After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 674 - 668: Change to a Neutral Option

Zhao Cheng did not stay long. After talking with Zhao Hu, he immediately took Zhao Zheng to pursue those who had already set out for Ruyin County.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly, not disturbing Zhao Hu, and with the documents in hand, she went to find Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming had already finished dealing with the matters at hand. His ability is just that strong; he knows the situation throughout Yu State. He can give solutions just from skimming the documents submitted by local authorities, leaving two that require Zhao Hanzhang’s signature.

So he was sitting under the big tree outside the study, enjoying the breeze and drinking wine.

It was somewhat hot inside the house, and during the day he preferred sitting outside to catch the wind.

Zhao Hanzhang handed the documents to him, saying, "This is what I’ve discussed with Mr. Ji and the others. This time, the number of laborers to be recruited and the number of temporary workers needed have been calculated by Ting Han, as well as the necessary materials and money. You can take a look."

Zhao Ming reached out to take it, flipped it open, and after glancing at it, asked, "Why do we need so many stone grinding mills?"

"To save labor," Zhao Hanzhang took off her shoes and sat across from him, "Don’t we have gunpowder? This time we also plan to build several watermills near water sources. It’s not only convenient for the populace but we can also use the water power to forge weapons and even cut stone mills."

Zhao Ming nodded, noted the various numbers, and after comparing them to the current population and warehouse content of Yu State, he got the picture.

"The summer harvest just ended, so there is some grain stored in various places, so food is not a temporary worry, but money..."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Copper is still being mined, and it takes time from smelting copper to minting coins. However, we are already minting; if the quantity is insufficient, we can first borrow from local gentry."

"What are we using as collateral?" Zhao Ming asked, "Every time we issue new coins, there needs to be a corresponding value; otherwise, too many coins lead to great depreciation, which is not beneficial to the livelihood of the people."

"I understand," Zhao Hanzhang said, "So, let’s strive, each county and state. I have only one request: other than land and military power, everything else can be mortgaged. If there is nothing, we can temporarily borrow from people, promising to repay them next year or the year after. Tell them I will try my best to repay within three years."

Zhao Ming lowered his eyes and said, "Three years, who knows what might happen in those three years? I fear they may be unwilling."

But Zhao Hanzhang was confident, "There will always be people willing."

It’s venture capital, after all. It depends on whether they have faith in her and the Zhao Family. If they invest correctly, the returns will be rich; if they fail, they will all suffer together.

Zhao Ming lifted his gaze to look at her and said, "Recently, someone told me that Xiahou Jun is now a frequent guest of Gou Xi. He ordered that in August this year, there will be an evaluation for selecting talents for the court in Dingtao County, Jiyin County, and the order has already been sent to Yu State."

He pulled one of the two documents on his left and handed it to her, "This is the document, just waiting for your signature."

Zhao Hanzhang flipped it open for a glance, sneered, and said, "He is my Yu State Grand Middle; how did he end up in Yan State, yet still want to evaluate talents in Jiyin County?"

She set it aside, not planning to sign it.

Jiyin County belongs to Yan State, and there’s no reason for her as Yu State Grand Middle to run to Yan State to hold an evaluation meeting, yet demand personnel from Yu State.

After pondering, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I will write a petition to Your Majesty to replace the Central Justice Officer or, directly remove the Central Justice Officer."

Zhao Ming: "... Still, it’s better to replace. With a new Grand Middle, whether to hold a talent recruitment exam or assessment is your decision. If you directly remove the Central Justice Officer, even within Yu State, the various families will be disgruntled."

A buffer gives people a delusion, not causing an immediate uproar.

Zhao Hanzhang thought he made a reasonable point, so she went through suitable people in her mind, slowly settling her gaze on Zhao Ming.

Zhao Ming didn’t lift his eyes and said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Sometimes the Inspector also serves as a state-level Grand Middle. You are the most suitable candidate."

So don’t look at him; he wouldn’t take it, and besides, "I lack the qualifications."

Zhao Hanzhang held military power, so she doesn’t need to worry about qualifications, but Zhao Ming can’t.

The position of Grand Middle is not like a Prefectural Governor, who only handles one county’s affairs with an Inspector above to back them. The Grand Middle is responsible directly to the court, and the talents they select are used within the state and also need to be reported to the court.

Within Yu State, Zhao Hanzhang can directly make Zhao Ming a Prefectural Governor, handling Inspector Mansion affairs, but outside of Yu State, he indeed lacks qualifications.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Fine, I’ll do it myself."

Zhao Ming handed her the last document, "These are the proposed business tax reduction regulations for this year to April next year, with slight variations across counties and states."

Zhao Hanzhang took it seriously, pondering, "Including Henan County, announce to the world that Luoyang and its surrounding counties and cities in Henan County will adopt a forty-five tax rate for one, and if dealing with grain and hemp cloth commodities, business taxes will be exempted."

Zhao Ming’s eyebrows twitched; the most favorable business tax in other counties and states is forty tax for one, much more favorable compared to the previous thirty tax for one and thirty-five tax for one.

He didn’t expect Zhao Hanzhang to set an even more favorable rate for Luoyang.

But considering the current dire situation in Luoyang, Zhao Ming didn’t object and nodded in agreement.

He added it to the document and Zhao Hanzhang then signed it, taking out her personal seal from her pouch and stamping it.

With matters handled, the two of them, uncle and niece, exchanged looks. Zhao Ming slightly frowned and said, "The Commissioner is busy, go ahead."

However, Zhao Hanzhang stayed put, "Uncle Ming, where is Brother Shen now? It’s chaotic outside; perhaps it’s best to write him a letter, asking him to return home."

Zhao Ming looked at her for a long while, "Do you want to use him?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "The army is short on personnel."

She said, "Brother Kuan and the others are fine at managing internal affairs, but they are somewhat lacking when it comes to fighting on the battlefield. I heard Brother Shen once wanted to enter the army for training but failed to achieve a rank because he offended the Central Justice Officer, which is why he went on a study tour."

Calling it a study tour is the formal way of saying it; in reality, he strapped on a sword and became a ranger.

During dinner last night, when she casually mentioned it, she learned from Zhao Song that Zhao Shen went on a study tour mainly to visit renowned scholars and discuss military strategies with them.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The Zhao Family has quite a few offspring, but most excel in internal affairs and academic pursuits, somewhat lacking in military affairs. If Si Province needs a garrison in the future, I want the Zhao Family’s offspring to guard it."

Zhao Ming twitched his lips; is Si Province yours? You’ve even planned Si Province’s garrison.

But Zhao Ming didn’t voice it; he feared that if he asked, she might actually seize Si Province for him in a few days.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "The current communication isn’t convenient. I’ve written several letters but received no replies. However, with the major changes in Yu State, he should have already received the news, and he will return. If he doesn’t return, he’ll find a way to write back."

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang nodded, satisfied that Zhao Ming did not oppose Zhao Shen returning to serve her. As for finding people, if Zhao Ming couldn’t, she could ask someone to look for him.

She is now closely collaborating with Zhu Chuan from the Shu region, maintaining correspondence with him and Fu Tinghan, so she could ask him to search in the Shu region.

Zhao Ming glanced at her and couldn’t help but ask, "Did you persuade Seventh Uncle?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him.

"It’s no surprise you could persuade Seventh Uncle, but I’m curious about how you persuaded Zitu; what reason did you use?" Zhao Ming asked, "Was it the children in the academy?"

Zhao Hanzhang raised her untouched wine glass, drank it all in one go, and said, "Uncle Cheng may have a cold demeanor, but his heart is very soft. The last thing he wants to see is others being entangled because of him. Now, his students are spread throughout Yu State and may eventually spread across the lands. So, he’s the easiest to persuade."

He is someone who would rather suffer himself than let others be wronged.

Zhao Hanzhang put down the glass and stood up, "I still have to go out of the city later, so I’ll leave now."

Zhao Ming clutched the wine glass tightly, nodded slightly, watching her depart.