Chapter 78 - Different Ways to Make Money

Chapter 78: Chapter 72 Different Ways to Make MoneyThe villa was once occupied by Zhao Changyu, and it’s said her father, Zhao Zhi, also stayed here for a period to read and study quietly.

Therefore, the villa is elegantly furnished; even if the owners haven’t visited for many years, it is still well managed, though it hasn’t been lived in for a long time and lacks a vibrant atmosphere.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and placed the coffin in the arranged mourning hall, allowing Mrs. Wang and Zhao Erlang to rest. Only then did she take Fu Tinghan to meet the manor head in the main hall.

The manor head, like Uncle Cheng, was a generational servant, honored to be granted the surname Zhao and was named Zhao Tong.

Upon entering, he kneeled on the ground and respectfully prostrated himself.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Rise."

Zhao Tong climbed to his feet, standing aside with his head lowered, and began to apologize to Zhao Hanzhang, explaining that last year’s harvest wasn’t good and little was stored, meaning they didn’t have extra funds to purchase new bedding for the masters. They were using bedding from the cupboard that had been washed and aired.

"However, we air the villa’s items yearly, maintaining them well, and the bedding is still about seventy to eighty percent new."

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand to calm his anxiety, asking, "Can ice still be purchased in Shangcai?"

Momentarily stunned, Zhao Tong replied, "The weather is not very hot yet, and ice has not started being used or traded on the market. But if the lady requires it, the city’s ice merchants will likely grant Zhao Family some face to sell."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded slightly, "Then take some people to the county town now and help me buy as much ice as possible."

Though Zhao Tong didn’t understand, he still bent forward and agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang waved him away, "Dismissed. Where is your wife? Have her come to see me; we need some women servants at home."

Zhao Tong’s eyes brightened, bowing to respond, "I will have her come to see the master immediately."

Zhao Tong departed, leaving money unmentioned. Zhao Tong assumed that the masters would definitely settle accounts with the merchants afterward; the Zhao Family is wealthy as a nation, and they’re unlikely to lack money for payment.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang truly did not have even a cent left.

They traveled along, striving to preserve Zhao Changyu’s corpse as well as possible by buying ice whenever passing through major counties.

The jewelry on her, things from Mrs. Wang, belongings in the luggage, even Fu Tinghan’s items, trading everything that could be, except for the jade pendant.

Now, aside from a wagon of grain, they had no assets left.

Oh, there’s still a sizable manor, yet this manor also appears impoverished.

Here it’s worth mentioning her frugal grandfather. Zhao Changyu excelled at management yet was extremely miserly; he meticulously gathered all his assets without sparing a penny, leaving only enough for each manor’s yearly operational expenses.

Thus, when Zhao Tong spoke of last year’s poor harvest, she wouldn’t ask about earlier accumulations, for all previous savings were sent to Zhao Changyu.

They were either used to support the clan in another form or stealthily hidden away by him as private assets.

Otherwise, how would his scattered treasures emerge?

Beyond earning, naturally, one must save!

If discussing saving money, Zhao Changyu claiming to be second in Great Jin, certainly no one would dare call themselves first.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Uncle Cheng, "Have you found out whether Mr. Ji has come here?"

Uncle Cheng replied, "No."

He seemed worried, "Third Lady, could Mr. Ji have gone to the home in Xiping?"

Zhao Hanzhang stroked her chin, saying, "Mr. Ji isn’t foolish; even I know not to go to the old home in Xiping, he surely knows better."

Uncle Cheng hesitated, "That would be..."

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "I trust Mr. Ji. As Zhao Tong is off to buy ice, spread the news of me taking the casket back to my hometown, and send someone to Xiping’s old home; it’s time for grandfather to be laid to rest."

The Zhao family’s ancestral tomb is in the old hometown of Xiping, but Xiping is not far from Shangcai. Zhao Changyu was titled Shangcai; it’s quite reasonable to start the funeral from Shangcai.

Even if Mr. Ji isn’t in Shangcai or Xiping, surely he’d send someone to monitor these two places. As long as she arrives, he should receive the message. Then it’s just waiting.

However, she couldn’t rely solely on Mr. Ji’s resources. Thinking of Zhao Changyu’s hidden treasures, she felt an urge.

Applying significant willpower, she suppressed her thoughts; no, it’s not the time yet, can’t use them, and she hasn’t fully consolidated her people. Taking those things now wouldn’t be safe.

Zhao Hanzhang pondered, then waved Uncle Cheng closer, questioning him once nearby, "Uncle Cheng, are there things in the villa that can be sold?"

Uncle Cheng hesitated, "... Third Lady, this villa is rarely inhabited; your father stayed here for two years in his youth, reading books. Back then, some items weren’t collected. Whether they are still here, if not lost, they are not worth much."

"Moreover... they are old items left by Master, selling them wouldn’t be decent."

Seeing her struggle, Fu Tinghan couldn’t help saying, "Otherwise, could we figure a way to earn money ourselves?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Mr. Fu, do you have a good idea?"

Fu Tinghan suggested, "Following the routine, we could produce items urgently needed or luxury items from this era; with proper management, it can quickly convert into wealth."

"Such as?"

"Making soap, glass, or paper? Although I wouldn’t mind producing some black powder for you, such is quite inhumane; I’m deeply opposed."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Forget glass, can you genuinely make soap and paper?"

Fu Tinghan stated, "Living in an information-explosion era, I know a bit of everything; I don’t find experimenting difficult with the principles known."

"Your idea is sound, I support you, but this approach may take longer than waiting for Mr. Ji," Zhao Hanzhang remarked, "I have an even better plan."

She turned to Uncle Cheng, "Uncle Cheng, rest well tonight, and tomorrow morning take people to Xiping home; I’ll write a letter to Uncle Wu, informing the clan about the turmoil in Luoyang. Should Uncle Wu inquire about our travel, just tell the truth."

Zhao Hanzhang winked, then added, "Mother is overwhelmed with sorrow, and fear along the journey has weakened her; upon arriving in Shangcai, her health couldn’t withstand. Second Son’s wounds haven’t healed fully; I, as a young lady, am exhausted sustaining the major family."

Uncle Cheng instantly understood, bowing, "I understand; tomorrow I’ll head to Xiping’s old home."

Having everything arranged, Zhao Hanzhang rose, stretching her aching waist, saying, "It’s truly exhausting. Let’s go burn incense for grandfather, then rest."

Fu Tinghan asked, "You’re... borrowing money from Xiping?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "You could say so. Now, it depends on whether the clan decides to lend me or give me."

Xiping County is adjacent to Shangcai County; the estate and the clan’s land aren’t far apart. Zhao Hanzhang entered the estate in the morning, and by evening at dusk, several elders in Zhao’s Fortress learned of Zhao Hanzhang taking the casket back home.

Zhao Song, same age as Zhao Changyu, was only several months younger, thus ranking fifth in the clan, hence called Zhao Wulang.

Of course, Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t dare address him as such, she must call him Fifth Uncle Grandfather.

The Zhao’s Fortress has always been under his management, representing Zhao Changyu in Xiping’s clan dealings.

Upon hearing the coffin of Zhao Changyu returning home, his tears poured out, hurriedly asking, "If returned to Ru Nan, why stop in Shangcai and not return to Xiping?