliminated. Staying an extra day would provide Prince Yu additional leverage for succession.

Prince Fu’s gloomy mood found resolution; he slightly narrowed his eyes, masking the murderous intent in his gaze, "Minister Liu means..."

Liu Chengzhi clenched his teeth, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Yu’s reputation and his place in the emperor’s heart have become too high and important."

Prince Fu contemplated, waiting for Liu Chengzhi’s further words.

"Your Highness, Ye Xinyan is indeed troublesome; she can’t continue working for Prince Yu."

Prince Fu frowned. What kind of ridiculous suggestion is this? After contemplating for so long, he came up with this? Jiang Yifan and Jinrong are close allies, and Ye Xinyan started business collaborations with Jinrong during difficult times, so how could this bond be broken?

Prince Fu suddenly glanced at Liu Chengzhi... Could Liu Chengzhi mean to kill Ye Xinyan or Jinrong?

Liu Chengzhi nodded, "His Majesty wishes to change the situation of the world, to create an epoch-making dynasty during his reign. Every achievement from Ye Xinyan’s Mechanical Workshop adds leverage to Prince Yu’s succession. Your Highness must find a way to remove one of them."

Liu Chengzhi’s role was akin to Han Yanhui’s role to Jinrong. As Chancellor of the Cabinet, they assisted the emperor in handling state affairs. They could support princely policies but must not openly align with a prince.

Liu Chengzhi had spelled it out; after dismissing him, Prince Fu contacted his confidants overnight to discuss countermeasures.

Liu Yu frowned as soon as he heard Prince Fu’s intention: "Ye Xinyan cannot be touched."

The emperor aims for accomplishments unlike those understood by others, wanting to be a revolutionary monarch, remembered through the ages. This historical process and epoch-making industry are closely tied to Ye Xinyan’s Mechanical Workshop.

They had considered eliminating Ye Xinyan, but it was too difficult, hence it hadn’t been done. The guards of the Jiang Family were all from Duke An’s Mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion—formidable foes. Additionally, the Jiang Family housed a Jianghu individual, difficult to deal with.

Moreover, under current circumstances, even if quietly successful, harming her is inadvisable.

The emperor relies on Ye Xinyan’s ideas to usher in a glorious era; killing her would cut off the emperor’s aspirations. Any flaw, even the emperor’s mere suspicion, would spell disaster for their faction.

By then, would Prince Fu still contend for the throne? He might be directly dealt with by the emperor.

Liu Yu glanced at the people in the room.

It was near midnight, several lamps lit the room dimly. In the shadowy light, everyone’s expressions were inexplicably solemn.

Liu Yu spoke softly, "Rather than target Ye Xinyan, undermining the emperor’s ambitions, it’s better to deal with Prince Yu."

After a brief pause, he continued, "Despite Prince Yu’s favor, he is just a prince. Without him, there’s Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and several young royal brothers. He is far less important than Ye Xinyan."

Jiang Shuyuan, Prince Fu’s cousin, also gritted his teeth and supported forcefully, "Mister Liu is right; history is full of fraternal conflicts. The struggle for the throne has always been winner-takes-all. If we seize the chance to kill Prince Yu, it’s merely a sibling conflict; it’s trivial for princes vying for the throne."

Cheung Chi hesitated briefly, and upon Prince Fu’s gaze, he nodded, "Alright, without Prince Yu, would Jiang Yifan and Ye Xinyan follow him to the grave? At that time, Your Highness will lead national industrial development, and whatever Ye Xinyan creates, it will be a tribute to His Majesty."