Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 516 The Zhao Family of Tianshui
After the grand court assembly on the first day of the month, on the fifth day, the Mohe envoys hurriedly left Chang'an and returned to the Mohe.

Zhao Chiman originally wanted to return to Yingzhou Island as soon as possible, but his mother, Lady Changsun, refused to let him leave so quickly.

Zhao Chiman's current official rank is the third grade, which is above Changsun Quan's. People come to visit Zhao's residence in an endless stream after the New Year.

These people all came for Zhao Chiman. If Zhao Chiman were not there, the number of visitors would be reduced by more than half.

The Changsun family was of noble birth and they were very good at building networks of connections.

The Zhao family of Tianshui was a prominent clan in Liangzhou. Zhao Chiman's uncle, Zhao Cijing, married Li Yuan's daughter, and his father, Zhao Cihao, was also a regional governor.

That being said, the Zhao family could only be considered a prominent local clan, and could not be compared with the prominent clans of Chang'an.

Zhao Cihao married Lady Changsun because he wanted to rely on her support to enter the upper class of Chang'an.

Unfortunately, the Changsun clan suddenly declined, and those who had attached themselves to the Changsun clan were implicated. Zhao Cihao was unable to retain his position as governor and was demoted to a local county magistrate, where he died of illness in office.

Fortunately, another member of the Zhao family, Zhao Chiman, emerged, which gave the Changsun family hope again. They hoped that with their son's official position, the Zhao family of Tianshui could advance further and become a top aristocratic family in the Tang Dynasty.

Of course, this requires decades of meticulous management, and it also requires ensuring that Zhao Chiman's official position in the court remains intact.

It was precisely because of this mindset that Lady Changsun consistently opposed the marriage between Zhao Chiman and Li Yizhen.

Marrying Li Yizhen did not help Zhao Shi at all.

However, as Zhao Chiman's official position continued to rise, Lady Changsun suddenly felt that even if she could not marry a woman from a prestigious family, her son's career advancement would be enough to make the Zhao family rise to prominence.

That's why they turned a blind eye to the marriage.

The development of a clan cannot be separated from interpersonal relationships. If one does not put effort into cultivating good relationships with others, the Zhao clan may be reduced to its original state if Zhao Chiman were to suddenly meet with misfortune.

Zhao Chiman, a proud and arrogant man, originally scoffed at such social interactions. However, his wife, Li Yizhen, sided with her mother-in-law and persuaded him to be patient and make more friends with others, so he had no choice but to agree.

Zhao Chiman also had his own considerations. He couldn't bring his wife with him on this trip to Yingzhou Island. If it could improve the relationship between his mother and daughter-in-law, he wouldn't have to worry about things at home anymore, so he agreed.

That morning, Zhao Chiman was practicing archery in the backyard when his wife, Li Yizhen, came running up, lifting her skirt and calling out, "Husband, stop practicing! Some distinguished guests have arrived. Go and greet them!"

With a "whoosh," Zhao Chiman's arrow shot out, but due to interference, it slightly missed the bullseye.

"Another distinguished guest? Where do so many distinguished guests come from?" Zhao Chiman raised an eyebrow.

Li Yizhen took her husband's arm and led him towards the back hall, saying with a smile, "This time they are truly distinguished guests. I heard from my mother that they were kind to my father in the past."

Zhao Chiman asked in surprise, "You have been kind to my father?"

Li Yizhen smiled and said, "Yes, I heard from my mother that it was the other party who helped my father get transferred to the position of prefect of Bazhou."

Zhao Chiman's face lit up with joy as he asked, "Uncle Han?"

Li Yizhen smiled and nodded.

Han Ai's wife was also from the Changsun clan, and she was the sister of Zhao Chiman's mother.

When Changsun Wuji was in power, the Changsun clan was so large and powerful that it was difficult for them to take care of all their relatives and in-laws.

At the time, Zhao Cihao was a local chief clerk. He went to Chang'an several times to meet Changsun Wuji, hoping to be promoted to governor of a prefecture.

However, there were just too many people visiting Changsun Wuji at the time, and Changsun Wuji never had time to meet him alone.

Later, it was his wife who approached his sister and got through to Han Ai. With Han Ai's help, Zhao Cihao was finally promoted to governor of the prefecture.

Therefore, Han Ai was of great help to the Zhao family. When Zhao Chiman was young, he was able to enjoy life with his friends and immerse himself in nature, which was largely thanks to Han Ai's help.

Han Ai was demoted and sent to various prefectures and counties, and was not allowed to return to Chang'an.

Zhao Chiman rose rapidly in rank and became extremely powerful. He had always wanted to visit Han Ai, but unfortunately, he was too busy with official duties and Han Ai was in Shu, so he could not make the trip.

How could he not be delighted that Han Ai had come to visit him in person?

Zhao Chiman walked quickly. Originally, Li Yizhen was pulling him along, but now it was him pulling Li Yizhen along.

The two quickly arrived at the back hall, where they found it extremely lively. Han Ai and his wife had not only come in person, but had also brought their children and grandchildren.

Zhao's mother was talking with Madam Han, while Han Ai smiled and drank tea beside her.

Upon seeing Zhao Chiman enter, Han Ai put down his teacup, stood up, laughed loudly, and said, "Excellent! I once told Lord Changsun that you, Chiman, would surely rise above others in the future, and this has come true!"

Mother Zhao said with emotion, "It is all thanks to your words, brother-in-law, that Changsun Quan recommended Chi'er to His Majesty, which led to his current glory."

Madam Han covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister, you're talking nonsense again. Our Chi Man relies on his own abilities. If he hadn't become famous for his archery during the hunting in the Forbidden Garden, His Majesty wouldn't have given him the opportunity."

A young man looked at Zhao Chiman and said, "Cousin, after I pass the imperial examination, I would like to work under your command. Would you agree to it?"

Just as Zhao Chiman was about to speak, Han Ai slapped the young man on the back of the head and said irritably, "You brat, with your meager skills, you think you can serve under your cousin? Wait until you can represent the Tang Dynasty in the Forbidden Garden Hunt before you bring this up again!"

The young man was Han Ai's youngest son, named Han Sheng. Han Ai had a son late in life and doted on him, so Han Sheng was proud from a young age.

Seeing the whole family chattering away, all talking to Zhao Chiman, Zhao Chiman didn't know who to reply to for a moment.

Han Ai patted his shoulder and laughed, "Come on, let's go to the study to talk. These women are too noisy."

Zhao Chiman led Han Ai to the study.

Han Ai took a walk around the study and found that it was exquisitely decorated, with all kinds of books and various famous paintings and calligraphy on the walls.

Han Ai walked up to a calligraphy scroll and saw that the characters were simple and had fewer strokes than those he had seen before. The characters were round and elegant, clearly the work of a master.

"This must be the Jian Shu style that His Majesty and the Empress have been advocating in recent years."

Zhao Chiman nodded and said, "Yes, this invitation was written by Her Majesty the Empress herself. A few days ago, when my wife entered the palace to attend a banquet, the Empress bestowed ten invitations upon her, and my wife was fortunate enough to receive one."

Han Ai remarked with a sigh, "It seems Her Majesty the Empress also holds you in high regard."

Zhao Chiman knew that Han Ai and the Empress were not on good terms, and for a moment he did not know how to answer.

Han Ai glanced at him and said, "You don't need to be embarrassed. The past is the past. Over the years, I have corresponded with Lord Changsun and Lord Lai, and we all believe that we were wrong back then. Our Empress Wu is more virtuous than Empress Wang back then. His Majesty's judgment is better."

Zhao Chiman understood perfectly well that the conflict between Han Ai and Empress Wu was not a personal one, but a struggle between aristocratic families and imperial power.

Han Ai's words, while ostensibly an endorsement of Empress Wu, were actually a recognition of imperial power and a regret for his past actions in defying it. "You're right. I also believe Her Majesty the Empress is magnanimous and a rare virtuous empress," Zhao Chiman tacitly agreed.

Han Ai then admired the other paintings and discovered that there were even poems by the Imperial Son-in-Law Lu Zhaolin among them. She smiled and said, "You've been staying in Yingzhou for a long time. I didn't expect that the poems and calligraphy here would be arranged so thoughtfully."

Zhao Chiman said, "Apart from Her Majesty the Empress's letter, everything else was arranged by my mother."

"Oh, no wonder."

Zhao Chiman asked, "Uncle, when did you arrive in the capital? Why didn't I see you on the day of the grand court assembly?"

Han Ai sighed, "I was planning to return to the capital this year to attend the first court assembly, but it suddenly snowed on the way, which delayed me for a few days, and I missed it. I only arrived in the capital yesterday."

The journey from Shu to the capital was a very dangerous one, and Han Ai was traveling with a large family, so he was extremely careful.

His purpose in coming to the capital this time was to investigate the situation in Chang'an. If the situation had stabilized, he planned to leave his family in Chang'an.

Zhao Chiman said, "That's true. The roads in Shu are difficult to travel, so it's best to be careful."

Han Ai suddenly smiled and said, "By the way, I heard that you won first place in this hunting trip in the Forbidden Garden, bringing glory to our Great Tang Dynasty. Congratulations."

Zhao Chiman, however, did not seem happy. He said, "General Xue and General Pei did not participate, nor did the old generals. Jiang Ke did not return either. My nephew's first place is not of much practical significance."

Han Ai laughed and said, "First place is first place, no need to think too much. By the way, my son Sheng'er can already hit the target three or four times out of ten from eighty paces away. Do you think he has a chance to represent the Tang Dynasty in the hunt in a few years?"

Zhao Chiman hesitated and said, "This..."

Han Ai forced a smile and said, "I was just asking casually. Just tell me the truth. I know there's probably not much hope."

Zhao Chiman said, "During this year's internal selection, there were three young people under the age of twenty who impressed me. I'm afraid that in a few years, these three may surpass me."

Han Ai was taken aback: "Three people?"

Yes, three.

Zhao Chiman said in a deep voice, "One of them is named Li Mutang, a Khitan descendant of a Tang dynasty man, eighteen years old. He can hit the target seven out of ten times from a hundred paces away. If he hits the target one more time, he can represent our Great Tang in this year's hunt."

Han Ai was secretly alarmed, only then realizing how vast the gap was between his son and the top young talents of the Tang Dynasty.

Zhao Chiman continued, "There's another one, Xue Ne, a descendant of General Xue, who was also eighteen years old and passed six out of ten. The last one is Wang Xiaojie, from Jingzhao, who was only seventeen years old and also passed six out of ten."

Han Ai exclaimed, "The younger generation is truly formidable!"

Zhao Chiman also felt a sense of urgency. All the participants in this hunt were under forty years old. In addition to these three teenagers, there were many outstanding juniors, one of whom was just fifteen years old.

If he slacks off even slightly, he'll probably be overtaken by these younger generations.

Han Ai stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at Lu Zhaolin's poems, and slowly said, "Chiman, do you know why I came to see you this time?"

Zhao Chiman had a vague guess in his heart, but Han Ai's direct question seemed to contradict his guess, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Han Ai glanced at him, saw through his thoughts, and said calmly, "You don't need to worry. I'm already over sixty years old and don't expect to return to the central government of the two provinces. I won't ask you to plead with His Majesty. However, as someone who's been through it all, I have some advice for you."

Zhao Chiman said solemnly, "Uncle, please speak."

Han Ai's voice turned serious as she said, "I know that although you have read a lot of books, you have the mannerisms of a martial artist. You dislike social interactions and formalities, and you devote yourself entirely to official duties. However, there are some things you should still pay attention to."

Zhao Chiman asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

Han Ai turned around and stared at him: "Do you know where Lord Changsun is now?"

Zhao Chiman said, "I asked my uncle, and I heard that he is living in seclusion at Baiyin Temple."

Have you visited him?

"This...no."

"Why?"

Zhao Chiman hesitated and said, "I thought that since Lord Changsun has gone into seclusion, he must not like to be disturbed, so I did not go."

Han Ai glared and said, "Nonsense! Lord Changsun cares about the world, how could he really be indifferent to worldly affairs? His seclusion is just for show, but you took it seriously. Isn't that ridiculous?"

Zhao Chiman said, "Then I will go to visit him tomorrow."

Han Ai said earnestly, "Chiman, you must remember that you owe your success today to Lord Changsun. If he hadn't recommended you to Li Ji, how could you have shone so brightly on the Liaodong battlefield? How could you have come to the Emperor's attention?"

Zhao Chiman's forehead began to sweat, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, I am ashamed."

Han Ai said, "I came to the capital this time to see Lord Changsun again. I'll accompany you to Baiyin Temple tomorrow."

Zhao Chiman nodded in agreement.

Han Ai changed the subject and asked about official business, saying, "I've heard a lot of talk lately that His Majesty is going to attack the Mohe again. Is this true or false?"

Zhao Chiman said, "His Majesty only wants Silla to relocate to Yingzhou Island and then have the Mohe people return the land they have seized from Silla."

Han Ai said, "If that's the case, why did His Majesty suddenly appoint Pei Xingjian as the Protector-General of Yingzhou?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chiman's expression became somewhat unnatural.

Liu Renyuan was dismissed, and Zhao Chiman should have succeeded him as Protector-General of Yingzhou, as his official position was more than qualified. However, the emperor appointed Pei Xingjian instead.

Zhao Chiman had never interacted with Pei Xingjian. Although he had heard of some of Pei Xingjian's great achievements, he had never witnessed them with his own eyes. He was very dissatisfied and unwilling to be his deputy.

Han Ai, a seasoned official, naturally saw through his thoughts and comforted him, saying, "I have dealt with Pei Xingjian before. He is highly experienced and capable. Even Lord Changsun speaks highly of him. His Majesty's decision to appoint you as his deputy is by no means an insult to you."

Zhao Chiman replied, "Yes."

Han Ai said, "His Majesty sent him to Yingzhou Island for a reason. I think it was not just to get the Mohe to return the land to Silla."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chiman secretly praised him.

When he met the emperor that day, he realized that the emperor wanted to take action against the Mohe people. He sent Pei Xingjian to have him take charge, which was also the reason for Zhao Chiman's dissatisfaction. He felt that the emperor did not trust his abilities.

Han Ai's keen observation of this point is truly worthy of a former prime minister.

(End of this chapter)