CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 238 GOING TO LINGNAN_3

He Lianfang was also clear in his heart. He smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I will arrange everything for you."

"With Second Uncle’s help, I have nothing to worry about."

"You know Lingnan is very poor. Once my people have gathered all the information there, you’ll need to find a way to make money." He Lianfang felt he was not as good as Zhao Yao in business matters.

"Naturally." Zhao Yao thought to himself, he had to go back and study Lingnan carefully to see if there were any business opportunities there.

"The population is large in Lingnan, you can train some troops and a suicide squad." He Lianfang suddenly thought of Lingnan, but by now he had already thought of many things. "You can even nurture a private army of your own."

"A private army?" Zhao Yao exclaimed, "Second Uncle, privately forming an army is a great crime." He had no intention of rebellion; what was the need for a private army?

"Just in case." He Lianfang’s expression suddenly turned very sharp, "With an army that belongs solely to you, your safety is guaranteed. Moreover, Lingnan is a wild place; without an army, it’s hard to govern the area."

"Additionally, the nearby countries like the Piao Kingdom, Funan, and Langya are always restless. With your own army, you can deal with them." He Lianfang’s tone was full of temptation, "If you secretly nurture your own army in Lingnan, no one will find out."

Zhao Yao, hearing this, appeared to be in deep thought.

"With your own army, you can manage and protect the people of Lingnan properly, understand?"

Zhao Yao nodded and said, "I understand."

"When you grow up, your royal brothers might be at each other’s throats. Going to Lingnan to train your soldiers will be your protection talisman then."

Zhao Yao did not immediately agree but seriously considered whether this could be done.

Seeing Zhao Yao deep in thought, He Lianfang did not rush him but quietly awaited his decision.

After a moment, Zhao Yao raised his eyes and looked at He Lianfang, saying, "Then I’ll listen to Second Uncle."

Upon hearing this, He Lianfang smiled and said, "Leave this matter to me."

"Alright." Second Uncle is skilled in training soldiers. The army he trains will surely be formidable.

He Lianfang did not continue talking about court matters but began discussing military strategy.

Zhao Yao listened intently.

By midday, He Lianfang specially ordered a table of fine dishes from the Zhenxiu Building to celebrate Zhao Yao’s birthday.

"Second Uncle, when is your birthday?" Zhao Yao asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"Of course, to celebrate it with you."

He Lianfang was momentarily stunned by Zhao Yao’s words. Years ago, Prince Yi Yong had asked him the same question and said the exact same thing.

"The second day of the second month."

"The day the dragon raises its head! Second Uncle, you were born on a great day." Zhao Yao smiled, "This year is already past, so I can’t celebrate with you, but next year I’ll certainly do so."

He Lianfang felt slightly moved: "Alright, I’ll wait for it." Back when his master was alive, his master always remembered and celebrated his birthday. Even though his master often forgot his own birthday, he always remembered his. Since his master’s passing, no one else remembered or celebrated for him.

"When the time comes, I’ll throw a grand birthday feast for Second Uncle."

"I don’t like big occasions, just having a meal with you will be enough."

"Alright." Zhao Yao said with a smile, "From next year on, I’ll celebrate your birthday with you every year, Second Uncle."

He Lianfang’s eyes grew moist, his voice somewhat choked: "Okay!"

Zhao Yao picked some food for He Lianfang, "Second Uncle, eat more."

"This is your birthday feast. You eat more."

"I definitely will."

Whenever Zhao Yao was around, He Lianfang’s appetite unconsciously improved.

After their lunch, Zhao Yao and He Lianfang played chess.

After finishing two games, He Lianfang took a book from a drawer and handed it to Zhao Yao: "This is your birthday gift."

Zhao Yao reached out and took the book, noticing that there were no words on the cover.

"Second Uncle, what book is this?"

"Open it and see for yourself."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao eagerly opened the book and found that it was about military strategy.

"Military books?"

"Correct, it’s a military book I wrote."

"Second Uncle, you wrote this?" Zhao Yao said with delight, "Then this is a priceless treasure." He quickly tucked the book into his chest, looking as if he cherished it dearly.

"How did my military book become such a priceless treasure?"

"Second Uncle, you’re a Divine Military Genius. Of course, any book you write is a treasure, and it’s incredibly hard to come by." Zhao Yao said, "I’m sure you’ve never shared this military book with anyone else."

"That’s right, I’ve never taught this military book to anyone." The world sought after a military book personally written by He Lianfang, but it was impossible to obtain even with a thousand pieces of gold.

"I knew it." Zhao Yao knelt down before He Lianfang and solemnly kowtowed three times.

He Lianfang did not stop Zhao Yao from kowtowing but accepted it.

"Second Uncle, rest assured, I will study your military book diligently and won’t disappoint you."

"I trust you won’t let me down." He Lianfang instructed, "This military book, you must not pass it on, understood?"

"Second Uncle, I understand." This military book is the culmination of Second Uncle’s life’s work, never taught to outsiders, so how could he casually show it to anyone?

After chatting a bit more with He Lianfang, Zhao Yao left. He was going to celebrate his birthday with Liang Guan and the others tonight.

After Zhao Yao left, He Lianfang said to the Hidden Guard lurking in the shadows, "Have Zhao Zheng come over tonight."

The Hidden Guard was used to He Lianfang’s tone and did not find it strange.

Soon, in the Imperial Study at Chengguang Hall, the emperor was quite surprised to hear that He Lianfang had asked to see him.

"Fang Fang actually wants to see me voluntarily; he must be thinking of me."

Sun Kui murmured to himself: Your Majesty, that madman He Lianfang seeking you out can’t be a good sign.