When the peddler was queuing to leave through the city gate with his load, the gate-guarding soldiers already recognized him. They lifted the bamboo basket lid to glance inside, confirmed there were no prohibited items, and waved him through.

The peddler smiled broadly, bowed his head in a salute, and strode out with big steps.

The two convoys being inspected on the right outside the city happened to be the ones whose stewards had bought buns from him. The two stewards exchanged glances and couldn’t help but smile.

They saw a half-grown boy carrying a bucket of soup following the peddler out. As soon as he came out, he headed straight for the crowd—he was selling hot soup at one coin per bowl, clearly homemade and brought out to sell.

Both stewards’ masters were merchants. They had found connections to come here because they heard the Wang clan was coming to Luoyang. On the journey, everyone felt anxious, not knowing what the situation in Luoyang would be like.

Looking at it today, they had come to the right place. The General was tolerant of merchants, and even the gate-guarding soldiers were so accommodating to peddlers. Luoyang’s environment seemed even better than Yuzhou.

And it was a time when everything was being rebuilt from scratch…

It was indeed as rumored in Xiping—truly gold everywhere.

Zhao Hanzhang rode along the queue toward the front. When she saw those being inspected ahead, the sky had already turned completely dark. Only the bonfires burning on the ground emitted dazzling light.

Soldiers were holding torches inspecting the goods on the carts, checking them off one by one before handing the list to students requested from the Imperial Academy. They worked the abacus rapidly against the list, and only after a long while did they calculate the tax they should pay to enter the city.

A steward from one convoy took something wrapped in oiled paper from his chest and said loudly, “Reporting above, this is my master’s receipt for aiding the National Defense War.”

The nearby convoys being inspected all looked over with admiration and envy.

Zhao Hanzhang had officially designated the war to destroy the Xiongnu and capture Shi Lei as the National Defense War, which coincided with the great drought and locust plague in the north, during the most severe disaster period.

So there was a shortage of money and grain.

Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming had forcibly levied taxes many times in the rear. These merchants naturally hadn’t been spared much forced taxation. Later, with complaints rising, Zhao Hanzhang wrote to Ji Yuan and Zhao Ming after considering it, telling them to use softness to overcome hardness, with compassionate feelings, and reason with them.

The wealthy and powerful should contribute more money, and the pressure shouldn’t be transferred to the common people.

She proposed that anyone willing to contribute money and grain to aid the nation would receive a receipt from the court, and in the future, when she had the ability, they could recover the principal plus interest based on the receipt.

It was equivalent to the state borrowing money from them.

Zhao Hanzhang naturally had no money to repay them now, so after discussion, she had just recently issued an edict allowing merchants with receipts to offset their taxes.

Moreover, with this receipt, they could even meet Zhao Hanzhang.

Everyone looked over with envy and jealousy.

The inspector carefully verified it, confirmed the slip was issued by the court, then went to find Zhao Zheng and Zhao Erlang, reporting, “The court has indeed issued an edict. Should this tax be offset?”

Zhao Erlang didn’t think twice and said, “Since elder sister issued the edict, we should naturally obey. Offset it.”

“But I don’t know how to record it.”

Zhao Erlang said, “Just write it in an account book.”

“How should it be entered in the accounts once written in the book? A single time might not completely offset it, and they might not offset in Luoyang next time. How should other counties keep accounts? Who should this account ultimately be assigned to?”

Zhao Erlang said, “What did my elder sister say?”

“The edict only says it should be recorded in the national treasury, but I think some people will offset in Luoyang, some in Xiping. This time in Luoyang, next time switching to Xiping—how should this be calculated?”

Zhao Zheng thought briefly and said, “First record this matter. Write the offset amount on the slip. Wait until I return and discuss it properly with people, then have them come to the county office in three days to handle the deed.”

The other person looked toward Zhao Erlang.

Zhao Erlang said, “Listen to the County Magistrate.”

Only then did the other person turn and leave.

Zhao Zheng actually already had a plan in mind, but this matter was significant and still required Zhao Hanzhang’s approval.

He pulled Zhao Erlang aside to explain in detail, but this matter was rather complex. After Zhao Erlang tried hard to understand several times, he still didn’t get it, so he said irritably, “Why must I tell elder sister? Can’t you tell her?”

Zhao Zheng said, “You’re the county magistrate. You have the right to meet the General face-to-face. I don’t.”

“Just come to my house. Fifth Great-Uncle is here—don’t you have to visit and pay respects?” Zhao Erlang said, “Then you can see her when you want.”

Zhao Zheng thought for a moment and lowered his voice, saying, “But there will definitely be many people going. This receipt—the Zhao clan members didn’t have one back then. Discussing this in the manor might stir up trouble. It’s better to talk outside.”

When Zhao Hanzhang was fighting, when Zhao Song came to the door, the Zhao clan members contributed money generously. There were no receipts at that time. After all, the army in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands was called the Zhao Family Army and originally existed to protect Zhao clan fortified villages.

They were now essentially helping Zhao Hanzhang conquer the realm, so naturally they wouldn’t ask Zhao Hanzhang to repay the money and grain they gave.

Others might be one thing, but Seventh Great-Uncle had always been cunning. If he brought it up…

When no one mentioned it, everyone wouldn’t think much of it, but once someone did, everyone would likely feel aggrieved.

Zhao Erlang said, “Then I’ll call elder sister out and you can explain it to her. What you said—I only understood half. Why designate offset counties, and deduct from public accounts what tax something something—too much, I can’t remember.”

Zhao Zheng thought for a moment and said, “This afternoon, the order was sent back from the water mill. We haven’t seen the General return to the city all day, so she must have been delayed. Later, you keep watch. When you see the General, stop her, and then I’ll explain.”

Zhao Erlang proudly lifted his chin and said, “I already knew elder sister hadn’t returned. I’ve been watching all along. Rest assured, I definitely won’t miss her.”

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang had already dismounted, tossed her horse to Zeng Yue behind her, and went to lift the cloth on a cart with her hands on her hips. “What is this?”

A guard who had been standing on tiptoe watching their steward buy buns turned around and immediately blocked her. “What are you doing? Who let you rummage through our things?”

Hearing the shout, the steward immediately ran over, abandoning the bun-selling peddler. Seeing her clothes were simple but the fabric good, plus she had more than ten guards behind her, all with horses, his expression immediately changed.

He glared at the guard. “What are you shouting about? What if you frighten the guest?”

He smiled and bowed to Zhao Hanzhang. “My household servant was improper and offended the young lady. Please forgive us, young lady.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and shook her head, indicating it was fine, and asked, “What is this? I seem to smell a fragrance.”

“Young lady has a good nose,” the steward smiled and lifted the oiled cloth, opened a chest. Inside was another layer of oiled paper covering it. He carefully lifted a corner, opened the cloth bag inside, grabbed a handful and showed it to her. “This is Sichuan pepper.”

Zhao Hanzhang reached out to take some, smelled it, tasted one, and couldn’t help saying, “Good stuff. Did it also come from Yuzhou with the convoy?”

—