After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1181 - 1163: Naming

Fang Ming disagreed, "In that case, shouldn’t the primary focus of the examination be agriculture? The Great General’s emphasis on agriculture is quite apparent. He personally plowed the fields on the second day of the second lunar month and ordered officials everywhere to encourage farming and mulberry cultivation, reduce land taxes and levies. The focus for this year is on agriculture, so shouldn’t it be tested?"

"The country is founded on agriculture, which everyone knows. Does it need to be tested?" Xi Lan said, "Exams should test issues that confuse or are debated among officials, only then can we find effective strategies."

Fang Ming retorted, "What a joke. Exams test the talent of the candidate and their virtue. Only those with both talent and virtue are qualified to stand in the court to assist the monarch in governing the country."

The two who argued did not know that Zhao Hanzhang and Ji Yuan were sitting in a private room on the second floor, observing below through the half-open window facing the hall.

Zhao Hu, shaking a folding fan, pushed open the door and entered. The attendant behind him immediately bent down and placed the wine jar he was holding onto the table. Zhao Hu closed the fan with a snap, sat opposite Zhao Hanzhang, and gestured at the wine jar, "This is the newly brewed wine from my family’s restaurant. Why don’t you give it a good name?"

As he spoke, he opened the folding fan again with a snap and started waving it lightly under Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze slowly moved from the wine jar to the fan in his hand and said, "Seventh Ancestor, the weather is cool now; be careful not to catch a cold while using a fan."

The development and technological progress in the paper industry had led to the earlier appearance of paper fans. Oh, and before paper fans, there were fans made of silk, which were a favorite among upper-class scholars in the summer, though the users were high-class, the craftsmanship was still crude.

Until the paper workshops sent a lot of newly produced paper to Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan.

Every time a paper workshop produced a new type of paper, they would send a sample to both Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, as their methods of using each new type of paper were always unexpected, so the workshops were eager to hear their opinions.

For example, the previous batch of soft grass paper; craftsmen found the ink spread heavily on it, making it difficult to write on, and the paper was limp, making them think they made an error.

They repeatedly compared the formula, made it several times and found only minor differences, but still, it was unsuitable for writing, leading them to apologetically ask Zhao Hanzhang for forgiveness.

Then they discovered a use for this soft grass paper.

Zhao Hanzhang casually encouraged them to create different papers with varying purposes.

Inspired, the paper workshops embarked on a path of research and development. Each craftsman had different ideas, resulting in new and varied papers, and among them was a particularly durable paper.

At that time, it was hot, and Fu Tinghan, engaged in handicraft, happened to have bamboo strips nearby, so he casually crafted a bamboo fan for her.

She used it for several days, and when Zhao Hu came to visit, he immediately ordered a batch of paper fans to be sold in his bookstore.

Thus, paper fans quickly became fashionable in Luoyang, and when Zhao Hanzhang next went out, she saw someone with a hand-held paper fan every few steps.

It was her first experience of leading a fashion trend.

She glanced at the wine jar and asked, "If I give it a name, how much will you sell a jar for?"

Zhao Hu extended three fingers, "Three hundred cents."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang frown, he hesitated and said, "Then two hundred and sixty cents?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "No, that’s still too cheap. Price it at five hundred cents per jar, even more expensive would be better."

Once she said this, not only Zhao Hu, but also Ji Yuan and Ming Yu couldn’t help but look at her.

Zhao Hu examined her expression, trying to discern if she was being sarcastic, "Are you serious?"

Zhao Hanzhang affirmed, "Of course, given the current scarcity of grain, how can we brew large quantities of wine?"

Zhao Hu exhaled and began to seriously consider it, "Five hundred cents will do."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the wine he poured, sniffed the aroma, and sighed, "The wine is rich and mellow, indicating good grain was used. It’s all premium quality, let’s call this wine ’Jade Essence.’"

Zhao Hu felt the name she picked wasn’t great and suggested, "Why not think of another one, something more meaningful, like ’Unification of the World’ or ’Conquering might’?"

This way, when he promoted it as named by Zhao Hanzhang, everyone would believe it.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "...Is that what Seventh Ancestor thinks I am only capable of naming things?"

"No, it’s just for simplicity and clarity. Didn’t you say that even official documents should be written in plain language? Look at the names you gave the items in the Treasure Pavilion, even the illiterate craftsmen named better ones."

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "...That’s for simplicity sake. Who among the common people can afford wine at five hundred cents a jar? The Treasure Pavilion is called the Treasure Pavilion, but most items inside are affordable for the common people, shouldn’t their names be simple?"

Not wanting to hear more from Zhao Hu, she waved her hand, "This is the only name. Just say whether you want it or not?"

What unification of the world, conquering might?

Such bragging would invite trouble, you know low-key is the way to go?

The south hasn’t shown any signs yet, but openly using such names would make King Langya think she’s planning to attack him.

Zhao Hu, however, was brimming with confidence in her, feeling she was too reserved, and said, "I tell you, you should press the advantage. Having defeated the Xiongnu last year, this year you should advance into Jiangnan and directly unify the world, wouldn’t that be great?"

Zhao Hanzhang spoke earnestly, "Seventh Ancestor, you shouldn’t always think about fighting and killing, governing the world should prioritize peace."

Ji Yuan explained, "The army lacks supplies, and the people have just suffered from war and locust plagues, needing to recuperate, so this year should focus on recuperation. Going to war would cost many lives."

"These are just excuses, how can there be war without casualties?" Zhao Hu sneered, "Do you think there won’t be any casualties when fighting in Jiangnan later? Since you’re willing to appoint barbarians as officials, back then you should have sent the captured Xiongnu soldiers and the surrendered army of Shi Le to fight in Jiangnan, with the Zhao Family Army supporting from the side. Even if there are casualties, it’s their people who die first."

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression turned cold, "The Xiongnu and Jie Clan have already submitted and are also our Jin people, don’t say such things again, Seventh Ancestor."

Zhao Hanzhang felt a chill in her heart. After so many years, Zhao Hu still hadn’t abandoned his disregard for human life. He didn’t view the Xiongnu or Jie people as people, nor did he regard the common people as individuals.

Suppressing her displeasure, Zhao Hanzhang said to him, "You should just focus on doing business and avoid commenting on court affairs."

"Fine. You and Zitu both look down on me. You’re virtuous, you’re compassionate," Zhao Hu stood up, ready to lead the servant out, "but there’s an old saying: ’If they are not of our race, they are bound to have different minds.’ Do you think those groups of barbarians will always submit to you?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "At least while I’m alive, they won’t dare to rebel."