After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 584 - 578 Didn’t Look Favorably

Changqing was slightly taken aback, "Does the master want to change the candidate? Won’t Third Lady oppose it?"

"If she were against it, she wouldn’t have sent the person to me," Zhao Ming said, "Clearly, she wants me to choose."

But before long, Zhao Ming angrily threw down the book in his hand, stood in the corridor gripping his waist, and cursed Zhao Hanzhang from a distance. After cursing for quite a while, he accepted the tea from Changqing, took a sip, and still couldn’t quell his anger, "Choose my foot, clearly sent to irritate me and make me give up."

Changqing thought that the master of their house had been more temperamental recently, but he couldn’t blame him; there were indeed too many things happening lately. Zhao Hanzhang was now in Luoyang, only handling major matters, leaving the rest to Zhao Ming.

And Zhao Ming not only had to handle the matters of Yu State but also the Zhao Family’s clan affairs. If it weren’t for Ji Yuan remotely sharing some of the burden, his temper would have been even worse.

People, once they get busy, their temper worsens.

Zhao Ming huffily returned to his room, sat cross-legged on the wooden couch by the window, his face sullen.

Changqing watched him for a moment, then turned and left, returning shortly with a meal and a warmed pot of wine.

Smelling the fragrance of the wine, Zhao Ming’s expression slightly improved. Changqing knelt beside him to pour the wine, "I see that Mr. Yi is measured, well-mannered, and also well-read. Why is the master displeased with him?"

Zhao Ming’s face no longer showed anger but a bit of faint sarcasm, "Well-read? He’s only three years younger than Zhao Kuan. At Zhao Kuan’s age, not only had he finished the required readings, but he also traveled to learn and could argue persuasively. And him? He’s still studying the same books Zhao Zheng read."

"Uh," Changqing hurriedly said, "Young Master Zheng is different from the other young masters. Although he is young, he has been reading for many years."

Zhao Zheng is Zhao Cheng’s son. Since he was raised by Zhao Cheng from a young age, he was placed in the clan school to study with the other clan children as soon as he could run.

He started learning to read and recite as soon as he could speak. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

By the time he could write with a brush, he had memorized several books.

Zhao Kuan is recognized as the most outstanding disciple in this generation, but the smartest among them is certainly Zhao Zheng—he’s exceptionally good at reading.

Zhao Ming glanced faintly at Changqing before saying, "Alright, if his studies aren’t on par with Zhao Kuan and the others, I won’t mind. But how about his manners?"

"He has manners, but where is the propriety?" Zhao Ming said, "Zhao Hanzhang is a few months younger than him, yet, though smooth-talking, she is upright and dignified, treating even Seventh Uncle with a proper attitude. And him?"

"At such an age, yet still lacks decisiveness, indecisive," Zhao Ming shook his head in disappointment, "Indecisiveness means a lack of resolve, easily giving rise to weakness. The clan leader is the wind vane of the family; the family gradually becomes what the clan leader is like."

"If his faults were only minor, and he could uphold the greater good, I could turn a blind eye, but he lacks even the thought of the greater good, muddled and ignorant, with the stewards around him being more perceptive than he is."

How could Zhao Ming consider him as the next clan leader?

If he becomes the leader, who would end up controlling the clan affairs is still uncertain. Since everything will be handed over to others, he might as well choose Zhao Erlang.

His father and uncle always felt that Erlang wasn’t suitable, citing Emperor Hui as a precedent, fearing that if he became the leader, power would fall into the wrong hands, leading to clan disputes.

But he thought that Zhao Yi wasn’t much better than Zhao Erlang. If power were to fall away, it would be better to choose Zhao Erlang.

At least Erlang has a pure mind, willing to heed advice, and not futilely compete for power due to ignorance, plus Zhao Hanzhang backs him.

She can dictate things as long as she ensures Zhao Family’s interests, then Zhao Family will be united;

Far better than Zhao Yi taking power and then contending with Zhao Hanzhang, turning the family into a mess.

In times of chaos, what is needed is a strong clan leader.

Zhao Ming drank three cups of wine, finally sighed, and gave up on Zhao Yi, "Forget it, better find a wife for Erlang."

He said, "Choose a smart one."

Changqing agreed with a smile and asked, "Which family’s girl does the master think is suitable?"

Zhao Ming twirled the wine cup in his hand without speaking, who was suitable?

He couldn’t think of anyone at the moment.

After a long contemplation, Zhao Ming said, "Spread the word, say that Zhao Family is looking to arrange a marriage for Erlang, and this time the selection must be careful."

He felt that the choice for Zhi Zhi’s wife wasn’t right; how could Zhao Zhi, such a smart person, have Zhao Erlang?

It must be Mrs. Wang’s issue.

And in fact, Mrs. Wang indeed wasn’t too smart.

Zhao Ming reiterated, "Choose someone more clever."

Changqing agreed with a smile, "The master is more concerned about choosing a wife for Erlang than for our young master’s wife."

Speaking of his son who was nowhere to be seen, Zhao Ming frowned and asked, "Is he still in Shu?"

"Yes," Changqing bowed and said, "No letter has come back. He probably hasn’t left Shu."

Zhao Ming nodded, "Shu is relatively safe, but still should be careful. Next time a letter comes, send him one urging his prompt return. Yu State needs people now."

Changqing sighed, "Master, the young master is on a study tour, not in one place for long. We’ve sent many letters urging his return, but based on the letters he sent back, he hasn’t received any."

This is common; it’s normal to lose mail or not find the recipient, even in peaceful times, let alone now.

Zhao Ming could only sigh and then put his son out of mind, "I estimate Zhao Yi won’t pass the Talent Recruitment Exam. Find him a place near the study hall, and once he’s done with the exam, have him move out. Let him study at the academy and see what other people’s children are like."

He sneered, "Those children, though lacking his background and even intellect, are nonetheless his equal in other aspects."

Changqing agreed and went out in the afternoon to find a house since the Talent Recruitment Exam was in a few days.

Mrs. Wang was at home burning incense and praying to Buddha, sincerely petitioning, "Buddha, I pray for the safety and health of my son and daughter, free from illness and misfortune."

Then she immediately added, "Don’t let Zhao Yi pass the Talent Recruitment Exam."

Qing Gu was kneeling beside her, and after Mrs. Wang made her wish, helped her place the incense, kowtowing three times alongside her before leaving the Buddha hall.

She whispered, "Madam, is it right to openly make such a bad wish?"

Mrs. Wang looked around and said, "What are you afraid of? Only we know about this."

She murmured, "I can’t understand Third Lady. Why let him take the Talent Recruitment Exam? But I know, if he doesn’t pass, it’s beneficial for Erlang, so he better not pass."

She clasped her hands, "If Buddha blames, then let the blame fall on me, as long as he doesn’t pass."

Qing Gu said no more.

Mrs. Wang then made another wish for Buddha to particularly protect her daughter and son, then grumbled, "I wonder how those two children are in Luoyang. The weather is getting hot, our summer clothes should have arrived, right?"