Ming Yu reached out toward the shopkeeper. “Shopkeeper, may I see those copper coins?”

The shopkeeper turned his head to look at him, his gaze sweeping over Yuan Li and the others traveling with him, then asked with a smile, “Young master is from out of town, right?”

Ming Yu smiled and nodded. “Yes, just arrived in Luoyang.”

The shopkeeper then showed him the money, explaining, “This is our Luoyang’s new currency.”

Ming Yu turned the copper coin in his hand and saw the small character “Zhao” in the lower left corner of the back. For a long while, he was speechless.

Since his illness, he had received outside news somewhat slowly. After Yan Heng’s death, he focused entirely on recuperating and thinking about escaping Yuncheng, completely unaware that the outside world had changed so drastically.

Did Gou Xi know that Zhao Hanzhang had minted new currency?

Was this new currency only used in Luoyang, or was it also used in Yuzhou?

If Yuzhou also used it, then what about the Two Lakes region, Shu territory, and West Liang, which had close trade relations with Yuzhou?

If these places all used it, were the new and old currencies equivalent in value?

If they were equivalent, would Zhao Hanzhang’s new currency one day replace the court’s old currency?

Ming Yu suddenly gripped the copper coin tightly in his hand, his heart surging. If that day truly came, would the various regions buy currency from Zhao Hanzhang, or would they also mint their own currency?

If everyone minted their own currency, wouldn’t the world’s monetary system fall into great chaos?

“Young master, young master?” The shopkeeper anxiously watched the copper coin clenched tightly in his hand. He had only agreed to let him look—he hadn’t agreed to give it to him.

Ming Yu came to his senses and pulled out a copper coin from his purse to give him, smiling, “How about I exchange one old coin for this copper coin?”

The shopkeeper naturally had no problem with that. He accepted it and put it in the money box together with the new currency.

Ming Yu watched and knew that the new and old currencies had the same value—at least among the common people in Luoyang, they were the same.

After finishing his meal, Ming Yu was even more eager to meet Zhao Hanzhang. Therefore, he didn’t linger and got up to leave immediately, still holding that new coin in his hand.

Zhao Hanzhang only knew that Ming Yu had set out for Luoyang but didn’t know when he would arrive specifically. After all, his health was poor, and his travel speed was uncertain.

So it wasn’t until Ming Yu stood before the Zhao residence that she received the news.

Zhao Hanzhang herself wasn’t in the city—she was training troops outside. Yuan Li also told Ming Yu, “Today is an odd-numbered day. The administrator should be at the military camp.”

Every odd-numbered day, Zhao Hanzhang went to the military to train troops. Government affairs were important, but military affairs were equally important—especially the quality of her troops. This directly determined whether she could hold Yuzhou and Luoyang. It couldn’t be neglected.

Ming Yu first met Ji Yuan.

The two strategists met, each somewhat renowned. Their gazes met and parted, then both raised their hands and bowed deeply to each other.

After bowing, Ji Yuan straightened up, stepped aside with a smile, and said, “Mister Ming, please.”

Ming Yu didn’t demur either and entered together with Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan directly led him to the guest courtyard to settle in. Their two courtyards were adjacent—both similar small courtyards. Inside, the main room and hall were elegantly furnished, and there was even a small kitchen. If they didn’t like the main kitchen’s food, they could cook for themselves.

Ming Yu hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to settle him directly in the Zhao residence with the same treatment as Ji Yuan. His cold heart warmed slightly.

He looked toward his attendant.

The attendant immediately brought forward a bundle.

Ming Yu unwrapped the bundle—inside was an urn with ashes. He held it and walked around the room, calculated with his fingers, and finally chose the best feng shui position to set the box down.

Yuan Li, who had followed them over, frowned. Setting up an urn in the administrator’s residence?

Ji Yuan, however, showed no unusual expression and looked on calmly. After he had placed the urn, Ji Yuan said, “I have an incense burner that Mister Yan might like.”

Ming Yu accepted his goodwill.

When Zhao Hanzhang hurried back from the military camp, Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were already sitting on mats before Yan Heng’s offering table, having gone through three rounds of wine.

Zhao Hanzhang still wore her armor, clanking as she walked in. When Ming Yu lifted his head to look, he saw her walking toward him against the light, her features almost indiscernible. But somehow, Ming Yu’s heart suddenly settled.

He smiled slightly and stood up to bow.

Before his hands could complete the bow, Zhao Hanzhang had already stepped forward and grasped his hand, helping him up. She laughed heartily, “Why so much ceremony? Mister Ming, I’ve been hoping for your arrival. Today I’ve finally waited for you.”

Ming Yu looked up at the forthright and bright Zhao Hanzhang and couldn’t help but show a slight smile. “Thank you, Administrator, for saving my life. I’ve long known that Administrator Zhao has high aspirations. I’ve admired you in my heart. I didn’t expect to have the opportunity today to discuss principles with the administrator.”

Zhao Hanzhang knew that although he had come, he still hadn’t decided for certain whether to follow her. He wanted to understand her more deeply before deciding.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t annoyed either. She turned and ordered people to prepare food and wine, then said, “Mister, please wait a moment. I’ll go remove my armor first, then I’ll join Mister Ji to welcome you properly.”

Ming Yu smiled and nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang then clanked away. After removing the armor, a maid outside came running over. “Sister Ting He, the kitchen says they didn’t buy meat today. If we go to the market now to buy it, the kitchen doesn’t have enough money.”

“The key is with me. Come get it, open the money box yourself, and take a string of cash. Have the kitchen also bring back two jugs of wine.”

Zhao Hanzhang removed all her armor, then with Ting He’s service, put on her clothes. She asked, “What wine is so cheap that one string of cash can buy meat and still buy wine?”

“Wine sold loose at the market,” Ting He said. “That wine is fragrant and also cheap. Young lady, our household funds are limited. Please drink that for now. When we have money later, I’ll buy you good wine.”

Alright, Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t picky. “Make more meat.”

She hadn’t eaten meat in two days.

Ting He smiled and agreed.

After changing clothes and tying up her sleeves, Zhao Hanzhang went to see Ming Yu looking completely refreshed.

Her sleeves were narrow sleeves, fashioned after the Hu style—commonly called arrow sleeves by the people, very convenient for movement.

Ming Yu still sat drinking with Ji Yuan. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang striding over, he rose and bowed slightly, carefully looking her up and down.

Zhao Hanzhang possessed the beauty and talent characteristic of women of this era, but what made her most striking was the heroic spirit and openness that women—even men—of this era lacked.

It was precisely this openness that made people submit from the bottom of their hearts. The three sat down in order of precedence. The kitchen first had people send over some refreshments to accompany their wine.

Ming Yu first asked, “I traveled all the way here and saw that the capital region outside Luoyang has also acknowledged Administrator Zhao as their master. Do you intend to take Henan Jun for yourself?”

“Yes,” Zhao Hanzhang didn’t deny it. “Luoyang is just one city. Although it has natural defenses, it’s still not safe enough. It needs other county towns to assist, so I want to take Henan Jun.”

“What about Sizhou then?” Ming Yu asked. “Beyond Sizhou, there’s also Yongzhou. How should Administrator Zhao deal with them?”

“I’ll only take masterless lands and territories invaded by Zhao-Han. As for other places, His Majesty has appointed officials to govern them. I can assist them somewhat, but I won’t clash with them in armed conflict or compete for territory.”

—