Fu Tinghan stared intently at her eyes. Seeing the helplessness in them, a glimmer of amusement flashed in his eyes as well. His eyebrows curved and the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably.

All the guests followed with praise, though unlike Zhao Hanzhang, they were much more sincere, looking at Ji Yuan with envy.

If they could also receive a flower from the Administrator to pin in their hair, they could go a month without washing their hair and would do their utmost to keep the flower alive. Better yet, they would invite a painter to capture this scene, have the painting mounted, and hang it in the great hall for people to admire.

At this time, men valued elegance. Even a general like Beigong Chun couldn’t help but glance at the flower in Ji Yuan’s hair, feeling slightly envious.

Seeing them fix their gazes on the rose in the vase beside him, seeming inclined to have him pin it on as well, Fu Tinghan immediately stood up. Taking the vase, he nodded to Zhao Hanzhang and turned to leave.

Fine, today was the Dragon Boat Festival. Work matters could wait until tomorrow. Today he would rest.

He had already eaten his fill and decided to return to his room to rest.

Everyone watched Fu Tinghan leave with some regret, but did not dare to tease him.

Their time together had been short, but they had already perceived that there were two people under Zhao Hanzhang who seemed uninvolved in routine matters and did not participate in decision-making, yet absolutely could not be provoked.

One was Fu Tinghan, the other was Zhao Cheng.

Fu Tinghan and Zhao Hanzhang had a deep relationship. Although rumors outside said he was living off her, once you actually worked under Zhao Hanzhang, you would know that the liquid funds in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands basically all came from Fu Tinghan.

Whether it was profits sent from Yuzhou or output from local Luoyang workshops, the accounts all passed through Fu Tinghan’s hands.

Even if he didn’t manage the specific accounts, they were still managed by his people.

Even Ji Yuan, the first strategist at Zhao Hanzhang’s side, was respectful when facing Fu Tinghan.

Moreover, many of Zhao Hanzhang’s measures to stabilize people’s hearts required his help. Although he rarely appeared before people, which official from the county office or provincial governor’s office hadn’t sought him out regarding money and supplies?

As for Zhao Cheng, he was even quieter, but everyone dared even less to offend him.

County Magistrate of Luoyang Zhao Kuan, Adjutant Clerk Zhao Xin who had just returned from Western Liang, Zhao Shi who had recently been placed by Zhao Hanzhang in the provincial governor’s office for training, and Zhao Yunxin who had just been transferred from Yuzhou… and others were all his students and clan nephews.

Not to mention the talented people on the Yuzhou side. Many came from the Zhao clan or families related to the Zhao clan. It was said he had once been the headmaster of the Zhao clan school. Now, from the Zhao clan, those aged from ten to twenty had all received their early education from him.

The Zhao clan school would also accept children of marriage-related families to study. So now quite a few people under Zhao Hanzhang’s command could call Zhao Cheng “teacher.”

The schools that Zhao Hanzhang opened in various places basically had their first teachers come from the Zhao clan, all students of Zhao Cheng.

In other words, even setting aside the present and considering only the future – in five, ten, or twenty years – the people Zhao Hanzhang employed might all be Zhao Cheng’s disciples and grand-disciples.

Especially now that he was living in the Imperial Academy, beginning to attract students from various places who came seeking education.

They also wanted to send their family’s children to the Imperial Academy…

So these two appeared uninvolved in affairs, but no one dared to offend or trouble them.

The last person to offend Fu Tinghan was the Xiao family, who now couldn’t even make a ripple. That Xiao Wei – he killed him as soon as he said he would. After Zhao Erlang learned it was Fu Tinghan who ordered it, he didn’t even blink.

They heard that Fu Tinghan wanted to kill the ringleaders and also had several of Xiao Wei’s sons dragged out and beheaded, as they had all led people out to plunder common folk.

Originally, Zhao Erlang wanted to keep them in the army to open wasteland as military slaves, but because of Fu Tinghan, the order was changed as soon as it was issued, not caring at all about any damage to his authority.

So who could fail to know Fu Tinghan’s status with the Zhao siblings?

After Fu Tinghan left, Zhao Hanzhang also couldn’t sit still. Mainly because with her present, everyone seemed somewhat uncomfortable. She simply wandered out again, though this time she took Ji Yuan with her.

Once Ji Yuan left, everyone turned to surround Zhao Cheng.

They had heard that the Imperial Academy would hold examinations this August to select a batch of students to enter. They wondered if this was true.

Zhao Cheng indicated it was true. Moreover, this time they would not only accept students through examination but also accept recommendations from officials and renowned scholars from various regions.

This was the result of their discussions.

Originally, Zhao Hanzhang still wanted to select students through examinations. But after Zhao Ming heard about it, he specifically sent a letter all the way from Chen County regarding this matter.

He said, “I know what you’re thinking. You detest being controlled by aristocratic families, so from the moment you developed your own strength, you’ve been wholeheartedly cultivating talent from schools, wanting complete autonomy. But don’t forget – you’ve only just grown wings, and there aren’t even a few feathers on them yet.”

Zhao Ming warned her not to become complacent or to magnify what were originally small conflicts into irreconcilable ones. “At this time, our greatest enemies are still Liu Yuan of the Han Kingdom, Shi Le of the Jie barbarians, and even the Xianbei, who have been relatively friendly with us – not the aristocratic families who share our lineage and have been forced into displacement just like us.”

“Your school has been operating for three years now. In these three years, besides a few minor officials who can obey orders, what other useful talent has emerged?” Zhao Ming asked. “Out of a hundred students, how many can stand out, and how many of the intelligent ones can compare with aristocratic family sons?”

Zhao Ming said bluntly, “Compared to aristocratic family sons, they still fall far short. Even if you don’t want to be controlled by aristocratic families, you must still employ them. Otherwise, just wait to be driven from Luoyang back to Yuzhou.”

Though the words were harsh, Zhao Hanzhang took them to heart. She immediately sought out Ji Yuan and Zhao Cheng to discuss the matter.

Then they established four recruitment channels.

Currently, talent was still primarily obtained through recommendation – recommending the filial and incorrupt. Even the nine-rank system’s grade assignments were a form of recommendation.

So Zhao Hanzhang had no choice but to use this recommendation method. Besides examinations, officials from various regions could recommend students and talents they considered excellent to enter the Imperial Academy.

Aristocratic families from various regions could recommend family sons they thought were exceptional.

Village elders from various regions could recommend students and young men from humble or even common families they considered excellent.

Imperial Academy students did not need to participate in the recruitment examination. As long as they passed the Academy’s graduation examination, they could take office under her. Of course, if they didn’t want to work for her, she was willing to recommend them to others and the court. They could go wherever they wanted (as long as the destination was also willing to accept people).

Zhao Hanzhang would not be stingy with letters of recommendation.

Of course, this was just their private discussion. The public announcement had not yet been issued.

But it would be soon. At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang was discussing this very matter with Ji Yuan. “Now that travel and communication are inconvenient, this matter should be done sooner rather than later.”

She said, “Determine the quotas each region and family can recommend, prepare the official documents, and send them out. Selecting people requires time, and coming to Luoyang also requires time. I’ve decided the Imperial Academy recruitment examination will be in early August. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, classes will begin.”

Ji Yuan acknowledged this, then indicated that this was no small undertaking. “I would like to request several people from you, young mistress.”

“Go ahead.”

“Fan Ying, Zhao Shi, Zhao Yunxin, and also Wang Huifeng.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “I can’t give you Fan Ying. I need her to handle many matters at my side.”

“Determining quotas for various regions will require consultation with you, young mistress. There’s no one more suitable to relay messages than her. And Wang Huifeng is thoroughly familiar with aristocratic families in all regions. Zhao Shi and Zhao Yunxin are both still young and can just help out.”

Zhao Hanzhang pondered for a moment but still agreed. “Very well. When discussing this matter, I’ll have her come over.”

Ji Yuan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.