After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 685 - 678: Washing the Horse

Everyone loves beauty, and Zhao Hu even more so.

Therefore, in the evening, Zhao Hu rushed over to dine with Zhao Hanzhang.

Even Zhao Song came along with his son to join in the fun, so what was originally just a simple dinner to welcome Wei Jie and Wang Yu turned into a small banquet.

Fortunately, Zhao Hu did not come empty-handed. He always complained that Zhao Hanzhang had delicacies but did not partake in them, always being frugal, so he brought fine wine and food with him.

Everyone took their seats, and Zhao Hu proudly asked Wei Jie, "They don’t have these dishes in the south, do they?"

Wei Jie glanced briefly and nodded, "Indeed, the south mainly focuses on boiling and grilling, such dishes are rare. I’ve heard that new cookware has come out of Yu State, an iron pot, which gives food cooked in it a unique flavor."

Zhao Hu said, "These are dishes made with an iron pot. Although Third Lady is average in other things, she has some talent in cooking. She came up with many ways to eat, and I’ve tried them all. They are now very popular in my restaurant. If Mr. Wei finds the cooking at their place unsatisfactory, he might visit my restaurant."

If Wei Jie were willing to come, Zhao Hu was sure he could steal the business of not just the restaurant opposite but the entire street’s eateries.

Hmph, Yu Sanlang thought he could compete with him; he should look at himself first, does he even have the right?

Wei Jie did not reply immediately but looked at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Seventh Ancestor, we are setting off back to Luoyang the day after tomorrow."

She added, "Would you like to travel back with us?"

"No," Zhao Hu was no fool. He had been tricked once, why get tricked again?

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Seventh Ancestor, it’s time to sow winter wheat, and soon this wave of farm work will end. By then, the people will be idle at home with nothing to do, making it a great time for spinning and weaving."

She continued, "You know that our yamen has limited manpower. Though with more effort, we can organize everyone, it’s not as effective as having you on board. If you are willing, the people of Luoyang will be thrilled, and you could earn quite a bit."

Zhao Hu snorted and said, "You guys in the yamen pay such a meager wage and have to record accounts first; only after selling the collected cloth do you pay. With such a long settlement cycle, no wonder they’re not motivated."

The settlement cycle was too long, and doing business with the yamen, even though Zhao Hanzhang had a good reputation, the people were still a little apprehensive, fearing they were working for nothing, naturally lowering enthusiasm, though it didn’t delay progress.

If the yamen invited them for spinning and weaving, the efficiency was 100, but if Zhao Hu invited them, it was 120.

Though Zhao Hu had many faults and was demanding, always wanting to lower prices, he never delayed paying wages. He basically ensured a handover on delivery basis, so the people of Luoyang still liked doing business with this somewhat difficult Seventh Grandfather.

Zhao Hanzhang also wanted to entice the people to Luoyang to contribute to Luoyang’s economic construction.

But Zhao Hu disliked hardship, even more so, averse to losses, so he directly raised his hand to refuse further discussion on the matter with Zhao Hanzhang. He continued to smile, looking at Wei Jie, and in front of Zhao Hanzhang, tried to entice him over, "Mr. Wei, Luoyang is not what it used to be. Most of the city has been burned down, leaving only ruins. You’ll suffer if you go there, better to stay in Chen County. This is now the governing place of Yu State, the most stable and prosperous place besides Xiping."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Seventh Ancestor, only a part of the city north of Luoyang has been burned, how could most of it be burned down?"

Wei Jie slightly frowned and asked, "Was it burned during the Battle of Luoyang?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Yes, it was Liu Cong who set the fire when escaping from Luoyang."

Wei Jie urgently asked, "And the people?"

He said, "We escaped from Luoyang following Prince East Sea, and have since been wandering, with unverified messages along the way, hard to discern fact from fiction."

Zhao Hanzhang briefly introduced the current situation in Luoyang.

Wei Jie listened with a solemn expression, sighing, "Luoyang is a great city. Even if you can only restore half its former glory, using Luoyang’s geographical advantage, you could block the Xiongnu’s southward advance, leaving Yu State untroubled."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a gentle smile, "Precisely, though this is a difficult task requiring the assistance of the wise and capable."

Seizing the moment, Wei Jie asked, "How can I assist you?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately replied, "I wish to invite you to serve as my Xian Ma, would you be willing?"

Xian Ma is an official in charge of records, observing politics, and offering political opinions, also responsible for arranging preliminary visits for the main officer. Therefore, in the past, Xian Ma was also called Xian Ma.

At least from the time of Qin and before, it was called Xian Ma, but perhaps later it was confused, and from Han times it became Xian Ma.

This post isn’t low, of the fifth rank, comparable to a state Prefectural Governor.

Wei Jie agreed without hesitation.

Sitting beside him, Wang Yu was envious but knew he couldn’t compete. Wei Jie not only looked good but had real talent and learning.

His knowledge was much more than his; in the path of reading, Wang Yu was like his father, Wang Ji, not very adept, so he bowed his head and drank to hide his envy.

Seeing them engage in political discussions, Zhao Hu lost interest and diverted his eyes, listening with boredom.

But Wei Jie and Zhao Hanzhang became increasingly like-minded as they talked. Had it not been for the late hour, with Zhao Song and Zhao Hu taking their leave, and considering Zhao Hanzhang was a woman, Wei Jie would have wanted to chat with her all night.

Regretfully rising to take his leave, Wei Jie was seen off by Zhao Hanzhang to the hall entrance. She smiled and said, "Uncle’s health isn’t great; you should rest early, staying up late after getting into discussions is harmful."

Wei Jie nodded with a smile, but he couldn’t suppress the urge for conversation that had been stirred. He turned to Wang Yu and said, "Zhao Hanzhang is truly talented, she has the makings of a hegemon."

Wang Yu looked shocked and confused, "Huh?"

Wei Jie calmed himself, the urge to talk slightly diminished, "Forget it, let’s sleep. Tomorrow we’ll have a look at Chen County."

But lying in bed after washing up, Wei Jie couldn’t fall asleep, tossing for two full quarters before giving up on sleep, putting on clothes, and walking outside.

He didn’t do much, just wandered slowly in the courtyard, occasionally raising his head to gaze at the bright moon, lost in thought.

Lost in his thoughts, by the time he came back to his senses, he had walked out of his guest courtyard and was near the main courtyard.

Realizing his location, Wei Jie smiled wryly, shook his head, and was about to turn back when he saw a light still on in a nearby courtyard.

Being so close to the main courtyard, the person living there...

Wei Jie couldn’t help but walk in and softly asked, "Is this Mr. Fu’s place?"

Fu An, who was dozing by the door, awoke with a start, hastily wiping the corner of his mouth to make sure he hadn’t drooled, he immediately got up, "Yes, Mr. Wei, what brings you here?"

In the study, Fu Tinghan heard the commotion and curiously opened the door to come out, "Mr. Wei, haven’t you gone to bed yet?"

Seeing him running around draped only in a coat, he stepped aside and said, "Please, let’s talk inside."