Tan Zhong: …He also very much wanted to agree and keep up, but this matter wasn’t small. He had to ask Zhao Zhongyu first.

Seeing this, Zhao Song was disappointed. He forced a smile. “Let’s go. We’ll move on to the next location.”

Soon, the good news spread through the fields. The farmers were as happy as if it were New Year’s. Seeing Zhao Song and Zhao Hanzhang from afar, they knelt and kowtowed in thanks. The clan members who were also farmers excitedly waved at them, and when they looked over, raised their hands in deep bows.

Zhao Song mostly received these gestures from his ox cart and had Zhao Hanzhang accept them too. But when they encountered some clan members, he would have Zhao Hanzhang go over and respectfully return the courtesy. “They’re senior to you in the family hierarchy. Even if they’re poor, you cannot accept their bows. There must be proper order between senior and junior—this cannot be confused.”

Zhao Hanzhang acknowledged each instruction.

They had many fields. After half a day, they had only walked through a few plots near the fortress.

The two families’ fields were adjacent, and the situations were similar. But when they went to inspect the fields, the atmospheres were completely different.

On one side, tenant farmers and clan members greeted Zhao Hanzhang cheerfully and enthusiastically. On the other side, they looked at them sullenly, eyes full of envy.

The pressure in Tan Zhong’s heart grew. When he came, the master had only said to reclaim the businesses, then select stewards and managers to oversee them. He assumed Fifth Elder wouldn’t object. But he never expected things to go so poorly.

Tan Zhong’s instincts told him something was wrong. Although Xiping had always been under Fifth Elder’s management, he still followed the clan leader’s orders. Given his temperament, he shouldn’t oppose the clan leader.

Tan Zhong couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Hanzhang riding ahead.

Upon returning home, the smile on Zhao Song’s face fell away. He stopped and looked back, seeing his son walking slowly. He snorted. “Did you see that? If we hand the businesses over to these advisors, they can’t make any decisions. Roads can still carry messages now, but what if there’s war or some emergency and communication is cut off? Will the clan just do nothing and wait for the clan leader’s orders?”

Zhao Song said with a dark expression, “We’ll lose the people’s hearts completely. Look at what terrible moves he’s making.”

But Zhao Ming was thinking about something else. He said worriedly, “Father, if Ji Yuan were here today, do you think this problem would still be a problem?”

“The clan leader sent Tan Zhong here precisely because Tan Zhong is a very useful advisor to him. But he has intelligence yet lacks decisiveness. The clan leader keeping him at his side—his situation must be precarious.” Zhao Ming’s brows furrowed tightly. “And the fact that Sanniang could snatch Ji Yuan away from the clan leader shows her intelligence and decisiveness. What you should be worried about now is the struggle between the first and second branches of the direct line, mediating their conflicts, not standing on Sanniang’s side. This will only intensify the conflict between the two branches and carries the suspicion of driving a wedge between the clan leader and the clan.”

Zhao Song’s eyes widened in shock, his finger trembling as he pointed at his son. “You, you’re saying I’m sowing discord?”

“Father, you may not have intended it, because you didn’t think that far, but your behavior amounts to exactly that.”

Zhao Song was furious to the extreme. He looked around for a stick. “You, you’re also calling me stupid.”

Seeing his father grab a ox-driving whip from a servant, Zhao Ming turned and ran. After running a dozen steps, he turned back and shouted, “Father, honest advice grates on the ear but benefits conduct. Your son is also doing this for the clan’s good. If you calm down and think about it, you’ll understand.”

“For the sake of filial piety, your son will avoid you for now. Otherwise, if you get too angry, it’s bad for your health. But if you beat your son badly, you’ll be heartbroken too, which is also bad for your health…”

Zhao Song chased after him a few steps. Seeing he had disappeared, he angrily spun in circles. The steward hurried to console him, supporting him as they returned to the main hall.

Zhao Song huffed angrily. “Am I sowing discord? Should I just go along with everything Zhao Zhongyu says? He’s only how old, managed the clan for how many years, yet he dares lecture his own father.”

“Yes, yes, it’s all the young master’s fault. Master, please don’t be angry. Getting angry and harming your health isn’t worth it.”

Zhao Ming ran out and momentarily didn’t know where to go. After thinking, he said, “Let’s go to the main residence.”

His attendant was very puzzled. “Young master, you just spoke ill of Sanniang, and now you’re going to the main residence? Aren’t you afraid of starting an argument?”

“I spoke ill of her within my own home. She’s not so capable that she already knows about it.”

The attendant was puzzled. “Young master seems to really dislike Sanniang.”

“Wrong. I don’t dislike her,” Zhao Ming sighed. “She’s too clever, and that makes me uneasy. Today’s rent exemption in the fields—she did it too perfectly, seized the timing too precisely. After today, the clan members, tenant farmers, and long-term workers in the fortress will all be won over. This ability to win hearts rivals Elder Uncle’s.”

Zhao Ming was deeply worried. “Father worked diligently for twenty years, and the hearts he won probably don’t amount to as many as she gained with this single move.”

The attendant didn’t believe it. “Sanniang isn’t even familiar with the clan members. How could she compare to the master?”

“Over time, today’s prestige will naturally fade. But what if she follows up on this victory?” Zhao Ming decided to go see Zhao Hanzhang. Even if they did nothing, just chatting and drinking tea would be good.

Just as Zhao Ming was seeking out Zhao Hanzhang, news from the fields had already reached the ears of the major households in the fortress.

They were all clan members who had followed Zhao Changyu’s lead last year in deferring twenty percent of the rent. Hearing the commotion outside, quite a few followed suit and forgave it.

Seeing this, those households that were still hesitating had no choice but to follow along.

Zhao Hu had many fields and the number of tenant farmers ranked in the top three in the clan. Grumbling and cursing, he too forgave that twenty percent rent, then asked, “Where’s Sanniang?”

“She’s at the main residence.”

“Have her come see me. No, I’ll go find her instead,” Zhao Hu stood up. “Otherwise she’ll definitely find excuses not to dare come see me. Forgiving rent—such a major matter—and she made the decision without discussing it with the clan. That’s too much.”

So Zhao Ming and Zhao Hu met at the main residence gate.

Hearing that elders had come to visit, Zhao Hanzhang came out smiling cheerfully to greet them. Seeing the two, she enthusiastically called out, “Seventh Grand-Uncle, Cousin, have you come to see me? Please come in.”

Zhao Hu disliked Zhao Ming. Compared to the mild and tolerant Zhao Song, he was more intimidated by this nephew who was serious most of the time, always feeling that his pair of clear, bright eyes could see through people’s hearts.

Zhao Ming also disliked his clan uncle Zhao Hu, feeling he was disrespectful as an elder, unkind as an elder, and troublesome as an elder—constantly testing his boundaries whenever possible, giving him endless headaches.

So these two people who mutually disliked each other met at the main residence gate, both wanting to turn and leave.

But Zhao Hanzhang had already come out to invite them, so they could only step inside.

Tan Zhong had brought many people. He had them watch the main residence’s movements. Hearing about this matter, he sighed deeply, knowing that the purpose of his visit was probably doomed to fail.

He could only write to Zhao Zhongyu to report and seek instructions.

However, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mention Zhao Zhongyu, nor did she bring up the matter of the fields. She pulled Zhao Hu over and asked him very curiously about what profitable workshops and shops he had.

“Fields are certainly important, but when it comes to converting them to money, grain is still a small matter. In my view, if you want to make money, luxury goods are the way. I just don’t know what’s most profitable in Runan.”

Zhao Hu had always loved enjoying himself, living freely and without restraint. Hearing this, he felt he had found a kindred spirit and clapped his hands. “Sanniang and I are of one mind!”

—