Chapter 144 - Great Disaster

Chapter 144: Chapter 138 Great DisasterMrs. Wang didn’t know that her daughter had managed to obtain "Xiping County" after going out. She thought the matter was over once the child returned.

So, when she returned to the manor, she asked, "Where is Mr. Fu?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "He’s still in Xiping County."

She took the opportunity to express her intention to go to Xiping County in a couple of days and stay there long-term.

Mrs. Wang was taken aback and asked, "Weren’t you supposed to return after sending your cousins back? What are you doing in Xiping?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "This is a long story. Let me be brief in front of you, Mother. I took over Xiping County, so now Xiping County is mine, and I have to go back and handle some matters."

Mrs. Wang took a long time to recover from her shock, "What do you mean Xiping County is yours?"

But Zhao Hanzhang had already left her side. Seeing Mrs. Wang still in shock, she patted her behind and ran to see her glass workshop.

During the time she was away, the glass workshop operated continuously, producing quite a few beautiful glass pieces.

For the more ordinary pieces, people simply called them glass, as Zhao Hanzhang did;

But for the better-looking, more artistic pieces, they were called glazed glass, and they even intricately named them with various appealing titles, igniting the craftsman’s spirit.

Fu Tinghan left several recipes, and the glazed glass made using these recipes were all different, allowing craftsmen to create various shapes based on their characteristics.

However, compared to innovative designs, craftsmen were more hopeful to create different types of glass and develop different recipes.

Because the lady had spoken: anyone who could improve the glass recipes and produce more diverse glass would be rewarded with land and money, and even a house.

So the craftsmen in the workshop were as excited as if they were on stimulants, though no one had succeeded so far.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang coming over, except for the craftsmen who couldn’t free themselves, everyone else stopped their work, turned to Zhao Hanzhang, and saluted.

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, telling them not to be restrained and to continue with their work.

Zhao Cai had someone bring up the glazed glass made during this period, including a box of the finest selected pieces.

Zhao Hanzhang picked one up to play with; it was transparent and clear, like crystal, no worse than modern craftsmanship, and the design was very delicate.

Even after seeing them many times, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s simply masterful craftsmanship; such items, whether sold to the Capital City or Jiangnan area, will be highly sought after."

Zhao Hanzhang handed one to Ji Yuan, "If you like it, keep one; the rest, send thirty percent to Luoyang and seventy percent to Jiangnan. They can be sold along the way."

Ji Yuan asked, "What will they bring back?"

"Food, cloth, gold and silver, ironware, and salt," Zhao Hanzhang said. "We need to buy horses, and all these require gold and silver."

Ji Yuan said, "Why not exchange directly with the north?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’m afraid they won’t return; until we establish familiarity, let’s use gold and silver for northern trade. Try to keep the transaction location close to Yu State."

Ji Yuan, considering the current situation, nodded, "The guards needed by the caravan..."

"Calculate the manpower needed, and I will dispatch people from the troops for you." Zhao Hanzhang pondered, "We need two clever and capable ones; how do you feel about Ji Ping?"

Ji Yuan said, "He’s the leader of a squad; wouldn’t assigning him to a caravan be somewhat underusing his talents?"

"These relate to our reserves; how could they be small matters?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Let him follow this trip first, and replace him once a suitable candidate emerges. It’s the caravan’s first venture out of Ru Nan County; the leader must not only be capable but also loyal enough."

Otherwise, if he runs off with the goods and people, whom would I turn to?

Ji Yuan thought the same, and regarding loyalty, Ji Ping was indeed qualified.

"The workshop remains here; this time, I brought back a hundred troops; they will stay to protect you." Zhao Hanzhang said, "The manor here will be entrusted to you."

Ji Yuan expressed he had no issues.

Walking out of the workshop, Zhao Hanzhang remembered something and headed to the brick kiln, "Suddenly thought of it; Xiping County needs to build barracks and requires many bricks and stones. I’ll take some craftsmen along."

Ji Yuan said, "Why not fire and transport them from here? Build another brick kiln workshop..."

"It’s not complicated; as long as the right soil is found, the speed is fast," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Xiping County has suffered severe damage; the required bricks and stones are many; relying on transport would consume too much manpower, and moreover..."

Looking at her expansive farm, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I want to expand the East Camp and West Camp."

Ji Yuan’s eyebrows twitched.

Zhao Hanzhang softly said, "If Yu Yang can’t be defended, we must be prepared to repel the enemy in Shangcai and take back Yu Yang."

Ji Yuan gasped, but his eyes shone brightly. He suppressed his excitement and whispered, "Rest assured, my lady, I know what to do and will not fail the mission."

Zhao Hanzhang turned to him, and they exchanged a smile. Ting He, who came over, shuddered at the sight, vaguely seeing an old fox and a young tiger.

Zhao Hanzhang saw Ting He and waved to her.

Ting He immediately lifted her skirt and ran forward, "My lady, Second Lady invites you back for lunch; also, County Magistrate Chai is here."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Why did he come?"

She had just left the county town this morning.

Ting He shook her head, "I don’t know; Second Lady is not good at entertaining guests, so she invited him to the front hall, prepared a meal, and is waiting for the lady and the gentleman to return."

Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan exchanged a glance, then turned back to the courtyard.

County Magistrate Chai was somewhat restless; seeing Zhao Hanzhang enter, he immediately stood up to greet her, "Third Lady, trouble has arrived."

Zhao Hanzhang quickly reassured him, "Please speak slowly; what is the trouble?"

"You had just left when people from the Inspector Mansion arrived; they came to hold accountable."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "It’s just after the autumn harvest; it’s not yet time to pay taxes; even if collecting ahead of time, it requires time. They had just notified the County Lord when they came to hold accountable?"

"Oh, it’s not about the autumn taxes."

"Then what is it about?"

"The horse farm," County Magistrate Chai said. "They went to the horse farm to requisition horses, only to find that all the mature horses were taken by you, using my handwritten note. The Inspector Mansion was furious for not obtaining horses, came over, and demanded horses from me. Third Lady, what can be done..."

County Magistrate Chai looked at Zhao Hanzhang with longing eyes.

Last night, Zhao Hanzhang returned the personnel to him, but not the military supplies and warhorses she took. He had turned a blind eye to act as if he didn’t know, but now he couldn’t withstand pressure from above.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "How many are they asking for?"

"Two hundred horses."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and quietly looked at him.

"It’s true, I’m not lying to you; Mr. Chang is right here; you can ask him."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Chang Ning.

Chang Ning nodded slightly.

Zhao Hanzhang said wistfully, "The horse farm doesn’t even have two hundred horses in total, let alone mature ones. This is extortion! They want to take back double the number of horses that came out?"

County Magistrate Chai nodded sheepishly.