Zhou Huailing stepped out with displeasure.
The King had assigned him to take care of the refugees, and his Eighth Brother was so annoying that he kept interfering in his business. That displeased him a great deal – did the Eighth Brother still believe that the King would defend him as if he were his most adored child?
He was dreaming! Look at who had married the Phoenix Girl! The King was on Lord Ling’s side and Lord Ling was going to take the throne. What happened to the Eighth Brother? He was so dumb as not to flatter him, but instead constantly cause him the trouble.
Well, he was prepared. Otherwise, he would not have any idea how to answer the question.
Zhou Huailing was not anxious as he spoke to the King. “I am in full charge of the refugees and I have spent a lot of energy upon them too. So I am not feeling any guilt. As for that food problem Lord Huai mentioned… What I want to say is that the majority of the refugees are strong young people, and we take them in every year without letting them contribute any more work. That is too easy for them. Does it mean that next year, there will be even more idling refugees inside, who are fed freely and depending on the court throughout the entire winter?”
“I adjusted the action, after noticing these drawbacks. I believe that is the cause of why the number of refugees is increasing year after year,” Zhou Huailing said in a reasonable tone.
“The officer in charge of this matter did nothing but spend the court’s money. I don’t believe that it is the right thing to do.” Zhou Huailing looked saddened as he spoke of this. He acted as if he were still misunderstood, no matter how much work he had done.
When the King heard what Zhou Huailing said, the last remaining suspicion inside him disappeared. He had thought that Ling was privately taking money from the budget given to the refugees since he lost the dowries from the Gu Family, when he heard the petition.
He liked Ling, but he did not want his own power challenged. He did not expect his son to play some tricks in front of him, so he was asking him for an explanation. And he was quite satisfied with this explanation.
The King looked at Zhou Huaijin. “Lord Huai, got the point?”
“No.” Zhou Huaijin said with determination. “The food is not at all enough to feed the refugees, and they can’t even survive the winter! Yes, some of the refugees are strong, but most of them are too young and too old. If you think the strong ones should do some work, then get them some!” Zhou Huaijin insisted on his belief, but the King already lost his patience to listen to what he said.
He interrupted him directly. “Lord Huai, Lord Huai!”
Then he said impatiently, “Lord Ling is in charge of the refugees, and you should stay away from the matter. Lord Ling is your brother!”
And the King stressed the last few words.
Lord Ling was his brother! That meant that Zhou Huaijin was ignoring his own position even in the family aspect.
When the King finished speaking, he concluded the session and dropped the petition.
When the King was gone, Zhou Huailing gave Zhou Huaijin a smile as he raised his frown. “Eighth Brother, you know what father means, don’t you?”