Chapter 14: Visiting Si Nanbo's Mansion
"What else could it be? You want to use these people as a whetstone."
In the carriage of the Ye Mansion, Ye Zheng looked tired and sneered twice.
Among the three old masters in the Imperial Study, Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping are at the level of "one person with one mind", while Fan Jian has "eight hundred minds".
His dad...
Pretty much the same as Fan Jian.
Even though Fan Jian is not as good as the other two Lao Dengs, thanks to his protection, dealing with these two Lao Dengs... is really tiring!
"Whetstone?" Ye Ling'er frowned, skipping the question as she couldn't figure it out. She continued to ask, "Are you really going to take on this job as a fire patrol officer of the Military Affairs Department?"
Ye Zheng smiled bitterly, "Is this something I can choose for your brother?"
Emperor Qing praised him for his "amazing talent and learning, mastering the three aspects of calligraphy, and knowing how to deal with people in a proper manner", and for "caring about the people", so he gave him a job as the commander of the patrol and fire arresting team of the Bingmasi. He declined it repeatedly, and with the help of Fan Jian, he asked Lao Deng to "give more training to the young man, and hope that he can do more practical things for the people in the future".
"You are fifteen." Ye Ling'er frowned and sighed, and then said, "This Bingmasi Patrol Fire Detective Commander should be of the eighth rank."
Ye Zheng nodded, and suddenly thought of something. His expression darkened and his throat became dry. "Uncle Su...what about the granddaughter?"
According to his original plan, he would set up a guild hall, establish a martial arts ranking list, and step by step make friends with the younger generation from all walks of life in Kyoto, accumulate personal connections, and build up power.
However, plans are not as good as changes. The horse-riding attack in Nanshi came so fast and unexpectedly that the opportunity was presented to him.
Going with the flow is much more concealed than making deliberate plans, and the results are much better.
He was too late to stop Mr. Su's death, and later he made a lot of plans and plots around Mr. Su's death, which made Ye Zheng feel guilty and ashamed.
Ye Ling'er was still thinking. When she heard his voice, she glanced at him and saw that he was in a bad mood. She said, "He has recovered from his illness. A childless couple in the clan adopted him. Don't worry."
"Send someone to check it out after a while."
Ye Zheng slowly closed his eyes, and then opened them again, his eyes full of determination and decisiveness.
He has already stepped onto the big chessboard of Kyoto. From now on, he will not only have to fight with other chess pieces, but also play games with the chess player.
Ye Linger nodded, her face showing concern, and her hand reached out to his shoulder...
Gently pinching his shoulders, Ye Zhong felt a little sad as he looked at his son's face which seemed to have matured a lot in just a few days.
At this age, the Ye family would definitely not allow him to be a playboy who spends all his time drinking and having fun. They would just let their youngest son live a leisurely life for a few more years, just like he had in the past ten years. This is what he should have done.
"Do you regret it?" Ye Zhong asked in a deep voice.
Ye Zheng shook his head, "I don't have the time."
Very good, you still feel like joking.
Ye Zhong smiled and asked, "The young generation of the founding lineage?"
"What does it have to do with me?" Ye Zheng looked like a scumbag who didn't recognize anyone after the fact. He even warned, "Father, the Military Department is also directly under the emperor. From now on, I will also be the emperor's lackey (not derogatory). Don't get involved with any of you, you bastards."
This is a collaboration of Antelope Hanging Horns!
He never thought about reaping the favor of the founding family.
Those old guys who were the founders of the country have managed to hold on until now, and none of them are simple characters. Even if they don't realize this opportunity, or are unwilling to take the risk and just want to be the sixth brother and keep jumping around, they won't suffer any loss and can even gain a good reputation.
In the past two days, he was the 'top search' in Kyoto City, and his reputation was greatly increased. Compliments like 'honest minister' were thrown at him without cost.
It would be good if the founding family could seize the opportunity.
He gave them opportunities with the intention of letting them seize them and then...struggle hard.
These people may not all be the forces he wants to unite, but they can also serve as a small help.
"Very good." Patting his shoulder heavily, Ye Zhong looked very happy, but the next sentence made Ye Zheng unhappy, "You are better than your elder brother."
"What are you doing?" Ye Zheng stared in astonishment, stunned and angry.
"At your young age, what do you think about all day? A quarrel between brothers?"
"What's the point of brothers fighting? I just don't want to do so many things and bear so many burdens. Now the situation is stronger than people. Don't throw some things and burdens to others. Let your eldest brother do it."
“…Go to the martial arts hall.”
"No, I'm going to ask my mother for justice! It's so infuriating!"
"you…"
...two days later
Ye Zhong and his family were invited to visit Si Nanbo Fan's house.
"Brother Shi, are you...not feeling well?" Fan Jian looked at Ye Zhong who was rubbing his waist from time to time and asked curiously.
Ye Zhong's face flushed and he laughed, "I've been training harder these past two days."
Hmm... I just don't know whether the training is taking place in the martial arts hall, the garrison camp, or somewhere else.
"After all, I am getting older and can't be as active as I was when I was young. I should take care of my health."
Ye Zhong really wanted to pull his wife over to listen to what Fan Jian said.
At this time, Ye Zheng led a young man who had lost his eyes when he smiled.
"Father." "Uncle."
"Father." "Uncle."
"Sit down." Fan Jian took a stand.
In contrast, Ye Zhong was much more friendly, "Zhuo Fu, Sizhe is a man of great stature, how could he be like you said."
Fan Jian glanced at Fan Sizhe, who was smiling happily at the praise, and the latter immediately stopped smiling.
"Hey, Zhuo Fu, don't go too far."
Ye Zhong let out a breath for Fan Sizhe again, and the latter looked at Ye Zhong with eyes full of admiration.
Ye Zheng was in a state of confusion.
This child definitely lacks fatherly love.
"Zheng'er." Fan Jian's voice pulled him out of his wandering thoughts.
"Uncle." Ye Zheng sat upright, his eyes slightly lowered, as if he was waiting for instruction.
Fan Jian took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction, "Being a fire patrol officer is not an easy job. If you don't want to, I can help you find a way around it and change your job."
"Don't seek easy things, don't avoid difficulties, uncle, let it be difficult."
Ye Zheng's courageous and carefree look made Fan Jian even more satisfied, "Great, you dare to take on responsibilities."
As he spoke, he glanced at his younger son who was happily talking to Ye Zhong.
Fan Sizhe trembled in response and silently adjusted the round stool under his buttocks, moving away from Ye Zheng.
At this moment, the backyard
“…Spring scenery floats in the cold jar, sucking the sea and hanging the rainbow; calling the eagle and the dog at leisure, white feathers plucking the carved bow, the cunning hole is suddenly empty.”
Fan Ruoruo took the "Song of Six States. Young Man's Chivalry" written by Ye Zheng and brought to her by Ye Ling'er, and read it in a crisp voice.
After reading it, his eyes were full of tears and he sighed, "The Liuzhou Ge Tou is a difficult tune to write. The third young master's half of the poem is full of heroic sentiments and vigor, and it is vividly expressed in the words. The chivalrous spirit of this young man is unmatched in the world, hmm..."
"The handwriting is good too."
This is a compliment!
Ye Ling'er's eyes flashed with cunning, and she came close to her and asked for advice, "Only a talented woman like you can explain it, but I don't understand what's so good about the calligraphy. Ruoruo, please tell me more."
She was fine controlling her tone, but the action of moving closer alerted Fan Ruoruo, and when she looked over, she noticed the mockery in her eyes.
Her cheeks felt slightly hot, and Fan Ruoruo took a deep breath. She shrugged her shoulders slightly, suppressed her fluctuating emotions, slowly put away the poem paper, opened her mouth slightly, and said in a tone that sounded annoyed and angry, "That's good."
Look at the movement in her eyes and listen to her tone, it really... makes me feel numb.
Ye Ling'er shuddered.
The little sister here is teasing...laughing, over there...
Liu Ruyu grabbed Cui Yan's hand and cried.
(End of this chapter)