After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Yong chuckled proudly, puffing out his chest, "I’ve also gained strength, Sister, I can now draw a five-stone bow."

Zhao Hanzhang praised, "Well done, my fierce general."

Although Zhao Erlang had returned, Zhao Hanzhang only paused briefly before letting him sit aside to listen to their discussions.

This was a small court session, besides Fu Tinghan, officials from the six ministries and key officials from the Central Secretariat and Ministry of Supervision were present.

The main topics were promoting agricultural tasks for the new year and support measures for agriculture; issues concerning military provisions, pay, and retirement care; and the jurisdiction over Inner Court Manufacturing and Hua Country Manufacturing.

Inner Court Manufacturing was an industry under Zhao Hanzhang’s name, and there was little to discuss here, essentially a one-person decision.

However, since Inner Court Manufacturing largely uses Fu Tinghan’s skills and recipes, the Ministry of Industry is trying to intervene in its management;

As for Hua Country Manufacturing, it’s even more straightforward, equivalent to a state enterprise, dealing with industries such as salt, iron, gold, and copper which private enterprises cannot partake in.

The current discussion is because the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry both believe these affairs should be under their purview.

To put it bluntly, today’s meeting is about money.

Dividing the existing treasury funds, and affirming ownership over major industries and workshops.

Initially interested, Zhao Erlang gradually lost track and began to daydream upon realizing he couldn’t keep up with their disputes.

The pastries before him looked rather appetizing...

Eat them!

Zhao Erlang reached out to grab a piece, quietly gnawing it like a little hamster, while Zhao Ming noticed and silently handed over the plate of snacks in front of him.

Zhao Erlang, surprised and delighted, quickly accepted them. Despite seldom being favored by elders, Zhao Ming unexpectedly offered him treats.

He grinned at Zhao Ming, who averted his gaze, sighing inwardly at his naivety, as if all the cunning had gone to Zhao Hanzhang.

After finishing two plates of snacks, Zhao Erlang began feeling sleepy, shifting uneasily but remaining silent, just struggling to keep his eyes wide like back in school days.

Yet his eyelids grew increasingly heavy until a sudden voice announced, "Let’s conclude today’s session here. My esteemed officials, proceed with the agreed plan."

As Zhao Erlang nodded, he suddenly sat upright, blinking himself awake, noticing Ji Yuan and others rise to bow, he quickly followed suit, bowing alongside them.

After Ji Yuan and the others departed, Zhao Hanzhang asked him, "Did you sleep well?"

Zhao Erlang stared at his toes without responding.

Zhao Hanzhang tapped his head, "Let’s go, I’ll take you to see Mother. I initially planned for you to hear and get involved with some Ministry of War matters."

But it seems these affairs should still be left to Xie Shi, while Zhao Erlang focuses on learning military strategy and skills.

Mrs. Wang, suddenly seeing her son return, was delighted, holding his hand warmly, "Enduring such rough conditions, quickly go bathe and change, I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite lamb soup."

Zhao Erlang shook his head, "Mother, I don’t want lamb soup now; I’d prefer vegetables and dumplings."

In the harsh borderlands, vegetables are more rare and valuable than meat.

With plenty of sheep raised locally, and being near Xiliang which doesn’t lack sheep, but vegetables have been scarce since deep winter.

Mrs. Wang quickly asked, "Didn’t you stock cabbage?"

Zhao Erlang replied, "I did, but we finished it all, and some spoiled."

Mrs. Wang inquired how much he stocked, and how he preserved them?

Zhao Erlang didn’t know.

Mrs. Wang then said, "Alright, go bathe, I’ll have them prepare food for you."

She also didn’t make Zhao Erlang go to Dexing Hall, but arranged a guest room in the side hall for him to rest.

Zhao Hanzhang is his sister, so of course he could stay in the rear palace.

Once he left, Mrs. Wang took Zhao Hanzhang’s hand saying, "Third Lady, you see how it is, Erlang is without a wife, he doesn’t even know about stocking vegetables, living in such a muddled state."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "His need isn’t for a wife, but for a manager."

Mrs. Wang gave her a playful smack, teasing, "Managers also need oversight. If there’s no master overseeing, no matter how capable the manager, without rewards or constraints, they’d slack off within months. Do you see Erlang as someone who can manage a household?"

Mrs. Wang continued, "At Erlang’s age, he should be married."

Zhao Hanzhang looked troubled, "I know, I’m looking, but it’s hard to find someone suitable. Mainly, Erlang doesn’t have a clear preference, I can’t force him."

Mrs. Wang said, "Marriage is ordained by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Without you suggesting someone specific, how do you know if he likes them or not?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked her, "Do you have suitable candidates?"

Mrs. Wang’s spirit lifted, and she said quickly, "I do."

Since becoming Empress Dowager, she meets with noblewomen monthly. This is usually the Empress’s duty, but Fu Tinghan is busy settling into the Ministry of Industry, and his status doesn’t fit, so Wang Hufeng has been assisting her.

Among a group of wives, they love discussing their children’s marriages.

Zhao Erlang is unmarried, and many want to match him.

Mrs. Wang counted on her fingers, "There’s Wang Kuang’s daughter, Xiahou Ren’s daughter, Cao Lin’s daughter, Liu Kun’s daughter, and daughters from our Taiyuan Wang Family..."

Glancing at Zhao Hanzhang’s expression, Mrs. Wang spoke softly, "Someone even mentioned General Beigong’s daughter, and besides, many from Jiangnan wish to marry their daughters to Erlang, even willing to be concubines."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Mother, do you want Erlang to have a concubine?"

Mrs. Wang shook her head, "Uprisings in the household are a grave threat. Your brother lacks the wisdom to manage it alone, so he needs a wife with whom he can work together, living harmoniously. He can’t have intentions of taking concubines."

Mrs. Wang generally views concubines unfavorably. The Zhao Family’s ethos is pure; her husband didn’t take concubines, nor even chambermaids, and neither did her father-in-law.

Many Zhao Family men are without concubines, so she doesn’t favor men taking them, even if it’s her son.

Thus, she dislikes families suggesting their daughters as concubines, saying, "Improper family ethics likely raise unsuitable daughters."

Zhao Hanzhang: "So many choices, whom have you picked, Mother?"

Mrs. Wang grew hesitant, whispering, "Of those, besides General Beigong’s daughter whom I haven’t met, I’ve seen the others. I favor your cousin’s cousin, yet Liu Kun’s daughter seems better; I worry if her status is suitable..."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Excluding my cousin, Wang Kuang’s daughter, and Xiahou Ren’s daughter, the others are fine."

Mrs. Wang froze, asking, "Why not your cousin?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "We’re not beyond five relations, too close kinship."

Mrs. Wang said, "Usually people think it’s not close enough; why do you think it’s too close? Such a shame you lack closer kin, without living close cousins. This distance bothers me."

"Mother, closely related couples have high risks of having deformed offspring. Our cousin is within five degrees of relation, so it’s unsuitable."

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