After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

"Zhao Family..." Inspector He paused for a moment and then said, "They are the largest aristocratic family in Yu State. Now that they are interested in Ru Nan County, do you think they can just be brushed aside easily?"

"You’ve seen Zhao Hanzhang’s letter, without my orders, she directly dispatched troops to Yu Yang, deceived County Magistrate Sun, and took control of Yu Yang County affairs, even the taxes due to the Inspector Mansion are withheld at her whim," Inspector He frowned tightly, "Zhao Ming is here with me, evidently waiting to break off with me. Once that happens, Xiping, Shangcai and Yu Yang will all be in chaos. Presently, I’m tied up by the battles with Prince East Sea and Gou Xi; if they cause chaos, I will be besieged both front and back."

The aide couldn’t help but say, "Zhao Hanzhang is ungrateful, the Magistrate has been a benefactor to her."

Inspector He shook his head, "I’m afraid it’s not her intention, but the Zhao Family instructed her to do so."

The aide was startled, "What is the Zhao Family trying to do? Rebel?"

"Not likely to rebel, Zhao Zhongyu is still in Luoyang," Inspector He said, "It’s merely for their clan’s safety..."

The aide recalled last year when Zhao’s Fortress was surrounded by chaos troops, almost leading to clan annihilation, and he immediately fell silent.

"Will the Zhao Family promise to gather military provisions for the Magistrate?" At this point, he no longer mentioned Zhao Hanzhang, clearly recognizing this as the Zhao Family’s act, with Zhao Hanzhang merely a figurehead.

Inspector He said, "Since Zhao Ming has agreed, he won’t break his word, and exchanging military provisions for Ru Nan County is not a loss for the Zhao Family."

Inspector He spoke with a sardonic smile, "However, in such a chaotic world, whether the Zhao Family can actually seize control of Ru Nan County is yet to be seen, after all, they put forth a lady."

The other County Magistrates might not recognize Zhao Hanzhang.

The aide also found it strange that, among the many young men in the clan, why did they push a lady to the forefront?

Zhao Ming didn’t think as much as they did. Although he agreed with Inspector He, he didn’t plan to use the Zhao Family’s resources to help Zhao Hanzhang, so the military provisions still had to be gathered by Zhao Hanzhang herself.

Thus, he directly brought Zhao Kuan to Yu Yang to deliver this "good news" to her.

As soon as they met, he said, "Congratulations, Inspector He wants to appoint you as Ru Nan County Governor."

Zhao Hanzhang’s first words were, "Does he have the authority to do that?"

Zhao Ming stared at her.

Zhao Hanzhang changed her questioning approach, "Alright, Uncle Ming, may I know the conditions for Inspector He’s actions?"

"He wants you to gather military provisions for him." Zhao Ming handed the list to her.

Zhao Hanzhang took it, looking at a number higher than the taxes of Yu Yang.

Her eyes shifted, and she asked, "Does this number already include the taxes submitted by all counties in Ru Nan County this year?"

"Don’t even think about it. This year, all counties’ submitted taxes, except for Yu Yang County, have already been transported to Chen County. Didn’t your Xiping County’s taxes get transported out?" Zhao Ming said, "So of course, it’s not included."

Zhao Hanzhang looked at the number on the list again and again, "Is he planning to make me force Ru Nan County into rebellion, or make the people of Ru Nan County hate me to death?"

Zhao Ming said, "I’ve already agreed on your behalf."

With a cheeky smile, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Thank you, Uncle Ming. From today onwards, everything I do in Ru Nan County will be legitimate."

Zhao Ming ignored her sweet words and directly asked, "How do you plan to gather the military provisions?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "Has he set a time limit?"

Zhao Ming slightly raised the corners of his mouth, "No."

Zhao Hanzhang then smiled and said, "Then we’ll take our time, no rush. As for provisions, besides planting and collecting, you buy them with money, and it just so happens, I’m not short of money."

That’s what Zhao Ming thought too, hence he dared to agree without delay.

However, such a large amount of provisions can’t be bought all at once; Zhao Ming didn’t plan to participate much, indicating Zhao Kuan: "I’ve also brought your new County Magistrate, you guys work together."

Zhao Hanzhang saw him turn and leave, hurriedly caught up, "Uncle Ming, you’ve come all the way, why not stay at the county government with us to get closer as a family?"

"You better think about how to buy provisions. I won’t disturb you," Zhao Ming firmly refused to participate.

Zhao Hanzhang felt he had been running around exhausted for several days and indeed should rest, so she quickly had someone attend to Zhao Ming for rest without insisting he stay.

Then the question arose, who to find for such a big issue?

Of course, discuss with everyone and gather collective wisdom.

Thus, Zhao Kuan, who had just arrived at Yu Yang County, stood in the county government hall with the clan brothers to discuss matters.

Zhao Hanzhang sat in the main seat and asked, "Do any of you have a good idea?"

Zhao Kuan, new to the position, so even though he was nominally Yu Yang County Magistrate, he kept his head down quietly without expressing an opinion.

Zhao Hui and other clan youths hadn’t yet reacted, and still somewhat dazed at the time, unconsciously turned to ask Zhao Kuan, "What does this mean? Inspector He wants to give Ru Nan County to our Zhao Family?"

Zhao Kuan corrected his statement, "Not to our Zhao Family, but to Third Lady!"

So the military provisions had to be gathered by Third Lady; didn’t you see even Uncle Ming turned away from this matter?

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t mind them, letting them discuss, her gaze primarily rested on Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was straightforward and blunt, "Give him provisions, first ship a batch to Chen County, let him immediately grant the lady the County Governor position. With this official position, the lady can effectively gather military provisions."

Zhao Ju asked, "How to gather? Surely we can’t rely on more taxes from the people? A batch of provisions this large, if distributed, would surely cause more rebellion than just Yu Yang."

Ji Yuan glanced at him, "Just buy it, ordinary people may lack provisions, but there are always people who have enough, first aim to secure the County Governor position."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "We can’t give too much at once, the County Governor position must first be secured."

Fu Tinghan asked, "What if he finds another Prefectural Governor for Ru Nan County?"

Ji Yuan frowned, acknowledging this possibility.

Zhao Hanzhang, however, smiled, "That will depend on whether the Prefectural Governor can wrestle away control from me."

Ji Yuan then relaxed his brow, "The lady is right, as long as Qianli is well-trained, having sufficient troops means no fear."

"Then how about procuring these provisions..?"

Ji Yuan immediately took charge, "I’ll handle the purchase."

After a pause, he added, "We have enough money for now, but spending like this might make the future difficult."

Fu Tinghan said, "The income from the paper mill is gradually increasing, and the bookshop’s proceeds are also starting to show effect; there’s no need to worry about money."

Zhao Hanzhang happily slapped her thigh, "Then what are we afraid of?"

Zhao Kuan and other Zhao Family youths: ...

Feeling anxious. Uncle, where are you?

Zhao Ming was hosting guests; as soon as he arrived, wealthy gentry of Yu Yang County immediately came to visit, all with one purpose: to find out what exactly the Zhao Family wants to do, whether Zhao Hanzhang’s actions are her own intention or the Zhao Family’s.

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Of course, Zhao Ming couldn’t drag the entire Zhao Family down, so he straightforwardly informed them that this was Zhao Hanzhang’s personal intention and had nothing to do with the Zhao Family.

Mr. Guan and others: Pfft, if this was truly Zhao Hanzhang’s sole intention, why is the new County Magistrate from the Zhao Family, why did Zhao Ming personally come to Yu Yang, and why are there so many Zhao Family members in the county government now?

They increasingly believed this was the Zhao Family’s scheme.