CHAPTER 214: CHAPTER 209 BORROWING A PLACE

This is truly like sending a pillow to someone sleepy, Zhao Hanzhang is currently in great shortage of books, and even more so, craftsmen who can carve and print.

Zhao Hanzhang: "The chaos in Luoyang has receded; we should be able to buy books from the bookshops, right?"

"Luoyang was previously breached by the chaos of the army and later besieged by the Xiongnu army for many days. Many citizens fled the city; not to mention bookshops, even many paper workshops are closed, craftsmen fled, where can you buy books?" Chenzhou said proudly, "Currently, only my family’s book workshop in Ru Nan County can print books."

Zhao Hanzhang said with a face full of admiration, "The Chen Family is indeed powerful. I wonder how many books Mr. Chen can provide now; do you have a book list?"

Chenzhou was no fool. If he gave Zhao Hanzhang a book list, it would reveal all the plates his family had at a glance, wouldn’t it?

So he asked, "I wonder what books Miss Zhao is looking for?"

He smiled and said, "Even if my family doesn’t have the books you’re looking for, we can assist you in purchasing them elsewhere."

Zhao Hanzhang raised an eyebrow slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I need some books on enlightenment and arithmetic."

Chenzhou was slightly disappointed, but he attended the Zhao Family’s Winter Solstice feast to establish relations with them. Although the progress was not as he had hoped, he had at least built a connection.

When it came to price, Chenzhou originally wanted to leave the negotiations to his subordinates; after all, discussing money is truly vulgar.

But Zhao Hanzhang directly mentioned the book prices, and Chenzhou could only endure the embarrassment and continue to sit there, only to glance involuntarily at the steward he brought.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, didn’t even look at the steward. Besides books, she also ordered a large amount of paper, pens, and ink.

Their paper workshop had no idea when it could produce paper, so until then, they had to buy them.

She’s had enough of the yamen constantly shouting "we’re out of paper," so she wanted to stock up as much as she could.

With such a large order, wouldn’t the Chen Family consider lowering the price somewhat?

Zhao Hanzhang was even too lazy to lump the unit prices item by item, directly suggesting that Chenzhou give an overall total, and if appropriate, she could pay right away and establish a contract.

Chenzhou was dumbfounded. He didn’t even know all the unit prices of the books on Zhao Hanzhang’s book list, so how could he immediately give her a quote?

But Zhao Hanzhang just sat there, leisurely waiting for the self-professed non-mercenary Chenzhou to name a price.

The naturally face-conscious Chenzhou, without thinking, said, "Miss Zhao, just pay what you see fit."

Zhao Hanzhang wanted to do just that, but under Chang Ning’s warning gaze, she didn’t dare let go entirely.

Having taken advantage of others, she would have to repay it in the future.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, didn’t want to repay. Her skin was now thick, and she had so many people to take care of; saving a bit was better than none.

But Chang Ning didn’t want his own lord to be too shameless, so he kept looking at her.

After all, since he was the advisor she valued, Zhao Hanzhang could only offer a fairly reasonable price to Chenzhou.

The steward sitting beside Chenzhou breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his hand.

His lord was a bit foolish, but fortunately, Third Sister Zhao was quite decent. The price offered wasn’t ideal, but it was within their bearable range.

Whether it was books or paper, pens, and ink, they were extremely valuable things. Zhao Hanzhang wanted so many things, the expenses were considerable.

Having spent such a large sum, Zhao Hanzhang wanted to recoup some, so she invited Chenzhou to see the glazed artifacts in her home.

Chenzhou looked at these glazed products in amazement.

Zhao Hanzhang noticed the amazement in his eyes and said, "Copper coins are too vulgar; why don’t we trade goods instead?"

Chenzhou’s eyes lit up. Ignoring the steward’s objection, he agreed immediately, "Is it with these glazed cups?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "I have not only glazed cups but also glazed mirrors."

She had someone bring over a full-length mirror.

When Chenzhou saw the full-length mirror, he widened his eyes, and even the steward was so shocked he couldn’t speak.

In the Wei Jin period, which scholar could refuse a mirror that allowed you to see your whole body?

At least Chenzhou couldn’t, and even the steward found it hard to object.

Seeing this, Zhao Hanzhang understood and immediately had Chang Ning draft the contract.

The quoting price for a full-length mirror was not low, so even though books were expensive, Zhao Hanzhang exchanged two full-length mirrors and several sets of glazed cups for them.

All right, not a single cent was spent, and they even sold some glass; Zhao Hanzhang was pleased.

"It seems that compared to lovely glazed cups, everyone prefers the practicality of full-length mirrors," Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand grandly and said, "Go, have Mr. Ji send more full-length mirrors over, and have the Glazed Workshop make only full-length mirrors these days."

Thinking of the guests coming for the Winter Solstice feast, Zhao Hanzhang simply rushed back to Wu Castle to ask Zhao Ming to borrow some space.

"Every Zhao Family offspring can enter the garden of the feast, why would you need to borrow?"

"Mainly, I want to arrange some decorations."

Zhao Ming looked up at her warily, "What kind of decorations?"

Zhao Hanzhang wanted to display glazed products throughout the garden, such as glazed vases, glazed horses, and other crafts.

And place full-length mirrors in some public galleries and resting rooms for guests to organize their attire, and she could even graciously switch the drinking cups for glazed ones at the feast.

Zhao Ming instantly realized what she wanted to do and narrowed his eyes, asking, "Are you short of money now?"

"Uncle, I am supporting so many people; how could I not be short of money?" Zhao Hanzhang tentatively asked, "Uncle, help me a little?"

With this said, Zhao Ming didn’t quite believe her, but he didn’t hinder her from making money either and waved his hand, saying, "Decorate as you wish, but our Zhao Family is an aristocracy, do not get too immersed in finances, lest you pick up the air of merchants."

Zhao Hanzhang understood, maintaining dignity, she got it.

The Zhao Family’s Winter Solstice feast seemed to be a major event. The day before the Winter Solstice, Zhao’s Fortress was full of people, even the inns in Xiping County were fully occupied.

Ji Yuan personally escorted a batch of glazed products over to be unpacked and set up in the garden.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t expect County Magistrate Chai to come as well.

She couldn’t help but ask, "Is Zhao Family’s Winter Solstice feast so grand?"

Chang Ning said, "Of course, and not just anyone can enter Zhao Family’s Winter Solstice feast."

"Miss Zhao, do not be deceived by the large crowd now; most are just here for the fun and have no right to participate in the feast," Chang Ning said, "County Magistrate Chai has wanted to enter the Zhao Family feast for years yet never had the opportunity. The invitation you sent him is a great kindness to him."

Zhao Hanzhang was thoughtful, "No wonder Chenzhou keeps hovering around me these days, wanting to gift me a precious inkstone."

If she weren’t already well-stocked on inkstones and uninterested in them, she would have accepted it.

Ji Yuan came looking for her; he was more familiar with this and told Zhao Hanzhang, "Within Yu State, the Zhao Family ranks first, past major arbiters have all been masters, and even the minor arbiters under Yu State were appointed by the master."