CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 96: TAKE A STEP BACK

Zhao Ming did not feel in the slightest that he was an unfilial son, but he refrained from provoking his father further, so he obediently went back to his room.

Zhao Song calmed down for a while and decided to vent his anger on Tan Zhong, thinking that if it weren’t for his arrival, there wouldn’t have been any disputes between father and son over ancestral and clan properties, nor would there be mutual resentment due to different attitudes towards Zhao Hanzhang.

After all, isn’t it these properties that are causing the trouble?

So Zhao Song angrily wrote a letter to Zhao Zhongyu. His letter and Tan Zhong’s letter reached Zhao Zhongyu almost simultaneously through different channels.

Zhao Zhongyu opened Tan Zhong’s letter first. Tan Zhong objectively described what he saw and experienced after arriving in Xiping.

Then he candidly stated that Third Lady, using the influence of the eldest branch and extending favors, had gained the people’s support in Zhao’s Fortress. If the enmity between the two branches could not be resolved, he feared that the master’s prestige within the clan would be damaged, and the second branch would also find it difficult to proceed in the future.

He also said: As for the ancestral and clan properties, although Fifth Grandfather has relented, he doesn’t trust outsiders and has criticisms of the master. However, from Tan’s perspective, the old family in Xiping is still willing to support the master, so it would be better to be straightforward about the difficulties, which might resolve the current predicament.

After reading Tan Zhong’s letter, Zhao Zhongyu’s heart sank deeper, and he then opened Zhao Song’s letter, which made his heart even heavier.

Zhao Song, driven by anger, spoke rather bluntly, not as tactfully as before.

He first mentioned the rent exemption matter, then said: Tan Zhong cannot make decisions and still needs to write to consult with you, but this back-and-forth takes ten days. If the roads are difficult and the messenger encounters trouble, this letter might never be delivered. Shouldn’t clan affairs, no matter how big or small, be resolved only after your decision?

Do you not see the disappointment in the eyes of the clan members and tenants? One time might be tolerated, but in the long term, what prestige does the clan leader’s line have within the clan?

If the clan leader lacks the ability to lead, the virtue of empathy, and the demeanor of inclusiveness, how can the clan members be loyal?

If the clan members and tenants cannot be loyal, what future does the family have?

Then he began to talk about Zhao Changyu, praising how unified and progressive the clan was when he was the clan leader, and how strong the cohesion of the clan leader’s line was. He couldn’t help but praise Zhao Hanzhang, saying, "Third Lady has the demeanor of a big brother, but it’s a pity she’s not a man."

He also jabbed at Zhao Zhongyu, saying, "If you really can’t trust the handling of clan affairs, why not let the eldest grandson return to his hometown? It’s better than handing it over to advisors who can’t make decisions."

By "eldest grandson," Zhao Song was referring to Zhao Zhongyu’s grandson, Zhao Yi, who was the same age as Third Lady, just a few months older. Of course, Zhao Song didn’t think Zhao Zhongyu would let Zhao Yi return to Xiping.

He wrote it deliberately to provoke Zhao Zhongyu.

Look, Third Lady can already be the head of a household, but Zhao Yi, a few months older, is still under his grandfather’s protection.

Yet, at this moment, Zhao Zhongyu seriously considered the matter of Zhao Yi returning to his hometown.

He was deep in thought when Zhao Ji rushed in, "Father, the army has recaptured Luoyang."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhongyu’s eyes brightened a bit, "Where did this news come from?"

"Just now, a soldier returned to report the victory. Those who have come to invite Father should be on the way."

Before the words had even fallen, the sound of armor clashing could be heard from outside, and a colonel came to invite Zhao Zhongyu, "Minister Zhao, His Majesty invites you."

Zhao Zhongyu put away the two letters, responding as he stood up, asking, "I heard the court has a great victory?"

"Yes," the colonel couldn’t help but smile, "General Cao has led the army into Luoyang, clearing scattered soldiers along the way. We can return to Luoyang in a few days."

The colonel was right; the emperor invited Zhao Zhongyu to discuss the return to Luoyang.

Of course, it wasn’t just him; there were many ministers. Prince East Sea stated on the spot that they could return at the latest in ten days.

This meant that the battle for Luoyang was already in his grasp.

They had been away from Luoyang for four months, and everyone was exhausted. If they could return...

Zhao Zhongyu returned to his residence and began writing letters. He told Tan Zhong to come back and let the clan manage the properties.

Then he started writing to Zhao Song about his misunderstandings with Third Lady, hoping he could take better care of Third Lady and resolve the enmity between the two branches.

He emphasized his difficulties in the court and informed him that the court would soon return to the capital...

At the end of the letter, Zhao Zhongyu paused and finally stated, "The ancestral property is meant for ancestor worship, and the clan property is mainly for the construction of the clan’s fortress, both of which cannot be touched. I still have some private property under my name. I heard that Third Lady lost her luggage when returning home and is having a hard time. Although my private property may not be much, there should be some surplus after the summer harvest. I will give that surplus to Third Lady to help ease their situation..."

Sending and receiving letters takes time, and Zhao Hanzhang certainly wouldn’t wait in Zhao’s Fortress for Zhao Zhongyu’s letter, as she had many things to do.

After inspecting her assets, she went into Xiping County with Fu Tinghan. They focused on examining the luxury goods in the county, feeling they were similar to those in Shangcai.

Seeing a blacksmith shop, Zhao Hanzhang pulled Fu Tinghan in.

The shop was filled with various sickles, kitchen knives, hoes, plowshares...

Fu Tinghan searched for a long time before finding a basket with a few swords hanging by a pillar. He carefully pulled one out, "Don’t you already have a sword?"

"I want to order a spearhead," Zhao Hanzhang flicked the sword in his hand, listened to the sound, and assessed its sharpness. She felt the iron was not good enough and disappointedly withdrew her hand, "I also wanted to look at the farming tools. The wheat has been harvested, and the next step is to plant beans. I want to see if the farming tools can be improved to make them more efficient."

Fu Tinghan had learned about this in middle and high school history, but his memory was faint, so he quietly followed Zhao Hanzhang, browsing aimlessly.

The blacksmith was quite arrogant; seeing them enter the shop, he let them browse while he continued forging. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang disappointed and about to leave, he banged the iron billet into the fire and wiped the sweat off his neck with a cloth, saying, "I’m the only blacksmith in this town. If you don’t buy here, you won’t find it anywhere else."

Such audacity.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped in her tracks, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Is there really only one blacksmith in Xiping?"

"That’s right, just me. Even Zhao’s Fortress comes to me for farming tools. Whether you’re buying a spearhead or farming tools, you have to come to me."

Zhao Hanzhang pulled out a sword and approached, asking, "Is there craftsmanship better than this?"

The blacksmith stepped forward, feeling the sword, and said, "There is, but it’s expensive and needs to be forged several more times."

"Money is not an issue," Zhao Hanzhang said, tapping the sword, "but your skills must match the money I pay."

The blacksmith, hearing this, carefully examined Zhao Hanzhang and asked, "Does the lady only want a spearhead?"

Zhao Hanzhang took out a gold piece from her pouch and placed it on the table, smiling, "You first make the spearhead for me. If it’s good, there will naturally be more than just a spearhead. If it’s not..."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "My surname is Zhao. You can return the gold piece to Zhao’s Fortress."

Upon hearing this, the blacksmith dared not neglect, glanced at the gold piece, then hesitantly accepted it, "May I know which family head the lady belongs to? How should the spearhead be delivered?"

"I’m from the eldest branch. Once the spearhead is ready, send it to Fifth Grandfather at the fortress. I’ll arrange for someone to pick it up from your residence."