Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, “The reason for not letting the groom and bride meet before the wedding is to prevent accidents at the ceremony. After all, both people about to marry have anxious hearts, and it’s inevitable that someone might do inappropriate things or say unpleasant words when frightened of marriage. Mother, rest assured, Tinghan and I are very harmonious.”
Madam Wang: …That’s exactly what I’m worried about—that you’re too harmonious.
“You always have your reasons.” Knowing she couldn’t out-argue her, Madam Wang simply stopped debating with her and said to Fu Tinghan, “Leave quickly. I’ll have someone cover for you. At this time, people absolutely cannot know you came over.”
Fu Tinghan obediently agreed and was about to leave when, standing up, he saw the official documents he’d brought that had been tossed aside. He immediately froze, and under Madam Wang’s burning gaze, he still couldn’t help but pick up the documents and say, “This is the newly stored salt, this is the current salt inventory, and all the registered salt works. Look—when should we distribute our salt?”
Zhao Hanzhang looked toward Madam Wang. “Mother, Tinghan and I need to discuss official business a bit more. Will you allow him to stay a little longer, please?”
Madam Wang’s mouth fell open. For a moment she doubted her own judgment. Could it be they had just been discussing official business, and she had misunderstood?
She was a gentle person. Although dissatisfied that they were still working at this time, she still silently stood and went out.
As soon as she left, Zhao Hanzhang asked, “How is the salt preparation in other places going?”
The crimson flush on Fu Tinghan’s face gradually receded, his complexion slowly returning to normal. He didn’t even need to flip through the ledgers before saying, “Salt wells recovered from various places: eighty-three. Salt mountains: nineteen. Salt lakes: two. I’ve roughly calculated—with the salt production from these sources, plus the salt from Qingzhou and Guangzhou, we can squeeze private salt out of the market, maintain balance, and even have a surplus.”
After all, there weren’t many people alive now.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded. “Very good. Have Qingzhou and Guangzhou continue expanding the salt fields. Send people to Jizhou and begin constructing salt fields in the coastal areas as well. Next summer, I’ll need large quantities of salt.”
Fu Tinghan asked, “You want to use salt to control the northern minority peoples?”
“Not only them, but also the west, the south of the Yangtze, and east of the Yangtze,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a face full of satisfaction. “Yesterday I already agreed with the Shu region. They’ve just submitted, so I should give them more benefits.”
Salt was a powerful tool, no less than iron and bronze. As long as she had sufficient salt, there were so many things she could do.
The south of the Yangtze, the east of the Yangtze—she had plenty of methods to make them slowly crumble and collapse, then return to the fold.
The same for the north. Whether it was the Xianbei, the Qiang, or the Tubo, this wasn’t the time to use military force. So she needed a piece of meat and bone to dangle in front of them, let them taste it, let them benefit from it.
But…things weren’t free to eat.
Discussing official business, Fu Tinghan’s emotions recovered quickly. By the time he went out, he had completely calmed down.
Madam Wang waited outside. Ting He had apparently just been scolded and was standing obediently to the side. With Madam Wang opening a wide path for him, Fu Tinghan quickly mixed out through the gate, but was still seen by quite a few people.
However, everyone was respectable—seeing him, they just pretended not to.
Fu Tinghan returned to the Fu residence. Princess Hongnong was conducting a final check of the betrothal gifts and the items to be used tomorrow. Seeing her son return, she said faintly, “You’re back? Minister Fu is truly getting busier and busier.”
Fu Tinghan thought of the scene just now, his face slightly flushed. He honestly bowed and then withdrew.
Princess Hongnong watched his departing back and couldn’t help shaking her head. Truly, a son grown cannot be controlled by his mother.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuan and Zeng Yue also successfully brought all the people from the separate residence back to Luoyang. When they returned, it was still early.
These hundred-plus disaster victims from Kuaiyi benefited from Guo Pu’s connection. Ji Yuan had people personally arrange their accommodations, then led Guo Pu toward his own home. Nearing his gate, hearing the lively sounds coming from the Zhao residence, he had the horses stop for a moment and smiled at Guo Pu. “Would Master Guo be interested in drinking the General’s dowry wine?”
Learning that the young Emperor would also come to add dowry gifts for Zhao Hanzhang, Guo Pu thought briefly and then agreed.
He also wanted to see the young Emperor and Zhao Hanzhang. If he could see them both at the same time, that would be even better.
Last time, seeing the Prince of Langya and Wang Dun at the same time had been very interesting. He had learned something both fascinating and sad.
Although the celestial phenomena had long foretold it, he still wanted to confirm once more. If it differed from his calculations, he needed to run away early.
Guo Pu himself was quite fond of preserving his own life.
So Ji Yuan sent people home to fetch gifts and immediately led Guo Pu to the door.
Their timing was unfortunate. They had just arrived at the Zhao residence and hadn’t yet had time to enter when they heard the sound of approaching carriages and horses. Looking back, they saw the Imperial Guards separating to both sides—the young Emperor had come in person.
An attendant arrived ahead and shouted into the Zhao residence, “His Majesty has arrived! Come quickly to receive him!”
The guests in the Zhao residence immediately came out to stand properly, then cleared a path. Zhao Hanzhang supported Madam Wang as they came out.
Ji Yuan stood to one side. Guo Pu’s gaze flickered, and he also honestly stood still without moving.
The young Emperor was accompanied by Minister Xun Fan and other officials as he arrived. Zhao Hanzhang cupped her hands in salute.
The young Emperor hurriedly said, “Today is the General’s joyous occasion. No need for excessive courtesy.”
The young Emperor’s coming was to show his regard for Zhao Hanzhang and also to personally deliver gifts to her to consolidate their relationship.
The original plan was to attend the main ceremony tomorrow, but according to Grand Tutor Xun’s meaning, tomorrow Zhao Hanzhang seemed to have matters to attend to. There would inevitably be conflict then, and if he were present, he might be implicated. So it was better to come today to add dowry gifts.
Actually, the young Emperor didn’t want to come at all. He felt the current situation was already dramatic enough. Today was the twenty-fourth, five days until New Year’s Eve, yet he still had to attend school every day. When Zhao Hanzhang and the other ministers worked overtime, he had to work overtime too.
During this time, he had constantly been thinking that being an emperor who lay flat and let Zhao Hanzhang serve as regent wasn’t so bad. He would even willingly abdicate this throne. This feeling reached its peak amidst increasingly heavy coursework and political affairs.
So he only wanted to reduce his sense of presence before Zhao Hanzhang and the court ministers, but Xun Fan and the other Jin ministers wouldn’t allow him to slack off like this.
They believed the young Emperor should still maintain good relations with Zhao Hanzhang.
He should appear today to show the world the harmonious relationship between him and Zhao Hanzhang, to intimidate those with disloyal intentions, such as Ming Yu, Shi Lei, and their ilk.
So the young Emperor came.
But though his person came, his heart didn’t. These two days were Zhao Hanzhang’s wedding, and the court was on holiday for two days. No, that’s not right—the court had long sealed its documents for the holiday, but today truly all officials hadn’t entered the Imperial City to work overtime. So the young Emperor had no memorials to review.
He also wanted a vacation.
Moreover, he felt he and Zhao Hanzhang had a generation gap. So after saying the blessing “harmony in marriage and growing old together,” he had nothing more to say.
Zhao Hanzhang looked at the time and glanced toward Minister Xun Fan beside the young Emperor.
Xun Fan immediately stepped forward to remind the young Emperor it was time to present gifts.
The young Emperor snapped back to attention and immediately presented his gift—a precious horse!
This was a brown horse, entirely brown with long, glossy coat. Only on its forehead was a tuft of white hair.
Zhao Hanzhang saw it, her gaze flickering. Two months ago, Beigong Chun had sent her a report saying a horse king had appeared on the grasslands. He had sent people to capture it, but unfortunately, it had run into the Dai Kingdom.
Beigong Chun had sent a report asking if he could disguise himself as a horse merchant or member of a horse team and cross the border to catch the horse.
He wanted to give this horse to her as a wedding gift. He felt Zhao Hanzhang was lacking a divine steed.
Although Zhao Hanzhang was tempted, she still firmly refused, forbidding Beigong Chun from crossing the border to avoid Tuoba Yilu misunderstanding and causing conflict between the two sides.
Beigong Chun was obsessed with this. Later, when reporting political affairs to the court, he had included a letter to Zhao Hanzhang. Words he couldn’t send via telegram were all written in it, including a detailed description of that horse’s appearance—entirely brown with a tuft like clouds on its forehead.
Zhao Hanzhang reached out to stroke its head. The horse clearly hadn’t been completely tamed yet. It snorted roughly through its nose, avoiding Zhao Hanzhang’s hand. Its hooves stamped the ground several times, showing every sign of breaking free and leaving.
Zhao Hanzhang’s hand movements became gentler. She stroked the hair on its neck and laughed heartily, turning to bow to the Emperor. “This subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward!”
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang in high spirits with a pleased expression, the young Emperor couldn’t help smiling as well and asked, “Does the General like it?”
Zhao Hanzhang didn’t spare her praise. “Extremely pleased.”
The interaction between sovereign and subject was natural and harmonious.
Li Ban, who had come to join the excitement, stared blankly. This wasn’t quite what Prime Minister Fan had said. The General and the young Emperor got along quite well!
The civil and military officials present thought the same thing—the General and the young Emperor were very harmonious indeed.
Zhao Hanzhang had someone lead the horse to the stables. “Separate it from the other horses. When I have time, I’ll come tame it myself.”
Zeng Yue agreed and had a personal guard take the horse away.
Seeing Zeng Yue, everyone’s sense of harmony dissipated considerably.
This was the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard. As Deputy Commander of the court’s Imperial Guard, he had always been one of Zhao Hanzhang’s personal guards. In other words, changing dynasties was just a matter of Zhao Hanzhang saying one word.
Li Ban was overly trusting of family members, so he never thought about such things. But toward outsiders, he wasn’t stupid. So he instantly understood—Prime Minister Fan truly hadn’t deceived him.
Zhao Hanzhang invited the young Emperor inside to dine.
The young Emperor entered together with Xun Fan, but with the generation gap there, he couldn’t talk to any single person present. With so many people staring, he couldn’t eat well either.
With Zhao Hanzhang beside him, the pressure was even greater. So the young Emperor simply ate a little something, then indicated his blessing had been delivered and he should return to the palace.
Zhao Hanzhang escorted him to the main gate.
As soon as he left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t that he hadprestige or that everyone feared him, but rather it felt strange. Among those seated, most were Zhao Hanzhang’s people.
Sitting together with the young Emperor, it felt like they weren’t on the same side.
After the young Emperor left, Ji Yuan was about to step forward, but seeing Guo Pu beside him not moving, he asked curiously, “Won’t Master Guo come along?”
Guo Pu withdrew his gaze from the young Emperor’s direction and smiled at Ji Yuan. “I won’t go. I suddenly feel unwell. Perhaps it’s the exhaustion from the journey. I’m extremely tired now and want to return to rest first.”
Ji Yuan’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t object. He called over his own personal guard and had him escort Guo Pu back to rest.
Guo Pu cupped his hands toward him and left. But after taking just one turn, he remembered something and turned back with a smile. “Master Ji, today’s dowry addition is quite unique. From what I hear, the groom didn’t come to deliver betrothal gifts today, nor will he come tomorrow to fetch the bride. Instead, they’ll each go to the new residence to hold the wedding ceremony. I’ve heard that the General even wants to codify this marriage custom and record it in the Book of Rites. But you should know, if one wants to use marriage customs to change established systems, it must withstand ritual scrutiny. If General Zhao insists on changing marriage customs, I fear it will provoke some people’s rebellious hearts.”
Ji Yuan smiled slightly. “Thank you for Master Guo’s reminder. The General is far-sighted and has long anticipated this point. She also knows some things cannot be easily changed.”
Only then did Guo Pu nod, smiling as he left with the personal guard.
After he boarded the carriage outside the gate, as soon as the curtain dropped, his expression darkened. He reached out to touch his chest, barely suppressing the strange sensation. However, he didn’t feel uncomfortable—only excited.
How miraculous! Zhao Hanzhang had the countenance of an enlightened ruler, clearly should be a heroic sovereign of a prosperous age, yet she also had the fate of world destruction. Such a person—if successful, her name would be inscribed in history for millennia; if defeated, she would stink for ten thousand years. Ha ha ha ha! Never expected, never expected she would have such physiognomy.
That young Emperor’s features were also interesting. Clearly he had the countenance of early death, yet there was a thread of vital energy. Beneath that thread of vital energy lay wealth and honor, but it wasn’t an emperor’s countenance. Strange, strange, truly strange, and also fascinating.
After all the guests had been sent away, Zhao Hanzhang changed into lighter clothing and went to the stables.
She led out the horse the young Emperor had given her and fed it bean cakes.
The horse snorted and raised its head proudly. Zhao Hanzhang gently stroked its head. It impatiently shook off Zhao Hanzhang’s hand before lowering its head to eat.
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “You’re so beautiful, and you have a small tuft of white hair on your head. How about I call you Little White from now on?”
Horses couldn’t distinguish whether names were good or bad, but they could sense human emotions. Hearing what seemed like a good name, it proudly snorted and lowered its head to eat the bean cake in her palm.
Zhao Hanzhang carefully fed it until full, then led it away to wash it with warm water.
When water splashed on its body, Little White angrily stamped in place several times. Seemingly sensing the water’s warmth, it finally stopped being angry.
Zhao Hanzhang wholeheartedly brushed its coat, then rinsed it once more before using a towel to wipe it dry.
After playing for about half an hour, Zhao Hanzhang led it to the family’s training grounds.
Zeng Yue brought over a saddle, but as soon as he approached, Little White became agitated and restless.
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, and Zeng Yue retreated to the side.
Zhao Hanzhang stroked the horse’s neck. Just as it was about to calm down, she swiftly leaped up and sat on the horse’s back.
Little White was instantly furious. Hateful humans, how dare they ride it!
It angrily jumped in place, trying to buck Zhao Hanzhang off. But after trying hard for a while without throwing the person off, it went mad and bolted!
No matter how it ran or twisted, Zhao Hanzhang could sway with its movements while clinging tightly to its body.
One person and one horse played like this for two quarters of an hour. The crazed Little White tired and had no choice but to submit. Its speed slowed.
Only then did Zhao Hanzhang straighten her waist, urging it to circle the grounds four or five times before stopping.
Zhao Hanzhang reined the horse to a halt before Zeng Yue and jumped down from its back, staggering slightly.
Zeng Yue was startled. The excitement on his face instantly turned to worry. “Young lady, your hands…”
Zhao Hanzhang shook her hands, completely unconcerned about the bloody marks the reins had left. “It’s nothing. I’ll apply medicine tonight and it’ll be fine. Tell the household that tomorrow I want to ride Little White to the new residence. Have them groom it well.”
She added, “If it doesn’t obey, send someone to tell me.”
Zeng Yue bowed and replied, “Yes!”
By now the sky was nearly dark. Zhao Hanzhang returned Little White to the stables, rubbed her waist, and left. Fortunately, fortunately she hadn’t fallen from the horse. This Little White was too fierce.
—