After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hu started to feel regret; Xun Fan and Jia Pi are old members of the Jin Court. They surely want to support the Little Emperor against Zhao Hanzhang; Zhao Cheng is Zhao Hanzhang’s strong supporter, so...

He couldn’t help but raise his hand and slap himself, scaring Zhao Hanzhang into quickly reaching out to stop him, scolding him: "What are you doing?"

Zhao Hu asked, "If I were to take Zitu out now and display some fatherly love, would they believe it?"

Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "Not only would they not believe it, but it would also backfire."

Zhao Hu sat down in despair without moving.

Zhao Hanzhang softened her tone, "In matters like this, the best approach is to subtly influence people’s impressions over time. So, if Seventh Ancestor wants Uncle Cheng to avoid future gossip, it’s best to start restraining your behavior now."

In the past twenty years, Zhao Hu and Zhao Cheng have always been at each other’s throats, arguing whenever they met, and even when they didn’t meet, Zhao Hu often cursed Zhao Cheng within the clan.

To prove he wasn’t wrong, Zhao Cheng had to be the one at fault.

Thus Zhao Cheng’s reputation within the clan was always polarized; those who agreed with him understood him, but many believed he violated filial piety.

Zhao Song is the most representative of those; he knew Zhao Hu was in the wrong, so he always preached to him, hoping he would change and be more lenient with Zhao Cheng. But even under this premise, he believed Zhao Cheng’s actions toward Zhao Hu violated filial piety.

If even someone as magnanimous as Zhao Song thinks this way, what about others?

In a clan, there are already so many complicated and inconsistent opinions, let alone in the entire world, amidst the fierce political struggle at court?

Zhao Cheng would face even more criticism.

Zhao Hanzhang tore open what Zhao Hu couldn’t see, or rather, what he refused to acknowledge, and bluntly forced him to make a choice.

Choose to rant freely for momentary satisfaction, or endure and change your temper for the benefit of your descendants?

Zhao Hu pondered with his eyes downcast, clearly reaching a decision.

He looked up at her and asked, "You’re not forcing me to donate?"

Zhao Hanzhang scolded him, "Seventh Ancestor, when did I ever force you to donate? Our relationship has always been based on mutual benefits and interests, hasn’t it? How could that be called forcing?"

Thinking about it, Zhao Hu realized it was true. At least when it came to money, she had never threatened him; yet... it still felt somewhat off.

Unable to think of the exact words to describe it, Zhao Hu could only ask, "Then how do you plan to cooperate this time?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she poured him a cup of tea, "You, among all, understand me, Seventh Ancestor. I do indeed have a major business deal I’d like to collaborate with you on."

Forget about donations; if she took Zhao Hu’s money for no reason, she feared it would make him arrogant and difficult to deal with, hindering her ability to handle him in the future.

Even when asking for money, she did so openly and rightly; oh no, she meant profitably!

Zhao Hanzhang planned to sell off all the burnt houses in the inner city.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu immediately said, "I’ll buy them all."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "Seventh Ancestor, wouldn’t you rather hear the terms first?"

With her words, Zhao Hu’s spine tensed instantly, and he asked, "You wouldn’t be asking for a high price, would you? Those houses are beyond recognition after the fire and need to be demolished for reconstruction entirely. You’re simply selling the land; if the price is too high, who would buy it?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ve priced according to location. For example, the house closest to the Imperial City Gate covers about two acres and a half; I’ve set the price at 120,000 coins."

Zhao Hu’s eyes darted around; this price is cheaper than he expected. The house was not only large but also in a good location. If he could build a house on it and sell it, it would fetch at least millions.

Of course, he wouldn’t sell it; he planned to build and use it for himself, leaving it for his sons and grandsons in the future. Living together, Zhao Cheng would find it convenient to attend court daily, as just passing the Stone Bridge would bring him to the Imperial City Gate. He could sleep at least two extra quarters every day compared to other officials.

This house will never be sold; it’s to be passed from child to grandchild, allowing his family’s children to conveniently attend court in the future.

Also, purchasing a house near the Imperial College would solve their children’s schooling issues.

Zhao Hu envisioned this and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Zhao Hanzhang quietly watched, and once he was satisfied, she said, "But I still have conditions."

With a grin, Zhao Hu asked, "What conditions?"

"I require that the purchaser builds the house according to regulations within three years. The completed house cannot be demolished or redeveloped for at least ten years. If my conditions aren’t met, the court will reclaim the land for free after three years."

Zhao Hu’s mouth hung agape, and after stuttering for a while, he angrily questioned, "Do you know how long it takes to build a house?"

"I know; for a large household like this, paying attention to detail typically takes two years."

"Pah, two years isn’t even enough for carving a flower on the eaves; at least ten years."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Just three years."

Zhao Hu saw her unchanged expression and resolute demeanor, feeling heartbroken to the point of breathlessness. This was like having a mountain of gold placed in front of him; originally, a closed door stood in front of the mountain, and although he craved it, he knew he had to open the door first, so he was working hard at opening it.

Then, with a thud, Zhao Hanzhang opened a crack in the door, allowing him to see the gold mountain inside, and informed him he could only go in and grab it once; how much he could take depended on his own ability—only one chance.

Thus he had to watch helplessly as most of the gold mountain was snatched away by others, while he only got a handful.

Zhao Hu’s breath quickened, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Eight years!"

Zhao Hanzhang calmly replied, "Four years, Seventh Ancestor, measure your capabilities when dealing with matters. Calculate carefully how much you intend to buy, or else you might end up losing both your wife and soldiers."

Zhao Hu studied her face and cautiously probed, "How about seven years? Think about it, with such a good location, the buyers will either be wealthy or noble; they’ll definitely want some rock gardens, water features, and such. All these will take time."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t respond, just smiled enigmatically at him.

Zhao Hu felt vulnerable, automatically reducing the time by a year, "Six years then?"

Zhao Hanzhang said flatly, "Five years, calculated from the day the contract is signed and the sale made; if the house isn’t built within five years, I’ll reclaim the land."

"Seventh Ancestor, rock gardens can be overly extravagant and expensive, requiring long periods. If the aim is to build the house for sale, I recommend leaving empty spaces and planting some flowers and plants. The future buyer can add rock gardens if desired."

However, Zhao Hu indeed reminded her about rock gardens. Although the houses were burnt, the surviving rock gardens are mostly intact.

Zhao Hanzhang clicked her tongue twice, deciding to mobilize her troops later to search through all the properties.

Zhao Hu contemplated for a long time, realizing it was challenging to extend the time further, reluctantly agreeing to Zhao Hanzhang’s five-year term, though he secretly hoped she wouldn’t sell any land other than what he bought.

"If no one buys, what do you plan to do with those lands?"