Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 662: Chapter 323: Never Underestimate a Woman_3

They no longer wish to return to the Hidden Mountain Tribe; they want to stay in the Central Plains for a lifetime.

Zhao Yao asked a few more questions before letting Tong Xi take the two from the Hidden Mountain Tribe away.

Zheng Xilin walked in and curiously asked, "Any gains?"

Zhao Yao beamed at Zheng Xilin, "Substantial gains."

Hearing this, Zheng Xilin grew more curious and asked, "What did you gain?"

Zhao Yao briefly recounted to Zheng Xilin what the two from the Hidden Mountain Tribe had said.

After listening, Zheng Xilin appeared very surprised. He wasn’t very familiar with the situation in Lingnan; his understanding was limited to what he had read before.

"What do you plan to do?"

"First, we will officially send envoys to the Hidden Mountain Tribe, asking the tribe’s chief to send some people to the Central Plains with us." After hearing the words from the two from the Hidden Mountain Tribe, Zhao Yao had some plans in mind. "The tribe’s chief cannot leave the tribe freely, nor can she easily leave Lingnan, but she can send her trusted aides to the Central Plains. Once her aides arrive in the Central Plains, we will show them the truth of the Central Plains, and I believe she herself will be more willing to come to the Central Plains."

"The Hidden Mountain Tribe is neither the largest nor the strongest tribe in Lingnan." Zheng Xilin, after hearing Zhao Yao’s words, clarified the state of the various tribes in Lingnan. "Because the chief of the Hidden Mountain Tribe interacts with the Central Plains people, both she and the tribe are ostracized by other tribes and deemed traitors. It’s difficult to conquer other tribes through her."

Zhao Yao grinned, "Then let’s help the Hidden Mountain Tribe become the largest and strongest tribe in Lingnan, make her the chieftess king, and have all tribes and chiefs look up to her."

Zheng Xilin slightly raised his eyebrows, expression doubtful, "Even if you have the ability to help her, can a woman bring all the tribes to submission?"

Hearing Zheng Xilin’s dismissive tone about women, Zhao Yao rudely rolled his eyes at him.

"Uncle, how can you underestimate women? You must know many women are more capable and resourceful than men. Take the Empress Fan of the previous dynasty; if it weren’t for her, the dynasty would have ended in the third generation..."

Empress Fan of the previous dynasty was an exceptionally powerful woman. When her husband died, her son was a young, ignorant boy. To make matters worse, several powerful princes, each young and strong with vast influence, were eyeing the throne, and many court officials had been swayed. When her son ascended the throne, the situation was fraught with peril.

Facing such danger, she relied on her outstanding intelligence and strategies to gradually eliminate the threats posed by the most powerful princes and their factions, securing her son’s position on the throne.

After stabilizing the throne, she instituted policies that improved the people’s welfare, leading to better living conditions. She dealt with the court officials with both grace and rigor, providing opportunities for talented ministers, thus bringing prosperity to the previous dynasty.

"The female chief of the Hidden Mountain Tribe is smart and ambitious; give her an opportunity, and she will surely achieve great things." Perhaps influenced by Lady Liang, or by the dreams of Zhao Yao, Zhao Yao never thought women should be inferior to men or incapable of achieving great things. On the contrary, he believed women could do wonders given the chance. "She may be inexperienced initially, but I believe she will quickly grow and eventually give me satisfactory answers."

Zheng Xilin didn’t expect Zhao Yao to trust the female chief of the Hidden Mountain Tribe so deeply, expressing his surprise, "You haven’t even met this female chief, and yet you have such a high opinion of her."

"Simply because she interacts with the Central Plains people," Zhao Yao reiterated, "Uncle, never underestimate women."

Zheng Xilin chuckled, "Then I look forward to it."

"Actually, Lingnan is a very good place, but neither my father nor emperors of other dynasties have realized its outstanding geographical position, thus wasting it." In the world of Zhao Yao’s dreams, Lingnan was indeed extraordinary.

"Do you mean its advantageous position is its maritime access?" Zheng Xilin asked, "Many places in Eastern Wu are coastal too, but the crucial difference is that these places don’t have miasma, whereas Lingnan is heavily tainted with it."

"Eastern Wu indeed has many coastal areas, but regarding proximity to foreign countries like Annan and Johor, Lingnan is closest. That is its advantage over many places in Eastern Wu," Zhao Yao stated earnestly, "Miasma is indeed a problem, but not insurmountable. The doctors I’ve dispatched have conducted some research on miasma, and I believe eradicating it is feasible. Moreover, coastal areas are miasma-free; it’s mostly in the mountains and forests."

"Seems like you’re set on developing Lingnan into a port," Zheng Xilin reminded Zhao Yao, "But not all tribespeople are like those from the Hidden Mountain Tribe; most are quite savage."

Zhao Yao understood Zheng Xilin’s implication, "The primary reason the people of Lingnan are uncivilized is their loyalty solely to their chiefs. As long as the chiefs are dealt with, and these people are forced to learn Central Plains culture with strong measures, they will naturally be educated. If not, beat them into submission. If all else fails, then kill them."

Hearing Zhao Yao nonchalantly say "kill them," Zheng Xilin was slightly stunned but then smiled and said, "I look forward to watching you spread your wings in Lingnan."

Zhao Yao suddenly became dispirited, "Alas, I still have three or four years before I can unleash my prowess in Lingnan."

Just then, Tong Xi knocked on the door a few times and said, "Your Highness, Mr. Meng has woken up; he requests your presence."

"I’ll be right there."

Zhao Yao followed Zheng Xilin to Mr. Meng’s room. The old man was leaning against the bed, looking much healthier and more spirited.

He wished to discuss the matter of the imperial examinations with Zhao Yao. He was worried that the aristocrats would coerce underprivileged scholars from participating, resulting in no one in Jinling taking the examinations.

This was something Zheng Xilin had previously mentioned to Zhao Yao. Zhao Yao then relayed to Mr. Meng what he had told Zheng Xilin before.

Mr. Meng, however, was not reassured after listening.

"I’m not very familiar with the situation in Suzhou, but I assume it’s similar to Jinling," Mr. Meng said solemnly, "Although I’ve secluded myself in the mountains for decades, seemingly indifferent to worldly affairs, I’m still quite familiar with Jinling’s situation."

"What do you mean?"

"The aristocrats of Jinling are like locusts on the same line with the Cao Group and the Salt Gang. The imperial examinations concern not only the aristocrats but also the interests of the Cao Group and the Salt Gang; they will never allow others to occupy official positions in Jinling," Mr. Meng said with a furrowed brow, his tone heavy. "The reason the Cao Group and Salt Gang individuals are so arrogant and overbearing is due to the protection and favoritism of officials."

"I know," Zhao Yao had long guessed what Mr. Meng had outlined.

"The emperor wants to reform the aristocrats and officialdom of Jinling, but it is no easy task, and the successful experience in Yangzhou cannot be replicated in Jinling. Moreover, these people in Jinling will never allow themselves to repeat the mistakes of Yangzhou," Mr. Meng said, "Additionally, I’ve heard that in Yangzhou, the Cao Group, Salt Gang, and aristocrats all listen to one person’s directives, it’s this person who binds these three together."

Zhao Yao hurriedly asked, "Who?"

Mr. Meng shook his head, "I don’t know the specifics."

"You mean this person is the real ruler behind the scenes in Jinling?"

Mr. Meng nodded slightly and then continued, "It is said that this person is a master strategist, foresighted, with unparalleled means, particularly knowledgeable about court affairs."

"Isn’t the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen the biggest backing behind Jinling? It’s not surprising this person is knowledgeable about court affairs."

Zheng Xilin added to Mr. Meng’s explanation, "Mr. Meng means that this person can even gauge your father’s intentions."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao was taken aback and exclaimed, astounded, "What?"