"Divisions emerged in the New Song Kingdom's court.
Some argued that Zhao Kuangying should be brought back to inherit the throne, no matter the cost.
Others argued that a country could not go a single day without a ruler. Since Zhao Kuangying was absent, the line of succession should move down one place, and the second heir should become king.
But just two days later, the second heir was assassinated!
The third and fourth heirs were pointed to as the culprits...
What a tangled mess!"
Liu Zhi muttered as his jaw dropped.
"Heh, the big financial clans have made their move."
A glint flashed in Mingzhi Guangxiu's eyes.
"Over the past few centuries, as the New Song Kingdom continuously promoted mercantilism, several major financial clans took shape within its borders.
They forged ties with members of the royal family and gained control over many sectors of the New Song Kingdom's economy, forming monopolies of varying sizes.
At the same time, their influence within the kingdom continued to grow.
Nearly every heir to the throne had the backing of a different financial clan.
With the old king dead and the new king yet to be chosen, these clans saw an opportunity. Naturally, they'd take action!"
"Exactly. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If Zhao Kuangying had been in the kingdom, the old king's death would have put him on the throne as the first heir.
He also had the strongest support behind him.
The New Song Kingdom's succession would have been all but settled.
But the timing was unfortunate. At this crucial moment, Zhao Kuangying was alone and far away in the Qianniu River System.
That left his supporters without a leader.
They could only struggle to hold off the other heirs from taking the throne for now.
But this also left