Chapter 39 - Scraping Good Things

Chapter 39: Chapter 33 Scraping Good ThingsZhao Changyu was sitting at his desk writing something. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and saw her carefully walking in, so he put down his pen and waved her over.

Zhao Hanzhang immediately stepped forward, "Grandfather."

"Did you take Fu Changrong to West City today?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded with a yes.

Zhao Changyu stared at her, "Do you really trust him that much?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Grandfather, rest assured, Mr. Fu has no worldly desire for power or wealth."

Zhao Changyu sneered, "Wang Yan also dislikes worldly affairs and only loves philosophical discussions, but he is still selfish and ignores the people’s livelihood and the state."

"Wasn’t he personally chosen by you as granddaughter’s husband?"

"I chose him myself, but I didn’t tell you to reveal our family’s foundation after just a few meetings with him."

Zhao Hanzhang walked to Zhao Changyu’s side and sat down to grind ink for him, "Grandfather, rest assured, Wang Yan is superficial; Fu Changrong truly dislikes worldly power, and he doesn’t enjoy philosophical discussions either."

Zhao Changyu looked doubtful, "He doesn’t like philosophical discussions?"

In his impression, although Fu Changrong was a practical young man, he also enjoyed mingling in the philosophical discussion circles, as much of his fame came from such discussions.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded affirmatively, "He doesn’t like them; otherwise, how could he have no reaction upon seeing Wang Yan yesterday?"

Zhao Changyu thought carefully and realized it was true; yesterday, when Fu Changrong faced Wang Yan, his expression remained calm without any excitement.

One must know that Wang Yan was the foremost figure in philosophical discussions in Great Jin, and he was very famous among the scholars. Anyone who loves such discussions, regardless of whether they share his views, would inevitably be excited upon seeing him.

Those with similar views would admire him;

Those with opposing views would want to debate with him even more.

Zhao Changyu couldn’t help but feel something was off, "Changrong doesn’t like philosophical discussions at all?" seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "All past things are in the past. Grandfather, you must trust my judgment; I won’t misjudge people."

Zhao Changyu then remembered her earlier comments about Wang Yan and couldn’t help but tap her on the head, "Don’t say such things about Wang Yan again in the future; you’re just a child now. Spreading such words would do you no good."

Zhao Hanzhang acknowledged, "Yes, Hanzhang will remember."

Only then did Zhao Changyu pick up his pen again to handle his affairs, "It’s good that you understand. The family is already preparing your dowry. These are matters openly displayed, but you also need to focus on them. The hidden assets remain unseen, and no one will see how you handle them or your capabilities. This is a good opportunity to handle your dowry well—let everyone see your abilities so that people will listen to your commands."

Zhao Changyu said, "Good talent chooses its master, and the master’s capability always takes precedence. Once you demonstrate your capability, even as a woman, with time, people will come to you."

Zhao Hanzhang replied earnestly, "Alright."

Zhao Changyu coughed a few times and straightforwardly pushed the documents in his hand to her, "Take a look."

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to take and look at them.

To Zhao Hanzhang’s surprise, these documents included not just state affairs but also family matters.

Regarding state affairs, they mostly consisted of letters from various court officials, local imperial family members, and generals discussing the current situation with Zhao Changyu, seeking his advice or asking him to act in support of certain interests;

The family matters were more numerous; he arranged for all sorts of affairs after his death, every detail delegated little by little;

Arrangements for personnel and transfer of affairs were many, indeed.

No wonder his complexion looked worse day by day; it was truly working despite illness, and an overload at that.

Zhao Changyu pointed to the pile of letters, "Reply to them for me."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, laid out a sheet of paper, dipped it in ink, and waited.

Zhao Changyu then got up and started pacing. After a moment of reflection, he said, "Greetings, Third Brother, upon receiving this letter. Recently, I have felt weary and awake less often, so I can only ask Sun Sanniang to reply on my behalf..."

"The nation’s current state is as such, it’s better to plan for the future. The current ruler is capable, and Prince East Sea is old. Having just gained power, he is inevitably prideful. It is better to avoid provoking him now..."

Zhao Changyu’s strategy was not to confront Prince East Sea while he is at the height of his success. He now possesses a lofty air of invincibility—why clash with him directly?

The new emperor, having just ascended the throne, is not only intelligent and capable but also young and hasn’t displayed any moral failings yet. It’s better to bide their time and wait for Prince East Sea’s pride to subside before making plans.

The priority is stabilizing Jingzhao County and the Luoyang area, defending against the Qiang and the Xiongnu. Therefore, his suggestion is to fully support Prince East Sea in pacifying the refugee and rebel armies outside Jingzhao and Luoyang, holding the Central Pass.

After ensuring the Qiang and Xiongnu do not dare to invade the Central Pass, then gradually make plans for the emperor.

By then, Prince East Sea’s pride should have faded, and many things can be set into motion.

Zhao Hanzhang quickly wrote eight letters, with different wording but conveying the same general ideas.

Evidently, these represented Zhao Changyu’s insights.

Zhao Hanzhang was transfixed as she looked at the letters she had written with her own hands.

History has long been distant. This era leaves later generations with just two impressions—Wei Jin demeanor and chaos.

In Zhao Hanzhang’s memory, there was little Wei Jin demeanor, but the chaos was real and substantial.

She knew many historical events, but they were measured in years. She didn’t know exactly how chaotic Luoyang was going to be on a daily basis, nor how many people had strived for the current situation and with what results...

Zhao Changyu took a sip of tea to soothe his throat and gently said, "Seal the letters."

Zhao Hanzhang snapped back to reality, agreed, then put the letters into envelopes, wrote the recipients’ names, sealed them, and set them aside.

Zhao Changyu looked at the remaining family matters and, after a moment’s thought, said, "Starting tomorrow, come here to write for me."

Since even national affairs were handed to her to transcribe, what was there to hide about family matters?

As long as the Second Family didn’t find out, it was fine.

Zhao Hanzhang agreed. Every day, after returning from West City, she would come to transcribe family affairs for Zhao Changyu. Uncle Cheng personally guarded the door, and not a word of the main courtyard’s affairs leaked out;

Besides this, Zhao Hanzhang also worked with Mrs. Wang to prepare her dowry. She acted much more decisively than Mrs. Wang, and in a few days, not only did she deal with several unruly servants, she also brought several people to her side.

She decided to take them with her after she got married. With such a large dowry, she needed quite a few staff.

She not only prepared people for herself but also gathered people to be used by Zhao Erlang in the future, especially the attendants by his side. Previously, because of the reckless act of leaving the city, Zhao Erlang’s people were all sent to the farm, and now there was no one to use.

Zhao Hanzhang searched around and finally took a liking to Uncle Cheng’s youngest son, Zhao Cai.

The boy was currently working in a spice shop in the city. Zhao Hanzhang had seen him; he was very clever. Since Zhao Erlang was already dull, he needed someone smart and loyal by his side.

Zhao Hanzhang relied on the fact that the spice shop also belonged to her dowry and directly called him into the house, assigning him to Zhao Erlang’s side. When looking into his contract, she discovered it was held by Mrs. Wu.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, not expecting that despite her deliberate avoidance, they would still eventually have to face each other.

Zhao Hanzhang stood up and called Ting He, "Let’s go for a visit to the Second Family."