CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 213: RELATIVES BEYOND THE EIGHTEEN BENDS

Young Zhao Zheng contemplated, but hadn’t made up his mind when he heard a gentle question: "What rank are you setting?"

He looked up and saw Zhao Ming, instinctively straightening his spine and saluting solemnly like a little adult, "Uncle Ming!"

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "Uncle, you’re so quick. I thought you wouldn’t be able to get away until evening."

"Stop grinning, do you know who that is?"

"I don’t know, haven’t met them," Zhao Hanzhang shrugged, "But they should be from Xiahou Family from Pei County, right?"

"Correct, this year’s Central Justice Officer is Xiahou Jun, and Xiahou Ren is Xiahou Jun’s clan brother, with whom he has a good relationship, always seeking talent for him," Zhao Ming said, "If they find out you have so many private soldiers and followers in Xiping County, none of us will fare well, so you’d better be honest with him."

Zhao Ming felt a bit concerned, "I already avoided He Ci Shi and General Xiahou’s people when sending the invitations, but didn’t expect Xiahou Ren to still come over."

Zhao Hanzhang: "He’s come without an invitation, perhaps he heard of my reputation and actively sought me out?"

Zhao Ming glared at her, "You know that Ji Yuan is spreading your fame everywhere, buying horses and grain, adding the feat of shooting Liu Jing, you’re a famous person in Yu State now. The scholars at this banquet, about three or four out of ten sentences are discussing you."

At this moment, Zhao Ming felt that her absence from the banquet was indeed the right decision.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang was still cheerful, "Reputation has both disadvantages and advantages. Uncle, you don’t need to worry too much."

"I’m not worried," Zhao Ming glanced at her, "If this matter catches the attention of the Emperor and Prince East Sea, at worst, we’ll send you to the Capital City."

Zhao Hanzhang remained cheerful, declaring confidently, "Uncle, rest assured, I won’t let him discover my private army and followers."

Except for those under her and certain Zhao Family members, no one knew she had a large private army and followers. Even Zhao Ming only knew a rough estimate, not the exact number.

So Zhao Hanzhang was not afraid.

Not to mention, the Zhao family members wouldn’t be foolish enough to report her, but even if they did, she could handle it so that they wouldn’t find any evidence.

Zhao Ming’s expression eased somewhat.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Zhao Zheng before sitting closer to Zhao Ming, asking cheerfully, "Uncle, since I’m related to the Xiahou Family, do you think I can ask them to handle some matters?"

Zhao Cheng didn’t know if he wanted to set ranks, but she had a lot of people available to use. If she could insert them into various counties in Ru Nan...

Even the composed and calm Zhao Ming couldn’t resist reaching out to touch her forehead, "No fever, how come you’re talking nonsense?"

He sarcastically retorted, "Do you not realize the relationship with the current Xiahou Family? Why don’t you ask the Emperor for favors, claiming you’re related?"

Zhao Hanzhang started to seriously think.

Seeing her genuinely ponder, Zhao Ming was terrified, "Are you serious?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Everyone seeks benefit, kinship is just an excuse, but having this excuse makes things easier. As long as we share benefits, it’s possible."

Zhao Ming: "..."

He scrutinized Zhao Hanzhang, unable to resist saying, "How did your father raise you? He’s a gentleman and scholar, but you..."

Zhao Ming thought the comment might be inappropriate for a girl, so he held back.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang, who had experienced modern self-mocking trends, casually retorted, "Profit-focused, thick-skinned?"

Giving up, Zhao Ming waved his hand, "Whatever, do as you please."

Anyway, it wouldn’t be her that suffers, if she doesn’t suffer, then the Zhao Family doesn’t lose, let her be.

Zhao Ming wasn’t aware how much his bottom line had shifted back and back. Zhao Hanzhang was already calculating the closest relation she had with Xiahou Ren for future encounters.

Zhao Ming heard her muttering, "General Xiahou should be called grandfather’s cousin, so I’d call my father..."

Zhao Ming rubbed his aching forehead, "Stop calculating, your granduncle’s family was exterminated three generations, and the remaining Xiahou has little blood relation to you. If you want to claim kinship..."

His gaze fixed on her face.

Zhao Hanzhang then touched her own face, "What, do I look like someone from the Xiahou Family?"

Zhao Ming said with a complex expression, "I’ve never seen Mr. Xiahou, but heard about him. When your father grew older, everyone said he resembled Mr. Xiahou, and you resemble your father."

The Mr. Xiahou Zhao Ming referred to was Xiahou Xuan, Zhao Changyu’s maternal uncle, and also one of the founders of Great Jin, brother-in-law to Sima Shi.

How remarkable was Xiahou Xuan, her outstanding grandfather idolized Xiahou Xuan for life, contemporaneous scholars modeled themselves after him, praising him as "bright like sun and moon entering one’s bosom," one of the "Four Intelligent of Cao Wei," demonstrating his high intelligence and reputation.

The Sima family wanted to seize power and usurp, and Xiahou Xuan was an insurmountable obstacle, leading to his wrongful execution, and the extermination of his clan.

Thus, the current relationship between the Xiahou and Zhao families is distant, with connections bent eighteen times and more. Zhao Ming continued, "Father does not favor Xiahou Jun, since Mr. Xiahou’s passing, our Zhao Family’s relationship with the Xiahou Family has cooled."

So relying on familial ties won’t work; naturally Zhao Hanzhang could offer substantial benefits, but why bother if there are plenty of other family alliances, it’s not necessary to exclusively deal with the Xiahou Family.

Zhao Ming stood up, "Since you want to try, then try. Currently, Xiahou Jun is the top Central Justice Officer in Yu State; barring any surprises, he’ll remain so for several years. Many young clan members are reaching adulthood and need ranks to enter officialdom, establishing good relations with the Xiahou Family isn’t a bad thing."

He paused and said further, "Invite Fu Tinghan to meet Xiahou Ren as well. Though his reputation is widespread, and his family background isn’t lacking, to attain high rank, he needs to make a lasting impression before the Central Justice Officer."

This time Zhao Hanzhang didn’t object, agreeing promptly, though whether Fu Tinghan would be willing to come remained uncertain.

He won’t serve Great Jin, but in this era, having a reputation is better than none.

After all, sometimes reputation can save one’s life.

In the neighboring garden, a lively banquet was underway. Xiahou Ren was surrounded, his renowned fame coupled with being the clan brother of this year’s top Central Justice Officer, made him popular.

But a considerable number did ignore him, forming their own circles, focusing on topics of interest to themselves.

Zhao Cheng was one such person; he had his own circle, and seeing his fondness for large mirrors, constantly examining himself, he said, "Stop looking, I’ll give you one later."

A friend turned immediately, "You have one?"

Zhao Cheng nodded, "I have one in my room, purchasing isn’t difficult, I’ll give you one later."

Upon hearing this, the friend immediately sat back beside him, "There’s a rumor outside that the Zhao family of Shangcai has a Glazed Workshop producing glazed ware as if from the celestial realm. Could it be that Zhao family is yours?"