PDLP Chapter 316 Lord Yao, Crown Prince Yao
Chapter 316 Lord Yao, Crown Prince Yao
Everyone descended to the foot of the mountain and headed towards the back gate of the villa.
Just as they approached the door, Ren Zuan came out from inside and stood by the door, laughing, "Hey, you've come up the mountain for fun, haven't you had a good time?"
Ren Jinning ran over excitedly, "Grandfather, my cousins and I went hunting. Look, these are our spoils for today. Wait a minute, I'll make chicken soup for you to nourish yourself."
"Hahaha, my grandson is really amazing! He knows how to care for his grandfather. Hmm, he's a promising young man!"
Even from a distance, Madam Ren's voice drifted over, "You're back! Come in quickly!"
When the maids and servants who followed later saw the wild game in everyone's hands, they couldn't help but laugh.
"Wow, there are so many!"
"Are pheasants and rabbits in the mountains so easy to catch?"
"The food these next few days is sure to be good..."
I'll give it a try tomorrow.
"Give me a break, your skills are just amateurish."
"Who said it's just a mediocre cat..."
"Hahaha......"
The group of people happily accepted the wild game, divided the work, and quickly prepared a feast.
Just as the food was served, the sound of horses galloping could be heard outside the door.
The lucky ones are back! Ren Zihao and Ren Zixin went to the city today and returned just in time for dinner.
After the meal, Ren Zuan gathered everyone in the front hall.
"Tomorrow, Zihao, Zixin, and Jinning will come with me to the clan school. Jinping, you and the others can study at home first."
Everyone has to learn; this was a task assigned by Ren Zuan last night. Everyone has witnessed the martial arts skills of the Wen siblings, so no one objected, and it was unanimously approved.
Then, Ren Zuan pointed to the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone on the table, "Everyone should copy this book of formulas. If you encounter anything you don't understand, I will explain it to you when I come back at night, or you can discuss it with each other."
"Or you could ask Cheng Jian and his siblings for advice."
The siblings quickly waved their hands modestly, saying, "We dare not ask for your guidance; we should learn from each other."
With the tone set, Ren Zuan instructed his family to carry out the plan gradually.
......
After dark, Wen Qilin and Wen Qiyuan arrived, and Ren Zuan led them to Zhou Taifu's courtyard.
Just as he sat down and drank a cup of tea, a guard outside the door reported, "Master, the head of the family has arrived."
Behind Zhou Yanzhi were two other people, dressed in black cloaks, their figures and faces completely obscured.
Once inside, he took off his cloak, and everyone saw him.
It turns out that he was Yao Shengzhi, the Marquis of Dongbo, and the father of Yao Changhao, his maternal uncle.
The other was the current crown prince, Prince Yao, with whom Yao Changhao shared a close blood relationship.
Before they arrived, Zhou Yanzhi had given the two a little bit of information, so when they saw the Wen family here, Crown Prince Yao and Marquis Yao did not show too much suspicion.
After everyone was seated, Grand Tutor Zhou got straight to the point, succinctly expressing his opinion. He then laid out the evidence and letters in his hand, one by one, in front of Prince Yao and Marquis Yao.
The two men faced the stack of evidence with solemnity, their expressions shifting from deep somber to furious.
Finally, Grand Tutor Zhou had to speak up to calm the two men down, "Have some tea, calm down. Haven't you already discovered it?"
Lord Yao put down his teacup, gritting his teeth, "So the Luo family had been harboring this intention all along!"
Crown Prince Yao quickly regained his composure and asked calmly, "How can I completely eradicate the Luo family?"
Subsequently, the group, in perfect unison, lowered their voices and began a series of discussions on the matter, listing numerous ideas and solutions from all sides. With Zhou Yanzhi and Ren Zuan among the advisors, Grand Tutor Zhou had a wealth of backup options.
With Wen Qilin and Wen Qiyuan in the army, even though the Wen family was exiled, they had been in the military for decades, and it was time to put some of their old connections and subordinates to good use.
After talking until their throats were dry, Prince Yao finally asked directly, "What does your Wen family want after this matter is over? To clear your name and be promoted?"
Wen Qilin's eyes shone brightly, "Clear the charges and protect the northern desert."
Prince Yao looked on incredulously. "General Wen, is this... really true?"
Wen Qilin and Wen Qiyuan nodded solemnly, “It’s absolutely true.”
After a few moments, Prince Yao acquiesced, then asked, "If the Luo family's military power is threatened this time, what will you do if there is fighting on the front line? Are you sure you can raise an army to fight the enemy in a short period of time?"
Wen Qilin and Wen Qiyuan exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, "It's definitely possible, but His Highness needs to order a relaxation of the control over the criminals in the Northern Desert, such as changing the ore delivery from once a month to once every three months, to buy us some time."
"This is easy to handle."
The night was deep, and midnight had passed.
Everything was settled; it was time to return and get things started.
Crown Prince Yao rose and left, while Marquis Yao lagged two steps behind, asking Wen Qilin, "Nephew, how is my Changhao family? Didn't he ask you to bring back a message?"
Wen Qilin smiled and said, "That's fine, he didn't ask me to bring it."
Lord Yao turned to leave in great disappointment. Before he had taken two steps, he suddenly felt a letter inside his clothes. It was of moderate thickness. At the same time, a voice in his ear said, "Read it when no one is around."
Lord Yao paused for a moment, then continued on his way.
Zhou Yanzhi led the two away into the darkness.
Ren Zu'an and his men were about to leave when Grand Tutor Zhou stopped them, saying, "Don't be impatient, what's the rush?"
"Zu'an, bring your children and grandchildren tomorrow, and also those three young men from the Hao family."
Everyone understood that this was Zhou Taifu announcing to the public that Hao's son had successfully become his apprentice.
After saying this, Grand Tutor Zhou turned to the Wen brothers and asked, "When do you plan to set off?"
"In a few more days."
Grand Tutor Zhou tapped his fingers on the table. "What do you think about leaving Cheng Jian here for a while, letting him stay by my side for some time before returning to the Northern Desert?"
What else? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Only a fool would disagree.
Wen Qilin immediately agreed, "Yes, I will follow Grand Tutor Zhou's arrangements."
......
Day two.
Ren Zuan led the group to Zhou Taifu's small courtyard.
At this time, besides the Grand Tutor and the guards, there were more than a dozen people in the courtyard. These people were all recommended by Master Zhou, ranging in age from forty or fifty to eight or nine.
Without any pleasantries, Grand Tutor Zhou arranged for everyone to sit in a side hall, pointing to the writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and a book.
"Everyone, hurry up and try to copy this book as quickly as possible. You must copy it yourself, no one can do it for you. Remember that."
There was no chaos; everyone was considerate of each other and tried to complete the task quickly and efficiently.
Wenwen and her siblings stood aside and did not participate.
After a while, a chubby boy of eight or nine years old walked up to them, circled around them, and suddenly approached them and asked a question.
Startled, Wenwen quickly covered the chubby boy's mouth.