After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 540 - 534 Realization

Zhao Hanzhang silently drank tea, listening quietly.

"At that time, your uncle and father were also young and impressionable, influenced by us, their relationship was not good, and when it came to your generation, it was even worse," Zhao Zhongyu sighed, "It was my brother and I who played the wrong moves and didn’t teach the younger generation well."

Zhao Zhongyu spoke with some sadness, "Only at this moment do I understand your grandfather’s helplessness back then, when he saw no successors, truly no successors."

He looked at Zhao Ji and Zhao Yi, finding them lacking, hating that they did not live up to expectations, wishing to scold or even beat them;

So, when Zhao Changyu looked at him, was it the same feeling?

In the past two years, especially after officially joining forces with Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Zhongyu increasingly understood Zhao Changyu of the past, and the grudges in his heart slowly dissipated. He planned to forgive Zhao Changyu, forgive that elder brother who once stood on the steps high above, publicly scolding him.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Zhao Zhongyu and poured him a cup of tea.

Zhao Zhongyu saw the cup of tea and smiled, picking it up, "This parting may be our last meeting."

Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips and said, "Uncle, you overthink. When you decide to retire, I will have the Second Son escort you back to Xiping."

Zhao Zhongyu slightly shook his head, "Unless the Zhao Family no longer holds military power or governs a place, I won’t be able to return."

He let out a bitter laugh, "As Clan Leader, I haven’t even stepped into the ancestral hall once."

Zhao Hanzhang said nothing.

Zhao Zhongyu turned his head to instruct his follower, "Bring the box from the hidden compartment at the head of my bed."

The follower went and quickly returned with a box.

Zhao Zhongyu handed the box to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang opened it, finding two very familiar maps inside—weren’t these the treasure maps distributed by Zhao Changyu to Zhao Zhongyu?

She looked up at Zhao Zhongyu.

Zhao Zhongyu had been watching her expression and knew he was right when he saw she was not surprised. He laughed, "I knew it, for you to sustain such a large army, Brother must have left you some money." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Zhao Hanzhang closed the box and said, "It was after I fell off the horse that I begged from my grandfather."

Zhao Zhongyu didn’t want to delve into the reasons further, saying, "This is the Zhao Family’s money, not belonging to just one household. Now, with the Zhao Family fully supporting you, considering you as the leader, this should be yours."

Zhao Hanzhang held the box and pursed her lips. Her memory was good, and she despised the second branch at the time, so when Zhao Changyu brought out the items, she remembered the locations on the map particularly well.

After returning, she drew a rough map from memory. Even if it wasn’t 100% accurate, by digging more, they could still find some of the treasure.

But receiving it openly was different from taking it secretly; she still accepted this favor.

"Uncle, you’re just giving it to me?"

Zhao Zhongyu said, "With Yu State in your hands, the Zhao Family will rely on your protection in the future. The stronger you are, the safer the Zhao Family."

Before she came, he hadn’t planned to give it to her. His intention was to take it to Yun City as a bargaining chip for future negotiations with her and the Zhao Family.

But she had said, ’When will the cycle of vengeance end.’

The shadow that had lingered in his heart since this morning suddenly dissipated, and he understood a lot, "Did the First Son come to plead with you?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "I didn’t come because he pleaded."

"I know, when the servant reported back, he looked like he had lost his mother," Zhao Zhongyu looked up at her, "So, who was it that advised you ’When will the cycle of vengeance end’?"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hide it, "Fu Tinghan."

Zhao Zhongyu sighed, "He truly is a gentleman."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and drank tea.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Zhongyu said, "Don’t marry too early, wait a few more years."

Zhao Hanzhang remained silent, neither agreeing nor opposing.

Zhao Zhongyu didn’t need her to reply immediately, "Have you thought about who will be the next Clan Leader?"

"Who does Uncle think it should be?"

"Originally, I thought the First Son could do it," this was one of the reasons Zhao Zhongyu wanted to send Zhao Yi back to Xiping, but now, he couldn’t help but sigh again. He was far from Zhao Hanzhang, in both ability and age, if he became the Clan Leader, not only would the Zhao Family be controlled by Zhao Hanzhang, but conflict would be inevitable.

The Zhao Family being used by Zhao Hanzhang was unavoidable. In such chaotic times, internal conflict and balance weren’t feasible; it was better to step back, hand the Zhao Family to her, and help her cultivate power, benefiting both parties.

The Zhao Family needed a young and obedient heir.

Zhao Zhongyu clenched his fists, and though it was difficult, he still said, "But now it seems he too is unsuitable. Arrange a marriage for the Second Son, let him have a child. If I... you can assist the Clan Leader in managing family affairs."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow and said, "I fear the elders in the family won’t be willing."

"I will talk to them."

Zhao Hanzhang rubbed her teacup but couldn’t help saying, "Actually, I also have someone in mind, Uncle Ming has a kind heart and great virtue..."

"He’s not suitable," Zhao Zhongyu’s expression turned cold, "He’s from the collateral branch, and the Clan Leader must be from the direct line."

This was his insistence, which is why he would rather hand the power of the Clan Leader to Zhao Hanzhang, despite their estrangement, than select someone else from the clan.

Zhao Hanzhang saw their persistence and didn’t want to argue over it, so she could only sigh, "Alright."

Zhao Zhongyu earnestly warned, "Zhao Ming is deep-thinking, be cautious, don’t always entrust him with family affairs. I will write to the clan to favor you in agency."

"No," Zhao Hanzhang quickly explained, "I asked Uncle Ming privately before, and he outright refused. It was my own idea, thinking he has been dedicated to the clan, making him a good candidate for Clan Leader."

"I’m not familiar with family affairs, afraid I won’t handle them well. Moreover, I’m a woman, and in a few years, I’ll marry out, which the elders in the family might object to." To avoid this trouble, whenever Zhao Hanzhang needed the Zhao Family’s support, she relied on Zhao Song or Zhao Ming as a bridge to maintain a harmonious relationship with the Zhao Family. If she handled it directly, the disputes would be numerous.

Mediators are sometimes very important.

Zhao Zhongyu firmly looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a slight smile.

At this moment, Zhao Zhongyu realized that the Zhao Family couldn’t contain Zhao Hanzhang; her ambitions probably extended beyond Yu State.

With such ambition, if she failed, the Zhao Family would be dragged into an abyss. Zhao Zhongyu slowly lowered his gaze, beginning to feel regret once more.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t aware of her uncle’s vacillation and asked, "Uncle, did Your Majesty take away all the palace treasures upon departure?"

Zhao Zhongyu came back to his senses, discerning her intentions towards the Imperial Palace. He was speechless, "What could be taken was taken, and what couldn’t be, even if you take it, what’s the use?"

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang was disappointed.

Zhao Zhongyu said, "Most of the fortunes were taken by Prince East Sea."

Thinking of the wealth swept away by Shi Le, Zhao Hanzhang was heartbroken and silently vowed to earn back those riches from his hands.