Chapter 270 - Persuasion
Chapter 270 of "After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times" begins with intriguing events: Although Zhao Kuan was not present at the time, as one of Zhao Hanzhangâs widely... Donât miss it!
Although Zhao Kuan was not present at the time, as one of Zhao Hanzhangâs widely circulated deeds in Wu Castle for stopping a babyâs cries, he heard quite a bit about it from the clan members who were on site.
It is said that at the time, besides Fifth Uncle and Uncle Ming who reprimanded and stopped Seventh Ancestor, everyone else remained silent.
And Zhao Hanzhang pressed Seventh Ancestor against the coffin, pulling him to accompany the burial, stopping this farce.
Zhao Dongâs face was awkward, he glared at him, unwilling, but he began to seriously ponder.
Deep down, he didnât want to agree. He couldnât quite explain why, he just felt uneasy; how could his daughter go out and work publicly?
Zhao Kuan said: "Father, teaching is a very respectable job. You donât have to worry about losing face, and besides, Iâll be there. Iâll take care of the younger sisters."
Aunt Dong held back all night, finally couldnât help but whisper: "You should agree, look at the sister-in-law, now who in the clan dares to show her a long face? Even Fifth Uncle, who never liked her, has softened quite a bit. Is all this because of the late elder brother? Or Second Son?"
"No, itâs because of Third Lady," she said softly, "If my daughter can be as accomplished as Third Lady, I would also bask in glory."
Only then did Zhao Dong give his tacit consent.
Seeing he no longer opposed, Aunt Dong knew the matter was settled, and hurriedly nudged her son.
Zhao Kuan then smiled: "Iâll take the two younger sisters to the county town tomorrow."
Aunt Dong breathed a sigh of relief, smilingly said: "Take good care of them."
Zhao Dong asked: "What about your marriage with Fan Ying?"
He wanted to exchange one for another.
Zhao Kuan helplessly said: "Father, itâs just your wishful thinking, whether Fan Ying agrees or not is uncertain."
"You donât need to care whether she agrees or not, just say whether you agree?"
After pondering for a moment Zhao Kuan said: "If father can arrange it, I will naturally have no objections."
Fan Ying will definitely not agree, the Fan Family values mourning, Fan Ying needs to observe mourning for her parents and family, and she wonât discuss marriage for at least two and a half years.
Zhao Dong however had his own plans, he let his wife approach Mrs. Wang, wanting Mrs. Wang to ask Zhao Hanzhang to bring up the marriage proposal.
Mrs. Wang didnât even tell Zhao Hanzhang, she directly refused, saying: "Third Lady is still young; sheâs an unmarried girl herself, how could she act as a matchmaker?"
Aunt Dong: ...
She hadnât thought of such a reason and wanted to say more, but Mrs. Wang suddenly put away her smile, solemnly said: "This is just between you and me. If it were someone else, I would smash a tea mug in their face."
Aunt Dong was taken aback.
Mrs. Wang said: "Iâm not as educated as you all, but I know the basic etiquette. The Fan Family values mourning; proposing marriage now is like stabbing Miss Fan in the back. Third Lady is also mourning, anyone who dares to propose now, I will throw them out."
"The Fan Family is gone, but we shouldnât bully the orphaned girls," Mrs. Wang said softly, "Donât bring up this kind of topic anymore."
Aunt Dong awkwardly said: "We know, and weâre not trying to fix the marriage immediately, just wanted Third Lady to mention it, if sheâs interested, she could get to know Kuanâer in the next two years."
Mrs. Wang still refused, "Itâs against etiquette."
Aunt Dong could only leave disappointed.
Turning around, Mrs. Wang complained to Zhao Hanzhang, "Iâm not stupid. You are Fan Yingâs superior, she sees you as her savior and listens to you. If you bring it up, could she refuse?"
"But if she agrees, she may not be without concerns," Mrs. Wang said, "She is your subordinate, and if something happens to sour relations, what if she doesnât work wholeheartedly in the future? We donât do things that harm ourselves without benefit."
"Of course, if she is interested, thatâs another matter."
Zhao Hanzhang thought of Fan Ying, who was fully immersed in her work now, and shook her head: "Sheâs still mourning, and sheâs quite young. Weâll talk about marriage after the mourning period."
"Thatâs what I think too." Mrs. Wang served her various delicacies, asking: "How come itâs only you today, whereâs Ting Han?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "Heâs busy; Iâll bring him back for a meal in a few days."
Zhao Hanzhang was actually busy too, but she deliberately returned to invite Zhao Ming to oversee the county government; she had to go to Shangcai.
"Mother, Sister Yunying and Yunxin have already entered the school, please praise them in front of others and envy Aunt Dong a little more recently."
Mrs. Wang asked: "Someone elseâs daughter caught your eye?"
"Every literate, capable young lady," Zhao Hanzhang said: "The school lacks people, not only literate ones but also those skilled in weaving and embroidery, but the family uncles surely wouldnât approve of the sisters working as craftsmen teachers for me. Sigh, I can only focus on teaching."
Mrs. Wang started pondering.
Weaving is something most women in Great Jin can do, especially those from families with slightly better conditions; they all have looms at home.
The Zhao Family is no exception; although Mrs. Wang has many servants, she still needs to weave, cut and make clothes herself.
Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Erlangâs close-fitting clothes are mostly made from the fabrics she wove and tailored herself.
There are quite a few garments; she feels her weaving skills are decent, but...
She hesitated.
While wanting to share some burden for her daughter, she was also reluctant to publicly engage in such work, somewhat timid inside.
Zhao Hanzhang, sensitive to peopleâs emotions, seeing her unusual expression asked: "Whatâs wrong?"
Only then did Mrs. Wang say: "I do know how to weave..."
Zhao Hanzhangâs eyes lit up, immediately asking: "Mother, are you going to help me at the school?"
Seeing her so happy, Mrs. Wang made up her mind, saying: "If someone wants to learn from me, I can indeed teach, and I wonât hold back."
Zhao Hanzhang immediately held her hand saying: "Great, when I return from Shangcai, I will personally escort Mother to the school."
"So cheeky," Mrs. Wang relaxed a bit too, while serving her food she asked, "What are you going to Shangcai for?"
Zhao Hanzhang chuckled: "Iâm going to see County Magistrate Chai. Spring is here; I wonder how heâs doing?"
County Magistrate Chai is not doing well!
After the New Yearâs Eve, the sun has been shining brightly for several days in a row, although still very cold, but the snow outside began to melt.
The hibernating villagers gradually stepped out of their homes, preparing for spring plowing, of course, everyone was still languid, not much work could be done, preparing grain seeds is the first task.
So people began to take out the seeds stored last year for selection, hoping to pick better ones, and County Magistrate Chai also needed to consider distributing some grain seeds.
Last year, life for the people of Shangcai County was really tough, he worried they might have eaten the reserved seeds, leaving none for this yearâs planting, so he also needed to buy some seeds to distribute.
But upon checking the storeroom he found that he was extremely poor; after buying seeds, thereâd be almost nothing left, yet there was still a long way to go till the summer harvest, how to feed these many officials in the county government, to pay salaries, what to do without money?