Zhao Hanzhang smiled, reached out to support him, and said, "There is no rush for this matter. First, bid farewell to your family properly. Later in the month, I will arrange for someone to escort you to Qingzhou."

Cao Ping:... He thought "no rush" meant after the New Year. Is he supposed to set off before the New Year, to spend it in Qingzhou?

But considering the newly-acquired hot government position, Cao Ping agreed.

On the same day, Zhao Hanzhang had Zhao Yunxin draft an edict rewarding Cao Ping.

Zhao Yunxin, of course, did not have the authority to draft the edict alone. She gathered the documents handled by Zhao Hanzhang that day, which needed to be issued, and took them to the Ministry of Supervision to find Ji Yuan.

The officials of the Ministry of Supervision, led by Ji Yuan, began drafting various documents and edicts.

Ji Yuan, looking at the note in his hand, frowned and asked Zhao Yunxin, who had yet to leave, "What kind of official is the Sea Guardian?"

It sounds like a military general position, but it was given to a Water Department Clerk. Cao Ping? Isn’t that an official responsible for constructing watermills and various water conservancy projects?

After bowing, Zhao Yunxin explained: "The Great General plans to build shipping docks in Qingzhou and Guangzhou."

Ji Yuan thought for a moment and understood, asking, "Is it because of last year’s article in the gazette, ’On the People’s Livelihood Interests in Water Dock Projects’?"

Recalling the gazette placed on Zhao Hanzhang’s desk, Zhao Yunxin answered with a "yes."

"But wasn’t that article primarily written by Shen Ruhui from the Ministry of Agriculture? In terms of capability, shouldn’t Shen Ruhui be given more importance?"

Zhao Yunxin replied, "Shen Sinong is esteemed for his expertise; the Great General intends to keep him at the Ministry of Agriculture to oversee agriculture and mulberry farming."

In that case, Shen Ruhui should not be underemphasized for Cao Ping, especially when, at present, the dock is important but not as vital as agriculture.

Ji Yuan, feeling moved, considered whether Zhao Hanzhang was trying to change the status of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He lowered his gaze in thought and said to Zhao Yunxin, "I’ll draft this edict myself, you may leave." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Zhao Yunxin bowed and acknowledged, "Yes."

"Wait," Ji Yuan called to her, saying, "Your parents have arrived in Luoyang. You’ve been working overtime for two cycles, take a break tomorrow. I’ll give you a three-day vacation; pass your current tasks to Song brocade and Li Dongyang today."

Zhao Yunxin:...

Under Ji Yuan’s gaze, she was compelled to bow her head, "Yes."

Zhao Yunxin was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Supervision, which essentially serves as the emperor’s secretarial office, responsible for drafting various edicts and documents for the emperor.

Since Zhao Hanzhang was accustomed to using Zhao Yunxin, she frequently stayed by Zhao Hanzhang’s side.

However, apart from the leader Ji Yuan, there were several officials in the Ministry of Supervision. Fan Ying, currently inspecting Jizhou, was still part of the Ministry of Supervision, ranking just below Ji Yuan.

Additionally, there were Song brocade, Li Dongyang, and others.

Song brocade, originally Xin’an County’s County Magistrate, was promoted to the Ministry of Supervision after Zhao Hanzhang returned to Luoyang due to his successful management of supplies, rapidly supporting Pingyang. The Xin’an County Magistrate position was temporarily filled by the County Magistrate.

As for Li Dongyang, you might not recognize him. His first appearance was last year as the top candidate in the recruitment exam. Zhao Hanzhang admired his well-written articles, adept at citing classics—exactly the talent needed in the Ministry of Supervision.

Her edicts were drafted by him, each one worthy of being preserved as language class material.

Li Dongyang and Song brocade drew lots, and Li Dongyang won, so he would be on duty first, with Song brocade taking over the next day.

Zhao Yunxin took him for the handover.

Li Dongyang, noticing her lack of enthusiasm, asked, "When parents come from afar, isn’t it a joyful and exciting event? Why does Zhao Gishi seem so downcast?"

Zhao Yunxin glanced at him and asked, "Li Qijulu Lang, how old are you this year?"

Li Dongyang paused and then said, "Just reached adulthood."

"Since you have reached adulthood, you’re considered of age. Do you have a spouse and children?"

Li Dongyang frowned, "I haven’t betrothed anyone."

"Do your parents not urge you?"

Li Dongyang suddenly realized, "Are you being urged to marry?"

Zhao Yunxin responded with a "hmm."

Li Dongyang looked at her sympathetically and said, "My father passed away two years ago; I am still in mourning, so I don’t face such troubles."

Zhao Yunxin was curious, "Mourning while entering service?"

Li Dongyang maintained a calm demeanor, saying, "It’s merely a matter of survival. I must provide for my elderly mother, so I must neglect the deceased."

This time, it was Zhao Yunxin’s turn to show sympathy. She told him, "The Great General is very filial yet also open-minded. The living are always more important than the dead. If she knew, she would pardon this."

Li Dongyang calmly replied, "Prime Minister Ji is aware of this."

Since Ji Yuan knows, Zhao Hanzhang surely knows.

Zhao Yunxin remained silent, guiding him to meet Zhao Hanzhang and then calling him to the adjoining room to hand over the work.

While he was organizing documents, she went out to bid farewell to Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang was approving documents when she heard this. She looked up at her and asked, "Taking leave for a matchmaking?"

Zhao Yunxin’s eyes reddened, feeling a bit aggrieved, "It must be them who went to Mr. Ji; otherwise, Mr. Ji wouldn’t have specifically given me a break."

She said, "Third Sister, could you possibly speak to my parents, asking them not to interfere with my work?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "I dare not speak with them. Because I have long delayed marrying, Fifth Uncle now sees me with his eyes, and his nose is hardly recognizable."

Seeing Zhao Yunxin’s eyes turning red, Zhao Hanzhang offered a suggestion, "If your parents urge you again, just say that precedence is by elder siblings; your brother hasn’t married yet, so how can you be married?"

Zhao Yunxin seemed to have understood.

Seeing her comprehension, she waved, "Go on."

Though this approach lacks camaraderie, still... better him than me, especially since the brother is currently in Qingzhou. Most, they can only write letters urging him, where face-to-face urgency is far less severe than here.

Zhao Yunxin withdrew.

Li Dongyang brought over seven or eight letters, respectfully saying, "Great General, these are letters from various states, among them are two from Yongzhou."

Zhao Hanzhang had just finished handling a government document; her eyes were a bit tired, so she reached out to take the letters, taking a break to read them.

While every state has a radio station, some matters can’t be fully conveyed over it. For subjects that aren’t particularly urgent, opinions on future political situations, or building rapport with her, state governors still prefer writing letters.

As for Yongzhou, Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t sent a radio station over yet.

It’s not that she couldn’t provide one, but rather because Yongzhou is wholly entrusted to Fu Zhi, only offering some assistance on the side. She knows he remains loyal to Great Jin regardless; even with the emperor’s replacement, his loyalty remains just shifted from Emperor Jinhua to the Little Emperor.

Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t place a radio station in the hands of anyone outside her camp, even if the person is Fu Zhi.

She first opened Fu Zhi’s letter.

He sent over two letters consecutively; the first letter was about the current situation in Yongzhou.

With his help, the food shortage in Yongzhou has been alleviated; the people now are much settled, with most willing to stay in Yongzhou, only a few still fleeing for survival.

Fu Zhi hopes the court can offer Yongzhou more assistance, especially since it’s time to prepare seeds and farming tools for the spring planting next year. If there are enough seeds and farming tools, perhaps next year Yongzhou could be self-sufficient, preventing another large-scale food shortage.

The food shortage in Chang’an has persisted for years; relying solely on the people of Chang’an is hard to break away from the predicament, hence he hopes the court can aid Chang’an.

Besides this, Fu Zhi also requested military provisions and the opening of Yongzhou’s trade routes by the court, enabling Yongzhou and Chang’an to exchange goods with the outside world, rejuvenating the economy.

Having read the first letter, Zhao Hanzhang knew what to expect and proceeded to open the second letter.