Ming Yu’s eyes lit up; if the new currency circulates nationwide, its influence would be considerable. Having military power and territory is rely political influence, but the circulation of the new currency ans they could also economically counterbalance other forces in the future.
Excited, he stood up and paced around twice, asking, "Will other places accept it?"
Zhao Hanzhang’s lips curled slightly upward, "Xiliang has also minted new currency, and we exchange as needed. The two lakes and Sichuan have close trade relations with us, and their currency is also in short supply. Uncle Ming has communicated with them, and they will accept it. As for the Jiangnan region, it’s not yet confird."
She said, "So I plan to have soone take half old money and half new money to Jiangnan, to act according to circumstances."
Ming Yu’s excited heart cald down slightly, and he asked, "How long does the maiden intend to subdue Si Province?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "I only plan for Henan County to belong to Yu State within this year. As for the other counties of Si Province, we will only cooperate; I will not dispatch troops."
Ji Yuan added, "Without justified reason, we are all Jin ministers and should watch and help each other."
Ming Yu understood; Zhao Hanzhang seeks justice, so unless there’s an irrefutable reason for her to send troops or if other counties actively surrender, she won’t take their land.
Ming Yu’s eyes glead; in such a situation, eloquent strategists beco very important because they can verbally persuade others to surrender in the absence of an excuse for military action.
Ming Yu looked at Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan looked up and gave him a slight smile. Their eyes briefly t and parted, both understanding.
Ji Yuan felt relieved, finally having soone to share the workload. Ming Yu also felt relieved and his dormant passion reignited, feeling capable again.
Zhao Hanzhang also felt relieved; an effective aide had arrived. The other’s intelligence no less than hers imdiately took over much of her work.
She felt she could also have her own ti now.
The trio of sovereign and subjects gathered and happily drank together. After finishing two pots of wine, Zhao Hanzhang could still walk boldly. She instructed Ting He, "Arrange so servants for Mr. Ming, call Zeng Yue, and have him select a few trusted aides from the army to protect and serve Mr. Ming well."
Ting He agreed, reaching out to support her back, but Zhao Hanzhang waved her hand, "I’m not drunk, go and arrange it."
Ting He looked up at the bright stars in the sky, thinking she wasn’t drunk?
She did want to arrange, but it was late in the night; where could she find people to arrange?
Zhao Hanzhang had already left with large strides. When she returned to her courtyard and saw the light in the room next door, she turned and went there.
Ting He, helpless, hurriedly chased after her and softly advised, "Maiden, it’s late, let’s wash up and sleep first. You can talk to the young master tomorrow."
Zhao Hanzhang had already reached the door and politely knocked.
Fu An, from the side room, opened the door and quickly said, "Maiden, my lord has already washed up and is about to sleep..."
Before he finished, the door opened, and Fu Tinghan, dressed in his undergarnts, stood behind the door. Slling the wine and seeing her eyes unusually bright and her smile a bit silly, he was taken aback, "Did you drink?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded obediently, smiling brightly at him.
Fu Tinghan reached out to touch her forehead, "Drunk?"
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head and walked past him into the room.
Ting He tried to hold her back, but Fu Tinghan raised his hand to stop, "Go and bring a bowl of sobering soup."
Ting He gritted her teeth and agreed, turning to leave.
Fu An, standing by, scratched his head and finally decided to close the door and ran to chase Ting He, "Let help you. Should I bring a basin of hot water for the maiden?"
Ting He also thought Zhao Hanzhang needed water to clear her head and imdiately nodded.
Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were accustod to having tables and chairs in the room, so their room was different from others.
At the mont, Zhao Hanzhang sat upright on a chair, picked up a teapot, poured herself a cup of water, and drank it all.
Fu Tinghan walked over and sat down next to her, tilting his head slightly to look at her, "What’s wrong?"
After drinking a cup of cold water, Zhao Hanzhang felt refreshed and exhaled, "I’m overwheld with thoughts; I have a lot to say to you."
Fu Tinghan then sat up straight, smiling, "Go ahead, I’m listening."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I previously only faintly sensed my ambition; I wanted to hold both Si Province and Yu State in my hands and even wanted to take Yongzhou. This way, I’d have all of Central Plains in my grasp, with natural barriers and plains, not only could I defend against enemies but also develop agriculture and comrce to ensure the livelihood of the people."
Fu Tinghan nodded, "I saw that, then?"
Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Then today, I finally confird that what I want is not just Si Province and Yongzhou; I want the entire world."
Fu Tinghan looked up at her, seeing her bright eyes with the lamp’s light reflecting in them, like captivating starlight.
He didn’t want to disturb the stars in her eyes, so he instinctively lowered his voice, gently asking, "Do you have confidence you can govern the entire world well?"
Zhao Hanzhang fell silent, quietly looking at him with slightly sad eyes, "No, I don’t..."
She sighed softly, "But I feel others are even less capable of this, so I want to try. I want many people to help , Fu Tinghan, I want to end this chaotic world."
She said softly, "I originally didn’t think of so much; I just wanted to hold Yu State, protect Zhao Family, and give their mother and son a place to live, but now, I want to give everyone in the chaotic world a place to stay."
She frowned slightly, "Do you think I’m too overambitious?"
Fu Tinghan looked at her and shook his head. Perhaps because she was drunk, she spoke especially much tonight, and very honestly; the smile that used to hang on her face was gone, and the vague illusion disappeared too.
Now she was like a child, sniffing in front of him, eyes filled with tears, "I thought we were just visiting, and we would eventually return. I felt sorry for Sister Wang and Second Son, so I wanted to arrange sothing for them. But I don’t know when I started to truly respect her like a mother, not just as a close sister..."
"Second Son really beca my brother, Mr. Ji, Uncle Ming, Ting He, they all beca people I don’t want to lose," Zhao Hanzhang sniffled, "Even ordinary people I’ve never t here, they’re no longer historical numbers, but real people; hearing of chaos and nurous deaths sowhere, I feel sad."
"This ti, regarding the border incident, because of Gou Chun’s death and families exterminated for filing complaints, they were strangers, but hearing about them, I couldn’t help feeling angry, sad, and regretful. I didn’t notice anything amiss before, but this ti Ming Yu enlightened . He asked if I wanted to beco a king."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled at Fu Tinghan, "At that mont, my mind broadened instantly; yes, why don’t I beco a king? If I’m the king of the world, should another general like Gou Chun arise, why would I worry about another emperor and Great General; wouldn’t it be better just to cut them down and make decisions for the suffering people?"
She firmly looked at Fu Tinghan, "So I’ve changed my mind; I want not just Si Province and Yongzhou, I want the entire world!"
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