Chapter 86 - Will You Cooperate or Not?

Chapter 86: Chapter 80: Will You Cooperate or Not?Zhao Hanzhang had people fetch many empty boxes and started packing books in the study.

When Ji Yuan found out, he eagerly ran over and wanted to help with the packing.

Uncle Cheng saw them rolling and packing the books into boxes and could only circle around them, reminding, "Take it easy, take it easy, be careful not to overdo it."

Indeed, it couldn’t be too excessive. In the eyes of the clan members, Zhao Erlang’s roots should still be here at the old home in Xiping. Taking away too many books could seem like turning one’s back on the family and favoring outsiders.

Zhao Hanzhang restrained herself and said to Ji Yuan, "Let’s take these first. After we copy a set and send it back, we’ll exchange for a new batch to take."

Ji Yuan was stunned, "Copy all of them?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him, "Is it difficult? Just hire more literate people."

Ji Yuan was about to say, is it so easy to find literate people? And how many people would it take to copy all these books?

Zhao Hanzhang already had a stern face and said, "We need to gather as much talent as possible. The troops and families we brought along, plus the refugees who followed us on the road, already exceed a thousand. Managing these people requires quite a manpower, and literacy is the most fundamental."

She said, "Luoyang is already in chaos. Even if the chaotic troops withdraw from Luoyang, the displaced citizens will find it difficult to return immediately, becoming vagrants outside."

Ji Yuan looked at her in surprise, "The lady intends to recruit the vagrants?"

"Why not?" Zhao Hanzhang looked at him in surprise, "Didn’t my grandfather always do this? It shows that this matter is the right thing to do."

She said, "The world is in chaos. With only a few hundred strong men, it’s impossible to protect us, and if they protect us, we must also protect them. In this way, naturally, the more power we have in our hands, the better."

Ji Yuan: "...The lady has great ambition, but the court has clear regulations that families and clans are not allowed to support more than a thousand troops, and the Zhao Family already has many troops. The lady alone, according to the law, cannot have more than a hundred."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan with a faint smile, "Sir, are there only two thousand troops in this vast Zhao’s Fortress?"

Ji Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, "At least nominally, yes."

"Then rest assured, nominally I will not fall short. In Shangcai, I have a large manor which naturally requires many long-term workers and tenants. Moreover, if the County Lord does not investigate, who knows how many people I have raised there?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Even if it were checked, could they find out?"

Ji Yuan listened, feeling a surge of emotion, and couldn’t help but look at Fu Tinghan. Seeing his calm expression, not displeased with the lady’s assertiveness, he felt even more joyful, yet stubbornly said, "The lady wants to keep hidden households, isn’t this undermining the foundation of the court?"

Zhao Hanzhang put away her smile and said seriously, "If one day, a wise ruler appears who can control the government, I naturally will not keep hidden households and troops."

She said, "If the country is stable and can guarantee my life and property safety, why would I need troops? If the court can make people live in peace, hidden households would naturally not wish to stay with me any longer. By then, I will not stop them from leaving."

But now, the country cannot protect her life and property, and the people are displaced. Her manor can save their lives; why wouldn’t she do it?

In fact, if Jiangnan weren’t too far and the travel costs of this era weren’t so high, she would consider moving to Jiangnan ahead of time.

Just thinking about the North and Central Plains falling into constant war for nearly a hundred years, where life is spent in fighting and killing, she feels a deep sense of crisis.

But considering the unfamiliarity with Jiangnan, where local aristocratic families abound, it’s uncertain if Northerners like her would fare well. It’s better to stay in Ru Nan, where at least there’s family to rely on.

Considering these factors, she decided to stay in Shangcai, and moreover, it’s closer to Luoyang. If they find a way back, perhaps they’ll have to leave through the gates of Luoyang City.

Since she decided to stay, she must plan for the future. Ensuring the safety of herself and those around her is the primary task.

To achieve this, she first needs enough manpower, then enough wealth, and finally people to manage these resources.

Ji Yuan felt Zhao Hanzhang’s ambition. Although he thought such ambition from a lady was somewhat untimely, what does it matter?

She also had Fu Tinghan by her side. Her abilities could reflect on Fu Tinghan or Zhao Erlang, and their male statuses could earn them political resources in the court. As for whether these resources were held by them or by the Zhao Hanzhang behind them...

He didn’t care. He just needed to follow them, rise to prominence through this path, and realize his own ambitions.

Ji Yuan swallowed and his eyes sparkled, "Then I shall start recruiting suitable vagrants upon my return."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Ji Yuan excitedly asked, "When do we leave?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "We’ll leave in two days."

And two days it was. On the second day, Zhao Hanzhang went to bid farewell to Zhao Song, "On this journey, we were protected by loyal servants, and on the way, encountered righteous heroes escaping together. Thanks to their help, we preserved grandfather’s remains. Such great kindness, I must return to properly arrange for them."

Hearing this, Zhao Song couldn’t utter any words to make her stay and could only sigh and agree, "I’ll have Ziming escort you back. If you face any difficulties, send someone to tell us."

Zhao Song thought many of their servants were lost on the way and said, "Let me send some servants to you, so you won’t be without attendants."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately refused, "In mourning for grandfather, even if we can’t reach the level of Wang Rong’s filial piety in death, we shouldn’t indulge in comfort. I ask Fifth Uncle not to trouble Third Lady."

Zhao Song, seeing her filial piety, felt even more pleased and gratified. So, he called Zhao Ming, "Add some more money to her boxes."

Zhao Ming: "..."

He couldn’t help but say, "Father, I’m not even concerned about this money. It’s not about the money, but in just three days, you’ve asked me to add money three times. Are you going to give all our property to Third Lady in the future if she asks?"

Zhao Song, feeling a bit annoyed, said, "She’s your niece, young and lost her father early, with all possessions and servants gone, yet she needs to support a family. What’s wrong with giving her a bit more money? You’ve become so stingy over so little, when did you become like this?"

"Father, with Uncle’s intelligence and thoroughness, would he not leave a way out for Third Lady and Erlang?" Zhao Ming said, "I reiterate, it’s not about the money. Logically, given Uncle’s wealth, even the Imperial Family didn’t have more money than him. Would he leave them with nothing?"

"He did leave something behind, but wasn’t it robbed?" Zhao Song felt a bit heartbroken thinking about it, "So much dowry, all gone, sigh."

Zhao Ming, "What I mean is, besides the dowry, there must be something more."

He said, "Father, don’t forget about Ji Yuan. He was Uncle’s most trusted aide. Such a capable aide wouldn’t leave without securing at least some assets, right?"

Zhao Song, looking as if refusing to listen, glared at him and asked, "Just say, will you add more?"

Zhao Ming silently looked at his unreasonable father for a while, then silently nodded and went down to provide more money to Zhao Hanzhang.

Only then did Zhao Song feel somewhat at ease.