After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 1481: Zhao Changyu (II)
Zhao Changyu looked at the chaotic court, refused once, but also knew he couldn’t refuse for long. For the sake of his future career, and for his reputation, he no longer managed these business affairs by himself but handed them over to the stewards he had trained.
Zhao Changyu picked up his books again and wandered among the aristocracy. His reputation, once criticized for engaging in business, quickly recovered.
Everyone scrambled to talk to him and exchange manuscripts. Zhao Changyu returned to his former state, with everyone who met him praising his demeanor and talents.
When he finally accepted a court appointment, he went to Luoyang to take office as the Crown Prince’s Attendant.
What is the Crown Prince’s Attendant?
It’s someone who accompanies the Crown Prince, taking turns guarding him, and must live in the Imperial Palace. The purpose is for the Crown Prince to learn from his good morals and talents, so only people of high moral standards can take on this role.
Zhao Changyu started his official career as a fifth-ranked Crown Prince’s Attendant, which showed how good his reputation was before entering the career path.
It should be noted that when Zu Ti and Liu Kun started their careers, they could only become Chief Clerks of a county at best.
Zhao Changyu, when he started his career, directly faced the emperor; no, it was Sima Zhao and Sima Yan he faced because it was still Cao Wei at this time, where there was no Crown Prince, only emperors being constantly replaced.
Zhao Changyu was very lucky. In the second year of his appointment as the Crown Prince’s Attendant, Sima Zhao fell ill and died. A year later, Sima Yan usurped the throne, formally establishing the Jin.
Then his position as Crown Prince’s Attendant put him directly in front of Sima Yan.
Emperor Jin Wu, Sima Yan, greatly appreciated Zhao Changyu’s talents, promoted him repeatedly until he reached the position of Yingchuan Governor.
Zhao Changyu began to be appointed outside the court.
He remembered his father’s teachings, and although he had been doing business secretly in recent years, he never used his power to navigate conveniently.
As for leveraging information advantages, well, even without being an official, he could still gather this information and earn money. Zhao Changyu was very confident in this.
The officials of the Jin State were curious, wondering how Zhao Changyu became wealthier and wealthier?
Obviously, the places where he served had a good reputation, and they secretly checked the accounts but found no issues at all.
He was truly honest and clean.
"Is he stingy? The last time I went to his house, I praised the deliciousness of his grilled meat, but he pretended not to hear it, only giving me a small plate at the dining table, no matter how much I hinted,"
If their grilled meat was praised, he would certainly have the chef cook more to send to friends. If it were a particularly good friend, he might even give away the chef.
One of the complainers also said: "Changyu is somewhat stingy."
The Zhao Changyu, who was criticized as somewhat stingy, was currently angrily scolding Zhao Zhongyu, "I spent so much money sending you to visit famous teachers, and this is the kind of essay you write? It’s like trying to carve rotten wood, completely wasting my money."
Zhao Zhongyu blushed and stood below the steps without daring to make a sound.
Fu Zhi quickly consoled, "Changyu, I think the Second Son’s essay is quite good; you are just setting your expectations too high."
Zhao Changyu was so angry his chest heaved, "You don’t have to cover for him. You call this good? Superficial, unoriginal, not a single useful thing written, just word-slinging the leftovers of predecessors back and forth, doesn’t it disgust you?"
"I am truly repulsed," he said mercilessly pointing at Zhao Zhongyu and scolded: "If you have no intention to study, just say so early, I will send you to farm so as not to waste my silver coins. That head of yours is on your neck to see further, to think, not for shedding tears..."
Fu Zhi saw Zhao Zhongyu break into tears from the scolding and quickly pulled Zhao Changyu away, waving away the onlookers.
He pulled Zhao Changyu to the back of the garden, somewhat irritated, "How could you chastise Zhongyu like that in front of guests and servants?"
"Teaching a child in the hall, what did I say wrong?"
"You think everyone is like you? I think his talent, while not on par with yours, is still better than others. Don’t compare him with yourself; how many people in this world can match up to you?" Fu Zhi said, "Besides, he’s your brother, not your son. He’s only four years younger than you; at his age, one can get married and become a father. You ought to leave him some face."
Zhao Changyu was irritated, "He still thinks of getting married? Spare the girls the trouble, worthless! I hired famous teachers for him, and after years, this is the essay he produces."
Zhao Changyu was deeply disappointed and angry at this unachieving person.
Mrs. Zhao was filled with worry, seeing the brothers’ relationship growing more strained by the day, started discussing marriage proposals for Zhao Changyu.
As the eldest son holds weight, together with the adage that the elder brother is like the father, she can’t always stand out for the younger son; otherwise, it would not just ruin the brothers’ relationship but also damage the bond between mother and son.
This situation required a virtuous wife to advise and soothe him, so Mrs. Zhao decided to find a marriage match for Zhao Changyu.
After careful selection, Mrs. Zhao chose a girl from the Taiyuan Wang Family for him.
Once the girl married in, indeed, the relationship between the brothers improved significantly. However, there was one issue: she hadn’t conceived in three years.
Zhao Zhongyu was already married, while Zhao Changyu still didn’t have any children.
Originally very relieved, Mrs. Zhao couldn’t help but inquire about the heir issues in the first household.
Zhao Changyu directly told his mother: "It isn’t Wang’s fault, it’s my own."
Mrs. Zhao was surprised, her mouth agape.
Zhao Changyu said: "We’ve all consulted doctors, and my health isn’t good, making it hard to conceive. You don’t need to worry. Second Son is married, so let him have a few more children. When I die, his sons can inherit my titles."
Mrs. Zhao could only comfort him in return, "Don’t worry, life and death are in the hands of fate, heirs too. If you don’t have any, so be it. Countless people die every day, many families perish, and many lineages end. So long as you and Mrs. Wang live well, that’s what’s important now. Your happiness matters more than anything else."
Zhao Changyu thought the same way.
And his greatest happiness, aside from handling government affairs, strengthening the country, and securing its people, was making money and counting it.
Counting money truly is a joy.
Zhao Changyu glanced at the orchids his mother cared for under the corridor and asked, "Mother, did you divide the pots?"
Mrs. Zhao’s heart tightened, and she whispered, "Only one pot was divided."
"With your expertise in nurturing flowers, it will surely live. Give me the other pot, last time Wang Lin held a banquet, he boasted he would pay thousands for orchids. Even if your orchid can’t fetch a thousand coins, it’s worth a hundred."
Mrs. Zhao: ...
She could only watch as her eldest son took her beloved orchid away.
Zhao Changyu wandered around the garden, then called the steward, "Many roses and monthly roses have bloomed in the garden. Cut the monthly roses and have them sent to the sundry shop, dry the roses, and based on their different qualities, decide which to make into dried flowers and which into medicinal materials. It’s going to rain in a few days, don’t wait until they are beaten by the rain."
The steward hurriedly said, "The lady praised the roses two days ago, so I was wondering if we should leave some for her to appreciate?"
After pondering, Zhao Changyu said, "I’ll bring her out to see them later. Once she’s seen them, we can pick them. Remembering them in your heart is enough, why keep them until they wilt?"

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