After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 570 - 564 Heartfelt

Zhao Hanzhang personally came to see them off, so Xun Xiu and Mi Ce had no choice but to submit and have their subordinates prepare for departure.

Of course, Zhao Hanzhang is not someone who discards things after use. Besides the positions of the two county governors, from Zhao Erlang’s loot—oh, no, spoils of war—she selected many wooden frames, fashioned two oversized carriages, lined them with over ten layers of straw mats, and covered them with two layers of cloth. Absolutely soft and comfortable, no different from the mattresses she used before.

On the day of departure, she personally went to the city gate to see them off, accompanied by Ji Yuan.

The two men barely stood upright in front of the army to receive Zhao Hanzhang’s farewell.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at their waists, had someone bring up the carriages, and said, "The two generals are still injured and not suited to riding horses. Take the carriages back, travel slowly on the road."

Zhao Hanzhang tilted her head, and Ting He brought two boxes forward. She handed one to each of them with a smile, saying, "These are gifts for the two generals. When you return to the Capital City with Your Majesty in the future, they will be of use when you rise to prominence."

Xun Xiu and Mi Ce accepted the boxes with puzzled expressions, unable to open them on the spot. After expressing their thanks, they stowed them away.

The two cupped their hands in farewell, and Zhao Hanzhang waved them off, watching them board the carriages and leave.

After the carriages had traveled a distance, Xun Xiu, who had been holding himself up, finally lay down with the help of a trusted aide. Once he lay down, he realized the benefits.

He pressed his whole body down further and, experiencing the firm softness, touched the soft fabric layer on top. "Lord Zhao is so generous. How many bolts of cloth did she stack for me?"

Having said that, he leaned over to count from the side, only to discover that underneath the hanging sheet was a mat woven entirely of straw, with just two layers of cloth on top.

Xun Xiu: ...

The trusted aide knelt beside him, picked up a teapot from the foot of the carriage, and poured him a cup of water, saying, "Lord Zhao said that cloth is not as soft as straw, and that you shouldn’t disdain something just because it’s common. What’s practical is best."

Xun Xiu pouted and thought, wasn’t it because she was stingy and broke?

Zhao Hanzhang has run out of money. He had heard in the past few days that the quality of food in the Zhao Mansion had sharply declined, to the point where Zhao Erlang, who frequently went home for meals, rarely returned and stayed at the military camp all day.

It’s often heard that the late Shangcai Marquis had a penchant for wealth and was extremely frugal. It seems Lord Zhao inherited this trait from her grandfather.

"The boxes, bring them over. Let’s see what Lord Zhao has given us."

The trusted aide immediately retrieved the boxes. Earlier, when the curtain fell, Xun Xiu had casually tossed the box into a corner.

Xun Xiu placed the pillow stuffed with rice husks under his chin and opened the box directly.

Inside were a few thin sheets of paper, not even a single bead.

Xun Xiu picked up the paper and casually tossed the box aside, frowning, "What is this?"

Once he opened it, he quickly covered it again, unable to stop himself from looking at the trusted aide, blinking.

The trusted aide looked at him in confusion, "What’s wrong? Is the gift from Lord Zhao not good?"

Xun Xiu looked down at the newly made property deeds in his hand and shook his head, "No, it’s too good; how is Lord Zhao so generous?"

The property deeds were newly made; it was evident because they had dates on them.

The property deeds were large sheets that, when unfurled, displayed not only the location, size, and orientation of the estates or shops but also the reason for the grant.

It was written that, due to Xun Xiu’s merits in defending Luoyang and rescuing the emperor, this estate\shop was awarded to him.

Xun Xiu flipped through and found there were a total of six property deeds, two for estates and four for shops.

One of the estates was the one he was currently living in; it was said to have formerly belonged to the Cao Family, then to the Jia Family. When Luoyang fell three years ago, the Jia Family left with the emperor and never returned, so the property fell into the hands of Prince East Sea.

This estate, if bought with an owner, would probably cost a thousand gold coins.

Xun Xiu had mixed feelings and carefully folded the property deeds and put them away, "I misunderstood Lord Zhao."

The trusted aide nodded repeatedly, full of envy, "General, in the future, if you rise to prominence in Luoyang, you will have a foundation."

Xun Xiu agreed deeply.

Living in the Capital City is not easy, especially now that he had houses and shops. He hadn’t officially arrived in Luoyang, but everything was already prepared.

"It’s just a pity that Luoyang is not what it used to be. I wonder if the property prices will drop too much."

Trusted aide: "How can Yun City compare to the grandeur of Luoyang? Once the Xiongnu are expelled from the Central Plains and the world is at peace, Luoyang will naturally welcome back Your Majesty."

Xun Xiu sneered, "The world at peace, unless under a new ruler."

He pondered, "Following Your Majesty, these estates and shops might not be mine. These were rewards from Lord Zhao; it’s only when she’s in charge of Luoyang that it can be said.

The trusted aide didn’t understand these matters, but it didn’t stop him from understanding, "Just like how I only follow the General because all my military pay and provisions are given by the General."

Xun Xiu gave him an approving look. If the emperor were to govern Luoyang, he couldn’t get close to the emperor; too many people surrounded him.

Zhao Hanzhang was different.

Xun Xiu didn’t dare say he was the top person around Zhao Hanzhang, but he could still count himself among those on one hand.

Xun Xiu stared at the box, lost in thought, "If these estates and shops are left unattended for a long time, they will fall into disrepair. I must find someone to come to Luoyang to manage the shops and take care of the estates."

"Should I find someone now?"

Xun Xiu dismissed him with disdain, "The people in the military only know how to shout and fight; who knows how to do accounting or business? When we return to Yingchuan County, find someone from the clan to manage it."

Compared to outsiders, Xun Xiu trusted his clansmen more.

Meanwhile, Mi Ce had just opened his box. Upon seeing the property deeds inside, he was also deeply moved. After a brief thought, he summoned his strategist into the carriage, "Lord Zhao has given me four shops. Now that Luoyang is in ruins, lacking everything, it’s a prime opportunity to make money."

The strategist also nodded, "Although those returning say it’s all destitution, and all wealth has been taken by Lord Zhao, an old family doesn’t fall easily. They surely still have wealth, and they have more means of acquiring wealth than ordinary people. This business can be done."

Mi Ce said, "When we reach Chen County, you shall quietly leave the group. Yiyang County is situated in the south of Yu State, very stable. As for the issues with the refugees, I can solve them alone. You take people from Chen County back to Luoyang." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The strategist understood, "What goods does the General think will sell well?"

"Cloth, grain, and porcelain," he said, "It’s a pity that we cannot compete with Lord Zhao in the grain business; doing so would be too conspicuous. Just bring more cloth and porcelain, and also glass, buy more."

The strategist frowned, "I heard Mr. Fu has also built a glass workshop in Luoyang."

"Though it’s built, the craftsmen need time to master it. We should earn as much as possible during this time," Mi Ce said, "We neither have General Beigong’s prowess in battle nor Xun Xiu’s family support. Whenever we ask for provisions from Lord Zhao, we are always the last. We need to earn more."

These are Mi Ce’s private funds, profits from which won’t be shared with the soldiers, so what do they have to do with provisions?

However, the strategist still nodded in agreement, deciding to get off the carriage at Chen County and then leave.

The strategist glanced at the property deeds in Mi Ce’s hand and smiled, "Our Lord Zhao is considerate. If you ever settle in Luoyang, General, you will not only have a place to live but also shops to support daily life, preserving face among colleagues."

Mi Ce’s honest face broke into a smile, nodding.

Watching the army depart, Zhao Hanzhang let out a sigh of relief, "Finally gone." The departure of two money-swallowing beasts eased half of Zhao Hanzhang’s burdens at once.