Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 996 - 84: Grand Commandant Zheng Disliked by His Sons (Part 2)

Zheng Qian, realizing his attempts to persuade were futile, inwardly unleashed a torrent of curses at his father. He vowed to hash things out with Grand Commandant Zheng once he set foot in Swamp Prefecture.

"Fine, Grand Commandant Zheng is on his way to meet you both. Being his sons, you ought to feel delighted."

Zheng Cheng's heart swelled once more with excitement and eagerness, while Zheng Qian remained seething with irritation.

Zhao Yao dropped the topic of Grand Commandant Zheng and shifted to discussing the final days of the trade conference.

Once lunch was done, Zheng He and Zheng Qian departed from the Han Prince Mansion to handle their individual tasks.

With a bit of time before the afternoon football game, Zhao Yao didn't hurry to the Cuju Field; instead, he headed back to his study for some rest. The impending arrival of Grand Commandant Zheng in Swamp Prefecture didn't bother him in the least.

Upon hearing the faint rolling of wheelchair wheels approaching from beyond the study door, Zhao Yao kept his eyes closed, though a sly, knowing smile tugged at his mouth.

Moments later, He Lianfang's voice echoed from just outside the study entrance.

"It’s me."

Zhao Yao: "Uncle, come in."

He Lianfang maneuvered his wheelchair forward gradually, spotting Zhao Yao at the desk examining some document, and inquired, "What are you looking at?"

"A contract." Zhao Yao lifted his gaze to meet He Lianfang's and grinned, "At this time, Uncle, aren't you supposed to be resting? What made you seek me out?"

He Lianfang gazed at Zhao Yao and cut straight to the chase, "Zheng Xilin is heading to Swamp Prefecture—what do you make of it?"

Zhao Yao skipped questioning how He Lianfang had learned of it. He shrugged casually and replied, "I have no particular thoughts."

At that, He Lianfang arched an eyebrow faintly: "Are you hoping he'll come?"

"Uncle, Grand Commandant Zheng's visit to Swamp Prefecture is purely as a father checking on his two sons. Why would I object?" Zhao Yao winked playfully at He Lianfang, "Since he hasn't mentioned it to me, I'll act completely oblivious."

He Lianfang found Zhao Yao's response somewhat unexpected.

"Zheng Xilin's eager journey to Swamp Prefecture—aren't you going to seize this chance?"

"Uncle, are you hinting I should use this to form an alliance with Grand Commandant Zheng?" Zhao Yao chuckled wryly at himself, "The Emperor himself couldn't lure Grand Commandant Zheng back to the capital to support him— what power do I possess to gain his backing?"

With clear insight into his limitations, Zhao Yao added, "Grand Commandant Zheng has chosen a reclusive life in the hills, obviously steering clear of the court's intrigues. Why bring humiliation upon myself? Moreover, I'm not in the running for the throne, so no need to fawn over Grand Commandant Zheng. Even if I could somehow enlist his aid, it'd be squandering his potential."

"Why would having Zheng Xilin support you count as squandering?"

"I'm not chasing the throne—keeping him in Lingnan to aid a mere Han Prince like me would be a misuse of his gifts," Zhao Yao believed enlisting Grand Commandant Zheng would be excessive overkill. "A figure of Grand Commandant Zheng's caliber working under me would suffer undue hardship; he ought to stay aiding the Emperor, strengthening Great Zhou further. Sadly, he refuses to head back to the capital." Emperor Zhao isn't akin to the historical Han Gaozu's Zhao Yao; Grand Commandant Zheng doesn't need to step back like Zhang Liang did, yet he abandoned the court for a simple farmer's life back home. Truth be told, for a talent so immense, failing to harness his skills for the people's good baffles him. Still, people pursue their own paths, and he can't deem Grand Commandant Zheng's premature withdrawal as mistaken.

"If you see value in Zheng Xilin, why not attempt to keep him in Swamp Prefecture for your assistance."

Zhao Yao dismissed it with a wave, saying, "No thanks, I've got Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian as brothers already." Should he aim for the throne, he'd plot to sway Grand Commandant Zheng, but he merely seeks to remain the Han Prince in Lingnan; the capabilities of Grand Commandant Zheng's sons suffice for him; he requires no more from the father. "I refuse to court unnecessary problems." His schedule's packed as is, and he avoids any capital misconceptions that could drag him into peril over Grand Commandant Zheng.

"Uncle, should Grand Commandant Zheng pique your interest, feel free to meet him."

He Lianfang replied, "I will go see him." He planned a subtle test of Zheng Xilin's intentions.

Zhao Yao let the subject rest and began conversing with He Lianfang about the parade closing the trade conference.

With the afternoon football match demanding his presence, Zhao Yao kept the chat with He Lianfang brief.

He Lianfang, fresh from viewing the morning's football match, had no intention of attending the afternoon one.

Back in his own study, He Lianfang let out a frustrated sigh, "Rejecting such an opportunity, truly..."

Now, regarding Zheng Xilin's motives for visiting Swamp Prefecture, and the plots brewing in Zhao Zheng's mind.

Meanwhile, the distant emperor in the capital was in the midst of a stretch when a sudden sneeze jolted him, wrenching his back and drawing a sharp cry of agony.

Sun Kui hurried over to knead the emperor's tense muscles.

"I’m getting old." The emperor massaged his persistently sore back, "My vitality is waning day by day."

"Your Majesty, you're at the height of your vigor—how can you claim old age."

"Hunched over this desk endlessly, my physique grows stiffer and more lethargic." The emperor complained with a pout, "Had I not been emperor, merely a carefree prince, I'd be full of energy now."

Sun Kui: "..."

"This emperor role is draining my very life force." The emperor slumped across the desk, his tone dripping with bitterness, "I yearn to become the Supreme Emperor—when will that rascal grant me that dream?"

Sun Kui's lips quirked in a subtle twitch as he gently reminded the emperor, "Your Majesty, the Han Prince is merely seventeen."

"If that scamp were twenty-seven this year, I'd have stepped down ages ago and handed him the throne." The emperor longed to abdicate and revel in idle bliss as Supreme Emperor. "I can hold out another decade." Contemplating ten more years on the throne filled Zhao Zheng with utter exhaustion.

"Oh yes, I wonder if old Zheng has made it to Swamp Prefecture yet?"

"Your Majesty, is Grand Commandant Zheng traveling to Swamp Prefecture to bolster the Han Prince?"

"I haven't a clue—old Zheng announced his trip to Swamp Prefecture on his own, saying it's to visit his two sons." The emperor explained, "Whether old Zheng lends a hand hinges on if that youngster can charm him into it." Deep down, the emperor wished Zhao Yao could convince Zheng Xilin to join his cause. Zheng Xilin's support would render Zhao Yao's position immensely stronger.

Sun Kui pondered quietly to himself: would the Han Prince actually seek Grand Commandant Zheng's aid?

Were Zhao Yao present, he'd undoubtedly assure Sun Kui: Absolutely not!