After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1279: Chapter 1246: Divergent Views

Zhao Hanzhang knew that discussing national interests or public welfare with Zhao Hu wouldn’t get through to him, and could only talk about his personal interests and clan benefits, so she wasn’t bothered by his complaints and directly asked, "Which segment of the road does Seventh Ancestor want to repair?"

"Any segment, as long as it’s closer to Luoyang, longer, and involves more money," Zhao Hu paused here, frowned at her, "Can I at least receive the road repair money on time? Let me clarify in advance, if you don’t pay me on time, I won’t pay the laborers upfront for you, then everyone will just owe money together."

Those short-term laborers wouldn’t dare to do anything to him.

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Rest assured, any money could potentially be owed, but the laborers’ wages won’t be delayed."

The court still owed Zhao Hu a large sum, and if the treasury wasn’t enough, it would delay his portion first. There’s no way they’d delay wages for laborers selling their hard work.

Zhao Hu didn’t know what Zhao Hanzhang was thinking, otherwise he would regret speaking too much at this moment.

Between exchanges, the two confirmed some confidential exchanges of interests. When Zhao Song came over with a group of Zhao Family members, the two tacitly stopped talking and rose together to greet Zhao Song.

Zhao Song waved his hand and slightly frowned at Zhao Hanzhang’s attire, "Why are you wearing foreign clothing?"

He complained, "Nowadays, more Zhao Family members stay in the Capital City, so I think we should also hold ancestor worship in Luoyang on New Year’s Day. The apparel for ancestor worship is a form of etiquette; it shouldn’t be wrong."

Zhao Hu quite liked Zhao Hanzhang’s outfit and commented from the side, "This isn’t ancestor worship but a family feast. Naturally, one should wear something comfortable and nice-looking. I say, our ceremonial clothing is too complicated."

Zhao Song’s face darkened, "Etiquette shouldn’t be abolished, Old Seven, you’re too reckless. I heard you asked your clothing store people to make single-layered garments, planning to wear them out in the future?"

Zhao Hu stomped his feet, "Who leaked this news to you? This is my business secret!"

"What secret? Zhao Wan, who worked in your store, got so angry that he resigned and went home, even I know about it now. You can’t do such business; is it not shameful? Only wearing single-layered clothing, is it different from wearing innerwear out? Do you think the whole world is your bedroom?"

Zhao Wan was not a servant, but a Zhao Family member. Poor, with tailoring skills, so he worked in Zhao Hu’s clothing store and had been working there for ten years. Unexpectedly, one day their concepts disagreed, and Zhao Wan directly fired his boss.

Such carefree and free-spirited behavior, Zhao Hanzhang felt slightly envious inside.

"Guo Pu said this summer will be hot; last year was already quite warm, and this year it’ll be hotter. What clothing can block heat?" Zhao Hu said, "Families like ours have ice, but most people don’t. Wearing single-layered clothing is the best method; at worst, add a belly band inside."

Thinking of the currently vivid belly bands for both male and female styles, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but shiver.

Seeing this, Zhao Song immediately caught onto it and pointed at Zhao Hanzhang, scolding Zhao Hu, "Look, you’ve scared Third Lady, could the outsiders accept this? Quickly drop this idea to avoid embarrassment."

Zhao Hu then turned to stare at Zhao Hanzhang and squinted, "Do you think this idea is bad?"

Zhao Hanzhang hurriedly waved her hand, faced with the oppressive gazes of the two ancestors, she said, "I don’t understand business matters, nor clothing; I really can’t give any suggestions."

Zhao Song: "You understand etiquette, right? Do you think it conforms to etiquette?"

Zhao Hu also commented to her, "You don’t understand clothing? Why are you always wearing foreign clothes and less Han robes?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I just feel what is convenient should be done. If mother says it’s pretty, then it’s pretty."

She paused for a moment and then said, "Ceremonial clothing can also accommodate current events. I feel for daily wear, if sleeves were slightly smaller, it would be more convenient for going out and doing things."

"Absolutely," Zhao Hu said. "Nowadays, my clothing store has made many narrow-sleeved garments differing from foreign apparel. Fifth Brother, if you don’t like foreign clothing, try mine; it’s convenient for going out shopping. I’ll wear it out for you tomorrow."

Zhao Song: "Stop muddling things; I’m talking about the single-layered garment issue..."

Zhao Hanzhang quietly retreated, and seeing this, cousins and nephews lightly moved their steps to discreetly block the view, covering her departure.

Zhao Hanzhang threw them a grateful and approving glance, quickly slid down the steps and escaped.

Zhao Song and Zhao Hu had a quarrel, neither convincing the other, but at mealtime, he didn’t show it on his face nor pulled Zhao Hanzhang for judgment again.

The Zhao Family now had quite a few members staying in the Capital City; this wasn’t a family feast but a clan feast, all in-capital clan members had to come for the meal, including the aforementioned Zhao Wan.

He was unemployed now, considering whether to return home, but his family had many brothers, not lacking him for farming.

But tailoring work wasn’t easy to find, he could only work in stores, not sell himself into other families, even as a contract laborer.

The clan didn’t sell itself to be slaves or maids; if he did, the whole family would be shamed, and the clan would likely expel him, Zhao Wan couldn’t bear such a consequence.

Even so, he was still unwilling to bow to Zhao Hu.

Hmph, making such dishonorable clothing; he thought it was not worse than the humiliation of being expelled from the clan.

Zhao Wan angrily picked meat and ate rice, trying to take this opportunity to eat a bit more, so he could eat less tomorrow, on the fifth, go to Zhao Hu’s house for free meals, three days of feasting he’ll freeload, then decide whether to return home or stay.

Mrs. Wang was responsible for the banquet, and thus cared about the eating and drinking situation at the tables. As her gaze swept over the two tables in the corner, she pondered and discreetly said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Don’t just attend to the close kin around you, like Seventh Uncle, who are very wealthy and can live well without your care. Some clansmen have difficult lives and need your assistance more."

Mrs. Wang signaled her to look at the people at the two tables in the corner eating heartily and whispered, "Although they came along with other clan members, they traveled all the way from Xiping to Luoyang because of your reputation. When your grandfather was around, all clansmen seeking support, regardless of wealth or distant kinship, received good arrangements. Since you rely on the clan, don’t focus solely on national affairs; pay some attention to clan matters as well."

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, "Hasn’t Fifth Uncle arranged things for them?"

Mrs. Wang sighed, "Your Fifth Uncle is elderly, and Zhao Ming isn’t by his side. Most affairs were entrusted to Seventh Ancestor, but he acts on his whims, leaving many clansmen with grievances and nowhere to voice them."

"For instance, Zhao Wan in a store with plenty of work, doesn’t like making single-layered garments, let him do other clothing; Seventh Ancestor insists on him making single-layered garments, forcing him to resign," Mrs. Wang said. "Poor clansmen come to Luoyang mostly accompanying wealthy and influential kin, but they may not be properly settled nor taken back."

Zhao Hanzhang understood. She smiled and held onto her mother’s hand, saying, "Mother is indeed beautiful and kind-hearted, I’ve noted this matter and will handle it."

She paused before saying, "Actually, Mother can try to help them herself..."