Zhao Hanzhang smiled at him and said, "I can gather craftsn myself to build houses and then sell them. Luoyang is about to flourish, and talents from all over the world will gather here. Do you think the houses in the inner city won’t sell?"
Zhao Hu remained silent.
Zhao Hanzhang was not an ignorant Great General when it ca to civil affairs. The money earned by the workshops under her command was no less than his, and she had countless craftsn at her disposal. If she were forced, and refused to sell a single parcel of land, choosing instead to build houses herself, could they not buy them?
This is the inner city, close to the Imperial City, once ho to prominent and noble families. If they wish to return to Luoyang, to the political center, would they not buy?
And those newly seeking to enter this circle, like Ji Yuan and Beigong Chun, would they not purchase a house?
Oh, they already have one, granted by Zhao Hanzhang, but it’s so distance from the Imperial City. How can a house bought by oneself compare to one allocated by Zhao Hanzhang?
A self-purchased house can be passed on to future generations, while the one given by Zhao Hanzhang might be reclaid in the future, especially if sothing goes wrong...
Zhao Hu could always consider the worst outco for others.
In short, there’s no worry about selling houses in that location, as long as they can be built.
Now that the land is in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands, she has the final say. This is a seller’s market.
Zhao Hu sighed and said, "Fine, five years it is. But I must choose the location myself."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Very well, I will instruct accordingly. After Seventh Ancestor chooses, they can be sold to others."
She poured another cup of tea for Zhao Hu and said with a smile, "I know Seventh Ancestor is well-connected and has many close brothers and friends. Houses in the inner city will sell easily. This is a lucrative business; please help spread the word."
"Spread the word?" Zhao Hu muttered twice, then slapped his thigh and laughed, "Yes, spreading the word, I will spread the word. Once the houses are built, they have to be sold. If I help you, will you also help ?"
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head with a smile, "Seventh Ancestor, I represent the court, so I can’t help you with that."
Zhao Hu looked at her silently.
Zhao Hanzhang then laughed heartily and said, "However, I will have Erlang and Zhao Zheng assist you."
Zhao Hu’s spirits lifted, and he asked eagerly, "How will they help?"
"Although Zheng is young, he knows governance well. In the past six months, Luoyang’s civil affairs have relied heavily on him. Therefore, I plan to appoint him as the County Magistrate of Luoyang County, and as for Erlang, who is currently fully devoted to the military and becoming increasingly hot-tempered, it’s perfect that Luoyang lacks a County Magistrate. Let him fill the vacancy and learn so scholarly deanor from cousin Zheng."
Zhao Hu was stunned and furrowed his brows slightly.
Zhao Hanzhang continued, "I can’t help on Seventh Ancestor Father’s behalf, but these two, one as the County Magistrate and the other as the County Magistrate of Luoyang, the county’s economy falls within their jurisdiction. So this matter is left to them."
Zhao Hu appeared as if he wanted to speak but refrained.
Zhao Hanzhang was curious, "Does Seventh Ancestor have any concerns?"
Zhao Hu’s expression fluctuated, but he couldn’t help but say, "Having Zheng’er serve as Erlang’s County Magistrate isn’t appropriate, is it? Erlang doesn’t even recognize all the characters. This isn’t the battlefield where brute force can be used; governance of a place requires intelligence..."
The smile that Zhao Hanzhang had been wearing suddenly dropped, and she said expressionlessly, "Seventh Ancestor, Erlang can’t read, but that’s called a reading disorder; there’s nothing wrong with his mind."
She added with so anger, "Isn’t it just about recognizing characters? Having two literate servant boys by one’s side is enough. Being an official requires love for the people and wisdom in governance. Do you think leading an army only requires waving a spear and relying on brute force? The fact that he can lead a military force shows he isn’t foolish!"
"Wasn’t it Xie Shi who managed the army for him..."
Zhao Hanzhang looked at him coldly.
Zhao Hu’s voice grew softer under her gaze. He shifted slightly, coughed lightly, and said, "Okay then, he can be the County Magistrate."
Zhao Hanzhang snorted coldly and glanced at the noodles in front of him, saying coldly, "It’s getting late. I’ll have soone escort Seventh Ancestor out of the palace."
With that, she called for a guard to co in and escort Zhao Hu out.
Zhao Hu stood up and, as he reached the threshold of the great hall, couldn’t help but hum in the direction of the side hall. He didn’t think he was wrong, after all, how could Zhao Erlang deserve for Zheng’er to serve him as County Magistrate?
Zhao Zheng was well-read, with vast knowledge, whereas Zhao Erlang only had brute force and barely recognized a few characters. Zhao Hu felt indignant just thinking about it.
Zhao Hanzhang was also angry. As soon as Zhao Hu left, she was so frustrated that she paced in circles inside the hall and said to Ting He, "Is our Erlang stupid? Our Erlang can now recite "The Art of War", "Six Secret Teachings", and "Three Strategies" backwards. What’s wrong with not recognizing characters? He recognizes characters, but despite his age, he’s not as sensible as an eight-year-old child, and yet he dares to look down on our Erlang?"
Ting He hurriedly consoled her, "Yes, Seventh Grandfather is simply envious. He’s envious that our Erlang is now a General, holding high rank and authority. You’ve always known he is this kind of person, so why take it to heart?"
"Hmph! I won’t stoop to his level," Zhao Hanzhang took two deep breaths and, seeing the noodles on the desk, promptly said, "Throw these unfinished noodles to the dogs!"
Ting He agreed and was about to take them away.
Just as she was about to, Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t bear it and called her back, "Is there a dog in the palace?"
Ting He replied, "We have both cats and dogs, but they aren’t kept by anyone. The guards fear they might harm You Majesty and the Lady, and plan to get rid of them."
"Capture them and release them outside but don’t kill them. Have soone sort through them, and if there are good dogs, send them to the county governnt and military as breeding stock."
Ting He agreed.
Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand and said, "Forget it, clear all the bowls and chopsticks and let the kitchen handle it."
Ting He laughed, signaling a maid to clean up, and curtsied, "The servants thank the Lady on their behalf."
Life for the palace attendants wasn’t easy, and wasting noodles like that on dogs was truly extravagant.
Zhao Hanzhang tapped the table, deciding to vent her frustration, and said, "Send soone to the military camp outside the city and call Erlang back, and have him bring so people with him; I have sothing for him to do."
Ting He acknowledged and retreated.
Zhao Yunxin ca in carrying a pile of materials, all records of the burnt houses, including their sizes, original owners, and even the deeds, which contained detailed layout diagrams of the houses.
Additionally, there were past house prices and a comparison with recent prices.
Zhao Yunxin spread out a large map, covering the entire desk. In the end, maids ca forward to spread it out in front of Zhao Hanzhang.
With just a glance, she said, "Hang this on a wall."
Zhao Yunxin agreed and had it pinned up with her team.
Zhao Hanzhang stood before the map. Zhao Yunxin picked up a red pen and introduced it to her, "These are the houses closest to the Imperial City. You are planning to price them at one hundred and twenty thousand. This row is the second row. Here is a house that spans from here to here, occupying two alleys by itself, right in the center. Inside there is a large lake, and a left turn less than two hundred ters from the gate leads to the main street connecting to the Imperial City. This house is labeled the land king, and Seventh Ancestor has always wanted to buy it."
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at it and said, "This used to belong to the Wang Family."
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