Chapter 289 - 283: Seeing Off
It’s chaotic outside, truly chaotic.
The County Inspector has been killed, the county government is besieged, and the oppressed people outside the city, provoked by some individuals, have stormed into the county city.
Among them were those incited by Chen Wan and opportunists who took advantage of the situation to cause an uprising, rushing into the county city and looting everywhere.
Whenever they saw a household that seemed wealthy, they would attack and rob them.
But the wealthy weren’t defenseless; they fortified their walls and gates, trying every means to resist.
Zhao Erlang led the troops to quell the unrest. Upon seeing anyone attacking a house, he ordered them to stop and put down their weapons, and if they didn’t comply, he would strike.
Fu Tinghan, at his side, helped him assess the situation. Some were genuinely starving and desperate for food, while others were looting belongings out of malice.
Fu Tinghan could distinguish the difference and, most importantly, quickly gathered the situation in Yu Yang County in his mind.
A scout reported, "There are three homes besieged on East Fourth Street. One has already been breached, and the situation is dire. There are about a hundred or so rioters on that street."
Another person reported, "There are two homes being attacked on West Second Street, and the leading rioters don’t seem to be from Chen Wan’s party. They are preparing to set fires."
...
Fu Tinghan arranged based on priorities, "We should first go to East Third Street, subdue those dozens of people, then turn to East Fourth Street, where the breached home is..."
Zhao Erlang followed his lead and immediately headed to East Third Street with his men.
After they subdued the two streets, Qiu Wu arrived with Chen Wan.
With Chen Wan present, they subdued the rioters setting fires and looting more smoothly, though some refused to heed Chen Wan’s command.
After all, although he was the initial instigator, not everyone acknowledged him as their leader.
Therefore, punishment must still be carried out, and executions must still occur.
During chaotic times, ruthless measures were needed, and Fu Tinghan could only order Zhao Erlang to take action.
Zhao Erlang, now very brave, found killing not difficult, especially since it was in battle. Uncle Qianli and Sister had said that on the battlefield, the distinction between friend and foe, weighing the pros and cons, must be done without mercy.
Even if it’s a friend, relative, or child, as long as they pick up a weapon, they are an enemy. As long as there’s a threat, the sword must fall without hesitation.
Zhao Erlang was an obedient child. He always remembered these words, so he charged into the tattered, unyielding rioters without hesitation.
As a result, in the county city, those who followed orders to retreat outside the city, those panicked and fleeing upon hearing the imperial army’s arrival, those fleeing from Zhao Erlang’s killings, and those confused and running around aimlessly intertwined...
In the dark night, the entire Yu Yang County was in chaos as if the Xiongnu army had breached the city.
Ji Yuan, escorting County Magistrate Sun out, witnessed this scene.
Even out of his official robes, County Magistrate Sun was still terrified, fearing someone might recognize him.
But Zhao Hanzhang had already arranged a path for them. Ji Yuan packed them into a carriage and rushed out of the city.
They successfully left the city, with a group of rioters chasing behind them...
In fact, they weren’t chasing County Magistrate Sun; they were merely the rioters following Chen Wan’s order to leave the city.
Ji Yuan escorted them to the road junction, leaving only two people, assigning the rest to County Magistrate Sun, "County Magistrate Sun, they will escort you to Chen County. I still need to return to the city to assist our County Lord."
County Magistrate Sun was deeply moved, grasping Ji Yuan’s hand, "Thank Lady Zhao for me. Please ask her to take care of herself. I will go to Chen County to request reinforcements from the Inspector and will arrive soon."
Ji Yuan nodded repeatedly, clutching his hand, "Don’t worry, County Magistrate Sun. Our County Lord will surely protect your family."
County Magistrate Sun now entirely relieved, left quickly after shedding tears.
Ji Yuan nodded at the leading soldier and said, "Ensure his safe passage to Chen County."
The soldier solemnly replied, "Yes."
Ji Yuan watched them leave, disappearing into the night, before returning to the county city with the remaining two people.
Yu Yang County was now brightly lit. As soon as County Magistrate Sun left, Zhao Hanzhang led people to knock on the county government’s gate. The people inside tried to verify her identity, so she had people kick open the door and stationed troops in the county government.
General Ding arrived at the county government’s gate, just in time to meet her leading people in.
Seeing neither bloodstains nor the chilling aura of battle on them, he was astonished, "Lady Zhao, where are those rioters?"
"Outside, they have surrendered," Zhao Hanzhang strode past him and went to the main hall.
She sat heavily in the County Magistrate’s seat and asked, "Are the County Magistrate, Chief Clerk, and other officials in Yu Yang County present in the county government?"
General Ding, still bewildered, answered instinctively, "No, they weren’t here when the county government was besieged, so..."
"Have people bring them here," Zhao Hanzhang said, "The people need to be appeased."
General Ding: "N-now, go out?"
"Yes," Zhao Hanzhang lifted her eyes to look at him, "If you’re afraid, I can have my people escort you."
Other places weren’t settled yet, but outside the county government gate, the main street’s rioters were calm, quietly watching the spectacle.
Xiping County soldiers wanted to lead them outside the city, but they dilly-dallied, unwilling to leave.
There were many of them, and Zhao Hanzhang had said not to force them too much. So when the soldiers couldn’t urge them, they stopped trying but remained vigilant to prevent another uprising.
A few heads peeked out from the county government gate, all clerks from Yu Yang County. Cautiously, under the soldiers’ protection, they came out. Seeing the seated rioters staring at them with wide eyes, they swallowed hard, tightly following the soldiers as if chased by ghosts.
Zhao Hanzhang, already in the county government, gave further orders, "Except for the County Magistrate and Chief Clerk, all clerks must be in position. Summon the village chiefs, warn the city inhabitants to shut their doors tightly, and anyone looking to demand justice from the Inspector and County Magistrate Sun should come to the county government, and I will give them an explanation."
General Ding hesitated and didn’t move, so Zhao Hanzhang said, "Your soldiers are most familiar with the streets of Yu Yang County. Assign two people from each group to join mine. If the office has drums and gongs, use them. If not, find wooden basins and clappers to replace them. I don’t have to teach you this, do I?"
General Ding immediately shook his head, then suddenly realized something, "But County Magistrate Sun just left the city. If the rioters in the city have been subdued, why not send someone to bring him back?"
Zhao Hanzhang: "The chaos in the city could only be settled because County Magistrate Sun left. If he comes back, the newly stabilized rioters will be in uproar again."
"We are the imperial army officials; how can we be coerced by rioters?"
Zhao Hanzhang said calmly, "Then you go out and explain to the rioters outside?"
General Ding stayed silent.