“Of course not,” Zhao Song said proudly. “Among all fortresses in the world that can rival our Zhao fortress, there are no more than ten.”

In other words, the Zhao family could rank in the top ten among all fortresses in the world.

And just how many fortresses were there in the entire world?

Even if not ten thousand, there must be five, six, seven, or eight thousand.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but sigh. “Fifth Uncle is truly remarkable.”

Zhao Song shook his head. “This is all your grandfather’s achievement. Without his management, the Zhao family could never have built such a fortress.”

As clan leader, Zhao Changyu naturally couldn’t only look to his own interests.

In the eyes of Zhao Song and the others, the power in Zhao Changyu’s hands was divided into two parts. One part was completely under his own control—this portion should now be inherited by Zhao Zhongyu.

The other part was the Zhao clan fortress, managed by Zhao Song but actually belonging to the Zhao clan as a whole.

However, Zhao Changyu had always contributed the lion’s share of funding and provided the strategies. For instance, Zhao Song quietly told Zhao Hanzhang, “When Emperor Hui ascended the throne, because your grandfather had once advised Emperor Wu to depose Emperor Hui, Empress Jia deeply hated your grandfather and had him demoted. At that time, your grandfather wrote to me saying that with consort families holding too much power, the country would likely descend into chaos in the future. He told me to gather as many displaced people as possible when I could—both to give them a way to survive and to ensure the Zhao family’s safety.”

Zhao Song led Zhao Hanzhang through the main street to reach their old family residence, bringing her up to an observation platform. From here, one could overlook the entire Zhao fortress.

This was the main residence of the Zhao family’s direct line, which no one dared occupy.

Zhao Song pointed at the fortress, which was almost equivalent to a small county, and said, “Currently, more than half the people in this fortress are displaced people gathered over these past dozen years.”

He continued, “That the Zhao fortress could reach its current state is entirely due to your grandfather’s foresight and capability.”

Supporting so many people naturally couldn’t rely solely on the initial farmland production. The shortfall was entirely made up by Zhao Changyu alone.

Everyone in the clan knew this point, which was why Zhao Changyu’s death saddened them so.

Having lost their helmsman, no one knew what would become of the Zhao family’s great ship in the future.

Zhao Song felt anxious inwardly, believing Zhao Zhongyu fell far short of Zhao Changyu, and Zhao Ji fell far short of Zhao Zhongyu. The Zhao family’s future was worrying.

But there was no need to share these concerns with Zhao Hanzhang. He suppressed his inner worries and turned to smile at Zhao Hanzhang. “This is the main residence. Although your eldest uncle’s family inherited the title, Erlang is still the eldest son and eldest grandson of the primary branch. This is your family’s dwelling place—no one can take it away.”

“Shangcai is ultimately rather far. If something happens, we’re too far away to help,” Zhao Song said. “If you move back, there’s still your grandfather’s study here. It would be convenient for Fu Tinghan and Erlang to study.”

Zhao Hanzhang still declined. “I heard Father preferred Shangcai. Even Erlang was born in Shangcai. When he passed, I was still young, but my admiration for Father has never diminished. I want to live in Shangcai to observe mourning for Grandfather.”

She smiled slightly and said, “However, we could bring some books over. I hope Fifth Uncle will agree.”

“Those are books left by your ancestors. Of course you can take them to read,” Zhao Song thought briefly and smiled. “That works too. Erlang can’t focus on his studies. By the time he marries and has children who can read these books, it will be quite a while. With Fu Tinghan here during this time, at least these books won’t be wasted.”

Zhao Hanzhang understood his implication and stated plainly, “During the mourning period with little to do, besides copying sutras to pray for Grandfather and Father’s blessings, Fu Tinghan and I will organize the study and try to copy more books to prepare an extra set for Erlang, to avoid moving them back and forth and having some go missing.”

Both sides reached consensus and smiled at each other with satisfaction.

After Zhao Song returned home, he couldn’t help sighing again. “If only Erlang had Sanniang’s intelligence—even half would be good.”

Zhao Ming asked, “Father, who do you think is cleverer—Sanniang or Zhizhi?”

Zhao Song thought about it and said, “The student surpasses the master. At her age, Zhizhi didn’t have this kind of insight and forbearance.”

Speaking of forbearance reminded Zhao Song of more.

He paused and asked, “How are the gifts I told you to prepare coming along?”

“All ready.”

Zhao Song thought it over and said, “Their days are difficult. Add more money to the trunks.”

Zhao Ming: “…”

He couldn’t help but say, “Father, your son isn’t being stingy about this money—it’s not worth that—but in just three short days you’ve had me increase the money we’re giving three times. I’m very worried, Father. If Sanniang asks in the future, would you give away all our family assets to her?”

Zhao Song said irritably, “She’s your niece, and so young. She lost her father in childhood, now has lost all her valuables and servants, and still has to support a whole family. What’s wrong with me giving her more money? You begrudge even this little bit? When did you become so petty?”

“Father, would someone as clever and thorough as First Uncle not leave Sanniang and Erlang a way out?” Zhao Ming said. “Let me state again—I’m not being stingy about the money. I just need things to make sense. Given First Uncle’s wealth, even the imperial family wasn’t as rich as him. Would he not leave them money?”

“He did leave it—wasn’t it all stolen?” Zhao Song thought about it and felt some heartache. “All that dowry, all lost. Sigh.”

Zhao Ming said, “Your son means that besides that dowry, there should be other things.”

He continued, “Father, don’t forget Ji Yuan. He was First Uncle’s most capable advisor. Such a formidable advisor—could he really not preserve even the slightest bit of wealth?”

Zhao Song gave him a look that said ‘I won’t listen, I won’t listen, I just won’t listen,’ glaring as he demanded, “Just tell me—will you add it or not?”

Zhao Ming silently looked at his unreasonable father for a while, then finally nodded silently and went down to add money for Zhao Hanzhang.

Only then did Zhao Song’s mood improve.