“Cousin Shen, I’m paving the way for you.”

Zhao Shen immediately became serious, clasping his hands. “Please allow this general to campaign in Jiangdong.”

Compared to this kind of path-paving, he’d rather use military merit to reach the War Minister position.

“I’ll note that down. Rest assured, I won’t show favoritism. If you don’t have sufficient military merit, I won’t force you into the position,” Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze fell on his chest. Due to his agitation, a turtle shell was half-exposed, nearly falling out. She said quietly, “You went to see Guo Pu again?”

Zhao Shen tucked the turtle shell back in. “Don’t tell my grandfather.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. She decided to tell Zhao Ming instead.

Zhao Shen walked shoulder to shoulder with her out the palace gate, sighing. “Master Guo still hasn’t accepted me. Please speak well of me to him, you and Tinghan.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I already have. I originally wanted you to learn some weather prediction skills from him, but you insisted on pursuing heavenly fate. Forget it—don’t disturb his work anymore.”

Zhao Shen complained, “He’s so irritable because you’ve assigned him too much work. He’s Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices—why must he also teach mathematics at the Imperial Academy?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “If he was unwilling, could I force him?”

She wasn’t the kind of boss who compelled employees to work against their will, was she?

Zhao Shen looked at her resentfully. “You had Tinghan challenge him to see whose mathematical teaching methods produced better students. Could he not go?”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t respond. Once outside the palace, Zeng Yue, who had been waiting there, led the horses over.

She leaped onto her horse and smiled at Zhao Shen. “Cousin Shen, are you certain you want to continue this topic with me? Riding from here to Seventh Grand-Uncle’s residence takes just over a quarter-hour.”

Zhao Shen obediently closed his mouth. They were both staying at Seventh Grand-Uncle’s residence now. If Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t stop talking, wouldn’t that let his grandfather know?

He wasn’t afraid of his grandfather, but if he could avoid the nagging, better not to hear it.

Zhao Hu’s residence was much livelier than Zhao Hanzhang’s—it was like a scene of song and dance.

Zhao Hanzhang stopped in her tracks and couldn’t help asking the steward, “Why is the household so lively?”

The steward said, “At noon, a rainbow appeared in the sky. The Grand Master was delighted and invited several friends to the residence for a banquet. For entertainment, he called in some acrobats and singers.”

A rainbow—was that worth such celebration?

Zhao Shen asked Zhao Hanzhang, “Are you going over?”

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, turned, and headed toward Zhao Hu’s study. The steward expertly led the way, and Zhao Hanzhang knocked on the door. He had someone summon the Seventh Grand Master.

Zhao Shen hesitated back and forth, suppressing his desire for entertainment and following her to the study.

Zhao Hu came over cheerfully. Seeing the two sitting at the table drinking tea, he casually asked, “Have you eaten yet?”

Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Shen stood to pay their respects and answered, “Not yet.”

Zhao Hu told the steward, “Have the kitchen prepare a table of dishes with plenty of meat.”

The steward smiled and agreed, bowing as he left.

Zhao Hu sat across from Zhao Hanzhang, arranged his sleeves to rest on his knees, and asked, “Well, which department needs money now?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “I thought Seventh Grand-Uncle would ask what profitable business ventures I want to collaborate with you on.”

Zhao Hu curled his lip. “Your words sound nice, but you should pay first. For all those things I’ve done for you, the Finance Ministry keeps delaying payment.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Rest assured, once the tax revenue comes in, I’ll make sure the Finance Ministry pays you first.”

Zhao Hu felt somewhat mollified. “Alright, just tell me directly. My friends are still waiting for me.”

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t beat around the bush and stated what she wanted.

Zhao Hu frowned slightly. “All disabled soldiers and elderly veterans—those miscellaneous expenses add up to quite a lot. How about this: if you’re buying medicinal herbs, I can extend you credit at cost price.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “How much can you extend?”

Zhao Hu furrowed his brow. “How much do you need?”

Zhao Hanzhang pulled out a list. “These are medicinal herbs commonly used by wounded soldiers. I’d like to purchase two thousand catties on credit, same as Seventh Grand-Uncle.”

This amount exceeded Zhao Hu’s expectations. He looked up at Zhao Hanzhang. “I thought you’d open your mouth wide and ask me for tens of thousands of catties.”

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and told Zhao Hu, “If Seventh Grand-Uncle is willing to extend me tens of thousands of catties on credit, I’d be very happy to take them.”

Zhao Hu lowered his eyes, staring at the list of medicinal herbs and the proposed purchase prices beside them. After a long silence, he asked, “These medicinal herbs are enough?”

“I’d also like Seventh Grand-Uncle to extend me some seeds and cloth on credit.”

But for these two items, Zhao Hanzhang’s requested quantities were also not high. No, they were still high, but far below what Zhao Hu had expected. This made him somewhat uneasy. He thought about it and didn’t haggle with her, agreeing to it.

After Zhao Hanzhang finished eating and left, Zhao Hu grabbed Zhao Shen, who was also about to leave. “Shen’er, does the national treasury have money now? What you’re getting from me—how many people can it supply?”

Zhao Shen said, “Seventh Grand-Uncle, this military reduction starts with Yuzhou.”

Zhao Hu didn’t understand. “I know it’s Yuzhou. So what?”

“Yuzhou has so many aristocratic families and wealthy merchants. Our old home in Xiping has so many uncles and cousins. This is her policy initiative. With you leading the way and my father, the regional inspector, overseeing implementation, do you think Xiping will have no response? Will Yuzhou’s aristocratic families and wealthy merchants have no response?”

Zhao Hu’s mouth fell open. “After all this, I’m the stone being thrown to test the waters?”

Zhao Shen smiled. “Seventh Grand-Uncle, these items are on credit, but the national treasury will eventually pay. You’re still making a profit.”

“Nonsense! Do I lack this bit of money from you? If I took the money you’ll pay me and bought land or shops, wouldn’t I profit?”

Zhao Shen shook his head. “Seventh Grand-Uncle, I’m not one of those outsiders. If you take money to buy shops now, you won’t profit within five years. Buy land? That’s even less likely to profit—you won’t make money for at least fifteen years.”

Zhao Hu’s expression changed. “You!”

Zhao Shen leaned in close and whispered, “Not only do you know this, I know it, and the General knows it even better. The most profitable paths right now still lie with her, with the court. For others to get involved might mean high returns but high risks. As for you, we all share the surname Zhao—you’re already bearing the high risks, aren’t you?”

“So, truly speaking, you’re getting the better deal. It’s only because she respects her elders and has a generous heart that she’s willing to accept your complaints. Otherwise…” Zhao Shen chuckled softly. “Don’t we have other capable uncles and cousins in the Xiping Zhao clan? They may not have as much capital as you, but if several families band together, they can provide everything you can give the General.”

Zhao Shen said meaningfully, “Don’t forget—the wealth you’ve accumulated these past years came from whose influence?”

Zhao Hu’s expression settled, his gaze deep as he stared at Zhao Shen.

Zhao Shen smiled at him slightly.