After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

"Why else, naturally for the people of Xiping," Zhao Song asked as a matter of course, "Why, were these three departments not set up well?"

He glared at Zhao Ming with a look that suggested he would unleash a tirade if Zhao Ming dared to say anything negative.

Zhao Ming sighed and said, "Where is it not well? It’s too well."

He said, "The Department of Agriculture is for grain, the Bureau of Horses is for horses, and the Department of Medicine is for people. Each of these departments requires a large amount of funding upfront, with no short-term results, and,"

Zhao Ming paused before continuing, "even if there are results, the wealth remains among the people, and the wealth cannot accumulate in the county government in the short term. Has Father considered whether the Xiping County Government has enough money to support her in doing these things?"

Of course, it does not.

Zhao Song frowned, "What exactly are you trying to say? Just say it without beating around the bush."

Zhao Ming said, "...What I mean is, Third Lady is currently using her own money to fill this gap. But is our family’s Third Lady someone who fills gaps with money for political performance and reputation?"

Before his father could speak, Zhao Ming continued in one breath, "Obviously, she has bigger plans. Father, have you thought about what she would do once she has grain, horses, and people?"

Zhao Song’s eyebrows began to twitch violently, "You, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Ming did not answer him, wanting his father to think for himself.

But would Zhao Song think for himself?

Oh, he actually did think for himself, but he was a bit unwilling to accept the answer he came up with, so he specifically went to the county government to see Zhao Hanzhang, wanting to hear it directly from her.

But after all, there was a generational gap between them, and Zhao Song had always maintained a loving grandfather image, so he certainly couldn’t directly question Zhao Hanzhang.

So he asked in a roundabout way, while Zhao Hanzhang was not foolish. Would Zhao Song have thought about these things without someone reminding him?

So who would remind him of such things, and he even believed it?

Zhao Hanzhang could think of it with her toes. Yes, she was just that smart.

Thus she sighed and said, "Uncle Ming knows about all these matters, and he supports me."

Zhao Song’s mouth dropped open instantly, utterly shocked.

He was significantly impacted and couldn’t recover for a moment.

Zhao Hanzhang just sat obediently by his side, waiting for him to come to his senses.

After a long time, Zhao Song’s gaze finally moved to Zhao Hanzhang’s face. He stared at her and asked, "What exactly are you two planning to do?"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hide it either, and with a slight smile, said, "Uncle, everything I do is to protect my family, while Uncle Ming does it for the clan."

Zhao Song said, "Why go to such lengths?"

"Because I am rather greedy," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I not only want them to live through this chaotic world but also to live as well as they did before. Then I saw more people and started to care about more people, such as Fifth Uncle, Uncle Ming, Uncle Cheng, and those brothers and sisters in the clan. Losing any one of them would make my heart hurt."

"And to protect so many people requires great strength," Zhao Hanzhang said, "To obtain this strength, I couldn’t care less about so many rules."

She was referring to her private appointments of officials, thinking that Zhao Song had learned the truth and came to hold her accountable.

But Zhao Song didn’t know, and for a moment, he was moved to tears and couldn’t help but reach out to hold her hand, "Third Lady, you’ve worked hard."

"Ah?" Zhao Hanzhang was somewhat confused.

Zhao Song wiped away his tears and said, "It’s my fault, to have left such a heavy burden of the clan on your shoulders. And your uncle, too, has never told me about such difficulties."

Zhao Hanzhang had a head full of question marks as she looked at Zhao Song, somewhat dazed.

To Zhao Song, it appeared that the child had been rendered bewildered by his words, which made him even more emotional. He asked, "Do you have enough money now? Uncle here has some, and I’ll give it to you."

Although she really wanted it, how could Zhao Hanzhang take the old man’s money?

Zhao Hanzhang firmly refused and repeatedly stated that she was not short of money for the time being.

Even though she didn’t entirely understand what Fifth Uncle was thinking inside, it seemed to be good for now?

Zhao Hanzhang thoughtfully escorted Zhao Song home and still wanted to communicate with Zhao Ming privately, such as why he suddenly put her in a spot when they were getting along just fine.

But before she could even start speaking, Zhao Song had already seen Zhao Ming and bellowed, "Zhao Ming, why do you laze around all day? Third Lady, despite being so young, knows to strive hard for the entire clan, but all you do every day is drink..."

Zhao Hanzhang met Zhao Ming’s calm and unperturbed gaze, turned around, and ran away, "Fifth Uncle, I’ve got matters to attend to at the county government so I have to leave first..."

Zhao Hanzhang ran far away, and only then did Zhao Ming look at his father, waiting for him to finish his tirade before he astonishingly asked, "Father, how did you end up raising such a smart son as me?"

Zhao Song fell silent, but only for a moment. He turned his head, looking left and right, couldn’t find anything handy, and for the first time, without any civility, took off his shoe and threw it at Zhao Ming, "You wretch, how dare you call your father stupid!"

Zhao Ming dodged away from home in a bit of a mess, channeling his energy, and ultimately still went to the county government.

Zhao Hanzhang, having run back to the county government and taken a sip of water, was just saying to Fu Tinghan, "Fifth Uncle and Uncle Ming are arguing again."

Fu Tinghan looked up with a puzzled face, "For what?"

"Uh..." Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Maybe because I am too good, which makes Uncle Ming seem not as outstanding."

Fu Tinghan focused his gaze, and the confusion in his eyes finally dissipated, "Are you serious?"

"Am I not outstanding?"

Fu Tinghan smiled and nodded, "You are outstanding, but Uncle Ming is not inferior."

Zhao Hanzhang was about to speak when suddenly there was the sound of the door being pushed open behind her, followed by Zhao Ming’s faint voice, "Luckily, Ting Han appreciates insight."

Originally sprawling on the table bonelessly, Zhao Hanzhang immediately stood upright, straightening her back, and without turning, nodded to Fu Tinghan, "Indeed, Ting Han is absolutely right. Uncle Ming is far superior to me. I’m still young; how can I be compared to Uncle Ming?"

"Don’t flatter," Zhao Ming raised his hand to stop Fu Tinghan from saluting and, after looking around, chose a chair to sit down on, then looked towards Zhao Hanzhang, "What did you say to my father?"

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Zhao Hanzhang sat opposite him and said with a smile, "Not much. I just said that we, as uncle and niece, get along well, and everything I do is supported by you. But I don’t understand why you had to tell Uncle about these matters?"

Zhao Ming said, "The summer harvest has ended, and the summer tax is about to be levied. Over at Shangcai, aren’t you going to harvest the fruit?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked puzzled, "Of course I will. Why wouldn’t I harvest what I’ve planted, but what does this have to do with Fifth Uncle?"

Zhao Ming said leisurely, "It has a big relation. If you go to harvest the fruit, who wouldn’t know that Shangcai County is also under your control? Do you guess what my father will think, and how others will discuss this matter with him?"

Rather than letting him find out these things from others, wouldn’t it be better to let him know, allowing him to be mentally prepared in advance?