She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 1037 - 1035: Discussing Cooperation

Upon making up his mind, Prince Fu began plotting how to eliminate Prince Yu. However, such a significant matter always takes time to plan.

But Liu Chengzhi was incredibly astute. In less than two months, by May, the Ministry of Works had not yet completed the transformation of the blast smelting furnace, yet large quantities of coal had already been transported to Huaiyuan County via the railway tracks.

Among them, there was a cartload of coal that lacked the usual glossy black color of ordinary coal. It was gray-black, with a rough surface, and much lighter in weight. The accompanying charcoal workers referred to this as coke.

After the meeting that alerted Liu Chengzhi that day, the emperor assigned the task of mining coal and removing its impurities to the Imperial Workshops Bureau. Before Liu Chengzhi and Prince Fu were even aware of the progress, they received news from the Ministry of Works that coal and coke had already been transported into the warehouse at the smeltery workshop.

Prince Fu received this news while seated in the Ministry of Revenue, in his exclusive office, pondering deeply with his eyes—where exactly had he lost time?

Assassinating a prince, especially one in power, was not an easy task. It required meticulous arrangement and precise timing.

He had moved swiftly. Next month was the birthday celebration of Old Prince Chong. Many people would be attending the banquet, making it lively, the perfect moment to make a move. All the personnel and steps were in place, just waiting for the time of the birthday feast.

But when had the Imperial Workshops become so efficient? Just over a month had passed, and the very situation Liu Chengzhi feared had already occurred.

Prince Fu sighed secretly at the unfairness of fate, yet had no choice but to proceed according to plan, striking at Prince Yu during Old Prince Chong’s birthday banquet next month. Otherwise, finding another equally lively occasion with Jinrong also present would be difficult.

Though the Ministry of Works was intensifying the production of the blast furnace for the iron-smelting furnace, a mere two months was indeed short.

By the time coke arrived, there was still only one blast smelting furnace in the world. Only this smelting furnace could test the effect of coke.

Initially, the seasoned workers at the smeltery workshop swapped out part of the charcoal with coke. Once the smelting effect stabilized, they gradually increased the use of coke until all the charcoal in the smelting furnace was replaced with coke.

Two weeks later, a batch of iron materials smelted using coke as fuel was quietly sent to the court’s armory factory.

Once these iron materials were fully made into weapons, the emperor once again left the palace. This time, he took with him Duke An, the Minister of War, and several military generals to the armory factory to inspect the quality of weapons made from new materials.

The emperor and the related military generals and officials from the Ministry of War did not widely publicize the inspection results. Even some ministers in the court, unrelated to the matter, were unaware that a batch of differently composed weapons had been created at the armory factory.

However, the records of the Ministry of Works now included a new smelted product called steel, named for its extreme hardness.

In secret, a sense of euphoria spread among some military generals and officials responsible for military equipment.

Amidst these undercurrents, the court planned to use steel to forge weapons, intending to gradually replace the weapons of the border-guarding soldiers.

This result allowed Prince Fu and Liu Chengzhi to somewhat breathe a sigh of relief. At the very least, the successful smelting of steel was completed jointly by the Imperial Workshops Bureau and the smeltery workshop. Jinrong and Ye Xinyan were not involved, or so those unaware of the situation would think.

June 18th was Old Prince Chong’s birthday banquet. Prince Fu felt prepared, having laid all the groundwork, just waiting for the day to come to execute the plan.

But things rarely go according to human will. Three days before Old Prince Chong’s birthday banquet, before the sun had fully set, a scholarly-dressed middle-aged man approached Liu Yu’s residence, announcing himself as an old friend of Liu Yu, with whom he had not met for years, and had come specially to visit.

At nightfall, Liu Yu and this scholar, reeking of alcohol, bid farewell outside the Liu Mansion. Liu Yu thoughtfully arranged for his own carriage to escort him away.

The following morning, just after the morning court session ended, a family member from Prince Fu’s Mansion reported that one of the prince’s concubines, who was pregnant, had experienced fetal movement. Despite treatment, her anxious emotion remained unstable. Hence, Princess Fu requested Prince Fu to spare some time to return and comfort the concubine.

Matters concerning the inheritance of a prince could not be delayed. Prince Fu informed the newly appointed Minister of Revenue and rode back to his mansion.

Upon entering the mansion, Prince Fu did not head to the inner quarters but went to the reception hall in the front yard. In the reception hall, Liu Yu was waiting anxiously for him.

Without much small talk, Liu Yu approached Prince Fu, saluted succinctly after their rendezvous, and then kept pace with the prince, reporting as they walked: "Last night, a scholar named Chen Xie came to see me. He immediately asked if we intended to do something during Old Prince Chong’s birthday banquet."

Prince Fu was just about to sit down by the chair at the head position when he was startled by Liu Yu’s words: "Who is he? The plan and arrangements for our endeavor should have no leaks, so how does he know?"

"Chen Xie claims to work for the Crown Prince," Liu Yu replied.

Prince Fu paused for a moment, then frowned: "The Crown Prince? What does he want to do?"

Liu Yu did not look pleased either. Their actions had been secretive, employing only the most reliable people, rendering any leak unlikely.

Yet what was the story with this Chen Xie? Just as they were about to make a move, he showed up. Moreover, he seemed to know precisely when and against whom they intended to act, which was truly shocking.

"He is here to convey a message from the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince said that Your Highness’s actions are futile; he wants to meet with Your Highness to discuss cooperation."

Prince Fu snorted coldly: "Incapable and prone to ruining things. Since entering the court, I’ve seen enough of his hedonism and inaction. Discuss matters with him? It would yield no benefits and instead lead to downfall."

Liu Yu sighed and advised, "Your Highness should meet with the Crown Prince. No matter what, nothing can go on during Old Prince Chong’s birthday banquet. Even if the drug doesn’t take immediate effect, someone already knows the plan. If something happens, it could indeed be traced back to us."

The next day, the Crown Prince happened to enter the palace to pay respects to the Empress. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After leaving the palace, he did not attempt to conceal his movements, first taking a turn in the Cabinet and chatting briefly with a few apprehensive-looking ministers. Then, after leaving the Cabinet, he turned a corner and headed to the Ministry of Revenue.

He greeted people along the way, saying he had been coming in and out of the Ministry of Revenue for many years and felt quite attached, so he was visiting.

As he walked, he waved people off, asking them not to salute. He took a turn around the current Minister of Revenue’s office, then went straight to the door of Prince Fu’s office.

Prince Fu was waiting impatiently for him. Through the open door, he could see the Crown Prince strolling leisurely towards him, accompanied by two attendants.

Upon seeing the Crown Prince for the first time, Prince Fu quickly stood up to greet him at the door.

Before he could speak, the Crown Prince cheerfully said, "Seventh brother, how have you been? How is the job at the Ministry of Revenue? This room is comfortable, isn’t it? I took great care to arrange it."

Prince Fu was displeased yet maintained his composure. After saluting the Crown Prince, he ushered him inside. The officials moving in and out of the courtyard outside stole glances at the two as they entered the room, then dispersed.