Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

If you have power and influence, then develop and expand with great momentum, rather than resorting to intrigue and trickery.

"Don't worry," Jiang Zhong stroked his beard and nodded.

The Jiang family of Huaizuo is a century-old clan with its own set of rules and standards for doing things. They know exactly what they can and cannot do.

Jiang Zhao understood and said nothing more.

A thriving scene was enough to mask all the conflicts within the clan.

A family that grows and prospers step by step is always united and full of vitality.

"How is Grandfather?" Jiang Zhao asked with great concern.

"Increasingly sleepy," Jiang Zhong replied. "She's still fast asleep right now."

Jiang Zhao rubbed his temples and waved his hand, saying, "If Grandfather wakes up and needs to be cared for, just send someone to call me."

The prolonged mental strain left him feeling somewhat drowsy.

"Alright."

Jiang Zhong knew that his eldest son had traveled a long distance and endured great hardship: "You must be tired from the journey, go and rest."

With both father and son achieving success, Jiang Zhong, caught in the middle, has a very clear understanding of his own position.

Whatever decision the father and son make, just go along with it.

Jiang Zhao nodded.

Evening clouds gathered, and the setting sun bathed the sky in gold.

Yi Yang Tang (Elderly Care Hall).

On the long couch, which was six feet long and three feet five inches wide, an elderly man with white hair coughed occasionally, but not violently.

Jiang Zhao supported his grandfather, holding a wooden spoon, while his wife, Sheng Hualan, carried the medicine. The three children stood obediently, and elders, cousins, and others gathered around, their faces showing concern.

After being fed a mouthful of herbal medicine, Jiang Zhi hissed and looked disgusted: "It's too bitter."

"grandfather."

Jiang Zhao called out softly, about to persuade him, but Jiang Zhi waved his hand and said, "I haven't wanted to eat for a long time."

"Medicine must be swallowed, and so must food. Eating is uncomfortable, and swallowing medicine is uncomfortable too!"

"Zhao'er, stop taking the medicine."

“I have said several times that I would stop the medication, but your father just doesn’t dare to.”

Jiang Zhi sighed, "Without the medicine, I can just lie in a chair and bask in the sun whenever I have nothing to do. Isn't that better than suffering from taking herbal medicine?"

How many times have I said it?

Jiang Zhao was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but look back.

The presence of a dozen or so elders and dozens of Jiang family members seemed unsurprising.

In other words, my grandfather must have said something similar.

"Father?" Jiang Zhao frowned.

Grandfather always says that taking medicine is painful, so why don't we follow the old man's advice?

"This medicine has very little effect, but it does have some benefit."

"Some things are still up to you to decide," Jiang Zhong said with a drooping head and a sigh.

As the clan leader, he could make decisions on most things, but whether his father should stop taking his medicine was not something he could decide.

Jiang Zhao was startled.

No wonder it's "daring not to stop taking the medicine" rather than "unwilling to stop taking the medicine".

Stopping the medication meant that Grandpa's lifespan was officially on a countdown.

If the most promising grandson is unaware of the truth, who would dare to stop the medication without a reason?

Jiang Zhong can decide whether to break off the relationship or not, but if he doesn't handle it well, it will create a rift between father and son.

Among all members of the Jiang family, only he has the authority to decide whether or not to discontinue the medication!

Jiang Zhao looked earnestly at his grandfather.

He was emaciated and barely ate anything.

Even without medication, it won't last long.

Moreover, as my grandfather said, if eating is difficult, then taking herbal medicine is just as difficult.

Taking medicine for no reason and suffering for nothing, I reckon I'll only live a day or two longer.

"Should we cut it off?" Jiang Zhao asked.

"Sever." The old man was unusually decisive.

Jiang Zhao sighed.

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for three or four decades, my grandfather was by no means a man without perseverance.

The reason they refuse to take medicine is indeed because taking medicine would only cause them unnecessary suffering.

It can't be cured, and it only makes people suffer.

Taking the medicine from his wife, Jiang Zhao said, "Everyone, go out. I'll serve the medicine."

In Confucian society, filial piety is paramount, and abstaining from medicine is not accepted by the social norms.

The necessary superficial work still needs to be done.

One person attends to the sick man and feeds him medicine!

Jiang Zhi's cloudy eyes brightened slightly, and he patted his grandson with his withered hand: "It wasn't for nothing that I doted on you."

The clan elders and Jiang family members all bowed and withdrew.

As soon as the person left, Jiang Zhao splashed water by the window.

The bowl of herbal medicine was then served.

The grandfather and grandson chatted quietly about everyday things.

Occasionally, when the old man talks about matters of the court, it greatly arouses his interest.

The previous version was slightly modified, mainly focusing on the appearance of Sheng Shulan and her illegitimate son Jiang Heng, and adding a few lines.

I almost forgot about them yesterday!

Chapter 157 Qi Tongwei? No, Song Huai!

The clouds hung low, and all things dimmed.

Jiang Zhao pushed his self-made wooden "wheelchair" as the grandfather and grandson strolled around.

As the local tyrant of the Huaizuo area, Jiang's residence occupied a considerable area, about thirty acres.

Pushing the wheelchair around for a while improved the elderly person's mood considerably.

"Son."

The pageboy Hesheng approached and announced, "Deputy Envoy Song Huai requests an audience."

"Song Huai?"

Before Jiang Zhao could express his opinion, his grandfather interjected, "A high-ranking official of the third rank visited for seven consecutive days. However, he has not come to the door these past few days."

"I suppose they knew you had returned home and, not wanting to disturb your care, did not come to visit immediately."

"This person is quite sensible," Jiang Zhi commented.

“Grand Tutor Wang’s influence has waned, but he still has some followers,” Jiang Zhi said slowly. “These people are counting on you to pledge allegiance!”

As a grandfather who had experienced the ups and downs of official life, he was well aware of his grandson's influence.

Everyone knows why Song Huai came to visit.

However, this practice is not unusual.

Ultimately, who doesn't dream of climbing the social ladder?

"In that case, let's meet."

The massive cleanup of the Huainan waterways, with one person every ten steps on the left bank of the Huai River, all demonstrated the importance attached to his return home.

This is Song Huai making a statement!

He had originally intended to meet Song Huai.

Since my grandfather's opinion is quite good, it's a good opportunity to meet him.

"I'm going back to get some sleep," Jiang Zhiwei said with his eyes closed.

His health was deteriorating, and even in a wheelchair, he could hardly sit for long periods.

I've recently stopped taking my medication and now I need to sleep for eight or nine hours almost every day.

Perhaps one day, I will pass away peacefully in my sleep.

Main hall.

A pot of tea sits on a long pear wood table, about ten feet long.

"This humble official, Song Huai, greets Lord Jiang." The deputy envoy, Song Huai, bowed deeply, his posture extremely humble.

As the Duke of Lu, it is theoretically normal for Jiang Zhao to be addressed as "Duke Jiang".

However, the word "public" carries a profound meaning.

Jiang Zhao raised an eyebrow.

This posture is anything but humble!

Even if he were to meet the Grand Secretary, I imagine he would only adopt this kind of demeanor.

He knew Song Huai's character just from his address.

At least, their moral standards are relatively flexible.

However, such people are not uncommon.

In the world of officialdom, there are countless people who will stop at nothing to advance their careers.

Different people use it in different ways, and it's not that people who crave progress can't use it.

"Please sit down," Jiang Zhao said gently, extending his hand.

Song Huai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took the small wooden box, about a foot long, from the servant's hand.

Upon opening, a medicinal fragrance wafted out; it contained only a few dried herbs.

Jiang Zhao glanced at it.

Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Poria cocos.

Compared to the normal size of herb plants, these few are almost twice the size, indicating that they are definitely quite old.

The two sat facing each other, and Song Huai introduced himself: "When I was serving in Huainan, a flood struck. Fortunately, Lord Jiang was kind and benevolent, saving the people from the disaster. I was also fortunate to have received Lord Jiang's kindness, which is why I was able to keep my official position."

I have long been concerned about your health, sir. This is a special product of Shangdang, namely Codonopsis pilosula, along with a few Atractylodes macrocephala and Poria cocos. Although not rare or precious, they are mild in nature and nourishing, benefiting the spleen and kidneys. I hope that you will eat them and sleep well.”

Using disaster relief as a starting point to build rapport is rather opportunistic.

However, for two strangers, it was already quite good.

I reckon the reason for visiting for seven days would be something similar.

Jiang Zhao picked up a teacup, added some tea, and moved it over: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Poria cocos.

The value of herbs lies not in their monetary worth, but in the care taken in selecting them.

By deliberately choosing herbs that nourish the spleen and kidneys, one must at least understand the nature of one's grandfather's illness.

As far as Jiang Zhao knew, Song Huai had visited for seven consecutive days.

Except for the few days when I deliberately avoided him coming back, I didn't stop for a single day.