Zhao Hu huffed. “Serves her right. She shows no regard for old relationships. These past two years Changning has tormented me so much. I complained to her, but she still won’t punish Changning.”

Zhao Ming said, “She’s unwilling to replace Changning, but Seventh Uncle, your wagons travel back and forth transporting goods because she spoke with Zhao Ju—that’s why your wagons are spared from bandit attacks. Every place she goes, when she sees good shops and residences, she reserves some for you in advance. The prices she gives are ones others can’t get…”

“Enough, enough. I’ve given her plenty of money to spend too. The several times she requisitioned grain and supplies, did I donate any less?”

Zhao Ming said expressionlessly, “But she did it to protect Yuzhou. Otherwise when the Xiongnu invade, such vast family assets would all become the barbarians’.”

Zhao Hu was left speechless. Finally he said angrily, “Anyway, I’m not going to Luoyang.”

Only then did Zhao Ming say, “Sanniang told me one-to-one, but if Seventh Uncle speaks up himself, given your assets, she might give more.”

Zhao Hu hesitated. “One to one point two?”

Zhao Ming’s mouth twitched. He tried to keep his expression unchanged. “Seventh Uncle could perhaps try.”

Zhao Hu frowned. “Can this new currency really work the same as old coins? What if other provinces and commanderies don’t recognize it—why would I exchange for new currency?”

After thinking, Zhao Ming said, “Actually, only two places are uncertain.”

“Which two places?”

“Jiangnan and Yanzhou,” Zhao Ming said. “Xiliang is also minting its own new currency. Now Shu has become independent and also plans to mint copper coins independently. The Two Lakes region has close dealings with our Yuzhou and also recognizes our new currency.”

Before minting new currency, both Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming had considered this. If the new currency only circulated within Yuzhou and Luoyang, naturally they could do as they pleased. Clearly, their ambitions didn’t stop there.

Zhao Ming continued, “Moreover, speaking with great disrespect, as long as Sanniang is here for one day, as long as Yuzhou remains in our Zhao clan’s grasp, the new currency we mint will be useful. Yuzhou and Luoyang are the central provinces, the foundation of the realm.”

For some reason, Zhao Hu’s heart trembled. “What if one day Yuzhou is no longer in our Zhao clan’s hands…”

Zhao Ming said coldly, “Then what difference would it make whether the money is new or old? Seventh Uncle, at this point, the Zhao clan has already gambled everything—our entire fortune and lives—following Sanniang.”

But Zhao Hu didn’t think so.

He rolled his eyes. If one day Yuzhou truly fell into enemy hands, at worst he’d flee.

But fleeing also required money.

He could flee as far as Jiangnan. There he’d need to establish residences, shops, and farmland. Especially farmland—he’d need to acquire plenty. Otherwise in old age without income-generating businesses, wouldn’t life be bitter?

But he was unfamiliar with the place. Establishing assets in Jiangnan would require spending a lot of money, wouldn’t it?

Zhao Hu contemplated, finally relenting. “Fine, I’ll go to Luoyang!”

Perfect opportunity to profit from Zhao Hanzhang, then have someone take the money and goods to try Jiangnan. If the new currency could really be used there, he’d acquire more things—just consider it leaving himself an escape route.

Zhao Ming smiled slightly. “Then I’ll have people prepare. Seventh Uncle can rest tomorrow and depart the day after.”

“Why the rush?” Zhao Hu said. “This matter isn’t urgent. Let me tour Chen County first.”

Chen County had become much livelier now, even visibly more prosperous.

Summer harvest had just ended, so there were many people on the streets. Zhao Hu went contentedly to inspect his shops. He had only two establishments in Chen County—one cloth shop and one restaurant.

Never mind the restaurant—that was a place even Zhao Hanzhang praised after eating there. Today he was mainly going to the cloth shop, because its accounts looked terrible.

His shop had been obtained directly from Ji Yuan. At the time Chen County was just recovering from devastation, so prices were extremely cheap and the location excellent.

Of course, undeniably, this involved Zhao Hanzhang’s favor.

But with such a prime location, there were surprisingly few people in the shop.

Zhao Hu entered the store unhappily, only to find very little fabric inside as well.

As soon as he entered, a clerk immediately approached warmly. “Sir, are you looking at fabrics?”

The clerk had some discernment. Seeing Zhao Hu’s attire, he guided him to the right side, smiling. “Please look—these are all new silks our shop released this year.”

Zhao Hu glanced at the silks the clerk brought down, then stepped forward to examine what remained on the shelves. He was thoroughly disgusted. “Such a large shop, and just these few bolts of silk?”

The clerk smiled. “Sir, don’t judge our shop’s silks by quantity. Every single bolt is the finest, all premium silks transported from the Two Lakes region. Looking at all of Chen County, no other shop can produce silks finer or more numerous than ours.”

“Lying to ghosts! Chen County is so large, yet the silks and fabrics in cloth shops don’t even compare to Xiping?” Just as Zhao Hu was about to have his steward summon this cloth shop’s manager for questioning, more customers entered the shop.

Four women traveling together, each carrying a roll of coarse hemp cloth. Seeing Zhao Hu dissatisfied with everything and judging his business difficult, the clerk left him to look around while he ran to greet the four women.

They’d come to sell hemp cloth.

The clerk felt the hemp cloth they’d brought, quickly agreed on a price, then turned to the counter to fetch money.

Zhao Hu was dumbfounded. Among his many cloth shops, this was the first to purchase scattered hemp cloth and turn around to place it on shelves for sale.

Zhao Hu walked to the left side and discovered this cloth shop not only had few silks, but pitifully few other fabrics as well.

Few varieties, small quantities, even limited colors.

Zhao Hu summoned the clerk. “Who taught you to purchase scattered hemp cloth and turn around to sell it in the shop?”

The clerk now sensed something different, saying quietly, “Our manager taught us.”

Zhao Hu lost his temper. “Bring him to me!”

The clerk immediately ran to fetch someone.

The manager had just delivered account books to the Regional Commander’s residence this morning. He hadn’t expected the Great Master to arrive so quickly. He hurriedly knelt to pay respects.

Zhao Hu waved dismissively in disgust. “Let me ask you—didn’t I have someone take you to meet the purchasing caravans? How did you manage my perfectly good cloth shop into this state?”

He continued, “Among my many cloth shops, none has been run so miserably.”

The manager quickly said, “Master, I did try, but those caravans don’t come to Chen County. Even with money, I can’t buy fabric. What we have now was only obtained thanks to the Lady’s favor.”

Zhao Hu said irritably, “What does this have to do with her?”

The manager replied, “It’s merchants we met through connections from the main branch. Only then did they give us some additional fabric. If you don’t believe me, Master, you can check other cloth shops in Chen County. Their business and inventory are even worse than ours.”

Zhao Hu was furious. “Why would I inspect others’ cloth shops? How can you only compare yourself to them? Can’t you look at Xiping’s cloth shops, look at my other well-run shops?”

“If the mountain won’t come to me, I go to the mountain—understand? When fabric merchants don’t come, can’t you send people out to purchase goods?” Zhao Hu continued, “Runan, Ruyin, Nanyang Kingdom—which commandery is inaccessible? If all else fails, ask me for people. You could go directly to the Two Lakes to haul cargo. You just muddle along like this—my shop doesn’t cost money? Labor doesn’t cost money?”