After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times
Chapter 173 - 168: Wooing

Chapter 173: Chapter 168: Wooing

Like Zhao Hanzhang, Zhao Changyu, Inspector He pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Governor Zhang sitting on the right, and smiled slightly, asking, "Judging by your martial skills today, did you reclaim Xiping County from the chaotic army?"

Zhao Hanzhang, not modest this time, nodded in agreement, "Yes."

Inspector He then laughed, "You truly have the demeanor of your ancestor, worthy of being a child taught by Zhao Zhongshu."

Zhao Hanzhang slightly bowed, accepting his praise.

This Zhao Hanzhang was very different from the one they met yesterday, and everyone fell silent.

Governor Zhang felt this deeply, at this moment, his face felt hot, just thinking that Zhao Hanzhang might be mocking him in her heart.

After all, from yesterday to today he had looked down on her, ignored her suggestions, yet she accepted them all with a smile.

At that moment, including this moment, was she mocking him in her heart?

Governor Zhang tightened his grip on the wine cup in his hand, his face looking a bit unpleasant.

Inspector He saw it and felt a bit more at ease.

Though he wasn’t too thrilled about using Zhao Changyu’s granddaughter, making Governor Zhang unhappy gave him some comfort.

Moreover, in the long run, the stability of Xiping was more important to him. Since the Zhao Family appointed Zhao Hanzhang for this task and even brought three thousand troops as reinforcement, it showed they supported Zhao Hanzhang.

Appointing another county magistrate there would only lead to unrest in Xiping, which isn’t good for Ru Nan County or Yu State.

Inspector He weighed the situation, thinking ahead for the next few years in Yu State, but these thoughts only flashed by in an instant, he didn’t pause for long.

Inspector He changed his attitude, treating Zhao Hanzhang as a subordinate, advising, "Xiping is close to Shangcai and Yu Yang, serving as the most important passage for the northwest to move southward. This time, it was Yu State’s lack of preparedness that allowed the Xiongnu chaotic army to wander from Yingchuan to Ru Nan. After driving away the Xiongnu Army, the roads from Luoyang to Ru Nan need to be strictly guarded. Your position in Xiping is extremely important."

Zhao Hanzhang immediately replied, "Yes, Hanzhang will ensure the safety of Xiping and prevent the chaotic army from crossing southward from Xiping."

At this point, Zhao Hanzhang’s matter of being the "County Magistrate" of Xiping County was considered resolved.

Requesting an official seal from the imperial court and formally issuing a public document was impossible, but with the Yu State Governor recognizing Zhao Hanzhang and not finding another county magistrate for Xiping, she was virtually no different from a real magistrate.

The imperial court, the court would not bother with a small Xiping County anyway.

They already had enough pressing matters to handle.

Actually, Inspector He didn’t place much importance on Xiping County; he valued the Zhao family in Xiping more, and also, under his jurisdiction, having stability in even one county was beneficial.

His position as inspector wasn’t all that secure.

He and Governor Zhang had been rivals before; both were governors, and when the court chose the Yu State Governor, they mainly considered the two of them.

Inspector He ultimately prevailed because he sent a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and military equipment to Prince East Sea and his associates.

This time, besieged in Yu Yang, he had long sent out orders for reinforcements, but the various counties never came to his aid.

Xiping County could be excused, as it had been breached, but what about the other counties?

One must know that the battlefield changes rapidly; he had sent an urgent request for aid, theoretically, upon receiving the order, they should have organized their forces overnight and rushed to help.

Yet over half a month passed before they gradually arrived at Yu Yang, and upon arrival, they did not engage the enemy but camped outside, staying for three days as if they were there for rescue?

Inspector He had been holding a grudge in his heart but knew he couldn’t lose his temper at the moment; without absolute strength, he could only seek stability.

Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao Family became his first choice for stability.

Having witnessed her bravery on the battlefield, Inspector He had confidence in her and even more in the Zhao Family, as there were few families in Yu State who could compare to the Zhao family.

Hence, Inspector He showed her a lot of favor; not only did he give her two dishes specially but after the meeting, he even left her behind to talk, like a leader having a candid conversation with a trusted subordinate.

Zhao Hanzhang was more than happy to stay behind.

Inspector He only briefly mentioned Zhao Changyu and then focused on his relationship with Zhao Song.

He didn’t like Zhao Changyu much, always suffering losses in their encounters, preferring the chivalrous yet gentle Zhao Song.

The interests of the Zhao family and him were mostly led by Zhao Song, such as iron.

Inspector He brought up a recent order Zhao Song had placed with his steward, asking, "Is it for military equipment?"

Zhao Hanzhang, of course, couldn’t say yes, and instead slightly bowed, "It’s for making farming tools."

Inspector He raised his eyebrows, looking skeptical.

Zhao Hanzhang explained, "You may not know, Sir, that the past two years have been tough for Ru Nan County. Many tenant farmers and long-term workers have fled, taking their farming tools with them when they left."

"Upon returning home this time, I found many fields in my family lying fallow, which was heartbreaking, so I intend to have someone cultivate these lands." To farm, tools are needed, Zhao Hanzhang said, "There is a severe shortage of farming tools in the manor, and the ironware in the county’s blacksmith shops is extremely expensive. Buying them would undoubtedly strain our funds, so Hanzhang seeks help from my Fifth Uncle to buy some ironware."

Regardless of whether Inspector He believed it or not, he accepted this reasoning. In these chaotic times, he could understand the local gentry hoarding ironware and recruiting manpower for defense, but there must be a limit to everything.

Inspector He kept Zhao Hanzhang to discuss this limit.

"How do you plan to handle the three thousand soldiers recruited by Xiping County this time?"

Zhao Hanzhang knew the main discussion was here. She straightened her back, respectfully answering, "After the fall of Xiping, the casualties were severe. I plan to distribute some official fields to them once I return to Xiping to settle them there, otherwise, our Xiping County will become too desolate."

Inspector He nodded slightly, stroking his beard, "Settling the people onto the land is a good approach. Later, submit Xiping’s roster to me, and I’ll assess the damages."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed, taking the opportunity to bring up the issue of waiving the autumn tax.

Inspector He pondered for a moment, and to win over Zhao Hanzhang, he nodded in agreement, "Very well, Xiping has just suffered a great disaster, so this year’s autumn tax will be waived."

Zhao Hanzhang looked visibly relieved, joyfully expressing gratitude, "Hanzhang thanks the Excellency on behalf of the people of Xiping."

Inspector He, seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s still youthful appearance, also smiled slightly; she was a clever child but, after all, could not yet match Zhao Ming’s cunning, at most a little fox.

His mood improved slightly, and he said to Zhao Hanzhang, "Upon returning, greet your Fifth Uncle for me, and if he has time, tell him to visit Shouchun. I would surely welcome him."

The state capital of Yu State was in Shouchun, and it was quite pitiful that after he received the court’s appointment letter, he was blocked at Yu Yang and hadn’t had the chance to even assume office in Shouchun.

If he were truly to perish in battle at Yu Yang this time, the next inspector would most likely be Governor Zhang.

No wonder he would seek her favor; Zhao Hanzhang agreed with a smile, promising she would certainly convey the message.