In the Imperial Study, after the Emperor and Grandmaster Liu finished discussing official matters, they started chatting about light topics.
Pri Minister He put down his teacup and began, "Your Majesty, Lao Zheng’s three sons should arrive in the capital in the next two days."
"Why haven’t I heard of this?" the Emperor asked, a hint of displeasure on his face. "I wrote a letter to that old fox Lao Zheng, asking him to bring his three sons back to the capital. That old fox said his health was not good and refused to return to serve."
"Lao Zheng is unwilling to co back." Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu often wrote to Zheng Xilin, persuading him to return and serve as Grand Commandant again, but Zheng Xilin consistently refused.
"Why do you think that old fox Lao Zheng is unwilling to return and serve as Grand Commandant?" The Emperor couldn’t understand. "I have never mistreated him, have I? I am not the kind of emperor who is overly suspicious, always doubting this and that, am I? I have never executed a ritorious minister, have I? Why doesn’t he want to continue assisting ?"
Whether it was the forr Emperor or the current Emperor, they never indiscriminately executed ritorious ministers who fought alongside them to establish the nation. Of course, those who abused their power would surely face severe punishnt.
The majority of ministers who fought alongside the forr and current Emperors could be said to have significant influence, but the forr and current Emperors never doubted or feared them for their accomplishnts. Instead, they trusted them as before.
This is why Pri Minister He and the others have always remained loyal to the Emperor.
"I have never doubted him, have I?" The Emperor couldn’t understand why Zheng Xilin, who had always been devoted to assisting him, chose to leave after he ascended the throne.
In the past, when the Emperor was not yet Emperor, Zheng Xilin devotedly assisted him, and they even discussed what kind of country they wanted to establish in the future and what policies to implent.
At that ti, Zheng Xilin offered strategies and plans for the Emperor. Many of the current court policies were drafted by Zheng Xilin in the past.
The Emperor truly had never doubted the brothers who fought alongside him to establish the nation. Both Zheng Xilin and Grandmaster Liu were exceptionally wise, instilling fear and jealousy in many, but the Emperor had never feared them for that.
Grandmaster Liu was skilled in cunning strategies, which many disapproved of, but the Emperor never doubted him and continued to trust and employ him as before.
Zheng Xilin’s health was indeed not great, but not as bad as he claid. The Emperor didn’t understand why he was unwilling to continue helping.
Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu vaguely understood why Zheng Xilin was unwilling to return, and it had nothing to do with the Emperor.
"Sigh, Lao Zheng has truly broken my heart," the Emperor showed a hurt and sad expression. "I sincerely care for him, yet he doubts my sincerity."
Pri Minister He, seeing the Emperor’s exaggeratedly saddened expression, couldn’t help but twitch his mouth slightly.
"Your Majesty, please don’t make that abandoned-woman face," he urged.
Grandmaster Liu added, "It’s too over the top."
If Zhao Yao were here, he would certainly say the Emperor’s acting was too much.
Hearing Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu’s words, the Emperor looked at them with a lancholic gaze.
With disdainful faces, Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu said, "It’s precisely because of your antics that Lao Zheng is unwilling to return."
Song Dekang, Shen Hu, and the others remained silent, but in their hearts, they fully agreed with Pri Minister He and the others.
Grandmaster Liu, with biting words, remarked, "Your Majesty, I still want to have lunch."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor picked up a morial on the desk and hurled it at Grandmaster Liu.
Grandmaster Liu calmly sidestepped the Emperor’s attack.
The Emperor dropped the resentful expression and grew serious.
"Lao Zheng never ntioned to that his three sons were coming to the capital."
"Didn’t you often complain about Lao Zheng not wanting to co help you? Now he has sent his sons to help you."
The Emperor pouted and said, "The three of them together are no match for him." Then, he recalled Pri Minister He ntioning Zheng Xilin’s three sons before. "I rember you said his youngest son is still young."
Pri Minister He replied, "His youngest son is ten this year."
"Ten?" the Emperor expressed surprise, "Lao Zheng let his ten-year-old son take a governnt position?"
"No, that’s not the case," Pri Minister He said. "Lao Zheng sent his eldest and second sons to take positions in the court, and as for the youngest, he’s letting him co to the capital to gain experience."
"You once told , the eldest son has inherited so of his skills, while the second son is absorbed with the Mo Family." The Emperor’s mory served him well, "What positions does he want you to arrange for his two sons?"
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