Chapter 85 - Smart People

Chapter 85: Chapter 79: Smart People"Naturally not," Zhao Song said proudly, "In this world, there are no more than ten fortresses like our Zhao’s Fortress."

Which means that among all the fortresses in the world, the Zhao Family ranks in the top ten.

But how many fortresses are there in the world?

Even if there aren’t ten thousand, there are surely five, six, seven, or eight thousand.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but sigh, "Fifth Uncle is truly remarkable."

Zhao Song shook his head, "This is all thanks to your grandfather’s efforts. Without his management, the Zhao Family could not have built such a fortress."

As the clan leader, Zhao Changyu certainly could not only see his own family’s interests.

The power he wielded was seen as divided into two parts by Zhao Song and others. One part was completely under his control, which is now inherited by Zhao Zhongyu;

The other part was the Zhao’s Fortress, managed by Zhao Song, but in reality, it belonged to the Zhao clan.

But Zhao Changyu always bore the financial burden, and he provided the strategies too. For instance, Zhao Song quietly told Zhao Hanzhang, "When Emperor Hui ascended the throne, because your grandfather had once advised Emperor Wu to depose him, Empress Jia deeply hated your grandfather and demoted him. At that time, your grandfather wrote to me, saying that since the relatives of the royal family wielded too much power, he feared future chaos, and advised me to gather as many refugees as possible to both provide them a way to live and ensure the Zhao Family’s safety."

Zhao Song led Zhao Hanzhang through the main street to their old residence and took her up the viewing platform that overlooked the entire Zhao’s Fortress.

This was the main residence of the Zhao family, one that no one dared to occupy.

Zhao Song pointed at the fortress, which was almost equivalent to a small county, and said, "Now, more than half of the people in the fortress are refugees gathered over the past decade."

He added, "The Zhao’s Fortress owes its current state entirely to your grandfather’s foresight and ability."

To support so many people, one could not rely solely on the initial land output; Zhao Changyu covered the shortfall.

The entire clan was aware of this, which is why Zhao Changyu’s death saddened them greatly.

Having lost the captain at the helm, no one knows what holds for the future of the Zhao Family’s great ship.

Concerns weighed on Zhao Song, as he felt Zhao Zhongyu could not compare to Zhao Changyu, and Zhao Ji couldn’t even meet Zhao Zhongyu’s level, casting doubt on Zhao Family’s future.

But there was no need to share these worries with Zhao Hanzhang; he suppressed his sadness and turned to Zhao Hanzhang with a smile, "This is the main residence. Although your elder uncle inherited the title, Second Son is still the eldest son and grandson of the main branch. This is your family’s dwelling, one no one can take away."

"Shangcai is quite far, and if something were to happen, we might not be able to intervene in time," Zhao Song said. "You should move back here; your grandfather left his study here, and it would be convenient for Mr. Fu and Second Son to study."

Zhao Hanzhang refused, "I’ve heard that Father preferred Shangcai. Even Second Son was born in Shangcai. Since he departed, I’ve always held deep feelings for him. I wish to stay in Shangcai to honor my grandfather’s memory."

She smiled, "However, I can bring some books over, I hope Fifth Uncle will agree." seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Those books are left by your ancestors. Naturally, you can take them to read," Zhao Song thought for a moment before smiling, "It’s fine. Second Son isn’t keen on reading, and there’s still a long time before he marries and has children who will read these books. With Mr. Fu around, these books won’t be wasted."

Zhao Hanzhang understood his implication and said clearly, "While honoring my grandfather and father, apart from transcribing scriptures to pray for blessings, Mr. Fu and I will organize the study and copy as many books as possible, preparing a set for Second Son, saving the trouble of moving back and forth and risking loss."

They reached a consensus and exchanged satisfied smiles.

Upon returning home, Zhao Song couldn’t help but sigh again, "If only Second Son were as wise as Third Lady, even halfway there would be good."

Zhao Ming asked, "Father, who do you think is smarter, Third Lady or Zhi Zhi?"

Zhao Song thought for a moment before saying, "To outdo the old, Zhi Zhi at her age didn’t possess her clarity and forbearance."

Speaking of forbearance, Zhao Song couldn’t help thinking further.

He paused before asking, "How are the gifts I had you prepare coming along?"

"All sorted."

Zhao Song considered before saying, "Their days are tough; add more money to the boxes. Since Ji Yuan ended up with Third Lady, he shouldn’t be treated poorly."

Though aligning with Zhao Zhongyu might yield maximum benefits, having Ji Yuan pass through chaotic areas to return to Zhao Zhongyu was impossible now. Thus, let Third Lady do her best to keep him.

"Ji Yuan is talented and understands the Zhao Family’s roots deeply. We must keep him."

Zhao Ming asked, "What if we can’t keep him?"

With annoyance, Zhao Song replied, "If we can’t keep him, besides sending him off with a fortune, what else can I do? Can you stop irritating me all day long?"

Zhao Ming added, "Father, I ask these questions to ensure you’ve considered all possible outcomes. It’s for your benefit, not to intentionally annoy you."

He muttered, "From your fierce tone, I almost thought you’d kill him if you couldn’t have him, destroying him."

Zhao Song, upon hearing this portrayal, angrily looked for something to throw at him.

Zhao Ming had anticipated it and got up to run away.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were exploring the Zhao family’s study room. Though called a study, it was essentially a library with two floors.

Upon entering, there was a reception hall adorned with low tables and mats; on the right-hand side was a screen, behind which was a wooden couch set with a low table and pen holder for reading and resting.

On the left side were five rows of bookshelves, filled with scrolls. Behind the last row was a staircase to the second floor, which also had a wooden couch, with the rest filled with bookshelves.

Despite having many shelves, paper books only occupied half of them—the rest were covered in writing on silk and bamboo slips.

Zhao Hanzhang casually picked a roll and opened it, touching the characters and matching them with those in her memory before recognizing them.

Fu Tinghan browsed through his memory, lamenting, "Without the original memories, reading these bamboo slips would leave us half literate."

He turned to Zhao Hanzhang, "I’ve heard Teacher Zhao’s reading in the library was diverse, particularly versed in literary and historical books. Does the library have records of these?"

Zhao Hanzhang took one and glanced at it, noticing it was about Sima Yi’s prudent actions during Cao Wei times.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, rolled it up, and said, "That could be useful."

They were seedlings now too, needing to be cautious.

"Yet today, Teacher Zhao was quite assertive," referring to her insisting Zhao Hu accompany Zhao Zhongyu in death.

Zhao Hanzhang apologized, "I couldn’t hold back my temper; please remind me next time."

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but smile, "If you truly don’t want to change, then don’t. Without change, would you still be Teacher Zhao?"

Zhao Hanzhang, feeling a stirring urge to move among the books in the study, having worked as a librarian for two years, naturally loved books.

Seeing so many books left to gather dust here was a pity. She rolled up her sleeves and called to Fu Tinghan, "Let’s take some books with us."