Zheng Miao deliberately dragged out his words to keep the question a secret, causing Lingnan King Zheng Gui to lean forward and ask, "Why?"
"So my father asked me to ask my uncle if he is willing to move and guard the north for the court? Not only will the number of soldiers not be reduced by half, and the fiefdom will not be reduced by a single acre, but the court will also pay extra money to increase the number of soldiers and land, so that my uncle can do his best!" Zheng Miao replied.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Gui's heart tightened, and he was busy calculating in his mind: Zheng Rong himself was the vassal king who raised an army to usurp the throne. The first thing he had to do after ascending the throne was to abolish the Lingnan Palace. It was just that a great war in the court had damaged its vitality, so it was inconvenient to take action for the time being. In the past one or two years, the Lingnan Palace had also not forgotten to reorganize its army and prepare for war, so as not to be at a loss when the court forcibly abolished the vassal state.
"But what does the emperor mean by wanting me to guard Youyan Road?" Zheng Gui thought to himself, "The reason why the court has not withdrawn the vassal states for the time being is half because the Lingnan Palace is strong and powerful, and the other half is that Lingnan Road is located in the remote southern part of the country and it is not convenient to use troops. If I leave this place lightly, I will be like a tree without roots, and I will have to let others cut it down."
While Zheng Gui was thinking, he heard Zheng Miao say, "Father's arrangement is based on the overall situation. He understands the heaven's will but ignores human feelings. My nephew is unfilial and said on the spot that the Prince of Lingnan has been guarding the southern border for more than ten years and is exhausted. If he is sent to the bitter cold land of Youyan, it will be too difficult for him."
Zheng Gui held his breath and listened to Zheng Miao's words, but he didn't know what his so-called "advisory" meant. He just looked up at this clear-looking nephew and listened to him continue: "Father said at the time that now is the time for the court to recruit people. The princes of Lingnan are loyal to the country and will definitely be able to understand the court's difficulties."
Zheng Gui couldn't dodge or accept the compliment from Zheng Miao. He gritted his teeth and said, "It's a pity that I have the will but not the strength. My dear nephew, look at my current health. I'm afraid I can't lead the troops or fight in the war!"
"Oh, uncle, you are too modest. My father is almost fifty years old, and he is still thinking about leading the army in person to attack the Turks in the north in two or three years!" Zheng Miao said, "I remember that you are a few years younger than my father, and it was the heyday of the Spring and Autumn Period. Now you are just a little ill, how can you be called 'old'?"
"Why do you always compare me with my elder brother, my nephew? I don't have the same good physique as my elder brother, and I indulged in sensual pleasures when I was young. I'm afraid I can't stand the hustle and bustle." Zheng Gui pushed the words back.
Zheng Miao pretended to be thoughtful and said, "Since Uncle Wang is unwilling to send troops to guard Youyan Road... That's fine. You can stay in the capital and take charge of the Ministry of War. I think it's quite appropriate to replace Marshal Dai and let him lead the troops in the northern border. Even so, I'm afraid it goes against the emperor's will, and father may not agree. But it doesn't matter, we brothers will definitely advise him in front of the emperor and will not let Uncle Wang down."
Qiu Yizi, who was standing closely behind Zheng Miao, couldn't help laughing when he heard this. He couldn't help but admire his third brother for being so smart. He pushed the King of Lingnan to death with just a few words. He looked up at the King of Lingnan who was half lying on the couch. He saw that his face was uncertain. He wanted to speak but didn't know where to start. He looked very embarrassed.
After a long while, Zheng Gui said, "Today we are meeting for the first time. Why are we talking about state affairs instead of family matters? I am still ill and cannot make decisions on state affairs for the time being. Why don't we talk about it another day?"
When Zheng Miao heard Zheng Gui's words to send him off, he hurriedly said, "This matter will be handled sooner or later. Now the imperial edict has not arrived, and I am just reminding you. I hope you can make plans early."
Before Zheng Gui could answer, his second son Zheng Yu could no longer hold back his anger. He ignored his father's order to keep silent and stood up and said, "My father has been guarding the southern border for the court for so many years and has never let the court down. Why is the court pressing us step by step and insisting on withdrawing the vassal state?"
What Zheng Miao and Zheng Gui were talking about just now was actually the word "withdrawal of the feudal system", but both of them are smart people and did not put these two words on the table. However, this idiot Zheng Yu made it clear, making the uncle and nephew who were secretly competing with each other a little at a loss.
But Zheng Yu continued, "Your Highness has learned a little bit about the situation in Lingnan. If my father hadn't been there to suppress it, I'm afraid it would have risen up immediately, and I'm afraid the court would have been unable to deal with it..."
"What do the Second Prince mean by these two sentences? How come I don't understand?" Zheng Miao answered immediately, "First, they just want to ask the Prince of Lingnan to come out and assist in government affairs. The Lingnan Palace is still the Lingnan Palace, how can we talk about the word "withdrawal"? Secondly, the court has its own new policies for Lingnan Province. I have discussed this with the Second Prince along the way, and he has no objections. It seems that this will not necessarily provoke rebellion in Lingnan Province, right?"
Zheng Yu was stunned by Zheng Miao's series of questions. He couldn't answer any of them and kept stammering and speechless.
Lingnan King Zheng Gui looked at his useless son, coughed, and complained: "I told you not to talk, I told you not to talk. It's okay to make a fool of yourself, but if it weren't for the Third Prince's magnanimity, I would have charged you with treason when I returned to the capital. Let's see what you would do!"
Zheng Miao waved his hands and said, "This is just a casual discussion between me and the Second Prince. Uncle Prince is worrying too much."
Zheng Gui nodded with a look of satisfaction on his face, and said, "Then please bear with me, Your Highness. I am very ill, and I am already tired after talking for a while. I am afraid that I will not be able to get up and go to bed to welcome Your Highness tonight. Zheng Yu will toast a few more glasses of wine to Your Highness on my behalf."
This is equivalent to issuing an order to expel you.
However, Zheng Miao had almost finished speaking, so he stood up and saluted: "It's okay, we are all close relatives. If we were not born in the royal family, we would visit each other often. Why are there so many rules? Since Uncle Prince is tired, just take a rest. As for other matters, I will discuss it with the Second Prince."
After that, Zheng Miao bowed to Zheng Gui again, turned around very elegantly, and left the hut. Qiu Yizhi followed Zheng Miao, stole a glance at the indescribable expression on the face of Lingnan King Zheng Gui, and hurriedly bowed and said goodbye.
Pushing the door open, Qiu Yizi saw Zhao Chengxiao leading more than 200 of his men, lined up neatly on one side of the hut, with their heads held high and their eyes looking straight ahead. Standing in front of them was also a neatly arranged team of Lingnan troops, with their officers and soldiers also holding their heads high and their eyes looking straight at their opponents.
The two groups of people competed with each other without saying a word, as if two roosters were testing each other before a duel, and neither of them was willing to lose.
Seeing this strange scene, Zheng Miao felt both amused and emotional. He pulled Qiu Yizhi who was holding out his hand and said, "My dear brother, you are really good at leading soldiers. Such a group of people did not bring shame to our Youyan Palace!"
He saw Zheng Yu coming out of the house again, so he called out to him, "Brother Yu, our army has come a long way and is exhausted. This area is quite spacious, why don't we camp here and rest?"
Zheng Yu was stunned again. This stone city was the strategic point of the Lingnan Palace. His father lived in a villa next to it. If the opponent set up camp here, it would be like having a jackal sleeping next to his bed. How could he agree to it easily
However, he had other ideas in mind. He thought about it for a long time and then frowned and said, "I dare not take charge of this matter. How about asking my father first and then replying to His Highness the Third Prince?"
After saying that, Zheng Yu turned around and went back to the house.
Not long after, Zheng Yu came out of the room with a smile on his face, and said, "My father has agreed, so please let your Highness stay in the city. There are not many barracks in the city, so please take care of the tents and other things yourself."
Zheng Miao didn't expect Zheng Gui to agree so readily, so he nodded and said, "Of course, of course."
Zheng Yu added, "Also, my mother has just passed away and I am still in mourning. My father is also not in good health. I would like to ask the imperial guards not to make any noise while they are staying here, so as not to be disrespectful."
These instructions were all reasonable. Zheng Miao pondered for a moment and could not think of any objection, so he said cheerfully, "That is only natural. If there is anything wrong, please give me your advice and criticism."
Just like that, Zheng Miao, Qiu Yizi and more than 200 of their men actually settled down in the midst of a dangerous place.
At night, Zheng Yu, following Zheng Gui's orders, set up a banquet to entertain Zheng Miao and welcome him.
Zheng Miao had no interest in drinking with him, as he had no conversation or personal connection with him. He ate half his fill, then said goodbye and returned to the camp to rest.
Seeing that the camp arranged by Zhao Chengxiao was well-organized and orderly, Zheng Miao could not help but admire him. He walked along the path separated by tents towards his own military tent, but saw a fire coming from a smaller tent next to it, and heard someone whispering inside.
Zheng Miao knew that this was the tent of his sworn brother Qiu Yizi, so he lifted the curtain and went in. He saw Qiu Yizi and Lin Shuhan gathered around a charcoal basin in the middle of the tent. One of them was holding a thigh of an unknown animal in his hand and was sweating profusely while eating.
So Zheng Miao said with a smile: "Okay, you two, you sent me to eat that tasteless feast, but you feasted on it here, isn't that too rude?"
Lin Shuhan also grabbed the barbecue with his bare hands and replied with a smile: "The Third Prince is a prince, a popular figure in front of the emperor, above the emperor and below ten thousand people, how can he be compared with us? Lord Qiu and I, a small commoner and a small official, why should we eat his banquet? We can only eat this gift from the mountains and fields, which is enough to fill our hunger."
Zheng Miao had been with Lin Shuhan for a long time, so he was very casual when talking to him. He grinned, sat between Lin Shuhan and Zheng Miao, and said, "This kind of natural and wild fun is a rare good thing. Seeing that Mr. Lin is so happy eating it, it must be a delicious delicacy."
Lin Shuhan said, "Confucius said, 'You never tire of fine food, and you never tire of fine meat.' The sages emphasize self-control and restoration of propriety, and all seven emotions and six desires must be restrained, but they left the desire for food alone. How can we not understand the painstaking efforts of the sage master?"
While listening to Lin Shuhan's quotations, Zheng Miao picked up a piece of meat that looked like a bird's wing beside the charcoal basin and chewed it, praising him: "It's really delicious! It's really delicious!"
He ate the wing, and his hunger was relieved. He picked up a smaller piece of meat and said as he tasted it, "I have also seen the cooking skills of Miss Wu Ruofei, Mr. Lin's confidante. Although these pieces of roasted meat are delicious, they are still far inferior to Miss Wu's dishes. Seeing how happy Mr. Lin is, I'm afraid he is not interested in these pieces of meat, right?"
Lin Shuhan nodded and said, "Your Highness has a sharp eye, and is indeed very smart. Just now, I was discussing with Master Qiu and praising Your Highness!" (To be continued)