Free Web NovelChapter 1259: Chapter 1226: Investigation Department
"I’ve arranged for the grain and fodder you requested to be sent. It should be halfway there now. Why did you return yourself? Is there a problem with the Yellow River?" Though pleased to see Fu Tinghan, she still worried about the current state of the Yellow River.
Fu Tinghan stirred a bowl of honey water for her to relieve her hangover, "There’s no problem with the Yellow River. I came back because I missed you."
He explained, "I’ve now moved to Chenggao County. A swift horse ride back to Luoyang only takes a day, so I can squeeze out two days."
Zhao Hanzhang: "And then you leave after staying one night?"
Fu Tinghan smiled at her and placed the bowl on the table, "I’ve said enough about me. Let’s talk about you. I noticed you drank quite a bit tonight. You should be happy. Why did you seem in a bad mood when you returned?"
While others drink when unhappy, Zhao Hanzhang does the opposite. She only drinks tea and stays up late when unhappy. She only drinks alcohol when she’s happy.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle Cheng wants to resign."
Fu Tinghan was slightly surprised, "Why?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "I’ve reduced the Little Emperor’s time in politics and studying. Now that the reunification of north and south is achieved, both he and I don’t have to work so hard."
No longer needing to feign loyalty and patriotism, constrained by boundaries, she realized there was more she could do.
Fu Tinghan: "Uncle Cheng is a gentleman. The Little Emperor, though clumsy and timid, is quite diligent and, unlike his relatives, not cruel. So Uncle Cheng developed feelings for him."
"It’s good for him to leave for a while. It will help avoid future conflicts." Fu Tinghan continued: "Although Uncle Cheng has always traveled among the people, understanding their hardships, he seems to have never asked the common folk’s thoughts directly. Let this be the new beginning of his travels."
"Didn’t you always say that Uncle Cheng has the potential to educate others? Some things he needs to figure out for himself before he can teach those principles to his students, and train more talents for you."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, feeling somewhat reassured.
Fu Tinghan touched her earlobe and asked with a smile, "Feeling better?"
Zhao Hanzhang asked him, "Are you really leaving early tomorrow?"
Fu Tinghan hesitated for a moment and said, "At the latest, I have to leave early the day after tomorrow. The soldiers and laborers repairing the river won’t be able to return home for New Year’s, so I must stay with them."
For a moment Zhao Hanzhang felt an impulse, "I also want to see the Yellow River."
Fu Tinghan: "What about Luoyang? The people are unsettled now, and you need to hold Luoyang steady. If you leave, things will be difficult for Ji Yuan."
Zhao Hanzhang lowered her gaze in thought, then laid down, "Let’s set this matter aside for now."
The news of Fu Tinghan’s return did not spread. He didn’t go out either. Zhao Hanzhang met with Zu Ti and other generals as well as Gu Rong and others the next morning before hurrying back to the General’s Mansion to see Yuan Li.
Yuan Li had gone to work in the intelligence department early in the morning. While Fu Tinghan’s return could be kept from others, it could not be kept from him.
So upon arriving at the General’s Mansion, before Zhao Hanzhang returned, he went to visit Fu Tinghan first, "My lord, Gao Hui and Zhao Chang’s group are now in Dai Country. Aren’t they coming back to Luoyang this year?"
Fu Tinghan was momentarily stunned and looked at Yuan Li, "How do you know Gao Hui and Zhao Chang?"
Yuan Li gave a faint smile, "I know a lot. This business caravan is conducting large-scale trade, having built two large compounds in the eastern and western suburbs of Luoyang City, each with a row of warehouses. With such a profitable business, it’s hard not to pay more attention. I found that my lord has been secretly entering those two compounds."
He looked at Fu Tinghan with a half-smile, "My lord has shared life and death experiences with our lady. You could endure hardships together before, so I imagine you can also share wealth and prosperity now. Please don’t disappoint our lady, my lord."
Fu Tinghan: "Since you found out, you should have told Hanzhang directly. Why come to see me in private?"
Because I suspect all the ladies know, and that she’s orchestrating this behind the scenes.
His survival instinct made Yuan Li hesitant to question Zhao Hanzhang, but his curiosity led him to test Fu Tinghan anyway.
He regretted it almost immediately after speaking. These tasks should be left to others. If the lady gets angry, it would be someone else in trouble.
He should have restrained his curiosity a bit longer.
With his mind racing, Yuan Li quickly came up with an excuse, "My lord, I am also..."
Before finishing his sentence, he heard footsteps approaching and stopped speaking, turning around hastily as Zhao Hanzhang marched in.
Yuan Li immediately bowed in salute.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded at him and sat in the seat of honor, "Take a seat; no need for formalities at home."
Fu Tinghan sat to Zhao Hanzhang’s left, and Yuan Li took a seat opposite him.
After having tea and snacks sent up and dismissing the servants, Zhao Hanzhang spoke, "I’m aware of Gao Hui and that group. I had Tinghan instruct them to gather strength and wealth outside. At the time, the idea was not to put all eggs in one basket. Moreover, competition can bring higher returns."
Sweat beaded on Yuan Li’s forehead as he quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment, "I didn’t know they were your people, so I had them thoroughly investigated. It turned out they were more popular in Dai County than Wu Erlang and had better relations with Tuoba Yilu, so..."
"So you suspect they might be disloyal?" Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said, "Your suspicion isn’t misplaced. Although this caravan was set up at my behest, they themselves aren’t aware of it. Since you’ve discovered this, continue to monitor them."
Yuan Li looked at Fu Tinghan in surprise.
Fu Tinghan’s expression remained unchanged as he sat quietly. Seeing Yuan Li’s gaze, he returned a puzzled look.
Yuan Li withdrew his gaze and took out a stack of documents from his sleeve, offering it, "My lady, these are the assets I’ve uncovered hidden by Wang Dun in Luzhou."
Zhao Hanzhang took it and flipped through, then praised, "Well done."
She set the documents aside and said, "I want to establish an Inspection Department, with you as the Inspector. It will still have both overt and covert divisions. Besides overseeing inspection affairs, you’ll also manage the covert division matters. However, unlike before, there aren’t many covert activities now. Aside from regularly collecting public sentiment, I want you to take over building the post stations. In the future, some inspectors will be placed in the post stations."
Yuan Li was slightly taken aback, "Post stations?"
Why assign him such tedious work?
Zhao Hanzhang immediately perceived his discontent and smiled, "Do not underestimate the post stations."
Yuan Li: "I’m involved in intelligence and know how critical information transmission is, so naturally, I dare not underestimate the post stations. But... currently, post stations across regions are neglected. Finding even a few usable ones in a province is difficult. Will inspectors placed in post stations just deliver messages?"
"If the post stations are neglected, then rebuild them," Zhao Hanzhang said, "Restore the old system first, placing a post station every thirty li. Under the Investigation Department, establish the Posthouse Minister’s Office, which will be subdivided into construction, maintenance, management, and operation sections..."
"Wait a moment," Fu Tinghan asked, holding his tea dazedly, "Isn’t this supposed to be under the Ministry of Industry?"
At first, Yuan Li found these tasks mundane and troublesome, lacking the excitement of deep infiltration, but hearing Fu Tinghan’s question, he immediately said, "The Posthouse Minister’s Office is a newly established department. Why would it belong to the Ministry of Industry when our lady clearly stated it should belong to our Investigation Department?"
