Others might scoff at Zhao Yao’s training thods, finding them amusing, but He Lianfang, respected as a War God, saw the brilliance in these thods.
These training thods are not sothing an ordinary person could co up with.
Zhao Yao chuckled, "That’s exactly what I intend."
"How did you co up with these training thods?"
"Second Uncle, just think of it as a sudden inspiration," Zhao Yao couldn’t think of a better excuse to placate He Lianfang for the mont.
"A sudden inspiration?"
"Yes, it truly was a sudden inspiration," Zhao Yao looked at He Lianfang earnestly, his expression on his small face genuine.
Seeing Zhao Yao’s deanor, He Lianfang sensed what was going on and didn’t continue to ask further.
"Did you tell anyone else about these training thods?"
"No, only you," Zhao Yao quickly added, "I haven’t even told my father or mother."
He Lianfang nodded slightly, "You mustn’t tell anyone else."
"Second Uncle, even if I did, others would think these training thods ridiculous and unbelievable."
"You certainly have self-awareness."
"I’ve always had self-awareness."
This child sotis has too much self-awareness.
"Second Uncle, let’s continue playing chess, so I can look better even when losing to that genius tonight." Zhao Yao, fearing further probing from He Lianfang about any secrets, quickly changed the subject.
He Lianfang, understanding Zhao Yao’s intentions, went along, "Then let’s continue playing chess." He didn’t plan to inquire further. He feared he might be startled by unexpected revelations and lose composure in front of Zhao Yao. There will be plenty of ti to uncover Zhao Yao’s hidden "tricks".
By the ti Shen Shi ca, Zhao Yao excused himself from He Lianfang. Instead of heading straight to the Zheng Mansion, he went to a pastry shop first to buy snacks.
Though invited by Zheng Zhengshi, as a guest, he couldn’t show up empty-handed.
Zheng Rang and his brothers loved pastries, making it the perfect gift for them.
Song Jicai and the other four accompanied Zhao Yao to the pastry shop to buy so snacks.
Zhao Yao, being the generous leader, bought plenty of pastries to share with his four pals.
Song Jicai and his companions had so money on them usually, but not much. They only had a monthly allowance of around two to three hundred wen and dared not spend carelessly lest they ran out before month’s end.
The best pastry shop in the capital wasn’t cheap, and Chu Huan and the others couldn’t afford to eat there every month.
Due to his contributions to the developnt of movable type printing technology, Zhao Yao was rewarded with a lot of gold and silver jewelry by the emperor, making him very wealthy. Not only could he treat them to pastries, but he could also afford to treat his pals to als at Zhenxiu Building for a long ti.
"Boss, will you have ti for us tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow, why don’t you join for a visit to the Imperial College, how about that?"
"Boss, what’s so interesting about the Imperial College?"
"Have you ever been to the Imperial College?"
"Certainly not, we don’t like studying at all, so why would we go to the Imperial College?" Zhang He and the others detested studying and habitually kept a respectful distance from scholarly places like the Imperial College.
"I’ve never been to the Imperial College either. Tomorrow you can co with to check it out."
"Boss, you don’t like studying either. Why are you going to the Imperial College?" Shen Sen asked, "Boss, you’re not planning to study at the Imperial College, right?"
"Why would I study at the Imperial College?" Zhao Yao said, "I’m just curious about the Imperial College, want to take a look."
"What’s so interesting about the Imperial College?"
"To see what the brightest scholars in the world are like," Zhao Yao asked again, "Will you join or not?"
"We’ll go, we’ll go. Wherever you go, we’ll go there too." They didn’t have anywhere better to be, might as well go to the Imperial College with their boss.
"Then co find tomorrow morning. I have to go to the Zheng Family now." Zhao Yao grinned, "I’m going to et the genius."
"Boss, we’re sure you can beat that genius." Zhang He and the others wanted to tag along with Zhao Yao but weren’t invited and following uninvited wasn’t appropriate. Moreover, the Zheng Family was special, tagging along might bring trouble for their fathers, resulting in a serious scolding for them.
"I can’t beat a genius. Just hope I don’t lose too badly."
"Boss, he’s a genius. Even if you lose, it’s not disgraceful."
"That’s true." Zhao Yao didn’t chat long with Song Jicai and the others but took Tong Xi to the Zheng Mansion instead.
Song Jicai and his group returned ho.
Zhao Yao arrived at a coincidental ti and saw Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng returning from the palace just as he arrived at the Zheng Mansion’s entrance.
Upon seeing Zhao Yao, Zheng Rang and the others quickly approached to pay their respects.
Zhao Yao asked them not to stand on ceremony.
Zheng Rang invited Zhao Yao into the mansion.
"Uncle Sun, has the third young master returned?" Zheng Rang asked.
"The third young master returned not long ago and is currently bathing."
"Once the third young master is done bathing, have him co to welco the distinguished guest."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Zheng Zhengshi, you don’t have to mind for now. Go and freshen up quickly," Zhao Yao thought he had arrived too early.
Zheng Rang and Zheng Cheng were both sweaty, unsuitable for receiving guests. They could only temporarily commit a breach of etiquette by letting the butler entertain Zhao Yao while they returned to their courtyards to bathe and change clothes.
The butler first invited Zhao Yao for tea and then took him for a stroll around the courtyard.
The scenery of the Grand Commandant Mansion’s courtyard was exquisite.
After a while, upon learning of Zhao Yao’s visit, the freshly bathed and dressed Zheng Qian ca to greet him.
Seeing Zhao Yao, Zheng Qian froze in place upon first glance.
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