Chapter 82 Shen Qingtan: My husband is very resourceful
Zhao Yi seemed to know what the Duke of Zhao was about to say, and he spoke first, "Grandfather, I originally didn't want this title, but I saw that you were in good health and could still work hard for a few more years. I simply wanted to relax for a few years and didn't want to deal with the responsibilities of an heir too early."
Duke Zhao, who was originally very excited, said: "..."
His old face flushed crimson, and he said angrily, "How come you haven't coughed or panted after all this talk?"
Zhao Yi said calmly, "Is this probably from the bottom of your heart?"
Duke Zhao: “…”
He was afraid that if he said a few more words to this unfilial descendant, his life would be shortened, so he waved his hand and said, "Go away, go away. I don't want to see you today."
Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan took their leave.
Only Duke Zhao and the old lady were left in Shi'an Hall.
The old lady sighed, "Yier finally showed up to fight, why did you have to do this?"
"Her Majesty wants us to appoint an heir, and she also wants to appoint someone based on merit." Duke Zhao deliberately misinterpreted Concubine Ling's words, avoiding the main point and saying, "Isn't this assessment just in line with her instructions? We are repaying her kindness."
Old lady: “…”
Concubine Ling probably took the hint from Shen Qingtan's words and did not use her kindness to ask the Duke's Mansion to appoint Zhao Jue as the heir.
He simply said, "The Duke is already old and should be enjoying his retirement, but the mansion has yet to appoint an heir. You should persuade him to choose an heir to relieve him of his worries. Given the current status of the Duke's Mansion, there is no need to add icing on the cake. Just choose a descendant with both virtue and talent to carry on the legacy."
Concubine Ling had a good plan. She gave them some advice and could give an explanation to the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion without having to offset the favor.
As a result, when it came to the old man, this old fox directly regarded Concubine Ling's request to choose an heir as a favor.
"What? What's wrong with what I said?" Duke Zhao stroked his beard and directly quoted Zhao Yi's words: "I am originally in good health and want to work hard for a few more years before appointing an heir. If it weren't for the Queen's suggestion, why would we choose an heir today?"
Old lady: “…”
Concubine Ling probably never dreamed that she would meet such a scoundrel?
She thought of something important: "Isn't half a month enough? The fastest journey from the capital to Jiangnan would take at least ten days and half a month. By the time they meet the clan elders, the deadline will have already passed."
"When the Cheng'en Marquisate and the Second Branch jointly arranged a marriage exchange, I knew they were after the title, and I suspected they would make a move soon." Duke Zhao's face was calm, his voice full of vicissitudes. "At that time, I sent people to our ancestral home to bring the elders back to the capital. Calculating the time, they should arrive in a few days."
The old lady sighed. Zhao Yi was a man of great talent, a broad mind, and the eldest son of a legitimate wife. He should have been the most suitable candidate. Unfortunately, he was ill and could not be saved. Many in the family were hesitant and did not agree to appoint Zhao Yi as the heir.
Zhao Yi was also very indifferent to fame and fortune, did not fight or compete, and had little interest in titles.
Now that there is a quarrel between the Cheng'en Marquis' Mansion and the Second House, it is possible that they will end up getting into trouble.
——
Shen Qingtan supported Zhao Yi's arm and returned to Lanxue Garden, arranged for him to sit on the Arhat couch, and ordered Jiang Mu to decoct medicine.
Then, she went to the inner room and fetched a thin blanket to cover Zhao Yi's legs. "Besides the cough, what else is wrong with you? Do you want to ask the imperial physician to come and see you?"
Zhao Yi coughed twice and said, "No, just drink the medicine."
Shen Qingtan was silent for a moment, then slowly sat down beside him, looking at the tiredness between his eyebrows and eyes, his lips moving as if he had something to say.
"Don't think too much." Zhao Yi saw through Shen Qingtan's thoughts and said softly, "I want the title myself. This matter has nothing to do with you."
Shen Qingtan didn't believe it at all: "You didn't want this title before."
Zhao Yi sighed inwardly. She was a thoughtful person. If she knew that he had snatched it for her, she would probably feel guilty and would want to make amends to him in the future.
"Have you ever heard of the Eight-Character Mantra?" Zhao Yi said calmly, "Do nothing and yet act; do not contend and yet contend."
Shen Qingtan was stunned.
Zhao Yi smiled and said, "It's not that I don't want to fight, but I use non-fighting means to achieve the purpose of fighting."
The more he said this, the heavier Shen Qingtan felt in his heart.
If she had not experienced this life, she would probably believe what he said.
If he had fought for the title in his previous life, Zhao Jue would have had no chance.
"Really?" Shen Qingtan seemed to believe what he said and deliberately complimented him, "My dear, you have good means."
Zhao Yi heard her teasing, but did not say anything to refute her. He just looked at her and smiled quietly.
Shen Qingtan's face turned red as he looked at her. He turned his head slightly and asked softly, "Second Master, do you have any detailed thoughts on Grandfather's question?"
"Scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans are the foundation of a country, and none of them can be missing. The clan focuses on education, while agriculture, industry, and commerce are not given much attention. If we cultivate talents in these areas, they will eventually become the backbone of the clan." Zhao Yi whispered, "A clan can only thrive if a hundred flowers bloom."
"Second Master, you are absolutely right." Shen Qingtan's eyes lit up: "Everyone in the clan can be sent to a private school to start their education, and then they can be assigned according to their talents."
"If you have a talent for studying, you can pursue a career in government. If you are interested in martial arts, you can practice martial arts and achieve great things in the future. If you are interested in crafts, you can hire someone to teach you."
"As for those without any talent, we will teach them the skills of planting and raising livestock. If they develop, industry and agriculture can boost our clan's commerce."
"After all, we also need to cultivate business people and hire people to teach them the art of business so that we can transport the surplus food and the products produced by the craftsmen to various places for sale."
Nowadays, skills in all walks of life are almost always passed down to one's own descendants, and will not be selflessly taught to others. The fear is that the apprentices will be taught and the master will starve to death.
Shen Qingtan counted on his fingers and expressed his thoughts one by one.
If a clan has strong cohesion and they work hard to cultivate talents, they will naturally prosper.
Zhao Yi's eyes were filled with approval. "The situation in the clan is now polarized. Either you pursue a career in government or you farm. We've changed our teaching and governance methods, providing our clan members with more ways to survive. Let's allow everyone to play to their strengths in their respective positions, and this will fundamentally solve the problem."
Perhaps admiration for the strong is a nature hidden in his bones. The look in Shen Qingtan's eyes when he looked at Zhao Yi became different. There was a faint glimmer of light, which was admiration for him.
She had only heard of Zhao Yi's extraordinary knowledge before, but today she saw his vision.
He is not the kind of person who is arrogant and indifferent. On the contrary, his eyes contain both the elegance of the fine arts and the poverty and hardships of the lower class.
Shen Qingtan's eyes were clear and bright, and he said softly, "Shall I get pen, ink, paper, and inkstone to write it down for you? Or can you tell me and I'll write it down for you?"
Seeing her eyes full of expectation, Zhao Yi curled his lips and said, "Okay, let's discuss it together."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips: "I'll go get the pen, ink, paper and inkstone."
Zhao Yi looked at Shen Qingtan's receding back. She had always been dignified and steady, but at this moment her steps were very brisk, which showed that she was in a very happy mood.
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