After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 610 - 604: Preferences Above

The conch that can be made into bead strings is usually fossilized conch, formed after thousands of years of sedimentation. Pure white is common, but it’s rare to see pure white that’s almost jade-like.

In modern times, such conch is valuable, let alone in this era.

The difficulty in collecting conch, along with transportation and craftsmanship, all contribute to the high value of this bracelet.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Zhao Erlang, "Did you only take this one?"

Zhao Erlang: "There’s only this one."

He pulled out the gems he had hidden in his bosom and stuffed them all into Fu Tinghan’s hands, "Brother-in-law, give the bracelet to Sister, and this is for you."

Fu Tinghan was handed seven or eight gems, needing both hands to hold them. He was extremely surprised, "I get some too?"

"Yes," Zhao Erlang happily counted the remaining gems, "I love shiny things the most. These gems are beautiful. Later, Brother-in-law, please let the blacksmith make me a short blade. Then I’ll have someone embed the gems on it. It’ll be shiny and certainly beautiful."

Embedding gems on a knife—what kind of aesthetic is this?

Zhao Hanzhang had already come back to her senses. She wrapped the bracelet twice around her hand and said, "Give the gems to me, and I’ll have Ting He make a decoration for you. Since you like gems, let’s use two gems for the hooks."

Zhao Hanzhang looked him up and down, then settled her gaze on his hair, "Although you’re not of age yet, you’re not only a Prefectural Governor but also commanding an army. You should mature a bit. I’ll have a craftsman make some hair crowns for you and embed these gems."

"Better than embedding them on a knife," she said, "Aren’t you afraid the knife will soak in blood on the battlefield?"

"I don’t use a short blade on the battlefield. Even if I don’t use a spear, I’ll use a big sword."

"Then why make a short blade?"

"Because it’s nice," Zhao Erlang gestured around his waist, "It’ll hang on the decoration just like Brother-in-law’s hanging Jade Pendant and Sister’s bracelet."

This child considers a short blade a jewelry accessory.

Fu Tinghan didn’t see any issue and agreed with a smile, "I’ll design one for you later and let the blacksmith make it."

He said to Zhao Hanzhang, "There’s nothing wrong with this; everyone has their own preferences."

"Thank you, Brother-in-law!" Zhao Erlang said loudly, and then said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Sister, I brought back a box of jewelry for you, which I confiscated."

He dragged the two of them to have a look.

Zhao Hanzhang started thinking, "The ones in this box were confiscated, so these..."

She looked at the bracelet in her hand and then at the gems in Fu Tinghan’s hands.

Zhao Erlang proudly said, "I secretly hid all of them; General Beigong didn’t notice at all."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know whether to praise him or to correct his behavior.

She paused but then praised him: "Well done. Next time, hide them more discreetly. Also, some things can be hidden while others cannot. Even if you hide them, let Sister know, okay?"

Having received praise, Zhao Erlang became happy and nodded vigorously.

Zhao Hanzhang patted his head, "You’ve worked hard all day; go back and rest. Explain things to Mr. Xie; the spoils you brought back should be distributed accordingly and recorded properly..."

Zhao Erlang was puzzled, "Why distribute them? Aren’t they all mine? Didn’t Sister say we need the spoils to buy provisions?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled softly and explained, "Provisions must be bought, but some should be distributed."

She said, "Whether on the battlefield or during daily bandit extermination, everyone ties their lives to their belts and fights with you, hoping for a better life. When times are tough, all they ask for is a meal. If provisions are constant, the soldiers can fight for us with all their might."

"But when life gets better, we can’t just give them food. Any gains should come with a reward," Zhao Hanzhang said, "The reward can be in the form of positions or financial assets."

"And the ultimate aim of positions is to obtain more finances to improve life," Zhao Hanzhang continued, "So after every battle, if we have spare resources, we must first ensure the compensation for the fallen soldiers, then reward those who contributed."

"You cannot rely entirely on Mr. Xie; you should have these matters in mind as well. This time, the distribution will be handled by you," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Discuss with Mr. Xie how much should be used to reward the soldiers, and then distribute it personally. You will understand why your Sister says this."

Zhao Erlang walked back to the city looking confused, forgetting to hand over the gems he had hidden in his bosom for Fu Tinghan to embed into the knife.

Once Zhao Erlang left, Zhao Hanzhang looked down at the bracelet wrapped around her hand, "Is this a prayer bead chain?"

Fu Tinghan nodded, "It should be."

Zhao Hanzhang touched it again and again, "It’s really beautiful."

Though she said so, she still took off the bracelet and handed it to Ting He, "Put it away, please find a box and store it carefully."

Fu Tinghan glanced sideways, "If you like it, why not wear it?"

"It’s not suitable now," she said, "It might not be suitable for a long time in the future; this item is too good, too precious."

Given the emphasis on frugality, she had been wearing plain clothes for over two years due to mourning, with few accessories. Female admirers in Yu State and Luoyang followed her, and coupled with many in Luoyang in mourning over the past half year, exquisite clothing was hard to sell here.

Instead, fine hemp, coarse hemp, and similar materials became more popular, not just in Luoyang but also in Yu State.

Because Zhao Hanzhang rarely wore jewelry, often using jade crowns or hair ribbons instead, the women in Yu State and Luoyang followed suit, resulting in fewer using gold and silver for jewelry in the Yu State area over the past two years.

Thus, higher-level resources tilted, and merchants going to Yu State brought fewer silks and more of what guests preferred, such as fine hemp fabric and food.

The situation in Luoyang is the same now; merchants coming twice have gauged Luoyang’s preferences and have reduced their supply of silks and various precious ornaments.

Zhao Hanzhang was certain that if she wore the bracelet and showed how much she liked it, conch bracelets would soon inflate to exorbitant prices in Luoyang, and other bracelets would become fashionable.

This isn’t the outcome she wishes to see, so sometimes even if you like something, you must hide it away.

Fu Tinghan glanced at the gems in his hand upon hearing this, "What about Erlang’s short blade..."

"Let him have it made," Zhao Hanzhang said, "He’s still a child without need for excessive restraint."

Fu Tinghan nodded upon hearing.

Zhao Erlang rushed back to Luoyang City and directly found Xie Shi, relaying Sister’s words in a mixed manner.

Because of his confusion, Xie Shi patiently asked twice to understand Zhao Hanzhang’s intent.

Mr. Xie pondered briefly and said, "I’ll return to the military camp with Erlang, calculate the gains from this bandit extermination, and then distribute rewards."