CHAPTER 542: CHAPTER 288: WHATEVER MY LORD ASKS ME TO DO, I DO_4

"I do not need you to enter the court as an official." Zhao Yao was well aware that if Zheng Qian entered the court, it would be like a little lamb falling into a wolf’s den. He would be subjected to various solicitations and bribes, which was what he detested the most. Moreover, he did not need Zheng Qian to recruit ministers for him.

"In that case, I will not enter the court as an official."

"It will be several years before I come of age and go to Lingnan to be enfeoffed as a prince. You can’t just idle away these years, can you?" Zhao Yao asked Zheng Qian, "Don’t you have something you want to do?"

"No, but my lord, I can go to Lingnan in advance and help you out."

"You cannot go to Lingnan ahead of time."

Zheng Qian asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Before I go to Lingnan, there must be no changes there, or by the time I come of age, I might not be able to go there at all." Zhao Yao stated solemnly, "Lingnan must stay the same, so as not to attract any attention from the court, or arouse any suspicion from the neighboring countries around Lingnan."

Zheng Qian understood Zhao Yao’s concerns and nodded, saying, "The lord has considered things thoroughly."

"Here’s what you should do: take these years to travel around." Before meeting Zheng Qian, Zhao Yao had already thought about how to arrange for him.

"Travel around?" Zheng Qian was surprised, then quickly said, "My lord, I don’t need to travel."

"When I tell you to travel around, it’s not just for pleasure, but for you to observe public sentiment." Zhao Yao advised, "There’s a saying that it’s better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books; what you’re learning now is just the tip of the iceberg. You can only learn more by going out and seeing more. Since I cannot travel around, you will have to do it on my behalf."

Zheng Qian seemed to somewhat understand.

"I want you to help me understand the lives of the common people. So that when I go to Lingnan later on, I can govern it well, allowing its people to lead good lives." Zhao Yao continued, "Travel around, observe what you see and hear, note it down, and then tell me."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qian understood Zhao Yao’s intention and nodded solemnly, "Alright, I’ll be the lord’s eyes and go around to observe."

Zhao Yao was pleased seeing that Zheng Qian finally understood his aim, and smiled. Then he looked over at Zheng Cheng: "You probably aren’t learning much in the Ministry of Works either, so you should travel around with Zheng Qian."

Zheng Cheng was surprised and said, "Me too?"

Zhao Yao nodded slightly and said, "There are many good techniques among the common people; you should go see them. Besides, it would be good for you brothers to have each other’s company on the journey."

Zheng Cheng glanced at Zheng Qian, then understood Zhao Yao’s intention to let him travel with his younger brother.

"Then I will travel with my younger brother."

Though Zheng Qian was not too keen on going out with Zheng Cheng, it was Zhao Yao’s order, and he could not refuse.

"Remember to observe and listen attentively." Zhao Yao arranged this trip for the Zheng brothers not only to have them see things on his behalf but also to make them learn, and to make them experience public sentiment and understand the common people.

Emotionally, Zheng Cheng was slightly better than Zheng Qian, but he also... to put it nicely, he was unbothered and unaffected by external affairs. To put it bluntly, he didn’t care about the life or death of the common people. Neither of the brothers held the kingdom and its subjects in their hearts; they only had their world.

"My lord, when do we depart?" Zheng Cheng asked, "Shall we leave in a couple of days?"

Zhao Yao replied, "After some time, Mr. Meng will come to the capital to give lectures, listen to his teachings before you set off."

Zheng Cheng was not interested in Meng Changce’s lectures as he had no interest outside of Mechanical Techniques.

Zheng Qian, however, wanted to listen, for teachers and students at the Imperial College all said Meng Changce was a Saint of this era. He had never seen a Saint and wanted to meet and spar with one.

"By the way, your first stop should be Liangzhou; while there, visit your elder brother."

If he could, he really wanted to go to Liangzhou himself to see his fourth brother and the others. Wait, it might be possible; he wondered if the fourth brother had written to the emperor, asking him to allow the visit to Liangzhou. If the emperor agreed, then he could go to Liangzhou with Zheng Qian and the others.