After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 279: Going to Chen County

Zhao Hanzhang had someone take the minor official to rest, then looked at Ji Yuan and Fu Tinghan sitting beside her, mainly at Ji Yuan. "Mr. Ji, did you specifically come to speak with me?"

Ji Yuan glanced at Fu Tinghan, who sat as still as a mountain, then said, "Lady, Yu Yang County is in danger; now not only the Governor but even the Assistant Governor are gone. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for you."

Zhao Hanzhang pondered, "I don’t take much stock in County Magistrate Sun."

"There’s no need to; you can drive him away or have someone escort him to safety—there are many ways," Ji Yuan said meaningfully, "You sent Zhao Kuan and the others to Shangcai County to learn administrative affairs for half a year now, all for today, isn’t it?"

Zhao Hanzhang tapped her fingers lightly and said, "At dawn, I’ll lead the troops to set out. Please, Mr. Ji, accompany me."

Ji Yuan readily agreed.

Fu Tinghan said, "I’ll go with you too."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "If we can’t negotiate, and it comes to fighting, you’ll need to oversee the rear."

Fu Tinghan smiled and readily agreed.

With some time left, Zhao Hanzhang went to the front county government and had people gather Chang Ning, Zhao Qianli, and the others.

Thinking for a moment, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Have Zhao Qianli bring Erlang too."

Zhao Erlang now spent most of his time living in the barracks. Originally, he enjoyed living with his sister, but recently Zhao Hanzhang mostly trained at the barracks. He figured he couldn’t surpass his sister in studies, but he couldn’t lag too much in combat, so he followed her to train.

Over time, to save time and have more time to learn martial arts, he stopped staying at the county government house and trained all day in the barracks.

After the new year, he proclaimed himself to be thirteen, but he had grown taller than many fifteen or sixteen-year-olds. Only his round face made his age seem appropriate.

He came out of his bedding with a confused look, followed Zhao Qianli back to the county government house, and upon seeing his sister sitting at the top, asked, "Sister, is there a need for urgent training in the barracks? Why aren’t my soldiers being called?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "We’ll call them in a while, but it’s not for urgent training. We’re going to war."

Zhao Erlang’s eyes lit up with eagerness, "Really? Can I be in the vanguard this time?"

Last time they went to Yu Yang, he went too, but no one dared to let him rush to the front, so he followed and did nothing significant, watching his sister charge ahead and kill the enemy general with envy.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "You still can’t be in the vanguard. This time, the vanguard is Uncle Qianli. How about you be a junior officer under him?"

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Zhao Erlang nodded vigorously, happy to be at the front line, as he wasn’t picky.

"Go assemble the troops, cook, and prepare the provisions before dawn," Zhao Hanzhang paused, then said, "Assemble three thousand soldiers, bring two hundred cavalry."

This was a considerable number; the soldiers on their roster were only a thousand.

Zhao Qianli responded, immediately going to assemble the troops.

Besides the soldiers in the county and suburban barracks, they also needed to gather troops from the nearest settlement points.

Three thousand was a large number. Relying solely on the troops in the city and suburbs wouldn’t suffice.

Gathering soldiers was Zhao Qianli’s task. After giving instructions, Zhao Hanzhang went to see Chang Ning, "Prepare the provisions."

Then she turned to Fu Tinghan, "Inspect the armaments."

Zhao Hanzhang returned to Wu Castle at dawn as the city gates opened, riding fast all the way back to Zhao Mansion, where Ting He dismounted to knock on the door.

For over half a year, she followed Zhao Hanzhang in and out, exercising along the way. This time, she insisted on serving by Zhao Hanzhang’s side during the military campaign.

With Lady getting busier by the day, she naturally needed her care when leading troops to battle.

It was just dawn, and the household began to stir. The doorkeeper, still sleepy, mumbled when he heard the knocking, wondering who would come so early.

He didn’t dare delay his actions, knowing in his heart that visitors this early likely meant urgent matters.

The doorkeeper opened the door and was startled to see Zhao Hanzhang standing there with a horse. He quickly stepped aside, "Third Lady, please come inside."

He paused and added, "But the lord and young master haven’t gotten up yet..."

Before he finished speaking, the steward hurried from the courtyard. Seeing Zhao Hanzhang, he jogged up and bowed, "Third Lady, the young master invites you to the rear courtyard for a talk."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed and went with the steward to the rear courtyard.

Zhao Ming’s control over the household was quite strict; not long after she knocked, he received the message in the rear courtyard.

Zhao Ming had just risen and was washing his face, not bothering to avoid his niece. He tossed down his washcloth, sitting at the dressing table while allowing a maid to comb his hair. "Speak, what’s happened?"

Zhao Hanzhang beamed, "Uncle, I’ve come to ask for your assistance."

Zhao Ming said, "What do I have left that you can use?"

"I’d like to ask for Brother Kuan."

"Hasn’t Zhao Kuan been with you already?" Zhao Ming said, "Didn’t you have him in Shangcai to manage affairs for you?"

"Shangcai is still too close to Xiping. He could return home on his days off; that doesn’t count as being away for long. This time, I need him to go elsewhere, and it will be a long-term post, so I need your approval."

Zhao Ming was taken aback, asking, "Has something happened in Yu Yang? Is it yours now?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "...Not yet, but almost. Uncle, will you allow it?"

Zhao Ming impatiently waved his hand, "Since I’ve placed him by your side, why ask? What’s happened in Yu Yang?"

"Oh, the people in Yu Yang can’t bear the burden. They’ve risen in revolt, storming the Governor Mansion and killing the Assistant Governor, and are now surrounding the county city."

Zhao Ming frowned, "You’re going to send troops?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "I’ve rallied the troops and will set out soon."

Zhao Ming understood she had come specifically to inform him.

He looked at her, asking, "What else do you want me to do?"

Zhao Hanzhang chuckled, "Uncle, taking Yu Yang isn’t hard. The challenge lies in how to hold it and properly claim it. This is crucial."

"You want to..."

Zhao Hanzhang bowed deeply to him, "Uncle, please take Brother Kuan on a trip to Chen County to obtain the Yu Yang County Magistrate’s official seal for him."

Zhao Ming gazed at her silently for a long while.

Zhao Hanzhang bent low and waited for a long time, but Zhao Ming didn’t respond. She secretly lifted her head to look at him, meeting his steady gaze.

She grinned broadly, ingratiatingly calling, "Uncle Ming..."

Zhao Ming broke from his reverie, waving, "I understand, you can go."

Zhao Hanzhang cautiously asked, "Then should I have Brother Kuan brought back?"

Zhao Ming nodded, agreeing to this matter.

Zhao Hanzhang left contentedly, not returning to the county government but heading instead to the Eleventh Ancestor’s house on another street.

She sought the Eleventh Ancestor for the unfinished maps, but the parts concerning Xiping, Shangcai, and the Yu Yang area were complete.