With Zhao Hu's help, the Ministry of Revenue quickly gathered enough grain and fodder. Most of it was raised in Yu State; Zhao Hu contacted the grain merchants and landlords there, and with him as guarantor, they were all willing to supply grain to the yamen on credit.
Indeed, even though Zhao Hanzhang enjoyed an excellent reputation among the common people and had good personal credit, in the eyes of merchants and landlords the court's credibility was still not high—at least not high enough for them to bring out their hoarded grain.
But Zhao Hu could.
This man, Zhao Hu, did business ruthlessly, loved pleasure and bragging, yet merchants and landlords who had dealt with him all believed in his good faith. Most importantly, if he defaulted, they had ways and the ability to carve up his assets and take compensation; but as for Zhao Hanzhang…
If Zhao Hanzhang failed to repay, there was absolutely nothing they could do to her.
