Liu Kun didn’t know any of this and continued enthusiastically entertaining Zhao Hanzhang. Seeing her gaze fall on the vegetable sprouts, he casually remarked, “These vegetables are tender with a slightly sweet taste, quite distinctive in flavor. Would Hanzhang like to try some?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Liu Kun but didn’t eat the vegetable sprouts. Instead, she picked up beef from a nearby plate and asked, “There’s still beef to eat at this time?”

Liu Kun laughed heartily. “This is Bingzhou. Bingzhou has grasslands, and the herders raise many cattle and sheep, so there’s no shortage of livestock.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang sighed. “The Central Plains is different. There’s a severe shortage of cattle. Every spring plowing season, I worry about the common people’s hardship in pulling plows and transporting goods.”

The cattle currently raised on the grasslands were mostly yellow cattle, primarily grassland cattle and Qinchuan cattle. The pastoral region’s cattle were mainly for milk and meat production, but they also selected some cattle to bear the burden of hauling goods and migration.

Not every herder could use horses to pull carts; most herders still relied on cattle as their primary draft power.

The cattle in agricultural areas were mainly used for labor.

The cattle from both regions had commonalities. With slight training, meat cattle could be used as plowing cattle.

Over these four years, Zhao Hanzhang had cooperated with Liu Kun on horses, sheep, and also cattle, but the focus of trade had always been on horses. Now looking at it, their ambitions could be much broader—cattle trading could also be greatly developed.

She hadn’t asked about their cattle breeding numbers today, so Zhao Hanzhang simply asked now, “From what you say, many herders in the territory raise cattle and sheep? I wonder how many herding households there are, what the average breeding number per household is, and if targeting one-year-old cattle, how many could they provide annually?”

Liu Kun could answer all these questions. At this point, he also noticed Zhao Hanzhang’s focus and smiled. “If Hanzhang likes cattle, I’ll give you a batch when you leave. However, one-year-old cattle meat is too tender and lacks flavor. They should be raised longer.”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “…I plan to use them as draft cattle.”

Such a fine person who understood people’s livelihood reasonably well—why couldn’t he use his brain a little?

Liu Kun said, “Then one-year-old cattle are too young. They should be two years old.”

Zhao Hanzhang replied, “From Bingzhou to Yuzhou, even with cattle as draft power, it takes at least two months. With delays on the road, three or four months is normal. By the time they pass through various departments and reach the common people’s hands, they’ll be about one and a half years old. Raise and train them a bit more, and they’ll be nearly two years old.”

So one-year-old cattle were best, whether considering their useful lifespan or price.

Since Liu Kun was being so generous now, Zhao Hanzhang wanted to take the opportunity to settle the price of cattle with him.

But Liu Kun only wanted to enjoy music at this moment and wasn’t very interested in this topic. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang so fixated on cattle, he simply waved his hand grandly. “When Hanzhang leaves, I’ll give you one thousand head of cattle.”

One thousand head! Even if three households shared one ox, that could solve the draft cattle problem for three thousand households.

Zhao Hanzhang gladly accepted and therefore obligingly stopped mentioning this issue, focusing on eating and drinking.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t touch that plate of vegetable sprouts, only eating other dishes. The Zhao Family Army faction below all followed her example and didn’t dare touch those vegetable sprouts.

In the eyes of the Jinyang faction officials across from them, it appeared that the Zhao Family Army particularly favored meat and disliked vegetables.

Bingzhou had many pastures, and officials never lacked meat. Conversely, vegetables were scarce. Seeing this, they felt the Zhao Family Army didn’t appreciate that vegetables were actually the best food—why only eat meat?

Especially these small sprouts, which not everyone could afford to eat. They were expensive outside, and even money couldn’t necessarily buy them.

The Zhao Family Army faction members were also mentally criticizing the Jinyang officials across from them—acting as if they’d never eaten green vegetables before. If you’re so capable, put a few more vegetable dishes on the table.

Following their commander, they might eat less of other things, but could they eat less vegetables?

The banquet had not only fine food but also good wine. Servants filed in, offering wine to each table. The table for Zhao Hanzhang and Liu Kun was especially different, using glass cups.

Liu Kun even mentioned, “These glass cups came from Yuzhou.”

Zhao Hanzhang was also generous. “If Yueshi likes them, I’ll have people send eight or ten sets later. They’re all absolutely fine glass cups, hard to buy even in Yuzhou.”

To Liu Kun, this gift seemed much more valuable than his thousand head of cattle. He’d always been straightforward and didn’t want to lose to his friend in this aspect. He immediately said, “Then I’ll give you two jars of fine wine, how about that?”

While pouring clear, fragrant grape wine from the pot, Zhao Hanzhang said, “I don’t love wine; I love cattle more.”

For the sake of this statement, she very restrainedly drank in small sips, not daring to drink heartily, though the wine was truly delicious.

The soldiers who’d fought alongside Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but laugh, simultaneously raising their heads to grin at the Jinyang officials across from them. Yes, their commander didn’t love wine.

The Jinyang officials: …

Fu Tinghan smiled and shook his head. Just as he was about to pour himself a cup of wine, Zhao Hanzhang had already restrainedly set down the pot, turned to him and said, “Tinghan, would you like to try this grape wine?”

After thinking it over, Fu Tinghan nodded. “Thank you, Commander.”

Zhao Hanzhang immediately had someone send the pot of wine in her hand down to Fu Tinghan and also invited Shi Le, “General Shi should also try it, and Master Ming and Master Zhang can try this Jinyang fine wine as well.”

She fully displayed her attitude of not loving wine.

Shi Le felt gratified and bowed with Ming Yu and Zhang Bin to express thanks.

Liu Kun sighed inwardly. This wine was truly scarce. If not for Zhao Hanzhang, he wouldn’t have brought it out.

Forget it. Since she didn’t like drinking, so be it. They should listen to music instead.

Liu Kun immediately had people present music.

Zhao Hanzhang slowly drank her wine. Oh, drinking white wine while listening to music—needless to say, Liu Kun truly deserved his reputation as one of the most famous literati and musicians of the age. The performers kept in his residence had superb skills. They played both ancient pieces and compositions by Liu Kun.

Among them, Liu Kun’s compositions were tragic yet expansive. Zhao Hanzhang listened in fascination.

After three pieces, Zhao Hanzhang had unknowingly drunk seven or eight cups of wine. She nonchalantly pulled the wine pot to her side, still remembering her purpose, so her gaze turned to Xu Run.

“Magistrate of Jinyang, will you perform one?”

Xu Run had been listening entranced when, hearing this, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant. He was already the Jinyang magistrate, yet Zhao Hanzhang kept treating him like a performer.

He felt quite insulted.

But Liu Kun didn’t think so. He believed Zhao Hanzhang, like himself, was a music enthusiast. How could playing music between enthusiasts be insulting?

Liu Kun urged Xu Run while rolling up his own sleeves and extending his hands. “Quickly bring water. I must wash my hands to personally play the qin for Commander Zhao.”

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and declared loudly, “In that case, I shall sing a song in response.”

Liu Kun became even more excited, immediately urging Xu Run to quickly prepare to play the xiao in harmony.

After washing his hands, Liu Kun sat properly before the ancient qin case. After brief contemplation, he slowly raised his hand and plucked a string…

Xu Run glanced at the seated Zhao Hanzhang, found an opening to insert the xiao sound. The ancient qin was distant yet profound, the xiao sound ethereal yet somewhat tragic. Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but lightly tap her knee to the rhythm, opened her eyes to look into the distance, her gaze passing over the hall full of seated people toward the layers upon layers of mountain ranges beyond Jinyang, and sang: “Vast and boundless, the mountain ranges tower majestically…”

This was a song imbued with philosophical meaning. Though in the distant reaches, one still worried for one’s sovereign; a true confidant was hard to find, like heaven and earth joining together. The great path was difficult to seek. What she and Liu Kun sought was to end warfare and bring peace, for all under heaven to be harmonious. So she’d always believed this piece was very suitable for Liu Kun fighting alone in Jinyang.

Even now, though she was somewhat dissatisfied with his nepotism and overly self-centered character, she still had to admire his integrity and ability in defending Jinyang alone.

“To seek a true confidant is truly difficult, only heaven and earth can make the match; seeking the great path to end warfare, transcending all things beyond…” When Zhao Hanzhang sang to this point, her gaze fell on Liu Kun.

Liu Kun also raised his head to look at her, his eyes brimming with tears. This was why he’d always persisted—hoping warfare would cease, national strength would flourish, and all under heaven would be harmonious…

In this moment, Liu Kun decided to elevate Zhao Hanzhang’s position as his confidant, placing her above Zu Ti.

That fellow was clearly close to Jinyang yet didn’t come to see him. Though he knew it was due to military orders, Liu Kun still decided to demote this good friend’s position a bit. He decided that from this moment on, Zhao Hanzhang was his first confidant!

After one song, Liu Kun and Zhao Hanzhang’s gazes met, recognizing each other as confidants.

Xu Run suddenly felt his hair stand on end, a sense of extreme danger enveloping his mind. He was just trying to trace the source of this feeling when he heard Zhao Hanzhang say, “This piece truly suits Yueshi!”

She sighed. “Since I first heard this piece, I’ve regarded it as heavenly music. Unfortunately, I have very few musical talents under my command. Whether qin, xiao, or hujia, none can express even a fraction of it.”

Her gaze fell on Liu Kun and Xu Run with infinite regret. “If I had musical talents of your and Xu Run’s caliber by my side, I would certainly listen to this piece once daily.”

Liu Kun was all too familiar with this feeling. He also loved putting songs on repeat.

When he first received this piece sent by Zhao Hanzhang, he played it in his residence for three consecutive months, inviting everyone he could to listen.

Oh, Linghu Sheng alone was forced to listen on repeat seven or eight times, though he didn’t remember a single note.

So hearing Zhao Hanzhang say this now, Liu Kun felt so emotionally moved that he wanted to go with Zhao Hanzhang, wishing he could follow her and play qin for her every day.

He’d just begun to speak when the Jinyang faction officials and gentry all immediately widened their eyes, about to voice their opposition.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze swept over them, and she knew that Jinyang could only remain in Liu Kun’s hands for now. Moreover, she still needed to use him against the Xianbei. So she smiled. “You are the Bingzhou Inspector. Others may leave Jinyang, but you cannot.”

With these words, the Jinyang faction officials breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze then fell on Xu Run as she said with a light laugh, “However, I have my eye on one person. I wonder if Yueshi would be willing to part with him.”

Liu Kun followed her gaze and, seeing her looking at Xu Run, hesitated momentarily.

He also regarded Xu Run as a confidant. His musical accomplishments were extremely high, but…

Forget it. Though both were confidants, there had to be priorities.

Zhao Hanzhang clearly weighed much heavier than Xu Run. So he gritted his teeth and said, “Then I’ll yield Run Lang to you, Hanzhang. His qin and xiao are especially good. You must treat him well.”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, nodding in agreement. “Rest assured, I will certainly treat him as a confidant, let him fully display his strengths under my command, and will never neglect him.”

Under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze, Xu Run felt a chill throughout his body. His danger came from Zhao Hanzhang!

—