CHAPTER 329: CHAPTER 323: PUTTING THE BIGGER PICTURE FIRST

Zhao Zhongyu walked briskly into the study and dismissed the servants before saying, "I know, what are you in such a fluster for?"

Zhao Ji’s expression was somewhat unsightly, "Why hasn’t the clan informed us about such a significant matter?"

Zhao Zhongyu lifted his eyelids to look at him, "What do you think?"

Zhao Ji said directly, "Zhao Ming and his son have sided with her, joining forces to deal with us. Father, we are far away in Luoyang; who knows how much they have concealed from us."

Zhao Zhongyu asked him, "What do you intend to do?"

Zhao Ji opened his mouth, finally realizing his father’s unusual attitude, and was silent for a while before he found his voice, asking with difficulty, "Father, are we just not going to do anything? Let them deceive us like this?"

Zhao Zhongyu coldly looked at this son of his, the anger building up inside his chest almost erupting, but he restrained it, his cheek moved slightly, growing colder, "What do you plan to do?"

Zhao Ji said nothing.

Zhao Zhongyu grew more disappointed and stared at him, asking, "How about I send you and Dalang back to Xiping?"

Zhao Ji shivered, instinctively shook his head, and after shaking once, he froze, motionless.

Zhao Zhongyu forcefully closed his eyes, opened them, feeling much calmer, the anger in his eyes gone, only saying blandly, "I already know about this matter, you may leave."

"Father."

This term of address instantly sparked Zhao Zhongyu’s fury; he grabbed the cup from the table and hurled it toward his face. Zhao Ji instinctively turned his head, the teacup grazing his forehead and shattering on the ground...

But he was also quite frightened and sat backward on the ground, a lump instantly forming on his forehead, stunned he covered his forehead.

"Do you know the most foolish thing you did in your life?" Zhao Zhongyu angrily scolded, "It was abandoning Third Lady and her sons during the escape south and leaving behind your uncle’s coffin!"

"Just this one matter, not only will the scholars of the world scorn you, but you also lack legitimacy within the clan. Even Zhao Song can use ’unworthy of the title’ as a reason to petition to strip away your title; what’s wrong with them choosing Zhao Hanzhang, how much confidence do I have to compete with them?" Zhao Zhongyu said in a cold voice, "I am the clan leader, but you are merely the son of the clan leader, and the next clan leader may not necessarily be you."

"Moreover," Zhao Zhongyu’s gaze became profound, "with the world in chaos now, not only is Luoyang but Yu State will also be swept into the war. The nation is critical, the clan is in danger; with Third Lady controlling Ru Nan County, Zhao Family gains an extra layer of safety."

He stood up and approached Zhao Ji, squatted down to look him straight in the eyes, "The clan is the most important; for the clan, not only you, but even I can be sacrificed, Jizhi, if you can’t agree on this point, then dispel any thoughts of becoming clan leader as soon as possible."

Zhao Ji paled.

Zhao Zhongyu stood up and walked away, striding back towards the main room, his expression somber and displeased along the way.

Receiving such news—does he feel happy?

Of course, he is not happy, rather very unhappy!

At this moment, he finally knew that perhaps Xiping had been keeping this from him all along, even deliberately misleading him, making him think Xiping was under Zhao Ming’s control, all of this was orchestrated by Zhao Ming from behind the scenes.

To have Zhao Ming achieve this step and not reveal a shred of information to him clearly implies the entire clan is involved.

This clan leader of his is probably already in name only.

But what can he do?

He doesn’t possess Zhao Changyu’s prestige; if he really gets tough, the clan can replace him as clan leader. Moreover, from the bottom of his heart, Zhao Hanzhang being able to control Ru Nan County actually brings him some relief.

The current situation is indeed too dangerous; right now it’s uncertain whether Luoyang can be held. If the Xiongnu army breaks through Luoyang, none of them will meet good ends.

The situation in Yu State won’t be good either. At this moment, for the future of the clan, personal grudges can’t be considered; all one hopes is that Zhao Hanzhang’s prestige can be heavier and her power stronger, to be able to preserve the Zhao Family.

Zhao Zhongyu returned to his courtyard, directly entered the small study, spread out a piece of blank paper, dazedly ground ink.

After a year and a half, Zhao Zhongyu finally wrote to Zhao Hanzhang, directly connecting with her.

In the letter, Zhao Zhongyu said a lot; mainly he wrote about the current situation and battle conditions in Luoyang and plans for the future.

"Although Wang Yan sold his ox cart to persist in defending the city, he suggested Prince East Sea elevate his brother Wang Cheng to Jingzhou Governor and cousin Wang Dun to Qingzhou Governor," Zhao Zhongyu said, "Jingzhou has the sturdiness of the Yangtze River and Han River, Qingzhou has the strategic backing of the sea; they have the advantage in advancing and retreating, akin to a sly rabbit’s three burrows."

"Now Luoyang is in peril, the court is critical, our Zhao Family should make plans like the Wang Family," Zhao Zhongyu wrote in the letter, "If Luoyang really falls, Yu State is defenseless, you shall lead the people to escort the clan south, to Jiangnan, avoid the chaos and refugee army, the family should be preserved..."

When Zhao Hanzhang received this thick family letter, it was already late autumn, she had just sent out the second batch, and also the last batch, of grains.

This year, Ru Nan County’s taxes were all halved; she didn’t levy additional donations and miscellaneous taxes, and prohibited County Magistrates from adding taxes under various pretexts, so autumn tax collection was swift, and the populace was cooperative.

After paying taxes, everyone still had some left; conserving a bit should allow survival until next April.

But Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t straightforwardly hand over the taxes to He Ci Shi; this was also out of helplessness, if she didn’t show difficulty, He Ci Shi might think Ru Nan County was quite relaxed.

Therefore, whether it was military rations she owed or Ru Nan County’s autumn taxes, she divided them into two batches to transport out, each time having to correspond with He Ci Shi, and exchange warmly to inform him, she exerted great effort to gather such a quantity of grain, she could strive harder, but she felt she definitely couldn’t gather more.

If pressured further, who knows how many people would die in Ru Nan County.

With Yu Yang as a cautionary tale, He Ci Shi didn’t want to pressure Ru Nan County excessively. Besides, he was previously the Ru Nan County Governor, he has some feelings for the place, hence he turned a blind eye.

Zhao Zhongyu’s letter and He Ci Shi’s reply arrived front and back.

Only receiving such good news from He Ci Shi, Zhao Hanzhang had a smiling face while opening Zhao Zhongyu’s letter.

Upon finishing the letter, her expression became grave.

Ji Yuan sat silently beside her without speaking; he knew, the lady and Zhao Zhongyu’s interests had conflicts, and there were grievances.

Though Zhao Hanzhang had long expressed no resentment, Ji Yuan also vaguely sensed she never forgot, and even bore a grudge.

She was so slick and thoughtful, yet after the burial of the lord, she no longer wrote to Zhao Zhongyu, everything she needed, or information she wanted to probe was through Zhao Ming’s operation.

Seeing her solemnity, Ji Yuan asked, "What did Zhao Clan Leader write in the letter?"

Zhao Hanzhang casually handed the letter to him.

Ji Yuan paused briefly before slightly bending down to accept it.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Luoyang is in peril, the court is critical, heh, even Uncle can see this, those in the court who understand this clearly are many, but they are neither thinking to save the country nor the people, thinking only of themselves or making plans for their clans, no wonder the court is critical."

Ji Yuan rarely praised Zhao Zhongyu, "Zhao Clan Leader knows how to prioritize the bigger picture, he is quite sensible."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t deny this, raised her chin slightly and said, "Coincidentally Uncle Ming is here, take this letter to him and let him see, also to ease his mind; I won’t be sparring with Uncle, let him be assured."