CHAPTER 541: CHAPTER 288: WHATEVER MY LORD ASKS ME TO DO, I DO_3

Speaking of which, Zhao Yao came to the Zheng Mansion tonight to talk to Zheng Qian.

Zheng Qian has been studying at the Imperial College for several years. He previously told Zhao Yao that there was nothing more for him to learn there. He wanted to go to Lingnan first.

In these years, Zheng Qian has accomplished quite a few things. He is very well-known in the circles of literati and scholars in the capital.

He did not challenge students from other academies, but he was challenged by them. Then, unsurprisingly, he defeated everyone.

Even now, students from all academies in the capital often challenge Zheng Qian. They compete with him in many areas, not only in academics but also in the six arts of a gentleman, or in other matters. No matter what they compete in, they all lose to Zheng Qian.

Zheng Qian is very famous in the capital for his talent, and his eccentric temperament is also very well-known.

Being the youngest son of Grand Commandant Zheng and possessing such talent, the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, and the Third Prince naturally wanted to win him over, but unfortunately, he rejected them all.

Zheng Qian openly declared that he would never pledge allegiance to anyone dumber than himself. His words were exceedingly arrogant, but they were also true, as there was no one in the capital’s circles of literati and scholars smarter than him.

Seeing that Zheng Qian did not rush to pledge allegiance to Prince Chu like his elder brother, nor did he serve any other prince, the Crown Prince and Prince Dai were relieved and stopped trying to win him over.

This is how Zheng Qian gained his peace.

Upon seeing Zhao Yao arrive, Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian quickly attended to him.

Unlike Zheng Rang, they couldn’t cook or make snacks, but thankfully, their household cook knew how to prepare food that Zhao Yao liked.

Zhao Yao chatted with Zheng Qian and the others while having dinner, discussing trivial matters and nothing significant.

After finishing dinner, Zhao Yao finally talked business with Zheng Qian.

"You don’t plan to enter government service?" With Zheng Qian’s talents, Minister Li had long recommended him to the court.

"My lord, I don’t intend to serve in the capital." Zheng Qian said, showing a hint of disdain on his face, "Being an official in the capital is meaningless."

Zhao Yao was amused by Zheng Qian’s words and teased him, "Then is serving under me meaningful?"

Zheng Qian vigorously nodded and said, "Meaningful, very meaningful."

Zhao Yao had long guessed Zheng Qian would say this, but he still found it amusing.

"It’s the same role, what’s the difference?"

Zheng Qian replied earnestly, "Very different."

Zhao Yao, intrigued, asked, "Tell me what’s different?"

"Serving as an official in the capital is serving the Emperor, not my lord. I only pledge allegiance to my lord." Zheng Qian said with a serious expression, "I only strategize for my lord; others are not worthy!" Clearly, "others" also included the Emperor.

Hearing this, Zhao Yao felt a mix of shock, emotion, and helplessness.

"Zheng Qian, have you ever thought about why you serve me or the court, what the ultimate purpose is?"

"I only want to serve my lord, regardless of the purpose; as long as my lord instructs me to do it, I will do it."

Zhao Yao listened to his words and sighed deeply with helplessness. Zheng Qian was different from others, who typically served in officialdom for two reasons. The first was for power and wealth, and the second was to fulfill their aspirations, serve the court, and benefit the people. However, Zheng Qian had neither of these purposes.

For Zheng Qian, power and wealth held no allure. As for fulfilling his aspiration, he had even less interest; to speak precisely, he had no ambition.

Being exceptionally intelligent from a young age, he could effortlessly obtain anything he wanted, which left him with no goals. As for benefiting the people, he never even thought about it; whether the people lived well or not had nothing to do with him.

Zheng Qian could be described as having no desires or needs. He pledged allegiance to Zhao Yao because Zhao Yao was smarter than him, and he genuinely admired Zhao Yao. If Zhao Yao needed him to serve as an official to benefit the people, he would do so.

"My lord, if you want someone to serve in the court, I will take the position." Although Zheng Qian disliked the idea of serving in the court, if Zhao Yao asked him to do so, he would comply.

"Zheng Qian, even if I ask you to serve, have you thought about how you would do it?" Zhao Yao understood this exceptional genius Zheng Qian very well, knowing he cared nothing for the fate of the people. "Have you thought about the purpose of being an official?"

Zheng Qian had never thought about it, "I will do whatever my lord requires of me."

Hearing Zheng Qian repeat the same words, Zhao Yao’s mouth twitched slightly. Forget it, he knew what kind of person Zheng Qian was, yet he still hoped Zheng Qian could say something different, which was unfair to Zheng Qian and to himself.