Guo Pu waited for him to leave, and only then did his tense body relax. He exhaled, picked up the ladle, and continued bathing. The Zhao Family’s people were indeed a bit more soft-hearted than the Wang Family’s; this obstacle was thus passed.

However, what kind of person is Zhao Hanzhang exactly?

Destiny favors her, and she has the appearance of a wise ruler. It seems she can tolerate someone like him who is outside the norms.

Guo Pu calculated with his fingers, though not to predict his own fate, as that was beyond him. But he could foresee whether this journey into the city would be auspicious or ominous.

When he calculated an auspicious number, Guo Pu finally relaxed and continued his bath.

At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang had just finished her lunch and ate some fruit. After seeing Mrs. Wang escort Princess Hongnong to rest, she looked up at the sky. After a moment, she said, "It might rain tonight."

She had Zhao Yunxin called over and instructed, "Have the Luoyang County Government pay attention to the condition of the civilian houses, station people on duty, count the homeless and beggars on the roads, and arrange to house them. Provide them with charcoal and firewood, and as many sand quilts as possible should be distributed from the warehouse."

A so-called sand quilt is a quilt cover made of cloth filled with fine sand, which provides some warmth when used.

Zhao Hanzhang instructed Zhao Yunxin to pass a message to Zhao Erlang, allowing him to use the soldiers in the barracks to assist in managing Luoyang County.

Zhao Yunxin accepted the orders and left.

Fu Tinghan noticed Zhao Hanzhang’s furrowed brow and asked, "Has Xiliang not found cotton yet?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head, "Although history suggests cotton was introduced to China during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, that period spanned over a century and a half, and we haven’t even begun yet. Who knows if it’s at the border? However, I’ve already expressed to Zhang Gui the importance of cotton. With his character, he will certainly make every effort to find it."

"We cannot place all our hopes on cotton. For warmth, we must grow more mulberry and hemp. The Ministry of Revenue is preparing funds to specifically encourage the populace to plant mulberry and cudrania trees next year. I aim to have mulberry and hemp growing alongside all roads, paths, and wilderness." Zhao Hanzhang was ambitious.

Fu Tinghan, who was about to mention the lack of funds, hesitated upon seeing her hopeful and excited expression, and eventually nodded, "Alright."

"It’s going to snow soon. I’ll have Zeng Yue take medicine to greet Fifth Grandfather, ensuring the wedding goes smoothly." This was the first joyous event since things settled down, and she wouldn’t let anything go wrong.

Zeng Yue brought a large package of medicine. It was a time when smoke rose from the ovens in the courtyard, and refugees huddled around makeshift stoves eating porridge. Hearing the clatter of hooves, they were startled and stood up to flee, only to turn around and bump into each other.

But being in the courtyard, the refugees were at a loss, not knowing where to escape to.

Inside, Zhao Shen was dining with Guo Pu and others. He quickly put down his chopsticks and rushed outside, shouting, "Don’t panic. This is a Zhao Family villa. Sit tight."

Only then did everyone calm down a bit, quietly watching Zhao Shen.

Zhao Shen hurried towards the entrance, where guards with drawn knives awaited. As he arrived, they removed the door bolt and flung the door open.

The hand of the imperial guard, just about to knock, paused in mid-air. Before he realized it, his body stepped back a step, one hand on his sword. Raising his head, he met the eyes of Zhao Shen and his guards inside the door.

Glancing at the swords in their hands, he confirmed that the fleeting sense of danger wasn’t a mistake, and his gaze deepened as he looked past them to the refugees in the courtyard, with one hand on his sword halfway out of its sheath.

Could it be that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War was being held hostage by a group of refugees?

Zeng Yue, behind the imperial guard, also had a look of intense focus, with a hand on his sheathed sword, eyeing Zhao Shen.

Zhao Shen looked at them silently, "Why are you here?"

Zeng Yue, seeing Zhao Shen’s relaxed demeanor and unchanged expression, relaxed a bit but kept his hand on the scabbard, "The General sent me to deliver medicine to Fifth Grandfather."

Looking over Zhao Shen’s shoulder, he frowned, "What’s going on here?"

Seventh Grandfather didn’t seem like someone who would use his villa to aid disaster victims.

Zhao Shen replied, "We have guests."

Zhao Shen invited him inside to meet Kuai Yi and Guo Pu.

Zeng Yue was familiar with Guo Pu, a renowned scholar whose fame was not limited to the aristocracy but also known among the common people.

It was said that his divination skills were incredibly powerful.

Zeng Yue’s first thought was to inform Zhao Hanzhang; the lord might need such talent.

Zeng Yue immediately dispatched an imperial guard to report to Zhao Hanzhang.

By the time the imperial guard returned to the city to make the report, it was nearly dark.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the sky, which darkened faster than usual, and smiled, "It seems even Heaven wants to keep the guests."

She did not send any more guards out since it was too dangerous to venture out at night, with unknown severity of the impending snow.

Thus, it was the next day when she called on Ji Yuan, asking him to lead a team of imperial guards to invite them into the city. "Last night’s snow wasn’t light, and I don’t know if the roads outside the city are passable. Although the wedding is at dusk tomorrow, it’s best for Fifth Grandfather to return early."

Today, the Fu Family was coming to deliver the betrothal gifts. Although Zhao Hanzhang was not needed, Mrs. Wang had already issued a firm order forbidding her from going out today.

Even if she wanted to emulate the story of the "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage," it wouldn’t be possible. So she had to ask Ji Yuan for help.

Ji Yuan had always been skeptical about astrology and the like. Upon hearing that Guo Pu was at the villa, he was initially hesitant to go, but since Zhao Song, the marriage officiant, was also there, he had no choice but to comply.

Zhao Hanzhang escorted him to the main gate and urged, "Please treat Mr. Guo Jingchun with courtesy and be sure to invite him back."

Ji Yuan stopped in his tracks, furrowed his brow, and asked, "Does the lady wish to ask him about future events?"

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes sparkled like stars, "I’ve long wanted to seek him out. If we could have his assistance, wouldn’t the nation benefit agriculturally by avoiding disasters and timing things right? Alas, Ting Han has understanding and ability in astronomy, but he’s too busy to calculate regularly. Revising the calendar is time-consuming, and with various calendrical systems used across the regions, farming schedules often get delayed."

"If he could join our court, not only could we address calendrical matters, but also weather. Last time, when snow fell in Luoyang, the officials at the Imperial Temple failed to predict it, leaving the city unprepared. The heavy snow caused five houses to collapse, resulting in three deaths." Zhao Hanzhang was very interested in this famous alchemist. In one night, she had already decided how she would employ him.

First, she would appoint him to an official position, making him the Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites, which would be quite suitable, placing him in charge of astronomy, calendrical science, and divination. Once he entered the city, she would give him a residence near the Imperial College, where he could also serve as an Imperial College Doctor.

Currently, the Imperial College was in dire need of teachers, especially those skilled in the arts of divination. Fu Tinghan and Zhao Hanzhang had to occasionally teach the students due to the shortage of educators.

There was no choice; there was a severe lack of teachers.

The curriculum at the Imperial College was no longer elementary. The course difficulty was high, and she’d already combed through the court officials, but not many could be sent to the Imperial College as doctors.

Then she intended to provide him with the greatest support to urge the fastest publication of a recommended calendar. Spring was approaching, and farmers needed it for their planting schedules.

Suppressing her excitement at discovering such a treasure, Zhao Hanzhang asked Ji Yuan, "Sir, do you think he will accept my invitation? If he doesn’t, what should I give him to persuade him to stay?"

Ji Yuan seriously contemplated for a moment, then said, "If he doesn’t want to, the lady might have her lord persuade him."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered, "Indeed, they both excel in the arts of divination. It’s rare to find like-minded individuals. Perhaps he’ll heed Ting Han’s persuasion."