Everyone immediately understood – although Zhao Hanzhang called them secretary and assistant magistrate, in her heart she still respected Wang Huifeng’s status, treating her with the courtesy due to a family friend.

Otherwise, the two of them would not be seated above Zhao Erlang.

Everyone had arrived, so Ting He had people serve the dishes.

Great Jin’s dining customs were still primarily individual servings, especially at banquets, which were basically one table per mat or one table for two mats, with everyone eating their own food.

The lamb spine stew that Zhao Hanzhang had prepared and the braised lamb with beans that she and Fu Tinghan had collaborated on were divided into individual bowls and plates and served together with the other dishes.

The porcelain bowls and plates were all very exquisite and completely incompatible with Zhao Hanzhang’s poverty. These were naturally not purchased by Zhao Hanzhang but left behind by the Zhao family.

She thanked her grandfather for buying so many beautiful porcelain pieces for the household and thanked her grand-uncle for being able to preserve these porcelain pieces through the wartime chaos.

In any case, tonight with these sets of matching porcelain to hold the food and dishes, her banquet didn’t seem so shabby after all.

Two sheep seemed like a lot, but because many people had come, among them quite a few military generals with enormous appetites, the meat appeared insufficient.

But Zhao Hanzhang’s cooks were excellent. The menu they had carefully prepared, even with only lamb and chicken for meat, appeared extremely presentable.

Roasted lamb, though each table only had three slices; a large bowl of lamb spine with soup; braised lamb with beans; stir-fried lamb with garlic sprouts; and a dish of braised lamb that looked mouth-watering just from appearance…

Seeing the good dishes filling the table mats, even Ji Yuan couldn’t help but think that the Administrator seemed quite wealthy.

But he knew about Zhao Hanzhang’s finances – the public coffers were already in deficit and could not produce any money. As for private funds…

Ji Yuan couldn’t help but glance up at Fu Tinghan seated beside her.

Zhao Ju guarded the Yuzhou border. Recently, Gou Chun had taken over guarding the border on the Yanzhou side, and the two sides occasionally clashed. Although Zhao Ju had restrained himself, given Gou Chun’s character and temperament, no one knew when fighting might break out.

But although Zhao Ju had many troops under his command, he had few warhorses. Most critically, he also lacked armor.

The elite of the Zhao family army were mostly under Zhao Hanzhang’s command, with a small portion led by Zhao Erlang. Under Zhao Ju’s command were more of the common soldiers recruited from refugees who had been farming in Runan.

Although they had also trained for a period and appeared imposing, this was only superficial intimidation. If they really fought, they naturally could not compare with Gou Xi’s Yanzhou army, let alone the fact that they didn’t even have armor.

Since the young mistress now had money, these things should be prepared, just in case.

Ji Yuan had made up his mind, lowered his eyes, and peacefully drank a mouthful of soup.

Knowing this soup was stewed by Zhao Hanzhang, he sincerely praised, “This soup is extremely fresh and flavorful, with not a trace of mutton’s gaminess.”

An official from the Provincial Governor’s Office who knew how to appreciate food said, “This is mutton from Shangdang. I’ve heard that the mutton from north of Jinyang is tender and fresh, completely lacking the fishy gaminess of Central Province mutton.”

This official was called Tang Ziping, a granary clerk who mainly helped Ji Yuan manage warehouse supplies. He was from Luoyang and was this year’s top candidate in the Luoyang recruitment examination, personally recruited by Xie Shi to participate in the exam.

He had some reputation in Luoyang. His most famous deed was that one winter when his mother fell ill and needed fresh deer blood as a medicine primer.

But that year there was no one selling live deer in all of Luoyang.

Deer were already precious items that only nobility could eat. Even if there were any, it would be difficult for his turn to get one. After seeking deer everywhere without success, he finally led his servants into the mountains himself and risked his life to capture a live deer.

At that time, the mountains were sealed by heavy snow. It was said that when he came out, he was nearly frozen stiff and subsequently fell ill, recuperating for half a year before recovering.

Thus his reputation for filial piety spread far, and he had a very good name in Luoyang.

But even so, in the recommendations for filial and incorrupt candidates that year and the following year, because his family background was undistinguished, he still was not selected.

His arithmetic skills were good, and his management and coordination abilities were even better. Since he became granary clerk, Mr. Ji rarely troubled Fu Tinghan anymore.

Toward talent, Zhao Hanzhang was always pleasant and amiable. She smiled and nodded. “That’s right, this lamb came from Shangdang.”

She said, “There’s a merchant caravan with incredible courage, daring to go to Bingzhou to purchase goods.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuan immediately looked up at Zhao Hanzhang. So she also knew about this merchant caravan.

Not only did Zhao Hanzhang know, but many people present knew as well. After all, Luoyang truly lacked meat.

In these past two months, many merchant caravans had come to Luoyang from Yuzhou, Shu, the areas around Luoyang, and even from the Two Rivers and Jiangnan regions, but none had come from the northern territories.

This caravan had already entered Luoyang for the second time, bringing goods from the Bingzhou area. It would have been difficult not to attract attention.

Xie Shi expressed his concern. “Administrator, Bingzhou is now in the hands of the Han Kingdom. If we allow merchants to freely enter Luoyang from Bingzhou, I fear we cannot prevent Han Kingdom spies.”

“But Bingzhou is also Great Jin’s territory. Liu Yueshi is still in Jinyang, and there are many Jin people there. We cannot abandon them. As for the problem of spies,” Zhao Hanzhang looked at Zhao Kuan, “I believe County Magistrate Zhao should be able to manage Luoyang well and prevent such things from happening, correct?”

Zhao Kuan’s body stiffened upright as he solemnly responded affirmatively. However, he indicated that his subordinates were insufficient and earnestly requested that Zhao Hanzhang assign him a few more assistants.

Zhao Hanzhang said, “You select the people. Once you’ve chosen suitable candidates, I’ll transfer them to you.”

Zhao Kuan’s current deputy was Wang Yifeng, Wang Siniang, but there was actually an important position still vacant – the county commandant.

Where was Luoyang’s county commandant? This was no small office. Quite a few people’s hearts stirred.

Chen Wu was different. He just listened to what these people said. His purpose in coming here was to establish rapport with Zhao Hanzhang and eat and drink along the way. If she was willing to advance next month’s supplies for him to take back, that would be even better.

But his gaze swept over the undisguised ambition on everyone’s faces, and he still felt some envy in his heart. Zhao Hanzhang had quite a few capable people under her command. Actually… pledging allegiance to Zhao Hanzhang didn’t seem like such a bad thing.

While gnawing on a lamb spine, he stole glances at Beigong Chun. Even Beigong Chun was willing to obey Zhao Hanzhang’s commands. He was merely a self-proclaimed general of a refugee militia…

Unfortunately, though he had the intention, Zhao Hanzhang did not raise the subject, and he couldn’t very well throw himself at her, could he?

It seemed he still had too few people under his command and lacked a thick-skinned strategist. Otherwise, at this moment, someone should jump out to discuss the matter of submission with Zhao Hanzhang on his behalf.

Chen Wu suppressed the thoughts in his heart, deciding to discuss it later. This matter couldn’t be rushed; it could be considered over time.

Since quite a few people attending the banquet were still in mourning, eating meat was acceptable, but drinking wine would not be appropriate, especially the Wang sisters, who were both still within the period of deep mourning. So Zhao Hanzhang did not serve wine.

Everyone just ate their food and drank their soup. Zhao Hanzhang encouraged everyone to go out on the streets tomorrow with their families to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, bask in the sun, drive away the five poisons, and incidentally contribute their bit to the people’s livelihood and economy.

Of course, this was also a channel for them to build relationships.

For Luoyang, Zhao Hanzhang was an outsider. Among this group, from officials to clerks, guards, and village elders below, all were newly selected, and they did not know each other very well.

Zhao Hanzhang’s banquet was exactly the opportunity for them to build relationships, so that in the future, superiors and subordinates, as well as related departments on the left and right, could handle matters more quickly and efficiently.

So after the meal, everyone could also take a walk in the garden and sample the pastries and such prepared by the cooks.

Beigong Chun specifically sought out Zhao Erlang to cultivate their relationship.