Zhao Huan slowly shook his head and said, "My good-for-nothing son of mine is good for nothing but wasting money... and you even got him the title of General Zhaoyong. That's not right, not right at all..."

"Everyone has strengths, and teachers should try to discover and help children develop their strengths."

Wen Tai patted Zhao Huan's hand and said, "Just like when I first came to Changsui, no one took me seriously. Only my teacher saw my strengths and nurtured me, which is why I am where I am today."

"Hmm... then you should do what you are supposed to do. His Majesty is a wise emperor and trusts you the most. You have plenty of room to show your talents."

"What about the teacher? The teacher is only fifty years old, and has now made unparalleled contributions. Can't he stay and help His Majesty for a few more years?"

"My body... really can't take any more suffering."

As he spoke, Zhao Huan stopped and said, "You're walking too fast. Take a break and catch your breath."

Wen Tai nodded, but in his heart he was thinking, "You're already complaining about being tired after only going down a few steps?"

Why don't you ever complain of being tired while marching and fighting?

"Sigh..." Wen Tai sighed and said, "Then you should rest and recuperate in Yanchuan, teacher! But if the war gets intense and His Majesty summons you again, I really don't know how I can cover for you."

"Isn't that simple? You should train General Wang well!"

Zhao Huan stopped walking and sat down on the steps, choosing a semi-reclining position. He said, "Wang Ren is truly talented. The worst thing in military campaigns is being restrained. Don't interfere too much with him; let him fight freely. If he really wins the battle at Yedan, his confidence will be built up, and he will be able to handle any major battle in the future without any problem."

Upon hearing this, Wen Tai's thoughts became even more complicated.

Zhao Huan spoke so humbly and in such detail; did he truly want Wang Ren to grow stronger?

If Wang Ren really rises to power, you will never be able to touch that supreme authority again.

Are you really willing to relinquish this power that holds such a large army?

Wen Tai tentatively suggested, "Why don't you stay a few more days, teacher? When Wang Ren encounters something he doesn't understand while formulating the Northern Expedition plan, he can ask you for advice?"

Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Wang Ren is clean now, so don't let him learn from me."

Wen Tai was taken aback.

Zhao Huan's words were actually quite blunt. Most of the generals in the court were more or less connected with Zhao Huan, which was why they could never rise to the highest position.

In Zhao Huan's words, in the emperor's eyes, they were simply unclean.

Wen Tai secretly glanced at Zhao Huan's eyes. Although his eyes had become somewhat cloudy due to his age, they were still as clear as a calm lake.

Wen Tai was filled with respect and bowed, saying, "I deeply admire your loyalty and courage to the country, Teacher."

Help me up.

Zhao Huan reached out his hand, and Wen Tai quickly took it.

Zhao Huan said, "I never dwell on our affairs, and you shouldn't hold any grudges either. All my knowledge in my life has been given to the late Emperor and to you. With my health, I might join the late Emperor any day now, so Wentai... focus your mind on the right things!"

"Student...remember this!"

Wen Tai lowered his head, his eyes bloodshot, but his expression became ferocious, as if he was trying his best to restrain something.

"This is one of the few times we can come to Tianze Palace."

Zhao Huan glanced back at Tianze Palace, patted Wen Tai's hunched back, and smiled, "Since you've come with me up these steps, then come with me to the end."

...

"That was quite a shrewd move!"

On the banks of the Yanchuan River, Zhao Cheng sat on a small stool fishing, while Zhao Wu was grilling a small barbecue behind him. Yang Cai'e and Dong Hua were helping Zhao Wu skewer the ingredients with wooden sticks.

The weather was sunny, and the four of them had a great time.

After the reward for General Zhaoyong was issued, Zhao Wu was puzzled and asked Zhao Cheng, who gave him this answer.

"Master, you know I don't use my brain when I go out. Please explain."

"Are you brainless? You don't have one."

Zhao Cheng changed the bait, cast the line again, and said, "Since the court wants to reward me, it means they are acknowledging Chen Yuxian and Hu Xiayong's identities as spies of Southern Zhou. What about Wang Yufeng, who is in cahoots with Chen Yuxian?"

"If Wang Yufeng is found guilty of colluding with Southern Zhou, what will happen to Wang Ren?"

"But now the court wants to send Wang Ren on a northern expedition, so we can't let Wang Yufeng's matter implicate Wang Ren, but we can't pretend that this matter didn't exist either."

"So the Left Prime Minister came up with this plan: he took off Wang Yufeng's general's hat and put it directly on my head. This was both a reward and a way of showing the Emperor's attitude. Ah... Your Majesty, although Wang Ren wasn't punished on the surface, he knows he failed in his duty to raise his son and made a huge mistake. Your Majesty, rest assured, he will definitely fight well and make amends!"

Zhao Wu stared blankly at the back of Zhao Cheng's head and said, "Master, how did you come up with such a complicated brain?"

"Don't stare at my head, it's like you're trying to roast my brain!"

Zhao Cheng moved the small stool away from Zhao Wu, taking a few steps back, and said, "Donghua! Cai'e! It's too hot, come and fan me, don't help him skewer the meat, he's not worthy!"

Yang Cai'e and Dong Hua exchanged a smile, and sure enough, they dropped the ingredients they were holding and ran to Zhao Cheng's side.

Zhao Wu withdrew his jealous gaze, which was bordering on insane, and muttered, "Tch, women only slow down my sword-drawing speed. I'm not envious at all."

Before she could finish speaking, Donghua returned, picked up the ingredients, and continued skewering, saying, "The more you say you're not envious, the more envious you actually are. Sangsang, the girl in the Third Young Master's courtyard, is quite good. You should work harder!"

“Sangsang is too controlling, she even dictates when the Third Young Master and the Young Master take their baths…” Zhao Wu was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, “Why are you back again?!”

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