Chapter 400: Chapter 235 We Father and Son Are Really Too Pitiful_2
"The old immortal said that only by going to distant places can the youngest do something beneficial for the people of Great Zhou." The Emperor said, with a soft sigh, "I had not thought of letting the youngest inherit the throne before. He is the most like me among my sons; we both dislike being the Emperor. He wants to travel the world, tasting all the delicacies it has to offer. The dreams I couldn’t fulfill back then, I hope he can achieve. I hope he can do what he wants, but he was born with a significant mission he cannot escape, just like me."
"For the sake of Great Zhou’s lands and its people, I had no choice but to be the Emperor, and it will be the same for him in the future." The Emperor continued, "If I were an ordinary father, I would let him do whatever he wants. But I’m not just a father; I’m also the Emperor of Great Zhou."
"I am first the Emperor of Great Zhou, and then his father. So in my heart, the people of Great Zhou are the most important. For the people of Great Zhou, I must let him accept and complete his mission."
The Emperor himself does not want to be the emperor, so he especially understands and supports the ideas of his youngest son, yet both he and his son have inescapable responsibilities.
"In the past, my father also did not want to be emperor. He constantly said he wasn’t emperor material; he was just a farmer. But for the sake of the people, he eventually became the emperor and established Great Zhou. I also don’t enjoy being emperor, but for the sake of the people, I must be the emperor, and a good one at that. I initially thought the youngest would not walk down my path, but unexpectedly, he is just like me." At this point, the Emperor sighed with great grievance, "We are truly pitiful, father and son."
Prime Minister He and others: "..." Across the world, people tirelessly strive to become emperor, to become the ruler of all under heaven. Yet, in the eyes of the emperor, it is a truly unlucky and pitiful affair that no one would believe if spoken aloud. However, Prime Minister He and the others knew that the Emperor truly did not want to be Emperor.
Not only does the Emperor not wish to be Emperor, but Prince Yi Yong also does not want it. While everyone else fights tooth and nail to become emperor, the emperor, and his father and son trio disdain being emperor and pass the responsibility among themselves.
Back then, in order to persuade the former emperor to establish Great Zhou and become emperor, the ministers wore their mouths out, persuading for years before the former emperor agreed to be emperor and establish the new nation.
If it weren’t for Prince Yi Yong’s sacrifice, the Emperor would never have become emperor.
In the eyes of Prime Minister He and others, the Emperor’s family is quite peculiar. Fortunately, the Emperor is responsible. Although he doesn’t want to be emperor, he is doing an excellent job of it.
"I initially favored the fourth child, but the old immortal said the fourth child doesn’t have the fate for it." The emperor’s initial choice for successor was neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Dai but the fourth prince. "I can only wrong the youngest."
In their hearts, Song Dekang and the others complained: Your Majesty, the other princes would love for you to wrong them; they dream of such a grievance."
Prime Minister He said, "Let my youngest son go, Your Majesty."
Grandmaster Liu said, "Let my youngest son go as well."
"If they go, you will be separated from them, and you won’t see them for a long time." The Emperor deliberately asked, "Are you willing to part with them?"
"Your Majesty, if you are willing to let the tenth prince go to Lingnan, what is there for me not to be willing to let go of?" Prime Minister He had already foreseen this day.
Grandmaster Liu said, "There is nothing I am not willing to let go of."
Chu Ying and Shen Hu also said simultaneously, "There is nothing I am not willing to let go of."
"In that case, let the four of them go together to the Southern Border to find Lao Yan, and then to Lingnan," the Emperor instructed again, "Remember to tell them that they are now the people of the youngest son and must recognize him as their master for life."
"Rest assured, Your Majesty, they will be unswervingly loyal to the tenth prince." Prime Minister He’s two sons are very intelligent yet remain modest and temperate, causing the court ministers to feel they aren’t as capable. However, his two sons are not inferior to him.
The Emperor chatted with Prime Minister He and others about past matters, bringing warmth and cheer to the Imperial Study.
Back at Kunde Hall, Zhao Yao did not know that his future destiny had already been arranged by the Emperor, and he could not escape it.
"I’ve searched for days in the Lanyuan Pavilion but couldn’t find any books about Mysir," Zhao Yao said, "nor any maps of the overseas nations and seas around Great Zhou. I guess they may have been destroyed during the previous dynasty, so we must write to Uncle to obtain overseas maps from Qingzhou."
"It would also be great if we could get books from overseas nations." Liang Zhaoyi was very interested in foreign countries and wished to learn about them through books.
"Write to Uncle and see if he can obtain them," Zhao Yao said, "Uncle on the other side should get detailed maps of countries in the Western Regions."
Seeing that it was getting late, Liang Zhaoyi reminded Zhao Yao that it was time to go to the martial arts arena.
Zhao Yao, accompanied by Tong Xi, headed for the martial arts arena. Since last month, he has been formally studying martial arts instead of practicing the basics.
Regarding learning martial arts, Zhao Yao is extremely diligent and willing to endure hardships.
Fan Ruyi, seeing Zhao Yao’s potential in martial arts and his diligent efforts, put in a little extra effort in teaching him daily.
Beside him, Tong Xi felt heartbroken seeing Zhao Yao repeatedly thrown down hard to the ground by Fan Ruyi. But he dared not intervene, as His Highness insisted on learning the martial arts earnestly, so that when he grows up and travels, no one would bully him.
For a whole hour, Zhao Yao was beaten and kept falling to the ground, with bruises all over his body, but never once cried out in pain.
Zhao Yao stood up, straightened his clothes, and saluted Fan Ruyi, "Thank you, sir, for your teaching."
Fan Ruyi nodded slightly and immediately returned the greeting, "No need for such courtesies, Your Highness."
"Sir, I’ll take my leave."
"Take care, Your Highness."
The other princes are somewhat indifferent to learning martial arts, unlike Zhao Yao, who is so serious. Don’t be fooled by the Third Prince and Sixth Prince’s beautiful swordplay; it’s all a show.
The Eighth Prince, due to previous injuries, hasn’t come to the martial arts arena to learn. The Seventh Prince, having been beaten blue and beaten by the Ninth Prince, feels too ashamed to meet anyone and has been recuperating at Zhao Yang Palace. As for the Ninth Prince, he was punished with confinement by the Emperor.
Returning to Kunde Hall, Tong Xi immediately applied medicine to Zhao Yao’s injuries.
Liang Zhaoyi felt heartache seeing Zhao Yao’s bruised body but said nothing.
While Tong Xi applied the medicine, Zhao Yao bit his lip and did not make a sound.
After applying the medicine, Zhao Yao left the palace with Tong Xi.
In two days, it is his birthday, and he will begin a holiday tomorrow. Tomorrow morning and afternoon, he will celebrate his birthday with his uncle. Tomorrow afternoon and evening, he will celebrate with his friends.
Liang Guan had been waiting at the palace gate early, with Song Jicai and the three others sitting in the carriage waiting.
When Zhao Yao got in the carriage, he saw Chu Huan and the others and was a bit surprised.
"Why are you here?"
"Boss, of course, we came to pick you up."
"Boss, we are here to take you to our place tonight."
Zhao Yao looked astonished, "What, to your place?"
"Boss, my mother asked me to invite you." Zhang He said, "I told my mother you would leave the palace tonight and celebrate with us tomorrow. She asked me to invite you to our place as a guest."
"Did your father agree?"
"Boss, in my house, my father’s opinion doesn’t matter," Zhang He said with a cheeky smile, "My mother is the head of the house, and even my father listens to her."
Zhao Yao considered for a moment, then said, "Would going to your house cause..."