Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1214: Chapter 185: Coming Clean with He Lianfang_3

Zhao Yao pulled out a chair and sat opposite He Lianfang, picking up the teapot to pour himself a cup of tea.

“Back already.”

He Lianfang put down the book in his hand, looked calmly at Zhao Yao who was drinking tea, and said nothing.

Zhao Yao raised his eyes to meet He Lianfang’s gaze and said with a smile, “Second Uncle, if you want to say something, just say it.”

He Lianfang replied, “Shouldn’t you be the one asking me questions?”

Zhao Yao played with the teacup in his hand, a casual smile on his lips.

“What I want to say, Second Uncle, you should know.”

He Lianfang gave Zhao Yao a deep look, then chuckled softly, “I truly underestimated you.”

“Both you and Father have underestimated me,” Zhao Yao said with a cheerful smile, “Do you really think I’m unaware of the things you’ve been doing?”

“When did you find out?”

“Before coming to Lingnan, I knew everything.”

“Since you knew, why did you still let me train the soldiers?”

“Second Uncle, you’re a Great General, skilled at training soldiers. Why would I stop you from training them?”

He Lianfang narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Are you using me to train soldiers for you?”

“Second Uncle, you should understand, even without you helping me train soldiers, I could train them well.” Zhao Yao playfully winked at He Lianfang, “Don’t forget, the methods you use to train soldiers were devised by me.”

Zhao Yao didn’t mention it, but He Lianfang had indeed forgotten about this.

“Second Uncle, it is you using me, not me using you,” Zhao Yao said, “You want to rebel against my father, so you chose me. Of course, one reason you chose me is because I’m somewhat similar to my uncle.”

He Lianfang said nothing.

“You think my uncle’s death was caused by my father, so you want to avenge him.”

“Did Zhao Zheng tell you this?”

“Father had a stroke, paralyzed and unable to speak, how could he tell me?”

“How did you find out?”

“Through investigation and deduction, isn’t it obvious?” Zhao Yao pointed to his brain and said proudly, “My greatest strength is intelligence.”

Hearing Zhao Yao’s shameless words, He Lianfang didn’t refute.

“Second Uncle, do you really think my uncle was killed by my father?” Zhao Yao stared at He Lianfang, “You should know my father’s character a bit. My father wished for my uncle to live, so he wouldn’t have to be emperor.”

He Lianfang remained silent.

“You blame my uncle’s death on my father, in truth, you’re unable to accept my uncle’s passing and are finding excuses for not protecting him.”

Upon hearing this, He Lianfang promptly retorted, “No, I didn’t.”

“Whether you did or not, you know in your heart.” Zhao Yao’s gaze seemed to penetrate He Lianfang’s thoughts, “Second Uncle, my uncle and my father shared a deep brotherly bond; his death has nothing to do with my father. You hate my father enough to want to rebel against him. If my uncle knew, how do you think he’d feel? How would you face him when you go to meet him in the afterlife?”

Zhao Yao’s question left He Lianfang stunned. He had never thought of it this way.

“My father and uncle are blood brothers; they consider each other more important than their own lives. You treat my father like this; do you think my uncle would be happy for you to avenge him?”

“I…”

“You’re using the guise of avenging my uncle to absolve yourself of responsibility.”

“I didn’t…” He Lianfang’s tone gradually weakened.

“Whether you did or didn’t, you know better than me.” Zhao Yao stopped discussing this matter, and spoke of the rebellion, “Do you know why you couldn’t succeed in your uprising?”

This was also what puzzled He Lianfang. The soldiers in Swamp Prefecture were all trained by him; logically, they should have listened to him, but that wasn’t the case.

“Why?”

Zhao Yao said word by word, “Be-cause-you-are-not-me.”

He Lianfang heard this and paused, then he understood Zhao Yao’s meaning, curled his lips into a self-deprecating smile, “I see.”

“Second Uncle, you and Eighth Brother have long collaborated; it isn’t a bad thing for you if Eighth Brother ascends the throne. Why did you still revolt?” Zhao Yao couldn’t understand this.

“When did you find out?” He Lianfang cooperating with Prince Wei was unknown even to Zhao Zheng.

“I learned after arriving in Swamp Prefecture.” Zhao Yao continued, “Back then, the deposed Crown Prince’s family was killed by your doings. Also, the death of my third mother was your doing.”

He Lianfang didn’t expect Zhao Yao to know even these things, and for a moment his expression showed surprise, but he quickly regained composure.

“I truly underestimated you.” This child’s intelligence is unfathomable. “Since you know your third mother was forced to death by me, why not avenge her?”

“I wanted to see what else you would do, if you’d truly commit treason.” Zhao Yao smiled helplessly, “I didn’t expect you to actually revolt.”

“Zhao Yao.” It was the first time He Lianfang formally called Zhao Yao’s name, “I want you to be emperor!”

“If I become emperor, will it mean successful vengeance for you?” Zhao Yao couldn’t understand this.

“No, it’s not for revenge, it’s for the whole world.”

These words left Zhao Yao puzzled, “For the world? Second Uncle, when you approached me initially, wasn’t it to avenge my uncle, to anger my father?”

“It was at first, but later…” He paused as his expression suddenly softened, “Later, it was for the Crown Prince and for the entire world.”

Zhao Yao still didn’t get it, “What do you mean?”

“Your uncle was a man with the world at heart. When he was alive, he told me that he hoped for peace in the world, for people to live good lives without suffering the pains of war,” said He Lianfang, “You can bring Great Zhou an era of peace and prosperity, allowing the people of the whole world to live good lives.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yao responded bitterly, “Second Uncle, you really have high hopes for me.”

“Isn’t Swamp Prefecture just a living example?”

Zhao Yao quickly waved his hand, “That’s not comparable, is it? Swamp Prefecture’s place is small.”

“I can see your capability,” He Lianfang sighed, “I started the rebellion to force you to be emperor, but I didn’t expect you to have arranged everything long ago.”

“You and Father are truly intent on making me emperor.” Zhao Yao felt utterly helpless inside. He had said long ago that he didn’t want to be emperor, but Father and Second Uncle ignored him and tried all means to force him into it.

To make him emperor, they really went to great lengths.