Chapter 448: Chapter 252 Flattery_3
By next April, the court will distribute cotton seeds to the people without charging a single penny. When the cotton is harvested, the people just need to remember to return the seeds previously given to them by the court.
Due to the matters of cotton and hot water bottles, Zhao Yao’s reputation among the populace has risen significantly. Many people already believe Zhao Yao is a young emissary sent by the Bodhisattva to save them from suffering.
Come the twelfth lunar month, as the weather turned exceedingly cold, Wende Hall closed, and the princes no longer needed to attend their studies. Although the weather grew colder, Zhao Yao still frequently went out.
Recently, Zhao Yao had Liang Zhaoyi and the others make some gloves and sent a few pairs to He Lianfang.
In his youth, He Lianfang suffered many injuries and was permanently weakened, falling ill every winter. However, this winter, thanks to the cotton clothes and hot water bottles, he did not remain bedridden as he did last year.
"Here’s your letter." He Lianfang produced a letter from his bosom and handed it to Zhao Yao.
Zhao Yao took the letter and asked curiously once more, "Second Uncle, who is this friend of yours?"
He Lianfang answered as always, "You don’t know him."
"I don’t know him, but you could still tell me about him."
Since recent days, Zhao Yao had been receiving letters from He Lianfang’s friend. Every month, this friend of He Lianfang would write him two letters.
The letters didn’t contain profound principles or bookish content but rather the affairs of common folk.
He Lianfang told Zhao Yao that he asked his friend to write to him so he could learn about civilian matters and manage and care for the people of Lingnan better when he grows up.
Zhao Yao felt no suspicion and was very pleased to correspond with He Lianfang’s friend.
He Lianfang instructed Zhao Yao to call this friend "Third Uncle."
Zhao Yao was very curious about Third Uncle’s identity, but He Lianfang only told him that Third Uncle was a farmer with no special status.
Zhao Yao didn’t believe that Third Uncle was merely a farmer. He thought Third Uncle was a hidden sage. If Third Uncle were just an ordinary farmer, he wouldn’t be able to write such meaningful content.
Each letter from Third Uncle was about common people’s matters, but behind these affairs lay deeper meanings.
Of course, it wasn’t just about civilian matters, as Third Uncle would also write about historical events.
"He doesn’t want to tell you who he is," He Lianfang said indifferently. "You should stop asking who he is."
"Alright, I won’t ask anymore," Zhao Yao said, hastily reading the letter from Third Uncle. Like the previous ones, it first mentioned some amusing stories about everyday life before moving on to historical events. This time, it was about the history of the Chen Dynasty, detailing how Emperor Chen Yuan ascended the throne at a young age and, in the face of powerful ministers controlling the court, meticulously planned and strategized to defeat them and seize control of the government.
Zhao Yao was familiar with this history, but he had only read it as a story without an in-depth understanding. However, after reading Third Uncle’s letter, he realized there were so many subtleties behind this piece of history.
Third Uncle ended the letter by asking Zhao Yao why Emperor Chen Yuan was able to defeat the powerful ministers.
Zhao Yao finished reading the letter and handed it to He Lianfang.
He Lianfang accepted the letter and carefully read it. After finishing, he marveled at how Zheng Xilin truly suited the role of Imperial Master. Each historical story he wrote for Zhao Yao was meaningful and incrementally progressive.
It was arranged by the emperor for Zheng Xilin to write to Zhao Yao. Zheng Xilin, unwilling to be summoned to the capital and continue as Grand Commandant, had to agree to write letters teaching Zhao Yao the Emperor’s Mind.
To avoid arousing Zhao Yao’s suspicion, the emperor had He Lianfang deliver Zheng Xilin’s letters to Zhao Yao, claiming they were from his friend.
Though He Lianfang knew Zheng Xilin, they were not friends. However, He Lianfang had great respect for Zheng Xilin.
He Lianfang admired Zheng Xilin’s talents. Apart from Prince Yi Yong, he was the second person He Lianfang respected.
Initially, when He Lianfang suggested to the emperor to find someone to teach Zhao Yao the Emperor’s Mind, he had Zheng Xilin in mind.
Zheng Xilin did not disappoint He Lianfang. Every letter he wrote not only delved into the subtleties of the Emperor’s Mind but also included many strategies.
He Lianfang, after reading it, asked the same question as Zheng Xilin had.
"Why do you think Emperor Chen Yuan was able to defeat the powerful ministers?"
Zhao Yao contemplated seriously before saying, "First, Emperor Chen Yuan was cautious and feigned weakness towards the powerful ministers."