After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 785 - 775: Despondent and Shaken

Gou Xi does not attend court, but Zhao Hanzhang is not as willful as he is. The next day, she got up early, dressed up, and went to court with Zhao Zhongyu.

The emperor went to look at the gifts sent by Zhao Hanzhang yesterday and liked the new money she sent. He liked the valuable glassworks even more.

Because Zhao Hanzhang had established glass workshops in Xiping, Shangcai, Chen County, and Luoyang, the prices of ordinary glass cups, pots, and mirrors had decreased in the market, making them affordable for the middle class.

Only some special glass products were high-priced, following the principle of rarity being precious.

The glass Zhao Hanzhang sent to the emperor this time was specially designed by the glass workshop in Xiping for Gou Xi’s gift. It was a small glass house, radiant and brightly colored.

The house was about 80 cm wide, 80 cm long, and 30 cm high. Both the upper and lower floors could be moved. Even more ingeniously, the house contained various landscapes and furniture. The glass workshop also made two boxes of people and livestock like horses, and a box of weapons.

They could be freely arranged, setting the identities and tasks of these people, etc.

It was the pinnacle of playhouse games of this era, although Zhao Hanzhang herself did not enjoy playing and did not quite understand the attraction of this game.

But because the glass house was exquisitely crafted and unique, Zhao Hanzhang believed it held great value.

However, she has already given glass as a gift to Gou Xi three times in a row. Sending it again this time would make it the fourth, as Zhao Ming said: three times is enough; continuously gifting glass isn’t good, it benefits the emperor too much.

The emperor himself felt Zhao Hanzhang’s sincerity. Plus, she had consistently been humble and polite and appeared gentle in his presence, so he warmly welcomed Zhao Hanzhang to attend morning court.

The emperor had a seat placed to his right, directly opposite Gou Xi’s position.

Gou Xi, although he did not attend court, still had his position present, and no one dared to occupy it, not even allowing anyone to sit across from it.

Zhao Zhongyu and other ministers all took a step back to set their seats; after all, Gou Xi’s opposite was always empty.

At this time, the emperor setting a seat opposite Zhao Hanzhang caused people from Gou Xi’s faction in the court to look at each other, feeling somewhat displeased.

But this feeling was not only directed at Zhao Hanzhang and the emperor but also towards Gou Xi.

As the Great General, Gou Xi could occasionally sway court politics, of course, not relying solely on himself.

Many of the courtiers attending morning court were his people; otherwise, if he stayed at the General Mansion, how could he know the new decrees the emperor had just issued?

He basically did not interfere with the emperor’s decrees or undertake tasks, but that did not mean he had no confidants in the court.

They had some grievances, lamenting Gou Xi’s slack approach. If he were here, they could be more confident. Facing a leader only interested in indulgence and not progress, they genuinely wished they could also just drop everything.

Their loyalties were stirred again, pondering whether to pledge allegiance to the emperor/Zhao Hanzhang, fearing Gou Xi was truly finished.

Zhao Hanzhang attended court today mainly to give face to the emperor and to meet the court ministers, to recognize faces and exchange a few words. Otherwise, unless summoned by the emperor, she would not easily enter the palace again.

At noon, the emperor invited Zhao Hanzhang to have lunch, as a sign of favor.

Zhao Hanzhang enjoyed a very delicious lunch, considered the best meal she had eaten since the new year.

In Yu State, after the introduction of iron pots, various new dishes emerged. Zhao Hanzhang often could only hear about them or imagine the taste due to poverty, but today she managed to taste them.

As Zhao Hanzhang ate, she thought, it seemed the emperor wasn’t that poor. This lifestyle is much better than hers.

The emperor, like her, ate happily. Only after being escorted out of the palace by Zhou Neijian did she learn that it was also rare for the emperor to have had so many delicious foods.

Zhou Neijian, walking beside Zhao Hanzhang with a bowed back, smiled ingratiatingly, "These new dishes were transmitted from Yu State and Luoyang. As His Majesty said, serving Yu State and Luoyang dishes to treat Governor Zhao might be showing off with his skills. Please don’t mind, Governor Zhao."

Zhao Hanzhang quickly said, "No, no, it’s rare for me to eat so much delicious food in Yu State too."

Zhou Neijian replied, "That’s good, that’s good. His Majesty is still not quite accustomed to the tastes of Yun City. Since moving the capital here, His Majesty misses Luoyang dishes very much, and his appetite improves only when he tastes Luoyang dishes and these new recipes."

Zhou Neijian subtly expressed the emperor’s love and longing for Luoyang.

Zhao Hanzhang could only nod and agree, nearly blurting out that Luoyang also missed the emperor.

Zhao Zhongyu had another take on this, "When these new dishes first emerged, they were rare and expensive, and even the emperor couldn’t afford them. It was after the General’s Mansion tried them and Gou Xi sent two chefs to the emperor that he could afford to eat them, though not all dishes are affordable."

Zhao Zhongyu said to Zhao Hanzhang, "These new dishes from Yu State contain a lot of oil and salt. They are delicious, but too luxurious."

In this era, oil and salt were considered the most beautiful praise. Zhao Hanzhang instinctively shifted the blame, "These new dishes have nothing to do with me."

Zhao Zhongyu glanced at her and said, "Who said they’re related to you? But as the Yu State Governor, especially during trying times, you should advocate simplicity and shouldn’t be so extravagant. Follow the example; don’t follow in the footsteps of Prince East Sea and Gou Xi."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded repeatedly, feeling somewhat aggrieved, "Uncle Ming and I have always advocated simplicity and frugality. To demonstrate frugality, I only eat meat twice a ten-day cycle, and haven’t made new clothes in a year. Look at me; the clothes I wear now are last year’s, let out, and I’ve patched a few parts if there wasn’t enough fabric. Uncle Ming drinks one vat of wine a month, rationing his drinks daily."

Zhao Zhongyu was stunned, asking, "Are you promoting thrift deliberately, or do you genuinely have no money?"

Zhao Hanzhang paused before saying, "A bit of both, I guess. Mainly, I want to express that we are trying very hard, but some practices can’t change because of Seventh Ancestor."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "All these new dishes were created by Seventh Ancestor. He uses them in his restaurants and inns, hosting grand banquets. I... can’t stop him."

Nor do I want to.

Zhao Hu was now her major taxpayer. Most importantly, what he was doing indeed significantly promoted the economic development of Yu State. So, while she practiced thrift, she also had to help Zhao Hu foster this trend.

Zhao Zhongyu couldn’t understand, "Since these are new restaurant and inn recipes, shouldn’t the recipes be kept secret? How did they spread everywhere?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked complicated, "That’s why I say Seventh Ancestor is a business genius. He published the recipes for new dishes but didn’t disclose the secret methods."

"A dish has simple methods and complex methods. He only shared the general methods, keeping some small details to himself. As for these new recipes, the best dishes are still at Seventh Ancestor’s restaurants and inns."

"Think about it. The new dishes served to the emperor were already so delicious, but the ones at Seventh Ancestor’s inns are even more delectable, making you wonder whether the emperor knows this, does he crave them, and want to taste them?"

Zhao Zhongyu: ...He didn’t know whether the emperor craved them or not, but Zhao Hanzhang had certainly piqued his interest.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Surely he does, which is why people travel from afar to Yu State for a taste. Now Seventh Ancestor’s inns are renowned nationwide. Zhenxiu Building and Zhao Qi Restaurant not only haven’t lost customers due to recipe disclosure but rather thrive with even more patrons."