CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 104: SILLY (2000 EXTRA CHAPTERS FOR MONTHLY TICKETS)

"I, I was reading..." County Magistrate Chai couldn’t help but look at Chang Ning. How would he know which book he was reading?

Chang Ning said, "The County Lord was reading ’Letter to Yang Jun.’

County Magistrate Chai immediately nodded, "Yes, yes, that’s exactly the Chapter I was reading." He looked at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan showed no reaction.

Zhao Hanzhang then asked, "Does the County Lord have any new insights?"

"Ah?" County Magistrate Chai quickly replied, "No, I quite agree with Fu Zhongshu. We should all encourage each other."

Zhao Hanzhang turned her head to look at Chang Ning, "What do you think, Mr. Chang?"

Chang Ning withdrew his gaze from Fu Tinghan and began to focus on Zhao Hanzhang, "I also believe that Fu Zhongshu has foresight. Rewards and punishments should be clearly distinct, especially during the transition between two dynasties."

"It was so back then, and it should be the same now," he said. "Since the fall of Luoyang, the people around the capital area have been displaced, and many have come to Shangcai County. The County Lord is deeply concerned."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, indicating she was also worried.

Chang Ning paused for a moment, then said, "The County Lord wishes to care for the people and to uphold the nation, but lacks a good method. I’ve heard that recently Third Sister Zhao’s estate has been taking in refugees; perhaps Third Sister Zhao and Mr. Fu might have some suggestions?"

Hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang gave a slight smile to Chang Ning. She indeed had some suggestions, and quite a few at that.

"Since the County Lord is intent on caring for the people, why not keep the passing refugees in Shangcai?" Zhao Hanzhang said. "There is a lot of abandoned land outside the county city; over the years, due to natural disasters or human calamities, many people have abandoned their land and fled, leaving the remaining land to go fallow."

"In the past, there was a scarcity of population, so it had to remain fallow, but now that we have people, why not distribute the abandoned land to refugees for cultivation? This not only settles the refugees but also restores farmland," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Isn’t this exactly supporting the country?"

Is it really that easy?

County Magistrate Chai opened his mouth to speak, but Chang Ning moved his hand, pressing on his leg under the table to stop him, sighing afterward, "Third Sister Zhao is kind-hearted, as is our County Lord, but the issue of feeding and clothing the refugees remains, not to mention lodging, and let’s not even talk about seeds and farm tools. They have nothing, and the government treasury is currently very tight, making it difficult to provide support."

He continued, "Moreover, when refugees enter the city, township, or village, incidents like theft often occur, and in severe cases, robbery and murder. Our County Lord has the heart but lacks the power."

As Chang Ning was about to reveal their purpose, Zhao Hanzhang suddenly said, "I do have a solution."

Chang Ning’s emotions paused, and County Magistrate Chai couldn’t help but become curious, "What solution?"

"At its root, the reason the County Lord cannot settle the refugees is due to a lack of money. So all we need to do is make money."

County Magistrate Chai hurriedly waved his hand, "That’s not possible, Third Sister Zhao, you just returned home from Luoyang not long ago. I’ve heard that when you returned home, you lost your luggage. How can I take your money?"

Zhao Hanzhang paused for a moment, suspecting she had misheard, but her eyesight might be an issue, her hearing shouldn’t be.

She turned her head to look at Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan, upon meeting her gaze, couldn’t help but lower his head and smile, the corners of his eyes creasing with laughter.

Zhao Hanzhang clicked her tongue in her heart and followed the County Magistrate’s words, "County Lord, although I am in difficulty, my clan is in Xiping, with elders supporting me. I can still provide a little money. Moreover, there are so many wealthy people here in Shangcai County. If I can’t provide money, surely they can?"

County Magistrate Chai said nothing more.

Chang Ning quickly helped to decline, "How dare we take Third Sister Zhao’s money without reciprocation?"

"If the County Lord feels uneasy or finds it difficult to account for, why not do business with us?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "According to the law, land abandoned for more than three years should be reclaimed by the government. I imagine the government currently holds a lot of land?"

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I am willing to pay to buy some land, which can provide housing for some refugees. Meanwhile, the County Lord can use the money to settle a batch of refugees. If you are worried about them causing trouble in the city, you can temporarily prohibit them from entering, allowing them to set up a market in gathering places. What does the County Lord think?"

"Ah, yes, we wanted to ask you why you were taking in so many refugees." County Magistrate Chai finally remembered his actual purpose for this visit.

Chang Ning tried hard to resist the urge to cover his face and could only raise his head to dryly smile at Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "Didn’t the County Lord and Mr. Chang just say? The County Lord is intent on regulating the people and upholding the nation. Although I am merely a woman, I am troubled by the sight of the people displaced and the nation in peril."

"In my grandfather’s time, his greatest concern was the nation’s survival, whether for loyalty, righteousness, or filial piety. I wish to do what I can," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Aside from some land and money, I have nothing else, so I intend to use the land and money to settle refugees."

County Magistrate Chai sighed, "Third Sister Zhao has a kind heart. If everyone in Shangcai County were like you, why would I have so much to worry about?"

Chang Ning was completely at a loss for words. If everyone in Shangcai County were like Zhao Hanzhang, would there even be a place for a County Magistrate?

Looking at the touched County Magistrate, Chang Ning paused for a long time before re-establishing his sense of duty to serve. He forced a smile, "But as far as I know, although Third Sister Zhao has taken in many refugees, less than half have reported to the county government for registration."

"Really?" Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently, "Perhaps Mr. Chang was mistaken, or maybe the refugees gathered over the past couple of days haven’t had time to report yet."

She said, "My manor is only so big; how many people could it possibly hold? If the County Lord doesn’t believe it, why not send someone to check the manor?"

County Magistrate Chai didn’t dare to stir this hornet’s nest and quickly stated it was unnecessary, "I see that Third Sister Zhao is wholeheartedly devoted to the nation and would never conceal good citizens."

"Of course," Zhao Hanzhang affirmed, "Though I lack grand visions, I know to abide by the law."

"Yes, yes, likely the government official got it wrong and reported it to Mr. Chang, causing unnecessary worry with minor issues," County Magistrate Chai said. "When I return, I’ll punish the babbling official by sending him to the countryside. Let’s see if he still dares to talk nonsense later!"

"No need for that," Zhao Hanzhang smiled, "It’s just an incidental observation; mistakes happen. After all, it’s not like counting each one, just like counting ants. Two piles of ants may look the same at a glance, but only counting reveals the disparity."

"Yes, yes, they must have been mistaken."

Zhao Hanzhang then stood up and said to County Magistrate Chai, "The County Lord can consider my proposal. With money, the county government can help people. Otherwise, with an empty treasury, even if refugees faint at the government’s doorstep, it would be difficult to make them a bowl of porridge. Isn’t it all because of the lack of money?"

County Magistrate Chai was really tempted by the idea, disregarding Chang Ning’s hints, and asked, "But as land is cheap, how many plots would it take to raise enough money to settle the refugees?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately said, "Actually, we can tackle this problem in two ways. Besides selling land, I have another business I can do with the County Lord."