Upon hearing this, Fu Tinghan’s eyes brightened slightly. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Arrange for them to stay in the city. I’ll go see them later this evening.”
“Yes, Young Master. This time they encountered bandits at Children’s Ridge and suffered quite a few casualties.”
Upon hearing this, Fu Tinghan pressed his lips together and said, “Have them call for physicians. Don’t be stingy with money. Settle their families well, and set aside sufficient compensation from the funds brought back before entering it into the accounts.”
“Yes.”
When the message reached the separate residence, not only the guards who had accompanied the caravan, but even Gao Hui and Sima Hou were moved and convinced. If all the goods they escorted back would first ensure compensation for the fallen, this meant their families would receive the greatest protection—what would there be to fear then?
The guards from the Zhao Family Army had already been deeply loyal to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, and now they became even more devoted to them.
Listening to their pledges of loyalty, Gao Hui said casually, “Master Fu is indeed as kindhearted as the rumors say. Was this his personal order?”
Fu An glanced at him before responding, “Yes.”
The guards praised Fu Tinghan’s goodness even more. Although Sima Hou guessed that Fu Tinghan was using this favor to win over Zhao Hanzhang’s people, he had to admit it was an excellent method. Even for him—if one day his family could be found, just knowing that after his death his family would receive a generous pension and be well cared for, he would willingly risk his life for Fu Tinghan.
Even if it meant taking food from Zhao Hanzhang’s mouth, he would be willing to fight for it on Fu Tinghan’s behalf.
Of course, at this moment the guards hadn’t thought so far ahead. In their eyes, Gao Hui and Sima Hou, like them, were all loyal to Zhao Hanzhang, and so was Fu Tinghan.
That night, Fu Tinghan secretly went to the separate residence to meet with Gao Hui and inspect the guards and the goods they had brought back.
Learning about the large bandit group at Children’s Ridge, he couldn’t help but frown. “To reach Xin’an, you must pass through Children’s Ridge, otherwise you’d have to go through Gucheng.”
Gao Hui immediately refused. “Gucheng is garrisoned by the Qihuo Army. Any goods passing through there must first pay a heavy tax, and there are many scattered bandits in that area too. The route is also much longer.”
“Then we’ll suppress the bandits at Children’s Ridge,” Fu Tinghan said. “We can’t fight them every time we pass through, can we? The losses are too great.”
Gao Hui lowered his voice. “But we lack manpower. I was thinking of asking someone I know on the mountain to smooth the way. From now on, we’d be willing to pay regular tribute to the mountain, as long as they guarantee our safe passage through Children’s Ridge.”
Fu Tinghan, having been raised in luxury by Zhao Hanzhang, had developed a proud temperament—how could he swallow such humiliation?
He said directly, “You don’t need to handle this. I’ll go back and call for people.”
Gao Hui asked nervously, “Is Master planning to ask Governor Zhao to intervene?”
Fu Tinghan nodded.
Gao Hui lowered his voice. “That won’t work. Governor Zhao is perceptive. If she discovers you’ve been privately maintaining a merchant caravan, that would be problematic.”
Seeing Fu Tinghan’s silence, Gao Hui continued, “Perhaps you could approach the Xiliang Army instead.”
Fu Tinghan’s heart skipped a beat as he looked up at Gao Hui. In such a short time, had he already established connections with the Xiliang Army?
Gao Hui said quietly, “When we returned to Luoyang today, we encountered a military unit conducting training exercises on the road. From their banner, it was the Xiliang Army. I noticed they seemed quite interested. The bandits on that mountain are very wealthy. If the Xiliang Army lacks supplies, they’ll definitely want to obtain resources from elsewhere.”
Fu Tinghan said thoughtfully, “I understand.”
Gao Hui breathed a sigh of relief, then asked quietly, “What should I do with the items I brought back?”
Fu Tinghan replied, “Just give me the silver coins and rare books. You can sell the rest of the goods as you see fit.”
Gao Hui went to open a chest and showed him the contents. “What about these jewelry and precious ornaments…”
“Give them all to me as well,” Fu Tinghan said. “I’ll have Fu An convert them to cash. After entering it into the accounts, you can withdraw what you need from him.”
Gao Hui agreed, very concerned about their great enterprise. “I wonder if Master has recently recruited any capable people?”
Fu Tinghan sighed and shook his head. “Still the same people. I had them form two merchant caravans heading to the Two Rivers region and Jiangnan. Because the journey is so long, there’s been no word back yet.”
Gao Hui frowned. “Why does Master only organize merchant caravans? You’re Governor Zhao’s betrothed and constantly by her side. Now is precisely when she needs people—why not recommend them to Governor Zhao?”
Money was important, but power was more so. If Fu Tinghan could insert their people around Zhao Hanzhang, in time, as they gradually gained control of real power, whatever they wanted to do would become much easier.
Fu Tinghan said, “How could I not want that? But before they came to me, most of them had already tried going through Hanzhang’s channels.”
Fu Tinghan said meaningfully, “At that time, they weren’t selected. If I recommend them now, what will outsiders think of me?”
He continued, “Previously, a Manager Zheng at the workshop was transferred to an iron mine to be a supervisor, and iron mine supervisors can advance to become magistrates or county commandants in county seats.”
Fu Tinghan said, “Although the process is somewhat roundabout, they control real power, unlike advisors who suddenly appear and can only circle around her offering suggestions.”
Gao Hui’s eyes brightened considerably. “Is that Manager Zheng one of Master’s people?”
Fu Tinghan shook his head. “Not really, but he’s grateful to me. What I’m saying is, next I plan to build an even larger workshop that will require many more talented people. When you return to the northern territories, help me find people of this type among the Han people.”
“As long as they have skills, even if they’re slaves, I can ensure they advance normally in the workshop, and then from the workshop to the county offices, the governor’s府, or the regional inspector’s府.”
Gao Hui asked, “What kind of workshop?”
“Water mills,” Fu Tinghan replied. “I need people who understand hydraulic engineering.”
Gao Hui was disappointed, not thinking this was a particularly good future, but still agreed, nodding. “When I return to the northern territories, I’ll search carefully. Among the Han people captured by Shi Le and others, there are quite a few who were educated, and some minor officials who managed to survive. They might know of such people.”
Fu Tinghan agreed and entrusted this matter to him.
As soon as he returned to the Zhao Residence, he told Zhao Hanzhang, “Tomorrow there should be many sheep for sale at the horse market.”
Zhao Hanzhang perked up and asked, “Gao Hui and the others brought back sheep?”
Fu Tinghan nodded. “Also some dried beef and mutton, several carts of fur… and books.”
Zhao Hanzhang sat up straight and said first, “We’ll keep the books for ourselves. As for the furs…”
She ground her teeth. “I’ll have someone buy them tomorrow.”
Fu Tinghan’s eyes flashed with amusement as he asked, “There are several carts’ worth. What do you need so much fur for?”
Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “To make armor. You know the army has always lacked fur. And don’t look at how it’s summer now—time flies. We always need to stockpile things for winter.”
“With Sima Hou’s personality, he’ll definitely persuade Gao Hui to give the Zhao Family Army a preferential price. Have someone go buy them.”
As for the money…
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the time of day and felt it would be quite inhumane to go find Ji Yuan at this hour, so she looked at Fu Tinghan. “Last time you helped Mr. Ji with the accounts, how much money do I have left?”