Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 798: Chapter 389: Better Safe Than Sorry_3

”That’s right, Lingnan has iron and copper mines that can be used for forging weapons.” He Lianfang ignored Zhao Yao’s astonished expression and continued, ”Lingnan is far from the capital, so forging weapons there would not be detected by the capital. Moreover, nations like Annan and Siam also have iron and copper mines, and by then, we can forge weapons in these foreign countries as well.”

”Second Uncle, you’ve really thought this through.” Zhao Yao realized that He Lianfang hadn’t come up with this idea on a whim, but had been thinking about it for a long time, only now getting the chance to speak about it. ”Second Uncle, have you been planning these things all along?”

He Lianfang admitted frankly, ”That’s right, since you have acknowledged me as your master, naturally I have to think comprehensively for you.”

Zhao Yao said irritably, ”Well, I really must thank you then.”

”There are no skilled Forging Masters in Lingnan, and the weapons in Annan and Lusong are lacking; I doubt there are any skilled Forging Masters there. The Forging Masters from Shu are pretty good, though,” He Lianfang said as he looked at Zhao Yao. ”We can bring some good Forging Masters from Shu to Lingnan.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s mouth twitched as he said, ”Second Uncle, skilled Forging Masters are recorded in the local government registers. Do you think it is possible to bring them to Lingnan?” Let alone Shu, even the Forging Masters in the capital can’t just be taken away at will.

”Nothing is impossible.” He Lianfang was completely unconcerned about the issue of the Forging Masters being registered. ”I’ll handle this matter.”

”Second Uncle, you’re not planning to abduct the best Forging Masters from Shu to Lingnan, are you?” Zhao Yao thought He Lianfang could actually do such a thing. ”Second Uncle, you can’t do that. If you do, it will definitely arouse suspicion, and by then, I won’t be able to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River.”

He Lianfang glared at Zhao Yao. ”Do you think I would do something so foolish?”

Zhao Yao forced a laugh, ”I’m just afraid you might act on impulse.”

”You mentioned Lingnan has iron and copper mines. Once you reach Lingnan, you must immediately find the iron and copper mines,” He Lianfang firmly instructed, ”Forging weapons cannot be delayed too long.”

”Second Uncle, it looks like you’re planning a rebellion,” Zhao Yao quipped.

He Lianfang remained unfazed by Zhao Yao’s comment, ”If I asked you to rebel, would you?”

”Of course I wouldn’t rebel,” Zhao Yao didn’t take He Lianfang’s words seriously, thinking he was joking, ”Why would I rebel when I’m doing fine? I’m not just going to rebel out of boredom.”

He Lianfang gave Zhao Yao a meaningful look, ”If circumstances force you in the future, are you still not going to rebel?”

Zhao Yao was taken aback by the question, and then he seriously replied, ”If in the future I’m forced to rebel or perish, then I will rebel. I’m not foolish enough to wait for death.”

He Lianfang spoke with a deep meaning, ”Then I am relieved.”

”No, Second Uncle, what are you relieved about? Your words are making me anxious,” Zhao Yao felt that He Lianfang would not make such ’treasonous’ remarks for no reason, ”Second Uncle, your words make me suspect that you want me to raise an army of a hundred thousand private troops and forge weapons just to rebel one day.”

He Lianfang hadn’t expected Zhao Yao to be so perceptive, but he showed no reaction on his face.

”Better safe than sorry, you must prepare for anything.”

”Second Uncle, do you think my father, or perhaps my fourth brother, will force me into rebellion in the future?”

”Didn’t you come to see me today because you already have an answer in your heart?”

Zhao Yao fell silent.

Seeing Zhao Yao’s silence, He Lianfang said no more.

Zhao Yao said with a rueful smile, ”Second Uncle, you’ve truly seen through me.”

He Lianfang acknowledged Zhao Yao’s remark.

”Second Uncle, I’ll leave it up to you,” Zhao Yao felt he had too many concerns, so dealing with private troops and weapon forging should be left to He Lianfang. After all, that’s He Lianfang’s specialty. Let the professionals handle professional matters.

He Lianfang nodded slightly.

Zhao Yao didn’t know that even if he didn’t agree, He Lianfang would still do it.