CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 221: DON’T TELL ME

The child’s mother hurriedly ran out from inside to grab the child aside, fearing he would wipe his snot on Zhao Hanzhang. She awkwardly smiled at Zhao Hanzhang and then turned to wipe her son’s nose, whispering, "What third sister, don’t call randomly, this is your niece."

Zhao Hanzhang: ...

She fumbled through her belongings and found a purse, from which she poured out a candy, "Thank you, little uncle, for your compliments. Here, uncle, this candy is my filial offering to you."

The three-year-old little uncle’s eyes lit up at the sight of candy, grabbing it to put in his mouth, but his mother swiftly seized his hand and pried the candy away.

Seeing this, the little uncle began to cry loudly, and his mother patted his chubby behind, saying, "I’ll feed you. If you keep crying, I’ll eat it myself."

The little uncle immediately quieted down, and Zhao Hanzhang quickly slipped away during his loud wail.

But she’s a celebrity now, wherever she goes, someone greets her. Although she was already a celebrity before, her current fame has undoubtedly become tenfold.

Previously, when clan members saw her, there was respect but also more fear, unlike now, where everyone sees her as if looking at an exceptionally good person, everyone respectfully and proudly watches her.

The elders are loving, and the young view her like a celebrity.

Zhao Hanzhang: ... It was fine for outsiders to view her like this, but she really couldn’t understand why people in Wu Castle viewed her this way too?

The things she had done earlier were seen by everyone, supposedly they should know this was all just a hype.

Zhao Hanzhang was puzzled, but Fu Tinghan saw clearly and said, "Those involved are confused, spectators are clear; they, like you, have always been in the situation. Earlier they feared you, was it because you did something bad?"

"It was merely because you could repel Shi Le, capture Xiping County, and handle matters decisively and ruthlessly, making them feel you wouldn’t blink at killing, hence fearing you," Fu Tinghan said, "But now, they are hyping you just to let them recognize you correctly."

"The people here are not much different from early internet users, easily influenced by opinions. They won’t think deeply; if so many people say you’re dutiful, then you’re dutiful; if so many say you’re affectionate and righteous, then you’re affectionate and righteous." Fu Tinghan felt this after being forced to attend banquet ceremonies for the past two days, "Even those considered scholarly and knowledgeable in the garden are easily influenced, not to mention the ordinary people outside who seldom interact with the external world."

Zhao Hanzhang stroked her chin in thought, "With such high prestige, do you think Xiahou Ren would suspect me?"

In reality, Xiahou Ren didn’t suspect Zhao Hanzhang; he was suspecting Zhao Ming.

Having paid special attention in the garden, he indeed found it was Zhao Ming who was building momentum for Zhao Hanzhang, additionally masterminded by Ji Yuan and County Magistrate Chai.

Thus Ji Yuan had already pledged allegiance to Zhao Ming, ostensibly Zhao Hanzhang’s person, but actually obeying Zhao Ming.

And the County Magistrate of Shangcai County at some point also stood on Zhao Ming’s side, seemingly Zhao Ming was determined to take the position of Clan Leader of the Zhao Family.

Feeling more urgent to return, Xiahou Ren directly came to Zhao Hanzhang, "Once you finish copying, send the original back to me, or I will pick it up in half a year."

Zhao Hanzhang readily agreed, indicating no problem at all.

Then she and Zhao Ming together escorted Xiahou Ren and He Cheng out of Wu Castle.

Once their convoy departed, Zhao Ming’s smile faded, calling over a guard, "Follow them quietly, see if they really leave Xiping or go elsewhere."

"Yes."

Once the guard went out, he turned to Zhao Hanzhang, suspiciously, "What did you talk to Xiahou Ren about at the restaurant that day? He has been acting oddly since then."

"For example?"

Zhao Ming had just a feeling but couldn’t specifically illustrate.

He squinted at her, "You must have said something bad about me?"

"No," Zhao Hanzhang immediately denied, "I regard uncle like a father, you are so kind-hearted, I am so filial, how could I speak ill of you?"

Zhao Ming jokingly scolded, "Stop babbling, if you hadn’t said something, why would he leave in a rush without guarding his manuscript?"

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled a bit before getting serious, "The manuscript is so extensive and detailed, even with the Eleventh Ancestor and brothers helping, copying it isn’t a one-day task. After the winter solstice, I have many things to do; if he stayed here, matters regarding Xiping County would not escape his notice, so I had to find a way to convince him to leave."

Zhao Ming didn’t ask what she planned to do but asked, "What method?"

He had an instinct that the method seemed related to him; without asking properly, his mind wouldn’t be at ease.

Zhao Hanzhang turned her gaze evasively, unwilling to look at him, "It’s nothing really, I just mentioned that after the three-year mourning period, I’d return to Luoyang with Fu Tinghan."

"And then?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze wandered, "I don’t know what he thought, but he seemed to think misguidedly, so I could only guide him accordingly. He seemed to think all matters in Xiping County were under someone’s instruction for me..."

Zhao Ming silently watched her, seeing her guiltily looking down at her toes, he took a breath.

Within the Zhao Family, who else could instruct Zhao Hanzhang?

Even using one’s toes to think, it was clear.

Zhao Ming didn’t expect that just one day without keeping watch, he would suffer from a bad reputation, and right in Wu Castle.

He snorted at Zhao Hanzhang and swept his sleeves, leaving.

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly chased after him, saying flatteringly, "Uncle, this is all a misunderstanding, it will surely be cleared up in the future."

"Of course it will be cleared," Zhao Ming glanced at her sideways, "Otherwise, how will you establish your authority?"

In difficult times, he shoulders the blame; in glorious times, he lifts the burden, he understood the implication.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled ingratiatingly at him.

Zhao Ming, after considering briefly, was no longer angry. Him taking the blame was currently the best method for the Zhao Family, but how to explain it in Luoyang?

Zhao Hanzhang seemed to know his thoughts, saying with a smile, "Uncle, with inconvenient transportation and hindered information flow, as long as we don’t specially bring it up, Luoyang won’t know about Xiping’s matters."

This is one reason why feudal dynasties had the task of centralization, due to transportation and information delay, therefore local affairs were generally managed by local powers.

The idiom ’A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake’ also originated from this.

So after gaining Zhao Ming’s support, Zhao Hanzhang dared to boldly claim she would dominate the entire Yu State.

Because the greatest power in Yu State was the Zhao Family.

Zhao Ming, after glancing at her, said, "Not for examples again."

"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang obediently responded, "Next time, I’ll definitely ask uncle first."

Only then did Zhao Ming ask, "You said after the winter solstice, what do you plan to do?"

"I’m thinking of refining iron."

Zhao Ming’s eyebrows twitched, raising his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her voice, "Uncle, we’re close, so I’m telling you, I..."

"Don’t tell me." Zhao Ming turned and walked away, but after taking two steps, he took a sigh and turned back to beckon her, "Go ahead and say."

Zhao Hanzhang beamed, quickly walking up, leaning close, and whispered, "My people accidentally discovered an iron mine while settling in a point. Although not very large, it’s far less than the major iron mine He Ci Shi has, but it’s enough for us for now."