Li Bangyan had just finished speaking when Wang Fu stepped forward directly and said loudly.
The court suddenly fell silent. Even Prince Yun Zhao Kai, who had been vying for the position of crown prince, remained silent at this moment. For Wang Fu to step out at this time truly stunned the important figures in the court.
The imperial grandson Zhao Chen was only three years old this year.
For the emperor to grant him an official position was merely a gesture of good fortune.
Since it would not be a substantive official post, there would be no conflict of interest. To oppose it at this juncture was clearly looking for trouble.
"Prime Minister Wang, is there something improper about this matter?"
Even Zhao Huan, a weakling, stood up directly at this moment to defend his son.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, please do not misunderstand. This subject harbors no disrespect towards Your Highness. Instead, it stems from a heart filled with care. I implore Your Highness to discern this!"
Even the good-natured Zhao Huan was amused to the point of laughter at this.
This was simply shameless!
It was one thing to make things difficult for him on a daily basis, but now, to make things difficult for a mere three-year-old child was truly beyond Zhao Huan's forbearance.
"Well said, a heart filled with care. I just don't know where this heart of care you speak of lies. Why haven't I seen it!"
Seeing that the Crown Prince was about to fly into a rage, Zhao Ji, uncharacteristically, did not directly express his opinion, but merely watched them with a smile.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Temporary Junior Guardian, Military Governor of Changde, and Duke of Chong are honors befitting only the Crown Prince. To bestow such treatment upon an imperial grandson seems rather improper. Those who know will understand it is Your Majesty's affection for the imperial grandson, but those who do not might think Your Majesty has already designated the next heir to our Great Song dynasty in place of the Crown Prince! Everything this subject says is for the sake of our Great Song dynasty. I beg Your Majesty to discern this!"
After Wang Fu finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Zhao Ji and remained there for a long time.
Although it was clear this was a fallacious argument, even Zhao Huan at this moment could not immediately think of a suitable rebuttal.
Even Prince Yun Zhao Kai, who was watching the proceedings with amusement, couldn't help but want to applaud Wang Fu.
While this matter did not cause significant harm to the Crown Prince, if he truly succeeded, it would be enough to disgust the Crown Prince for quite some time.
Upon hearing Wang Fu's words, even Zhao Ji suddenly realized that although this argument was somewhat far-fetched, if he were to proceed with the enfeoffment as proposed in Cai Jing's memorial, wouldn't it be a clear indication to the world that he had already decided to pass the throne to the Crown Prince?
He had not yet enjoyed the spectacle of his three sons vying against each other. Deciding the ultimate outcome at this moment seemed a bit too early.
"Prime Minister Wang's words are not without reason. In that case, issue a decree, enfeoffing Imperial Grandson Zhao Chen as Defense Commissioner of Gao Prefecture!"
Zhao Ji's statement immediately settled the matter decisively.
At this point, no matter how unwilling Zhao Huan was, he could only grudgingly accept the situation. However, being schemed against as the Crown Prince, even with Zhao Huan's temperament, he now harbored a deep hatred for Wang Fu.
"Thank you, Father Emperor!"
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Huan could only accept the imperial favor with a dark expression on his face, on behalf of his son.
Although the Wang family's actions today indirectly helped Prince Yun, Prince Yun Zhao Kai showed no intention of being polite to him. After all, in the face of the Prime Minister's position, these minor favors were insignificant.
"Very well, this position was indeed a bit too demanding for Chen'er. However, rules are rules, do you understand?"
He had originally intended to arrange something good for his imperial grandson out of his own goodwill, but now that the matter had escalated to this point.
This truly made Zhao Ji feel a bit regretful, so he comforted the Crown Prince again with gentle words.
"Your subject understands!"
Despite his immense unwillingness, with the Emperor having spoken to this extent, Zhao Huan could only participate in a display of fatherly affection with his somewhat unreliable father.
Once their performance was over, Bai Shizhong promptly stepped forward.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, last night, unidentified individuals in black clothing broke into this subject's residence and left a package outside the door of my study. After examining the contents of the package, this subject dared not act on his own and humbly requests Your Majesty's decree!"
Upon hearing this, all the officials in the hall immediately focused their attention on Bai Shizhong.
"Is that so?"
Seeing Bai Shizhong suddenly jump out at this moment, Wang Fu's heart skipped a beat. Could this old fellow be planning some trick against him?
If he were to cause any trouble in such a setting today, Wang Fu's promotion would be jeopardized.
After all, the matter of the Prime Minister could no longer be delayed. If he were to become involved in any legal proceedings at this moment, even if the Emperor favored him in his heart, he would have to be set aside for the time being.
"Where are the items?"
Zhao Ji's brow furrowed. Although he had heard from the young eunuchs of the Imperial City Directorate before ascending to the hall that Bai Shizhong had brought a package into the Imperial City today.
According to the inspection by the eunuchs of the Imperial City Directorate, the contents of the package were merely some documents and account books.
However, he had not expected this matter to be related to Wang Fu.
"They are currently outside the main hall!"
"Present them!"
Since Bai Shizhong had personally stepped forward, regardless of whether the Emperor was willing or not, he had to examine them now.
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, two young eunuchs entered from outside. One of them was holding a white package with blue flowers.
After opening the package and briefly leafing through a few pages of the account books, the Emperor's expression immediately turned grim.
Although he had long known that Wang Fu was not clean, he had never imagined that this fellow's audacity would reach such a degree.
This fellow truly dared to take any money!
Looking at Bai Shizhong's subtle smile, Wang Fu's heart tightened.
No way, this old fellow has actually made a move against me!
"Take these items to Prime Minister Wang and let him examine them himself!"
With a cold sneer, Zhao Ji closed his eyes and said to the two young eunuchs standing beside him.
"Yes!"
Although it was a simple command, the Emperor's intention immediately made those with ulterior motives feel their hearts flutter.