Young Zhao Zheng was deep in thought. Before he could decide, he heard a quiet voice ask: “Ranked for what?”

He looked up to see Zhao Ming, and instinctively straightened his back with a serious expression like a little adult, bowing. “Uncle Ming!”

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled. “Uncle, you returned so quickly. I thought you wouldn’t be able to escape until evening.”

“Stop grinning foolishly. Do you know who that was?”

“Don’t know, don’t recognize him,” Zhao Hanzhang was quite frank. “But he should be from the Pei County Xiahou family, right?”

“Correct. This year’s Rector is Xiahou Jun. Xiahou Ren is Xiahou Jun’s clan brother, with whom he has a good relationship. He’s been helping him recruit talented people,” Zhao Ming said. “If they discover you’re raising so many private soldiers and retainers in Xiping County, none of us will have an easy time. So you’d better behave yourself around him.”

Zhao Ming felt somewhat troubled. “When sending out invitations, I specifically avoided Inspector He and General Xiahou’s people. I didn’t expect Xiahou Ren would still find his way here.”

Zhao Hanzhang: “Coming without an invitation—did he specifically seek me out after hearing of my reputation?”

Zhao Ming glared at her. “You know that too. Ji Yuan has been building up your reputation everywhere, buying horses and grain. Combined with your feat of shooting Liu Jing, others may not know, but within Yuzhou you’re now famous. Of the literary gentlemen attending this banquet, three or four out of ten sentences discuss you.”

At this moment, Zhao Ming felt her absence from the banquet was absolutely the right decision.

Zhao Hanzhang remained cheerful. “Reputation naturally has both disadvantages and advantages. Uncle needn’t worry too much.”

“I’m not worried,” Zhao Ming glanced at her. “If this matter attracts the Emperor’s and Prince Donghai’s attention, at worst we’ll just send you to the capital.”

Zhao Hanzhang still smiled cheerfully, taking it all on herself. “Uncle, rest assured. I won’t let him discover those private soldiers and retainers under my command.”

Apart from her subordinates and some Zhao family members, no one knew she commanded a large number of private soldiers and retainers. Even Zhao Ming only knew roughly, not the specific numbers.

So Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t worried.

Not to mention the Zhao clan members wouldn’t be foolish enough to inform on her—even if they did, she had ways to respond so they couldn’t catch any evidence.

Zhao Ming’s expression softened somewhat.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Zhao Zheng, then moved closer to Zhao Ming, asking cheerfully: “Uncle, look—I have ties with the Xiahou family. Could I perhaps ask them to handle some matters?”

Whether Zhao Cheng wanted to be ranked she didn’t know, but she had a whole group of useful people under her command. If she could place them in advance throughout Runan’s counties…

Even the steady and composed Zhao Ming couldn’t help reaching out to touch her forehead. “You’re not feverish. Why are you talking nonsense?”

He scolded angrily: “Do you have no idea what ties you have with the current Xiahou family? Why don’t you go find the Emperor and tell him you’re related to him, asking for some benefits?”

Zhao Hanzhang actually began seriously considering this.

Zhao Ming was shocked when he saw her genuinely contemplating. “Are you serious?”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “The world’s hustle and bustle all pursue profit. Having ties is just an excuse, but with this excuse, things become much easier to handle. As long as there’s mutual benefit with them, it’s not impossible.”

Zhao Ming: “…”

He examined Zhao Hanzhang carefully and couldn’t help saying: “How did your great-uncle raise you? He was a renowned gentleman-scholar, yet you…”

Zhao Ming felt those words were too harsh for a young woman, so he held back.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, had experienced modern society’s self-deprecating culture and casually finished for him: “Single-mindedly pursuing profit, thick-skinned?”

Zhao Ming gave up and waved his hand. “Fine, do as you please.”

In any case, she wouldn’t be the one at a disadvantage. If she didn’t lose out, neither would the Zhao family. Let her do as she wished.

Zhao Ming hadn’t yet noticed his principles were retreating again and again. Zhao Hanzhang was already counting on her fingers her closest connection to Xiahou Ren, so she could claim kinship when they met.

Zhao Ming heard her muttering: “General Xiahou should call Grandfather ‘cousin uncle,’ so he should call my father…”

Zhao Ming rubbed his forehead with a headache. “Stop calculating. Your maternal great-uncle’s family was executed to three generations. The remaining Xiahou family has little blood relation to you. If you really want to claim kinship…”

His gaze fixed on her face.

Zhao Hanzhang touched her own face upon seeing this. “What, do I look like someone from the Xiahou family?”

Zhao Ming had a complex expression. “I never met that Master Xiahou, but I heard that when your father grew older, everyone said he resembled Master Xiahou. And you resemble your father.”

The Master Xiahou that Zhao Ming spoke of was Xiahou Xuan, Zhao Changyu’s maternal uncle and also the elder brother of Sima Shi, one of the founders of the great Jin Dynasty.

How remarkable was Xiahou Xuan? Her formidable grandfather idolized Xiahou Xuan throughout his life. Many renowned scholars of the same period took him as their model, praising him as “bright and clear as the sun and moon entering one’s embrace.” He was one of the Four Intelligences of the Cao Wei period. This showed how high his intellect and reputation were.

The Sima family wanted to usurp power, and Xiahou Xuan was an insurmountable obstacle. So Xiahou Xuan was falsely executed, and three generations of his family were killed.

Therefore, the current Xiahou family’s relationship with the Zhao family was very distant—more than eighteen turns removed. Zhao Ming continued: “Great-uncle didn’t like Xiahou Jun. Since Master Xiahou’s death, relations between our Zhao family and the Xiahou family have also grown cold.”

So working connections wouldn’t work. Of course, Zhao Hanzhang could offer sufficiently large benefits, but why bother? The Zhao family had no shortage of marriage connections, and there were other ways to accomplish things besides going through the Xiahou family.

Zhao Ming stood up. “If you want to try, then try. Right now in Yuzhou, Xiahou Jun is the Grand Rector. If nothing unexpected happens, he’ll continue for several more years. Many young clan members are coming of age and need to be ranked for service. Having good relations with the Xiahou family isn’t a bad thing.”

He paused, then said: “Call Tinghan over to meet Xiahou Ren too. Though his talent and fame are widely known and his family background isn’t poor, to be ranked highly, he still needs to leave enough of an impression before the Rector.”

This time Zhao Hanzhang didn’t object and agreed readily. But whether Fu Tinghan would come was another matter.

He wouldn’t enter Dajin’s service, but in this era, having reputation was still better than not having it.

After all, sometimes reputation could save lives.

The adjacent garden was bustling with festivities. Xiahou Ren was surrounded in the center. With his great reputation and being the cousin of this year’s Grand Rector, he was very popular.

However, quite a number of people ignored him, gathering together to admire themselves in the mirrors and discuss topics of their own interest.

Zhao Cheng was one of them. He had his own circle of friends. Seeing he really liked the full-length mirror and kept looking at it, a friend said: “Stop looking. I’ll send you one later.”

The friend turned back immediately. “You have one?”

Zhao Cheng nodded. “I have one in my room. Purchasing one isn’t difficult. I’ll send you one later.”

Hearing this, the friend immediately returned to sit beside him. “There are rumors outside that the Shangcai Zhao family has a glass workshop producing glass like celestial treasures. Is that Zhao family yours?”

Zhao Cheng said: “That’s my niece Zhao Hanzhang’s enterprise.”

“The rumored Zhao Sanniang who shot Liu Jing and repelled Shi Lei?”

Zhao Cheng nodded.

The friend couldn’t help sighing. “It seems your Zhao family will become the wealthiest in the world.”

Zhao Cheng was unconcerned. Their Zhao family had rumors of being wealthiest in the world over ten years ago. Many people secretly suspected the Zhao family’s wealth exceeded even Shi Chong and others.

But truth or falsehood—no one could know. Now it was just adding another entry to that foundation.

Zhao Cheng was unconcerned, but Zhao Hanzhang cared. So when Zhao Cheng introduced his friend to her and expressed this view, Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply and pleaded poverty: “Hanzhang is ashamed. When Grandfather was alive, the family did have some assets. But when Grandfather passed and we escorted his coffin home, we successively encountered Xiongnu troops and refugee armies. All the wealth we brought was plundered.”

“Because of this, after returning home we were truly destitute. Fortunately, clan elders supported us, allowing us to barely get by,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a bitter expression. “But I’ve grown up now. My brother and I can’t keep relying on elders’ charity. Plus we have many loyal servants and old retainers—we can’t let them scatter. That’s why we thought of ways to earn household expenses.”

“The glass formula was something Tinghan happened upon while studying. We only tried it initially, never expecting it would actually work. Only then did our days improve somewhat.”

Zhao Cheng’s friend, Lu Le from Ruyin, was half-believing. “Glass is so precious—a single set of cups would be enough for a family of three to live comfortably for life. Since you’ve mastered glass-making, how could you still lack money?”

“Rarity makes things valuable. Glass was precious before because it was rare. Now that it can be produced, naturally the price won’t be so high.”

Lu Le said with pursed lips: “Before the news spreads, you could profit greatly.”

This uncle was quite sharp—he even knew about information arbitrage.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t dare give him an approving look, maintaining an upright expression: “Others may not know, but I know myself. How could I deceive people for personal profit?”

Zhao Cheng praised: “Well said.”

Then he turned to warn Lu Le: “Don’t try to corrupt our Zhao family’s younger generation.”

Lu Le said helplessly: “How is this deception? It’s just that their information isn’t current. In business matters, that’s all.”

Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands. “Hearing Uncle’s meaning, you seem quite skilled in commerce. Have you considered taking some Shangcai specialties when you leave?”

What were Shangcai’s specialties now?

That would be glass!

Lu Le gave Zhao Hanzhang an approving look. “Sanniang’s words are exactly what I was thinking.”

So the two went aside to discuss business matters.

Zhao Cheng: …

While they were conversing happily, Xiahou Ren and He Cheng came to visit.

Zhao Hanzhang considered briefly, then told a servant: “Quickly invite the honored guests in.”

Lu Le stopped talking, sat back in his seat and leaned back, not rising to greet them. Zhao Cheng also didn’t stand.

Zhao Hanzhang went to the hall entrance to welcome them. Seeing the two, she immediately bowed. “I was just thinking of visiting Uncle tomorrow. I didn’t expect Uncle would come today.”

Xiahou Ren smiled. “We were too impatient. It’s just that our Yuzhou rarely sees heroic children like Sanniang.”

“Uncle’s words shame me. Not to mention distant examples, just speaking of the talented scholars in the adjacent garden—who isn’t superior to Hanzhang?” Zhao Hanzhang invited Xiahou Ren into the hall.

Upon entering, seeing Zhao Cheng and Lu Le seated, “I didn’t expect Zitu and Yuezhi to be here.”

Zhao Cheng’s expression was calm. Lu Le said: “Zitu being at his niece’s home is normal. I’m more surprised that you two would come here.”

“We came out of admiration. We heard long ago that Zhao family’s Sanniang has exceptional martial skills—upon her debut, she consecutively defeated two Xiongnu generals. I also know some archery and horsemanship, so I wanted to come request instruction.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked conflicted. “This doesn’t seem appropriate. After all, Hanzhang is a junior. What if I’m too heavy-handed and accidentally injure Uncle?”

“Ah, blades and swords have no eyes. I’m not so lacking in grace,” Xiahou Ren smiled. “Just a comparison. I also want to see what ability you have that Inspector He would entrust Xiping County to you.”

So if she lost, it would affect Xiping County’s ownership?

Zhao Hanzhang’s hands felt a bit itchy. What should she do about wanting to fight?

She looked down at the curved robe she was wearing and stood up. “Uncle, please wait a moment. I’ll go change into something more convenient.”

Xiahou Ren wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, since he was also wearing wide-sleeved robes.

But Zhao Hanzhang had already quickly left. Xiahou Ren, under Zhao Cheng’s intense stare, could only suppress what he wanted to say.

The four sat awkwardly. Zhao Hanzhang returned quickly, bringing two wooden swords with her.

“Uncle, blades and swords have no eyes, so let’s use wooden swords for our match.”

She tossed a wooden sword to him. Xiahou Ren stood and caught it in one motion, swung it a few times, then smiled: “This wooden sword isn’t light, and it even has carved patterns. Who made it?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “A carpenter.”

Xiahou Ren: …

Zhao Hanzhang turned sideways. “Please, Uncle, move to the courtyard.”

The two stood facing each other. Zhao Cheng, He Cheng, and Lu Le all moved to stand in the corridor. The three looked up to see Zhao Ming standing in a corridor not far away, with a refined young man beside him. He Cheng and Lu Le had never seen this person and didn’t know who he was.

They’d just seen him in the garden either.

Zhao Ming nodded to them but didn’t speak to disturb those in the courtyard, watching quietly.

Lu Le thought the young man had an extraordinary bearing and asked Zhao Cheng: “Who is that young man?”

Zhao Cheng: “Fu Tinghan, Minister Fu’s eldest grandson.”

“Eh, has he capped yet? How does he already have a courtesy name?”

“Not yet. They gave him one when they got engaged.”

He Cheng had been listening with pricked ears. He raised his head to look at Fu Tinghan again—truly a talented youth. The Zhao and Fu families joining in marriage was an excellent move. The two families supporting each other meant even Prince Donghai wouldn’t dare easily move against them.

In the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang was discussing with Xiahou Ren: “How do we determine victory?”

Xiahou Ren said: “Three lives. Whoever dies twice first loses.”

Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile: “Is there a wager?”

“What wager do you want?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought, then said: “I heard Uncle enjoys traveling and excels at calligraphy and painting. Therefore, wherever you go, you record the landscape and scenery. Though Hanzhang is female, I also have a heart for travel. Unfortunately, constrained by reality, I can only remain in Xiping. So Hanzhang wants all of Uncle’s drafts and manuscripts from Yuzhou.”

Xiahou Ren’s eyebrow twitched. “What will you offer to match this?”

“How about Shangcai’s glass workshop?”

Xiahou Ren’s pupils contracted. How did she know he wanted her glass workshop?

Zhao Hanzhang smiled as she looked at him. “The glass my workshop produces—you’ve seen it, Uncle. Exquisitely beautiful. As for output, it’s barely acceptable. If you win, I’ll give you the workshop.”

Xiahou Ren: “The workshop is in your estate. I can’t manage it easily.”

“Uncle can move it. The craftsmen inside and the current formulas—I’ll give you everything.”

Xiahou Ren’s expression grew serious. “Are you truly willing?”

Zhao Hanzhang: “Uncle can part with years of painstaking work. How could I be unwilling to part with a mere glass workshop?”

She said: “Compared to Uncle’s life’s work, the glass workshop is completely insignificant.”

Though Xiahou Ren didn’t think so, he was still quite pleased by this flattery. His expression softened as he considered, then nodded. “Good. I agree to your wager.”