Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1326 - 13: Fourth Entry into the Dragon Court, Purple Dragon God? Secrets Unveiled! (3)

"Once the Dragon Court is unified, I can begin collecting the nation's spiritual energy, preparing for manually inducing spiritual energy recovery. There are still thirty-nine years left, which seems sufficient."

Ji Che nodded and looked at Zhao Xing: "Elder brother, before heading to the Dragon Court, have you considered getting married?"

Zhao Xing was slightly taken aback: "Che, is there some discussion in the court that makes you apprehensive?"

Ji Che shook his head: "No, it's just my personal concern. Elder brother, you work too hard and have no time for enjoyment."

"With you working so diligently, sometimes I fear the historians might say I, the Emperor, am too harsh, treating my ministers as ten people."

Zhao Xing: "I naturally possess the clone technique, only ten people? Who do you think you're underestimating!"

"Bring that historian here, I want to have a word with him, why he's written so few."

Ji Che burst into laughter.

Finally, he said: "Elder brother, really not considering my sister? Princess Yingluo is the most outstanding among my sisters, aside from the eldest."

For Emperor Wu to suggest a marriage, if it were anyone else, there wouldn't be any hesitation, but it's Zhao Xing, so he needs to probe first.

"With the Southern Barbarians not eliminated, how could one settle in a home?" Zhao Xing said, "All my energy is devoted here, Che, you should not bring up marriage proposals to me."

"Alright then." Ji Che also gave up the idea, "At least spare some time for enjoyment, making frequent visits back home in Pinghai State is also acceptable."

...

Zhao Xing's family is now residing in two places.

One is in their old home in Nanyang County within Dayuan Prefecture, another is in Bixian County within Chongming Prefecture.

After Zhao Xing was titled King Zhao, the entire Dayuan Prefecture became his granted territory, Zhao Ruide and Mrs. Cai often stayed longer at their old home.

Ji Che bestowed generous rewards upon Zhao Xing, frequently extending longevity blessings to his family. Now Zhao Xing no longer fears the division of his Qi Fortune, both Mrs. Cai and Zhao Ruide's honorary positions have been elevated to the second rank.

Honorary titles, prestigious but without actual power.

Among the Zhao Family descendants, only Zhao Zheng holds actual power, stationed at the border, achieving the official rank of secondary third-rank military officer.

The two sisters, Zhao Yuhuan is already a Doctor of Governance at the Bishui Daoist School, still single, possessing fourth-rank capability.

Zhao Yuling got married during the mid-Yuan Shou period, becoming the wife of Duke Wei, Wei Wuji.

The fourth brother, Zhao Chuanzong, after a split, saw his lineage grow steadily.

His talent is average, yet he excels in business, living well after the split.

After Zhao Xing was titled king, though Emperor Wu's rewards didn't extend to Zhao Chuanzong who had branched out.

However, Zhao Chuanzong, after acquiring wealth, became a business officer at the Charity Department, specializing in philanthropy. After opening up an ascension pathway, purely through resource investment, he pushed himself to the late stage sixth grade.

But he couldn't endure hardship, and the tempering of Earth Evil and Heavenly Gang took decades to gradually achieve.

"Zhao Chuanzong's talent is too poor, even with heavy resource investment, only reaching sixth grade, far behind his siblings; for him to live till ascension seems difficult, he might not last several decades."

Among the family, Zhao Chuanzong appears the oldest, already with white hair. In attendance, his lineage is the largest.

Zhao Xing mostly doesn't recognize the younger generation, and in reality is not particularly close with Zhao Chuanzong.

Even the sisters, he only has some familiarity with Zhao Yuhuan; Zhao Yuling is slightly better than Zhao Chuanzong. Nonetheless, Zhao Yuling proved herself by marrying into the duke's family.

"When one ascends, relatives follow, even more so since they're my siblings; even if I prohibit others from opening doors of convenience for them, with the resources in hand, even a pig could live several hundred years." Zhao Xing thought silently. "However, with a large family, it's inevitable that there will be degenerates!"

Zhao Xing glanced around and quickly spotted several younger Zhao Family members outside the main hall having a feast, with dark red murderous aura over their heads, clearly unusual.

As he was observing, suddenly Mrs. Cai brought a young man over: "Quick, Chener, address Grand Uncle."

"Grand Uncle." A young man bowed with trepidation.

Mrs. Cai introduced excitedly: "Xing'er, this is your fourth brother's most outstanding grandson, quite talented, currently an official at the Jin Mansion."

Zhao Xing looked at the youth before him, honest in appearance, with a commendable demeanor, but when his eyes met Zhao Xing's, they involuntarily avoided.

"Let's eat." Zhao Xing said calmly.

"Xing'er..." Mrs. Cai still wanted to say something, but Zhao Zheng noticed something amiss and immediately interrupted: "Mother, let's eat first. Zhao Chen, you may leave."

"Yes, yes." Zhao Chen tremblingly exited the small drawing room.

Zhao Chuanzong appeared displeased, unsure why the eldest brother was so ungracious, not even acknowledging them.

"Why are you being so loud." Mrs. Cai was somewhat aggrieved, "I only wanted Xing'er to see the promising younger generation of the family."

"Though he seems honest, he is actually filled with malicious intent; to secure the fifth-rank position, he secretly hired assassins to kill his rival." Zhao Xing glanced at Zhao Chuanzong, "I told you, your numerous descendants must be well managed, do you wish to follow in Beichen King's footsteps?"

"What? I didn't know." Zhao Chuanzong was instantly fearful.

Mrs. Cai was equally shocked: "How could this be..."

Zhao Xing said: "Zheng'er is not at home, the fourth sister is married, the third sister is at the academy, the fourth brother is merely sixth grade, for the descendants to deceive you in matters beyond recognition, how could you distinguish inside and outside who is human or demon."

"Chuanzong." Zhao Xing looked at Zhao Chuanzong.

"Here, here." Zhao Chuanzong responded, shivering.

"Having branched out, your development is your affair. Yet you honor your parents each year, often accompanying them, acting as our proxy in dutiful respect. Has the family ever deprived you financially?"