Their conversation truly put Ying Xiong, standing to the side, to shame.
He was a businessman, his thoughts always revolving around profit and navigating situations smoothly, ensuring he never got entangled. Yet, compared to Ling Weifeng's contributions to the martial arts world for stability, he felt utterly inadequate!
He rose and bowed deeply to Ling Weifeng. "Brother Ling, your magnanimity truly earns my admiration. In the future, I must learn from your example!"
Ling Weifeng...
What had he done to earn the respect of a man as wealthy as Ying Xiong?
Completely bewildered, Ling Weifeng stood up to help Ying Xiong, a sheepish look on his face. "Brother Ying is too kind. I'm merely following the King's example. All credit should go to the King!"
These words resonated deeply with Shi Haoming, who stood on the other side.
In Yun Country, under the King's leadership, setting aside all else, Shi Haoming's personal experience in the military camps spoke volumes.
In previous winters, the padded jackets and trousers were stuffed with straw, and the food consisted of dry rations. If not for the consistent payment of military salaries, the soldiers would have long since revolted.
But ever since he ascended the throne, the food and clothing in the military camps had been completely revamped. Even wounded soldiers were well taken care of by the King, and their salaries were doubled compared to before!
He likely had no idea of his standing in the hearts of the soldiers.
He was a god-like figure. In the camps and even outside, no one could utter a word of complaint against the King!
Such a benevolent emperor, it was a pity he abdicated!
"Everyone, there's no need to be so formal. In our family, we must all help each other, learn from each other's strengths, and compensate for weaknesses. I believe we will only get better from here on!"
Shi Haoming, finally given an opportunity to speak, immediately responded, "The King is right! We will follow the King's lead!"
Fan Zehao heard this, smiled, then his expression turned serious. He turned to Shi Haoming and said, "From today onwards, Yu Meng cannot go to the military camp anymore. Although she is no longer your soldier, your master-disciple relationship still remains!"
Shi Haoming was confused. "Yu Meng has been training very well in the military camp. Even Xie Changming is no match for her in terms of troop deployment and formation now. Why can't Yu Meng go to the camp anymore?"
He had planned to hold a competition after the New Year. If she won, she could officially become a deputy general, thereby gaining legitimate authority and the ability to manage the insubordinate soldiers in the camp!
He never expected that after returning from the minor New Year celebration, he would lose his disciple!
Fan Zehao lowered his gaze, finding certain words difficult to utter, yet he had to speak them!
A warm hand landed on his arm. Zhao Jiaqi gently patted him, offering silent comfort, then turned to meet Shi Haoming's bewildered gaze.
"Liu Sheng, the son of Duke Liu, deliberately murdered the madam of a brothel a month ago. His attitude was arrogant and overbearing. Even after admitting guilt, he uttered arrogant words. With the King's support, the prefect has sentenced him to death, and he will be executed after the New Year!"
Everyone had heard about this incident. At the time, the common people had applauded, saying such a person deserved to die. If even a prince broke the law, he was treated the same as a commoner, let alone the son of a Duke!
Just as everyone felt the verdict was just, the Queen continued, "Duke Liu, in his desperation to save his son, colluded with many ministers in the capital to plot a coup, intending to force Huangfu Xi to ascend the throne. He brought their blood-written pledges and attempted to bargain for his son's exemption from death!"
"The King, a man of integrity, was not threatened by him. So, Liu Sheng presented the blood-written pledges, forcing the King to agree to make Huangfu Xi the Crown Prince. Since Huangfu Xi is of the Huangfu family, the throne rightfully belongs to the Huangfu family. The King agreed to return the throne to the Huangfu family, but... the inner city must become independent. This is a necessary measure to ensure our own safety!"
"I believe Liu Sheng will be able to persuade the ministers in the capital soon. At the latest, news will arrive after the New Year. For her own safety, your daughter cannot return to the Jinzhou military camp with you!"
Everyone was shocked to hear this. If that was the case, then the inner city would become an independent city from now on?
If so, his beloved disciple could not return with him, which was truly a shame!
But what was even more regrettable was that Yun Country would lose such a fine King!
Even though his current title was Emperor Emeritus, those who knew him well in the inner city still couldn't break the habit of calling him King.
Ying Xiong never imagined that Fan Zehao and Yun Country would end up in such a predicament. In a family, this would be akin to a division of property!
Ying Xiong, being a businessman, was more concerned about his own ventures. The ginseng and lingzhi seeds he was currently preparing – would this whole endeavor be ruined by Liu Sheng's disruption?
"Your Majesty, what about our ginseng garden and lingzhi? Will we continue?"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded. "Yes, the booklets for the ginseng and lingzhi seeds have already been given to you. We must continue with this matter. Furthermore, this is an issue between our family and Yun Country; it has nothing to do with you."
"Setting aside everything else, if these two medicinal herbs can be successfully cultivated, it will be a blessing for the general populace. Such acts of accumulating merit and doing good deeds should still be carried out!"
Wild ginseng is truly scarce, and lingzhi is even more so. If they could be cultivated in large quantities, the price would be much lower, and their efficacy would be no less than that of wild varieties. To not undertake such a profitable and merit-accumulating endeavor would be a true pity.
Ying Xiong was reassured by the Queen's words. It wasn't that he didn't trust the annotations in the booklets, but rather, he had great faith in the Queen's horticultural skills!
However, this also brought up other issues. For instance, if the inner city truly separated from Yun Country, would they, as people of Yun Country, still be able to enter the inner city?
If they could enter, how would they do so? Or would it be a separation of families but not of gates?
These series of questions that Ying Xiong raised plunged the room into silence. This matter was indeed rather tricky!
"This is something I am discussing with the King, and it hasn't been finalized yet. It mainly depends on what kind of news Liu Sheng brings back!"
And also, it primarily depended on the intentions of the future emperor!
Everyone fell silent.
Unknowingly, they had been conversing until noon.
Outside, Chun Fen came to report that the banquet was ready in the dining hall. Everyone then paused their thoughts and went to eat.
It was the minor New Year, and the family was all together. It was essential to make it lively!
Especially the younger ones, whose eyes couldn't suppress their desire to play, yet they were trying their best to restrain it. Fan Zehao, seeing how eagerly the children wanted to have fun, began to coax his wife.
"Let the children play with fireworks tonight. It will add some color and festivity to our inner city!" he said, then, fearing his wife's refusal, he raised three fingers. "Just this once, please agree!"
What did these men take her for?
Was she that formidable?
Seeing their pleading gazes, if she refused, it would make her seem like an unreasonable mother.