CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER 217 GENIUS

Zhao Hanzhang was also candid, directly pointing at Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan met Zhao Ming’s gaze, smiled slightly, and said: "Years ago, Xiahou Ren entered the capital for official selection, joined the Ministry of War, and served in the Geographical Department. Due to a conflict with the Jia Family, he resigned in anger. The lord pursued him out of the capital and entrusted him with creating maps for Great Jin. He initially refused, citing the inaccuracy of existing maps, but continued to refine and sketch during his travels upon receiving persistent letters from the lord."

The Geographical Department is specifically in charge of maps within the Ministry of War and also responsible for compiling maps submitted from various regions. If anyone claims to understand the territorial extent of Great Jin well, it must be the Geographical Department, apart from a few particularly attentive elites, because mapping is their specialty.

Being entrusted by Zhao Changyu already indicates that Xiahou Ren possesses considerable skill in this area.

"In previous years, he and the lord were still exchanging letters, sometimes mentioning that he had sketched maps of numerous provinces and counties. Sadly, after Empress Jia abused power, the capital descended into chaos, and he lost contact with the lord," Ji Yuan said. "It was only when I saw him here that I recalled this."

Zhao Ming pondered, "I wonder what he intends to do with these sketches—submit them to the court or keep them within the Xiahou Family?"

Ji Yuan reflected for a moment and replied: "The lord once promised him that if he could produce calibrated maps, he would present them to Your Majesty on his behalf."

Judging by Xiahou Ren’s manuscript, he even marked areas where rivers were clogging. Such a detailed map, once submitted, could earn Xiahou Ren a noble title.

But no one anticipated such a drastic shift in circumstances; following Empress Jia’s death, the emperor also passed away, succeeded by a new ruler, and Zhao Changyu has died as well.

Ji Yuan said: "His willingness to devote this effort to the lady is naturally because of the high value of the Glazed Workshop, but there are surely other reasons related to the lord."

Zhao Ming was moved, "If only we could acquire more of his manuscripts..."

Zhao Hanzhang gave him a thumbs-up, "Uncle, good ambition. I think so too, so we must maintain good relations with him, and it would be even better if we could keep him residing at Wu Castle."

Zhao Ming: "...You’re not worried he’ll uncover your secrets in Xiping County?"

Judging by the maps he draws, Xiahou Ren is not a careless man.

Zhao Hanzhang felt her enthusiasm dampen; although she felt confident she could conceal it, there’s always a risk of discovery. She was still so small and helpless and should avoid appearing easily before the Inspector and He Ci Shi.

Zhao Ming put the manuscript down, saying: "Copy it quickly, then send him away."

Now that the Zhao Family and Zhao Hanzhang are intertwined, any trouble for her means trouble for the Zhao Family, and Zhao Ming wouldn’t allow anyone to endanger them.

Zhao Hanzhang replied obediently, "But there are so many manuscripts..."

Zhao Ming said: "I’ll have the young men from the family come to assist you."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately expressed gratitude, smiling as she escorted Zhao Ming out. With him taking the lead, it was far more convenient than her asking for help.

Sure enough, once Zhao Ming spoke, Zhao Kuan and others obediently arrived.

Those selected were skilled in reading and painting, even the Eleventh Ancestor came to see, and upon observing the detailed manuscript, he couldn’t help stroking his beard and praising: "Xiahou Zitai is indeed a scholar; his drawings are excellent. Has the mapping ratio been calculated? Are there any issues?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied: "No, he is very mindful; the mapping ratios used are consistent."

Thus, it was convenient for them to compile.

The Eleventh Ancestor looked at the map of Xiping County, praising repeatedly: "Superb, superb."

Zhao Hanzhang was moved at heart and leaned forward, "Eleventh Ancestor, these maps are separate, like the one of Xiping County, divided into two parts, exactly where he walked and sketched. Some modifications were made on the original map, making it hard for average folks to discern right from wrong."

"However, these manuscripts were procured, giving us an advantage. It wouldn’t be right to ask Uncle Xiahou for help since, within our family, only you, Eleventh Ancestor, possess the ability to compile them," Zhao Hanzhang earnestly looked at Zhao Chen, "Eleventh Ancestor, could you help me?"

Zhao Chen almost pulled his beard, seriously saying: "Nonsense, your Uncle Ming and Uncle Cheng are skilled in painting, better than me, no?"

Despite his words, the faint curve on his lips was evident.

Without waiting for Zhao Hanzhang to persuade further, he had already accepted, "Although they’re busy, probably lacking time, this map is of great importance, I’ll lend you a hand then."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately responded: "I’ll have someone prepare a separate courtyard. In the future, Eleventh Ancestor and the brothers can work on the maps there. If anything’s missing, just let me know, and I’ll find it for you."

Fu Tinghan observed her cunningly convincing an elder to work for free and slightly shook his head, joining her in the new courtyard.

Zhao Chen and others worked the entire morning, only managing to initiate basic tasks, arranging the manuscript according to sequence and position.

The room was half-filled with paper, and everyone gathered in contemplation, "Eleventh Ancestor, where should we start?"

Zhao Chen was still considering when Fu Tinghan pointed to a spot, saying: "Start here."

Everyone looked, finding it was Guan City, surprised.

Zhao Chen thought briefly, then clapped his hands: "Wonderful, there’s an official road and a river leading straight to Luoyang, the Yu State begins there too, though it’s a pity there’s no Luoyang map."

Luoyang belongs to Si Province, and its map isn’t casually drawn; even if Xiahou Ren made one, he wouldn’t hand it to Zhao Hanzhang.

Fu Tinghan carefully observed the maps on the ground and, seeing their hesitance in starting, offered: "Let me begin; I’ll sketch the outline so you can fill in the details later."

Fu An immediately spread out the silk cloth Zhao Hanzhang had retrieved early that morning, covering the floor.

Zhao Chen wanted to stop him, but Fu Tinghan had already dipped a brush in ink and began drawing, prompting Zhao Chen to restrain his urge, afraid to disturb him and ruin the work.

Such a large silk cloth meant for cartography wasn’t cheap.

Zhao Chen felt Fu Tinghan was too hasty, wondering why he didn’t draft first?

But as he watched, Zhao Chen’s eyes flashed a different shade; Zhao Kuan and others gathered too, watching as Fu Tinghan meticulously drew from Guan City onward, without referencing the original map, yet marked villages accurately, and the measured data between roads mirrored perfectly.

Zhao Kuan and others gazed at Fu Tinghan in shock, wondering what kind of mind doesn’t need matching checks?

Even Zhao Chen was stunned, and as Fu Tinghan finished the initial part, he seized his arm, "Tinghan, why haven’t you gone to the courtyard for the feast?"

Fu Tinghan paused, then replied: "Too many people, and I know no one."

"How come? Zhao Kuan and others, aren’t they?" Zhao Chen immediately directed, "You all, don’t just play alone; take your brother-in-law along."

He said: "Tinghan is not an outsider; you should care for him regularly."

Zhao Kuan and others nodded repeatedly, warmly inviting Fu Tinghan, "We’ll take you; despite the many outsiders at Wu Castle these days, most attending the feast are familiar to the Zhao Family, there are relatives and classmates, we’ll introduce you."

Fu Tinghan: "Aren’t we supposed to draw the maps?"

"Maps can be drawn anytime, but the feast lasts only three days. You shouldn’t be busy today; go to the courtyard and enjoy yourselves, I’ll stay here," Zhao Chen said, pushing them out so Zhao Kuan and others could accompany Fu Tinghan.

Such talent deserves to be known worldwide.

Keeping him confined at home by the Third Lady is too wasteful.