After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

But there were many with the same thoughts as Eunuch Dong; many officials in the court generally believed that, now the situation has stabilized, the dignity rightfully due to the Imperial Family should be bestowed, and only a noble lifestyle can produce noble individuals to separate them from others, establishing the distinctions of rank.

Even Ji Yuan remarked, "There are too few people in the palace, indeed, we should increase the population."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned slightly and asked, "Now in the palace, there are only Your Majesty and Prince Yuzhang. Before long, Prince Yuzhang will also move out of the palace. Is there really a need for so many people?"

"This is the dignity Your Majesty deserves."

Zhao Hanzhang lowered her gaze, thought for a moment, and said, "I understand."

However, she did not immediately agree.

It seemed the old ministers of Great Jin had found a point on which they could contend with Zhao Hanzhang, thus they continuously submitted memorials.

Zhao Hanzhang instructed Zhao Yunxin to select the memorials and set them aside, occasionally asking Zhao Yunxin to return a few, all politely refusing.

The court convenes every other day, and just having returned to Luoyang, she had many matters to handle, using this as the primary conflict to keep them suspended.

The first court meeting after entering Luoyang primarily focused on the reconstruction of Luoyang City.

Only a small portion of those following Zhao Hanzhang into Luoyang previously owned property there; she had already instructed everyone to report before arrival.

For those with property, she had submitted the information to the Luoyang County Government in advance, had them identify the properties and reissue deeds, and had the Zhao Family Army perform some basic cleaning.

Those without property were awarded houses based on rank and merit, with greater achievements getting a house as a reward, and minor achievements receiving government-offered low-rent housing.

For instance, the Zhao Family descendants brought to Luoyang by Zhao Hanzhang flocked to the Luoyang County Government to apply for low-rent housing.

Zhao Zheng recorded them with his colleagues, asking, "Why have you come to the capital?"

Zhao Xia glanced at the word "Purpose" and said, "We came to take the Imperial College exam."

Zhao Zheng’s pen paused, looking up at him, setting the pen down, and said sternly, "You must speak the truth and must not lie."

Zhao Xia replied, "I am speaking the truth, I have not lied."

Zhao Zheng stared silently at him with large eyes.

Although Zhao Zheng was not familiar with this cousin, any family member with a talent for studying was educated by his father, Zhao Xia...

He only remembered the story of Zhao Xia escaping school through a dog hole.

Zhao Xia was about to speak when someone forcefully pushed him aside, clearing a large pathway by separating the queue.

Zhao Xia angrily turned back to shout, only to see his Seventh Ancestor walking forward with a cold expression, immediately becoming silent, lowering his head to watch from the sidelines.

Seeing his grandfather, Zhao Zheng promptly stood, saluting, "Grandfather, why have you come? You ought to have a steward handle this."

Zhao Hu showed a better demeanor when facing his grandson but still snorted, he directly sat in Zhao Zheng’s seat, slightly adjusting himself as the chair felt unfamiliar.

"The family stewards have been withheld by you father and son, haven’t they? I am quite useless now and naturally had to come."

Increasingly agitated, Zhao Hu asked, "Where is your father? Tell him to come and see me."

Zhao Zheng hurriedly replied, "Father went to the palace to see Your Majesty and the Great General."

"Send someone to hurry him, tell him to return quickly."

Zhao Zheng did not move, smiling, "Grandfather, why not inform me if you have a matter? Now that the court has moved back to Luoyang, there are many things to attend to, father might have to remain in the palace until sunset."

Hearing this, Zhao Hu slammed the table in anger, "He’s deliberately avoiding me!"

"Fine, I can discuss it with you as well. Give me a warrant to release the family stewards," he continued, "Moreover, I want to purchase properties in the inner city west district, have the Chief Clerk handle it for me."

Zhao Zheng responded, "Grandfather, do you not care for your grandson? Why would you place me in such a disloyal and unrighteous position?"

Zhao Hu was taken aback, "How am I placing you in a disloyal and unrighteous position?"

With tears, Zhao Zheng explained, "The Great General manages officials like an army, very strictly. In the daily reports, there’s often mention of officials punished for corruption, grandfather is asking me to release criminals, this is clearly disloyal; property transactions are governed by law, and the houses in the inner city that were burned down had an order from the Great General two years ago, prohibiting private sales by the government, disposition must be approved by her, grandfather bypassing the Great General to have me handle this is placing me in an unrighteous position."

He swiftly shifted the topic, "But you are the elder, you have spoken, and if I refuse rigidly, risking your health in anger, it would be unfilial, making your grandson both disloyal, unrighteous, and unfilial."

Zhao Hu felt a pang in his heart, seeing everyone around them glance at Zhao Zheng with strange looks, he quickly spat twice, annoyed and embarrassed, "What nonsense are you saying? From young you’ve studied, possessing all virtues, loyalty and filial piety are naturally not lacking."

He stood, face turning red and purple from fury and shame, he said, "This matter does not involve you, since you cannot make decisions, I will seek someone who can."

Zhao Hu stormed out.

Zhao Hanzhang’s relocation brought many people, increasing the affairs to handle, making the county government a hub of activity, merely registering residence filled the county government’s grounds and Zhao Hu stood before its main gates, listening to the noise, feeling increasingly stifled. He boarded a carriage, thought for a moment, and realized that Zhao Cheng’s nature made seeking his favor futile, he could only resort to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hu gritted his teeth, truly unwilling to seek Zhao Hanzhang.

Although Zhao Hanzhang might favor personal relations and raise the request, her favor would be costly.

Zhao Hu made psychological preparations, lifting the curtain to observe the bustling streets of Luoyang City.

This time the court moved back to Luoyang, not only bringing a large population but invigorating the overall spirit of Luoyang.

Now the streets were filled with lively sales shouts and new arrivals purchasing necessities, Luoyang City’s consumption notably heightened.

Zhao Hu believed, this consumption trend would persist for a long time, and subsequently, more people would return to Luoyang City.

Among them, not only would there be ordinary citizens in exile, small traders, small landowners, craftsmen but also Great Noble Families, high-status aristocrats...

Knowing Zhao Hanzhang’s stinginess, he doubted she would return the burnt properties to those aristocrats upon their return.

Properties destroyed by fire, leaving only plots of land, if not reclaimed as state assets to make a profit.

After thought, Zhao Hu said, "To the Imperial Palace." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Zhao Hu held no official rank, properly he should not be able to enter the Imperial Palace, but the guards smiled seeing him, bowing, "Seventh Grandfather, you have come, I shall have someone guide you in."

Zhao Hu asked, "Will you not announce my arrival?"

The guard replied with a smile, "The Great General has instructed us to welcome Seventh Grandfather whenever he arrives, not neglecting him."

Yet Zhao Hu did not find it pleasing.