Chapter 145: Fatty Li's Audacity Grows

What Cai Cong actually wanted to say was that coming from a later era, his worldview and perspective on human life were naturally vastly different from those of this group of people.

"I shall return right now to discuss this with them through the night, and I will definitely give you an answer tomorrow," Fang Xuanling said as he rose to leave. Cai Cong had exerted too much pressure on him today. The sequential stratagems came one after another: first tarnishing Fang Xuanling's reputation, then forcing Fang Xuanling to approve military provisions, and finally proposing the eradication of the locusts.

Ruining his reputation provided Cai Cong with leverage over Fang Xuanling, while the concession on military provisions was Fang Xuanling's attempt to seal Cai Cong's lips. If word got out, it would seem as though Cai Cong had broken his promise, and any resistance encountered during the locust extermination would be rumored as Fang Xuanling's retaliation. One ring linked tightly to the next.

"Xu Jie! Xu Jie, get in here! This Marquis has tasks for you," Cai Cong shouted at the top of his lungs the moment Fang Xuanling left.

Xu Jie lifted the rolled bamboo curtain and beamed foolishly at Cai Cong. Ever since Dongzhu came into his life, this scoundrel wore a dazed expression of pure bliss all day long, making Cai Cong desperately want to slap him.

"Damn it all, still wearing that half-witted look? Believe it or not, I'll strip off your clothes and make you parade through the streets!"

"No, spare my life, Marquis! This humble servant knows his error." Xu Jie instantly wiped away his silly grin and trotted over to Cai Cong. That foolish expression was merely Xu Jie's way of flaunting his impending fatherhood.

"Have those slides, rocking horses, slingshots, and dominoes delivered to the Prince of Yue. Tell the Prince that he can have as many toys as he wants, provided he goes to see His Majesty, begs His Majesty to release him, and joins me in wiping out the locusts. Then I'll send him even more toys and delicious treats."

Little Fatty loved nothing more than eating and playing. Cai Cong's demand was absolute perfection, something the chubby fellow simply could not refuse. However, Li Shimin would certainly refuse. Natural disasters were heaven's punishment directed at the Emperor's own household; lacking a legitimate justification, Li Shimin could only swallow this bitter pill.

If the locust extermination failed, once the plague descended, the theory of heaven-man resonance would place all the blame squarely on the shoulders of Cai Cong and Li Tai. Little Fatty of the Li family might suffer minor consequences, but the royal reputation would inevitably take a massive blow.

Those reactionary ghosts and monsters would leap out to attack Li Shimin, forcing him to make concessions. To Li Shimin, this was utterly intolerable, as it meant relinquishing a portion of the power in his hands. In an emperor's eyes, that was no different from having his flesh carved away.

Yet what kind of person was Li Tai? He was Li Shimin's most cherished son. Li Chengqian didn't count—that was Old Er Li's Li Chengqian, upon whom Old Er bestowed a different kind of love.

As for Little Fatty, he received doting indulgence. That was why, when Little Fatty grew up, he was able to establish a literary館 to recruit scholars, and because he was too heavy, Old Er Li specially allowed him to ride a sedan chair right into the imperial court. Such pampering completely transgressed ritual norms, but Old Er Li simply did not care.

Precisely because of this, Cai Cong was certain that Little Fatty Li Tai could persuade Li Shimin. If Li Chengqian had gone instead, a harsh scolding would have been inevitable, and punishment might even have followed.

Xu Jie loaded up two carts of toys and charged straight into the Prince of Yue's estate. When he found the chubby Li Tai, the prince was reading a book, tossing a piece of food into his mouth every few glances. It wasn't because he was hungry, nor was it mere gluttony; it had simply become a habit.

Upon seeing the two carts laden with toys, Li Tai's eyes lit up instantly. He covered the distance in two or three strides and lunged forward, though he managed to restrain himself at the critical moment.

He cast a wary glance at Xu Jie, took two steps back, and said, "Knowing your master the Marquis as I do, he is certainly not the type to send gifts just because he sees me suffering. What is it he wants me to do?"

Li Tai was renowned for being the cleverest and most resembling Li Shimin in talent and decisiveness. Being exceptionally brilliant, he immediately deduced that, given Cai Cong's character, such benevolence was impossible; there had to be an ulterior motive.

"Hehehe... My Prince, what are you saying? When my Marquis learned that you were confined to the estate, he was so grieved he couldn't even eat. He went to plead with His Majesty to no avail, so upon returning, he racked his brain for a long time and had people craft all these amusing items overnight just to send to you, fearing you might feel bored."

"Bah! Your Marquis is utterly shameless, and you scoundrel tell lies without even blinking to get these words out of your mouth. As for that slide and that rocking horse, I heard your Marquis mention them ages ago. Is there that wooden horse that can actually walk?"

"Hehehe, this humble servant was merely trying to put things nicely for my Marquis! My Marquis does have a favor he needs your assistance with, though. If you are willing to agree, any number of fine playthings will be no problem at all—even a wooden horse can be arranged."

Xu Jie chuckled, entirely unperturbed by being exposed, maintaining his cheeky grin throughout.

"I knew your master the Marquis harbored no good intentions. Spit it out, what is it?" Li Tai wore an expression that said 'just as I expected.' He ordered his attendants to unload the toys, climbed onto the rocking horse, and spoke with indignant resentment.

How long had he been begging for these toys? Cai Cong had consistently ignored him, only sending them now because he needed a favor. It was sheer manipulation.

"The Marquis hopes Your Highness can seek an audience with His Majesty to request the lifting of your confinement," Xu Jie said with a solemn expression. They had already been persuaded by Cai Cong; come what may, they were determined to tackle the locusts.

However, Li Tai was different. How was he to convince his own subordinate officials? Do not assume a prince could do entirely as he pleased; more often than not, they were held in check by their staff.

"Once the confinement is lifted, the Marquis hopes Your Highness will petition the Emperor for an imperial decree to join forces with him in eradicating the locust disaster."

As soon as Xu Jie finished speaking, Li Tai's chief clerk cried out in alarm. Anyone had crushed a stray locust or two in their time, but who dared to eradicate a locust plague?

"Your Highness must never agree! The Marquis of Chang'an harbors treacherous ambitions. If you go to exterminate the locust plague, aside from the possibility of divine retribution from the heavens descending upon you, the court ministers will regard you as a heretic, and you will forever lose any chance of ascending to the supreme throne!"

Li Tai's chief clerk spoke with heartfelt earnestness, his eyes glaring fiercely at Xu Jie. A new emperor brings a new court of officials; following their master, they naturally hoped he would one day ascend the dragon throne, bringing them high office, immense power, wealth, and glory.

Often, when imperial princes were young and ignorant, these subordinate officials would instill in them the notion of seizing the throne, ultimately influencing even those princes who originally harbored no such ambitions.

In the chief clerk's view, Cai Cong's actions were merely a ploy to eliminate rivals for Li Chengqian, sweeping away Li Tai, the most favored prince. Who didn't know that Cai Cong was Li Chengqian's most capable lieutenant? It was entirely unsurprising that he would pull such a stunt.

Xu Jie looked at the chief clerk with a strange expression. The legitimate eldest son was already the crown prince, yet this subordinate official was openly discussing plotting for the throne—wasn't he just a bit too bold?

"Chief Clerk Yu, why must you be like this? How many times do I have to tell you, the one who will be emperor in the future is my older brother, not me!" Li Tai said in a mature yet profoundly unhappy tone. He had repeated this to these people countless times.

"Your Highness, you..." The chief clerk wore a look of utter agony. Not knowing what else to say, he could only shake his head helplessly. What could one do when their master lacked the drive to compete?

"What's in it for me if I help?"

Seeing his subordinate rendered helpless, Li Tai was immensely pleased. He swung his legs back and forth, tilting his head as he demanded his reward.

"My Marquis said, didn't you make quite a magnificent splash during the recent smallpox incident? This time, he can let you make an even greater splash—it all depends on whether you have the desire."

"Hehehe... Can I really make an even bigger splash?" Li Tai asked, visibly tempted. After all, being a child, aside from eating, drinking, and playing, his greatest passion was showing off.

"Naturally. My Marquis said that last time he stole the spotlight, so even taking turns, it's your turn this time. I'm only afraid you might lack the courage."

"What did you say? I lack courage? Just you wait, tomorrow morning at dawn I will go beg my Imperial Father!"

Li Tai leaped to his feet in a huff, clamoring in protest. How could he, a dignified second imperial prince, lack more courage than Cai Cong, a mere Marquis?

"In that case, this humble servant will hurry back and share this wonderful news with my Marquis. He will surely be overjoyed." Xu Jie gave Li Tai's chief clerk no chance to speak, firmly sealing the matter before turning on his heel and leaving.

This left Li Tai's chief clerk closing his eyes in sheer agony, realizing he had apparently chosen the wrong master—though whether to laugh or cry was anyone's guess.