CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 106: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Zhao Song furrowed his brows slightly, "Your grandfather’s sword has been with him for many years, it’s an ancient sword with a sturdy blade, how could it have a nick?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "We encountered a group of Xiongnu soldiers, and the knives they used were extremely good, not inferior to our Central Plains weapons. I wonder where they got their high-quality iron ore."

Zhao Song thought for a moment and said, "Bingzhou has many iron mines. Previously, Liu Yuan occupied the Bingzhou area. If the difference in weaponry is due to the quality of the iron ore, it must be from Bingzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang was pensive. The steel-making process requires higher purity iron ore. Mr. Ji bought two pieces from the iron shop in the county town for Fu Tinghan to practice, but they found the quality of the iron ore very poor, making steel was exhausting, and the refining rate was very low.

Originally, the furnace temperature was difficult to reach the temperature needed for steel-making; with poor-quality iron ore, it became even harder to produce steel.

Zhao Hanzhang handed the spear to Ting He, "Fifth Uncle, I want to reforge this sword, adding better quality iron ore to make it sturdier and sharper."

Zhao Song pondered, "Reforging the sword requires a great craftsman to avoid damaging it."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in agreement, "Do you have any recommendations, Fifth Uncle?"

Zhao Song shook his head, "Good blacksmiths are mostly with the Ministry of War and various vassal kings. How do we have the chance to get such a master?"

"People can be found slowly. I believe that with sincerity, we will find someone, but good iron ore is rare. Do you know anyone from Bingzhou, Fifth Uncle?"

Zhao Ming: ...

He just quietly watched Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Song stroked his beard in thought, recalling one person at a time from his mind, and after a while, exclaimed, "Liu Yueshi is in Bingzhou, he is currently the Bingzhou Governor."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Liu Kun?" She vaguely remembered Liu Kun’s courtesy name was Yueshi.

"Exactly," Zhao Song asked, "Do you know him too?"

She certainly knew him, except this famed minister of Great Jin didn’t recognize her.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "How is your relationship with Liu Yueshi, Fifth Uncle?"

"Just so-so," Zhao Song replied, "Your uncle knows him better."

Ah, right, they were both part of the famous twenty-four friends in history, known for their libertine lifestyles.

Zhao Hanzhang pondered, finding it too convoluted to start with Zhao Zhongyu, mainly because she couldn’t meet Zhao Zhongyu and couldn’t grasp many things.

So she decided to focus on Fifth Uncle, "Is it possible to contact him? Jinyang is currently besieged by Xiongnu forces; he certainly wants to communicate with the outside world. I’m willing to exchange some other items for iron ore."

Zhao Ming couldn’t help but look at her and said, "Third Lady, you’re just fixing a sword. Even if it’s wasteful, a bucket is enough; is there any need to specially exchange items for it? It’s just iron ore; Father will buy it for you."

Zhao Hanzhang, "...Thank you, Uncle, but this sword was left to me by my grandfather, and I want to handle it myself. Can I join when someone goes out? I will follow along, and the iron ore must be meticulously selected high-grade ones."

Zhao Ming, "Is it really just to buy a bucket of iron ore, or is it using the opportunity to contact sellers over there to procure iron mines or iron ore in bulk?"

Zhao Hanzhang unabashedly raised her eyebrows, not denying it at all, turned to Zhao Song and said, "Fifth Uncle, you must have noticed, the influx of refugees into Ru Nan County is increasing, the population in Wu Castle is growing, and the clans must grow accordingly to protect the family. Forging farming tools and weapons requires iron; if we can get good quality iron ore..."

Zhao Song, "You’re right, but Bingzhou is too far from Ru Nan, and there are Xiongnu blocking the way, making transportation of iron mines and iron ore very difficult. Truly buying iron ore from Bingzhou, we’ll likely be robbed before even leaving Bingzhou."

"Ru Nan also has iron mines," he lowered his voice, "The quality might not match Bingzhou’s, but it’s cheaper, closer, and safe."

Zhao Ming, ...

Zhao Hanzhang immediately followed with determination, "Can I meet with the iron sellers? Perhaps there’s some high-quality iron ore among them, and my manor also needs new farming tools; all of it will consume quite a bit."

She said, "You know, buying iron in the city is very restricted, and the blacksmiths there can’t supply so much iron."

Zhao Song understood; she has a group of retainers, and besides farming tools, she certainly needs weapon making, all of which must be kept from official eyes.

Zhao Song thought briefly and agreed anyway; most of the great noble families in Ru Nan work with that person for iron ore, Third Lady is family, recommending her is no big deal.

Besides, Ji Yuan should know something; even without his introduction, Ji Yuan would eventually find his way there.

Zhao Ming watched the pleased Zhao Hanzhang and realized that she was wielding a sword with an ulterior motive towards Lord Pei, all the talk about Bingzhou and Liu Kun was just an excuse.

Seeing his dad still clueless, trying to help her find ways to contact Liu Kun, Zhao Ming couldn’t help but shake his head, walking to sit on the side and wait.

Zhao Hanzhang enthusiastically invited Fifth Uncle to stay for a meal, indicating she also had gifts for him.

Ting He brought two boxes, Zhao Hanzhang opened the largest one and pushed it toward Zhao Ming, "Uncle, this is a gift for you; do you like it?"

Can a gift recipient say no?

Especially in front of his dad, even if he doesn’t like it, he has to hold back.

Zhao Ming lowered his eyes, glanced, and froze.

Zhao Song had already dragged the box over and took out a glazed cup to look at, "Is this...glazed?"

This is a set of sky-blue glazed cups, with a small glazed pot in the center of the box, bright and translucent with a hint of blue.

The sunlight seemed to pass through the pot and cast on the table, tinting it with that hint of sky blue.

Even someone as picky as Zhao Ming couldn’t say a word of dissatisfaction.

Zhao Song examined the set of glazed cups carefully and placed them in front of himself, "Such precious things, how can they be given away as gifts? You should keep them, even if you don’t use them in the future, they would be good for Second Son."

He praised inwardly, his brother truly deserved to be his brother, able to collect such wonderful things.

However, weren’t Third Lady’s belongings all lost?

How were such fragile treasures preserved?

Zhao Hanzhang pushed another slightly smaller box forward with a smile and said, "Fifth Uncle, this is for you."

Zhao Song opened it, and upon seeing the dazzling glazed horse inside, his expression slowly became serious.

Glazed cups were one thing, indeed his brother’s style, but such expensive items as the glazed horse, which served only for display and had no practical use, how could his brother have collected them?

Zhao Song looked at Zhao Hanzhang, "Third Lady, where did you get these items?"

Soon, Shangcai Manor’s glass-selling news would spread, Xiping would certainly know too. Instead of letting them find out from others, it was better she revealed it herself.

Zhao Hanzhang slightly raised her chin and said, "Fifth Uncle, we produced these ourselves."

Zhao Song, "What did you say?"