Chapter 103 - 97: Firing the Kiln
The blacksmith agreed without giving Zhao Hanzhang a receipt.
The Zhao family is the largest in Xiping, and no one dares to cheat them, especially since Zhao Hanzhang is part of the main branch.
Zhao Song heard about the matter and assumed the spearhead was made for Zhao Erlang. He said, "Erlang isn’t doing well in his studies, but learning some martial skills for self-defense isn’t bad. Do you have a teacher on your side? If not, we can pick one from here to teach him."
Zhao Hanzhang replied with a smile, "Fifth Uncle, have you forgotten? Zhao Ju is with me."
"Oh, right, you have Zhao Ju." Zhao Song finally remembered that Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju, the two most useful people to Zhao Changyu, were both with Zhao Hanzhang.
He couldn’t help but ponder, could it be that my brother holds Third Sister in higher regard?
When Zhao Ming realized his father’s doubts, he wanted to shake his shoulders to wake him up. "Father, the current clan leader is from the second branch. If Uncle had such intentions, wouldn’t it be causing a division within the clan? This is a major taboo for the clan. Shouldn’t you be trying to ease tensions and weaken your connections with Third Sister?"
"My brother devoted his life to the court, the people, and the clan with all his energy. In terms of foresight and knowledge, how many in this world can match him?" Zhao Song said, "He would never harm the Zhao family. If what you say is true and Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju are left intentionally for Third Sister, it means he believes the second branch is not capable and that handing the clan over to Third Sister is better than giving it to the second branch."
Zhao Ming: "...What if Ji Yuan and Zhao Ju weren’t given by Uncle but were taken by Third Sister herself?"
Uninterested in participating in his father’s blind praise of his uncle, Zhao Ming decided to stay out of it, only aiming to ease the internal clan relations.
Zhao Song fell silent.