Chapter 328: Chapter 211: Competing with Fathers_2
If the emperor finds out they are close to bribing Zheng Xilin, he definitely won’t let them off easily.
Zhao Yao didn’t expect Tong Xi to be so excited when talking about Zheng Xilin’s matter, "Tong Xi, why are you so excited about Grand Commandant Zheng’s son coming to the capital to become an official?"
"Your Highness, there’s going to be a good show to watch." Tong Xi said with a face like he was watching a play.
"Indeed." The arrival of Zheng Xilin’s son stirred the court’s situation. "How many sons does Grand Commandant Zheng have, and how many have arrived?"
"I heard there are three sons, the eldest son is working beside Prime Minister He." Tong Xi reported the information he gathered to Zhao Yao again, "The second son has gone to the Imperial Workshop."
"The Imperial Workshop?" Zhao Yao looked surprised, "Grand Commandant Zheng’s second son actually went to the Imperial Workshop, what’s he doing there?"
"He’s becoming an artisan. I heard Grand Commandant Zheng’s son is deeply passionate about the Mo Family’s works and wanted to get into the Imperial Workshop to learn techniques." Tong Xi continued, "I heard that when the second son was back in their hometown, he made many things and even helped the local people improve several tools."
"Isn’t that exactly the person I’m looking for?" Zhao Yao needed a craftsman who liked making things and was very skilled.
"Your Highness, but he’s Grand Commandant Zheng’s second son, do you really dare to want him?"
The smile on Zhao Yao’s face vanished instantly, and he said cowardly and honestly, "I dare not!" If he wasn’t Grand Commandant Zheng’s son, he would dare. "What about Grand Commandant Zheng’s youngest son?"
"It seems like Grand Commandant Zheng’s youngest son is going to the Imperial College to study, they say he’s extremely smart and very famous in their hometown." Tong Xi didn’t have much information about Grand Commandant Zheng’s youngest son since Zheng Qian, unlike his two elder brothers, hadn’t entered the court.
"A tiger father will not beget a dog son, Grand Commandant Zheng’s three sons surely won’t fall behind." Zhao Yao said as he stretched both arms, "The three of them are going to become hot commodities, everyone will fight to curry favor with and buy them."
Tong Xi nodded and whispered, "The Crown Prince and Prince Dai will definitely try to win them over."
"Do you know what this is called?" Zhao Yao suddenly asked.
Tong Xi didn’t understand Zhao Yao’s meaning and asked blankly, "Your Highness, what do you want to say?"
Zhao Yao wagged his finger and said with a smile, "This is called relying on the father."
"Relying on the father, what does that mean?" Tong Xi heard this term for the first time and was completely puzzled.
Zhao Yao asked, "Grand Commandant Zheng’s three sons have a very powerful father, from the moment they were born they have already won over many people, don’t you think?"
Tong Xi answered, "Yes."
"You see, once they arrive in the capital, the officials pay great attention to them. The Crown Prince and Prince Dai all want to win them over, right?"
"Yes."
Zhao Yao walked lazily with his hands crossed behind his head, "If their father were not Grand Commandant Zheng but an ordinary person, do you think the officials would still pay so much attention to them? Would the Crown Prince and the others still try to win them over?"
Tong Xi answered, "Of course not."
"That’s what relying on the father is!"
Tong Xi finally understood at this point, showing a face of realization, "So that’s what relying on the father means." His Highness used the term [relying on the father] to describe it, which is really too apt.
"You see, how important it is to have a powerful father." Zhao Yao sighed, "If they accept the Crown Prince or Prince Dai’s invitation, they will immediately prosper.
Tong Xi asked curiously, "Your Highness, do you think they’ll accept the Crown Prince and Prince Dai’s overtures?"
"If they are smart, they won’t agree." Zhao Yao said nonchalantly, "If they covet temporary glory and wealth, then they will agree."
"Grand Commandant Zheng’s sons shouldn’t be fools, right?" Even a eunuch like him knew that no matter whether you supported the Crown Prince or backed Prince Dai, there was no good outcome. Of course, supporting the Third Prince wouldn’t lead to any good results either.
"It’s their first time coming to the capital, they might be dazzled by the city’s wealth and make foolish decisions." Many people hold great ambitions before coming to the capital. However, once in the capital, they are lost in the immense wealth and power, forgetting their original intentions, and only thinking of climbing to the top.
"If they support the Crown Prince or Prince Dai, wouldn’t Grand Commandant Zheng be infuriated?" Grand Commandant Zheng used to be the emperor’s man, he should be like Prime Minister He, solely loyal to the emperor, unwilling to serve any prince.
"What does that have to do with us?" Zhao Yao’s stomach growled with hunger, "Let’s go, let’s quickly find Fourth Brother for lunch."
The Fourth Prince was already waiting for Zhao Yao in the dining hall.