After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Shen’s spirit lifted upon hearing the words, and with a shy and somewhat embarrassed face said, "Grandfather, I do not love fine clothes. A gentleman beautifies the world with virtue; even if dressed in ragged sacks, it’s beautiful. I wish to learn the way of supporting the family from you, grandfather."

Zhao Song was moved to tears, full of comfort, "My grandson has grown up."

Then he said, "Your father is here, he is in his prime. The matter of supporting the family is his responsibility. You just focus on recovering, and if you lack anything, tell the villager to prepare it for you."

Zhao Shen shook his head seriously and said, "Grandfather does not know. I brought back more than a thousand people this time, all needing to be fed and clothed, so I need to support them. Alas, it is a pity that I have nothing; even supporting myself is difficult, let alone them, so I wanted to learn the way of supporting the family from you, grandfather."

Zhao Ming paused in his tea drinking, lifted his eyelids to glance at him, and let out a cold laugh.

Zhao Song happily said, "Don’t worry, Third Lady has taken care of those people for you."

Zhao Shen’s smile froze, "Taken care of for me?"

"Yes, don’t you know?" Zhao Song said, "Third Lady, on merit, rewarded them; you and those friends made contributions. At that time, Third Lady asked their wishes, those who wished to join the military for a venture were incorporated into the army, those who wished for stability were allocated land and residences, even money and food were distributed to settle them, covering all aspects."

Zhao Shen: "...Why didn’t I know?"

Zhao Song tilted his head, "Didn’t I tell you?"

Zhao Shen shook his head with a blank face.

Zhao Song turned to blame Zhao Ming, "I’m old and forgetful. Why didn’t you remember to tell Shen’er?"

Zhao Ming: ... Can this be blamed on him?

Zhao Shen also looked at him with blame.

Zhao Ming’s eyebrows rose, he gave a half-smile, half-not at him.

His father blaming him could be considered usual—that’s his father; but where did Zhao Shen get the audacity?

Facing Zhao Ming’s gaze, Zhao Shen immediately redirected his eyes; the look of blame on his face instantly vanished, and he obediently leaned back without moving.

Zhao Ming snorted, decisively set aside the teacup, stood up, looking down at his son, said, "The Great General has reserved an important position for you, I see your injuries are almost healed, tomorrow you should go find the Great General."

Due to the court planning to relocate to Luoyang, bringing many things, everyone was packing luggage.

When Zhao Shen wandered to Zhao Mansion, the trusted aides were moving boxes out, fixing them onto carts.

Seeing Zhao Shen, a trusted aide immediately stopped him, then someone went inside to report.

The Emperor resided at Zhao Mansion at this time, with Zhao Hanzhang present, hence Zhao Mansion’s keen defense.

Zhao Hanzhang was reviewing documents, the Little Emperor sitting beside her, lethargically going over documents, was permitted by Zhao Hanzhang to write his suggestions on them.

Unfortunately, after a whole morning, the Little Emperor hadn’t written a single useful suggestion.

Seeing someone enter, he breathed a huge sigh of relief, immediately got up and said, "Great General, you are busy, I shall take my leave."

Zhao Hanzhang set down her pen, stood up, bowed with folded hands, saying, "I respectfully see Your Majesty off."

The Little Emperor fled hurriedly as if chased by mad dogs. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Watching his disappearing back, Zhao Shen thought he resembled Zhao Ce from years ago, who would flee every time studying was mentioned.

Oh, right, Zhao Ce is a cousin of his, famously one of the idle sons of the Zhao Family, heard from his grandfather, he tried the recruitment exam four times and even used Zhao Hanzhang’s backdoor but failed to enter officialdom, now searching for a way out, Zhao Song hates iron for not becoming steel because he feels Zhao Ce wasted a good name.

Zhao Shen retracted his gaze, lifted his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang, and smiled slightly, "Shen pays respects to the Great General."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed and waved her hand, "No need for formality, Cousin Shen, please have a seat."

Zhao Hanzhang’s time was precious, so there were no prolonged pleasantries; she directly asked, "Cousin, have you recovered well enough to travel?"

Zhao Shen paused, swallowed words at his lips, and answered honestly, "I have recovered and can travel."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Cousin has done great service for the country, and possesses the talent of a commanding officer; I am delighted, therefore wish to appoint cousin as Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

Zhao Shen was slightly stunned, "Vice Minister of the Ministry of War?"

"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang searched the table, handed him a document to read, "I plan a slight adjustment to the bureaucratic system to handle state affairs, encouraging officials not to neglect their duties, ensuring citizens live securely."

Zhao Shen opened and read; the document appeared to be Zhao Hanzhang’s own writing. He had seen Zhao Hanzhang’s letters at his father’s place, the handwriting matched.

The document stated that since the Eastern Han administered national affairs using six administrative offices, the office names changed occasionally, causing confusion among citizens and even officials regarding responsibilities.

Local officials often committed acts of overreach. Now with the world being stable, Zhao Hanzhang hoped to clarify official powers and responsibilities so that future issues would not involve misplaced blame or insufficient rewards.

She converted the six offices into six ministries, including changing the Five Military Office to the Ministry of War, aligning it with five others under the Chief of Staff, additionally clarifying the duties of the Central Secretariat and the Ministry of Supervision, as national affairs were extensive, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want her health to suffer from overwork, so she aimed to delegate responsibilities within the governance system.

As for herself, unable to temporarily claim the Emperor title, she would act as Prime Minister, overseeing the court and managing officials, a legitimate decision.

"I read Cousin Shen’s ’Ten Military Practices’ sent to Uncle Ming, some viewpoints I highly agree with; given cousin’s talent, you are most suitable for the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

Zhao Shen swallowed, shamefully tempted at heart.

His gaze keenly focused on Zhao Hanzhang, asking, "Great General, which point in the ’Ten Military Practices’ do you favor most?"

"Stationing troops," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Raising soldiers with land, soldiers for war, farmers for farming during agricultural season, training soldiers during idle time, assisted by elite troops, is currently one of the best methods of maintaining an army."

Zhao Shen’s gaze grew brighter.

This was the letter he wrote his father two years ago. Although his correspondence with his father often missed, most of the letters he sent back returned as he was mobile while the home was stable.

It was written after he heard of the Zhao Family Army’s fame from far-off Shu territory, knowing the Zhao Family had major changes, transformed greatly.

But the more it transformed, the more worried he became.

Maintaining soldiers ensures protection, but it’s a double-edged sword possibly harming oneself after temporary success.

Zhao Shen contemplated how the family could endure long-term, at least not be harmed by this sword.

Even someone like Wang Yan had to exert themselves for family continuation; Zhao Shen naturally couldn’t be exempt from such concerns. After much thought, his advice for the family was to bind soldiers to the land.

As Huaxia people, regardless of social status, there’s a deep affection for land.

To control soldiers, the best way is binding them to the land, not only calming military sentiment but solving some grain and forage issues, preventing the Zhao Family from being overwhelmed by a large army.

Currently, one-half of Zhao Hanzhang’s financial dilemma stems from the army’s extensive expenditures.