Chapter 418 - 412 Farewell Meeting
Although it was decided to leave the next day, Zhao Hanzhang first met the officials and generals of the Inspector Mansion, including Xun Xiu.
Everyone gathered to hold a meeting about the future development of Yu State, where Zhao Hanzhang gave important instructions.
She said to Xun Xiu and the other generals: "In battles against the Xiongnu, cavalry is especially crucial, so each army must establish its own cavalry and do everything possible to purchase enough warhorses for training."
She continued: "Infantry training must not be neglected, especially military formations. If our cavalry cannot match the Xiongnu, then we must use formations to block and kill. Although we are not at war right now, you must not be lax."
Someone said: "When it comes to infantry versus cavalry, Beigong Chun has proven himself time and time again against the Xiongnu and the Xianbei alike."
Xun Xiu, who had always harbored some jealousy towards Beigong Chun, said, "What use is there in one’s bravery? One must know how to lead troops. He can’t even return to Xiliang, let alone lead an army."
"Hm?" Zhao Hanzhang turned her head slightly, "Is there news regarding General Beigong? He hasn’t returned to Xiliang?"
Ji Yuan, who had been sitting silently, spoke: "We’ve received news that Governor of Liangzhou Zhang Gui seems to have fallen ill. Someone informed Prince Nanyang that Zhang Gui has been incapacitated, and the court intends to replace the Governor of Liangzhou. General Beigong was stopped by Jia Kan when he reached Qinzhou and wasn’t allowed to go further."
"With no other choice, he headed to Chang’an, intending to return to Liang Province from there, but Prince Nanyang kept him back. It’s said that Jia Kan is being dispatched as the new Governor of Liangzhou, and now General Beigong is being kept in Chang’an for a position." Ji Yuan said, "Beigong Chun is a close associate of Zhang Gui. No one knows what happened to Zhang Gui, but clearly Jia Kan is competing with him for the position of Governor of Liangzhou. Allowing him to return to Xiliang now would be very disadvantageous to Jia Kan."
Zhao Hanzhang sighed deeply, "General Beigong is not without talent in commanding, it’s just that his luck is unfavorable."
Xun Xiu: "Luck is also a skill for a general."
Zhao Hanzhang agreed with this, though she didn’t place Beigong Chun in this category; she merely sighed, looking somewhat disillusioned, then quietly turned to Ji Yuan and whispered, "Dispatch a caravan to Chang’an. Choose someone clever and articulate. If you can persuade General Beigong to return to Yu State, all the better; if not, maintain contact."
Ji Yuan knew she still had a persistent interest in Beigong Chun.
However, Beigong Chun was indeed worth such effort on their part; if Zhao Hanzhang could obtain Beigong Chun, Yu State would no longer fear the Xiongnu.
Therefore, Ji Yuan agreed immediately.
Zhao Hanzhang did not discuss Beigong Chun much in front of Xun Xiu and the other generals. After expressing her regret, she continued, "Elite troops should train daily, while the other soldiers should return to the fields. During times of agricultural work, they should participate in farming, and in their off-season, they should train."
Xun Xiu and the other generals exchanged a glance and asked, "Governor, if soldiers engage in farming, won’t they become lazy in battle later on?"
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Currently, nine out of ten soldiers in the army come from farming backgrounds, compelled to join the army out of necessity. Now that they can fight, how could they become worse after proper training?"
She said, "Food is the heaven of the people, and now, with the declining population in Yu State, there are possibly fewer civilians than soldiers. If soldiers don’t return to agriculture, one civilian might have to support two, or even three to four people. How can they manage to support them?"
Xun Xiu and the others stopped talking.
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I am preparing farming tools and seeds. Starting tomorrow, each army will plow and weed where they are stationed, in preparation for the spring sowing."
The generals looked at each other and all agreed in unison.
After that, there wasn’t much for Xun Xiu and the generals; it was all civil affairs.
Zhao Hanzhang met the officials of the former Inspector Mansion; she kept most of them, replacing only a few lazy, obviously ineffective bureaucrats.
Her political measures were numerous, requiring manpower several times that of before. The people she brought with her weren’t enough to fill the positions, so she even pulled some of He Ci Shi’s aides to assist.
"As the end-of-year festival approaches, issue an order—starting today until the end of next year, all caravans passing through Yu State, regardless of size, will be exempt from tolls, and within the five counties, trade tax will be sixty to one."
This wasn’t for discussion; it was directly communicated.
Everyone was astonished, even Ji Yuan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and said, "Governor, isn’t this tax rate too low? Currently, other regions are levying trade taxes at thirty to one, twenty-five to one, some even at twenty to one."
Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Then tell me, how much trade tax have they actually received?"
Ji Yuan fell silent.
Zhao Hanzhang told Xun Xiu and the others, "When merchants come to Yu State, we must guarantee their safety. Since you’re training soldiers anyway, go ahead and eliminate the bandits in Yu State."
She said, "They are all civilians who have turned to banditry out of desperation. Recruit them if possible; if not, then eradicate them humanely. Do not torture the bandits; I have other plans for them."
Xun Xiu, being outspoken, asked one more question, "Governor, what do you intend to do with them?"
Zhao Hanzhang glanced at him and said, "Mining!"
Oh, right, He Ci Shi had a large iron mine, which now belonged to Zhao Hanzhang!
Everyone’s gaze inevitably turned to He Heng, who was sitting at the far end, with He Ci Shi’s former aide Yu Sheng beside him.
Zhao Hanzhang, for reasons unknown, neither replaced He Heng nor drove away Yu Sheng after returning to Chen County; she kept them both and appointed them to a moderate position in the Inspector Mansion.
Xun Xiu and the others believed she was showing favor and trying to win over He Ci Shi’s faction, yet she herself didn’t remain in Chen County nor treated anyone differently, handling everything as official business, which seemed not to align.
Seeing everyone turn to look at He Heng, she simply looked as well and directly said, "I will be heading to Ru Nan County tomorrow; He Heng and Yu Sheng will accompany me."
He Heng made a respectful response, feeling a sense of relief for one burden, yet still troubled by another.
Yu Sheng also agreed.
The meeting extended from noon until evening, and when the generals and officials finally left, their expressions were numb from the overwhelming amount of information received today.
Their new governor is truly diligent, the most industrious they have encountered, with numerous new decrees issued.
What to do, they’ve already forgotten nearly half of them.
Just as they were thinking about this, Fan Ying came chasing after them from behind, stopping them. She stood on the steps and offered a slight bow, smiling, "I have organized today’s meeting content into a booklet. If the generals and officials need it, please send an aide to the Inspector Mansion to copy it."
Represented by Xun Xiu, the group breathed a sigh of relief, stating they would send someone shortly.
Zhao Hanzhang twisted her neck to take a rest, while Fan Ying and the others worked through the night, taking a nap and returning full of energy outside the Inspector Mansion the next day.
Zhao Kuan not only attended the half-day meeting yesterday but also handled some matters with Ji Yuan afterward; now his eyes are dazed.
Seeing Zhao Hanzhang saying her farewells to Mrs. Wang with an expression of reluctance, he couldn’t help but sigh.
Standing beside him, Fan Ying, very cheerful, turned her head to see him, unable to watch his half-dead appearance, said: "It’s just for half a month, isn’t it? The governor said we’ll be back soon."
"You’re not the one staying behind, so naturally you can be so relaxed."