Zhao Cheng said: “That’s my niece Zhao Hanzhang’s enterprise.”
“The rumored Zhao Sanniang who shot Liu Jing and repelled Shi Lei?”
Zhao Cheng nodded.
His friend couldn’t help sighing. “It seems your Zhao family will become the wealthiest under heaven.”
Zhao Cheng was indifferent. Their Zhao family had rumors of being wealthiest under heaven over ten years ago. Many people secretly suspected the Zhao family’s wealth exceeded even Shi Chong and others.
But no one could know the truth. Now it was just adding another stroke to that foundation.
Zhao Cheng didn’t care, but Zhao Hanzhang did. So when Zhao Cheng introduced his friend to her and the friend expressed this view, Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply and cried poverty: “Hanzhang is ashamed. When Grandfather lived, the family did have some assets. But when Grandfather passed and we escorted his coffin home, we successively encountered Xiongnu forces and refugee armies, and all the wealth we carried was plundered.”
“Because of this, after returning home we were truly destitute. Fortunately clan elders supported us, barely allowing us to get by,” Zhao Hanzhang said with a bitter expression. “But I’ve grown up now. My brother and I can’t keep depending on elder charity. Plus we have many loyal servants and old retainers—we can’t let them scatter. So we thought of ways to earn household expenses.”
“The glass formula was something Tinghan happened upon while reading. Initially we just tried it—who knew it would actually work. Only then did our days improve somewhat.”
Zhao Cheng’s friend, Lu Le of Ruyin, was half-believing. “Glass is so precious—one set of vessels would be enough for a family of three to live comfortably for life. Since you’ve mastered glass-making, how could you still lack money?”
“Rarity creates value. Glass was precious before because it was rare. Now that it can be produced, the price naturally won’t be so high.”
Lu Le said with pursed lips: “Before the news spreads, you could profit enormously.”
“Others may not know, but I know myself. How could I deceive people for personal gain?”
Zhao Cheng praised: “Well said.”
Then turned to warn Lu Le: “Don’t try to corrupt our Zhao family’s younger generation.”
Lu Le said helplessly: “How is this deception? It’s just that their information isn’t current—business is business, that’s all.”
Zhao Hanzhang clapped. “Hearing Uncle’s meaning, you seem quite skilled in commerce. Have you considered bringing some Shangcai specialties when you leave?”
What were Shangcai’s specialties now?
Glass, of course!
Lu Le gave Zhao Hanzhang an approving look. “Sanniang speaks my exact thoughts.”
So the two went aside to discuss business.
Zhao Cheng: …
While they were conversing happily, Xiahou Ren and He Cheng came calling.
Zhao Hanzhang considered briefly, then told a servant: “Quickly invite the honored guests inside.”
Lu Le stopped talking and sat back in his seat, leaning back without rising to greet them. Zhao Cheng also remained seated.
Zhao Hanzhang went to the hall entrance to welcome them. Upon seeing the two, she immediately bowed. “I was just thinking of visiting Uncle tomorrow, but didn’t expect Uncle would come today.”
Xiahou Ren smiled. “We were impatient. It’s just that in Yuzhou we rarely see heroic children like Sanniang.”
“Uncle’s words shame me. Not to mention distant examples—just speaking of the talented scholars in the adjacent garden, who isn’t superior to Hanzhang?” Zhao Hanzhang invited Xiahou Ren into the hall.
Upon entering and seeing Zhao Cheng and Lu Le seated: “I didn’t expect Zitu and Yuezhi to be here.”
Zhao Cheng’s expression was calm. Lu Le said: “Zitu being at his niece’s home is normal. I’m more surprised you two would come.”
“We came out of admiration. Long ago we heard Zhao family’s Sanniang has exceptional martial skills—upon her debut, consecutively defeating two Xiongnu generals. I also know some archery and horsemanship, so wanted to come request instruction.”
Zhao Hanzhang looked troubled. “This doesn’t seem appropriate. After all, Hanzhang is a junior. What if my hand is too heavy and I accidentally injure Uncle?”
“Blades and swords have no eyes—I’m not so lacking in grace,” Xiahou Ren smiled. “Just a comparison. I also want to see what ability you possess that Inspector He would entrust Xiping County to you.”
So if she lost, it would still affect Xiping County’s ownership?
Zhao Hanzhang’s hands felt itchy—what to do about wanting to fight?
She looked down at the curved robe she wore and stood. “Uncle, please wait. Let me change into something more convenient.”
Xiahou Ren wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, since he also wore wide-sleeved robes.
But Zhao Hanzhang had already quickly departed. Under Zhao Cheng’s intense stare, Xiahou Ren could only swallow his words.
The four sat awkwardly. Zhao Hanzhang soon returned, bringing two wooden swords.
“Uncle, blades and swords have no eyes, so let’s use wooden swords for our match.”
She tossed a wooden sword to him. Xiahou Ren stood and caught it, swung it a few times, then smiled: “This wooden sword isn’t light, and has carved patterns. Who made it?”
Zhao Hanzhang: “A carpenter.”
Xiahou Ren: …
Zhao Hanzhang turned sideways. “Please, Uncle, move to the courtyard.”
The two stood facing each other. Zhao Cheng, He Cheng, and Lu Le all moved to the corridor. Looking up, they saw Zhao Ming standing in a nearby corridor with a refined young man beside him. He Cheng and Lu Le had never seen this person.
They hadn’t seen him in the garden earlier either.
Zhao Ming nodded to them but didn’t speak to disturb the courtyard, watching quietly.
Lu Le thought the young man had extraordinary bearing and asked Zhao Cheng: “Who is that young man?”
Zhao Cheng: “Fu Tinghan, Minister Fu’s eldest grandson.”
“Oh? Has he capped yet? How does he already have a courtesy name?”
“Not yet. They gave him one when engaged.”
He Cheng listened with pricked ears, then looked up at Fu Tinghan again—truly a talented youth. The Zhao and Fu families’ marriage alliance was brilliantly played. With the two families supporting each other, even Prince Donghai wouldn’t dare easily move against them.
In the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang was discussing with Xiahou Ren: “How do we determine victory?”
Xiahou Ren said: “Three lives. Whoever dies twice first loses.”
Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “Is there a wager?”
“What wager do you want?”
Zhao Hanzhang considered, then said: “I heard Uncle enjoys traveling and excels at calligraphy and painting, recording landscapes and scenery wherever you go. Though Hanzhang is female, I too have a heart for travel. Unfortunately, constrained by reality, I can only stay in Xiping. So Hanzhang wants all of Uncle’s Yuzhou drafts and manuscripts.”
Xiahou Ren’s eyebrow jumped. “What will you offer to match this?”
“How about Shangcai’s glass workshop?”
Xiahou Ren’s pupils contracted. How did she know he wanted her glass workshop?
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him. “You’ve seen the glass my workshop produces, Uncle—exquisitely beautiful. As for output, barely acceptable. If you win, I’ll give you the workshop.”
Xiahou Ren: “The workshop is in your estate. Managing it would be difficult.”
“Uncle can relocate it. The craftsmen inside, the current formulas—I’ll give you everything.”
Xiahou Ren’s expression grew serious. “Are you truly willing?”
Zhao Hanzhang: “Uncle can part with years of painstaking work. How could I be unwilling to part with a mere glass workshop?”
She said: “Compared to Uncle’s life’s work, the glass workshop is completely insignificant.”
Though Xiahou Ren didn’t think so, this flattery still pleased him greatly. His expression softened as he considered, then nodded. “Good. I accept your wager.”