CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 105 COOPERATION

County Magistrate Chai asked with interest, "What business?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "I have several sets of glass cups and bowls on hand. The County Lord also knows that I have just returned to Shangcai and am unfamiliar with the gentry here, and I am currently in mourning, so I can only keep good things in hand. If the County Lord is willing to act as a guarantor, once I sell these glass cups and bowls, I can leave some for the County Lord."

County Magistrate Chai was instantly tempted, "I don’t know what the glass cups are like. I have never seen them before, so how can I know who they might be suitable for?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "I will send a set to the County Lord when I return home. If the County Lord finds them good, you may invite others to enjoy wine with the cups."

County Magistrate Chai gladly agreed.

Who in the world doesn’t know that Zhao Changyu is adept at business, and his family’s wealth rivals that of the Imperial Family?

The collectibles in his hands shouldn’t be inferior.

Until Zhao Hanzhang took her leave, Fu Tinghan, who was properly invited, hadn’t spoken much.

He leisurely stepped onto the bench and into the carriage, lifted the curtain, and turned to extend a hand to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang held onto his hand to get onto the carriage and, once seated, continued to exchange pleasantries with County Magistrate Chai from the window, "If the County Lord has the time, you can come sit at my manor. I’ll treat the County Lord to tea."

County Magistrate Chai dared not go. Who knows how many people are hidden in Zhao Hanzhang’s manor? What if he saw something he shouldn’t and couldn’t return?

In recent years, haven’t there been fewer local magistrates who, due to discord with local strongmen, encountered bandits?

He definitely didn’t want his family to one day receive the news that he had encountered vagrants or bandits on his way back to the city and had braved dangers, ultimately sacrificing himself for the country.

Once the Zhao Family’s carriage was out of sight, the smile on County Magistrate Chai’s face fell. He raised a hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead, "Are all the ladies of the Zhao Family so fierce?"

Chang Ning: "...Since the County Lord knows she is not an easy person to deal with, why still agree to cooperate with her?"

County Magistrate Chai replied matter-of-factly, "Her being difficult, what does that have to do with me collaborating with her?"

He said, "In this Shangcai County, which gentry or wealthy merchants are easy to deal with?"

Chang Ning: "County Lord, although she has just returned to Shangcai, her grandfather was the former Shangcai Marquis, the Zhao Family is in Xiping, and their clan members are distributed around Runan. Would she have no connections with Shangcai’s gentry or wealthy merchants?"

He said, "I think her intentions are not on the cups, otherwise, why specifically invite you to act as a middleman to sell the glass cups?"

"I know," County Magistrate Chai said, "she’s currying favor with the county."

County Magistrate Chai confidently said, "She must be afraid that I’ll hold onto the matter of her concealed household registration, so she’s finding an excuse to give me something."

Chang Ning: ...

County Magistrate Chai: "I understand her, and besides, this matter greatly benefits us. She said one thing that’s very right; without money in our hands, we can’t do anything, be it gathering refugees or driving them away, all of that requires money."

Chang Ning saw his confidence and knew it was useless to persuade him further, but he remained skeptical of Zhao Hanzhang’s motives, "I have a feeling there’s another motive, that it’s not just... bribing the County Lord."

County Magistrate Chai glanced at him, not too pleased, and asked, "What other motives could she have? I’m just an intermediary; I don’t guarantee the sale. She wouldn’t be swindling my money, would she?"

"County Lord, the grandson of Fu Zhongshu has some reputation, and as you saw earlier, he does indeed have a regal demeanor, but ever since entering the restaurant, he has spoken little and entirely follows the will of Third Lady Zhao."

County Magistrate Chai’s eyes lit up, intrigued, "Are you saying Third Lady Zhao is holding Fu Changrong captive, and they are not on good terms? Should I rescue Fu Changrong to curry favor with Fu Zhongshu?"

Before Chang Ning could speak, he shook his head again, "No, ultimately, this is Runan, and the current Shangcai Marquis is Third Lady Zhao’s uncle. Zhao Zhongyu is also the Chief of Staff. Offending the Zhao Family wouldn’t do me any good either."

Chang Ning: "...County Lord, haven’t you noticed that Fu Changrong appears composed and at ease? Does he look like someone under duress?"

Besides, he personally assisted his fiancée in returning home with her father’s coffin and is observing mourning for Zhao Changyu. Unless the Zhao Family desires the contempt of all scholars under the heavens, they must treat Fu Changrong well. How could they mistreat him?

County Magistrate Chai looked at him disdainfully, "Then what do you mean?"

"My point is, Third Lady Zhao is very capable. Although she is merely a woman, she is now the head of the Zhao Family at Shangcai Manor. Even Fu Changrong listens to her. The County Lord must not take dealings with her lightly," Chang Ning said. "I still feel uneasy about the Zhao Family suddenly bringing in so many refugees."

"The Zhao Family wouldn’t dare to rebel, would they?" County Magistrate Chai said, "Zhao Zhongyu and Zhao Ji’s family are in Luoyang, you know."

Chang Ning thought so too and felt somewhat reassured.

Zhao Hanzhang instructed Uncle Cheng to pick a set of glass cups to send to County Magistrate Chai, then entrusted the matter to Mr. Ji, "There are plenty of glass products accumulated at the workshop. We must open Shangcai County’s trade route."

Ji Yuan saw her place the finest Glazed Horse into a nanmu box and couldn’t help but ask, "The lady is..."

Zhao Hanzhang held the box with a profound look, "Take it to Xiping to give it to someone. Having taken advantage of Fifth Uncle so much, we must repay a little. Select some glass products for me. Didn’t Uncle Qianli say the newly recruited unit lacks weapons?"

Ji Yuan instantly understood. This trip to Xiping was not just for delivering gifts and he promptly bowed and withdrew.

Fu Tinghan, who was writing and calculating on the side, overheard and couldn’t help but lift his head and sigh, "Zhao Ming is going to have a headache again."

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we should give him a gift too; he looks quite pitiful."

She almost couldn’t bear it.

Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan returned to Xiping. As soon as they settled into the old residence, Zhao Ming received the news.

He couldn’t help but calculate the days, "When they last came, the wheat hadn’t been harvested yet, and now the beans have just been planted. Why have they come again?"

The follower said, "Perhaps they came for the spearheads. Didn’t the blacksmith from the city deliver items the other day, those ordered by Third Lady?"

Zhao Ming suspected it was intentional and asked, "Why didn’t the spearheads just get sent to Shangcai?"

Furthermore, Shangcai also has blacksmiths. Why go back to Xiping to forge a spearhead?

"They were originally supposed to be delivered, but the old master remembered that Third Lady had previously instructed that she would come back personally to test the spear when it was finished. Plus, a letter from the Clan Leader arrived, so..."

Zhao Ming got up, "Let’s go and see how she tests the spear."

Zhao Hanzhang secured the spearhead, gave the spear a flick, and began practicing her spear technique in the courtyard with a leap.

When Zhao Ming arrived, he saw Zhao Hanzhang wielding the spear like a dragon, swiftly traversing the courtyard. The thrust of the spear brought a slight breeze. When Zhao Ming met her gaze, he sensed a hint of killing intent.

The uncle and niece looked at each other, Zhao Hanzhang offered a slight smile, and nimbly withdrew the spear to hold it behind her, "Elder Cousin."

Watching with gusto, Zhao Song glanced at Zhao Ming and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Your spear technique is excellent, but the spear style is too masculine, more suited to the battlefield. You’re not going to the battlefield; if you wish to strengthen your body, why not practice swordsmanship?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately replied, "I also want to practice swordsmanship. My grandfather’s former sword is with me, but during the escape, a notch was made on the blade. It pains me, and I dare not use it carelessly now."