Chapter 425 - 419 Recognition
Zhao Hanzhang was talking to Zhao Ming here, while various rumors began to spread over there.
The matter of Zhao Changyu leaving a treasure for Zhao Hanzhang was quite shocking; such gossip was indeed enticing.
So the question arises, how much is this treasure really worth?
Zhao Hanzhang brought out four chests full of gold ingots, and according to her, this was merely a portion she casually took out.
Was the famed Zhao Changyu wealthy enough to leave behind a treasure rivaling the imperial treasury?
Of course, I mean the treasury during the times of Emperor Wu, at least during the times of Emperor Hui, not the empty treasury of today.
The rumors drifted leisurely out of the garden and floated towards a nearby mansion...
The steward, Shan Min, hurriedly ran towards the backyard, where Zhao Song was teasing a rabbit. Seeing Shan Min running, he put away the carrot and chided, "At your age, you should be more composed. What’s the rush? What if you trip..."
Shan Min caught his breath before speaking, "My lord, outside they’re saying the old Clan Leader left a treasure comparable to the national treasury for the Third Lady."
"Nonsense," Zhao Song said slowly, "I know brother had money, but he left that money to the clan, and it’s now managed by the Clan Leader."
The Clan Leader’s lineage held most of the clan’s assets, with many enterprises under his management. Zhao Song knew Zhao Changyu was skilled in business. During his youth, the clan’s enterprises multiplied several times under his hand, with more lands, more shops, and even several merchant caravans.
However, later on, when the political situation became unstable, the caravans were disbanded, and the traders became stewards of various industries, hidden among the fields.
After Zhao Changyu chose Zhao Ji as his successor, he even wrote to him, saying that by custom, the Clan Leader’s position is still held by their direct line’s main house, and it’s Zhao Zhongyu’s turn.
Their two families never split, but after he leaves, the direct line’s two houses will certainly separate. Given Zhao Erlang’s character, he couldn’t win back the position of Clan Leader, and Zhao Changyu didn’t expect much from his sons and grandsons either.
For the safety of Zhao Erlang’s line and the stability of the clan, Zhao Changyu directly designated Zhao Zhongyu’s line to take over the leadership and pass it down.
So he would hand over his substantial savings and the clan’s wealth to Zhao Zhongyu.
Later, Zhao Song received another letter from Zhao Changyu informing him that he had left a considerable dowry for Zhao Hanzhang, and half of this dowry would be left to Zhao Erlang.
As for the even larger fortune arranged earlier, he considered it settled and would not change it.
Zhao Song outright refused to believe it. After a pause, Shan Min said, "But, the Third Lady had four chests of gold ingots carried in, saying they were left to her by the old Clan Leader."
Zhao Song paused for a moment before saying, "Only four chests of gold ingots? Is that a lot?"
He said, "Perhaps it’s one of the dowries secretly given by brother; that child has revealed the family assets."
Shan Min: "...My lord, aren’t you in possession of both the public and private dowry lists?"
That was Zhao Changyu’s means to guard against Zhao Zhongyu’s family.
Zhao Song fell silent.
"Moreover," Shan Min lowered his voice, "the Third Lady said that’s just part of it, she just brought it out to show sincerity, to reassure everyone in trading with her, to show she can produce real money."
Zhao Song fell silent for a long, long time, before he sighed deeply, "It seems brother really didn’t trust Zhao Ji."
He snorted, "It’s understandable regarding the Clan Leader, but Zhao Ji is truly not worth mentioning. I heard the Clan Leader twice asked him to return to the clan, but he refused both times."
"Our Zhao Family faced calamity twice, but he never wanted to return to share our hardships. How can we expect him to bring forth wealth to share prosperity with us in the future?" Zhao Song said, "It seems brother already foresaw this, hence he gave the money to the Third Lady."
Shan Min kept his head down without speaking, thinking: Whatever you say, my lord.
Zhao Song then pressed his knee to stand up, and after a moment’s thought said, "This rabbit is nice, take it to the Third Lady to eat."
Shan Min nodded, "Yes."
He picked up the cage and stepped aside to let him go first.
No one knows who, when the lord returned with the rabbit, said, "This rabbit is so cute, how could you eat it?" and insisted on keeping it.
Yet it was kept for less than ten days before it was sent to Zhao Hanzhang’s doorstep.
Zhao Hanzhang was walking leisurely towards the old house with Zhao Ming, chatting as they went. Just as they reached the doorstep, they saw Zhao Song and his servant approaching.
She immediately stopped talking, spread a smile, and greeted, "Fifth Uncle, are you in good health?"
"Very good," Zhao Song extended his hand for her to support him, he gestured to Shan Min to bring up the rabbit, and said, "This rabbit is nice, for you."
Zhao Hanzhang looked down and nodded approvingly, "This rabbit is so fat, it will surely taste good when fried."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Song immediately burst into laughter.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him puzzledly, only to see him laughing louder and louder, finally holding his waist and laughing skyward.
Zhao Hanzhang looked puzzled and concerned, turning to look at Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming stood to the side, folding his arms without responding to Zhao Hanzhang, yet he did not step forward to interrupt his father.
Zhao Song laughed heartily, with tears at the corners of his eyes before he restrained himself and looked at Zhao Hanzhang.
His eyes held tears, along with a hint of pride and complexity he himself might not have noticed, "Good, good, you are a meat-eating wolf, how can one expect you to graze like a rabbit?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "...Fifth Uncle, how could I be a wolf? I’m clearly an ox, born in the Year of the Ox."
Zhao Song was momentarily stunned and then laughed again, heartily saying, "Right, right, our Third Lady is an ox, a calf, destined to grow into a giant ox and shelter us."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and happily agreed, "Yes."
Zhao Ming, standing by, waited until they finished talking before saying, "Father, this rabbit is mine."
Zhao Song glared at him and said, "What do you mean yours? How old are you to still fight with the Third Lady over this?"
He said, "You have already given it to me, so it’s mine. I’m giving it to the Third Lady now, do you have any objections?"
Zhao Ming said, "Didn’t you want to keep it, not allowing me to eat it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "Then it shouldn’t be eaten. I will keep it."
"It’s fat enough, let’s eat it," Zhao Song turned his head and instructed Shan Min, "Take it down, slaughter it, and fry it."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Fifth Uncle, you see, I’m the ox, it’s the rabbit, I’m actually a grazer too..."
Zhao Song couldn’t help but laugh aloud, "Such slick talk, alright, let’s go, I have something to ask you."
What Zhao Song wanted to ask was, "Did your grandfather really leave you a treasure?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied with an "um" and said, "It was left secretly, Uncle and Grandfather didn’t know."
Zhao Ming raised his eyelids to glance at her, "You brought it out in front of everyone, announcing it for all to know. Before long, the Clan Leader will find out."