Chapter 287 - 281 Recruitment
Zhao Hanzhang’s actions brought panic among the rebels, who held sticks and hoes, wanting to rush forward but not daring to.
Ji Yuan rode his horse, surrounding Zhao Hanzhang with Qiu Wu and others to prevent them from rioting.
Ji Yuan shouted loudly, "Rebelling is a capital crime against the entire family. Why don’t you quickly put down your weapons!"
"We’re going to die anyway. Dragging a few with us before dying is not a loss for us!"
"Exactly, we’re starving to death regardless. Getting beheaded is quicker."
"Pah, who says you are bound to die?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "I can testify for you. You killed out of righteous anger due to the oppression of the County Magistrate, not rebellion. The court is just, and I can guarantee your lives."
"Hahaha, the court is just," a man laughed as he emerged from behind the crowd. He was slender, with a sharp, lean face but a piercing gaze. Holding a cold gleaming blade, he fixed his eyes on Zhao Hanzhang and said, "If the court is just, then where did such heavy taxes come from? You officials clearly want to drive us to death. Brothers, don’t listen to his nonsense... huh?"
He looked Zhao Hanzhang up and down in surprise, his face turning dark, "Where does this girl pretending to be an official come from? Grab her for me!"
Only then did the crowd react, realizing that the person speaking in front of them seemed to be a woman in armor. Some grew bold and charged at Zhao Hanzhang.
Qiu Wu wanted to step forward to protect her, but Ji Yuan stopped him, allowing Zhao Hanzhang to handle it herself.
Zhao Hanzhang threw the person she was holding into the arms of those charging at her. Her spear swept like a dragon between their waists and legs, making them ache all over and unable to move.
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang’s skillful martial arts, the leader’s gaze narrowed, gripping his blade tightly ready to fight, but Ji Yuan intervened in time, saying, "Everyone, our lady is indeed an official. She is the County Magistrate of Xiping County, personally acknowledged by Inspector He."
The public was unaware that the County Magistrate of Xiping was female, but the informed ones, like the leader, knew.
He looked at Zhao Hanzhang with a mixture of suspicion and certainty, "Are you Zhao Third Lady of Xiping County?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded, sizing him up, and asked, "You must be Chen Wan?"
"I didn’t expect Lady Zhao to know me."
Zhao Hanzhang responded, "I’ve heard of your name."
She put the spear behind her and asked, "Can we talk now?"
Chen Wan sighed with his head up, "Lady Zhao is a good official, but our fate is unfortunate and we didn’t meet you sooner. Now it’s too late to talk."
"How can it be too late if we haven’t even tried to talk?"
"We killed the County Magistrate, besieged the county government, and robbed so many wealthy households. We’re beyond salvation; we might as well rebel and live a few more days."
"Indeed, living each day is a blessing. We will not lay down our weapons."
Chen Wan, turning the conversation, persuaded Zhao Hanzhang, "Lady Zhao is a good officer. We won’t trouble you. You may leave, and we won’t stop you."
Zhao Hanzhang smiled slightly and said, "What if I told you I have a way to protect you and even provide relief grain to help you through these hardships? Would you be willing to surrender and pledge allegiance?"
Chen Wan was silent, but the people behind him shouted, "Words of officials are not to be trusted."
Zhao Hanzhang kept her gaze fixed on Chen Wan.
Chen Wan remained unmoved, "Lady Zhao, you are merely the County Magistrate of Xiping. Can you manage Yu Yang County too? And we killed the County Magistrate, which is a major issue for Ru Nan County."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I swear upon my grandfather’s name."
Hearing this, Chen Wan was indeed somewhat moved.
He pondered, hesitating, especially with so many people behind him. His chest heaved, fists clenching tightly, "...We’ve besieged County Magistrate Sun for a day and night. I’m afraid he’s already bitterly against us..."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I will take care of it. In the future, the county magistrate of Yu Yang County won’t have the surname Sun."
Chen Wan’s eyes flickered, still hesitating, when a blood-soaked rebel ran over from a distance, crashing into Chen Wan’s arms and pointing to where he had come from, shouting, "Brother, a lot of soldiers arrived and captured our people..."
Chen Wan immediately looked at Zhao Hanzhang.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded at him with a smile and said, "That’s my brother, he lacks restraint. I ask Chen Yishi for forgiveness."
"So, Third Lady is not without the means to quell this rebellion," Zhao Hanzhang, who had been smiling and speaking kindly, suddenly turned serious with a sharp gaze sweeping the scene, "Last year I came to Yu Yang, killed a Liu Wu, and severely injured a Liu Jing. After more than half a year, my forces from Xiping have only grown stronger. Do you think you’re more formidable than the Xiongnu Army by three points?"
The crowd trembled, taking two steps back.
Chen Wan saw the people’s fear and knew that once a party shows dread in battle, they’ve already lost. They’ve come this far today; even without surrender, fighting would not bring victory.
Seeing Chen Wan’s wavering, Zhao Hanzhang declared loudly, "And the reason I haven’t acted and instead chose to persuade surrender is not due to pity for my soldiers, but for your sake!"
"I understand the taxes imposed by the court this year are overwhelming, but this wasn’t their intention. It was all due to the County Magistrate’s deception," Zhao Hanzhang stated, "The court is unaware of the minor disasters that have afflicted our Ru Nan County over the past two years, leading to displaced people and a sharp population decline. Hence, the taxes were levied based on the population figures from previous years."
"Taxes once shared by ten people now fall on two, which is why the burden is unbearable for you all. This is the County Magistrate’s fault, so I understand your righteous indignation and do not wish to meet sword with sword."
Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply, "Now that the real culprit is dead, I am willing to vouch for you and report to the court to reassess this year’s taxation."
"I can swear, if I can’t clear your names, I will relocate you all to Xiping County under the Zhao Family’s protection, how about that?"
The Zhao Family is the most prestigious and renowned family in Ru Nan County, their name arguably more effective than Zhao Hanzhang’s.
In many places, it’s common for people to recognize the authority of powerful families over the emperor.
Though not from Ru Nan County, Chen Wan knew of the Zhao Family’s reputation. He glanced at the eager crowd behind him and finally nodded.
Zhao Hanzhang arched her lips in a slight smile, extending her hand, "Then please, put down your weapons first."
Chen Wan thought for a moment and threw his blade forward. Once he laid down his weapon, the others followed suit eagerly.
Zhao Hanzhang breathed a sigh of relief, striding forward to grab Chen Wan’s hand and laughing heartily, "Good, Chen Yishi truly deserves his title. Please accompany my guards to have the righteous men in the city lay down their arms and follow our people out of the city. What do you say?"
Chen Wan squinted, "Leave the city?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied with meaning, "Yes, leave the city, so I can send County Magistrate Sun away, can’t I?"