After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 219 - 214: Prize
CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 214: PRIZE
Zhao Cheng said, "That is my niece Zhao Hanzhang’s enterprise."
"The Zhao Third Sister rumored to have shot Liu Jing and repelled Shi Le?"
Zhao Cheng nodded.
The friend couldn’t help but exclaim, "It seems your Zhao Family is destined to be wealthy beyond measure."
Zhao Cheng was unconcerned; the Zhao Family had been rumored to be immensely wealthy for more than ten years. Many secretly suspected that their wealth exceeded even that of Shi Chong and others.
But whether true or false was unknown to anyone, and now it was just adding a little more to that foundation.
Zhao Cheng was unconcerned, but Zhao Hanzhang was indeed concerned. So when Zhao Cheng introduced his friend to her and expressed this view, Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply and claimed poverty, "Hanzhang feels ashamed; when my grandfather was alive, the family indeed had some assets, but after he passed away, while we were transporting his coffin back home, we were robbed by the Xiongnu Army and refugee army, with all our possessions taken."
"Because of this, life was difficult upon returning home, thankfully supported by the elders of our clan, allowing us to barely get by," Zhao Hanzhang said bitterly, "But now that I have grown up, my brother and I can’t rely on the elders for support forever, and we have many loyal servants and retainers at home, whom we can’t let scatter freely, so we had to find ways to earn a living."
"The recipe for glazed ceramics was accidentally obtained by Tinghan while studying, and initially, we just tried it out. To our surprise, it worked, and life became easier."
Zhao Cheng’s friend, Ruyin Lu Le, was half-believing, "Glazed ceramics are so treasured that a set of cups and plates is enough for a family of three to live comfortably for a lifetime. If you master the crafting of glazed ceramics, why would you lack money?"
"Rare items are valuable; in the past, glazed ceramics were treasured because they were rare. Now that they can be crafted, naturally the price isn’t as high."
Lu Le curled his lips, "Before the news spreads, you could seize the opportunity to make great profits."
This uncle is quite clever; he even knows how to capitalize on information gaps.
Zhao Hanzhang dared not give him an approving look and said righteously, "Even if others don’t know, I myself am aware. How could I deceive people for personal gain?"
Zhao Cheng praised, "Well said."
Then he turned and warned Lu Le, "Do not teach bad things to my Zhao Family descendants."
Lu Le helplessly said, "How is this deception? It’s just their lack of information, as business is business."
Zhao Hanzhang clapped her hands and said, "Listening to Uncle’s words, you seem well-versed in business affairs. Have you thought about taking some of my Shangcai specialties when you leave?"
What is Shangcai’s specialty now?
That would be glazed ceramics.
Lu Le gave Zhao Hanzhang an approving look, "Third Lady, that’s exactly what I was thinking."
So the two went aside and talked business.
Zhao Cheng: ...
While they were in high spirits conversing, Xiahou Ren and He Cheng came to visit.
Zhao Hanzhang thought briefly and then instructed the servants, "Quickly invite the esteemed guests inside."
Lu Le halted his conversation, leaned back in the seat, and did not rise to greet them, neither did Zhao Cheng.
Zhao Hanzhang welcomed them at the hall door and upon seeing them, said courteously, "I was just thinking of visiting Uncle tomorrow, didn’t expect Uncle to come today."
Xiahou Ren chuckled, "We were eager to meet, for rarely do we see such hero-like figures in our Yu State as the Third Lady Zhao."
"Uncle’s words make me feel ashamed; without going far, just speaking of the talented individuals next door, who among them isn’t better than Hanzhang?" Zhao Hanzhang invited Xiahou Ren into the hall.
Upon entering, seeing Zhao Cheng and Lu Le seated, "Didn’t expect Zitu and Yuezhi to be here."
Zhao Cheng’s expression was calm, while Lu Le remarked, "Isn’t it normal for Zitu to be at his niece’s house? But I didn’t expect you two to come here."
"We came admiringly, having long heard of Zhao Family’s Third Sister’s unparalleled martial prowess, defeating two Xiongnu generals upon her debut. I also possess some skills in mounted archery and hoped to learn from you."
Zhao Hanzhang said hesitantly, "This isn’t right, Hanzhang is after all a junior; what if I accidentally hurt Uncle with a heavy hand?"
"Ah, swords and knives have no eyes; I won’t be so lacking in grace," Xiahou Ren laughed, "It’s just competition; I wish to see what kind of skill my niece has that led Inspector He to entrust Xiping County to you."
Does she need to lose, and it will affect the belonging of Xiping County?
Zhao Hanzhang felt a bit itchy in her hands, itching for a fight, what to do?
She looked down at her curved hem attire, stood up, and said, "Uncle, please wait, I will go change into something more convenient."
Xiahou Ren wanted to say it was unnecessary, as he himself wore wide sleeves and a long robe.
But Zhao Hanzhang had already hurried out, and under Zhao Cheng’s intense gaze, Xiahou Ren could only swallow his unspoken words.
The four sat awkwardly, Zhao Hanzhang soon returned, bringing two wooden swords.
"Uncle, since swords and knives have no eyes, let’s use wooden ones for our contest."
She tossed a wooden sword to him, Xiahou Ren stood up and caught it, waving it and smiling, "This wooden sword isn’t light, it even has engravings on it; who made it?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "The craftsman."
Xiahou Ren: ...
Zhao Hanzhang turned sideways, "Please, Uncle, step into the courtyard."
The two stood facing each other, Zhao Cheng, He Cheng, and Lu Le stood on the veranda watching; looking up, they saw Zhao Ming standing on the distant veranda with a handsome young man beside him, whom He Cheng and Lu Le hadn’t seen before, unsure of his identity.
He wasn’t seen in the garden earlier either.
Zhao Ming nodded at them without interrupting the people in the courtyard, quietly watching.
Lu Le thought the young man had an exceptional demeanor and asked Zhao Cheng, "Who is that young man?"
Zhao Cheng: "Fu Tinghan, the eldest grandson of Fu Zhongshu."
"Oh, has he reached the age of majority, and why has he got a courtesy name?"
"Not yet, it’s customary to give a courtesy name upon engagement."
He Cheng listened attentively and raised his head to glance at Fu Tinghan again; indeed a youthful talent. The alliance between Zhao and Fu families was incredibly strategic, guarding each other while even Prince East Sea dared not lightly move against them.
In the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang was discussing with Xiahou Ren, "How do we determine win or lose?"
Xiahou Ren said, "Three lives; whoever dies twice first loses."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled and asked, "Will there be any stakes?"
"What stakes do you propose?"
Zhao Hanzhang pondered and said, "I’ve heard Uncle enjoys traveling and is skilled in calligraphy and painting, thus recording the landscapes and scenes of each place. Though Hanzhang is a woman, I also have an adventurous spirit, but constrained by reality, I can only stay in Xiping. Hence, I’d like all Uncle’s sketches and manuscripts of Yu State."
Xiahou Ren’s eyebrow twitched, asking, "What will you offer in return?"
"How about the glazed workshop in Shangcai?"
Xiahou Ren’s pupils contracted; how did she know he wanted her glazed workshop?
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him with a smile and said, "My glazed workshop produces beautiful glazed ceramics; Uncle has also seen them, exquisite and unparalleled. The output, well, it’s passably alright. If you beat me, I’ll give you the workshop."
Xiahou Ren: "The workshop is in your estate; I can’t manage it."
"Uncle can move it, including the craftsmen and the existing recipe, all are yours."
Xiahou Ren’s expression turned serious, "Are you truly willing to let it go?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "Uncle is willing to part with years of painstakingly created works; how could I not part with a mere glazed workshop?"
She added, "Compared to Uncle’s heart and soul, the glazed workshop is trivial."
Although Xiahou Ren disagreed, he was still very pleased with her flattery, his expression softened, and after a thoughtful pause, he nodded, "Alright, I accept your challenge; let’s use this as stakes."