The author said: Good! Keep updating. This section is a bit boring, but it is a big foreshadowing, and the gears of history are about to accelerate, so please look forward to it!
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Zheng Rong said, "You may find it strange. Today is neither a festival nor a military expedition. Why do we need to make such a big fuss?" He glanced at everyone in the hall and continued, "However, in my heart, today is an important day."
Zheng Rong paused and continued, "My Youyan is different from other places in the Central Plains. All military and political affairs are shouldered by me. I am afraid of disappointing the emperor's trust and the court's expectations, so I have led the army in person in the past. Only this time, when we go south to fight against the evil cult rebels, I will hand over the power of using troops to you. Especially Zheng Xin and Zheng Sen, this is the first time they have led the entire army alone, which will be of great benefit to you in the future. Now we finally return with a complete victory. With this in mind, do you still think today is just an ordinary day?"
No one dared to speak, only Zheng Xin, as the eldest son, stood up and answered: "Father, you have foresight, and we cannot know everything. But your love and care make us grateful. I hope father can give you some advice."
After hearing this, Zheng Rong nodded and motioned him to sit down, saying, "Zheng Xin, what you said is very appropriate. Although you and your brother jointly led the battle on the western front, it was actually planned by you alone. Although this strategy of fortifying the city and clearing the countryside is a thundering method, it also has a compassionate heart and directly targets the vital points of the evil cult's chaotic army, so it can force them to use their weaknesses and attack my strengths, and gather together to fight me. I have always thought that you are good at government affairs, but not good at military affairs. Seeing you today, it is indeed beyond my expectation and very comforting!"
Zheng Xin was determined to show off his talent for both civil and military affairs when he led the army this time. His father's comments today made him very happy, but he was proud of his status as the eldest son and was not surprised by praise or criticism. He stood up and said, "Father, you are too kind. I am just helping you. How can I accept such praise from you? If Yuhuang wanted to fight, I don't know how much more trouble it would have taken if I hadn't adopted Yi's brilliant plan."
Zhongli Kuang understood everything from the side, thinking to himself: This Zheng Xin is quite good at talking. He turned the passive situation into active one without making any expression. He not only avoided the situation of being at a loss in facing the stubborn bandits, but also showed that he was able to listen to good advice. It is rare to have such shrewdness.
Zheng Rong did not hear the hidden meaning, nodded and smiled: "I originally wanted to say that your strategy is still lacking, and asked you to go back and read more military books, and ask more advice from my two generals Cui Wei. Since you have already realized this, it shows that you have self-knowledge, and you are worthy of the demeanor of the eldest son!"
Zheng Xin had been thinking about these words for a long time along the way. Seeing that he really pleased his father, he said a few more humble words and then returned to his seat and sat down.
Zheng Rong turned around and looked at Zheng Sen again and said, "Zheng Sen's performance this time is also good..." But he saw Zheng Sen sitting in the chair, squirming a few times as if he was very uncomfortable, as if he wanted to say something, so he asked, "Why? Do you think what I said is wrong? Or is there a nail in your butt?"
When Zheng Sen heard his father's question, he quickly stood up and said, "I was just following my elder brother in this southern battle. I think my performance was just average... Next time I will lead the army alone and make achievements. It won't be too late for my father to praise me again."
Zheng Sen was born with a rough character. When Zheng Rong was in a bad mood, he often thought he was rough and stupid, but when he was in a good mood, he thought he was innocent and straightforward. At this moment, Zheng Rong was in a good mood, so he talked to him a few more words: "Do you think everyone is a talented general? Just like you, as long as you can obey orders, lead by example, and win every battle, you will be a good general. I am not afraid of your arrogance. I think there are no more than ten generals like you in the whole court."
Zheng Sen seemed a little unconvinced after hearing this, and muttered, "Next time I become the head coach, I must make achievements to make the Godfather King look at me with new eyes." But he did not dare to say it loudly, and sat down angrily.
Zheng Miao knew that his father was going to talk about him next, so he straightened his body and listened attentively. He only heard Zheng Rong say, "Although Zheng Miao did not achieve any outstanding military achievements during this expedition, he was able to have a compassionate heart and not bear to kill. This is truly a blessing for the people and the country."
After hearing this, Zheng Miao stood up and said "I dare not" repeatedly, but said: "My son only thought that these rebels were just civilians, and they were bewitched for a while, so they took the risk. There are also parents and wives at home. If they were killed, wouldn't it be a pity? I didn't expect that gathering these refugees would bring so much trouble to my father. I am really uneasy."
After hearing this, Zheng Rong sighed and said, "Alas, although you are kind, Zheng Miao, you are a bit indecisive. The battlefield is full of decisions and unpredictable situations. How can you hesitate for a moment?"
After hearing this, Zheng Miao knelt down hurriedly and said, "I am an unfilial son and have failed my father's orders. But I really can't bring myself to do it. If my father has mercy on me, I hope you can grant me the job of settling refugees, so that I can share my father's worries and fulfill my filial duty!"
Qiu Yizhi was sitting next to Zheng Miao and heard everything clearly. Among the people present, only he and Zhongli Kuang knew that Youyan King Zheng Rong wanted to make Zheng Miao the heir, and he, the adopted son of Youyan King, was the only one who heard it with his own ears. He knew Zheng Miao's talent in his heart - when it comes to conspiracy and trickery, he may be better than his third brother, but when it comes to being upright, knowledgeable, and cautious, he is far behind. Even if Qiu Yizhi racked his brains, he couldn't figure out why his third brother was so low-key. Several times, he couldn't help but tell Zheng Miao what his adoptive father had discussed with him that day, but he held back.
Zheng Rong looked down at his third son, whom he favored very much. He seemed a little discouraged and sighed, "You... you have made some contributions in this expedition, and you should be rewarded. As for the matter of settling the rioters, let's not discuss it today and leave it for later. You stand up and sit down."
After that, he took a breath and said to Qiu Yizhi: "Yizhi has come up with another brilliant plan this time, easily defeating Yuhuangding's stubborn bandits. This strategy may not be matched by me. You three brothers should learn from Yizhi!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qiu Yizi was very proud of his strategy at that time. He found it even funnier when he thought about how Yu Mei was teased by him several times and was finally used as bait without knowing it. So he stood up with a smile on his face, wanting to learn to be humble like his brothers, but he didn't have such cunning and didn't know where to start. He just stood in the lobby, grinning at his adoptive father.
Seeing his frivolous look, Zheng Rong was immediately a little angry. He said with a stern face, "Do you think I've finished talking? Let me ask you, how could the minions of this evil cult allow you to be manipulated by you and take you up the mountain? What is your affair with the evil cult witch? I have reprimanded you several times, but you just ignored it!?"
Qiu Yizhi had never been scolded like this by his adoptive father, the King of Youyan. He was so overwhelmed that he stood in the hall for a long time in a daze. The entire Bozhou Daofu government office seemed to be shrouded in a layer of extremely heavy air, making everyone dare not even breathe. All he heard was Zhongli Kuang saying slowly, "Yizhi, why don't you kneel down and apologize to your father?"
After hearing this, Qiu Yizi finally reacted, knelt on the ground with a plop, and said, "Yizi has lived in poverty since childhood, and was saved by the kindness of my adoptive father. Just like lambs kneel to suckle their mothers, and crows repay their parents. Although Yizi is not talented, he dare not have the slightest rebellious heart. The right and wrong of what my father asked just now cannot be fully explained in a moment, and I will report it calmly in the future. But I believe that I have no intention of disobeying you. If my father still has doubts, there is no need for you to take action. Yizi can commit suicide immediately to show his loyalty and filial piety..." After that, he prostrated himself on the ground, sobbing.
At this time, everyone hurriedly stood up and pleaded for Qiu Yizi.
Zheng Rong recalled how Qiu Yizi's father blocked an arrow to save him and died on the battlefield, leaving Qiu Yizi an orphan. In order to repay Qiu Yizi for saving his life, he raised Qiu Yizi, whom he regarded as a bastard, by his side. Over the years, their relationship has become like that of real father and son. He couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
He waved his hand to let those who stood up to plead sit down, and then walked to Yizhi and helped him up, and said slowly: "Don't I understand your intentions, Yizhi? To the outside world, you are my adopted son, and your filial piety is no less than your three brothers; to the inside world, you are my subject, and your loyalty is no less than Mr. Zhongli, Cui Nan, and Wei Hu, so how could I doubt you?"
Zheng Rong helped Qiu Yizhi sit down in the chair and continued, "How much do you know about my intentions? You are not like Zheng Xin and the others, who can be granted titles and receive salaries when they advance, which is the natural status of the Han royal family. You, on the other hand, have no name or achievements, but you are in the Youyan Palace, a place of right and wrong. If you take a wrong step, you will be doomed. Do you know that?"
Qiu Yizi was such a smart person. Zheng Rong's words had made him understand everything. His adoptive father's intention to save him was for his whole life. Thinking of this, he stood up and knelt down again, sobbing and thanking him. Seeing Qiu Yizi's expression, Zheng Rong knew that he had understood what he meant, and was slightly relieved, so he asked him to stand up and sit down again.
King Youyan Zheng Rong walked calmly to the desk, sat upright on the chair, then cleared his throat and said loudly: "This king claims to be fair and selfless. He rewards merits and punishes faults without distinction of relatives. Today, my three sons have made great contributions. If I don't reward them, it would be unfair even if I am fair, and selfish even if I am selfless. It is inevitable that some people will say that I am a person who seeks fame. Therefore, this king will draft a memorial today to recommend Zheng Xin to the court as the Marquis of Dingzhou, Zheng Sen to the Marquis of Xingzhou, and Zheng Miao to the Marquis of Dingzhou!"
After hearing this, the three brothers Zheng Xin, Zheng Sen and Zheng Miao were all delighted. They all bowed to the ground and expressed their gratitude.
Zheng Rong motioned the three to stand up, then turned to Qiu Yizhi and said, "Yizhi, don't be discouraged. A real man's way of life is not just about a career in politics. After a hundred years, no matter which of your three brothers inherits the throne, it will be a great achievement for you to help him become a wise and virtuous king. Your adoptive father can rest in peace in heaven."
Zheng Rong was getting excited, and he said to Zheng Xin and the others, "Father wants you to swear a solemn oath here. From now on, you brothers, including Qiu Yizi, must share weal and woe, share hardships, and depend on each other for life and death. You must not have the slightest intention of harming others. If you break this oath, you will be condemned by the gods and the people, and you will be killed without a burial place!"
After Zheng Rong finished speaking, he immediately ordered Zhang Long to set up an incense table, and asked himself, Zhongli Kuang, Cui Nan, and Wei Hu to be witnesses, and asked the four of them to swear an oath to heaven.
After the ceremony, Zheng Rong was very happy. The disturbance in the hall had long since disappeared. He called Yiran and invited officers above the rank of captain in the southern army and several officials from Bozhou Prefecture. He ordered people to set up several tables of wine and feast in the back hall. They drank until midnight and then left happily. (To be continued)