After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 1482: Zhao Changyu (3)
After three years of marriage, Lady Wang had already adapted to her husband’s personality. She indeed accompanied him for a stroll around the garden, looked over the flowers once, and then said to her husband, "If only we could paint them, even if they are picked, later we can look at the paintings as if seeing them bloom."
Zhao Changyu thought it was a good idea, so he simply ordered for ink and paint, letting his wife sit among the flowers while he personally painted her, "Just painting flowers is dull; if we’re painting, we should capture something with more meaning. My lady is more beautiful than the flowers, these flowers should be used to complement her."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang smiled so broadly her eyes squinted, taking a fan and sitting on the mat laid out by the maidservants, and nestled at the edge of the flowerbed for Zhao Changyu to paint.
This painting was later kept by Zhao Changyu as a treasured item, and when a friend coincidentally saw it and offered a million to buy it, Zhao Changyu refused to sell.
Later on, they added exquisite Shu brocade and a piece of precious jade, but Zhao Changyu still wouldn’t sell.
Of course, at this time Lady Wang didn’t know the painting would be so valuable. She happily held the painting and looked at it repeatedly, feeling she indeed looked better than the flowers and the butterflies fluttering by her ears, and decided to personally frame the painting.
She was also a talented woman, not only literate but also skilled at framing various things, adept at carpentry; she wielded a saw and ink line as effortlessly as she did a pen and ink.
Zhao Changyu more than once told his mother, "Mother, you chose this marriage well. In the future, if I am dismissed and return home, with my wife’s skills, we won’t starve even if I can’t farm in my old age."
He had already planned to rely on his wife’s skill for sustenance in the future.
Zhao Changyu was not speaking randomly; he truly felt he could be dismissed and sent home at any moment.
He had a good relationship with Emperor Jin Wu, but no matter how good, they were still monarch and minister.
The distinction between monarch and minister exists.
The confidence and ambition of his youth were muddled by the chaos and pressure he felt upon entering court, making him realize it would take a long time to turn the current situation around.
During this time, they needed an emperor who could stabilize power.
Emperor Jin Wu was naturally considered one, but he had appointed a foolish Crown Prince.
Ever since Sima Zhong was made Crown Prince, Zhao Changyu hasn’t slept soundly, always thinking about the current situation.
The Imperial Family’s claim to power wasn’t rightful, though the old territory of the Wu Kingdom was reclaimed, it belonged to Jin State in name only, practically fragmented, and the court’s decrees were hard to implement in Jiangnan;
The common people didn’t believe in the Imperial Family, frequently rebelling and resisting laws;
While the aristocratic clans appear respectful outwardly, they inwardly discredit the Imperial Family. To ensure decrees are issued, the Emperor had to lean towards the clan families, heavily employing their offspring;
Even though noble offspring are employed, they are watched by people appointed by the Emperor, and as soon as one utters dissatisfaction, they are immediately charged and even their families suffer.
His uncle serves as a cautionary tale; many have been killed over the years, mourning the noble Xiang Gong and Cao Wei.
This results in everyone keeping silent like cicadas in winter; those without issues and those with issues alike dare not discuss court politics, barely speaking, sticking to idle talk.
Zhao Changyu already foresaw prolonged circumstances would lead the country into grave peril.
Thus, Zhao Changyu seized any chance to subtly suggest Emperor Wu that the Crown Prince seemed unsuitable for the role.
But Emperor Jin Wu acted as though he didn’t understand.
Zhao Changyu felt helpless; after weighing the odds, he decided to take a risk for the country, for the people. When discussing the Crown Prince one day, he took the opportunity to openly express, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has the ancient virtues, but the times are full of deceit, fearing he can’t manage Your Majesty’s familial affairs."
The Crown Prince was too honest, too foolish. This was a transitional era, a tail-end of an age. People during this period were deceitful and insincere; he feared he couldn’t govern the country.
This time, the words were spoken directly in Emperor Jin Wu’s face, but Emperor Jin Wu still remained silent and continued to be silent till the end.
Zhao Changyu then knew there was no hope; this emperor for some reason insisted on having the foolish son be Crown Prince.
Zhao Changyu sighed and from then on did not mention it again, preparing to flee and return home anytime.
He needed to earn more money for retirement.
Thus, Zhao Changyu became even more frugal.
He was frugal not only to himself but also to others.
Zhao Zhongyu’s expenses were cut in half.
Zhao Zhongyu: ...
He wouldn’t complain to his brother about it because he knew his brother had also reduced his own spending.
However, he didn’t understand why, when the family was evidently quite wealthy and no longer poor like before, they were only saving but not spending?
Zhao Zhongyu felt he couldn’t live with his brother anymore and told him, "I want to be posted elsewhere, start small, and understand people’s livelihoods."

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