"you?"
Gao Yeshan slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Zhao Lin and glaring at him.
"Sit down!" Zhao Lin said sternly.
Gao Yeshan hesitated for a moment, and sat down after being pulled by Ge Ruochuan and Shen Qishuo.
Zhao Lin said with a sullen face, "I don't care about other places, but on my territory, you have to abide by my rules. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will lose his head."
The three governors all shuddered violently.
Zhao Lin earned his reputation by killing people. He might really dare to chop them to pieces right now.
Ge Ruochuan sighed repeatedly: "Sir, Mr. Zhao, you are the governor of the river at such a young age, a high-ranking official. Apart from the cabinet elders and the six ministers, you are the only one with such high rank. Why do you have to focus on such a small amount of money? It's not worth it."
Zhao Lin said calmly, "It's not that I'm eyeing this little money; it's that this money needs to be used where it's needed. Okay, you can't make the decision, and I won't make it difficult for you. Tell the people behind you what I mean, and before I leave the capital after His Majesty's birthday celebrations, tell me your choice. War or peace? It all depends on your decision."
After saying that, Zhao Lin picked up the teacup.
The three governors wisely said goodbye.
After they left, Fu Wenqi came out from behind and asked, "Is it really okay for you to force them like this?"
Zhao Lin laughed and said, "Brother, you're just too kindhearted. These people, as governors, colluded with officials and businessmen to embezzle tax silver, leaving the court with no money to use and watching millions of disaster victims become displaced. It's a good thing you didn't wipe out their entire family, so what's the point of saying a few harsh words?"
Fu Wenqi said, "But what they said makes sense. The people behind them will never sit idly by and watch you interfere in maritime trade."
Zhao Lin said leisurely, "Then let's see who has the better skills."
After Gao Yeshan and the other two left, they returned to their respective homes. When it got dark, they quietly appeared in the same place again.
"Sir, it's not a good thing that Zhao Lin is so strong."
Gao Yeshan recounted what happened during his meeting with Zhao Lin during the day and complained.
The old man, whom Gao Yeshan called "Sir," snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "A mere kid who hasn't even grown a hair yet managed to scare you three governors? You're such a useless guy."
Shen Qishuo smiled bitterly and said, "Of course we won't be scared by him. But Zhao Lin has always been domineering. If he really brings the Qingzhou Army to investigate maritime trade, what should we do then? Do we really have to fight him?"
"Just take the Qingzhou Army away." The old man said disdainfully.
All three of them showed joy.
"Zhao Lin carefully trained the Qingzhou Army, is he willing to hand it over?" Ge Ruochuan asked.
The old man sneered, "As long as the emperor issues an order, how dare he refuse to hand it over? A mere Zhao Lin can kill him with a single blow. Does he really think that being the governor of the river means he can control everything? He's far from it."
"We feel at ease with your words, sir," said Gao Yeshan.
A higher-ranking official can crush a person to death.
Zhao Lin was the governor of the river and held the title of minister. Although he was not their direct superior, they had no way to stop him if he really wanted to cause trouble for them.
"Well, he's just a kid, why bother with him. This year's profits are good, but the growth is not enough compared to last year." said the old man.
All three of them were shocked.
Gao Yeshan immediately said, "Don't worry, old man. We are building a new ship and will set sail after the spring breeze starts to blow after the New Year."
"Yeah!" the old man nodded.
At this time, the housekeeper came in and said, "Master, the Marquis of Zhenbei wants to see you."
"Zhao Jingzhou? Humph, it seems he is here for that idiot. Let him in." The old man ordered.
Gao Yeshan and the other two hurriedly said, "We'll take our leave."
The three of them left from another place.
Soon Zhao Jingzhou came in.
"My Lord, how are you?" Zhao Jingzhou saluted.
The old man laughed and said, "You just returned to Beijing. Why don't you stay at home with your wife and children and come to my place?"
Zhao Jingzhou sighed, "It's all because of that disappointing son."
The old man said bluntly, "Your son really did act foolishly in this matter. It's hard for me to hand my daughter over to such a fool."
This old man was none other than Zhao Chenhan’s future father-in-law, the old Duke of Wei, Pang Zhuo.
In terms of military status, Pang Zhuo was higher than Zhao Jingzhou, and many military generals had been his close followers or served under him.
Including Zhao Jingzhou, they were all generals under Pang Zhuo.
So when Pang Zhuo scolded him, Zhao Jingzhou could only nod in response.
"Your son is terrible. Lack of ability can be forgiven, but stupidity cannot be forgiven. How can such an idiot be the head of the Zhenbei Marquisate?"
Pang Zhuo didn't give Zhao Jingzhou any face at all: "Compared to him, another young man named Zhao is simply a dragon and a phoenix among men. He doesn't even have the qualifications to compare with him. Jingzhou, do you know who he is?"
Zhao Jingzhou said calmly, "Hedao Governor Zhao Lin."
"The Governor of the Rivers is in charge of all the rivers in the world. He is responsible not only for water management but also for grain transportation. He holds a high position and has great power. It has always been managed by members of the royal family. Now, Your Majesty has given it to such a young outsider. It shows that Your Majesty favors him more than anyone else." Pang Zhuo said.
Zhao Jingzhou remained calm. "It's a pity that His Majesty is about to pass away, and Zhao Lin's position as the river governor won't last long."
"How do you know he won't last long?" Pang Zhuo sneered. "You must know that Fu Chengwang has been taking him around these days, introducing him to all his connections. It's obvious that he's trying to train him to be the new leader of the Chu Party. How foolish would the new emperor have to be to depose a leader of the Chu Party?"
Zhao Jingzhou said, "That's just Fu Chengwang's wishful thinking. Zhao Lin is so young, how can he be the party leader? There are quite a few different opinions within the Chu Party."
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