When Zhao Hanzhang entered, she saw a jade vessel nearly one meter tall sitting on the table. Two vermillion birds were carved on either side, holding jade rings in their beaks.

As soon as she appeared, Zhao Hu immediately shifted his bragging target to her, smiling as he introduced it: “This ‘Vermillion Bird Holding Rings Treading Tiger Jade Vessel’ is a treasure from the Han dynasty imperial court. It features high relief, low relief, openwork carving, pierced carving, and flat carving. Not to mention hundreds of years ago—even now, being able to execute so many techniques on a single jade vessel is no easy feat.”

Zhao Hanzhang leaned in to examine it carefully and nodded in admiration. “Excellent. Fine craftsmanship indeed.”

Zhao Hu smugly stroked his beard and told her: “This is a birthday gift for your mother… the Empress Dowager.”

Lady Wang’s birthday was approaching.

Lady Wang, standing nearby, quickly said: “This gift is too precious. I cannot accept it. Uncle Ancestor, please take it back.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and also said to Zhao Hu: “It’s too valuable, and Mother doesn’t enjoy drinking wine anyway. This jade vessel would be useless to her.”

Zhao Hu countered: “If the Empress Dowager can’t use it, surely you can? The gift has already been presented—what kind of behavior is it to take it back?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied: “One should not accept rewards without merit. I dare not accept it even more.”

Unable to even give away his gift, Zhao Hu became unhappy and couldn’t help complaining on the spot: “I’m not asking you for favors. You’ve ascended the throne, and my household has produced two marquises. I’m happy about it and wanted to give you something nice, yet you won’t accept it. You’re being far too affected.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “This gift is too heavy. Whether given to me or the Empress Dowager, it’s inappropriate. If the palace accepts Uncle Ancestor’s lavish gift today, tomorrow rumors will start among the wealthy and powerful that I and the Empress Dowager greatly favor precious jade and wine vessels. The day after, people will start thinking of every means to send various precious jade and wine vessels to the palace.”

Zhao Hu asked: “What’s wrong with that? The whole realm is yours—when they send things, just accept them.”

“People with ability like Uncle Grandfather earn the money to buy gifts themselves. I can accept them without guilt, treating it as affection between us as grandparent and grandchild. But there are always some in this world who lack such family resources and ability. Seeing others give gifts, they think they cannot fall behind, so they start scheming for money by every means.”

“Officials directly extract from the common people. Powerful families join with officials to plunder from the common people. After one full rotation, ultimately I’m consuming the people’s fat and using the people’s blood, yet I’m supposed to remember these people’s kindness, while they’ve riddled my realm with holes. Tell me, isn’t this detestable?”

Zhao Hu frowned.

Zhao Hanzhang continued: “Setting aside whether they’re detestable or not, I, as someone who accepts gifts without restraint, am truly detestable. If I don’t know the inside story and accept in ignorance, my stupidity is detestable. If I clearly know the situation yet knowingly accept, that’s even more detestable and hateful. So you see, I cannot accept this gift, otherwise I’ll become both detestable and hateful.”

Zhao Hu sighed: “You’re always right. I can’t argue with you.”

Zhao Cheng let out a breath and with a serious expression bowed to Zhao Hanzhang: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration.”

He turned to look at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu shrank his neck in fright and turned away to avoid his son’s gaze.

Zhao Cheng frowned but ultimately said nothing in public, only coldly stating: “Father, in the future please refrain from sending such lavish gifts.”

Zhao Hu’s breathing quickened. Zhao Hanzhang immediately smiled and said: “Uncle Grandfather, I cannot properly accept this jade vessel, but if your household holds a banquet, you can invite me for a few cups of wine. Use this jade vessel to serve the wine then, and I will have used it. Wouldn’t that satisfy both purposes beautifully?”

Zhao Hu immediately beamed with joy. “Yes, Your Majesty’s thinking is most thorough.”

His mood improved, so Zhao Hu became generous: “Regarding the grain and money you borrowed from us last year, because of three consecutive months of flooding this year, they’re willing to extend repayment until next autumn.”

That was grain borrowed last year to recover Jiangnan.

Zhao Hanzhang was grateful and had people select many fine silks from her private treasury to give to Zhao Hu.

Though Zhao Hu wasn’t lacking, rewards bestowed by the imperial palace carried different significance.

Zhao Hu was very pleased. During the meal, he frequently chatted with Zhao Hanzhang: “I’ve already prepared a westward caravan. Your Majesty, about that map you obtained from Zhang Shi…”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “I’ve already had the publishing house print it. Seventh Uncle Grandfather, didn’t you buy one?”

“Isn’t there a more detailed version?” There must be something held in reserve, surely?

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head. “Only this one. Though Zhang Shi has personally been to Dunhuang, and he has guides on hand who’ve reached Kang Kingdom.”

Zhao Hu quickly asked: “Can Your Majesty help me obtain a guide?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled: “It wouldn’t be proper for me to forcibly take talented people from my subjects.”

Zhao Hu pouted and decided to go himself. He asked Zhao Hanzhang: “If I can bring back cotton seeds, will you really pay ten gold per jin?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded: “As long as it’s delivered to the court before the fifth day of the eighth month, confirmed to be viable seeds that can be planted, I will definitely honor my promise.”

Zhao Hu was very curious: “How good must the clothes made from this cotton be that you’re willing to spend so much money?”

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully: “When cotton blooms across the mountains and fields, once Seventh Uncle Grandfather has used cotton, you’ll understand.”

Zhao Hu wanted it even more and decided to send the caravan out as soon as he returned home.

Zhao Hanzhang reminded him: “Seventh Uncle Grandfather, it’s already the eighth month. The Western Regions are getting cold. By the time your people reach the Western Regions, snow may have already fallen, making the roads even harder to traverse.”

Zhao Hu replied: “What endeavor in this world isn’t difficult? I only care about results. How they accomplish it is none of my concern.”

He had given the caravan substantial funds after all.

The journey to the Western Regions was arduous. Though he was confident the caravan could return within a year, who knew if there might be unforeseen circumstances?

So Zhao Hu had prepared many goods for them—silks, porcelain, glass, tea, and even items like combs and hand warmers.

Zhao Hu instructed: “Regarding all the goods, I don’t care how you sell them along the way, but prices absolutely cannot fall below the minimum I’ve set for you. Leave at least thirty percent of each type of goods to deliver to Kang Kingdom and Dayuan.”

“Once there, you can sell at market prices, regardless of high or low. Don’t spend all the money on cotton seeds—also look for other curiosities. Anything that doesn’t exist in the Central Plains, or is rare here, buy more to bring back.”

After deliberation, Zhao Hanzhang directly recruited volunteers at court, asking who was willing to go to the Western Regions.

After brief consideration, Zhao Xin stepped forward.

Zhao Hanzhang said: “This journey to the Western Regions isn’t just about purchasing cotton seeds. You must also establish diplomatic relations with the Western Region kingdoms, open this commercial route, and inform the Western kingdoms that a new country called Hua has been established in the Central Plains.”

Zhao Xin calmly bowed: “This subject will not fail this mission.”

Zhao Hanzhang then confirmed him as the envoy, handed him the state credentials, and asked: “I’ll give you five hundred soldiers to form the delegation. You may select the personnel yourself.”

Zhao Xin said: “Since I’m accompanying Young Master Zhang as envoy, I don’t need so many people. I only require one translator.”

Zhao Xin could speak Xiongnu and Xianbei languages. Having once served as envoy to Shu, he also knew some Di tribal dialects. But there were many kingdoms and tribes in the Western Regions—these few languages clearly weren’t enough. So he needed a translator proficient in various Western Region languages.

Zhao Hanzhang looked toward Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was also somewhat stuck, but Zhao Cheng stepped forward: “This subject knows of someone. In the Imperial Academy there’s a clerk who’s proficient in various languages, including Western Region languages. Moreover, he has an excellent memory—he can remember and understand the meaning of a language after hearing it twice.”

Hearing how capable this person was, Zhao Hanzhang immediately asked: “So talented, yet no one has recommended him? Why is he only a clerk at the Imperial Academy?”

Zhao Cheng paused before saying: “He… he has a physical disability.”

Ji Yuan suddenly understood. “Libation Officer Zhao is referring to Shan Feng, correct?”

Zhao Cheng confirmed: “Yes.”

Zhao Hanzhang looked puzzled. Ji Yuan explained: “Your Majesty, Shan Feng was once a minor clerk in the Court of State Ceremonial during the previous dynasty. In the first year of Yong’an, when Sima Yong and Sima Ying attacked each other in the capital, allowing soldiers to plunder the people, with Emperor Hui being fought over by them both, Shan Feng cursed the imperial clan in the streets. He rallied the common people of Luoyang to fight back, saying, saying…”

Zhao Hanzhang prompted: “Saying what?”

“He said the Sima clan was unfit to be emperor and raised a rebel banner.” Ji Yuan continued: “For this he was arrested and imprisoned, originally sentenced to death by dismemberment. But coincidentally, Sima Ying was driven from the capital and Emperor Hui was abducted by him. Sima Yong also left the capital to recapture Emperor Hui. Thus Shan Feng’s life was spared.”

Later, when Sima Yue ultimately prevailed, not only seizing Emperor Hui but also poisoning him to death, Shan Feng, who had been sentenced to death by dismemberment, was simply left languishing in prison.

Ji Yuan knew of him because Zhao Changyu had sympathized with him, believing he raised the rebel banner because his wife and daughter were killed by rampaging soldiers, leaving him deranged and irrational at the time. So after Sima Yue took power, Zhao Changyu petitioned on his behalf.

Though Shan Feng wasn’t ultimately pardoned, Sima Yue didn’t have the court execute the sentence either. He was just left muddled away in prison.

It wasn’t until the second year of Yongjia when Wang Mi and Liu Cong attacked Luoyang that more than half the city’s population fled. The prison guards also ran away, and only then could he crawl out of prison.

Though he got out, his face had been tattooed as a criminal, his leg was crippled, and with nowhere to go, he could only become a street beggar.

At that time, Luoyang was under Zhao Kuan’s management. How could he allow idle beggars in his jurisdiction?

So all beggars were rounded up for registration, given fields, seeds, and tools to farm. Because Shan Feng’s face bore criminal tattoos and he had a crippled leg, no one wanted to work with him, which particularly caught Zhao Kuan’s attention.

Zhao Kuan saw he couldn’t do anything except write, so he had him serve as an inconspicuous clerk in the yamen.

When Zhao Kuan left Luoyang, he sent Shan Feng to the Imperial Academy to work under Zhao Cheng, to continue serving as a clerk.

Zhao Cheng strongly recommended him and was willing to vouch for him.

Zhao Hanzhang said: “I must meet him.”

Xun Fan frowned: “Your Majesty, this person is a criminal from the previous dynasty who has not been pardoned. How can he enter court service?”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded: “Grand Tutor Xun speaks reasonably. After I meet him, if he truly has ability, I will pardon him.”

Officials who shared Xun Fan’s opinion were caught off guard. If she had said “he’s innocent” or “not guilty,” they could have debated. But she spoke of his talents, and everyone instantly couldn’t find words of opposition.

Guards went to fetch Shan Feng, so they continued discussing the next matter. “This year’s autumn harvest will soon conclude. Next comes tax collection. Do you honored ministers have any recommendations?”

The ministers’ recommendation was to reduce and exempt taxes. Xun Fan said: “Throughout all dynasties, when rulers practice light corvée and reduced taxes, resting with the people, the common folk naturally adjust and recover vitality. The court need not interfere excessively.”

All the officials agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Indeed. But how can I ensure my light corvée and reduced taxes actually reach the localities without being taken by greedy corrupt officials?”

Ji Yuan said: “As in previous years: first, court policies are published through the gazette; second, order students from various schools to preach in the countryside; third, have yamen runners spread word widely through the villages, from county to ward chief to village elders to villagers, layer by layer, ensuring everyone knows the taxes and levies the court has reduced and exempted.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “What else?”

Ji Yuan said: “Send censors to inspect all provinces and commanderies, ensuring policies are properly implemented and rectifying official governance.”

Ming Yu and others all agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang then asked: “To whom should the inspection and rectification of official governance be entrusted?”

Ji Yuan fell silent, waiting for officials below to volunteer themselves.

But before they could volunteer, Ming Yu stepped forward first: “Your Majesty, this subject has someone to recommend.”

After receiving Zhao Hanzhang’s indication, Ming Yu pointed out: “This subject believes Vice Minister Fan is suitable.”

Fan Ying, standing at the front of the officials, immediately stepped forward upon hearing this and bowed: “Your Majesty, this subject is willing to go.”

Among the officials, quite a few shuddered. In these past two years, among officials arrested for corruption and dereliction of duty, six out of ten were caught by Fan Ying.

Though she was a woman, her methods were ruthless and decisive. No amount of pleading helped.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and nodded: “Good. This matter is entrusted to Minister Fan. I appoint you as Chief Inspector. All censors under heaven are at your command.”

Fan Ying accepted the appointment.

Zhao Hanzhang asked again: “Resting with the people without excessive interference means issuing fewer corvée duties. But I believe among all people, few don’t love earning money. After autumn harvest, most people will be idle. If they could earn some money for the New Year, that would be wonderful. Can you honored ministers think of ways to let the common people earn money?”

An official immediately proposed: “Have county yamens give the people money?”

Zhao Hanzhang replied: “…I would like to, but alas, the treasury is shy. Think of something more practical.”

The officials were speechless. The weather was already cold—what methods could they devise? Didn’t farmers all earn money by farming?

One official said: “Have them sell their household chickens, ducks, and pigs!”

Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands in delight: “An excellent method! What are the prices for chickens, ducks, and pigs? Does the court regulate them? What if prices are too low? Also, what about households that don’t raise chickens, ducks, or pigs?”

Zhao Ming was exasperated and quickly said: “Your Majesty, commanderies and counties can cultivate more chicks, ducklings, and piglets. After next spring begins, they can sell the young animals to the people.”

Only then did the mocking expression leave Zhao Hanzhang’s face. She asked: “What if the people can’t afford to buy them? Can they buy on credit?”

After brief consideration, Zhao Ming said: “Yes. Agree on the repayment amount or payment in meat.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction and asked: “What other methods are there? Do you honored ministers not partake of mortal sustenance or manage household necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt?”

The officials startled and immediately wracked their brains. Don’t say—once they started thinking, they came up with quite a few ideas. Everyone began talking at once. They had just begun when guards entered to report: “Your Majesty, Shan Feng has been brought here.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: “Admit him. You honored ministers continue thinking. The people’s livelihood is a major matter.”

The officials complied, but their gazes couldn’t help drifting toward the entrance. Speaking of which, Shan Feng and the current ruler were kindred spirits in a way, weren’t they?

Though they took different paths—one failed from the start while the other reached the end—the meaning was the same.

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, a gray, unremarkable man limped into the hall. His cheeks were tattooed with the character for “criminal.” His hair was gray and white, with white occupying the greater part. Yet he was only twenty-six years old this year.

He walked to the front of the great hall and knelt in salute. Zhao Hanzhang said: “You may dispense with formalities. Grant him a seat.”