Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1062: Chapter 114: Why Is Grand Commandant Zheng Here?

On this day, Zhao Yao unusually had some free time, so he took Tong Xi out for fishing. He randomly picked a spot near Swamp Prefecture to fish and unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance he wasn’t truly familiar with—Zheng Xilin.

As the trade conference was about to end, Zheng Xilin suddenly arrived at Swamp Prefecture. Zhao Yao didn’t visit him, and Zheng didn’t make any particular effort to greet Zhao Yao, this Prince Han either. Both pretended not to know about each other’s presence.

Zhao Yao wasn’t concerned about Zheng Xilin’s arrival, nor did he pay attention to where Zheng Xilin went afterwards. Later, he heard from Zheng Qian that Grand Commandant Zheng had left Swamp Prefecture to visit other states. Zhao Yao thought the old man had left Lingnan and returned home, but unexpectedly ran into him today by the Wild Pond in the forest.

Although Zhao Yao was a bit surprised inside, he didn’t show it on his face, treating Zheng Xilin as a complete stranger, as this was his "first" official meeting with the old man.

Previously, one day when Zhao Yao was strolling in Swamp Prefecture, he saw Zheng Qian taking Zheng Xilin shopping. Standing not too far away, Zhao Yao could clearly see Zheng Xilin’s face, which is why he recognized the old man today.

Seeing Zheng Xilin fishing by the pond, Zhao Yao wanted to turn back and leave, but leaving immediately would look too strange. So, he had no choice but to treat Zheng Xilin as an ordinary elderly man.

Speaking of which, it wasn’t the first time he had met Grand Commandant Zheng. Many years ago, in Jinling, he had seen him. However, back then, the old man was in disguise, not as he is now. At that time, he posed as his third uncle. Zhao Yao now suspected that this current appearance was the true face of Grand Commandant Zheng.

Grand Commandant Zheng was handsome, with a striking beard. It was said that in his younger days, he was famously attractive, adored by both women and men who pursued him.

"Hello, sir," Zhao Yao politely greeted Zheng Xilin.

A gleam of surprise flickered in Zheng Xilin’s eyes upon seeing Zhao Yao, but he showed nothing on his face.

"Hello, young man."

"Sorry, sir, I didn’t expect anyone to be here, I’ll find another spot." To Prince Chu and others, Grand Commandant Zheng might be a cherished figure, but to Zhao Yao, he was a hassle. The further away from him, the better.

After speaking, Zhao Yao picked up his fishing gear and prepared to leave, but Zheng Xilin called out to him.

"Young man, you’re not disturbing me; no need to leave." Zheng Xilin waved Zhao Yao over, signaling him to sit down, "Fishing alone is quite dull, join me for some company."

Zhao Yao didn’t really want to, "Won’t I disturb your fishing?"

"You won’t, come, sit down."

Zhao Yao couldn’t walk away, so he had to sit down next to Zheng Xilin.

Zheng Xilin watched Zhao Yao skillfully prepare the bait and expertly cast the line, with a hint of wonder in his heart.

"Do you fish often, young man?"

"I used to fish often, but not much now." In the capital, he often went fishing. However, since arriving at Swamp Prefecture, he’s been too busy to go fishing. He originally planned to go sea fishing today, but knowing he’d be discovered and caught by Wen Daoji and others to handle administrative tasks, he decided against it. Better to stay low-key and fish at a random spot to relax. He hadn’t expected to run into Zheng Xilin at such a random spot. Had he known, he’d have preferred being caught fishing at sea.

Zhao Yao glanced at the bamboo basket by Zheng Xilin’s feet, noticing it was empty.

"Sir, have you just arrived?" Could it be this coincidental? What a twist of fate.

"I’ve been here for a while."

He had been there for a while but hadn’t caught a single fish. It seemed the famous Grand Commandant Zheng wasn’t good at fishing.

Zheng Xilin was about to say something when he noticed a tug on Zhao Yao’s newly cast line. Soon, he saw Prince Han reel in a fish.

Prince Han had just sat down when he caught a fish, surprising him with the speed.

"Young master, you’re amazing." Tong Xi quickly removed the fish from the hook and placed it in their wooden bucket.

"Young man, your fishing skills are impressive." Zheng Xilin had earlier lied to Zhao Yao; he hadn’t just arrived, but had been there all day without catching anything.

Humbly, Zhao Yao smiled and said, "Not really, it’s just luck." For him, fishing required no real skill, it was purely about luck.