CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: SURRENDERING

"Father, Uncle really went heavy-handed."

Da Tang Official personally applied ointment for his father, looking at the clear marks on his father’s back, feeling both heartache and anger: "They are brothers by blood, you sacrificed grain to save Uncle. How could he beat you like this without any explanation?"

Grandmaster Tang gasped in pain and then smiled, enduring the pain: "It’s worth getting beaten."

"More than just once, even the face is swollen!" Da Tang Official said with a sullen face, wanting to apply medicine on Grandmaster Tang’s face.

Grandmaster Tang waved his hand: "No need, just leave it like this. I’ve been running around in and out of the Tang family these days, let everyone see the injuries on my face."

Da Tang Official: "..."

As a son, it was inappropriate to criticize his father directly, so Da Tang Official swallowed his words back silently.

Grandmaster Tang was straightforward and unashamed: "Do you think what I’m doing is a bit shameless? Getting such great benefits, what’s losing some face? I wish your uncle would hit harder so that the family members would see and sympathize more with me, the newly appointed Family Head."

Da Tang Official suddenly felt that the person who truly needed comfort now was Uncle.

Grandmaster Tang thought about the Family Head position he acquired, feeling unusually cheerful: "Your Uncle has already aged, and your cousin is mediocre, so I’m perfect for the Family Head role."

Then, he sincerely sighed: "Not to hide from you, previously I was extremely deferential to the Commandery Princess, because of her noble status, our Tang family couldn’t afford to offend, so we had to bow our heads. I never expected the Commandery Princess would have you bring silver to support me today."

"Even if it was to deliberately rope me in, I am equally grateful, accepting the grand favor from the Commandery Princess."

"You return to the county government and convey my words to the Commandery Princess. Tell her whatever amount of grain she wants, just give a command, and I, Tang Xianzhong, will personally go to the Two Lakes and purchase all the grain the Commandery Princess requires."

Da Tang Official nodded to acknowledge, hesitated for a moment, then softly asked: "By doing this, father is completely allying with the Commandery Princess."

"So what if I ally with the Commandery Princess?" Grandmaster Tang struggled to turn his head, glancing at his son: "Do you think I became Tang Family’s new Family Head purely by those benefits offered? The entire Tang family isn’t stupid, are they?"

"Without the Commandery Princess’s support, I wouldn’t even have had a chance at the Family Head position."

"From now on, I am the Commandery Princess’s most loyal subordinate, working diligently for her. As long as the Commandery Princess stands firm, this Family Head position of mine will stand firm."

"Remember this well. In the future, serve well in the county government and attend to County Magistrate Zou earnestly. Do not slack off carelessly."

...

Successfully resolving the Tang family’s issue, Jiang Shaohua felt quite pleased.

When Chen Zhuo privately inquired about the "Young Master Zheng’s gift," Jiang Shaohua only then remembered this matter.

Though only a few days had passed, the memory seemed to have faded, and the mood had returned to calm. This shows that there is no pain that can’t be endured in life.

Jiang Shaohua gave Chen Zhuo a plausible explanation: "Empress Dowager Zheng probably hasn’t given up hope and still intends to have me enter the palace. Certainly, Zheng Chen is trying to win my favor, hoping to persuade me to go to the capital later."

"I didn’t accept the gift, I sent the gift giver away immediately."

Chen Zhuo looked deeply at the Commandery Princess with an unchanged expression on her face, pretending to believe the statement: "Since the Commandery Princess has decided, breaking ties with the Zheng Family is fine."

As for the talented and handsome Young Master Zheng, exactly what he feels towards the Commandery Princess does not need to be probed deeply.

What matters is that the Commandery Princess doesn’t want to be involved with him.

Chief Historian Chen swiftly shifted the topic back to the Tang family: "The way the Commandery Princess values Tang Xianzhong is to completely recruit him for her own use."

Talking about business, Jiang Shaohua collected her thoughts, nodding: "Indeed. The Tang family has grain shops in five counties, is the foremost major grain merchant in Nanyang County, and has operated for generations with stable and reliable grain purchase channels."

"All counties need to build Taiping Grain Warehouses to store grain, I plan to have Tang Xianzhong purchase grain for Nanyang County."

Chen Zhuo pondered for a moment: "This matter isn’t urgent, let’s first observe for a while. Once the Tang family’s internal situation stabilizes, then assign tasks to Tang Wu."

Buying and storing grain is a big matter, finding reliable trustworthy people is key. Five thousand stone grains are Tang Xianzhong’s way of proving himself, whether he can handle such an important task later still needs observational time.

Jiang Shaohua agreed: "Leave this matter to Chief Historian Chen."

Chief Historian Chen: "..."

Burdened with multiple heavy responsibilities, Chief Historian Chen couldn’t help but said: "Commandery Princess, I’m fifty-three this year, getting older, with deteriorating eyesight, my physical and mental strength is not as good as before."

Jiang Shaohua smiled with pursed lips: "Uncle Chen, to me, you’re like half a paternal grandfather. Entrusting such important matters to others, I won’t be at ease! Uncle Chen is the most reliable."

No flattery can break through, and what’s more, the Commandery Princess shed her usual cool, calm, and noble demeanor, smiling sweetly and beautifully.

Chief Historian Chen felt exceedingly honored, cleared his throat and said: "The Commandery Princess speaks highly. The entire Prince Mansion staff is both talented and diligent."

Those like Qiu Dianshan who weren’t diligent and respectful have already been unceremoniously dismissed by the Commandery Princess.

Leaving only Yang Zheng, who recently has been increasingly diligent.

Jiang Shaohua casually joked: "After inspecting Xi’e County, next it’s Bowang County’s turn, right! Uncle Chen can reunite with his children and grandchildren for a while."

Bowang County has iron mines and silver mines. Mining iron ore to refine iron, mining silver ore to refine silver bars are all top-priority matters. When Prince Nanyang was alive, he deliberately made Chen Zhuo’s son the Bowang County Magistrate. Hence, father and son barely saw each other, meeting three or four times a year was considered good.

Next up is the inspection of Bowang County, benefitting both public and private needs.

Chief Historian Chen thought of his grandchildren whom he hasn’t seen in a long time, his furrowed brows relaxed: "I’ll take advantage of the public business for private reasons this time, and linger in Bowang County for a few more days."

...

After finishing the matter in Xi’e County, Jiang Shaohua ordered Li Tie to lead the troops back to the Nanyang Army Camp.

Before Li Tie departed, Jiang Shaohua gave a mild reprimand: "General Li’s memorial is about to reach the court. The bow doesn’t turn back once it’s shot, General Li having made a choice and decision, do not waver again."

"Should the court send an imperial envoy to the Nanyang Army Camp, General Li knows how to reply, right!"

Jiang Shaohua’s face was beautiful, and her invisible but substantial pressure spread, Li Tie didn’t have the courage to meet the Commandery Princess’s gaze, lowered his head to salute and said: "In reply to the Commandery Princess, this subordinate will never muddle through again."

Jiang Shaohua spoke lightly: "I, the Commandery Princess, do not listen to what you say, only see what you do thereafter."

"I hope General Li doesn’t disappoint me, the Commandery Princess."

Li Tie felt a chill in his heart, responded quietly, and only when he exited the main hall did he realize his back was soaked with cold sweat.