The clan affairs were ostensibly managed by Zhao Song, but most matters were actually handled by Zhao Ming.

Any disputes within the clan were brought directly to him. Just a few days ago, a clansman had come to Zhao Ming to complain, saying someone had dug pits and made fires in his family’s wheat field. Judging by the traces, it seemed they were trying to catch field mice or rabbits.

That his cousin was so inconsiderate gave Zhao Ming quite a headache.

He was too lazy to investigate thoroughly and directly ruled, “Have your family send twenty jin of wheat to Uncle You’s household.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fan couldn’t help muttering, “I already avoided the wheat plants and didn’t burn any wheat roots at all…”

Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to look at him. “What is cousin saying?”

Zhao Fan immediately stopped muttering and said, “Nothing.”

He changed the subject, asking, “Didn’t they say Sanniang’s side is short of grain? That she needs to borrow money to buy food—has enough money been gathered?”

Zhao Ming asked impassively, “Does cousin wish to lend her money?”

“Lending is certainly possible, but brothers must settle accounts clearly. I wonder what interest she’s offering? Is it just borrowing money, or borrowing grain?”

Zhao Ming said, “Both are acceptable.”

Zhao Fan perked up, and Zhao Ying sitting in front of him also became spirited. They both said, “We can each lend some. As for interest, we can charge a bit less—we’re family after all, can’t charge too much.”

These were troubled times, and money wasn’t easy to earn.

Doing business outside meant losses. Keeping money in hand was fine, but money didn’t generate money. If Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming wanted to borrow money, they were quite willing to lend it out to earn some interest.

The two had just begun when Zhao Wen, sitting not far away, immediately said, “If you two cousins have surplus money, you could lend it to me. I’m planning to organize a merchant caravan to travel and earn money.”

Upon hearing this, the enthusiasm on Zhao Fan and Zhao Ying’s faces faded, and they deflected, “Actually, we don’t have much money on hand either—mainly grain. Sanniang needs grain, doesn’t she? We can tighten our belts and lend her some. If it were converted to money, it wouldn’t be worth much.”

“Right, right,” Zhao Ying said. “And Sanniang is in difficulty now, so we should prioritize her needs.”

Even if they wanted to earn interest, they had to consider to whom they were lending.

Lending to Zhao Ming and Zhao Hanzhang, they could definitely recover it. As for lending to Zhao Wen—while it wouldn’t be a complete loss, they shouldn’t expect repayment within ten years. How desperate would they have to be to invest money in him?

Zhao Wen was about to speak again when Zhao Ming, sitting above, looked at him with cool eyes and asked, “Wen cousin, have you repaid the money you owe Qing cousin and Dong cousin?”

Zhao Wen also immediately shrank back and dared not speak.

Zhao Fan and Zhao Ying both quietly breathed sighs of relief. Sure enough, refusing clan members’ requests for loans should be left to Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming had played the villain once, but Zhao Wen didn’t dare resent him. After drinking two cups of wine, he left on his own.

Zhao Ming continued pouring and drinking wine. Zhao Hu, who had heard the news, came running over. Seeing him still leisurely drinking wine like this, he felt dissatisfied and stepped forward, saying, “Didn’t they say Sanniang returned? Why aren’t you going to welcome her?”

Zhao Ming looked up at him, set down his wine cup, and slowly rose to his feet to bow. “Seventh Uncle.”

Seeing him so unhurried, Zhao Hu became more dissatisfied. “She’s the Inspector, and you’re the Commandery Governor. How can you be so negligent toward her? Go welcome her quickly.”

Zhao Ming gathered his sleeves—this way his hands would be warmer. He said methodically, “It would be useless to go. Zitu won’t return with Sanniang.”

Zhao Hu jumped up. “You haven’t even seen her yet—how do you know Zitu won’t return?”

“Zitu wrote to tell me. He said he wants to stay in Song County. A new school has opened there, and Sanniang has entrusted everything to Zhao Ze. How old is Zhao Ze? He’s uneasy about it, so he plans to stay in Song County until the school there is built.”

Zhao Hu’s eyes filled with tears. “Today is the winter solstice, and he won’t even come home!”

Zhao Ming showed no change in expression and said, “He probably won’t return for New Year’s or Qingming either.”

If he wasn’t returning for New Year’s and Qingming, what was the winter solstice?

Zhao Hu was deeply struck and turned to leave.

Zhao Ming didn’t call him back and only then began slowly walking out.

Today was the winter solstice. The Zhao clan’s winter solstice banquet—because of the Xiongnu’s southern invasion, he hadn’t sent out invitations this year. However, many people had still come to Xiping County this year, even staying in the Zhao clan’s fortified estate.

This was because Zhao Hanzhang had become Inspector!

Since quite a few people had come, although the Zhao clan wasn’t holding a winter solstice banquet, starting today, the Zhao clan’s banquet garden would be open. All guests coming here could freely enter and exit, with wine and food provided inside.

Of course, most were still Zhao clan members. They also enjoyed gathering for excitement, so Zhao Fan and the others weren’t going out to play but stayed in the garden drinking.

Knowing Zhao Hanzhang had returned, Zhao Fan and the others felt that as elders who didn’t hold official positions in the court, they needn’t go welcome her, but they really wanted to see this niece who had become Inspector.

So after much deliberation, seeing Zhao Ming go out, they thought briefly and also rose to follow.

They weren’t going to welcome Zhao Hanzhang—they just wanted to see what Zhao Ming was up to.

Zhao Ming was slowly walking toward the outside of the fortified estate. His attendant was leading an ox cart following beside him, also moving at a leisurely pace.

Zhao Ming was pondering: if the person Zhao Fan saw the day before yesterday really was Zhao Hanzhang, then where had she gone these past two days?

Returning to Runan Commandery but not coming to see him, instead going elsewhere first—did she have other plans for the Zhao clan, or…

While thinking, his attendant Changqing called out, “Young master, look!”

Zhao Ming also heard hoofbeats. Hearing this, he raised his head to look ahead and saw Zhao Hanzhang leading a group of people approaching on fast horses. When they were about a hundred paces away, they slowed down but still quickly ran up to him.

The young woman on horseback, seeing him, broke into a brilliant smile, bright eyes and white teeth. “Uncle Ming!”

Seeing her sincere and brilliant smile, the suspicions that had just arisen in Zhao Ming’s heart shattered with a crack and dispersed. He showed a slight smile and nodded to her slightly.

The young woman on the horse jumped down lively and bounded up to him in two steps, smiling happily. “Did Uncle Ming come specially to welcome me?”

Zhao Ming looked her up and down and asked, “Didn’t you go to the county town?”

“But when I arrived at the county town and didn’t see Uncle Ming, I realized today is the winter solstice, so I hurried back to pay respects to my elders.” Zhao Hanzhang turned back to Zhao Erlang and Fu Tinghan, who had just dismounted. “Hurry up and pay respects to Uncle Ming.”

Fu Tinghan then brought the somewhat timid Zhao Erlang forward to bow.

Zhao Fan and the others were also slowly approaching on their ox carts. Seeing them, they immediately came forward happily. “Sanniang!”

Zhao Hanzhang turned to look and smiled with squinted eyes. “It’s Uncle Fan…”

Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward to bow.

Everyone met and then walked together toward the fortified estate.

Zhao Ming couldn’t help looking back twice. He simply asked Zhao Hanzhang, “Is that He Heng?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “It’s He Heng. Uncle knows him?”

“I’ve met him twice. Is he here to see the He family?”

“No,” Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “He came to take me to see the iron mine.”