Chapter 18: The Crown Prince Ascends to Power

Chen Xingtian immediately issued an order to promote this woodblock printing method throughout the nation.

Chen Mu meticulously documented the process of making and printing with woodblocks and handed it over to Chen Xingtian.

The ten craftsmen previously summoned by Chen Mu received generous rewards.

As for Chen Mu himself, Chen Xingtian grew increasingly appreciative of him.

Not only did he discuss most of the court’s affairs with Chen Mu, but even the memorials submitted by ministers were all given to Chen Mu for review first.

Naturally, Chen Mu welcomed this opportunity. With each memorial he read, he gained deeper insight into the state of the country.

At the same time, he learned more about the minister who submitted each memorial.

Thus, after some time, Chen Mu gradually formed a preliminary understanding of the ministers at court.

Some were loyal, some timid, some greedy...

Chen Xingtian, as emperor, was surrounded by these ministers daily and perhaps did not see them clearly.

But Chen Mu, with his modern perspective, found their nature transparent and obvious.

For example, the Minister Zhang who had always opposed him.

Not only did Zhang harbor prejudices against Chen Mu, but he was also narrow-minded.

Whenever someone said a word or two against him in court, Chen Mu would soon see a memorial from Zhang accusing that person.

Unfortunately, Zhang held high office and managed the state treasury.

Such a position could not be easily changed.

Changing the official was trivial, but the state’s finances were a matter of great importance.

Moreover, although Zhang’s character was average, he had held this post since Chen Xingtian was crown prince.

Over many years, he had not made any major mistakes.

And if Zhang’s position were changed, there would be widespread complications and trouble.

Therefore, even if Zhang sometimes acted inappropriately, Chen Xingtian simply turned a blind eye and let things go.

But Chen Mu was not so tolerant.

Why should I indulge you? Not a chance.

You are not the only one capable of holding this position.

There are plenty of suitable candidates—why should you remain in office forever?

With this thought in mind, Chen Mu raised the idea of replacing Minister Zhang several times with Chen Xingtian.

But each time, Chen Xingtian refused.

The reasons were simple.

First, he feared that changing such an important post might disrupt the state’s finances.

Second, Zhang was a senior statesman; removing him without cause would be improper.

Third, and most importantly,

Zhang had served in court for many years and held great power, thus he had many allies.

Facing such a political faction, without sufficient and convincing reasons, even Chen Xingtian could not punish Zhang.

Furthermore, because Zhang was narrow-minded, few dared oppose him in court.

In summary, it came down to one thing:

Minister Zhang’s high position and extensive influence made him difficult to manage.

“If we can find irrefutable evidence of Zhang violating the law, then handling him would not be impossible,”

Chen Xingtian finally told Chen Mu.

Chen Mu had his own ideas regarding this.

Judging from Zhang’s behavior, he was certainly not a virtuous or honest man.

For someone like him to occupy such a post, it was almost impossible that he was not corrupt.

As for why the emperor had not discovered anything after so many years, it merely showed this old fox was cautious and meticulous, leaving no trace.

Moreover, he probably never made any major moves.

With these thoughts, Chen Mu devised a plan.

He approached Chen Xingtian and suggested that, in order to hone his own skills as a ruler, most state affairs should be entrusted to the crown prince for half a year.

During this period, Chen Xingtian would continue to attend court and handle core state affairs, but all other memorials would be reviewed by the crown prince.

Chen Xingtian agreed without hesitation.

Lately, the crown prince had surprised him time and again.

He was eager to give his son proper experience.

Now that Chen Mu proposed such a plan at just the right moment, he had no reason to refuse.

The next morning at court, Chen Xingtian announced this news to all ministers.

“From today onward, all officials’ memorials shall be submitted to the crown prince for processing.”

Chen Mu’s intention was straightforward.

With the emperor stepping back from daily affairs, leaving them to the crown prince, many would inevitably feel he lacked experience for such responsibility.

In such circumstances, Minister Zhang would surely let down his guard.

If he intended to do anything, now he might dare to act more boldly.

As soon as Zhang made a move, Chen Mu would have no trouble catching him in the act.

After Chen Xingtian’s announcement, many ministers voiced their opinions.

Several believed the arrangement was unwise.

To abruptly entrust all state affairs to a crown prince who had never managed them alone might invite chaos.

Chen Mu noticed that, contrary to his usual habit of commenting on everything, Minister Zhang was unusually silent.

It seemed Chen Mu’s suspicions were correct—Zhang must have his own calculations.

Chen Xingtian, however, remained firm in his decision, and seeing their advice was fruitless, the ministers ceased their objections.

Thus, Chen Mu effectively and temporarily assumed the management of the nation.

At first, Chen Xingtian worried that Chen Mu might be overwhelmed by the complexities of state affairs.

But within a few days, he realized he had underestimated his son.

Chen Mu not only handled government matters efficiently and without error,

but in certain cases, Chen Xingtian felt his son’s solutions surpassed his own.

With Chen Xingtian’s tacit approval, Chen Mu even carried out several small-scale reforms,

all of which achieved notable success.

After some time, Chen Xingtian finally relaxed.

Having ruled for decades, he could at last take a well-deserved rest.

Truthfully, none of this was particularly difficult for Chen Mu.

The entire Xia Dynasty appeared to him as a very simple administrative system.

Though the daily affairs seemed complicated, most were much the same.

Chen Mu merely needed to spend some time each day categorizing all affairs; this saved him tremendous time when processing them.

Chen Xingtian did not understand these methods—he simply felt his son was a talented ruler and was deeply gratified.

The officials went from initial suspicion and concern to praise and affirmation.

The abilities the crown prince displayed were unlike those of any young man they’d ever known.

Meanwhile, Chen Mu continued to manage the daily affairs of the nation, patiently waiting for Minister Zhang to make a wrong move.

Although Zhang’s memorials had contained no issues lately,

Chen Mu knew he was testing him, especially to see whether he was being targeted.