Spy Wars: I am the Captain of the Military Police

Chapter 1047 The Interests of Certain People

Zhou Zhengqing's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if the vivid description had piqued a genuine interest: "Oh? Your Highness seems to know everything about Prince Jiuyan's itinerary."

“Well, he is, after all, a member of the royal family.” Prince Jingren waved his hand, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about a distant relative’s amusing story: “We should always show him some ‘concern,’ and besides,” he changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes: “Isn’t this all for you, my dear ‘nephew-in-law’?”

They'll find out your opponent's hand beforehand, even what color socks he's wearing, so you won't be fooled by his old-fashioned "reminiscing about glorious past" act.

The address of "nephew-in-law" was exceptionally clear, carrying a distinct hint of sarcasm.

"That's really too much trouble for Your Highness." Zhou Zhengqing's tone was flat, revealing no emotion. "However, compared to Prince Jiuyan's socks and hairstyle, I'm more curious about the details of how he was so 'concerned about the country and its people' that he almost got himself involved in that farce of the 'February 26 Incident'."

Your Highness seemed to have had more to say just now?

Prince Jingren seemed to have been waiting for these words. He leaned back on the sofa, adjusting to a more comfortable position, like a famous storyteller preparing to begin his narration.

"Since you asked, let me tell you something more interesting."

Do you know that when the incident first broke out, the situation was unclear and even my Emperor was extremely angry and found it difficult to decide how to deal with those young officers who rebelled against their superiors?

Your father, as the biggest mastermind behind it all, is under house arrest.

After a pause, Jingren seemed to be recalling an extremely absurd scene: "But this Prince Jiuyan, at this sensitive time, is doing the opposite."

He probably felt that as an elder of the royal family, he had a responsibility to "protect" those young soldiers whom they considered "loyal souls of the empire," regardless of the fact that those guys' guns almost pierced the sky.

He was so energetic and energetic that he was even more enthusiastic than the officers who were causing trouble.

Today I went to plead for him, saying things like, "Young people are impulsive and hot-blooded; their plight is pitiful."

Tomorrow I'll visit that elder again, requesting "lenient punishment to reassure the army."

Prince Kagehito mimicked an exaggerated, earnest tone, then shook his head and laughed: "The most outrageous thing is that, once, he even wanted to say a few words in defense of those people at a court meeting."

As soon as he opened his mouth, the Emperor glared at him and shut him down.

You didn't see his face then, turning pale and then red, like a parrot being choked... yeah, a parrot. Hahahaha.

"Doesn't he understand that the more he acts this way, the more it appears to outsiders that the royal family sympathizes with or even supports the rebellion?" Zhou Zhengqing interjected at the opportune moment, guiding the conversation deeper.

"Good question!" Prince Jingren gave Zhou Zhengqing an approving look, as if to say, "You really know your stuff."

"If he had truly understood, none of this would have happened. His 'kindness to elders' approach might have earned him a reputation for 'protecting the younger generation' in normal times, but in those tense moments when a firm hand was needed to enforce discipline, it was simply adding to the Emperor's troubles and handing a knife to those who wanted to take advantage of the situation."

He made the atmosphere in Kyoto even more bizarre. Many things that could have been handled discreetly were brought to the forefront because of his "enthusiastic involvement," making things difficult to resolve.

At this point, Jingren picked up his wine cup but didn't drink it. He just looked thoughtfully at the stains on the cup: "So later, the Emperor issued an edict to remove him from the imperial register. On the surface, it was a severe punishment, cutting off his future in the imperial family."

Privately, however, the Emperor once remarked to a few people that this was perhaps a form of protection for Prince Yasuhiko.

Otherwise, given the depth of his involvement at the time, how could those control wing and hardliners, who wanted to kill everyone involved in the incident, have let him off so easily?

These words, seemingly an objective analysis, actually highlight once again the delicate and awkward situation of Prince Yasuhiko, as well as the possible political alliance between him and Takasaki Motonori.

Zhou Zhengqing listened quietly, his mind racing.

“It seems,” Zhou Zhengqing said slowly, his voice low, “that Prince Jiuyan’s purpose in coming here this time is probably more to reminisce and find common ground than to hold anyone accountable.”

It's even possible... that they might find some degree of "support" or "understanding" with me.

"He understands immediately!" Prince Jingren's eyes flashed with a "teachable" light.

"He lost power, while you gained a firm foothold in North and Central China, and you also bear the surname Takasaki."

In his view, you are both the son of an old friend and a potential asset that could help him return to the stage of power.

Of course, the premise is that you have to act "sensible" enough, at least outwardly showing him, the king of the royal family, the necessary respect. He's most susceptible to that. The implication in the tone couldn't be clearer.

Zhou Zhengqing nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

He suddenly changed the subject, looking at Prince Jingren with an enigmatic smile: "Your Highness has gone to such lengths to analyze the pros and cons for the Tuo people, and even went so far as to tell the royal family's affairs in such an interesting and detailed way. This kind of 'favor' truly makes me feel flattered."

I wonder, Your Highness, is this out of concern for a friend, or... perhaps you have ulterior motives?

The question was so direct that it instantly made the atmosphere in the study subtly change again.

The firelight from the fireplace danced on Zhou Zhengqing's face, making his eyes appear unfathomable.

Upon hearing this, Prince Jingren showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Instead, he burst into laughter, his hearty and cheerful laughter dispelling some of the previous tension.

"You, Takasaki Takuto!" He pointed at Zhou Zhengqing, shook his head and laughed, "I knew it. Talking to you with too many roundabout ways is just not interesting."

"That's right, I'm telling you all this not just to amuse you, or to see how you deal with my not-so-lovable Uncle Wang."

He suppressed his smile, but his eyes still held a relaxed expression. He leaned forward and lowered his voice, even though there was no one else in the study: "It's very simple. The Emperor doesn't like Uncle Yasuhiko's outdated ways of trying to stir up trouble by relying on seniority and status."

Some old guys in the military were flirting with him, and even the Emperor found them an eyesore. And you…” Jingren looked sharply at Zhou Zhengqing: “Young, capable, and even more… insightful.”

The Emperor approves of your work in Central China, even if your methods are somewhat drastic. Sometimes, in chaotic situations, strong measures are necessary.

“So,” Prince Kagehito shrugged, making a helpless yet honest expression, “the Emperor hopes that you can remain calm and even do better.”

This serves the interests of the royal family, and in the long run, the empire... well, the interests of certain individuals.

I'm giving you a heads-up so you can see Prince Jiuyan's true strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to better deal with him. Isn't that a win-win situation?