After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1102 - 1087: Divine Steed

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Preventing the bride and groom from seeing each other before the wedding is to prevent any accidents during the ceremony. After all, both parties may be nervous, and someone might act rashly or say something unpleasant due to pre-wedding jitters. Mother, rest assured, Ting Han and I get along very well."

Mrs. Wang: ...I’m just worried you two might get along too well.

"You’re always right." Mrs. Wang knew she couldn’t win the argument, so she didn’t bother to contest it. She turned to Fu Tinghan and said, "Hurry and leave. I’ll have someone cover for you; it’s best not to let anyone know you’re here."

Fu Tinghan obediently agreed, and just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye. He noticed the documents he had brought were tossed aside. Crouching down carefully under Mrs. Wang’s intense gaze, he couldn’t resist picking them up and said, "This is the newly entered stock of salt. Here’s the current inventory of salt and all the registered salt factories. Look, when should we distribute our salt?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Mrs. Wang, "Mother, Ting Han and I have some business to discuss. Can we have a little more time?"

Mrs. Wang opened her mouth but found herself doubting her own judgment. Were they really discussing business earlier? Did she misunderstand?

Being a gentle person, even though she wasn’t pleased with them working at such a time, she quietly got up and left.

Once she was gone, Zhao Hanzhang asked, "How are the salt preparations in other regions?"

The flush slowly faded from Fu Tinghan’s face, which gradually returned to its normal color. He didn’t even need to check the documents. "We’ve recovered eighty-three salt wells, nineteen salt mountains, and two salt lakes. I’ve roughly calculated it. The production from these, plus the salt from Qingzhou and Guangzhou, can push out private salt from the market, maintain the balance, and even have surplus."

After all, not many people are alive right now.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Good. Have Qingzhou and Guangzhou continue expanding their salt fields, and send someone to Jizhou to start constructing salt fields along the coast. I will need a large amount of salt by next summer."

Fu Tinghan asked, "Are you planning to use salt to control the northern minorities?"

"Not just them, but also the west, Jiangnan, and Jiangdong," Zhao Hanzhang said, her face full of joy. "I agreed yesterday with Shu. They’ve just submitted; I ought to give them some benefits."

Salt is indeed a weapon, comparable to iron and copper. As long as she has enough salt, there are countless things she can accomplish.

In Jiangnan and Jiangdong, she has ways to gradually weaken them, leading to their eventual return.

The north as well, whether the Xianbei, Qiang, or Tubo, is not in a position to go to war at the moment. So she needs to dangle a piece of meat in front of them, let them taste and get benefits.

But... nothing comes for free.

When discussing business, Fu Tinghan’s emotions quickly stabilized, and by the time he left, he was completely composed.

Mrs. Wang was waiting outside, and Ting He, probably after being scolded, was standing obediently to the side. With Mrs. Wang paving the way for him, Fu Tinghan soon slipped out the door, though quite a few people saw him.

Everyone was polite, pretending not to see him even if they did.

Back at the Fu Family, Princess Hongnong was conducting the final check of the betrothal gifts and items needed for the next day. Seeing her son return, she said quietly, "Back already? Minister Fu is truly getting busier."

Recalling the earlier scene, Fu Tinghan blushed slightly, bowed honestly, and withdrew.

Princess Hongnong watched his departing figure and couldn’t help shaking her head. Indeed, sons grow beyond their mothers’ control.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan and Zeng Yue had successfully brought all the people from the other courtyard back to Luoyang, returning while it was still early.

The hundred or so disaster victims from Kuai Yi were benefiting from Guo Pu’s favor. Ji Yuan personally arranged for their accommodations, and then headed home with Guo Pu. As they neared his residence, he heard the lively sounds coming from the Zhao Family. He stopped his horse and, smiling, asked Guo Pu, "Mr. Guo, would you be interested in attending the Great General’s wedding banquet?"

Learning that the Little Emperor would also be adding to Zhao Hanzhang’s dowry, Guo Pu pondered briefly before agreeing.

He wished to meet the Little Emperor and Zhao Hanzhang, and it would be even better to see them together.

Last time, seeing King Langya and Wang Dun together was quite interesting and revealed some intriguing yet sorrowful events.

Even though astronomical signs had predicted it early, he still wanted to confirm. If it differed from his calculations, he would have to flee promptly.

Guo Pu cherished his life dearly.

Thus, Ji Yuan sent someone back to fetch gifts and immediately escorted Guo Pu to the door.

Unfortunately, they arrived at an inopportune time. Just as they reached the Zhao Mansion and were about to enter, the sound of approaching carriages reached them. Turning around, they saw the imperial guards parting, for the Little Emperor himself had arrived.

An eunuch rushed ahead, announcing to the Zhao Mansion, "Your Majesty is here; someone come to greet him!"

The guests within the Zhao Mansion quickly stepped outside, creating a path. Zhao Hanzhang guided Mrs. Wang out.

Standing to one side, Ji Yuan remained still while Guo Pu’s eyes flickered. He too stood quietly without moving.

The Little Emperor, surrounded by Xun Fan and other officials, arrived. Zhao Hanzhang bowed to greet him.

The Little Emperor quickly said, "Today is the Great General’s joyous occasion, no need for formalities."

The Little Emperor’s visit was to show respect to Zhao Hanzhang and to personally bring a gift to strengthen their ties.

Initially, he planned to attend the main ceremony tomorrow, but according to Grand Tutor Xun, Zhao Hanzhang seemed to have something planned then, potentially involving conflicts, and he might get drawn in. Therefore, it was wiser to attend today’s banquet.

In truth, the Little Emperor wasn’t keen on coming. He felt everything was already dramatic; today was the 24th, with five days left until New Year’s Eve, and he still had school each day. With Zhao Hanzhang and other ministers working overtime, he too had to work overtime.

All this time, he mused that becoming a laydown emperor, letting Zhao Hanzhang regent, wasn’t a bad option. He was even willing to relinquish his throne, especially under the heavy burdens of his studies and state affairs.

Thus, he wanted to lower his presence among Zhao Hanzhang and the court ministers, but Xun Fan and other Jin ministers wouldn’t allow him such laxity.

They thought he should maintain good relations with Zhao Hanzhang.

He was to appear today, demonstrating to the world his harmonious relationship with Zhao Hanzhang to deter those with disloyal hearts, like Ming Yu and Shi Le.

So the Little Emperor arrived.

Yet, physically present, he was mentally absent. During Zhao Hanzhang’s wedding, the court was on a two-day break; no, actually, the court had long been on holiday. But today, genuinely no officials were working in the Imperial City, so, the Little Emperor didn’t have any petitions to review.

He, too, wanted a vacation.

Moreover, he felt he had a generational gap with Zhao Hanzhang, so after saying the blessing, "May you live in harmony and grow old together," he was out of words.

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at the time and then looked at Xun Fan beside the Little Emperor.

Xun Fan immediately stepped forward to remind the Little Emperor it was time to present his gift.

Snapping back to reality, the Little Emperor quickly presented his gift: a fine steed!

It was a brown horse, entirely brown, with long and shiny hair, except for a tuft of white on its forehead.