She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

The clan elder's name was Zhao Enhong. He had passed the imperial examination and was a scholar. He was very gentle and kind, always had a smile on his face, and had never argued with anyone. He was highly respected in the clan.

"The Duke mentioned something like this." Zhao Enhong took the strategy with both hands and turned the pages one by one: "Your idea is very good, and the logic is very clear."

Zhao Jue was not surprised to hear Zhao Enhong praise him. With the Marquis of Chengen guiding him, there would be no problem with the plan.

“This is an inspiration I received from my second brother. He suggested that we should focus on education and governance, and I think he made a lot of sense. Over the past two hundred years, the clan has cultivated many talented people, which has gradually strengthened the power of the Zhao family.”

Zhao Jue continued to borrow the example Zhao Yi mentioned: "For example, the Chen family of the previous dynasty. Many brave and skilled generals emerged from their family, almost monopolizing military power and forming a situation of sharing the world with the royal family. No one could shake the status of the Chen family."

Zhao Enhong's smile froze for a moment, and he put down the strategy in his hand.

Zhao Jue spoke eloquently: "Our Zhao family cannot follow the example of the Chen family. If our achievements overshadow the emperor, we will surely arouse the jealousy of the royal family and face annihilation."

However, we can draw an inspiration from this. For example, we can cultivate a specialty, learn it to the extreme, and then use the strength of the whole clan to develop it. If we are the only ones in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty, and pass it down from generation to generation, we can prosper for a long time.

Look at many time-honored brands in Beijing that have been passed down for centuries; they have steadily developed to this day by relying on a single specialty.

“Your idea is good,” Zhao Enhong asked kindly. “However, I have a question. If the entire clan is tied to a single rope, what if the rope breaks one day? Have you considered the consequences?”

Zhao Jue frowned. If the rope broke, everyone on it would fall to their deaths.

only--

“Once we monopolize an industry, others will have to buy from us, and our family will naturally prosper. How could the rope possibly break?”

Zhao Jue's face was sullen, revealing his displeasure at being questioned: "Especially since the shops are spread all over the place, the number of people needed is increasing. The unambitious collateral branches of the clan can sell their labor in exchange for wages, which means that everyone can make a living."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Enhong smiled and said, "Don't take what I said to heart. It's very likely that I'm overthinking it."

“Isn’t that so? If we act hesitantly, our family will decline sooner or later.” Zhao Jue picked up the gilded silver square box with peacock and flower patterns that was placed to the side and handed it to the servant who was serving him: “Elder, this is a gift for you. I hope you will take good care of me in the future.”

"Young General, you are too kind." Zhao Enhong glanced at the exquisite treasure chest, a hint of something ambiguous in his smile: "As an elder, I have not prepared a gift for you, but instead I have accepted your generous gift first. This is against the rules of propriety and morality."

Zhao Jue, with his hands behind his back, asked, "Elder, do you perhaps have other concerns?"

The smile on Zhao Enhong's face vanished.

Zhao Jue said, "Elder, the other elders are all enjoying their grandchildren, but you are the only one with an empty house and plenty of free time."

Zhao Enhong's expression suddenly changed, because his only grandson had a hidden illness that prevented him from having children.

That was bad enough, but his grandson was afraid of losing face, so he refused to see a doctor or take medicine.

They have been married for several years now, but there is still no news of a happy event.

“Your grandson is twenty-two years old and is now under General Liu’s command?” Zhao Jue suggested. “I am about the same age as your grandson. Why don’t we transfer him to my camp? I can persuade him not only to make achievements but also to have an heir so you can enjoy family life.”

Zhao Enhong's expression seemed to soften somewhat.

“You are insightful and farsighted. Since you agree with my strategy, I would like to trouble you to put in a good word for me with your grandfather.” Zhao Jue said meaningfully, “I will get what I want, and you will have a house full of children and grandchildren. Wouldn’t that be better?”

Zhao Enhong sighed and accepted the generous gift with a smile: "Then I will take advantage of the young general's good wishes."

Seeing that Zhao Enhong had accepted the gift, Zhao Jue felt relieved.

He cupped his hands and said, "You are new to the capital and must have many matters to attend to. I will not disturb you any longer and will take my leave now."

Zhao Enhong summoned servants to escort Zhao Jue away.

-

The Duke's Mansion, Lanxue Garden.

Liu Yue carried a bowl of medicine into the room and immediately saw Shen Qingtan sitting on a bench beside a short couch, sewing clothes, while Zhao Yi leaned against the couch reading a book. Gradually, his gaze fell on Shen Qingtan, and he quietly watched her needle and thread flying.

The bright spring sunshine outside the window shone on them, giving people an inexplicable sense of peace and tranquility.

After hesitating for a moment, Liu Yue finally spoke, breaking the unusually harmonious scene.

"Second Master, it's time for you to take your medicine."

Zhao Yi looked up at Liu Yue and tapped the kang table with her finger.

Liu Yue understood and quickly placed the medicine bowl on the kang table.

Zhao Yi took the medicine bowl and drank it in one gulp. His mouth was filled with a bitter taste, and he frowned almost imperceptibly.

The next moment, a fair and delicate hand held a piece of lactose and offered it to him.

Zhao Yi paused for a moment, then asked gently, "Didn't you give me all your inventory? Where did you get this from?"

Shen Qingtan smiled and said, "I saw you were keeping it but not eating it, so I took it from you."

Zhao Yi's eyes flickered, and he subconsciously glanced at the corner of the wall. But in an instant, he quickly regained his composure and turned his gaze back to her face. Seeing that her expression was normal, he knew that she was deliberately teasing him.

Shen Qingtan was very perceptive and immediately noticed his slightly unnatural expression. Following his gaze, she saw a hidden cabinet placed in the corner of the wall.

The hidden cabinet can be used as a desk, with drawers underneath. The ingenious part is the storage space beneath the drawers, called the hidden compartment. Whether storing or retrieving items, you must first pull out the drawer.

When she entered the house, there was a hidden cabinet there. Since it belonged to Zhao Yi, they never touched it.

Shen Qingtan's eyelashes trembled, as if she had discovered some incredible secret.

Zhao Yi said calmly, "Is that so?"

"Of course." She pretended not to notice, placed the lactose in his palm, and changed the subject: "As soon as the clan elder arrived in the capital, Zhao Jue immediately paid him a visit. Do you think the deadline for submitting the strategy will be brought forward?"

Zhao Yi coughed lightly, about to speak, when he heard a knock on the door.

Jiang Mu relayed a message to Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan from outside: "Second Master, Second Madam, the clan elders have arrived at the manor. The Duke wants you to bring the prepared strategies to the main hall."