"I also want to find a master to learn the ways of business, so that I can expand our family's business in the future. At the same time, I want to practice martial arts and have a strong body so that I don't need anyone's protection wherever I go!"
His eldest son's request was not high, and judging by his serious expression, it was clear that the child was not joking!
Zhao Jiaqi held the child's small hand, squeezed it, and said with great relief, "Our Yao Yao has grown up and knows what he wants to do. Since you've stated your request today, your mother and father will definitely help you fulfill it. I'm just not sure if you have anyone in mind whom you'd approve of as a master?"
As she asked, she saw her son shyly lower his head and smile faintly, then nod, silently admitting it!
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi and Fan Zehao exchanged a look. Their son's thoughts ran deep; if his younger brother hadn't found a master, he might not have shared this with them.
Fan Zehao immediately asked, "Who is it? Son, just say it. As long as their character is good, even if your father has to beg him, he will definitely make him take you as a disciple!"
This was the first time his son had asked him for something, and his heart was filled with joy. It was also the first time he felt needed!
This feeling was wonderful, making him feel that he was still useful to his son and daughter-in-law!
Fan Yao blushed a little but still replied generously, "For martial arts, I'd like Uncle Gao Wenbin to teach me. For business, I'd like Mother to teach me!"
Zhao Jiaqi was stunned. How could she know anything about business? At most, she could only copy modern food recipes.
If it came to farming and increasing yields, she would have no problem!
On the other hand, Fan Zehao felt quite hurt. When it came to martial arts, he considered himself quite skilled. Although he couldn't compare to martial arts masters, he didn't take most ordinary people seriously.
Coincidentally, his son admired Gao Wenbin's martial arts. Of course, he had to admit that the young man's martial arts were indeed high!
Feeling a blow, Fan Zehao had no way to express his pain and could only agree reluctantly, "No problem. When we get back, I'll go find Gao Wenbin and tell him he must keep you and take you as his disciple!"
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiaqi was racking her brains, trying to figure out how to tactfully refuse her son's request without losing face and without letting her son realize her inability!
She had agreed too rashly just now!
After pondering for a while, Zhao Jiaqi said, "There are many intricacies in the ways of business. Mother only knows a little, but Mother will impart all her lifelong knowledge to you. However, at the same time, Mother will also find a trustworthy businessman for you as a master. First, we must learn to be a person, then learn to do things. The sea of learning is vast; Mother will learn with you. Shall we encourage each other?"
Yao Yao listened carefully and saw his mother speak such profound words for the first time, completely different from before. He readily agreed, nodding repeatedly, "Okay, then I'll learn to be a person first, then learn to do things with Father and Mother. After finding a master, I'll learn the ways of business!"
Hearing his son's words, Zhao Jiaqi visibly relaxed. Honestly, most of her business profits came from giving up a lot, and she only earned a small fraction. However, she didn't have to manage anything herself. In short, she earned less but had less worry!
If she taught her son this way, it would lead him astray and instill in him a wrong sense of values!
Seeing how agreeable Yao Yao was, Zhao Jiaqi couldn't help but worry that the child would be easily deceived and wouldn't know how to refuse.
Suddenly, Zhao Jiaqi felt that as the child grew older, his concerns would also grow, just in different ways than when he was young!
During their two days on the ship, every morning, father and son practiced martial arts on the deck. In the afternoons, they followed Zhao Jiaqi to learn some business insights.
She pulled out all her tricks, even teaching the child the little bit of mind-reading she had learned, judging a person's inner thoughts through subtle facial expressions!
Although it was just the rudiments, it was still a valuable skill here.
On the third day at noon, they arrived at Jinzhou City.
Jinzhou City!
The city was prosperous, with bustling streets and alleys crowded with people. After some investigation, Zhao Jiaqi discovered that it was a small transit hub!
People from the south and north, east and west, all had to change their transport here, whether it was a carriage or a passenger ship, if they wanted to go to different places.
No wonder the horse caravan chose to rob here. It was indeed a good location. There weren't many transit hubs like this in Yun Country. There was one before, and this was the second.
The group found an inn to stay. They hadn't eaten lunch yet, so they decided to eat in the inn's hall, and at the same time, listen to what the merchants from all directions were discussing!
The couple led their son to a seat by the window. The waiter brought some easily digestible food. They were dressed ordinarily, so they wouldn't attract much attention from others, at most being mistaken for people visiting relatives.
At the next table, three people sat chatting and gossiping with smiles.
A: "Did you hear? The Emperor accidentally injured himself, so he's unlikely to have any descendants in this life. When I left the capital, I heard that the ministers in the capital wanted the Emperor to abdicate, or else they would have to choose a crown prince from the collateral branches of the imperial family!"
B nodded frequently after hearing A's words, "Yes, yes, that's right. The Emperor was furious about this and threw the minister who made the suggestion into the imperial prison. It's said... the throne will be passed to Prince Xiaoyao, but this news is uncertain!"
C wagged his finger and whispered, "My cousin's cousin's aunt's aunt is a cook at Prince Xiaoyao's mansion. I heard that when Prince Xiaoyao learned that the Emperor had injured that part, he ran away that day. I suspect he went to the inner city to seek refuge with the Retired Emperor. I think the Emperor's injury was probably caused by Prince Xiaoyao. Otherwise, why would Prince Xiaoyao run away if he didn't want the throne?"
In plain terms, it was because he was afraid the Emperor would kill him!
He didn't say this out loud, but it successfully made everyone think in that direction.
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi hadn't even taken a bite of their food before they were shocked by this news!
Zhao Jiaqi frowned, "Did you know about this?"
Fan Zehao quickly shook his head, spreading his hands, "How would I know? I don't pay attention to matters in the capital anymore. How could I know about his injury?"
However, if he was injured there, it shouldn't have been spread from the palace. Not only did it spread, but it was also spread in such a manner!
Thinking of this, the couple's eyes widened in unison as they guessed the general situation!
Yao Yao, however, pointed out the trick, "Uncle must not want to be emperor, which is why rumors about him injuring his reproductive organs are spread. If he is injured there, and there is no heir, then the throne cannot be held for long. Uncle Xu must have guessed that Uncle intends to pass the throne to him, which is why he ran away that day!"