I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 359 Alliance
Inside the Yang family ancestral home, Old Master Yang was watering and pruning the flowers in the flower garden, with Second Master Yang attending to him.

After Old Master Yang finished cutting the last black lotus and put down the silver scissors, the steward said, "Old Master, Fourth Son-in-law requests an audience."

Old Master Yang had two sons and four daughters. His three legitimate daughters married into the Jin, Jiang, and Zou families, while his only illegitimate daughter married Min Zhuang, who had passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a county magistrate in Jiangnan.

Min Zhuang, relying on the influence of his wife's family, rose all the way from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a fourth-rank prefect. He thought that the position of prefect was also within his grasp, but unexpectedly, the Jin family beat him to it.

Min Zhuang was depressed about this for a long time.

"Let him in!" Old Master Yang took the damp towel from his son, wiped his hands clean of non-existent dust, then sat on the recliner and slowly sipped from the Xishi teapot.

Min Zhuang followed the steward into the backyard of the Yang family and bowed respectfully to Old Master Yang, saying, "This son-in-law greets Father-in-law!"

Old Master Yang waved his hand, "No need for formalities among family. What are you doing at the Yang family's house at this hour instead of at the yamen?"

"Reporting to my father-in-law, I have just received an official document from the Minzhou Prefectural Government."

In Minzhou, Old Master Yang sat up. "What does the official document say?"

The steward brought over a wooden chair. Min Zhuang glanced at Old Master Yang and, seeing that his expression was normal, thanked him and sat down. "Princess Zhaoshan sent all the stewards and thugs of the Yang family to the prefectural government office. The prefect of Minzhou punished the Yang family for failing to discipline their servants."

Upon hearing the news, Master Yang rushed over and angrily rebuked, "What does it have to do with the master if his servants make a mistake out of ignorance? Does my Yang family force those servants to break the law?"

Min Zhuang lowered his eyes and remained silent.

"Father, we can't tolerate this any longer!" Master Yang said angrily. "The Yang family has been making concessions step by step out of respect for the imperial court, but Tang Zhao thinks our Yang family is a pushover and will bully us endlessly!"

If Tang Zhao isn't taught a lesson, how will the Yang family maintain their foothold in Jiangnan in the future?

Old Master Yang pretended not to hear, "Second son, what do you have to say?"

Master Yang's breath hitched, then his anger intensified, and he glared fiercely at Master Yang.

Master Yang ignored it, saying, "Father, the moment the estate was given away, those servants had nothing to do with the Yang family anymore. Princess Zhaoshan can do whatever she wants with them."

"As for punishing the master," Master Yang shook his head, "there's no such logic in the world."

Just as Master Yang was starting to find his only younger brother more agreeable, he heard him continue, "Alas, the world belongs to the Gu family," so whether it makes sense or not, it really is up to Tang Zhao to decide.

Master Yang felt an even greater tightness in his chest.

Min Zhuang echoed, "What my second brother said is exactly what I'm worried about. That's why I've come here today to ask my father-in-law for his guidance on how to deal with this official document."

After pondering for a long time, Old Master Yang said, "Eldest son, go next door and have your third uncle hand over the control of the clan's common property. Also, select a few influential stewards and send them to the yamen."

Master Yang lowered his head, concealing the cold smile at the corner of his mouth, bowed, and went to the next room.

Seeing that Old Master Yang had made a decision, Min Zhuang bowed and withdrew without further delay.

Master Yang said, "Father, my eldest brother doesn't seem very happy."

"Although the third brother has a good temper, even a clay figure has a temper. Ever since the thirteenth brother's accident, the third brother has been very dissatisfied with me. Now, if I ask him to hand over the power of the common people, I'm afraid his resentment will only deepen."

One can imagine how difficult and reprimanding Master Yang, who was ordered to deliver the message, would be.

Master Yang sighed, "Father should have let his son go."

"It's good to let the third brother vent his anger. Otherwise, if he is used by someone with ulterior motives, it will be a devastating blow to the Yang family." A family that has been passed down for hundreds of years can always catch its breath, as long as it is not affected by war or turmoil. However, if internal problems arise, it will not be long before it falls apart and the family is ruined.

"Besides, you have more important things to do."

"Now that the year is drawing to a close, it is not appropriate to hold a gathering now; we can only wait until next spring."

“Then let them be smug for a while longer,” Old Master Yang said, closing his eyes. “Whom the gods would destroy, they first make arrogant.”

Do you want to sell tea seedlings?

“Sell? Why not sell? Who would turn down money?” Old Master Yang said, seemingly half-asleep. “Whether the tea seedlings are good or bad is up to us.”

"My son understands."

In the east courtyard of the Yang family ancestral home, the third elder of the Yang clan smashed a teacup at the feet of the eldest master of the Yang family. "Why should I hand over the power to manage the household affairs? I have been diligently managing the household affairs all these years. Have I ever made the slightest mistake?"

Elder Yang stood up angrily and walked out, "Just because a few ignorant servants made a mistake, you want to implicate me? What kind of logic is this?"

"Third Uncle, wait!" Master Yang stopped him. "Father had no choice," he said, explaining his second son's theory to the third clan elder.

"What can be done? As the clan leader, it is his duty to support the Yang clan!" But now, all he does is use his clansmen as scapegoats!
Old Master Yang glanced at Master Yang and said, "Isn't your second brother supposed to be the smartest person in the Yang family? How come he can't do anything about it?"

"My second brother is focused on running Hongshan Academy and has no energy to handle household affairs," Master Yang said meaningfully. "Father is getting old and inevitably becomes hesitant. If it were my nephew, he would definitely fight Tang Zhao to the end!"

A glint of light flashed in the eyes of the third clan elder Yang, and he turned his head to look at the eldest master Yang.

Master Yang neither dodged nor flinched, meeting the probing gaze of Elder Yang the Third.

“Old man, your third uncle was right about you,” the old man of the Yang clan said with admiration in his eyes. “Don’t worry, your third uncle will definitely support you.”

"Men, tie up all the stewards in charge of the estates in Minzhou and send them to the yamen!"

The steward standing outside the door hurriedly went to carry out his duties.

"Thank you, Third Uncle!" Master Yang poured a bowl of tea and presented it to Elder Yang with both hands.

Elder Yang accepted it with a smile.

Not long after Min Zhuang returned to the yamen, the Yang family sent over a scapegoat. Min Zhuang did not conduct a trial, but directly sent the prepared official document and Yang's letter of apology to the Minzhou prefectural yamen.

After reading the letter, Ma En was furious but helpless. He could only anxiously hand the letter to Tang Zhao, hoping that Tang Zhao would take charge of things for him.

Tang Zhao couldn't make the decision; the Yang family had already lowered themselves so much. If she continued to be unreasonable, it would be going too far.

What's more, she still needs to buy tea seedlings from the Yang family!

Tang Zhao stood at the dock, watching the tea seedling samples brought over by the Yang family steward. The leaves were tender green and the root system was well-developed. Apart from the high price, they were all top-notch.

"Can't you make it any cheaper?" Tang Zhao emphasized, "I'm buying a lot!"

"This is already the lowest price," the manager said with a forced smile. "Her Highness ordered such a large quantity and was in a hurry, so we temporarily hired many tea farmers. The Yang family will have to pay for their own labor costs!"

Tang Zhao: "Alright."

Pitiful.