Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 643: Chapter 317 Gold Mountain and Silver Mountain_3

He Lianfang saw Zhao Yao marking up the map of foreign lands and quickly asked, "What are you doing?"

"Uncle, do you know that there are many foreign nations to the north of Mysir?" Zhao Yao compared the time with the world in the dream of the other Zhao Yao, "However, right now these countries are very savage and backward. But in a few hundred years, these countries will become very powerful." Thinking of the history of the dream world of Zhao Yao, Zhao Yao couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger in his heart, and he couldn’t resist the urge to help them seek revenge.

"Why worry about things happening in a few hundred years?"

"I’m not worried. I’m just thinking that after I finish developing Lingnan, I’ll travel to foreign lands, and then subdue these backward and savage places in passing," Zhao Yao said earnestly, "These places must have lots of fields, and the locals surely don’t know how to farm. By then, we can bring some folks from Great Zhou here to farm the land."

He Lianfang chuckled at Zhao Yao’s words and said, "Are you planning to expand Great Zhou’s territory?" This young lad hasn’t even become emperor yet he’s already thinking of expanding his domain—quite ambitious indeed.

"There are also many good things in these places." Zhao Yao put on a kind expression, speaking in a very innocent and sincere tone, "I’m going to do business, not to harm the people there. They’ll be grateful for me doing business."

"Don’t you think you’re taking on too much?" He Lianfang looked at Zhao Yao amusingly, "One moment you’re going to Annan and other countries to trade spices, another moment you’re heading to Japan to dig for gold and silver, and another moment you’re off to these wild places. Can you really handle all that? Didn’t you say you wanted to travel and eat delicacies around the world when you grew up? How will you play if you have so much to do in the future?"

"I can do business while traveling in Japan and those places," Zhao Yao had already planned it out in his heart, "In the future, I want to travel not just around Great Zhou but around the whole world."

Hearing this, He Lianfang sneered and said mockingly, "Well, you certainly have great aspirations."

Zhao Yao smiled proudly and said, "I’ve always been ambitious." But then his smile faded, replaced by a bitter look, "It’s a pity I still have three years until adulthood." Saying this, he raised three fingers, "Uncle, do you know how much can be done in three years? To say nothing else, in three years, I can turn Lingnan into Great Zhou’s largest port."

He Lianfang glanced out the window and reminded Zhao Yao, "It’s getting late; you should say goodbye to your dear Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother."

Zhao Yao leaned out the window and saw it was indeed late, so he dared not linger at He Lianfang’s place any longer.

"Uncle, I’m leaving now."

"I won’t see you off early tomorrow morning, so don’t come here," He Lianfang said with an indifferent tone while lowering his head to look at the book in his hand.

Zhao Yao guessed that He Lianfang didn’t like farewells, so he replied accordingly, "Don’t worry, Uncle, I won’t disturb your sleep."

He Lianfang snorted lightly and then said, "Don’t forget to write."

"Rest assured, I’ll write to you every day," Zhao Yao bowed to He Lianfang, "Uncle, I’m leaving now."

"Mm."

Zhao Yao had only walked a few steps before stopping again and turning back to look at He Lianfang.

"Uncle, if anything happens to Fourth Brother or Eighth Brother, remember to write and tell me."

At this request, He Lianfang raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Zhao Yao with a half-smile, "Why, do you want to help your Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t interfere in their affairs?"

"I won’t interfere, but I also hope they don’t get into trouble," Zhao Yao suddenly sighed in a mature manner, "If they do get into trouble, naturally, as their younger brother, I have to help them."

"You’d better worry about yourself," He Lianfang said, "Your dear Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother are more capable than you—they won’t get into trouble."

"Uncle, don’t forget to keep me informed."

Feigning impatience, He Lianfang waved his hand towards Zhao Yao, "Hurry up and go."

This time, Zhao Yao didn’t look back.

Watching Zhao Yao’s departing figure, a hint of reluctance flickered in He Lianfang’s eyes. Ever since he met Zhao Yao, although they didn’t meet every day, Zhao Yao had never left him for a long period. Now that Zhao Yao was going to Jiangnan and it was uncertain when he would return, he felt a sense of reluctance.

"Since you are reluctant to part with His Highness the Tenth Prince, why don’t you follow him to Jiangnan?" a person hidden in the shadows spoke, "If you accompany His Highness to Jiangnan, the emperor would surely agree."

He Lianfang didn’t reply, instead he lowered his head to glance at his own legs.

The person in the shadows saw He Lianfang’s silence and did not speak further. After a long time, he heard He Lianfang’s desolate voice saying, "What qualifications does a sinner like me have to go to Jiangnan?"