Chapter 415: Chapter 415. The Favored Candidates

“The three candidates are Huang Zi, Huang Er, and Huang Zhan,” Huang Ti announced.

“Hahaha! I look forward to competing with you, my dear brother and sister,” Huang Zhan laughed.

Huang Zi scoffed at the statement. “Hmph! Don’t be ridiculous. There will be no competition. This is just a formality to ascertain my ascension.”

“Don’t be too cocky, you two. I assure you the throne will fall to me in the end,” Huang Er declared.

The officials on the lower floor cheered for the three candidates. They all already had the candidate to support. The three candidates had equal influence among the officials. If a conflict arose that involved them, it would be long and bloody. This was why Huang Ti resolved to use the ancient ascension trial even when such a trial consumed enormous resources.

It would be different if one party had an overwhelming advantage. If that were the case, the conflict would be quickly resolved, and the damage to the kingdom kept to a minimum. Unfortunately, it was not so.

Huang Ti lifted his hand again to silence the room. After everyone was quiet, he said, “The trial will take place four years from now. Until then, every…”

Huang Ti stopped his speech because one of his sons lifted his arm.

“San er, do you wish to say something?” He asked.

Huang Zi scoffed and said, “Little brother, this is not the place for you to make noise. How dare you interrupt father’s speech.”

“Zi er, don’t be so condescending toward your brother,” Huang Ti admonished gently. He then asked Huang San, “If you have something to say about the trial, go ahead.”

“I wish to become a participant in the trial as well,” Huang San answered.

The room turned especially quiet after his words. Everyone was trying to process what they heard. Some thought they might have heard wrong. A few thought whether the thirteenth prince hit his head or something. The remaining were simply too flabbergasted to think of anything.

It was Prince Huang Zi who uttered something first. “Preposterous! Do you think this trial is a plaything? Go back to your regular activities of drinking, whoring, and lazing around!”

Huang Ti didn’t admonish the fourth prince’s harsh words this time. He remained silent.

Huang Er spoke next, “Little brother, you shouldn’t make a joke at this time. We are discussing a serious matter.”

“Hahaha! I don’t mind if you truly want to join. The more the merrier,” Huang Zhan laughed. “No matter how many challenges there are, I will crush everyone who stands in my way and the throne!”

Zhu Yao shook his head and said, “Eighth prince, please be more reserved about saying things like harming your brothers and sisters.”

“Hah! Do you mean pretend like these clowns? Everyone here knows there will be blood to compete for the throne. At least I am honest about it. Unlike some people who did it but deny it.”

“Are you trying to imply something?” Huang Zi turned to Huang Zhan with a scowling face.

“Are you admitting it by responding to my words?” Huang Zhan returned, which caused Huang Zi’s scowl to become uglier.

“Everyone here knows what you did, brother,” Huang Er joined in. “We just lack the evidence.”

“I challenge whoever dares to say I am responsible for the death of the first and third brothers!!” Huang Zi exclaimed.

*BAM!*

A loud sound came from Huang Ti slapping the armrest of his throne. His slap was soft. The throne also didn’t suffer any damage, but the impact produced a radiating wave that swept over everyone in the room. The wave forced everyone to move back at least one step.

“Everyone, calm down,” Huang Ti said softly. The room went quiet again, so quiet that the king’s long sigh was heard especially loud.

After the sigh, he said, “Please stop fighting among yourself. I want all of you to remain quiet while I talk with San er.”

He turned to Huang San and asked, “San er, why do you wish to join this trial?”

“Because I want to be the king of this country.”

“And why do you want that?” Huang Ti asked again.

This question caused a lot of people to make funny faces, especially the three candidates already planned for the trial. They thought it was a meaningless question. To be a king was to be the most powerful person in this country. Such a person no longer had to comply with anyone but himself. It was everyone else who must comply with him. Who didn’t wish to be such a person?

While that was most people’s thoughts, Huang San maintained a serious expression. He answered his father, “I wish to become king because I have seen the state of our country and foresee its future. The country has gone through relative peace and stability thanks to your rule. People love you for it, but the situation has become more uncertain in the past few years, both domestically and worldwide.

“Within our country, we have seen a rise in the rebels’ activities. The biggest loss we suffered under their hands was the fall of Qishurg City. I experienced that disaster firsthand. It was a major blow to our country. As for outside Echos, we have heard rumors of conflicts arising between each country. If a war broke out, we will no doubt be swept in the conflict.”

“And you think you are the suitable person to deal with such uncertain matters?” Huang Ti asked.

A loud scoff was heard from Huang Zi, but he remained silent.

“I think I am better suited compared to the three candidates you have named,” Huang San answered.

After the words, Huang Zi couldn’t hold it anymore. He said, “That’s enough! You, worthless runt! Know your place!!”

“Zi er… I said be quiet while I talk with your brother,” Huang Ti uttered. His voice was gentle, but Huang Zi suddenly felt a weight pressuring his body.

Huang Zi gritted his teeth and said, “My apology, father…”

Huang Ti returned his attention to Huang San. “San er, elaborate on why you think you will be better in governing this kingdom compared to your older brothers and sister.”

“Because, unlike them, I have actual experience governing a settlement without interference from the kingdom,” Huang San answered.

When he saw the questioning looks from the others, he said, “For those who are not aware, I was the actual ruler of Qishurg City starting twenty years ago until its destruction five years ago.”

He looked back at Huang Ti and resumed, “During that period, Qishurg City underwent significant growth. When I submitted my report to father and the prime minister every five years, father always praised the result. That is proof of my capability as a ruler.”

“Haha! But in the end, the result is what matters,” Huang Zhan interrupted. “No matter how good the army and the plan are, if the war is lost, it’s a loss. There is no excuse! Qishurg City is destroyed. If you were the ruler when it happened, then that is your legacy!”

Huang Ti turned to Huang Zhan. The eighth prince said with a chuckle, “I know. I know. I apologize. I can’t help myself.”

Princess Huang Er also gave her opinion. “I agree with Huang Zhan. Furthermore, ruling one city doesn’t prove anything. I have dealt with numerous kingdom affairs from this palace. My experience in kingdom matters is way more than him.”

“Haha! Look at us agreeing with each other,” Huang Zhan told Huang Zi and Huang Er. “Nothing brings enemies together like a new enemy.”

Huang Zi harrumphed in response. Huang Er looked away.

Most of the officials on the lower floor agreed with the three. The king, however, was quiet. Prime Minister Zhu Yao looked at the king with a mixed feeling. Out of everyone here, he had been with the king the longest, so he knew what the king was thinking.

He knew that the king secretly favored Huang San the most. The king actually hoped Huang San to be his successor, because compared to his other descendants, he thought Huang San had the temperament to preserve the stability of Echos.

However, the thirteenth prince had many disadvantages. He was the youngest among his male descendants, he had almost no allies in the courts, and his cultivation was much lower compared to the three favored candidates. From every measurable metric, everyone would object if the king chose him as the successor.

This was why King Huang Ti supported Huang San’s wish to be an autonomous ruler of Qishurg City. If he did well, as Huang Ti suspected he would, he could use this success as an excuse to appoint him as a candidate for the ancient ascension trial. Unfortunately, fate was cruel. Qishurg City was destroyed by the rebels.

To make it worse, Huang San fell into a period of depression after losing Qishurg City. This was expected, but it was still disappointing. The King had resolved to let him go and only bestowed the trial to Huang Zi, Huang Er, and Huang San.

Now, Huang San displayed a desire to rise again. Huang Ti was moved, but how could he agree to it without drawing extreme dissatisfaction and disagreements from everyone?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep