Zhao Hu muttered: “Just now you said there’s no Zhao family army, only the court’s military forces. Now it’s the Zhao family army again…”

Despite his words, thinking of the speed of business expansion these past years, he ultimately couldn’t bear to lose this backing. With a dark face, he agreed.

Zhao Hu had come imposingly but left in silence.

Zhao Song remained behind and said to Zhao Hanzhang: “Sanniang, you’ve always been benevolent and highly esteemed among the common people. Even so, there are still people who criticize you, especially among scholars. They all feel you’re too harsh on scholarly clans and have lost your benevolent heart.”

“The Suanmin money previously only targeted merchants, artisans, and usurers, never including scholarly clans,” he sighed. “Even your Seventh Uncle-Granduncle finds it hard to accept. Not to mention others. You must prepare yourself mentally.”

Regarding Zhao Song, Zhao Hanzhang was willing to explain in more detail: “Fifth Uncle-Granduncle, even with money, there are people in this world who regard it as dirt. I know my own limitations and never expect everyone in the world to love me.”

“Especially in this position, no matter how great my achievements, I may face mixed praise and blame, even more blame than praise. I don’t care about any of that,” Zhao Hanzhang said solemnly. “I only want to be true to my heart and not forget my original intentions.”

She said: “I know what I want. I will steadfastly advance toward my goals.”

“You speak of scholars as only those you’ve encountered. They mostly come from wealthy and powerful families. But in my eyes, all learned people in this realm can be called scholars. Uncle Ming is a scholar. Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, and Changning are also scholars,” she said. “I believe my measures will make scholars throughout the realm better. They’ll have brighter prospects and be better able to realize their ambitions.”

“If, despite this, the scholarly class still regards me as an enemy, I have nothing to say.”

Zhao Song’s heart trembled. He vaguely grasped her meaning. His mind went blank for quite a while before he said: “You hold high position and great authority, with imposing prestige and power. Naturally, you can suppress all opposing voices. But what about after you? The little emperor lacks this prestige. After you… I fear the realm will again fall into chaos.”

“Reform is not so easy,” Zhao Song said earnestly. “Since ancient times, reformers—strong as Wu Qi and Shang Yang—all died miserably, even implicating their families.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression didn’t change, only becoming more resolute. “Fifth Uncle-Granduncle, though Wu Qi perished, the reforms enabled Chu to water its horses at the great river, pacify the Hundred Yue to the south, and annex Chen and Cai to the north. Though Shang Yang died, the new laws didn’t fail. Qin became strong because of them, which created the foundation for the First Emperor to unify the realm. My reforms—as long as the new laws don’t perish and greatly benefit the nation and people, I have no regrets.”

Zhao Song opened his mouth but couldn’t voice any opposition.

After a long while, he stood to leave. Walking to the door, he stopped again, slightly turning his head to ask: “The war has ceased. When will you and Tinghan hold your wedding?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently: “Once we’ve consulted with Grandfather Fu, we can begin preparations.”

Only then did Zhao Song sigh and leave.

Walking out of the Zhao residence, Zhao Hu hadn’t left yet. The three Chen gentlemen had already taken their leave. They somewhat regretted following Zhao Hu to demand an explanation from Zhao Hanzhang. After all that, even Zhao Hu himself couldn’t hold firm.

Not only was there no change, but they had also left a very poor impression before Zhao Hanzhang.

When Zhao Song emerged, Zhao Hu was sitting on the carriage shaft, grabbing Fu Tinghan who had returned from outside to talk. Fu Tinghan stood honestly beside the carriage listening.

Zhao Song approached and only caught half a sentence: “As a gentleman, how can you let your unmarried fiancée worry about money? You’ll eventually marry. Can you live so tightly even then…”

Seeing Zhao Song, Zhao Hu swallowed back his unfinished words, then released Fu Tinghan’s hand. But because his words were incomplete, he looked very uncomfortable.

Zhao Song glared at him, then said kindly to Fu Tinghan: “Tinghan has returned. Go on in quickly. Sanniang is waiting to dine with you.”

Fu Tinghan breathed a sigh of relief. He stepped back, bowed to Zhao Song and Zhao Hu, then withdrew.

Zhao Hu watched his retreating figure with a face full of regret. If Fifth Brother had come just a bit later, he might have convinced Fu Tinghan to come work for him as an advisor. He didn’t expect him to leave Zhao Hanzhang—just to work on some projects in his spare time. That would be enough to make money.

He knew very well that several of Zhao Hanzhang’s current golden-egg-laying industries had Fu Tinghan’s shadow in them.

Zhao Song sat in the carriage and said to Zhao Hu, who was still looking outside: “Stop looking. No matter how many things he has, they won’t reach your hands. Sanniang is there.”

Zhao Hu could only withdraw his gaze in disappointment, sitting across from Zhao Song, frowning as he asked: “What were you talking about with her for so long?”

Zhao Song didn’t tell him, only saying: “Old Seven, you should be more polite to Sanniang in the future. She’s not just the Third Lady of the Zhao clan now. She’s also the Grand Commandant and the General. With her status, the nation comes before the family.”

“We and she—we’re the same clan, we’re allies. Being allies means cooperation. Since it’s cooperation, we must contribute. Otherwise, what face do we have to enjoy the fruits?”

Zhao Hu was stunned, his brow furrowing: “Haven’t I contributed? Every time she needs to fight or provide disaster relief, don’t I contribute money and goods?”

Zhao Song glanced at him: “You also need to rein in your temper. Don’t forget about ruler-subject, primary-auxiliary relationships. Among the family branches, you’ve contributed the most money and goods these past years. How many remember your goodness? Your problem lies in that mouth. Fortunately, Sanniang distinguishes clearly between public and private, with clear vision, and hasn’t let you actually suffer losses. If it were someone petty, no matter how much you contributed, just because of that mouth, they would suppress you.”

Zhao Hu was so angry his nose expelled air. “Fifth Brother, I’m already this old, I’m Zhao Hanzhang’s great-uncle. Having lived most of my life, must I still watch her face to act in the end?”

Zhao Song said coldly: “Do you have the courage to go in now and curse her again?”

Thinking of Zhao Hanzhang’s cold expression just now, Zhao Hu dared not speak.

Zhao Song snorted. He knew it—bullying the soft and fearing the strong, outwardly fierce but inwardly cowardly. Just words. If this temperament isn’t changed, it will likely cause great trouble in the future.

Fu Tinghan walked to the great hall and entered to find her holding a brush and frowning at official documents. He stepped forward to look—it was a document from his grandfather requesting money and grain for Yongzhou disaster relief.

“No money?”

Zhao Hanzhang sighed and nodded.

Fu Tinghan said: “I’ll make a trip to Qingzhou and Guangzhou.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked up at him. “Won’t it be too tiring? You’ve been traveling outside for most of the year.”

Fu Tinghan shook his head. “The money obtained from the Suanmin Order is limited. It can only solve the urgent crisis, not be relied upon long-term. From now until next year’s summer harvest, there’s still half a year. Tax collection and accounting need time, so you need money to bridge the gap. Salt is the most profitable and most suitable.”

“Although I’ve written general methods for sun-drying and boiling salt, research also takes time. It’s better if I go. I know how to remove impurities from sea salt faster and at lower cost. The research will be much faster.”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll have people escort you there.”

Seeing her agreement, Fu Tinghan breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Hu had one thing right—as Zhao Hanzhang’s fiancé, he couldn’t always let her worry about money and live so tightly.

—