After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

The residence of the Minister of Rites—Tong Mansion

"Father, what kind of plan is the Fourth Prince devising?"

Tong Zide, the second-generation leader of the Tong family and the next head of the family, was somewhat unsure about his nephew's actions.

Suddenly being asked to inspect the waterways on behalf of His Majesty—isn't that a task assigned by the Ministry of Works?

The right thing to do is to make a good impression on the Emperor in the capital. I wonder if the other princes already have a lot of supporters?

At a time when the court is dividing up power, why would he go out and inspect the waterways? Isn't that just crazy?

No matter how well you do outside, you'll only get a few words of praise.

How could one possibly have the advantage of being in the capital, where one is close to the source and can reap all the benefits?

How foolish! How foolish!

"Alright, what age are you? Why are you still so clumsy? Stop wandering around, you're making me dizzy."

The maternal grandfather of the fourth prince, Zhao Hongsheng, and the Minister of Rites, Tong Qingyun, stopped his eldest son from pacing back and forth.

"Oh, Dad, putting everything else aside, it's hard to guarantee safety when you're out here."

Although the Fourth Prince had never experienced an assassination attempt while in the capital, who could predict what would happen once he left the capital!

Which of those is the easiest to deal with?

Tong Qingyun frowned slightly upon hearing his eldest son's words; he had considered this point before.

However, the eldest son was unaware that the fourth prince had shadow guards trained by the Tong family, which explains his unease.

Only the current head of the Tong family can mobilize the shadow guards. Currently, the Fourth Prince has twelve shadow guards around him, which is only a small part of the Tong family's shadow guards.

These shadow guards are not easy to train; it takes several years and a lot of money to support them.

Most importantly, the Great Zhou Dynasty forbade officials to have bodyguards or to keep private armies.

If someone is caught red-handed, it's a heinous crime that could lead to the confiscation of one's property and the extermination of one's entire family.

Therefore, the shadow guards of the Tong family usually worked in the mansion as ordinary servants, attendants, servants, and guards.

Apart from him, even his old wife didn't know which of the sweepers or the flower growers was the shadow guard.

The purpose of training these people is not to rebel, but simply to have more cards to play.

The six factions are in disarray and will eventually clash. When that day comes, even if we cannot reach the top, we must at least protect the lives of the entire Tong family.

Seeing his father remain silent, Tong Zide became anxious and wanted to turn the millstone around again.

"Alright, if you can think of these things, surely His Majesty can too. Besides, with Minister Wu traveling with us and soldiers escorting us, nothing will happen."

Tong Zide felt that his father was really too carefree, as there was only one prince related to their family by blood.

He was hoping that his nephew would help his family advance further, since once his nephew succeeded, it would be his turn to take over as head of the Tong family.

Can the emperor's maternal uncle and a prince's maternal uncle be the same?!

"father!"

"Alright! It's getting late, let's go back!"

Minister Tong waved his hand, and Tong Zide had no choice but to bow and retreat.

Minister Tong knew that his son's thoughts were nothing more than ambition.

But you also need to consider whether your abilities can support your ambitions.

Minister Tong did not want to compete, but his eldest son's ambition was growing and gradually becoming out of his control.

He actually contacted the clan elders in private. Haha, His Majesty the Emperor hasn't even experienced a coup yet, but he, the Minister of Rites, is going to have to go through one first.

Power... it's a cannibalistic thing!

The eldest son is ambitious but lacks talent, and the fourth prince is naive and lacks cunning. This uncle and nephew duo really offer no hope...

Did he, as the head of the Tong family, never have such thoughts? It's just that he knows his younger generation too well.

The eldest son only benefited from being the eldest legitimate son; in terms of talent and intelligence, he was inferior to the illegitimate sons in the family.

In the past, he suppressed his illegitimate sons, but he pretended to be confused for many years out of respect for his wife.

Now, it's time to promote a capable illegitimate son, give him some important tasks, and let him get some experience.

Otherwise, the Tong family would truly be doomed...

Both being ministers, I really envy that old man in the Ministry of Works right now.

He had a wife but no concubines, two sons and two daughters, and all his descendants were outstanding children.

Alas, none of the Wu family's daughters entered the palace, so there were no princes related by blood.

We could take this opportunity to win over the Wu family.

This river inspection is a good opportunity for the Fourth Prince to make contact with Minister Wu. Having the support of one more minister would be more useful than winning over ten ministers in the court.

However, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War have always been on the Emperor's side, so even if they wanted to build a relationship, they couldn't be too obvious about it.

I wonder if my only grandson will be able to get closer to Lord Wu along the way.

Sigh~ Before the inspection team sets off, I still have to give them some proper instructions. As the grandfather, Asheng will listen to what I say.

Minister Tong stood up and slowly walked out of the study.

At this time, with the moon and stars shining brightly, gazing at the night sky can bring a moment of peace and relaxation to one's mind and body.

Minister Tong had already decided which of his illegitimate sons he would focus on cultivating, but to prevent his eldest son from doing something foolish, he still needed to create a smokescreen first...

My gaze swept over the flowers and plants in the courtyard. The peonies were in full bloom, while the peonies had not yet formed buds. But so what?

Flowers? What flower lasts all four seasons? They just bloom and fade as one season ends, each attracting bees and butterflies for dozens of days.

On the other side, after leaving his father's study, Tong Zide did not return to his own residence, but instead quietly went to where the clan elders were.

He was preoccupied with persuading more elders to support him in taking over as head of the Tong family as soon as possible, completely disregarding his father-son relationship and failing to recognize his current importance within the Tong family.

Meanwhile, on the Fourth Prince's side, Xiao Dezi was arranging for the palace servants to prepare the Fourth Prince's travel luggage.

"Xiao Dezi, also bring some perfumes, jewelry, and fabrics that women like. Oh, and ready-made clothes too!"

Don't make a shoddy job. Go to the Imperial Clothing Bureau and say... say it's a gift for my younger sister, and ask them to make it to this size.

"Yes, Master, this servant will take care of it immediately!"

Zhao Hongsheng: Sigh, I've been asking around for ages but still haven't found out what color she likes. But it's okay, I'll just prepare all kinds of colors.

Linhai County... No rush, if we travel day and night, we can get there in a little over two months.