After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 658 - 652 Interview

Ming Yu reached out to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, could you let me see that copper coin?"

The shopkeeper turned and glanced at him, his gaze sweeping over Yuan Li and others who accompanied him, and with a smile asked, "Sir, are you from out of town?"

Ming Yu nodded with a smile, "Yes, I just arrived in Luoyang."

The shopkeeper showed him the money and explained, "This is our new currency in Luoyang."

Ming Yu rotated the copper coin in his hand and saw the small "Zhao" character in the lower left corner on the back, speechless for a long time.

Since his illness, he has been slowly receiving outside information, and after Yan Heng’s death, he focused even more on recovering from his illness, thinking about escaping from Yun City, without realizing that the outside world had changed so much.

Does Gou Xi know that Zhao Hanzhang has minted new currency?

Is this new currency only used in Luoyang, or also in Yu State?

If it’s used in Yu State as well, is it also used in areas closely connected like the Two Lakes Region, Shu, and Xiliang?

If all these places use it, then are the new and old currencies equivalent in value?

If they are equivalent, will Zhao Hanzhang’s new currency one day replace the old currency of the court?

Ming Yu gripped the copper coin tightly, his emotions fluctuating, thinking that when that day comes, will all regions buy money from Zhao Hanzhang, or will they mint their own currency?

If everyone mints their own currency, wouldn’t the currencies of the entire world become chaotic?

"Sir, sir?" The shopkeeper anxiously looked at the copper coin being tightly held in his hand, thinking that he only agreed to let him see it, not to give it to him.

Ming Yu returned to his senses, took out an old copper coin from his purse, and offered with a smile, "How about I exchange this old coin for this copper coin?"

The shopkeeper naturally had no problem with that, taking it and putting it together with the new money in the money box.

Ming Yu watched, realizing that the new money and old money had the same value, at least among the common people in Luoyang.

After finishing his meal, Ming Yu was more eager to meet Zhao Hanzhang, so he didn’t linger and left directly, still holding that new coin in his hand.

Zhao Hanzhang only knew that Ming Yu had set out for Luoyang but did not know his exact arrival time, as his health was poor and his travel speed unpredictable.

So it was only when Ming Yu stood before the Zhao Mansion that she received the news.

Zhao Hanzhang was not in the city; she was outside the city training soldiers. Yuan Li also said to Ming Yu, "Today is an odd day, so the lord should be in the military camp."

Every odd day, Zhao Hanzhang would go to the army to train troops. Government affairs were important, and military affairs were equally important, especially the quality of soldiers under her command. It directly determined her ability to hold Yu State and Luoyang, so there could be no slack.

Ming Yu first met with Ji Yuan.

The two strategists met, both of them quite renowned, their eyes meeting and then averting, both raised their hands for a deep bow to each other.

After exchanging greetings, Ji Yuan stood up, turned slightly with a smile, and said, "Mr. Ming, please."

Ming Yu did not hesitate, accompanying Ji Yuan inside.

Ji Yuan directly took him to the guest courtyard to settle down. Their courtyards were adjacent, both similarly sized, with elegantly arranged main rooms and halls, along with a small kitchen, so if one didn’t like the large kitchen’s food, they could cook for themselves.

Ming Yu didn’t expect Zhao Hanzhang to settle him directly at the Zhao Mansion, with the same treatment as Ji Yuan, warming his initially cooled heart.

He looked at his attendant.

The attendant immediately stepped forward with a bundle.

Ming Yu opened the bundle, inside was an urn, which he carried around the room briefly, calculated the feng shui, and finally placed it in the location with the best feng shui.

Yuan Li, who had followed them over, frowned. Housing an urn in the lord’s home?

Ji Yuan, however, showed no expression, calmly watching and saying after he had placed the urn, "I have an incense burner, Mr. Yan might like it."

Ming Yu accepted his kindness.

By the time Zhao Hanzhang hurried back from the military camp, Ji Yuan and Ming Yu were already three rounds into drinking at Yan Henggao’s table.

Zhao Hanzhang was still in her armor, clanging as she walked in. When Ming Yu looked up, he saw her walking against the light, her features almost indiscernible, yet for some reason, Ming Yu’s heart immediately settled.

He smiled faintly and stood up to salute.

Before his hand could lower, Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and helped him up, laughing heartily, "No need for formalities, Mr. Ming. I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival, and today I’ve finally waited for you."

Ming Yu looked up at the generous and bright Zhao Hanzhang, and couldn’t help but smile lightly, "Thank you, Lord Zhao, for the life-saving grace. I always knew that Lord Zhao was ambitious and admired you from afar. I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to discuss with you today."

Zhao Hanzhang knew that although he had arrived, he had not yet decided to follow her. This was his way of wanting to understand her more deeply before deciding.

Zhao Hanzhang was not annoyed. She turned and instructed someone to prepare food and drink, then said, "Please wait a moment, I will first take off the armor and then join Mr. Ji to welcome you."

Ming Yu smiled and nodded.

Zhao Hanzhang clanged away, and after removing the armor, her maid ran over and said, "Sister Ting He, the kitchen says there’s no meat bought today, and going to the market now, the money from the kitchen is not enough."

"The key is with me, come and get it, and take a string of money from the money box. Also, have the kitchen bring back two jugs of wine."

Zhao Hanzhang took off the armor, and with Ting He’s help dressed, "What kind of wine is so cheap that one string of money can buy meat and wine?"

"The wine sold in the market," Ting He said, "though the wine is fragrant and cheap. Miss, the family has limited finances, please drink that first, and buy good wine when there’s money in the future."

All right, Zhao Hanzhang wasn’t picky, "Make more meat."

She hadn’t eaten meat in two days.

Ting He responded with a smile.

Zhao Hanzhang changed clothes, secured her sleeves, and cheerfully went to see Ming Yu.

Her sleeves were narrow, in the Hu style, commonly called arrow sleeves, convenient for movement.

Ming Yu was still sitting and drinking with Ji Yuan. When he saw Zhao Hanzhang walking over briskly, he stood up and slightly bowed, closely scrutinizing her.

Zhao Hanzhang embodied the beauty and talent unique to women of this era, but what was most striking about her, lacking even in the men of this time, was her heroic spirit and openness.

It was precisely this openness that convinced him from the depths of his heart. The three of them sat according to rank, and the kitchen first sent in some snacks to complement their drinks.

Ming Yu first asked, "On my way here, I saw that the capital area outside Luoyang also recognized Lord Zhao as their master. Are you planning to take Henan County for yourself?"

"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang did not deny it, saying, "Luoyang is just one city. Though it has natural defenses, it is still not safe enough. It needs the aid of other counties, so I want to take Henan County."

"And Si Province?" Ming Yu asked, "What about Yongzhou beyond Si Province, how does Lord Zhao plan to deal with them?"

"I only take ungoverned lands, lands occupied by Zhao Han. As for other places, there are officials appointed by Your Majesty, whom I can assist but will not engage in battle or compete for territory with them."