After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 200 - 195 Mutual Understanding

Chapter 200: Chapter 195 Mutual Understanding

The matter of ancestral worship was proposed by Zhao Ming.

He is truly rational and will do anything beneficial for the Zhao clan.

The Winter Solstice ancestral worship is a major family event. Except for the household head and the eldest legitimate son of the family, no one else is allowed to disturb the ancestors in the ancestral hall on this day.

Watching the people of Xiping County slowly emerge from their grief, resume production, and manage a normal autumn harvest, Zhao Ming knew that no one could stop Zhao Hanzhang’s progress.

Even if he was unwilling, the Zhao Family must make a choice.

This is when the advantage of living nearby becomes evident.

Zhao Zhongyu is far away in Luoyang. Although he is the Clan Leader, he finds it hard to control the Xiping Zhao Family. Of course, his presence in court is also quite beneficial to the clan;

However, in these chaotic times, Zhao Hanzhang being in Xiping is of even greater benefit to the Zhao Family.

When Zhao Ming decided to become the County Magistrate of Xiping County to cover for her, he had essentially already made a choice on behalf of Zhao’s Fortress.

Since Zhao Hanzhang had already been chosen, things should be done properly to make everyone happy, and he must help her establish a firm foothold within the clan so both sides can cooperate more closely.

This is like recognizing a poor young man conquering the world and marrying a daughter to him, supporting him with the power of the entire clan.

Zhao Hanzhang’s status is a bit better, as she naturally belongs to the Zhao Family. Zhao Ming doesn’t need to find a daughter to marry her.

To establish her prestige within the Zhao Family and to strengthen her ties with the clan, Zhao Ming and his father proposed having Zhao Hanzhang replace the main branch at the ancestral worship, bringing Zhao Erlang along.

Zhao Song hesitated.

Zhao Ming calmly said, "Father, Third Lady is not an ordinary woman; you may regard her as an equal to men."

Zhao Song understood his intention, "But her current prestige in the clan is not low."

"Aside from the day of Eldest Uncle’s burial, she has not met the entire clan at other occasions," Zhao Ming said, "This Winter Solstice ancestral worship will have not only the heads of each household attending but also the returning young students studying abroad."

Zhao Song was surprised, "Zitu is coming back?"

Zhao Ming nodded, "Yes, he will be home soon."

Zhao Song pondered it for a moment and then nodded, "We still have to ask the other elders of the clan."

The elders of the clan mused for a long time but mostly agreed after Zhao Ming’s persuasion, although Zhao Hu remained unwilling to nod.

Zhao Ming left a direct message, "Otherwise, I’ll have Third Lady come to ask Seventh Uncle. Could it be that Third Lady has done something wrong in the past, hence Seventh Uncle is unwilling for her to perform the ancestral worship?"

Zhao Hu grumbled a few curses at him and reluctantly nodded, also fearing Zhao Hanzhang would come find him.

After Zhao Ming made sure, he then informed Zhao Hanzhang to attend the Winter Solstice ancestral worship.

After the Winter Solstice ancestral worship, there is a ceremonial banquet, similar to the nationwide celebration of the New Year.

Initially, only members of the Zhao clan participated in the ceremonial banquet, then people from the Wu Castle gathered to celebrate together. Later, the people of Xiping County also came to Zhao’s Fortress to feast. Now, it has developed to the point where scholars and wealthy merchants from other counties come to Xiping County around the Winter Solstice to celebrate.

Of course, ordinary people can also come. At that time, not only Zhao’s Fortress but also Xiping County will be decorated with lights, buzzing with excitement.

This is how ordinary people celebrate.

The Zhao family will broadly send out invitations, hosting a feast at Wu Castle for guests who bring their invitations to discuss and expound on etiquette, drink, and compose poetry, thus being called a ’ceremonial banquet’!

This year, because Zhao’s Fortress was surrounded by rebel troops and many have died, some elders of the clan wanted to pause it for a year. But Fifth Uncle believed that the more chaotic the times, the more they should not stop. If others see the weakness of the Zhao Family, they might think they can be bullied.

Zhao Ming also believed so, which is why this year’s ceremonial banquet will be held as usual, and the invitations have already been sent out.

There are quite a few eligible maidens in the clan. By the time of the Winter Solstice, the mourning period in homes without heavy mourning will have passed three months, making it possible to talk of marriage, so lately, the clan is keen on making new clothes.

Mrs. Wang also made two sets for Zhao Hanzhang; one is formal wear, the other is everyday wear. Although she says she will not attend the ceremonial banquet, when someone visits their home, they cannot be turned away, right?

Thus, clothing, shoes, socks, and so forth need to be prepared properly.

Unfortunately, after Xiping County suffered a military conflict, commerce was heavily impacted, and few merchants came, so Aunt and the aunts could not find good fabrics.

Suddenly encountering a Shu merchant from out of town with such fine Shu brocade, it was hard not to be tempted.

Zhao Hanzhang found an excuse to leave the main hall. Not finding Ting He, she called over a young maid and asked, "Where is Sister Ting He?"

The young maid lowered her head and said, "Sister Ting He went out to select wood under the girl’s orders."

"Oh, right," Zhao Hanzhang tapped her head, "I forgot. I had her choose wood for making a loom. Then go to the front yard and invite the people around Chief Clerk Chang here, saying I want to ask about the Shu brocade."

The maid agreed and hurried to the front courtyard.

Upon hearing the maid’s report, Chang Ning asked, "Are there guests at the residence today?"

"Yes, Madam and several ladies from the clan are here together."

Chang Ning understood. He hesitated for a moment; based on his recent understanding of Zhao Hanzhang, their lady is not a generous person.

The most valuable items in Zhu Chuan’s goods were those Shu brocades and silks; just a few pieces are worth as much as those few carts of cotton.

So, he pondered for a moment, then called a clerk, who had gone with him to negotiate prices with Zhu Chuan and had handled the accounts. He knew the pricing best.

"If the lady asks about the price of Shu brocades and silks, add thirty percent."

The clerk opened his mouth wide, his face turning red, "This, isn’t this inappropriate?"

Chang Ning glared at him, "I haven’t changed the price on the account. If you meet the lady separately, report the price truthfully. If you see her in the presence of others, then raise the price by thirty percent."

The clerk agreed and went with the maid to the back courtyard of the county government to see Zhao Hanzhang.

How could Zhao Hanzhang have the opportunity to see him alone? So he directly went to the main hall, where he was immediately locked in the gaze of the ladies.

His step halted, and he went forward to salute.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "Have the negotiations with the Second Young Master Zhu concluded, and have all his goods been purchased?"

The clerk replied in a low voice, "Yes."

"Is there Shu brocade and silk included?"

The clerk replied, "There are eight pieces of Shu brocade and six pieces of silk, all of the highest quality, along with various other fabrics."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, giving the order, "Bring over the Shu brocade and silks. My mothers would like to select some."

Zhao Hanzhang’s words gave great face to the ladies, who were very pleased and naturally straightened their backs and became even more proud.

The clerk agreed. He bowed and went out to arrange it.

Zhao Hanzhang gave a little signal to the young maid to have her take the household staff to help.

Soon, the Shu brocade and silks were brought up. Zhao Hanzhang had a table moved to the center of the main hall, and the Shu brocade and silks were laid out piece by piece on the table for everyone to see clearly and select more easily.

Aunt Qing reached out and touched a piece of rose-red Shu brocade, exclaiming, "The pattern on this looks as if it formed naturally; truly beautiful."

Unfortunately, they could not wear them now. For the next six months, the Zhao clan would try to wear plain clothes, and although this color is beautiful, it does not quite match the current aesthetic, being too flamboyant.