Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 656: Chapter 321: Things You Need to Do

The situation in Jinling is more complicated than Zhao Yao imagined. Another meaning of complicated is dangerous, and the more complicated it is, the more dangerous it becomes.

The more Zhao Yao thought about it, the more he wondered if his decision to travel to Jiangnan this time was a mistake. He increasingly felt like he had walked into a wolf’s den.

Alas, it’s too late to have regrets now. Since I’m already here, I should just adapt to the circumstances. If something truly happens, I’ll deal with it as it comes.

The most important thing right now is to accompany Mr. Meng properly. As for other matters, he doesn’t want to get involved, nor is he in a position to handle them.

Due to Zhao Yao’s arrival, Mr. Meng’s spirit and complexion improved day by day, and his physical condition seemed to get better too. It was only slightly better than before, but still very weak.

Every day when Mr. Meng woke up, Zhao Yao would chat with him for a while. When he got tired and fell asleep, Zhao Yao would quietly slip out.

Since he came to visit Mr. Meng, it wasn’t appropriate for Zhao Yao to stroll around Jinling City with Song Jicai and the others so openly.

Although Mr. Meng didn’t mind, Zhao Yao felt it would be excessive if they did so, after all, they didn’t come to Jinling to seek pleasure. Moreover, there was danger lurking everywhere in Jinling City, so it was better to remain cautious.

In the past two days, it rained in Jinling City, and even if they wanted to go out and play, they couldn’t.

Early spring in Jiangnan isn’t particularly warm, especially after the rain, Jinling City instantly reverted to the deep winter of last year, chilling people to the bone.

Mr. Meng, who had been slightly better, became unwell again due to the rain and cold.

After feeding Mr. Meng his medicine, Zheng Xilin took Zhao Yao outside.

In Zheng Xilin’s room, a fire burned in the brazier. The uncle and nephew sat by the fire brazier, drinking tea and warming themselves.

"Uncle, why doesn’t Mr. Meng have any disciples to serve him?" It had been some time since they arrived, and Zhao Yao only ever saw a few people around Mr. Meng. Apart from Zheng Xilin, there was an elderly steward and two attendant students, but no one else.

"He doesn’t have a personal disciple." Zheng Xilin said, realizing he hadn’t spoken quite correctly, and added, "Many years ago, he did have a personal disciple, but the disciple betrayed him, and since then, he’s never taken another personal disciple."

Hearing this, Zhao Yao recalled that Mr. Meng once came out of retirement to serve in the court of the previous dynasty, but due to certain events, he was demoted and then withdrew in a huff to live in seclusion for decades. It seemed those events were related to Mr. Meng’s former disciple.

Zheng Xilin continued, "He also says he’s not good at teaching disciples, and taking more disciples would just ruin them."

After hearing this, Zhao Yao nodded but suddenly remembered something and said with a look of surprise, "Huh, didn’t Mr. Meng want to take me as his student before?"

Zheng Xilin chuckled, "That was because he wanted to support you. Didn’t you refuse?"

"I did refuse."

"You’re the first person to refuse to be his student." Zheng Xilin teased Zhao Yao, "The scholars of this world would go through any lengths to be his student, and here you are, disdaining his fame and refusing to be his student."

"I’m not cut out for scholarship, and besides, I don’t want fame, so I had to politely decline Mr. Meng’s kind offer." Zhao Yao didn’t regret rejecting the offer to be Mr. Meng’s student. Even if given another chance, he still wouldn’t accept. "I feel Mr. Meng should take a disciple to pass on his legacy and let his knowledge shine."

"He lectured last year wanting to share his knowledge with everyone, and the students who attended can be considered carriers of his legacy." Zheng Xilin sighed, "He has spent his whole life studying, not for fame or wealth, but to benefit the people. Sadly, he always felt he was a failure for not helping the common folks."

Zhao Yao listened, shocked, "How could he think that way?"

"He believes you are the one truly benefiting the people. The things you’ve created have changed their lives, so he likes and respects you greatly." Zheng Xilin recalled Mr. Meng’s expression as he praised Zhao Yao’s work and couldn’t help but chuckle. "He saw that you weren’t favored by the Emperor, so he wanted to take you on as a student to support you with his great scholar’s reputation."

"Mr. Meng is too self-deprecating." Zhao Yao felt Mr. Meng greatly misunderstood him. "The things I’ve created do change lives, but Mr. Meng’s scholarship not only changes lives but also advances social civilization, which is far more formidable."

Terms like "advancing social civilization" had long since become familiar to Zheng Xilin over the years. Like He Lianfang, he was used to Zhao Yao occasionally coming up with those strange yet fitting words and phrases they had never heard before.

"When he wakes up, make sure you talk to him about the advancement of social civilization."

Zhao Yao nodded earnestly, "I will definitely have a good conversation with him about it."

Zheng Xilin held the teacup in both hands to warm them, gazing kindly at Zhao Yao sitting opposite him. "When the weather clears, take your four good brothers out for a stroll."

"Isn’t that inappropriate?"

"He’s still alive, so why not?" Zheng Xilin said, glancing out the window, "You rarely get to come to Jiangnan, you should go out more to see and understand the life of the Jiangnan people."

Since Zheng Xilin put it that way, Zhao Yao didn’t decline any further.

"Alright, once the weather clears, I’ll go out and have a look."

Zheng Xilin put down the teacup, and his benevolent demeanor turned serious instantly, "Come, let’s discuss the Jiangnan transport and salt."

"Are these two matters I need to know about?" Zhao Yao pondered what Jiangnan’s transport and salt had to do with him.

"As a prince of Great Zhou, shouldn’t you care about the welfare of the people?" Zheng Xilin naturally knew what Zhao Yao was thinking, "When you go to Lingnan in the future, you will also face these two matters, and they might be even more complex there."

Hearing this, Zhao Yao imagined the intricate situation in Lingnan. Reports indicated that the most lucrative businesses in Lingnan were controlled by various tribal chieftains. Once he went to Lingnan, he would need to reclaim these two things.

"Uncle, please go ahead." Zhao Yao appeared to listen attentively.

Zheng Xilin detailed to Zhao Yao the situation regarding Jinling’s transport of grains, salt, and iron smelting. The noble families of Jinling were no less greedy and selfish than those of Yangzhou in the past, but they were smarter. They had long colluded in secret with the Duke Zhen Country Mansion and the Eastern Palace. This was also the reason Duke Zhen had refused to cooperate with the Yangzhou noble families back then.

Historically, Jinling City has been the most prosperous prefecture in Jiangnan and was even designated as the Southern Capital in the previous dynasty, reaching great heights. It is surrounded by numerous rivers, making its transport system very developed. Not to mention the transport system alone that feeds many people in Jinling City and brings immense wealth to many.

The interests involved in transportation are too great, whether in the previous dynasty or the Chen Dynasty, the emperors dared not easily meddle with Jiangnan’s transport system. Any moves were minor, avoiding large-scale actions, because the Jiangnan transport group was a ruthless and lawless group. They valued money over life. In the previous dynasty, there were even uprisings by these transporters, causing significant turmoil.

After listening to Zheng Xilin’s analysis of Jinling’s transport system, Zhao Yao frowned deeply, his expression very serious, "Are these transport groups so outrageous and arrogant?"

"They have always been like this, just like the Salt Gang."

"Aren’t the Crown Prince and Prince Dai afraid of future repercussions by colluding with these madmen?"

Zheng Xilin sneered, "Who can resist the temptation of wealth?"

"No wonder Father warned me repeatedly not to act recklessly." Zhao Yao said with a grim face, full of sarcasm, "Jiangnan truly is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"If the transport and Salt Gang of Jinling and Suzhou are not dealt with, Jiangnan will descend into chaos sooner or later." Zheng Xilin said coldly, "These have long been the two major scourges of Jiangnan, as long as they remain, there will be no peace."

Zhao Yao suddenly thought of the incidents in Yangzhou before. Back then, to eradicate the Yangzhou noble families, Father had set up plans for several years in advance. So in Jinling and Suzhou, Father must have taken measures as well, surely deploying in secret.

"Father probably has long had strategies in place, there’s no need for me to do anything."

After Zheng Xilin finished speaking, his gaze sharply locked onto Zhao Yao’s eyes, saying, "No, there are things you need to do."