Ji Yuan had nothing to say and also rose to take his leave, though before leaving he asked Zhao Hanzhang: “Does Your Excellency still have money to make up the property assessment tax?”

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said: “How could I not? For assets of five thousand, one pays one assessment unit. Since I have so many assets, naturally I can produce the money.”

Then Ting He told her she didn’t have it.

Holding her small abacus, Ting He calculated for her: “You only have 189,688 coins in your treasury. For assets of five thousand per assessment unit, you need to pay over 6.28 million coins. You don’t have the money—Madam in Xiping advanced it for you.”

“Wait, wait. Mother has that much money?” Zhao Hanzhang was shocked.

Ting He looked up at her and said: “Madam has some dowry. The clan ladies like doing business with Madam. You may not know, but Cheng Bo organized a merchant caravan for them that often travels together with Seventh Great Grandfather’s caravan. Each trip in and out earns some money.”

Zhao Hanzhang felt wounded. She also had merchant caravans. She was also earning money. But why did she have no money?

Ting He waited a moment. Seeing she had no questions, she continued calculating on the abacus: “And the money in the treasury was used to pay your vehicle-and-boat tax.”

“One assessment unit per vehicle. Several merchant caravans’ vehicles and horses have been registered under the office’s name. Even so, the府中 guards plus your daily travel vehicles and horses, plus items in the treasury, all together still require payment of 48,000 coins. The remaining money is still needed for household expenses—you can’t very well go into debt for eating a piece of meat, can you?”

120,000—it sounded like a lot. Converted into the silver taels readers are more familiar with, that would be 120 taels.

Of course, this amount of money was still quite substantial at present, at least enough to support her and her servants for a long time until the next cash influx. But she didn’t have 120,000 anymore—she now only had about 70,000.

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her hand to her chest, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and asked: “The young emperor’s expenses?”

“That comes from the state treasury’s accounts.”

Zhao Hanzhang breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said: “Starting tomorrow, there’s no need to prepare my meals, wine, or tea. Don’t make snacks either—I’ll figure something out myself.”

Then she said: “Find a way to sell some things and gather enough money to make up the shortfall.”

Ting He felt deeply distressed and said: “Which powerful minister is like you, Milady? Not to mention enjoying privileges, you can’t even afford meals.”

Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and said: “As long as you all don’t go hungry, I’ll figure something out myself.”

Her solution was to freeload meals from the young emperor.

Of course, she didn’t only freeload from the young emperor but also from people including but not limited to Zhao Ming, Zhao Hu, Mi Ce, and others.

Actually, she quite liked eating with the young emperor. First, he ate little and usually couldn’t finish his portions alone, so adding her didn’t create much burden.

Second, though his dishes weren’t extravagant, the nutritional balance was excellent. Every meal had both meat and vegetables—very healthy and suited to Zhao Hanzhang’s taste.

It was just that he was a bit timid. As soon as she sat down, he would lower his head, wishing he could bury it in his bowl.

Though she knew people of this era matured early, he was only ten years old. Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t bear to torment him too much, so she began seeking out others to freeload from.

After Zhao Hanzhang finished discussing the development plans for Ruyin Jun with the newly promoted Ruyin Jun Governor Qiao Jin and handed him the appointment document, she glanced at the water clock and immediately stood up: “Come, I’ll see you off and discuss the Xun clan matter with you along the way.”

Qiao Jin acknowledged and immediately stood to follow. Only after stepping outside did he realize they were going to eat outside.

Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t particular and just found a place among the row of stalls across the street to sit down.

Qiao Jin broke out in cold sweat and quickly said: “How can we impose such upon the Grand General? Please, Grand General, let’s go elsewhere. I, I will treat the Grand General to a proper meal.”

Zhao Hanzhang waved dismissively: “This place has very good dumplings. From now on, just sit and try them. I know—you’ve just paid your property assessment taxes and aren’t well-off. Before leaving, just treat me to a bowl of dumplings.”

Hearing this, Qiao Jin was deeply moved. The resentment and anger he’d felt from being checked by Chang Ning for shortfalls in property assessment taxes vanished completely. He also lifted his robe and sat across from her.

Because Zhao Hanzhang promoted Hu-style stools and tables, many large restaurants and inns hadn’t yet adopted them, but among the common folk at the grassroots level, many imitated them, especially small vendors who quickly discovered the advantages of tables and chairs.

Previously when they set up stalls by the roadside, customers could only stand to eat, then return bowls and utensils. Sales weren’t great, and not many customers were willing to eat there.

Anyone with some money would choose restaurants and wine shops with roof tiles for shelter. Those without money were unwilling to spend much on food, so roadside stall business wasn’t very good.

But since tables and chairs appeared, as long as they paid the neighborhood head a dozen or so coins, they could claim a spot to set up a stall and place three or four tables with several long benches, serving quite a few customers.

The stall directly across from the Zhao residence—though called the Zhao residence, it was actually like an imperial palace annex—saw many officials coming and going daily, all wealthy people.

However, his customer base wasn’t these officials but the attendants, guards, stewards, or clerks the officials brought. But one time, when Zhao Hanzhang came out and saw his stall, she ate a bowl of dumplings there. After that, she came occasionally, and then those important officials also began eating at his stall.

After that, his business exploded, and other people began setting up stalls nearby.

Most officials coming to the Zhao residence had eaten at the nearby stalls. Qiao Jin was an exception—he’d previously been a military officer commanding troops in the field and had suddenly received orders to return for performance review and reassignment as Ruyin Jun Governor.

Honestly, he was very surprised and excited.

This indicated his career was advancing further. He’d previously served in Ruyin Jun and was fairly familiar with it. He felt this was one reason Zhao Hanzhang promoted him.

Indeed, it was one of the reasons. Zhao Hanzhang didn’t hide this, and after pouring some vinegar into a dish, she said to Qiao Jin: “You’re familiar with Ruyin Jun. This year there was war, and the Ruyin Jun people paid taxes twice and made donations once. Life hasn’t been easy for them. After you arrive, comfort them well.”

Qiao Jin respectfully acknowledged this.

“Also, the Xun clan.” Zhao Hanzhang said: “They’ve just moved to Ruyin Jun and aren’t familiar with everything yet. Look after them more and help them integrate into the local community quickly.”

Qiao Jin couldn’t quite tell whether she was speaking truthfully or ironically and didn’t respond immediately.

Because the Xun clan patriarch had shown good judgment, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t kill him. However, she relocated the entire Xun clan from Yingchuan Jun to Ruyin Jun and made them divide into two branches—one relocating to Bing Province, one to Ji Province.

A large tree had two branches removed, one branch cut off entirely, and the main trunk transplanted to a different location. This was a heavy blow to the Xun clan.

Fortunately, she hadn’t cut down the tree entirely, so the Xun clan had to remember her kindness in allowing the relocation and could only resent Xun Xiu for implicating them.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and smiled slightly, not requiring him to believe her words now. Some things needed time—haste makes waste, and she disliked being counterproductive.

After eating half a bowl of dumplings, her hunger eased somewhat, and only then did Zhao Hanzhang tap the stall and say: “I know you look down on such tables and chairs, but you’ve also seen how having such a set allows common folk to have an additional livelihood.”

Qiao Jin immediately said: “When this subordinate returns to Ruyin Jun, I will also promote Hu-style tables and stools.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction: “Pay attention to replanting tree species as well, and don’t over-harvest.”

Qiao Jin acknowledged this.