After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 650 - 644 On Luxury

Zhao Hu came to Luoyang, and Zhao Hanzhang showed him great respect. Not only did she have people invite Zhao Cheng and his son back for a meal, but she also gathered Zhao Kuan and a few others, planning to hold a Zhao Family gathering in the evening.

Zhao Hu was very pleased with this, as he enjoyed being praised and respected by others.

Unfortunately, among the clan members in Xiping, apart from the younger generation, there were not many in Zhao Cheng’s generation who were afraid of him. It was all Zhao Ming’s fault, who often caused him trouble, undermining his authority in the clan.

Thinking of this, Zhao Hu’s mood soured a bit, and he said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Chang Ning in Xiping is too domineering and arrogant. If this continues, the clan may develop opinions against you. You should replace him."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Chang Ning has committed no wrongdoing, how can I replace a County Magistrate without reason? I have numerous officials under me; it would be demoralizing for them."

Zhao Hu said, "If you can’t replace him, then at least promote him to a position elsewhere."

He gave Zhao Hanzhang a suggestion, "Otherwise, select a descendant from the Zhao Family to be the XiPing County Magistrate? That way, we can easily discuss matters with him when needed."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "Like when Uncle Ming was in charge of Xiping?"

Zhao Hu immediately fell silent.

When Zhao Ming was in Xiping, he was even less polite to them. Whenever Zhao Hanzhang or the Zhao Family Army needed anything, they had to come up with the money.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and sighed, "I know, Chang Ning acts justly, uncovering many hidden long-term workers and tenants among our clan. In the past, I naturally stood by the elders, as the government taxes are heavy, and every year there are additional levies for various reasons, making it difficult for everyone to get by without hidden tenants."

"But since I took over Xiping, it has been three years, and every year it’s either tax exemption or reduction, never has there been an increase. The hidden tenants are willing to come forward; why should the elders obstruct them?"

"Yes, you haven’t increased taxes, but whenever your Zhao Family Army needs provisions, hasn’t it always been the clan that gathers them for you?" Zhao Hu said, "Frankly speaking, the money I’ve given you over these three years is enough to cover twenty years of my previous taxes."

"Yes, that’s why my achievements today include contributions from the clan," Zhao Hanzhang said, "That’s why my private army is called the Zhao Family Army. They protect Yu State but more so protect Ru Nan. They guard the people but more so the Zhao Family."

Zhao Hanzhang frankly said, "The Zhao Family Army is my Zhao Family Army, also the Zhao Family’s Zhao Family Army. If one day I die on the battlefield, who will take over then?"

Naturally, Zhao Ming will.

Zhao Hu lowered his gaze, or perhaps another outstanding descendant of the Zhao Family. It certainly shouldn’t be Zhao Erlang; he could be a General in the Zhao Family Army, but to let him lead the entire army or manage all of Yu State and Luoyang, that would be a disaster at the thought.

Zhao Hu’s mood suddenly calmed, and he uncharacteristically said, "Alright, let the hidden tenants be. With more people paying taxes, you’ll need less from us."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly and smiled, "Exactly, the more hidden lands and tenants, the less tax. Even the recruits become scarcer; our soldiers defend Yu State and the Zhao Family, they cannot be left hungry."

"When the army lacks provisions, and taxes cannot be collected, in the end, isn’t it the elders who must exert effort?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "So why hide tenants and lands? It’s better to set an example and let other families follow suit and clear out hidden tenants and lands. Justice shouldn’t only apply to our clan."

"That’s right!" Zhao Hu’s spirit suddenly lifted, and he immediately sold out a friend, "You know Yu Sanlang, right? Their Yu Family harbors quite a few hidden tenants, and it seems they are secretly raising a private army around the Pingyu area. Hmph, I’ve heard they even plan to build a Wu Castle. What a joke, as if building a Wu Castle is that easy. With Yu State now stable, and the Zhao Family Army protecting us, is there any need for them to build a Wu Castle?"

Zhao Hu advised her, "Have the Magistrate of Pingyu investigate it; an investigation will surely yield results. Not only should they be taxed but also fined for the back taxes of the past two years they owe." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Zhao Hanzhang was stunned and couldn’t help asking her attendant serving tea beside her, "Did Grandmaster Yu offend the Seventh Ancestor?"

The attendant smiled, "Last autumn, someone discovered hot springs on the hills outside Xiping; there are three of them. Grandmaster Yu, being well-informed, learned about it first and went to the county government to buy them."

At that time, Zhao Hanzhang was short on money; large scale reconstructions were underway across Yu State, requiring substantial finances. Hence, Chang Ning declared that the land would be divided into three parts, with one hot spring each, to be sold to the highest bidder.

Zhao Hu, relying on his relationship with Zhao Hanzhang, only greeted Chang Ning, hoping to keep one hot spring without naming a price.

Chang Ning really sold to the highest bidder.

Grandmaster Yu himself bought all three hot springs at a high price, making Zhao Hu so angry he almost smashed up the county government, but Zhao Song ultimately stepped in to calm him down.

Chang Ning was not afraid of Zhao Hu; the money from selling the hot springs went entirely to buying grain to support other counties in Yu State for Zhao Hanzhang, without a single cent held back.

That’s why Zhao Hu constantly wants to pull Chang Ning down; their relationship is very poor.

The attendant hinted, "But the seventh uncle is even more upset with Grandmaster Yu. He plans to build a villa on the mountain; at the time, there were only a few thatched houses, but the hot springs were contained within, with jade stone built pools inside. Each thatched house had three, with nothing else inside but two screens separating them. This winter, Grandmaster Yu invited scholars and intellectuals to the mountain for hot spring discussions, which have been widely talked about."

The attention instantly overshadowed Zhao Hu, snatching away the prestige he’d built up from flaunting his wealth.

So Zhao Hu was furious, almost severing ties with Yu Sanlang, but they’ve not officially broken off because both have money and hope to profit from each other. Their relationship has always been superficial.

Considering the first time Zhao Hu got his hands on glass products, he thought about reselling them to Yu Sanlang at a high price to make a profit.

Zhao Hanzhang went to observe Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu did not mind the attendant’s hints at all. He was savoring his tea with a cup in hand, waiting for the attendant to finish speaking before asking Zhao Hanzhang, "Do you have any rare items here that I can show off?"

Zhao Hanzhang racked her brains, then gave up and advised him instead, "Seventh Uncle, with limited resources these days, we advocate thriftiness. Look at me, wearing only one piece of jade, with no other ornaments, simple clothes, and eating light at home. I heard even Uncle Ming in Chen County no longer entertains friends or drinks wine. So let’s not compete with Yu Sanlang in luxury; we can compete in frugality instead."

Zhao Hu glanced her up and down, noting her outer garment was made from coarse linen, with only a hint at the collar of fine linen underneath, and he was immediately disdainful.

"Previously, I was only focused on observing the water mill, and I forgot to look at you. How are you living so meagerly now, without even having a decent piece of clothing?"