Zu Ti also glanced back at them and said with a smile, “Such talented men shouldn’t disappoint the young ladies. They should marry soon.”

Zhao Hanzhang also turned back and nodded. “Yes, they should marry. Currently, the population is sparse, and they’re in their prime. They don’t lack money—how can they not lead by example?”

Wang Xuan and Zhao Shen’s faces stiffened. They hadn’t considered marriage.

The two looked at each other simultaneously, wanting to let the other take the fall. Their gazes met intensely as they assessed each other. Realizing they probably couldn’t suppress the other through verbal sparring and would instead both lose, they simultaneously swallowed their words.

Both turned their heads away at the same time. When no one was paying attention, they viciously removed the flower branches and petals from their heads and threw them down.

When Zhao Shi and other young people noticed, they sighed with regret. With many people and loud voices echoing in the palace, they perhaps also realized the impropriety and began blaming and jostling each other playfully. The atmosphere was cheerfully chaotic.

An attending eunuch quietly reminded them that the palace should be solemn, but his voice was drowned in the many laughing voices, and few heard him.

The eunuch carefully looked at Zhao Hanzhang walking at the front. Seeing no anger on her face, he knew she permitted this and silently lowered his head to follow without further admonishment.

Only when they reached the base of the great hall steps did Zhao Hanzhang turn back to glance at them, her eyes smiling, and lightly scold, “The palace should be solemn.”

Only then did the young generals stop, adjusting their robes to each other, their faces properly respectful as they followed her up the steps.

The eunuch waiting outside the hall saw them ascending the steps and immediately ran back to find the little emperor sitting on the threshold. “Oh, Your Majesty, why have you sat down again? The General and the officials have already come up. Quickly come greet them.”

The little emperor sighed and, supporting himself on his knees, stood up. He raised his hands to let someone adjust his heavy crown and complicated garments, then supported by attendants’ hands, walked forward more than ten steps to stand at the edge of the steps.

Looking down, he could see Zhao Hanzhang and Zu Ti leading the civil and military officials approaching from the side.

Yesterday, when Zhao Hanzhang’s self-proclaimed decree as Prince of Yu was issued, someone had come before him crying, looking as if they thought his days were numbered.

Now, few still believed that because Zhao Hanzhang diligently taught him to handle government affairs and study with great scholars, she would return power to him. Yet they still wouldn’t allow him to slack off even slightly.

He still had to read the books he was supposed to read, review the documents he was supposed to review, and at court assemblies, they would routinely ask his opinion.

When his studies and answers were unsatisfactory, they would show disappointed expressions.

The little emperor’s heart grew increasingly resentful. He couldn’t help sneering inwardly. If he were actually capable, they’d probably lose their appetites and sleep, and at that point they’d hate him even more than Zhao Hanzhang did and wish to kill him even more.

Zhao Hanzhang led the civil and military officials up. Only after being reminded by a eunuch did the little emperor put on a smiling face to give welcoming words, encouraging Zu Ti and the others.

Zhao Hanzhang led the officials in bowing to him. Seeing exhaustion between his brows and dissatisfaction in his eyes, her gaze swept over the eunuch beside him. She respectfully cupped her hands. “Please, Your Majesty, proceed to Deyang Hall. The palace banquet is already prepared.”

The little emperor was also impatient to see these generals, especially Zu Ti. He could feel Zu Ti’s dislike for him—or rather, Zu Ti disliked anyone surnamed Sima.

He regarded all imperial clan members with the compound surname Sima with equal coldness.

The little emperor led everyone to Deyang Hall.

Because this was the north-south unification, the Prince of Langye also attended the palace banquet.

The palace banquet wasn’t merely eating and drinking. At least the palace banquets Zhao Hanzhang hosted weren’t. With the New Year approaching, the court would soon seal and adjourn for the holiday. Zhao Hanzhang invited Zu Ti to remain for the New Year.

Zu Ti agreed and said, “Now that the south and north are unified, could you please exempt Jizhou from some labor service and release some soldiers to return to civilian life?”

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and nodded. “Yes.”

She scanned the room and said to the officials, “Although I wish I could build ten thousand mansions overnight to shelter the people, repair ten thousand roads for the people’s benefit, and dig ten thousand irrigation channels to aid agriculture, I cherish the people’s strength even more. These years the common people have suffered too much—they deserve proper rest. Except for urgent matters like Yellow River breaches, from the first day of the first month until the Double Ninth Festival of next year, all regions should rest and recuperate. Labor service should not be levied unless necessary.”

“In the future, when regions levy labor service, it must be during agricultural slack seasons. One able-bodied man per household per year, for periods not exceeding half a month. When commanderies draw from counties, it must not exceed thirty percent of the county’s able-bodied men. When counties draw from neighborhoods, it must not exceed sixty percent of their able-bodied men.”

“Every three years, one household gets a year off—able-bodied men from one household must not be conscripted for three consecutive years.” Zhao Hanzhang paused, unable to think of more specific details, and turned to ask Ji Yuan, “Minister Ji, do you have anything to add?”

Ji Yuan said, “When commanderies and counties repair government offices, residences, and other projects benefiting officials, they must not conscript civilian labor. They should spend their own resources to hire civilian workers. For repairing bridges, paving roads, water conservation, and other projects benefiting the people, the employment method is also recommended.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. The Prince of Langye had just pledged allegiance, and Wang Dun wasn’t even dead yet, but they had already discussed and decided that for the next two years they would give the people rest and arrange as little labor service as possible.

Since they were reducing conscripted labor, how would this realm awaiting reconstruction be managed?

Naturally, the court would spend money, and the provincial governor’s offices, commandery governor’s offices, and county offices would spend money. This national policy was to be announced after the New Year anyway. Since Zu Ti had brought it up and the conversation had reached this point, they might as well publicly announce what they had previously discussed, letting the civil and military officials prepare.

Zu Ti had no objections. But Zhao Cheng felt she was merely changing the method of exploiting the people’s strength. So he said unhappily, “Since the General wants to give the people rest, you should halt these constructions that consume the people’s strength. Hiring people for construction versus conscripting labor—don’t both make them work? What’s the difference?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “There’s still a significant difference—one receives payment, the other doesn’t.”

Zhao Cheng was stunned. After a long while, he said, “Currently, the court enjoys great popular support. As long as schools and government offices explain carefully to the people, I believe they’d be willing to build roads, bridges, and water projects even without payment. Since the people will be laboring anyway, why go to the extra trouble of burdening the national treasury and local government offices?”

“Currently, neither the national treasury nor local government offices have money. The funds they would pay civilian workers also come from taxes. And taxes come from the people.” Zhao Cheng felt Zhao Hanzhang’s approach of moving money from left hand to right was not only complicated but also wasted court officials’ human resources. So he proposed, “You can conscript labor but reduce corresponding taxes.”

This way, the reduced taxes remaining in common households would be equivalent to wages paid to them, saving the process of submitting to government offices.

Don’t underestimate tax collection as just one process—the expenses involved in this one process were enormous.

Clerks were needed to collect taxes, transport them, warehouse them, then compile them, send portions to the capital, keep portions locally, then release from warehouses to various segments, and finally distribute to civilian workers according to their labor. Every step required manpower and incurred losses.

In Zhao Cheng’s view, this portion of loss was avoidable.

Zhao Hanzhang understood Zhao Cheng’s meaning. Actually, his thinking wasn’t wrong. Operating as he proposed would indeed reduce losses and benefit the common people.

However, circulation would create even higher value. Naturally, increased losses were unavoidable, but the psychological difference between working for wages versus the court reducing taxes to leave extra grain at home was completely different. This psychological difference would lead to completely different consumption concepts.

Moreover, Uncle Cheng was being too idealistic. Who could guarantee that his method’s losses would be less than converting taxes into wages for civilian workers?

Most importantly, not all able-bodied men would come work as civilian laborers, and not all civilian workers were able-bodied men. They needed to leave an advancement path for those who dared to venture, were enterprising, diligent, and clever.

Who could say this wasn’t an opportunity?

But how could she explain this to Uncle Cheng, who was like a refined gentleman?

Zhao Hanzhang thought for quite a while, then turned to the little emperor. “Your Majesty, I see that the newly listed required reading for students includes several books with somewhat overlapping content. And I see the students are all quite young—there’s no need to overly compress their study time. Why not reduce one subject and order the Imperial Academy doctors to compile new teaching materials? This can reduce such situations in the future.”

“Besides books, students’ ritual, music, archery, and horsemanship shouldn’t be neglected. We should increase emphasis on these. Why not add another session of ritual and music for them?”

The little emperor nodded indifferently.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Let’s also adjust Your Majesty’s curriculum accordingly—reduce one Confucian session and add one ritual and music session.”

The little emperor perked up slightly and nodded. “Acceptable.”

Zhao Hanzhang continued, “I’ve noticed Your Majesty has been very diligent recently, making progress in your studies. This past year, even when ill, you’ve attended great court assemblies. It’s truly been too taxing. As emperor, you should balance work and rest. I think future assignments should be somewhat reduced. The grand tutors could make their lectures more accessible and easy to understand.”

“Studying the Great Learning and Doctrine of the Mean is still too difficult for Your Majesty’s age. From now on, you may leave the morning small court assembly one hour early each day. You may arrange this time freely. If there are urgent government matters, I’ll send someone to request your consultation.”

Hearing this, the little emperor’s eyes brightened. His drooping head suddenly lifted, his entire being becoming animated and excited. “Really?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile. “Really.”

The emperor was overjoyed. Forgetting his status, he repeatedly said, “We thank the General for her consideration.”

Seeing the little emperor smile with his eyes crinkling, his entire state completely different from before—not only Zhao Cheng but other court officials also understood.

What one gains through one’s own efforts is completely different from what everyone has.

The court officials looked at the excited little emperor, already able to imagine how he would relax with his daily one-hour break.

And what about those common people who could only do hard labor—how happily would they arrange the wages they received from the court through their efforts?

The more astute officials had already thought to another level. They looked at the composed Zhao Hanzhang, then at the foolishly happy little emperor, thinking: Zhao Hanzhang is beginning to reduce the little emperor’s time and authority in handling government affairs. When will she completely replace the little emperor?

Zu Ti also meaningfully scanned the little emperor, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

When the palace banquet dispersed and Zhao Hanzhang walked toward the palace exit, she saw Zhao Cheng walking ahead of her with his head lowered, deep in thought, moving extremely slowly. She had remained behind to speak with the little emperor for quite a while.

Thinking he still hadn’t understood, she stepped forward. “Uncle Cheng, court officials’ private property also requires tax payment. This year the national treasury is depleted. What if I told the hundred officials I couldn’t pay salaries and could only reduce their corresponding taxes? Do you think they’d agree?”

Still immersed in his own thoughts, Zhao Cheng didn’t think carefully and replied without hesitation, “How could that work? If the treasury truly has no money, we can owe it first, but we can’t use this method. Otherwise…”

Zhao Cheng stopped mid-sentence, finally understanding Zhao Hanzhang’s analogy. He pressed his lips together. “You clearly had better analogies but didn’t use them. Why use His Majesty as the example?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “What does Uncle Cheng think?”

Zhao Cheng looked left and right. Seeing only the two of them on the long palace road, with guards standing at ten-step intervals on both sides, he was certain that even if he misspoke, the words wouldn’t spread. Everyone on this palace road must be her people.

Zhao Cheng sighed. “His Majesty is just a very ordinary child. He truly doesn’t have great intelligence, nor ambition, literary talent, or military strategy. But he’s never had bad intentions either.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “I will treat him well.”

Zhao Cheng was silent for a moment. “He has some talent in music.”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “My household has a pipa called Hulei in its collection. I’ll send it to His Majesty later.”

Zhao Cheng said nothing more.

Few knew that the little emperor’s favorite instrument wasn’t the guqin constantly displayed in his hall, but the pipa. He would occasionally play it during ritual and music lessons, but he played the guqin more often. All his teachers said the little emperor’s guqin music was excellent.

Zhao Cheng had only guessed the little emperor liked pipa after seeing him search for pipa musical scores.

Zhao Hanzhang managed ten thousand affairs daily. For her to notice the little emperor’s true preferences meant either she had very trusted, clever people around him, or she herself usually paid close attention to observing the little emperor.

Zhao Cheng walked out silently. As he mounted his carriage, he still couldn’t restrain himself. “I wish to resign from office and travel abroad.”

Zhao Hanzhang took the reins from Zeng Yue. Hearing this, she turned to look at Zhao Cheng, who already had one foot on the mounting step. She watched him steadily for a while, then nodded. “Very well.”

Zhao Cheng let out a breath and only then grasped the driver’s hand to board the carriage.

Zhao Hanzhang also mounted her horse, riding behind the carriage until she had escorted Zhao Cheng’s carriage back to the Zhao Residence. Watching his carriage enter, she turned her horse around and headed home.

Upon entering the gate, Zhao Hanzhang tossed the reins to a guard, waved at Zeng Yue, and strode toward the rear courtyard.

Because the New Year was approaching, Ting He had people hang many red lanterns in the courtyard. To save lamp oil, only every few lanterns were lit, to be extinguished when she returned.

But now, all the lanterns in the entire courtyard were lit, and there were figures moving about in the courtyard.

Zhao Hanzhang walked in with a puzzled expression. The person who had been facing away from her heard footsteps, turned to look, and smiled. “You’re back?”

Zhao Hanzhang’s steps halted as she looked at him in surprise. “When did you return?”

Fu Tinghan said, “I arrived about two hours ago. You were at the palace banquet, so I didn’t have anyone disturb you.”

He looked her up and down, then stepped forward to take her hand, leading her inside. “Go bathe first. In a while it’ll be too cold.”

Zhao Hanzhang obediently went.

After bathing, changing into fresh clothes, and sitting cross-legged on the bed, Fu Tinghan asked her, “In a bad mood?”

The displeasure from her return had long dissipated. Zhao Hanzhang said, “No, I’m in quite a good mood right now.”