"This..."
Wang Zitao's mouth dropped open, and it took him a long time to recover before he sighed, "How is this possible? It's only been a short time, and Lin Yi has already been made a king?"
Snap!
He had barely finished speaking when Wang Yining slapped him across the face, angrily shouting, "You piece of trash, all you do is frequent brothels! Look at him! At such a young age, he's already a powerful figure in his own right. Lin Yi is a hundred times, a thousand times better than you. What makes you think you can go to brothels with him?"
The more he looked at his son, the more annoyed he became. How come Lin Rusong gave birth to a genius, while he gave birth to a blockhead?
"Dad, what does this have to do with me?"
Wang Zitao was completely bewildered after being hit; how could this be my fault?
And does visiting brothels require qualifications? Why can't I go? Father, isn't this a huge double standard?
He was somewhat unconvinced and muttered, "Don't you even know what his father does? He's a big shot who commands 300,000 troops, so naturally he can do whatever he wants. My father is just an old man who retired from the army and went into business. What can I do?"
If you hadn't insisted on coming to Northern Liang, our lives would be much better. At least we could have followed in our elder brother's footsteps and become officials.
After arriving in Northern Liang, they lived under someone else's roof. The Prince of Northern Liang didn't trust them at all, and didn't think they could accomplish anything.
Then look at Lin Yi. His father can send troops whenever he wants, that's so domineering. How could his son not be awesome?
puff!
The butler, who had just taken a sip of tea, spat it out. The young master's words, though crude, were quite reasonable.
Wang Yining was nearly driven mad with anger. He couldn't help but shout, "What do you know? Lin Yi only led a thousand men into Xiliang Commandery. He didn't take any of the things his father gave him. Instead, Lin Yi gave a lot of supplies to Lin Rusong. And you're telling me this?"
Ahhh!
It would have been better if he hadn't made the comparison; the moment he did, he flew into a rage. His son was nothing but a blockhead.
"No way, Lin Yi didn't even need help, and he's already built an army of 150,000 in just over a month?" Wang Zitao was speechless. "I may be a little slow, but you don't really think I'm an idiot, do you?"
How can anyone believe that?
How could a guy who'd been hanging out with me at brothels for years suddenly become a top-tier boss? Who would believe it?!
Seeing his disbelief, Wang Yining said irritably, "Do you think I'm lying to you? Even the problems at the Wafting Fragrance Pavilion were discovered by Lin Yi. You used to have a good relationship with him, so how come you didn't learn a thing from him?"
"Forehead..."
Wang Zitao's lips twitched. "What did I learn? I did learn a lot of poses, but I didn't learn any skills to become stronger."
etc!
My former brother has become successful. I wonder if I've made a fortune too. Should I go to Xiliang and join him?
Why!
Seeing his expression, Wang Yining couldn't help but slap his forehead. This unfilial son was truly hopeless; didn't he realize the crisis facing the Wang Clan?
He sighed and said in a deep voice, "Now that the Prince of Northern Liang is becoming increasingly powerful, my Wang Clan faces a completely new choice; otherwise, we will be doomed!"
"Utterly ruined?" Wang Zitao was stunned. His family was a large and influential clan; surely it couldn't be that exaggerated?
Wang Yining sighed and said with a wry smile, "You unfilial son, you're utterly useless. Haven't you realized that the Wang Clan members are currently unable to leave Northern Liang? Do you know what that means?"
Is that so?
"Have!"
The steward nodded and said with a wry smile, "Young Master, lately, every time our men leave Northern Liang, they get knocked unconscious and thrown Northern Liang. Once or twice is one thing, but more than ten times in a row, it's clear someone is targeting the Wang Clan."
Why!
This is also why Wang Yining has been so uneasy these past few days, because he has sensed an unprecedented crisis, a crisis that could even wipe out his entire lineage.
The only person in the entire Northern Liang with such power is King Lin Rusong of Prince of Northern Liang.
Although he was wary of me before, he would never have acted like this. He must have been exposed, which is why he did this.
By isolating himself like this, he clearly doesn't want to pass on the message.
As for why they didn't take action against their own family, it was probably because they were wary of the emperor's presence, as well as the power of the Wang Clan of Shuzhong.
" The Prince of Northern Liang?"
Wang Zitao wasn't stupid; he immediately realized what was happening and exclaimed, "How dare they? Before Father resigned from his official post, he was Grand Tutor and a direct descendant of the Wang Clan of Central Shu. How dare they lay a hand on us?"
This is insane! The Wang Clan isn't so easily bullied.
"Hmph, I don't know if he dared to do it before, but he definitely will now!" Wang Yining sighed and said with a wry smile.
"Why?"
"Two kings from one family, do you know what that means?"
"Two kings? It's just a title. Do you think they'd dare rebel?"
"Idiot!"
Wang Yining glanced at him and said to the butler, "Butler, explain this to him!"
Thinking of Lin Yi's current achievements, and looking at his own son, he secretly decided that he must discipline him strictly in the future. Even if he couldn't become the Prince of Xiliang, he should at least be able to become a prefect.
The steward hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Young master, under normal circumstances, Lin Yi would not be able to be made a king, because he is to inherit the throne of the Prince of Northern Liang, not to add another vassal king to the world."
This is why the emperor set a precedent and preferred to create the official position of Governor of Xiliang for him rather than make him a feudal lord.
"A family with two kings is not just a matter of two kings; it's about the emperor being forced to compromise! Even if the Northern Liang Guard were to wipe us out now, the emperor probably wouldn't have anything to say!"
In short, the emperor chickened out and had no choice but to back down!
ah!
Wang Zitao's pupils contracted. If that's the case, doesn't that mean Lin Yi's family can rebel?
Holy crap!
Is this guy planning a rebellion?
No, wait, they're going to attack my house!
Wang Yining glanced at him and couldn't help but sigh, "It's good that you understand. You need to be more discreet in the future. Lin Rusong might very well start a massacre to pave the way for his son!"
Prince of Xiliang!
This is no ordinary king; this is a vassal lord who possesses territory. Every additional vassal lord in the territory of Great Ning weakens the emperor and poses a threat to him.
Unless the emperor is insane, he would never allow two princes from one family to rule, which would undoubtedly give the Lin Clan the power to rebel.
But now that the Emperor has still given it, there's something fishy going on here, which means the Emperor had no choice but to do it!
The Lin Clan's power is now firmly established!
The next step is to make those who submit to me prosper and those who oppose me perish, so that the entire Northern Liang will belong to the Crown Prince. The Northern Liang Guard may very well cleanse the entire Northern Liang.
The Wang Clan faces a choice: otherwise, they will be purged!
Ignoring his son, Wang Yining turned to the butler and said in a deep voice, "Go and call Miss out. This matter depends on her decision!"