After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "As long as the seeds are delivered to the court by the fifth of August, confirmed to be viable and plantable, I will certainly keep my promise."

Zhao Hu was very curious, "The clothes made from this cotton must look so good, that you are willing to spend so much money?"

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully, "When the mountains and fields are covered with cotton flowers, and you start using cotton, Seventh Ancestor, you will understand."

Zhao Hu wanted it even more, deciding to have the trade expedition set off as soon as he returned.

Zhao Hanzhang reminded, "Seventh Ancestor, it’s already August, the Western Regions are getting cold, and by the time your people reach the Western Regions, there might already be snow, making the roads even harder to traverse."

Zhao Hu: "What in this world isn’t difficult? I just want the results, I don’t care how they achieve it."

He also offered the trade expedition a handsome reward.

After all, the journey to the Western Regions is arduous, and although he was confident that the trade expedition could return within a year, who could predict potential mishaps?

So Zhao Hu prepared many goods for them, such as silk, porcelain, glassware, tea, and even items like combs and hand warmers.

Zhao Hu said, "For all the goods, I don’t care how you sell them on the road, but the price must not be lower than the price I have given you, and at least thirty percent of each type of goods must be delivered to Kang Country and Dayuan."

"Once there, you may sell them at market prices, no matter whether the price is high or low. Do not spend all the money on cotton seeds, but also look for other rare items. Anything not found or scarce in the Central Plains, buy more of it."

After careful consideration, Zhao Hanzhang directly recruited people from the court, asking who was willing to go to the Western Regions?

Zhao Xin, after a brief reflection, stepped forward.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The trip to the Western Regions is not only about buying cotton seeds, but also to establish diplomatic relations with the countries in the Western Regions, and to open up the trade route. Inform the countries of the Western Regions that a new country, Hua Country, has been established in the Central Plains."

Zhao Xin calmly clasped his hands and said, "I will not disgrace the mission."

Zhao Hanzhang then appointed him as the envoy, handed him the national letter, and asked him, "I will give you five hundred soldiers and horses to form a mission, you may choose the personnel."

Zhao Xin said, "Since I am accompanying Prince Zhang on this mission, I don’t need to bring so many people with me, just one interpreter is enough."

Zhao Xin could speak Xiongnu and Xianbei languages. Due to a previous mission to Shu land, he could also speak some Di Clan languages. However, there were many tribes and countries in the Western Regions, and these few languages were clearly not enough, so he needed an interpreter proficient in various languages of the Western Regions.

Zhao Hanzhang then looked at Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was somewhat at a loss until Zhao Cheng stepped forward and said, "I know someone. In the Imperial College, there is a clerk who is proficient in various languages, including those of the Western Regions. He has extensive knowledge, and can remember and understand the meaning after hearing a language twice."

Upon hearing of such a talent, Zhao Hanzhang immediately asked, "Why has such a talented person not been recommended before and is only working as a clerk in the Imperial College?"

Zhao Cheng hesitated before saying, "He... he is physically disabled."

Ji Yuan suddenly realized, "Are you speaking of Shan Feng, Zhao Ji Winekeeper?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Yes."

With a puzzled look, Zhao Hanzhang listened as Ji Yuan explained, "Your Majesty, Shan Feng was once a minor official in the Court of State Ceremonial of the previous dynasty. In the first year of Yong’an, when Sima Yong and Sima Ying were fighting each other in the Capital City, plundering the civilians, Emperor Hui was seized by the two. Shan Feng publicly cursed the royal family in the street, and rallied the people of Luoyang to resist, saying, saying..."

Zhao Hanzhang: "Saying what?"

"Saying that the Sima Family should not be emperors, and raised the rebel flag," Ji Yuan said, "For this, he was arrested and imprisoned, originally sentenced to be executed by slicing. But as fate would have it, Sima Ying was expelled from the Capital City, and Emperor Hui was taken by him. Sima Yong also left the Capital City to capture back Emperor Hui, so his life was spared."

Later, Sima Yue emerged victorious, not only capturing Emperor Hui but also poisoning him. Shanfeng, who had been sentenced to execution by slicing, remained imprisoned.

Ji Yuan knew of him because Zhao Changyu sympathized with him, believing he raised the rebel flag because his wife and daughter were killed by the chaotic army, and he had lost his reason. So after Sima Yue ascended, Zhao Changyu petitioned on his behalf.

Although Shanfeng was not pardoned, Sima Yue did not have the court execute the sentence, so he remained in prison in confusion.

It wasn’t until the second year of Yongjia when Wang Mi and Liu Cong attacked Luoyang, and most citizens fled, even the government officials in the prison left, that he managed to climb out of the prison.

Although he was free, he had tattoos on his face and a lame leg, with no home to return to, leaving him no choice but to beg on the streets.

At that time, Luoyang was under Zhao Kuan’s governance, and he could not allow idlers as beggars under his administration.

So all the beggars were rounded up for registration, allocated land, seeds, and tools to farm. His facial tattoos and limp leg made him stand out, attracting Zhao Kuan’s special attention.