Chapter 280: Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Five
In the Imperial Study, after the Emperor and Grandmaster Liu finished discussing official matters, they started chatting about light topics.
Prime 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 come back." Prime 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 meritorious minister, have I? Why doesn’t he want to continue assisting me?"
Whether it was the former Emperor or the current Emperor, they never indiscriminately executed meritorious ministers who fought alongside them to establish the nation. Of course, those who abused their power would surely face severe punishment.
The majority of ministers who fought alongside the former and current Emperors could be said to have significant influence, but the former and current Emperors never doubted or feared them for their accomplishments. Instead, they trusted them as before.
This is why Prime 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 implement.
At that time, 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 claimed. The Emperor didn’t understand why he was unwilling to continue helping.
Prime 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."
Prime 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 Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu’s words, the Emperor looked at them with a melancholic gaze.
With disdainful faces, Prime 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 Prime 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 memorial 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 mentioned to me that his three sons were coming to the capital."
"Didn’t you often complain about Lao Zheng not wanting to come 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 Prime Minister He mentioning Zheng Xilin’s three sons before. "I remember you said his youngest son is still young."
Prime 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 government position?"
"No, that’s not the case," Prime 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 come to the capital to gain experience."
"You once told me, the eldest son has inherited some of his skills, while the second son is absorbed with the Mo Family." The Emperor’s memory served him well, "What positions does he want you to arrange for his two sons?"