Chapter 424 - 418 Shock
Zhao Ming had long known that Inspector He had left the iron mine in Ru Nan County to Zhao Hanzhang. Of course, it wasn’t given to Zhao Hanzhang personally, but to Yu State.
The He Family, having lost Inspector He, could not control the great generals like Xun Xiu and Mi Ce. The iron mine had to be relinquished, or else not only Xun Xiu and other military generals, but also prestigious families like the Zhao Family and Xun Family in Yu State could easily consume them.
Now that Inspector He had directly passed the iron mine to Zhao Hanzhang, the Zhao Family, even if only for the favor attached to the mine, would strive to protect the He Family, ensuring their household could live without worry for their needs.
However, it was still an iron mine, and one of considerable yield. He thought the He Family would have to negotiate some conditions before handing it over to Zhao Hanzhang, and yet she had already thoroughly secured it.
Zhao Hanzhang knew what Zhao Ming was thinking. After returning to the old residence with him and letting the servants lead Yu Sheng and the others away to rest, she turned to Zhao Ming and said, "The He Family are very perceptive. Since Governor Zhang’s passing, He Heng has already mentioned giving up the iron mine to me three times. It just so happened that I was planning to return to visit Uncle, so I brought him along."
"Returning to visit me?"
"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Uncle mobilized many people to help gather resources for me. How could I not return to express my gratitude? We can’t have Uncle losing face, can we?"
Zhao Ming snorted lightly and said, "As long as you can come up with the money for the payments, I will have face."
Zhao Hanzhang replied immediately, "I brought the money back with me this time."
Zhao Ming was slightly surprised.
Zhao Hanzhang asked, "State affairs are busy, and I had forgotten today was the Winter Solstice until Zhao Tong brought a bowl of dumplings this morning. That’s why I dared not tarry outside and rushed back to Xiping immediately. Are we holding a Winter Solstice banquet at home this year? Are those who prepared resources in Wu Castle?"
She went to Shangcai.
The thought flashed by, and Zhao Ming already nodded, "Some are here, some are not."
"Please make introductions, Uncle."
Zhao Ming scrutinized her, noting her confidence, and asked, "Where did you get so much money?"
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but reveal a bright smile, directly saying, "Left by Grandfather."
His speculation confirmed, Zhao Ming didn’t know what to say.
Zhao Hanzhang did not hide this fact, even hoping the rumor would spread far and wide.
Whether Zhao Ming guessed her intentions or not, he turned and led her to the banquet garden to meet people.
In this era, those with most possessions were not simple merchants, but the great families and aristocrats.
What merchants there were merely served to transport goods for the great families and aristocrats, mostly originating from their own households.
The so-called great families and aristocrats were extensive landlords integrating farming, weaving, shop ownership, and trade.
In this era of severe labor loss, where ordinary people lacked clothing and sufficient food, only these families had surplus resources.
They would use these resources to purchase more land and people, forming stronger systems, so Zhao Hanzhang, in seeking to buy resources, could only turn to them, naturally thinking of them first.
They loved indulgence and refined living, needing to enhance their capabilities.
Thus, they required money to purchase exquisite ceramics, soft silks, and powerful weapons and iron tools.
And now, Zhao Hanzhang had the gold and silver they needed, while they had the grain and cloth she required.
This synergy made them friendly upon meeting.
To demonstrate her lack of money concerns, Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands, and a trusted aide brought up four large boxes, opening them to reveal neatly stacked gold ingots inside.
Everyone was astounded, even Zhao Ming, who had expected as much, couldn’t help but clench his fists tighter.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled, saying, "Hanzhang benefits from ancestral grace; this was left to me by Grandfather, just a part of it. Uncles and elders are aware, Yu State now needs resources to rebuild, so I ask that you generously sell any surplus from your homes to Hanzhang."
She, with an air of indifference to the value of gold and silver, said, "The price is negotiable."
The aristocratic scholars, seeking fame while enjoying the Zhao Family’s Winter Solstice banquet, swallowed their saliva, their gaze moving slowly from the gold ingots to Zhao Hanzhang’s face, asking, "Were these all left by Mr. Zhao for Third Lady... assigned to the governor?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile, "Indeed."
Everyone’s hearts grew hot, left by Zhao Changyu~~
It seemed the rumors were true. Zhao Changyu was known for his business acumen and frugality—how much wealth had he hoarded? Ten years ago, it was said he was as rich as a country, with silver reserves surpassing even Shi Chong.
Hmph, Shi Chong was indeed wealthy, but he flaunted his fortune to the world and advertised his modest treasures, unlike the low-key, restrained Zhao Changyu.
It appeared Zhao Changyu had left all his wealth to Zhao Hanzhang.
Did Zhao Zhongyu know?
He was the heir to the Clan Leader’s position—was all this Zhao Changyu’s private property or the Zhao Family’s collective assets?
Everyone couldn’t help but look at Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming remained expressionless; it was difficult to discern any other meaning from his fair complexion, so they had to abandon their questions.
The Winter Solstice banquet was a refined gathering; composing poetry, writing essays, and painting was fine, but discussing business was inappropriate.
Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang merely touched on the subject, while others only half-listened, their attention deflected from the gold ingots, leaving detailed discussions for later.
Not even needing Zhao Hanzhang to personally handle business, Ji Yuan could manage it.
Zhao Hanzhang surveyed the many scholars at the banquet, then smilingly left, not selecting any of them.
Zhao Ming watched, furrowed his brow, and followed her, "The Central Justice Officer for Yu State is still General Xiahou. I heard he’s now in Lu State, quite close to Gou Xi?"
Lu State belonged to Yu State, yes, the vast region encompassed by my Yu State.
But..." Lu State is not within my control."
"So if he evaluates and selects talents in Lu State, do you think you can compete?" Zhao Ming asked, "With so many people here now, why don’t you evaluate and select talents yourself?"
Zhao Ming, bold as ever, suggested, "You are the Inspector, with the authority to select talents."
Zhao Hanzhang laughed, "I won’t conduct evaluations. If any wish to enter service, let them take the examination."
Seeing Zhao Ming’s furrowed brows, Zhao Hanzhang continued, "I know they consider themselves distinguished, unwilling to take exams alongside commoners, but to hold office, grasp power, and achieve aspirations, they may roam and voice their views, hoping an influential person notices and favors them. Is this method that much nobler than openly entering exams for me to select talents?"
"To sit with commoners..."
"Uncle, there are millions of people in the world, and only one in a million qualifies as a commoner. To them, the remaining millions are deemed as lowly. Yet what I aim for is universal peace, but they refuse to sit even with commoners—how could they then bend for those deemed lowly?"
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "They’re so noble, I can’t afford to use them."
Zhao Ming, recognizing her irony, remained silent for a moment before nodding, "That’s reasonable, if you can’t choose those with shared ideals, at least avoid major disagreements."