After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hanzhang nodded; she also believed this, "Xuzhou is the closest to Yangzhou, and the situation is complex. Ji Yuan and Ming Yu both come from humble backgrounds. Now, among the State Governors, aside from you and Wang Dao, only he and Zu Ti have any connection with the aristocratic families. If we replace them rashly, it might cause dissatisfaction among the aristocrats. The political situation is turbulent, and I want to carefully select someone to replace them."

Zhao Ming looked at Liu Kun who was circling around Tuoba Yilu, feeling troubled, "To recall him to the Capital City, it must be a promotion. Otherwise, it will be hard to appease the aristocratic clans. But what position can he take in the Imperial Palace?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "There are many options. My adopted brother has a lovable character. I intend to separate the Ministry of Rites from the Court of State Ceremonial and establish a position of Grand Minister of Rites, which he will manage."

Zhao Ming pondered for a moment, realizing that Liu Kun was indeed suitable for this position, and couldn’t help but clasp his hands in admiration, "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and looked at the two entangled people in the distance, saying, "Let’s wait a bit longer. Let him sort out the situation in Xuzhou and stabilize people’s hearts before transferring him."

After a pause, Zhao Ming still sought to inquire, "Who does Your Majesty deem suitable?"

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mention who was suitable but began to talk about Zhao Shen, "I wish to send Zhao Shen to Guangzhou. What does Uncle Ming think?"

Guangzhou, unlike the bustling Guangzhou of a previous life, encompasses the entire regions of Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as parts of Fujian and Jiangxi. It’s all hilly terrain with 99% covered by primordial forest, full of miasma, with impassable roads, where the Baiyue and Xiu live with great freedom.

So free that they do not recognize the court, only submitting to their own tribes. If the court tries to tax them, they respond with violence and turn against the court.

When the court tries to catch them, they slip into the mountains like fish entering rivers, disappearing without a trace.

They are not influenced by culture; if you talk to them about propriety, justice, integrity, and honor, they don’t listen. Talk to them about loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness, they scoff. Hence, Guangzhou is considered as barren as the far north, and officials sent there are mostly exiled or have no future.

Dai Yuan harbors resentment towards Wang Dun because he was squeezed into going to Guangzhou by him, isn’t it?

Zhao Ming’s thoughts raced, passing by the idea "The emperor wants to suppress the Zhao Family, to limit its power," before settling on another thought, "Does Your Majesty plan to use Baiyue and Xiu to temper Zhao Shen?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded, "Zhao Shen is well-read and knowledgeable; he’s seen the hardships of life and has his own ideas about military strategy, but he’s excessively arrogant. Even if he’s amidst beggars, he’s willing to eat and live with them, willing to share their life and death, but it’s all fake, like Gou Xi."

"If he just wants to be a renowned minister and power broker like Gou Xi, he could succeed this way, but it’s far from enough to be remembered through the ages."

Gou Xi did not have a good end.

Zhao Ming sighed deeply, "Finally, someone thinks like I do. Your Majesty, I have no objections. Send him to Guangzhou, and if Guangzhou doesn’t train him well, send him to the Western Regions, or the Northern Desert, wherever is barren and cold."

Zhao Shen’s character is such that he cannot be placed in opulence and ease; otherwise, he will surely cause trouble.

Just like Gou Xi, if he spends his life at a disadvantage, he will always be a loyal and righteous minister. But because Prince East Sea died, he came to the emperor’s side and became like that.

In just two years, he ruined the reputation built over twenty years, unable to preserve his integrity.

And Zhao Shen is even less aware of his problems than Gou Xi, because Gou Xi at least pretends consciously, while Zhao Shen does not. He truly believes he is loyal, filial, benevolent, and righteous, and has always held himself to those standards.

He simply believes ordinary people lack these qualities.

Zhao Ming was eager, "When will Your Majesty issue an edict to send him to Guangzhou?"

Seeing Zhao Ming more impatient than herself, Zhao Hanzhang felt rare sympathy for Zhao Shen, "There’s no need to rush."

Zhao Ming then turned to ask, "Is Your Majesty planning to accommodate Mrs. Wang in the palace?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Second Son is at the border, so mother will live with me to avoid loneliness. The edict to confer the title of Empress Dowager will be issued tomorrow."

"And about Princess Hongnong..."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I will elevate her to Princess Zhen Guo. The princess does not enjoy the Imperial Palace, and as juniors, we should respect the preferences of elders."

Zhao Ming asked, "Does Ting Han have any objections?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Zhao Ming then sighed and couldn’t help but advise Zhao Hanzhang, "You should treat him better in the future."

Zhao Hanzhang: ... How have I not treated him well? Haven’t the two of us been fine together?

Lai Qing stepped forward in small steps, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, the lady, the princess, the prince consort, and others have entered the palace. All officials have arrived, and the palace feast will start in two more quarters of an hour."

Zhao Hanzhang then turned sideways and said, "Uncle Ming, let’s go over as well."

Zhao Ming respectfully responded, "Yes," stepping half a step behind her, "The assets Your Majesty holds should be organized, transferring what’s for the national treasury to the country, and what’s for the private treasury to be handled by the Inner Court."

Zhao Hanzhang lifted the corner of her mouth slightly, praising, "You truly know me, Uncle Ming. I also plan to do this, not only managing my assets but also establishing rules for the royal family, clarifying what things imperial relatives can do and cannot do right from the start."

Zhao Ming nodded in agreement, "It’s necessary to clarify; only with clear laws can there be longevity."

He paused briefly then said, "Your Majesty has ascended the throne, so the position of Clan Leader of the Zhao Family should also be held by Your Majesty."

Zhao Hanzhang directly refused; handling national affairs was already busy enough, engaging in family matters would be exhausting.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I think Uncle Ming is very suitable."

Zhao Ming refused, "The Clan Leader should come from the legitimate branch."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Then please temporarily act, Uncle Ming, until Second Son bears a smart child and trains them well."

Even now, Zhao Hanzhang still thought Zhao Ming was a very suitable candidate for Clan Leader. He had successors, Zhao Shen was also smart and capable.

One reason she didn’t want to be Clan Leader was that she feared her tendency to extract money from the clan to fill the national treasury, or out of guilt, turning a blind eye to let them do things they shouldn’t, ultimately causing harm. For harmonious relations in the future, there needs to be a buffer.

Zhao Ming evidently quickly realized this point, only mentioning it briefly.

The two first went to the rear hall, where Mrs. Wang, the long princess, and others had been taken to rest. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming arriving together, Zhao Song and Zhao Hu immediately stood up, knelt with Princess Hongnong and the prince consort, "Bow to the Emperor Your Majesty."

Mrs. Wang was taken aback, hurriedly got up, and tried to kneel as well. Qing Gu quickly pulled her back, and Zhao Hanzhang was startled, hurrying forward to pull up Princess Hongnong in one hand and Zhao Song in the other, sweating as she said, "Uncle and mother, you scared me. You are elders, so no ceremonial bows when we meet in the future."

Mrs. Wang quickly nodded, startled as well.

Zhao Song, due to celestial phenomena, was rosy-cheeked and spirited at this time, smiling and saying, "Distinctions between ranks exist. This is the etiquette we as ministers should uphold."

Princess Hongnong nodded deeply in agreement.

Zhao Ming casually walked forward, changing the subject, "How is father’s health?"

Zhao Song replied, "Better than when you irritate me, quite well."

Zhao Ming sighed with emotion, "Son arrived in Luoyang the day before yesterday. Upon entering, I heard father was bedridden for over ten days, and my heart was filled with worry."

Zhao Song’s face darkened immediately.