Shipin Dalizheng

He had an idea and when he passed by Zheng Changning, he bowed and walked out.

At this time, there were no servants serving in the main hall. The elders were happily eating meat and drinking wine, and gradually the last bit of restraint disappeared.

The compound is like a real farmyard, with laughter and joy inside and outside, and the sounds of finger-guessing games. There is no intrigue or conspiracy. The people's lives are so simple. As long as they have enough to eat, they are satisfied.

Zheng Changning felt like he was watching an interesting drama. He didn't know why these people were so happy. Did they think that with the return of the heir of the Rong family, the Jian'an Earl's Mansion would be able to stand firm again?

Innocent!

Chuncao walked in and saw that he had put down his chopsticks and was staring out the door in a daze.

"Master Zheng, what are you looking at?"

Zheng Changning turned his gaze towards her and suddenly smiled. "Miss Chuncao, could you please let Master Rong know if it would be convenient for me to come in and have a few words with him?"

His voice was loud, and Rong Tang inside heard it. He said, "Please come in, Master Zheng."

The elders fell silent and suddenly stood up. Some carried basins, some carried tables. In a moment, they moved their position to the tree in the yard, resettled next to the small stone table, and continued to eat and drink.

Zheng Changning walked into the back hall and saw a small shrine where the newly buried Madam Rong was enshrined.

The people who should have been enshrined in the ancestral hall of the Jian'an Earl's Mansion can only live in the countryside courtyard now, and the Jian'an Earl's Mansion that belongs to them is now occupied by irrelevant people. How ironic.

Zheng Changning stepped forward, lit incense, and performed the junior's greetings. He spoke slowly, "My mother once advised Madam Rong to marry if she wanted to, and not to casually recruit a husband just to continue the Rong family. Jin Shizhao, a man from a humble family who passed the imperial examination, is exactly what those who desire power and status crave. To gain the connections of the Earl of Jian'an, he was willing to become a live-in son-in-law, not even caring about the surname of his legitimate son. It's clear that he is a ruthless person. Madam Rong ignored the advice and acted on her own, which ultimately backfired on her. It's really sad."

Rong Tang looked up at him, not knowing what he meant. Wasn't he on the Jin family's side?

As if understanding his doubts, Zheng Changning sneered, "Our Zheng family does not stand on the side of the Jin family."

"Perhaps the Zheng family and the Jin family both support King Rui?"

Zheng Changning's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't answer him directly.

"How much do you know about the Jian'an Marquis's Mansion? According to our investigation, you have lived in Jiangnan for many years, but you only crossed the river and headed north half a month ago. As soon as you arrived in the capital, you suddenly heard the news of Madam Rong's death. There must be a lot that you don't understand clearly, right?"

Rong Tang didn't say anything. There were many things he didn't understand clearly, but it wasn't necessary for him to know them. He just needed to know that the Jin family would never get the title or military power until their death.

As for who will be the emperor in the future, he doesn't care. It's not that he doesn't distinguish between good and evil, but he knows that no matter who becomes the emperor, they will all be bad people in the end.

Zheng Changning was obviously a little surprised, "Didn't your people tell you?"

Rong Tang replied vaguely, "It's not that they won't tell me, but they haven't fully understood. They were hired by my mother. They've been out looking for me for over a year now, and when they came back, their employer had passed away, and they're at a loss as to what to do. They're not leaving because they want me to pay the balance, but I've come so far and spent all my money on the journey, so I'm really short of money. If Master Zheng's mother and my mother are old friends, could you lend me some money?"

Zheng Changning looked at him in disbelief. He told him about the situation and he borrowed money?

"Of course, it would be great if I had it, but it's okay if I don't. I'm going to the capital tomorrow and will see if I can go to the palace and ask my aunt for some money to pay off my debt first."

Zheng Changning looked him up and down. He was handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. His clothes were plain, but that was common for people in mourning, so it couldn't be considered as evidence of poverty.

Is it really so difficult for him?

Thinking of the purpose of his visit, he hesitated and took out a stack of banknotes from his sleeve pocket, "I only brought one thousand taels, if it's not enough..."

Unexpectedly, Rong Tang smiled, his big white teeth shining brightly, like the warmth of the sun.

"You are one of us," he said.

Zheng Changning was stunned. "What do you mean?"

"My enemies won't care whether I'm doing well or not; they'll only gloat over my misfortune. My teacher once said that anyone willing to lend you money doesn't want you to die. If you can give me a thousand taels right away, then our friendship must be worth at least a thousand taels."

Zheng Changning was speechless. Is this how you distinguish between friends and enemies? How childish!

"I'm willing to give you one thousand taels for another reason, and it's not just because our two families have such a close relationship. Anyway, remember what I said today, and tell Concubine Rong if you have the chance. Don't think that you'll definitely inherit the title of Earl of Jian'an after you come back, and don't think that being Earl of Jian'an will give you control over the 50,000 Rong Family Army. The Rong Family Army today is no longer the Rong Family Army of the Earl of Jian'an's time. It's been split into several pieces, each with a new owner. Once someone tries to snatch the fat meat from their mouths, they will eat you. Do you know why you slept well all night and no one came to mess with you in the middle of the night?"

Rong Tang asked stupidly, "Why?"

Zheng Changning cursed inwardly. Talking to a little boy who had never been in officialdom or before the imperial court was exhausting. He didn't know if he understood.

"Because you said publicly at the funeral hall yesterday that you didn't want your title and property anymore, and that you wanted to give them all to Jin Yaoyang. Others can't guess your true thoughts, so they're all watching. I'm here to advise you that if you want to live a good life, don't think about titles and military power. Just be a wealthy young master."

Rong Tang seemed to have not understood what he said and said in a confused manner, "I don't want it! I'm only here to mourn my deceased mother and observe filial piety. As for those worldly possessions, if my father likes them, I'll give them to him. As a son, how can I turn against my father over money? If that happens, I'll be accused of being unfilial and criticized by the aristocratic families and scholars in the capital. Those people have nothing better to do than to nitpick and find fault with others."

Zheng Changning felt a little uneasy. Those people who had nothing better to do seemed to include the Prime Minister's Mansion, but he had no evidence.

"It's fine if you think so, keep it up. To be honest, we younger generations still admire the character of Earl Jian'an, which is why I joined the Rong family army and became a captain. He is the only bloodline he has, and we are willing to do our part to protect him."

What a child! Very easy to coax.

Rong Tang looked at Zheng Changning calmly. His attitude was both sincere and deceitful. It was true that he didn't want him to get involved in the Rong family army, and it was also true that he didn't want him to die.

He said sincerely, "Brother Zheng, your words are heartfelt, and Rong Tang will remember them in his heart. To be honest, I grew up in the mountains and don't know how to lead troops. I just want to live in peace. Brother Zheng, please spread my words and let my father feel at ease. I don't want the things he stole from the Jian'an Earl's Mansion. Please show mercy, that's all."

Zheng Changning frowned. They were clearly soft words made as a guarantee, so why did it sound so awkward?