Inside the Yiyang Marquis Manor's main hall, silence reigned.
As Zhang Shihao's words fell, Feng Fang, Huang Xu, and Zhen Song were all shocked and dumbfounded.
They were shocked by the powerful appeal of Erguotou to foreign tribes and the people of the Han Dynasty.
They were even more stunned by Zhang Shihao's undisguised ambition and plans.
The hall was silent for a moment. Zhang Shihao, seated at the head, saw the shocked and dumbfounded expressions of Feng Fang, Huang Xu, and Zhen Song, but he did not rush them.
Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He raised his wine goblet and took a small sip.
Why did he reveal his ambitions to the three of them so openly?
Was he not afraid of betrayal?
Zhang Shihao was naturally not afraid to openly tell the three his ambitions, and he had his own plans.
Huang Xu was already his own man and certainly would not betray him.
Feng Fang, as one of the commanding generals garrisoning Luoyang, joined Zhang Shihao to secure his future. By revealing some powerful trump cards and the hope of an even stronger future, Zhang Shihao would only make him see a brighter future and serve him more loyally.
As for Zhen Song, he was the representative of the wealthy Zhen Family from Jizhou.
To establish his own power, money was undoubtedly crucial.
Zhang Shihao declared, "Make money!"
He wanted to make money! Of course, he wouldn't do it himself; he'd let the Zhen Family do it.
Therefore, he had to let the Zhen Family see a bright future.
He had to show them a broad, smooth road.
The Zhen Family would eagerly cling to Zhang Shihao's thigh.
They would make money for Zhang Shihao.
As for profit sharing, Zhang Shihao stated that a fifty-fifty split was naturally impossible.
What Zhang Shihao valued even more was that, historically, the Zhen Family was not just wealthy!
With Erguotou, this gold-swallowing item, appearing out of nowhere, combined with Zhang Shihao's words about taking grain from Powerful Families, and horses and wealth from foreign tribes to build a bright future for his own forces, Zhang Shihao was certain that the Zhen Family would eagerly cling to his thigh.
The Zhen Family would be tied to Zhang Shihao's war chariot.
After all, Zhang Shihao himself was a Regular Attendant, the most distinguished County Marquis among the Marquises, and commanded the Imperial Harem guards, making him one of the people most heavily relied upon by Liu Hong.
With Erguotou and his plans, the Zhen Family wouldn't be so foolish, would they?
Zhang Shihao, seated at the head, held his wine goblet with a faint smile. Feng Fang, Huang Xu, and Zhen Song quickly recovered their senses.
In an instant, Feng Fang, Huang Xu, and Zhen Song became excited, all looking at Zhang Shihao with enthusiasm.
Feng Fang truly hadn't expected Zhang Shihao to have such grand ambitions, using Erguotou as a means to draw sustenance from Powerful Families and foreign tribes to build his own forces. In Feng Fang's eyes, this was simply explosive! Zhang Shihao, who was already unapproachable in his eyes, became even more towering. He seemed to see Zhang Shihao's power becoming immense in a few years.
Huang Xu was also incredibly excited, his eyes fixed on Zhang Shihao, filled with enthusiasm.
However, his focus was different from Feng Fang's.
He didn't care how much money Erguotou could make.
He only heard Zhang Shihao pitying the common people, having no good feelings for Powerful Families, and wanting to use Erguotou to acquire good horses from the grasslands, build a giant horse farm, and establish his own forces.
This seemed to subtly hint at the shadow of a great lord?
Thinking of his master Yang Zaixing, who had constantly appeared in his dreams these days, teaching him and saying that Zhang Shihao had a heavenly mandate, it seemed some of it was starting to be verified?
Huang Xu was filled with excitement and fervor, his gaze burning as he looked at Zhang Shihao.
If Zhang Shihao had a heavenly mandate, could Huang Xu truly be ennobled as a Marquis and appointed a general?
"Marquis… Marquis, you truly possess grand aspirations! Song is utterly impressed. To take grain from Powerful Families and acquire warhorses, cattle, sheep, and other wealth from foreign tribes to build your forces is an inspired stroke of genius. Although the Zhen Family does not possess the same power as the Marquis, it does have some experience in commercial operations. Whatever the Marquis commands, please feel free to use us!"
Zhen Song was equally excited.
However, his reason for excitement was different from Feng Fang's and Huang Xu's.
Zhang Shihao had specifically invited him today and brought out Erguotou. What did this mean?
Thinking of that possibility, Zhen Song's heart pounded violently.
"Haha, good. This Marquis has been waiting for that from your Zhen Family."
"This Erguotou was developed by This Marquis, and I control a complete set of production and brewing formulas. This Marquis wishes to cooperate with the Zhen Family to sell this Erguotou to the Han Dynasty, and to the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei tribes. Just as This Marquis said earlier, sell it at a high price to Powerful Families, take grain from Powerful Families to brew wine, and then sell it to foreign tribes in exchange for good horses, cowhides, oxen, and so on. Of course, while This Marquis will eat the meat, I will also leave some soup for the Zhen Family. What does the Zhen Family think? Do you dare to take it on?"
Zhang Shihao did not hesitate and spoke directly to Zhen Song.
Hearing that it was indeed as he had thought, Zhen Song was immediately shaken and overjoyed. His breathing instantly became rapid. Without daring to delay, he quickly said:
"Reporting to the Marquis, although Song is not the family head, Song believes the family head will certainly agree. Song will immediately return to Jizhou to consult with the family head and ask him to personally come to Luoyang to meet the Marquis."
"Good, then This Marquis will await good news from the Zhen Family."
Hearing this, Zhang Shihao knew it couldn't be rushed and said with a smile.
The atmosphere in the hall became lively. Zhen Song was perceptive enough to know that Feng Fang still had matters to discuss. After understanding Zhang Shihao's intention in inviting him to the manor today, he exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Shihao and then departed.
With Zhen Song gone, only Zhang Shihao, Feng Fang, and Huang Xu remained in the hall.
Zhang Shihao, with a smile, looked at Feng Fang, who had not yet spoken, and said:
"Commandant Feng, there are no outsiders here now. Feel free to speak your mind."
"This..." Hearing Zhang Shihao's question, Feng Fang's body trembled. He looked uneasily at Huang Xu, who was staring at him.
However, seeing Zhang Shihao smiling at him without any intention of having Huang Xu step aside, Feng Fang did not dare to be too presumptuous.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Fang said:
"Reporting to the Marquis, it is like this: I see that His Majesty is grandly selecting Meiren to enter the palace, intending to greatly fill the Imperial Harem. Coincidentally, I have a daughter, sixteen years of age, who is indeed a beauty of exceptional charm, and she is still unmarried. I was wondering if I should let her try to enter the palace?"
"Hmm?"
As Feng Fang's words fell, Zhang Shihao, who was holding a wine goblet in the seat of honor, paused and stared blankly at Feng Fang.
What did he hear?
Feng Fang said he had a daughter of exceptional beauty and wanted to send her into the Imperial Palace?
Beside him, Huang Xu, hearing this, immediately looked at Feng Fang with disgust.
This fellow actually wanted to use his own daughter to secure his future.
It must be said that Huang Xu's favorability towards Feng Fang instantly plummeted.
Zhang Shihao naturally knew that Feng Fang was a very ambitious person, but hearing Feng Fang suddenly say he wanted to send his daughter into the palace, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
However, Zhang Shihao did not show it, and said with a faint smile:
"Oh, I didn't realize Commandant Feng had such a beautiful daughter. However, if Commandant Feng wishes to send his daughter into the palace, shouldn't he go to the supervising Officials? Why come to This Marquis?"
Feng Fang did not perceive Zhang Shihao's inner displeasure. A fawning smile appeared on his face as he said:
"Marquis, it is like this: there are many factions in the Imperial Harem, but Fang is the Marquis's man, so naturally, I must align with the Marquis. Fang hopes that the Marquis could condescend to accept my daughter as his younger sister, so she would have someone to look after her in the palace. Of course, Fang guarantees that my daughter is a beauty of exceptional charm, gentle in nature, and will only gain His Majesty's favor, never causing trouble for the Marquis."
Feng Fang's face was full of respectful, fawning, and expectant smiles. His words reached Zhang Shihao's ears, making Zhang Shihao even more displeased.
He finally understood.
This Feng Fang had no small ambitions.
If his daughter was truly as exceptionally charming as Feng Fang claimed, then the other party asking Zhang Shihao to accept his daughter as a younger sister still carried the suspicion of using and exploiting him.
The Imperial Harem factions were indeed complex.
Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the Ten Attendants, Empress He Lian, and Zhang Shihao himself.
Feng Fang was clearly worried that his daughter would become cannon fodder if she entered the palace, so he was asking Zhang Shihao to provide protection.
However, he seemingly couldn't refuse. After all, Feng Fang was his subordinate. If Feng Fang's daughter entered the palace, she would naturally be affiliated with Zhang Shihao.
"Alright, This Marquis will accept this younger sister. Later, you bring her over first, and I will meet her."
Despite his dislike for Feng Fang's character, Zhang Shihao still decided to nominally accept this younger sister. After all, Feng Fang was currently a Garrison Commander, and historically, he became one of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden under Liu Hong. As long as it wasn't too excessive, it was better to win him over if possible.
"Thank you, Marquis! Fang will now return and bring Xin'er to the Marquis for a look. She will surely not disappoint the Marquis."
Hearing Zhang Shihao agree to accept his daughter as a younger sister, Feng Fang was overjoyed. However, he seemed to sense Zhang Shihao's lack of enthusiasm for his daughter and quickly assured Zhang Shihao.
"Oh, Commandant Feng is so confident. This Marquis is quite looking forward to it."
Zhang Shihao said with a forced smile.
As for Feng Fang's talk of exceptional beauty, Zhang Shihao completely ignored it.
Where in the world were there so many exceptionally beautiful women?
Did this Feng Fang even know what "exceptionally beautiful" meant?
Most likely, she was merely quite attractive, and there were many women of that caliber in the Imperial Palace.