After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1163 - 1145: Mailbox

Zhao Hanzhang handed the document to Fu Tinghan and said, "These are some documents from the Ministry of Personnel that need to be handled. They couldn’t manage, so they need to ask you. I brought them along for you."

Fu Tinghan opened it and saw they were all blueprints and various technical issues. For example, at the newly discovered iron mine near Xiang Mountain, the craftsmen decided to build new iron and steel furnaces according to the blueprints provided by Fu Tinghan. The iron content at that mine is quite good, and it’s calculated that good steel can be produced. However, they encountered problems in the furnace construction. Although the Ministry of Industry has sent two experienced craftsmen to handle it, they still couldn’t solve the issues.

So they had to report and consult Fu Tinghan.

Also, a craftsman at the Xiping Book Office invented a new printing press, which can print images when typeset with movable type. This means they can hire artists to create images, engrave the inverse, and then combine it with movable type for printing. Although it’s cumbersome, it means they can print picture books in addition to books.

However, the printing press soon had issues with ink over smudging, and after investigation, they found the problem might be with the materials used in the printing press.

They want to test more and better materials, so they applied for them, and the craftsman also inquired if Fu Tinghan could recommend any suitable materials.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The Ministry of Revenue reported the acreage of land reclaimed from the beginning of spring till now, as well as data on the population and taxes. I have processed these, but I can’t handle this part, so I had to come to you."

These are all technical issues.

Fu Tinghan accepted them, "After I handle it, I’ll have a trusted aide send it down the mountain to you."

He turned around and brought back a stack of blueprints, "Regarding the farm tools we talked about last time, I compared them with hoes over the past few days. Here are the blueprints, have someone make them to test."

"These are iron rods and hoists for drilling wells. The regions of Jizhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou all face water scarcity, so more wells should be drilled."

Zhao Hanzhang took the blueprints and commented, "It’s not enough to just have the tools; we also need to train craftsmen skilled in water exploration and well drilling. Finding the right place to dig a well can achieve more with less effort."

Zhao Hanzhang wrote a small note on the side of the blueprint, planning to specially train a team for exploring water sources and well drilling.

Fu Xuan sat by the side, staring blankly at the two, realizing he couldn’t join the conversation at all.

On this mountain, they had to do everything themselves, even though there were many trusted aides secretly lurking around to protect them. So Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan were not idle. They cooked porridge while adding firewood to the stove and discussing matters.

Before their discussion was finished, the porridge was ready first.

Zhao Hanzhang took a food box from a large bamboo basket, containing a few simple side dishes. They could eat porridge with the small dishes.

"Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi have already reached Chang’an. The people in Chang’an, upon hearing about grandfather’s passing, are deeply saddened. The local gentry and village elders want to send representatives to pay respects to grandfather. I agreed, and they might come to Luoyang in a few days, directly to the mountain."

Fu Tinghan turned to look at the tombstone and said, "Grandfather did not like extravagance. The journey from Chang’an to Luoyang is not short, and going back and forth is time-consuming and laborious. Let’s make it this time, but in the future, let’s not have them come again, as it causes unnecessary hardship on the people."

Fu Xuan finally spoke up, "Yes, if he knew about this, he would also feel uneasy."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

She agreed to the representatives coming, not only to mourn Fu Zhi but also to use this opportunity to strengthen ties with Yongzhou, getting the local gentry and village elders to accept her more quickly. This would also help Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi to better carry out their work in Yongzhou.

After discussing everything, it was afternoon. Zhao Hanzhang went to quietly sit in front of Fu Zhi’s grave, with Fu Tinghan accompanying her.

This was a rare quiet time for them to reflect.

Here, Zhao Hanzhang thought mostly about Yongzhou. With Fu Zhi in Yongzhou previously, she only issued orders without direct involvement in Yongzhou’s affairs, so her control over Yongzhou was not significant.

Now with Yongzhou managed by Zhao Erlang and Xie Shi, she could not only directly oversee Yongzhou, but the connection with Xiliang also needed to change.

The Western Region—there are many resources and species there that the Central Plains lack. The Silk Road has been cut off for a long time, and according to historical deductions, cotton was grown in the Western Region during the late Eastern Han period, but it never reached the Central Plains.

Zhang Gui has been helping her look, but there has been no news so far. She feels she needs to send her own people and expand the search area.

Cotton, she must find it!

Besides cotton, there are many other species from the West they need. Currently, historical records show the furthest recorded place reached is the Persian Gulf. If they can cross it, they could reach the Roman Empire.

As long as the Silk Road can be opened.

Zhao Hanzhang was excited, but after raising her eyes, she gradually calmed down, suppressing her emotions and reminding herself not to take too big a step. Currently, she didn’t have the strength to win over the Western Region or open the Silk Road.

First, she could only look for cotton in the Western Region.

Who should go?

Zhao Hanzhang rummaged through her subordinates, but couldn’t find a suitable person. Alas, it seems there are still not enough people.

Zhao Hanzhang’s gaze shifted as she turned to ask Fu Tinghan, "How about I set up two large mailboxes in front of the Imperial City Gate?"

Fu Tinghan, still thinking about the furnace, was puzzled, "Mailboxes?"

"Yes, one specifically for collecting public suggestions. Not only can we gather collective wisdom, but also recruit talents;" Zhao Hanzhang said, "The other one is for filing grievances."

The more she spoke, the more she found this method good, "Maybe we could find suitable talents to dispatch to the Western Region."

Fu Tinghan asked, "Should we set them in other prefectures too?"

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment before shaking her head, "No, the authority should be centralized in Luoyang, so the mailboxes should only be set up in Luoyang."

Setting them up in other prefectures would consume too much manpower, and with roads being easily accessible, there would always be those who try to take advantage of the situation.

Fu Tinghan did not oppose.

Zhao Hanzhang looked at Fu Zhi’s tombstone and asked, "Grandfather wouldn’t oppose either, would he?"

The gentle breeze stirred, and Zhao Hanzhang concluded, "See, grandfather doesn’t oppose it. It’s settled."

Zhao Hanzhang stayed overnight on the mountain. Fu Tinghan gathered a lot of mugwort to repel mosquitoes. After fumigating once, he placed the extra mugwort next to the campfire to let it slowly burn.

He also hung his medicine pouch on Zhao Hanzhang’s waist, "The mosquitoes are many on the mountain. Don’t get bitten."

From time to time, Fu Xuan scratched the back of his ears: ...

He couldn’t help but ask Zhao Hanzhang, "How has the Princess been recently?"

Zhao Hanzhang answered, "She’s been fine, just occasionally thinks of grandfather and then cries a bit."

Fu Xuan sighed, "Comfort her more. Death comes to all, and father foresaw this day. He left peacefully, so there’s no need to harm her health over this. Father wouldn’t be happy knowing."

Fu Tinghan remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Has there been any news from Shen Ruhui? Is the person living in seclusion in the mountains, who can manage water, a Fu Family member?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "There’s been no news yet."

Fu Tinghan frowned, "Now that your pacification of the Xiongnu should have spread across the land, and we have had our wedding, if uncle and others were still here, they should have heard the news, right?"

If they heard the news, how could they not return to Luoyang?