CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 235: DONE WITHOUT USE

Zhao Hanzhang did not think so. Seeing that Mrs. Wang and Zhao Erlang loved stir-fried dishes, she knew the iron pot was made correctly.

She immediately said, "When I return, I’ll have more pots made and sell them in the shop, and, hmm, send one to Fifth Uncle."

The iron pot isn’t hard to forge; the molds are ready, and they’ve been made before, so they have the experience. Zhao Hanzhang’s order was given, and Wushan’s side forged ten pots in one go and sent them over.

Zhao Hanzhang had someone send one to Fifth Uncle, and the rest were placed in the shop for sale.

That’s right, Zhao Hanzhang opened a shop.

She used the shopfront Zhao Changyu left her and a few more exchanged from Zhao Zhongyu. One happened to be adjacent to Zhao Changyu’s, so she had them merged into one.

The two large doors opened simultaneously every day, and the plaque was placed in the center, looking very imposing.

Zhao Hanzhang named the shop "Treasure Pavilion." Now, full-body mirrors and glass products are already famous throughout Yu State, so there’s no need for Ji Yuan to exert himself to promote them.

Hence, she planned to open a Treasure Pavilion each in Xiping County and Shangcai County, containing various treasures from their family’s workshop for merchants traveling to Xiping and Shangcai to purchase.

Currently, the most abundant items in Treasure Pavilion are glass products and soap, so when these nine pots were displayed, they immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

But the pricing was also outrageous; the price was even higher than that of a full-body mirror, simply unreasonable.

Those accustomed to joining the excitement at Treasure Pavilion surrounded the iron pots, completely baffled by what this ironware could be, and thus asked, "What is this, and why is it priced so high?"

The shop assistant immediately stepped forward to introduce, "This is an iron pot, suitable for frying, sauteing, braising, and deep-frying, and the dishes made are extremely delicious."

The other party looked skeptical, "How delicious does it have to be set at such a high price?"

The shop assistant smiled and said, "Mainly because this iron pot is hard to make; hence the high price."

They were also shocked by the pricing when they received it, but if the owner insists on such a price, what can they do?

When Zhao Ming learned of this, it was because he had stir-fried dishes at home again and learned that Zhao Hanzhang had sent a pot home, so he frowned and took a trip to the kitchen.

The cook was frying tofu in the iron pot, and seeing Zhao Ming, she instantly wanted to kneel and pay respects.

Zhao Ming waved his hand, smelled the drifting aroma, paused for a moment, and asked, "Was this method also passed down from the old house?"

The cook lowered her head and replied, "Yes."

On this street, the cooks of a few houses, only she and the cook from the old house got along the best because only their two families had iron pots. The two often exchanged various new dishes’ methods, and it was said that these new dishes were all passed down from the Third Lady.

Zhao Ming rubbed his forehead, turned around, and left.

It started snowing. By the time he walked back to the front yard, snowflakes had already fallen on his shoulders. Zhao Song was holding a handwarmer under the corridor, singing loudly.

Zhao Ming stopped and quietly listened to his father finish singing a poem before stepping forward, "Father, didn’t you say we should be frugal a few days ago? Why did you accept the iron pot sent by the Third Lady?"

Zhao Song righteously replied, "That was a filial gift from the Third Lady. If I don’t accept it, wouldn’t it hurt her feelings?"

He continued, "You benefited from my favor. If you don’t like it, then don’t eat."

Zhao Ming no longer spoke to his father and turned to leave.

Zhao Song, annoyed, pointed at his back and complained to the housekeeper, "What attitude is that? Can’t he get through a day without giving me grief?"

The housekeeper said helplessly, "Sir, since the young master asked, why not answer him properly instead of provoking him?"

Zhao Song, "...I’m just afraid he’ll smash my pot in the kitchen."

The housekeeper said, "The young master isn’t someone who is rude and unreasonable."

Zhao Ming braved the snow to Xiping County.

This year, Xiping County had little snow, so this snowfall was rare. By the time he arrived at the county town, many children were playing in the snow, chased and scolded by their parents from behind.

Half of the shops in the county town were open, with most of them empty, and there were very few pedestrians on the roads. Naturally, there weren’t many people in Treasure Pavilion either.

When Zhao Ming got off the carriage, the employees in Treasure Pavilion were almost dozing off. Seeing Zhao Ming, they immediately perked up, hunched over, and came up to greet him, "Mr. Ming, are you here to look at the glassware, soap, or bean oil?"

"Do you have any iron pots?"

The employee’s spirit was invigorated, and they immediately replied, "Yes!"

Then they led Zhao Ming to see the pots.

Zhao Ming saw the iron pots on the shelves, knocked on one, and asked, "How much is a pot?"

"Five hundred thousand coins."

Zhao Ming: "...How much?"

The employee replied cautiously, "Five hundred thousand coins."

Zhao Ming’s heart immediately settled, feeling quite cheerful as he glanced over again at the pots on the shelf, nodded, and turned to leave.

The snow started suddenly, but Zhao Hanzhang and the others had anticipated it; after all, the sky was heavy and gray.

She jogged into the corridor, shaking her head to shed the snowflakes, patting her shoulders as she asked Song Zhi, "Have all the hamlets and villages received notice and temporarily stopped work?"

"Yes, orders were given yesterday that if it snowed, there would be no work outside."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded in satisfaction, "This snow is untimely but is a propitious snow. Hopefully, it lasts a bit longer. But also, be aware of preventing snow disasters, have the government officials patrol the streets more frequently, and monitor the buildings to prevent too much snow accumulation."

Song Zhi agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang then inquired to Chen Si Niang on the other side: "Is the cold prevention material at Yushan Hall sufficient?"

Chen Si Niang bowed and replied, "It is already sufficient."

Zhao Hanzhang was about to ask further when she saw Zhao Ming walk in with an umbrella, and immediately paused, raising her eyebrows in delight, exclaiming, "Why is Uncle here? Please, make yourself comfortable."

The officials following Zhao Hanzhang immediately saluted, "Greetings to the County Magistrate."

Zhao Hanzhang and Zhao Ming reacted simultaneously, oh, he (I) is still the County Magistrate.

Zhao Ming nodded at them, standing on the steps and asked Zhao Hanzhang, "Why are you discussing matters here in the corridor instead of the main hall?"

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to the drifting snowflakes and laughed, "Enjoying the snow, Uncle. Are you here to appreciate the snow with me as well?"

Zhao Ming didn’t answer, instead asking, "Where is Ting Han?"

"He’s in the backyard," Zhao Hanzhang turned to Song Zhi and the others and said, "If there’s anything unclear, go and consult Chief Clerk Chang."

Everyone agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang then cheerfully invited Zhao Ming to the backyard.

Ting He found an umbrella to shield Zhao Hanzhang.

The uncle and niece entered the backyard of the county government through the side door.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t know why Zhao Ming was looking for Fu Tinghan, so as she led him to the study, she inquired, "Uncle, what are you looking for Tinghan for?"

Zhao Ming then said, "It’s just time for lunch, and I want to eat braised lamb chops, sweet and sour lamb chops, fried tofu, and stir-fried bean sprouts."

Zhao Hanzhang: "...Uncle, I can’t make those here, if you want to eat, why don’t I have someone return to the old house and make them for you? But it won’t be ready for lunch, how about dinner?"

Zhao Ming stopped in his tracks and looked at her, "Why go back to the old house to cook? Can’t it be made here?"

Zhao Hanzhang spread her hands and said, "I don’t have an iron pot here."

Zhao Ming smirked slightly, humming as he asked, "Why then did you create such a luxurious item as an iron pot, and then not use it?"