Zhao Hanzhang glanced at everyone’s feet and clothes, noticing that few were wearing shoes and socks, and couldn’t help feeling concerned. She instructed them, "Take care to keep warm and healthy when you go back. Plant more mulberry and hemp next year, and strive for everyone to wear new clothes and socks then."

Everyone responded loudly in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang invited Li Xiang and Li Ban to observe the operation of a water mill. They saw beans being poured into the millstone, which turned automatically without anyone operating it, and fine bean flour came out, leaving them greatly astonished.

"This is..."

"This is hydraulic power, or water conservancy," Zhao Hanzhang said. "I know that Shu also has many rivers, and the people live by the water. Given this, why not build water mills, so the people can save their labor?"

Li Ban immediately knelt and said, "Please, Great General, grant Shu skilled craftsmen."

Zhao Hanzhang supported him with one hand and smiled, "This matter is not urgent. Let’s discuss it later. This hydraulic power not only benefits the people but can also benefit the military."

Zhao Hanzhang led him from this water mill to another one, where there were no people but soldiers standing guard. Inside, there was an endless clanging noise.

As they entered, a wave of heat rushed over them, and Li Ban saw that they were using the same lever mechanism seen earlier to operate a hammer for forging iron...

Li Xiang’s eyes lit up, eager to see more closely. "I’ve long heard that the Zhao Family Army’s weapons are superb, especially the Zhao Family’s spearheads, broadswords, and longswords, which are unparalleled."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "This is how they’re made."

Li Xiang tugged at Li Ban’s sleeve, signaling for him to kneel again.

Li Ban hesitated. If this were about the people’s livelihood, kneeling might get Zhao Hanzhang to agree, but could she agree on something involving military and governance issues?

Yet, with gritted teeth, Li Ban turned and knelt before Zhao Hanzhang again, about to speak when Zhao Hanzhang once more reached out to pull him up, smiling, "I understand Your Highness’s intentions. We will discuss the details later."

After all, since she had brought them to see it, it wasn’t just for show.

In fact, for the current Great Jin, Shu is also a frontier.

After they submit, they must also take on border defense responsibilities. The areas west towards Tibet and Western Sichuan presently belong to the Qiang Clan,

which is not unified internally, with each tribe governing itself. However, in her view, they will inevitably advance eastward in the future, so preparations must be made in advance.

Moreover, Li Xiong’s family is also Qiang.

With such favorable conditions, how could Zhao Hanzhang not consider having them reclaim that vast land to the east?

Therefore, Zhao Hanzhang wishes to cooperate deeply with them.

The plans for the water mill and iron forging are tokens of her sincerity.

As for the steel-making plan, it’s not feasible to think about it, and it’s impossible to completely replicate their ironware. But giving them a new plan for further developing their ironware is beneficial for both military and agricultural advances.

Li Xiang fell silent for a moment, knowing the main act was about to begin.

They had talked for half the day yesterday and had preliminarily agreed that Cheng Country would submit to Great Jin, but some details remained unsettled.

Zhao Hanzhang’s actions today, showing them salt and the water mill and iron forging, were clearly inducements. If they still didn’t agree, would the next step be coercion?

Naturally, Li Xiang didn’t want it to come to that, and neither did Li Ban.

The two of them discussed and decided to sit down with Zhao Hanzhang and negotiate thoroughly.

Since Li Ban was the Crown Prince, Li Xiong had given him significant decision-making power, allowing him to make decisions on the spot.

And for Zhao Hanzhang, it was even less of an issue. As long as the two of them agreed, the matter was essentially settled.

Both parties were straightforward people, and since Zhao Hanzhang had shown her sincerity, Li Ban was forthright in settling what hadn’t been agreed upon the day before.

Li Ban stated he could submit the national letter to the emperor the next day.

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and said, "The court will have King Cheng’s and the princely heir’s titles prepared by tomorrow as well."

With the matters settled, they joyfully returned to the city.

Ji Yuan had already received the news in advance and was waiting at the post station to welcome Li Ban and finalize the details for the next day’s court appearance.

Looking at the accomplished Ji Yuan, Li Xiang still felt uneasy and turned to ask Zhao Hanzhang, "General Zhao, the craftsmen..."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Within three days of the ambassador’s return to Shu, I will give you the list. They can say goodbye to their families, and the princely heir and envoy Li may reselect, replacing anyone unsuitable."

Li Xiang was taken aback, "Aren’t their families going with them?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "I won’t force their families. Of course, if Shu offers favorable conditions and is willing to treat craftsmen well, I believe they might be willing to relocate."

Li Xiang’s eyes brightened. Such a high degree of freedom meant Zhao Hanzhang had no intention to control those craftsmen.

"Minister, no, I thank the Great General," he said, bowing.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her hand slightly, and after bidding farewell, she checked the time and saw it was getting late, promptly saying, "I’ve arranged to meet with Princess Hongnong at noon. Let’s hurry back."

Zhao Hanzhang pulled Fu Tinghan and hurried back to the Zhao Mansion. Princess Hongnong had already been chatting with Mrs. Wang for half an hour, while Fu Xuan stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, staring blankly at the half-withered plum tree.

He couldn’t join the conversation in the house, so he’d rather come out for a breeze.

Mrs. Wang and Princess Hongnong were conversing happily, having discussed the wedding details in-depth. Fu Tinghan had only given an overview two nights before, and the details still needed to be worked out with the family.

Mrs. Wang had the money, people, and resources, and since Zhao Hanzhang had said the wedding should be performed with frugality, her theme was understated luxury.

Princess Hongnong currently lacked everything, but her knowledge stood out. Thus, she and Mrs. Wang hit it off instantly, growing more in sync as they talked.

Princess Hongnong sighed in her heart. It had been so many years since she had spoken so much in a day. Indeed, men don’t compare to women in meticulousness. She had nothing to say with the Prince Consort; women understand women better.

Mrs. Wang also sighed inwardly. The princess truly lived up to her title, being broad-minded and frank in speech unlike others who offer too much flattery. Too many sweet words grow tiresome.

In the past, because of her husband’s death and Zhao Erlang, Mrs. Wang was often isolated and ridiculed. She did feel a bit inferior. However, after Zhao Hanzhang rose to power, the people in the clan began to fawn on her, swinging from one extreme to the other.

To be honest, Mrs. Wang initially enjoyed it immensely.

After all, those who once mocked and insulted her, and those who paid her no heed, now buzzed around her like diligent bees.

But as enjoyable as it was, she grew tired of it after so many years.

She had only one son and one daughter, and this was her first time hosting a wedding. She naturally wanted it to be perfect, but when she brought it up with her sisters-in-law in Luoyang, they only flattered her.

Speaking to people like Zhao Song didn’t agree with her, only finding fault with everything, which was very frustrating.

What she wanted was someone who could agree with her yet offer different opinions for her to improve.

Looking at the earnest Princess Hongnong, Mrs. Wang’s eyes sparkled. She felt she had found that person.

Truly, for wedding arrangements, you must consult the family-in-law. Why hadn’t anyone pointed this out before?

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Mother will definitely pull the princess aside to discuss the wedding. Generally, if the two mothers have different aesthetics, it’s easy for disagreements to arise. We need to hurry over; otherwise, if they start fighting, it won’t be good."

The two hurriedly stepped into the courtyard, catching sight of Fu Xuan standing under the plum tree, staring upward in a daze as soon as they crossed the threshold.

Zhao Hanzhang thought, Oh dear, oh dear, the two of them have argued, and even Fu Xuan had to escape for some peace and quiet?

Fu Xuan heard the commotion, snapped out of his reverie, and upon seeing them, smiled, "You’re back?"