Chapter 1837: Arranging Final Affairs

The night deepened, and the heavy dusk shrouded the Rongguo Duke's mansion. Zhao Kuangyin still sat behind the food table, though he had set down his cup and wore a pensive expression. The lamplight in the tea room seemed somewhat dim, casting further shadows across Zhao Kuangyin's face.

Zhao Defang, having seen off Zhao Kuangyi, walked slowly inside. He glanced at Zhao Kuangyin, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "Father, Third Uncle has left."

"Mm." Zhao Kuangyin acknowledged with a grunt, straightening up slightly, and ordered his personal maidservant, "Clear away the wine and meat."

"Yes."

The maidservant was quite beautiful—after all, she was a palace lady bestowed by Emperor Liu, with delicate features, an alluring figure, and outstanding bearing. She was also well-mannered and attentive, and Zhao Kuangyin had always doted on her.

However, as he watched her and two servants clear away the wine and food, noting the graceful curve of her back as she left, his somewhat hazy eyes gradually sharpened, filling with coldness. He instructed Zhao Defang, "In a moment, dispose of this woman."

Startled by these words, Zhao Defang immediately asked, "Why? She is a maidservant you have always cherished, and moreover, she was bestowed by Your Majesty..."

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head, his thin hand waving feebly, and sighed, "Precisely because she was bestowed by Your Majesty must she be disposed of. Just now, your Third Uncle and I were indeed careless—this must be done."

Perhaps to express his guilt, after a moment's deliberation, Zhao Kuangyin added, "Say she slipped and fell into the lake and drowned. Also, withdraw a sum of money from the treasury as you see fit and send it to her family—consider it repayment for her years of service to me."

"Yes." Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Zhao Defang nodded and softly replied, "Your son will arrange everything properly."

Zhao Defang was indeed a gentle and refined gentleman, but that gentleness was not directed at ordinary commoners. As for servants bound by personal dependency, he regarded them as even less than human. Of course, the maidservant being disposed of had come from the palace, which was perhaps a somewhat special case—but it merely required some pretext and careful handling.

Meanwhile, Zhao Kuangyin braced himself against the food table to rise. Having sat for so long, his body was somewhat stiff. Seeing this, Zhao Defang hurried forward to support him. Observing up close his father's aged, decrepit, and frail appearance, Zhao Defang was overcome with emotion and choked up, saying, "Father, you must take care of yourself!"

Seeing his mournful state, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly perked up and lightly scolded, "A fine man—why put on a womanly display? Wipe away those tears!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin stubbornly putting on a strong front, Zhao Defang opened his mouth, struggling to calm the grief swirling in his heart, but his eyes remained red as he said, "You are gravely ill to this degree—how did it come to this?"

Sensing the indignation in Zhao Defang's questioning, Zhao Kuangyin countered with a question of his own: "How did it come to this?"

Leaning gently against Zhao Defang as he slowly walked toward the door, Zhao Kuangyin's aged voice carried a note of carefree ease: "How did you all come to this! Over the years, I have suffered greatly from this illness. Rather than be tormented to death by it, better to live a little joyfully and depart without regret..."

That was what he said, but life and death were hardly so easy to see through—especially for a man of ambition like Zhao Kuangyin. What he called carefree ease was in truth deep melancholy, and he had no other choice. The sorrow and bitterness within were something no one else could comprehend.

Walking slowly along the mansion's corridors, the night breeze finally carried a bit more chill. Zhao Kuangyin's drunkenness had largely faded, and he said to Zhao Defang, who was supporting him, "The court will not be at peace for some time. The tax reform is mired in endless debate. Once it is formally launched and the edicts are issued, it will surely stir up an uproar—trouble will not be scarce.

Throughout the court, whether nobles or officials, there are no small number who fail to see the situation clearly. There will certainly be those who oppose the great policies.

I understand these people, and I also know His Majesty. In this world, if there is anyone who can stand against all the nobles, officials, and landowners of the realm, it is His Majesty!

Just watch—people will die, many, many people will die! In the days ahead, the Great Han will shed far more blood than what comes from dealing with a few lawless nobles and corrupt officials. You must be careful..."

As they walked, Zhao Kuangyin continued instructing Zhao Defang: "Some preparations can begin ahead of time. Inventory all your property and land, and go through the servants, hired laborers, and tenant farmers one by one, registering them in ledgers. Especially the land—no need to hide or underreport anything; record everything truthfully...

Additionally, I have drafted a list of names—all members of our Zhao clan, old friends, and former students. Write a letter on my behalf, urging them that while a family has family rules, the laws of the state must come first.

Tell them to stay in their place, behave properly, and not stir up trouble. Whatever they do, they must abide by the law and discipline, never act recklessly, and never oppose the court's great policies.

If they break the law, I will not tolerate them first! The gist is roughly that—you may make the wording suitably stern. After you have weighed it, send the letter out..."

As he spoke, Zhao Kuangyin could not help but heave a heavy sigh.

Listening seriously to Zhao Kuangyin's instructions, Zhao Defang seemed somewhat hesitant and said in a low voice, "Would it not be more fitting for elder brother to handle these matters?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was somewhat surprised. He turned his head to look at Zhao Defang with mild astonishment, and after a moment's thought, said gently, "Is he not in Xiangzhou?"

Pausing briefly, Zhao Kuangyin continued, "Send a letter to your elder brother as well, to inform him. I am very assured of him—he knows how to grasp the proper measure."

"Yes." Only then did Zhao Defang reply solemnly.

Zhao Kuangyin had always doted on his two sons, and it seemed he could vaguely see the bearing of his own youth in Zhao Defang's young, handsome face.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Kuangyin spoke again at length: "What your father worries about now is not the suspicion within the palace walls, nor the life that will soon end!

What worries me most are two things. First, your elder sister—within the Eastern Palace, the struggle between the two consorts, the struggle between the Zhao and Murong clans, the struggle over the legitimate heir—these have long shown their signs, and in the future they will only grow fiercer. We have no retreat, only advance. It is just that I will not live to see that day, nor can I offer much help. In the future, it will rest on you brothers..."

Zhao Defang listened with a grave expression and could not help saying, "Is there not still Third Uncle?"

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and sighed again: "The second worry is precisely your Third Uncle. Your Third Uncle has great ambitions and a heavy craving for fame and achievement. In intelligence and talent, he far surpasses me. Given the opportunity, he is certain to become a chancellor whose name will be recorded in history.

But his mind is too scattered, and he is too eager for fame and advancement. Though he is cunning and calculating, in recent years he has grown increasingly impatient.

After conversing with him tonight, I am even more worried. With his current state of mind, facing the present political situation of the Great Han, he is very likely to stumble—or even fall into irredeemable ruin...

His mind is made up. I cannot persuade him, nor can I offer counsel. If something happens, I fear you brothers will be implicated as well!

Therefore, you must remember: as long as His Majesty sits on the throne, keep as much distance as possible from your Third Uncle. Do not involve yourself in his affairs.

That way, even if something goes wrong, perhaps the fruits of my lifetime of striving can still preserve you brothers..."

"You have been in official service for some years now. After I die, find an opportunity to take a post outside the capital. In the localities, you can stay far from the court's strife and preserve yourself. Still the same words: as long as His Majesty lives, do not return to the capital..."

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's tireless, earnest counsel, and feeling the sorrow in his words, Zhao Defang found himself weeping uncontrollably before he knew it...