After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 651 - 645: On Extravagance

Zhao Hu waved his hand directly, saying: "Frugality doesn’t suit me, don’t bring it up again. Life is short, just a few decades, why should I make myself suffer? If I had no money, that would be different. But I’m wealthy; I’ve earned it to spend. What’s the point of keeping it otherwise?"

He said, "Look at your grandfather, frugal all his life, and in the end, the money saved benefited you and Zhao Zhongyu."

"If you used the money on yourself and Second Son, the saving wouldn’t be for nothing. But you spent it to support the army and save refugees, all strangers, consuming his savings bit by bit. If he knew, who knows how angry he’d be."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...I think Grandfather would actually be happy."

The money was meant for the Zhao Family, and she used it to support the army for the sake of the Zhao Family.

Yet Zhao Hu didn’t think so, projecting his own views, he snorted heavily: "Happy? My foot! When I’m dead, if Zhao Cheng dares give my money to unrelated people, I’ll jump out of the coffin and settle scores with him!"

Zhao Hu paused and said, "Though he might really do that, so I can’t leave him too much money. I need to spend it, spend as much as possible, so there’s less left."

Zhao Hanzhang was at a loss for words.

After a while, harboring some unspeakable emotions, she tempted him: "Then spend it, best do it in front of Uncle Cheng."

Zhao Hu also wanted to provoke his son by spending money, since he suddenly left with his grandson to such a dangerous front; he wouldn’t easily forgive him.

He asked Zhao Hanzhang: "What are the places to spend money in Luoyang?"

Zhao Hanzhang was secretly delighted but maintained composure, seriously suggesting, "Mansions and shops?"

Zhao Hu frowned. He wasn’t keen to invest in Luoyang. When it was stable before, he would have loved to, but Luoyang was now desolate and the emperor wasn’t even here, any moment there could be conflict with the Xiongnu; he didn’t want to invest here.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed unperturbed, smiling, "Seventh Ancestor doesn’t like it, that’s fine. I was thinking that since Your Majesty moved the capital to Yun City, everyone’s attention is on Yun City. Luoyang is bleak now, but in some years, Great Jin will surely counterattack. If it regains control, Your Majesty will move the capital back. As Luoyang is the center of the world with natural defenses, it’s more suitable as a capital than anywhere else."

Zhao Hu pondered with some hesitation, asking: "Are shops and mansions expensive in Luoyang now?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded plainly: "Not expensive, they’re cheap as cabbages."

Zhao Hu looked at her skeptically.

"Really, I don’t know the exact prices, if Seventh Ancestor is interested, I’ll have a broker come over," Zhao Hanzhang generously said: "Regardless of which mansions and shops Seventh Ancestor likes, I’ll reduce the price by a tenth."

"A tenth? That’s too stingy," Zhao Hu directly countered: "Thirty percent!"

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Seventh Ancestor, ask about current property prices in Luoyang compared to before; a thirty-percent cut and the property would be almost a giveaway."

"You can’t sell them anyway, and are those shops yours?" Zhao Hu said: "Didn’t you seize them? Selling one makes money. Otherwise, they’re just clumps of dirt in your hands, not only unprofitable but also susceptible to deterioration."

After negotiating, they eventually agreed on a twenty-percent discount.

Zhao Hu won with difficulty but felt delighted, even happier than when Zhao Hanzhang readily accepted his old money for new conversion ratio, feeling he got a great bargain.

Zhao Hanzhang saw his joy and silently shook her head.

Honestly, she could have given him the thirty percent, just to make him happy.

Does Zhao Hanzhang lack the small proceeds from selling shops and mansions now?

No, she lacks people to run the shops and merchandise to stock them.

Zhao Hu settled on the price first, he could decide later whether to buy.

Business settled, Zhao Hu served tea and dismissed the guest: "Where’s your large kitchen? Let someone guide my servants to fetch hot water."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately stood up to leave, "I’ll arrange it now, Seventh Ancestor, you’ve been worn out from travel, rest first. When Uncle Cheng returns, we’ll have dinner together."

Zhao Hu snorted, counting his agreement.

Once Zhao Hanzhang left, he took a bath, washed his hair, even had a maid trim his beard; finally, he leaned on the bed and took a nap. Awakened to hear his son and grandson had returned, he carefully picked out clothes, applied perfume, looking handsome and scented, ready to step out.

Stepping out of the door, his brows furrowed; he recalled Zhao Hanzhang’s coarse clothes, eyes showing disdain, he summoned an aide: "Open the chest and find some brightly colored fabrics, has Third Lady come out of mourning yet?"

The aide calculated quickly and replied hastily: "According to my calculations, she’s out of mourning."

"Then send the fabric to her, and find two suitable fabrics for men, send a piece each to Ting Han and Second Son. Such wonderful age, not dressing up is simply a waste, especially given their looks."

The aide agreed with a smile and turned to search for fabrics.

Zhao Hu brought some things from Xiping, especially intending to visit his son and grandson; he brought plenty of good stuff, so the aide soon emerged holding a bundle of fabric. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Zhao Hu raised his chin, striding gallantly to see his son and grandson.

The hall seated quite a few people, Zhao Hanzhang was listening to Zhao Kuan’s report, Zhao Cheng occasionally chimed in, even the young Zhao Zheng could contribute some advice. When Zhao Hu arrived, the tone immediately shifted.

Zhao Kuan and other cousins saluted Zhao Hu, "Seventh Ancestor\Uncle."

Zhao Hu’s gaze first swept over his son and grandson before landing on Zhao Hanzhang, seeing her changed attire, yet still made of fine hemp only.

He frowned, letting the aide bring up the fabric, saying: "These are for you to make clothes, Third Lady, after all, you’re a noblewoman, even if advocating frugality, you can’t be too coarse."

He said sternly: "This would be improper conduct, disrespectful."

Zhao Hanzhang: ...How is she disrespectful?

Unexpectedly, Zhao Cheng, usually opposing Zhao Hu, also nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang felt exhausted, explaining: "Seventh Ancestor, I wear coarse hemp garments because I need to train soldiers, today’s plan was to inspect the construction of the watermill, might even help hands-on. The clothes are light and dirt-resistant; even if ruined, I wouldn’t worry, mend them and they’d be wearable again."

Zhao Hu’s eyes widened, the sage-like demeanor in front of his son vanished, "You even want to wear patched coarse hemp clothes?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with sorrow, "Seventh Ancestor, don’t be like Emperor Hui, wondering why I don’t eat minced meat, though coarse, the clothes are truly good."

Zhao Hanzhang expressed again: "I have no money!"

"Your grandfather left you so much money..."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Spent it!"