After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 164 - 158 Allied Forces

Chapter 164: Chapter 158 Allied Forces

Zhao Hanzhang pointed to a patch of forest ahead, stating that it would serve as a cover, and behind it was a small hill that could act as a barrier.

Lu Xiyuan was about to comment that setting up camp in the forest was inconvenient and risky if set on fire, but Zhao Hanzhang interjected, "We don’t know when the attack will begin, so we need to camp for a while. Have people cut down some trees to build tents. The weather’s getting colder; we shouldn’t freeze at night."

Zhao Ju acknowledged.

Seeing that he understood, Zhao Hanzhang then took Ji Yuan and two envoys to the main tent with Lu Xiyuan.

This was an open area, with tents built along the mountain. When Zhao Hanzhang and the others arrived, soldiers were idly lying or sitting on the ground. They lazily glanced up at the newcomers and then resumed their chatter.

The patrolling soldiers merely glanced at them, seeing Lu Xiyuan, and let them enter the camp.

Lu Xiyuan led them directly to the central tent, halted his horse, and smilingly invited them in, lifting the tent flap, "Lord, the reinforcements from the Xiping Zhao Family have arrived."

Everyone engaged in conversation inside the tent turned their heads to look.

Zhao Hanzhang unfastened the sword from her waist, holding it in her hand, and strode in, her eyes meeting the gaze of everyone. She lightly scanned the room, looking at the person seated at the main seat.

This was a rather large tent, with a low table and seats arranged at the head. Sitting behind the low table was a middle-aged man, with a kind face and small whiskers, exuding a refined aura. Hearing Lu Xiyuan’s report, he lifted his head to look over.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he hesitated slightly, "Which gentleman from the Zhao Family might this be, or perhaps..."

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, stepping forward with a fist salute, "Uncle, I am Zhao Hanzhang, from the main branch of the Zhao Family, the third in line."

The main branch of the Zhao Family—wasn’t that Zhao Changyu’s line?

Didn’t they have only one grandson?

Isn’t he the second, so the third one is...

Governor Zhang silently observed Zhao Hanzhang for a moment, then suddenly smiled and stood, "Is it Third Lady?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "Indeed, Third Lady greets Uncle."

"No need for formalities," Governor Zhang motioned her to sit down. While Xiping County didn’t have a high status, the Zhao Family did, so considering her origins, her seat was arranged just below Governor Zhang’s. No one expected her to be a woman.

But Zhao Hanzhang was neither reserved nor declined, bringing Ji Yuan forward to sit.

Once the two were seated cross-legged, Governor Zhang gently asked, "Why is it Third Lady leading the troops here? Where is your Uncle Ming?"

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Xiping County has just faced a calamity, and Uncle is unable to leave for the time being, so only I could come."

Is there no other male in the Zhao Family aside from Zhao Ming that they had to send a woman to lead troops?

Someone immediately expressed dissatisfaction, huffing, "Such an important matter, and the Zhao Family sends a woman?"

Zhao Hanzhang cast him a disdainful glance but did not reply, instead turning to ask Governor Zhang, "Uncle, when will we attack? Have we connected with Yu Yang inside?"

Governor Zhang didn’t expect her to be so direct, immediately asking such crucial questions. He hurried to reassure her, "Cannot rush into wars; haste makes mistakes, especially with the Xiongnu Army being so fierce; we should proceed cautiously."

It sounded very reasonable.

Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Please understand, uncle, I am not impatient; we just cannot linger outside too long."

"Why?"

Zhao Hanzhang looked worried, "I fear you might not know, but Xiping has just suffered a great disaster, and most of the summer harvest was looted. So we brought only limited provisions; hence, I wish for a swift battle to bring them back sooner."

Governor Zhang: ...He never expected the first person to ask him for provisions would be Zhao Hanzhang who just arrived.

At Zhao Hanzhang’s words, the others exchanged glances and immediately lamented, "Lord, we too, in haste, brought limited supplies when coming for rescue... "

"We are the same."

Governor Zhang looked at the two envoys standing bowed, saying impatiently, "Rest assured, once the Xiongnu Army is repelled, entering the city, the Inspector will not mistreat us."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Then when do we fight?"

Governor Zhang answered, "This cannot be decided in haste; we’ll wait for news from Yu Yang."

Zhao Hanzhang obediently complied, indicating she would follow Governor Zhang’s lead.

Governor Zhang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a moment, and said, "All the reinforcements should have arrived; tonight I’ll host a banquet so everyone can meet, get acquainted, and discuss strategies against the enemy."

Everyone rose and agreed, expressing no objections.

Governor Zhang then asked Zhao Hanzhang, "How many troops did Third Lady bring?"

Zhao Hanzhang stated, "Only three thousand."

Governor Zhang was slightly surprised; three thousand was not a small number and could rank within the top five among the reinforcement troops.

He couldn’t believe that a small Xiping County could provide so many people. Didn’t see anyone from the larger Shangcai County?

So did these people come from the Zhao Family?

It seems Zhao Changyu’s death did not ruin the Zhao Family’s relations with Prince East Sea; they are still willing to heed his command.

Governor Zhang understood and smilingly asked them to rest first while he prepared the evening banquet and met with the two envoys from Yu Yang, figuring out how to reach Yu Yang.

Zhao Hanzhang left with a frosty expression, leaving Ji Yuan behind.

Ji Yuan rose, resting on his legs, and with a smile, bid farewell. Someone stopped him, hesitantly asking, "You were referred to as Mr. Ji by Zhao Hanzhang. Are you Mr. Ji from Zhao Zhongshu’s side?"

Ji Yuan smiled, "Indeed, I am Ji, surprised someone here knows of me."

"You truly are, Mr. Ji, a long-heard reputation," the other asked in surprise, "How come Mr. Ji is following a woman?"

The conversation box opened, didn’t it?

Zhao Hanzhang left Ji Yuan to inquire about news, meanwhile, she and two others wandered around the camp, ending up near the provisions, checking on her horses, and peeking at those in the adjacent stable.

It was evident that the allied army wasn’t very wealthy; such a number of people with such meager provisions, and few horses, everybody seemed equally impoverished indeed.

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head and walked towards the idly lying soldiers with her guards.

She was still quite young. Wearing armor made it hard to tell her gender. If she stayed silent, no one realized she was female.

So she soon sat with the soldiers, taking out roasted peas from her pouch, sharing some with them, and chatting away.

Seeing food, the soldiers warmly gathered around, happy even if they received only a dozen peas.

A person fed tends to hold their tongue, so they decided to like her, answering all her questions that didn’t involve military secrets.

"You’ve been here three days; no battles fought?"