Chapter 414 - 408: What is the Intention?
Hu Zhi watched as the workers loaded the carts, and only when the sky darkened did he ring the bell to call it a day.
Then everyone finally stopped their work, tidied things briefly, and dragging their tired bodies, headed home. However, their faces were not indifferent; instead, they gathered in groups, inviting each other, "Come over to my place for dinner tonight. You bring some dishes along, and we can have a nice meal together."
Such suggestions were mostly made by single men, since those who were not single hurried home quickly.
Hu Zhi also hurried towards the manor, entering a brightly lit house where many boxes were placed in the yard. The long-term workers were securing the goods, clanking sounds ringing incessantly.
Zhao Tong, while counting the boxes, cautioned, "Be meticulous. Every piece of glassware in the box must be inspected; these are items for nobles, they must be flawless."
"Secure them tightly, don’t let them loosen. The journey is long and bumpy; if they collide and delay the young lady’s matters on the road..." Spotting Hu Zhi, Zhao Tong paused and asked, "Are all the goods on your side sorted?"
Hu Zhi replied, "All sorted. We can set off as soon as dawn breaks."
Zhao Tong nodded with satisfaction, saying, "Alert the night patrol to keep an eye out."
Although Hu Zhi didn’t think anyone would dare cause trouble at the Zhao Manor, he still agreed.
Glancing over the goods in the yard, he didn’t disturb Zhao Tong further, but bowed and retreated.
Meanwhile, many people in neighboring Xiping County didn’t rest either, not even having dinner.
Hu Jin watched the apprentices carefully wrap books in oil paper, instructing them to place the books into boxes, saying, "Pack them carefully, these are headed to the Northern Land, you might encounter snowmelt on the road."
The apprentices agreed, wrapping them even more carefully.
County government was quite far from the bookstore, but it was also brightly lit. Although Zhao Ming ruled Ru Nan County, he still chose to work from the Xiping County Government, perhaps from financial shortages or simply out of habit, thus the Governor Mansion and the county government functioned squeezed together within.
This greatly stressed Chang Ning, especially when facing Zhao Ming.
He was kneeling opposite Zhao Ming, reporting with his head down.
Zhao Ming casually lifted a wine pot, drinking leisurely, asking, "So Gou Xi hasn’t returned to Yan State, and yet your Inspector’s already planning to conduct business with him?"
Chang Ning inwardly noted: He’s not just our Inspector, he’s also your Inspector.
With a serious facade, he nodded and stated, "Yes, the Lord said, this year Yu State has a particularly large number of refugees, desperately lacking food and fabric; whereas Yan State luckily hasn’t been embroiled in warfare. With the festival approaching, gentlemen fancy culture, perhaps by sending these, we could exchange for the urgently needed items in Yu State."
Zhao Ming sneered, "Just relying on those books and glassware, can she really exchange for much food and fabric? Not everyone is foolish; a small amount might suffice, but as supplies increase, who would still trade with her? In a chaotic world, gold and silver remain the most practical."
Chang Ning sighed, "But who knows how much wealth the Lord truly has. As far as the official knows, neither the Yu State Governor Mansion nor the Ru Nan County Governor Mansion seems to have surplus assets."
Zhao Ming remained silent, lowering his eyes in thought.
However, he was not worried. Based on his understanding of Zhao Hanzhang, she must have a strategy in place.
Yet, she likely has little money left; no matter how wealthy her grandfather was, he couldn’t have left her that much gold and silver. Most of the money spent during this time is probably from her own earnings.
Zhao Ming gently tapped his knee, suddenly smiling, "Alright, tell her, I’ll contact the friends and relatives I can reach. As long as she can produce gold and silver, I’ll have them price the goods cheaply for her to buy."
Chang Ning breathed a sigh of relief, bowing in acknowledgment, "Yes."
He felt exhausted; clearly the girl bore the Zhao surname, they were a family, yet he ended up being the intermediary.
But he still had to convey, "The Lord said, regardless of how many people the governor persuades and how much goods they offer, she can buy it all."
Zhao Ming asked with a faint smile, "Gold and silver?"
Though feeling uneasy, Chang Ning affirmed, "Gold and silver!"
Those were not his words, but the young lady’s; he was merely passing on the message.
Zhao Ming couldn’t help wondering, where does Zhao Hanzhang get so much money?
Though she often appeared carefree and bold, in reality, she was very cautious. If she’s making such promises, she must be confident in some backing.
Gou Xi was mulling over the same issue. Zhao Hanzhang’s actions were too conspicuous; Yu State is recovering at a startling pace, showing vitality that seemed out of place for this era.
Even though he was entwined with Prince East Sea outside Luoyang, he still paid attention to Yu State’s movements.
Reports from Yan State kept arriving, alerting Gou Xi, "Zhao Hanzhang gathers refugees, reassures the people; now Yu State is united, and groups of citizens from the outer five counties are migrating to the inner five counties. Given time, Zhao Hanzhang will surely control the ten counties."
The strategists in Yan State were dividing Yu State into inner and outer five counties. The inner five counties were under Zhao Hanzhang’s control, while Gou Xi held the outer five.
But they didn’t urge Gou Xi to return, as their biggest adversary remained Prince East Sea. Having come this far, failing to seize the chance to crush him would be unacceptable, even if Gou Xi agreed; his subordinates wouldn’t.
Therefore, they urged Gou Xi to be wary of Zhao Hanzhang, warning, "This person, though a young lady, possesses great ambition and intelligence. If not eradicated in the early stages, she might become a significant threat in the future."
Prompting Gou Xi to, "Conclude the struggle with Prince East Sea quickly, winning the people’s hearts is crucial."
Gou Xi wished he could, but Prince East Sea’s remaining forces were still considerable, holding onto Luoyang, with the Emperor in his grasp, making it hard for him to deal with.
Thinking about Zhao Hanzhang filled Gou Xi with unease. Her retreat was so decisive, she left as soon as Prince East Sea withdrew—had she already anticipated today’s stalemate?
He opened another letter, again detailing Zhao Hanzhang’s movements. The letter reported that the Zhao Family was purchasing large quantities of food and fabric for Zhao Hanzhang, all promised to transact in gold and silver.
Merchants in Yan State reacted quickly, mobilizing goods towards Yu State. The letter writer advised Gou Xi to issue an order banning the outflow of Yan State’s resources.
"If not controlled, Yan State might become Yu State’s tenant farm in time."
Frustrated, Gou Xi crumpled the letter and tossed it aside, "All of you just urge, urge, urge—why not come up with better ideas?"
Beside him, Gou Chun reacted immediately, saying, "I always said to kill her, but brother acted righteously. You’re the gentleman, she’s the lady!"
Saying this, he glared at Yan Heng and Ming Yu, feeling they obstructed him.
Yan Heng remained silent, but Ming Yu suggested, "Zhao Zhongyu works directly for the Emperor; if General has doubts, why not have Your Majesty inquire Minister Zhao, what the Zhao Family intends to do?"
Gou Xi’s eyes lit; how could he have forgotten? Zhao Zhongyu was indeed the Clan Leader of the Zhao Family, and he could start from him.