Zhao Hanzhang smiled and reached out to support him. “There’s no rush. Say proper farewells to your family first. In the latter part of this month, I’ll have people escort you to Qingzhou.”

Cao Ping: … He had thought “no rush” meant after the New Year. This meant departing before year’s end—was he expected to spend New Year in Qingzhou?

But thinking of the freshly obtained official position, still warm in his hands, Cao Ping agreed.

That very day, Zhao Hanzhang had Zhao Yunxin draft an edict conferring the position on Cao Ping.

Of course, Zhao Yunxin didn’t have the authority to draft edicts independently. She brought all the documents Zhao Hanzhang had processed that day requiring issuance to the Secretariat to find Ji Yuan.

Officials of the Secretariat, under Ji Yuan’s leadership, drafted various documents and edicts.

Ji Yuan looked at the slip of paper in his hand, his brow furrowed deeply, and asked Zhao Yunxin, who hadn’t yet had time to leave, “What kind of position is Maritime Pacification Commissioner?”

It sounded like a military official’s title, yet it had been given to a Water Department clerk. Cao Ping? Wasn’t that the official who built water-powered mills and various hydraulic projects?

After bowing respectfully, Zhao Yunxin explained, “The General intends to build maritime transport docks in Qingzhou and Guangzhou.”

Ji Yuan thought briefly and understood, asking, “Is this because of last year’s gazette article ‘On the Civil Benefits of Hydraulic Docks’?”

Thinking of the gazette lying on Zhao Hanzhang’s desk, Zhao Yunxin answered affirmatively, “Yes.”

“But wasn’t that article primarily written by Shen Ruhui of the Agricultural Ministry? In terms of ability, shouldn’t Shen Ruhui take precedence?”

Zhao Yunxin replied, “Minister Shen is talented. The General wishes to keep him at the Agricultural Ministry to oversee agriculture and sericulture.”

If that was the case, then they couldn’t elevate Shen Ruhui while giving lesser treatment to Cao Ping. Moreover, at present, though docks were important, they were far less critical than agriculture and sericulture.

Ji Yuan’s heart stirred. Was Zhao Hanzhang planning to change the Agricultural Ministry’s status?

He lowered his eyes thoughtfully and told Zhao Yunxin, “I’ll draft this edict. You may go.”

Zhao Yunxin bowed. “Yes.”

“Wait,” Ji Yuan called her back. “Your parents have arrived in Luoyang. You’ve worked overtime for two consecutive ten-day periods. Take tomorrow off—I’m giving you three days’ leave. Transfer your current work to Song Jin and Li Dongyang today.”

Zhao Yunxin: …

Under Ji Yuan’s gaze, she was forced to lower her head. “Yes.”

Zhao Yunxin fell under the Secretariat’s jurisdiction. The so-called Secretariat was essentially the emperor’s secretarial office, specifically responsible for drafting various imperial edicts and documents.

Because Zhao Hanzhang was accustomed to using Zhao Yunxin, she often kept her close by.

But besides the chief Ji Yuan, the Secretariat had several other officials. Fan Ying, currently inspecting affairs in Jizhou, was still nominally attached to the Secretariat, ranking just below Ji Yuan in official grade.

Besides them were Song Jin, Li Dongyang, and several others.

Song Jin had been the magistrate of Xin’an County. When Zhao Hanzhang re-entered Luoyang, he was promoted to the Secretariat for his merit in procuring provisions and swiftly supporting Pingyang. The position of Xin’an County magistrate was temporarily filled by the deputy magistrate.

As for Li Dongyang, you wouldn’t know him—this was his first appearance. He was last year’s top candidate in the talent recruitment examination. Zhao Hanzhang felt his essays were very well written, with apt citations—exactly the talent the Secretariat needed.

Every edict he drafted for her could serve as a language textbook worthy of being passed down.

Li Dongyang and Song Jin drew lots. Li Dongyang won and took the first duty shift, while Song Jin would be on duty tomorrow.

Zhao Yunxin brought him to handle the handover.

Seeing her low spirits, Li Dongyang asked, “Isn’t it joyous when parents travel from afar to visit? Why does Attendant Zhao look so unhappy?”

Zhao Yunxin glanced at him and asked, “How old are you this year, Recorder Li?”

Li Dongyang paused before replying, “I’ve just come of age.”

“Since you’re of age, you’re an adult. Do you have a wife and children?”

Li Dongyang frowned. “I’m not yet betrothed.”

“Don’t your parents pressure you?”

Li Dongyang suddenly understood. “You’re being pressured to marry?”

Zhao Yunxin hummed affirmatively.

Li Dongyang looked at her sympathetically. “My late father passed only two years ago. I’m still in mourning, so I don’t face such troubles.”

Zhao Yunxin asked curiously, “Serving in office while in mourning?”

Li Dongyang’s expression remained calm. “Merely struggling to make a living. I must support my elderly mother at home, so I can only wrong the deceased.”

This time Zhao Yunxin showed sympathy and told him, “The General is very filial but also open-minded. The living are always more important than the dead. If she knew, she would certainly grant you special dispensation.”

Li Dongyang’s expression softened. “Minister Ji knows of this matter.”

If Ji Yuan knew, then Zhao Hanzhang certainly knew as well.

Zhao Yunxin fell silent and led him to see Zhao Hanzhang, then took him to a side room to hand over her work.

While he was organizing the documents, she went out to bid farewell to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was reviewing official documents when she looked up at the sound and asked, “Taking leave to go on blind dates?”

Zhao Yunxin’s eyes reddened, feeling somewhat aggrieved. “They must have approached Minister Ji—otherwise he wouldn’t have specifically given me time off.”

She said, “Third Sister, could you speak to my parents and ask them not to interfere with my work?”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed. “I wouldn’t dare speak to them. Because I’ve delayed my own marriage so long, whenever Fifth Grand-Uncle sees me now, nothing about me pleases him—neither eyes nor nose are right.”

Seeing Zhao Yunxin’s eyes turning completely red, Zhao Hanzhang offered her a strategy. “When your parents pressure you, just say that seniority must be observed—your elder brother hasn’t married yet, so how can you wed?”

Zhao Yunxin looked thoughtful.

Seeing she understood, Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand. “Go on then.”

Though this wasn’t quite honorable, well… better a dead friend than a dead self. Besides, elder brother was currently in Qingzhou. At most, their parents could write letters to pressure him, which couldn’t be as intense as pressuring her in person, could it?

Zhao Yunxin withdrew.

Li Dongyang brought seven or eight letters over, respectfully saying, “General, these are letters from various provinces. Among them, two are from Yongzhou.”

Zhao Hanzhang had just finished processing a document. Her eyes hurt a bit, so she reached out to take them, planning to rest by reading letters.

Though all provinces had radio transmitters, some things couldn’t be fully conveyed via radio. Some non-urgent official business, views on future political situations, or letters maintaining relationships—provincial governors still preferred writing.

As for Yongzhou, Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t yet sent radio equipment there.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to—rather, Yongzhou was completely entrusted to Fu Zhi. She only provided some assistance from the sidelines. She knew that at this time, he remained loyal to Dajin. Even though the emperor had changed, his loyalty had merely transferred from Emperor Huai of Jin to the young emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t hand radio equipment to anyone outside her own camp, even if that person was Fu Zhi.

She first opened Fu Zhi’s letter.

He had sent two letters consecutively. The first discussed Yongzhou’s current situation.

Thanks to his help, Yongzhou’s grain shortage had somewhat eased. The common people now felt more secure. Most were willing to remain in Yongzhou, with only a small portion still fleeing outward.

Fu Zhi hoped the court could provide Yongzhou with more assistance. Especially now, with preparations needed for seeds and farm tools for spring planting, if there were sufficient seeds and tools, Yongzhou might become self-sufficient next year without large-scale grain shortages.

Chang’an’s grain shortage had persisted for years. Relying solely on the people of Chang’an themselves made escaping this predicament very difficult. Therefore, he hoped the court could help Chang’an.

Besides this, Fu Zhi also requested military provisions and asked the court to open trade routes to Yongzhou, enabling Yongzhou and Chang’an to connect with the outside world through commerce and become vibrant again.

After reading the first letter, Zhao Hanzhang had a clear understanding. She went to open the second one.