Since Zhao Hanzhang had personally come to their door, Xun Xiu and Mi Ce had no choice but to yield, having their subordinates prepare for departure.

Of course, Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t the type to discard people after using them. Besides the positions of magistrates for the two juns, Zhao Hanzhang selected many wooden frames from the pile of junk—no, war spoils—that Zhao Erlang had collected. She had two extra-large carts built, padded inside with over ten layers of straw mats, and covered with two layers of cloth on top—absolutely soft and comfortable, no different from the spring mattresses she used to use.

On the day of departure, she personally went to the city gate to see them off, with Ji Yuan accompanying her.

The two barely managed to prop up their waists and stand before the army to receive Zhao Hanzhang’s farewell.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over their waists. She had people bring up the carts. “Both generals’ injuries haven’t healed yet. It’s inadvisable to ride horses. Take the carts back. Travel slowly on the road.”

Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head. Ting He came forward holding two boxes. Zhao Hanzhang handed one to each of them with a smile. “These are gifts for both generals. In the future, if you can escort His Majesty back to the capital, when both generals rise to prominence, these will be useful.”

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce accepted them with puzzled expressions, not opening them on the spot. After thanking her, they tucked them into their robes.

The two clasped their fists in farewell. Zhao Hanzhang waved to them, watching as they boarded the carts and departed.

After the carts traveled some distance, Xun Xiu, who’d been holding himself up without daring to sit fully, finally lay down with his guard’s help. Once prone, he immediately felt the benefit.

He pressed his whole body down, feeling the substantial softness. He touched the soft cloth of the upper layer. “The governor is surprisingly generous—how many bolts of cloth did she layer here?”

Then he craned his neck to count from the side. Lifting the draped cloth revealed all straw mats woven underneath, with only the top two layers being cloth.

Xun Xiu: …

The guard knelt at the side, lifting a teapot from the cart floor to pour him water. “The governor said cloth is not as soft as straw. Don’t think it’s common and therefore cheap—things should be suitable to be best.”

Xun Xiu pursed his lips. In the end, wasn’t it because of stinginess and lack of money?

Zhao Hanzhang had no money left—he’d heard about this these past two days. The food quality at the Zhao residence had dropped dramatically, to the point that Zhao Erlang, who frequently went home for meals, stopped returning and stayed in the military camp all day.

He’d often heard that the former Count of Shangcai had a money obsession and was extremely stingy with wealth. It seemed Governor Zhao had inherited her grandfather’s traits.

“Where’s the box? Bring it here so I can see what the governor gave.”

The guard immediately retrieved the box. Earlier when the curtain was lowered, Xun Xiu had casually tossed it into a corner.

Xun Xiu placed the pillow stuffed with rice husks under his chin, received the box, and opened it directly.

Inside were several thin sheets of paper, not even a single pearl.

Xun Xiu picked up the papers and casually tossed the box aside. He frowned. “What is this?”

Opening them, he immediately covered them again. He couldn’t help glancing at his guard and blinked.

The guard looked at him blankly. “What’s wrong? Are the governor’s gifts poor?”

Xun Xiu looked down at the freshly issued property deeds in his hand and shook his head. “No, they’re too good. How is Governor Zhao so generous?”

The deeds were newly made—you could tell because they had dates on them.

The deeds were very large. Unfolded, they were quite substantial. They not only showed the location, area, and orientation of the mansion or shop but even the circumstances of acquisition.

They stated that because Xun Xiu had distinguished himself in defending Luoyang and rescuing the emperor, this mansion or shop was bestowed upon him.

Xun Xiu flipped through them, finding six deeds total—two for mansions and four for shops.

One mansion was the one he’d been occupying. It was said to originally belong to the Cao family, later falling into the Jia family’s hands. Three years ago when Luoyang fell, the Jia family fled the capital with the emperor and never returned. This mansion fell into the Prince of Donghai’s hands.

If this mansion had an owner, purchasing it would likely cost a thousand gold pieces.

Xun Xiu felt complicated emotions. He carefully folded the deeds and put them away. “I misunderstood the governor.”

The guard nodded repeatedly, filled with envy. “If the general rises in rank and comes to Luoyang in the future, you’ll be a man of property.”

Xun Xiu deeply agreed.

Living in the capital wasn’t easy, especially having a house and shops. He hadn’t even officially come to Luoyang yet, and everything was already prepared.

“It’s just a pity that Luoyang isn’t the capital now. I wonder if property prices will drop too much.”

The guard said, “How can Yuncheng compare to magnificent Luoyang? Once the Xiongnu are driven from the Central Plains and the realm stabilizes, Luoyang will naturally welcome His Majesty back.”

Xun Xiu scoffed. “The realm stabilizing—unless there’s a new ruler.”

He looked thoughtful. “Following His Majesty, these mansions and shops may not remain mine. These were bestowed by the governor—this Luoyang naturally only counts when she’s in charge.”

The guard didn’t understand these matters, but it didn’t prevent him from comprehending. “Just like how I only follow the general, because my salary and provisions are all given by the general.”

Xun Xiu gave him an approving look. If the emperor governed Luoyang, he couldn’t get close to the emperor—too many people surrounded him.

Zhao Hanzhang was different.

Xun Xiu didn’t dare claim he was the top one or two before Zhao Hanzhang, but counting on one hand, he could still count himself among them.

Xun Xiu stared at the box thoughtfully. “If these mansions and shops go long without management, they’ll fall into disrepair. I need to find someone to come to Luoyang to run the shops and manage the mansion.”

“Shall I go find someone now?”

Xun Xiu waved dismissively. “These people in the army only know how to shout and fight. Who knows how to keep accounts and do business? Wait until we return to Yingchuan Jun, then find clan members to come manage things.”

Compared to outsiders, Xun Xiu trusted his clansmen more.

At the same time, Mi Ce had just opened his box. Seeing the property deeds inside, he too was deeply moved. After brief consideration, he had someone invite his strategist onto the cart. “The governor gave me four shops. Right now Luoyang is being rebuilt from ruins—everything is scarce. It’s a perfect opportunity to make money.”

The strategist also nodded. “Though those who returned claim utter poverty, with all wealth plundered by the governor, a centipede dies but never falls—they certainly still have assets. And they can acquire wealth more easily than common people. This business can be done.”

Mi Ce said, “Wait until Chen County, then quietly leave the formation. Yiyang Jun is in southern Yuzhou, quite stable. Issues like refugees I can handle alone. You take people from Chen County back to Luoyang.”

The strategist understood. “What goods does the general think sell well?”

“Cloth, grain, and porcelain. It’s a pity we can’t compete with the governor in grain—doing that would be too conspicuous. Focus on more cloth and porcelain. Also glass—buy more of that.”

The strategist frowned. “I hear Young Master Fu also built a glass workshop in Luoyang.”

“Though he’s built it, the craftsmen still need time to master it. We’ll profit while we can during this period,” Mi Ce said. “We’re neither as brave in battle as General Beigong nor supported by family background like Xun Xiu. Every time we request provisions from the governor, we’re always last. We need to earn more.”

This was all Mi Ce’s private wealth. Even if he earned it, he wouldn’t share with the soldiers. What did it have to do with provisions?

Nevertheless, the strategist nodded in agreement, deciding to disembark at Chen County.

The strategist glanced at the deeds Mi Ce held, smiling. “Our governor is quite thoughtful. In the future if there’s opportunity to settle in Luoyang, the general not only has a mansion to stay in but shops to support daily life, so as not to lose face before colleagues.”

Mi Ce’s honest face showed a smile as he nodded.

Watching the army depart into the distance, Zhao Hanzhang let out a long breath. “Finally gone.” With two gold-devouring beasts gone, the burden on Zhao Hanzhang’s shoulders instantly lightened by half.