After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 671 - 665: Sparrows and Swans

Zhao Hanzhang put down the teacup and looked up, saying, "I consider myself a person with strong willpower, but there are always a few times in a year when I feel lazy. Here at Seventh Ancestor’s place, there are not only high beds and soft pillows, but also exquisite porcelain and luxurious clothes. I also love beauty, and can’t resist vanity, wanting people to praise me, admire me; but to be known for talent is too difficult."

"I have faced life and death several times, saved Xiping, saved Yu State, only then did I barely earn the recognition of the world. But if I’m not known for battles and righteousness, but for my literary talent, I’m afraid that in ten, twenty years, few in this world will know Zhao Hanzhang," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Zheng’er has been studying with Uncle Cheng since childhood, but I only know that he is precociously mature and has some talent in arithmetic; his literary talent and knowledge are not outstanding."

"Among our generation, capable ones like Zhao Kuan, carefree ones like Zhao Shen from Uncle Ming’s family, sharp-tongued ones like Zhao Xin, they have little reputation in the Nine States, let alone compared to Zheng’er," Zhao Hanzhang said. "If Zheng’er wants a great future and high fame, wouldn’t he think about taking shortcuts to make his wealth known when his abilities don’t match others?"

Zhao Hu said, "I have money, I’m willing. If he doesn’t want to study, but wants to be known for wealth, why not?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Seventh Ancestor wants Zheng’er to flaunt wealth like Shi Chong, but does Zheng’er have the means to protect himself like Shi Chong? And Shi Chong with such capability could not protect Lu Zhu and himself. There are countless people in this world harsher and stronger than Sun Xiu, how can Seventh Ancestor think Zheng’er can protect himself and his wealth known worldwide among the pack of wolves?"

Zhao Hu opened his mouth but didn’t speak immediately.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and said, "Seventh Ancestor, I too have been wealthy. When Grandfather was alive, my family’s assets were no less than yours. But Grandfather never allowed us to be extravagant and flamboyant. No one in the world could fathom how much money my family had. Yet when Grandfather fell ill, a swarm of jackals and tigers surrounded us, all wanting the family fortune in Grandfather’s hands."

"And he was the formerly renowned Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, Uncle Cheng was also an official in the court at the time, though the Zhao Family couldn’t claim to be a great clan of the aristocracy, it was once famous, even this couldn’t prevent outsiders’ covetousness. Now in Zheng’er’s case, what can you do to protect him, to make outsiders wary?"

Zhao Hu held such wealth and was expanding, but it was merely relying on the Zhao Family, relying on Zhao Changyu and Zhao Zhongyu and others. He dared not take his business outside Ru Nan County.

Because he knew, within Ru Nan County, the Zhao Family and Zhao Changyu, Zhao Zhongyu, and others could protect him, but beyond Ru Nan County, it might not be the same.

It was when Zhao Hanzhang became the Yu State Governor that his reach began to extend beyond Ru Nan County, stretching to other counties and states.

Zhao Hanzhang’s questioning was not aggressive, yet it struck Zhao Hu hard. He remained silent for a while, unwilling to surrender, and said, "Aren’t you here? Aren’t you Zheng’er’s support?"

Zhao Hanzhang, who had prepared a stomach full of words to continue persuading, was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask, "Seventh Ancestor, do you truly have such confidence in me?"

Zhao Hu frowned and asked displeased, "What do you mean? Are you, too, like those outsiders, plotting after my family fortune?"

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and said, "I don’t mean that, I am a straightforward person, naturally I wouldn’t resort to snatching. I’m just very surprised that Seventh Ancestor has such confidence in me; I’m... I’m rather flattered."

Zhao Hu snorted and said, "Though you are slippery, you’re essentially like eldest brother, an upright person."

He said, "These are the two traits of yours most like eldest brother."

Zhao Hanzhang humbly asked, "What is the other trait?"

Zhao Hu paused, feeling somewhat disrespectful to eldest brother, but still said, "Dead set on money."

Zhao Hanzhang withdrew the smile on her face, pulling the drifting topic back from afar, "Seventh Ancestor, in this world, relying on oneself is better than relying on others. Even if I wish to protect, how many years can I protect Zheng’er?"

She said, "And Zheng’er has children and grandchildren. You must think more for future generations. Who knows how long I’ll live? What if I die on the battlefield tomorrow?"

"Spout verbiage! If you can’t speak, better to keep your mouth shut," Zhao Hu, a superstitious person, clasped his hands in prayer to passing gods, "The young one doesn’t understand, many offenses, all gods please act as if you did not hear."

After praying to the gods, Zhao Hu said, "Then I won’t let Zheng’er flaunt wealth, it doesn’t matter if we’re not famous, with you here, if he wants to enter officialdom, it’s just a matter of your word."

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a smile and said, "Then Zheng’er must have Seventh Ancestor’s talent in accumulating wealth, otherwise, if he indulges in enjoyment without great talent, why would I use him?"

She proudly looked at him and said, "There are so many talents in the world, if I’m to use someone, naturally I’ll use capable people. Even if I offer favors to the clan, selecting talent from the clan, the talented ones come first. Zheng’er is my brother, but aren’t all the clan’s young and old brothers and sisters my siblings or uncles or nephews?"

Frankly speaking, even leveraging familial ties, she’d prioritize those with talent.

Zhao Hu, a bit angry, gave her a hard look and said, "Then Zheng’er won’t enter officialdom, just be a wealthy man like me."

He said, "I haven’t served as an official, yet I have plenty of fine food, no lack of porcelain and glass, silk and satin in abundance, life remains joyful!"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Seventh Ancestor, your ambitions rest here, naturally you feel happy. But Zheng’er, like Uncle Cheng, has grand ambitions; if he accomplishes nothing in life, how painful would that be?"

Zhao Hu scoffed, "What pain is there? I grant him wealth and honor, what others have, he has too; what others don’t have, he can also have. His life is better than the vast majority in this world. Look outside, those common folk, those displaced people, even former noble aristocrats, whose days are better than his?"

No wonder Zhao Cheng and Zhao Hu always had opposing views; she was nearly enraged by his words.

Truly, how could a sparrow understand the aspirations of a swan?

Zhao Hanzhang smiled wryly and said, "Seventh Ancestor, this world isn’t just eating, drinking, and playing; there is virtue, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. The essence of humanity is exploring the unknown, so Uncle Cheng studies, seeking his path from ancient texts to pass his principles down."

"Though Zheng’er is young, he also has his aspirations. If life is just about eating, drinking, and playing, it would be a wasted life."

Zhao Hu disagreed, asking, "Many spend their lives just pursuing basic needs. Go outside and ask how many chase this their whole lives. Are their lives wasted?"