CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 299: DARK NIGHT

The guests invited by Zhao Hanzhang were all of high standards, and no spot was wasted.

To manage Ru Nan County well, it’s important to establish a grand goal, one that everyone can accept and even aspire to.

In times of chaos, what can be more appealing than a stable environment?

The course of history is accelerating, and no one knows when Liu Yuan will breach Luoyang, so time is of the essence for her. She needs to utilize every available person to turn Ru Nan County into a solid fortress, then expand outward, bringing other parts of Yu State under her wings, ensuring broader safety.

Zhao Hanzhang left nine County Magistrates behind and invited Zhao Ming, Ji Yuan, and Fu Tinghan to the front hall to discuss matters.

Considering the current general reluctance towards high tables and chairs, Zhao Hanzhang dutifully removed them from the front hall and replaced them with mats and low tables.

She was wise and did not wish to create conflict with her subordinates over such minor lifestyle issues.

Upon stepping into the front hall, Zhao Ming noticed the changes and couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Hanzhang, letting out a soft hum.

He thought she was overly adaptable, remaining composed when yielding, making others feel like a spring breeze, caring little for her grievances. How could such a person be confined to the shallows?

Zhao Ming felt Ru Nan County was still too small and feared it couldn’t contain her.

Yet whenever he thought of this, he felt a bit uneasy.

Because of their blood connection, Zhao Hanzhang and the Zhao Family were naturally bound together, and her current operations were centered on Xiping. Her ambition and ability were directly linked to the future of the Zhao Family.

In the stillness of the night, Zhao Ming often asked himself whether he would regret all he had done on her behalf in the future.

Zhao Hanzhang had already reached the main seat, glanced down at the curved skirt she was wearing today, and knelt earnestly. The others took their seats in succession.

As soon as they sat cross-legged, the servants brought them hot tea and snacks.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Due to mourning in the family, we shall not feast, so I apologize to the guests."

The others hastily stated that having hot tea was already very good, and they were content.

They looked up and noticed that on Zhao Hanzhang’s sides sat Ji Yuan and Fu Tinghan, while Zhao Ming was a seat lower, causing subtle glances among them.

They thought Zhao Ming would be on equal footing with Zhao Hanzhang, suggesting that the new county deputy was not entirely a front for the Zhao Family.

Zhao Hanzhang had spoken a lot just now, and after a sip of water to soothe her throat, she said, "I invited you here to inquire about the conditions in each county."

Her gaze swept over the County Magistrates and finally rested on County Magistrate Gao, "I am familiar with the situations in Xiping, Shangcai, and Yu Yang, but haven’t had the chance to personally see the other counties. County Magistrate Gao, please first speak about Sui Ping County."

County Magistrate Gao’s eyes immediately turned red, almost shedding tears, "County deputy, our Sui Ping County is struggling..."

Zhao Hanzhang: ...

She couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Ming, wondering if it was really that dire.

Zhao Ming lifted his eyelids to return her gaze, showing confusion.

Zhao Hanzhang redirected her gaze, reflecting the same pain as she looked back at County Magistrate Gao, "Speak slowly."

Sui Ping County is just to the southwest of Xiping, sharing a small boundary with it, and its east faces Yu Yang. Its location is fair, but it has more mountains compared to other counties.

The western part of the county is mostly uninhabited mountains and forests, with people residing in the north and east. Unfortunately, the north leads to Xiping and the east to Yu Yang.

Last year, it was rather unfortunate; during the retreat of the chaotic troops from Xiping, some scattered forces ran into Sui Ping County, ransacking a few villages. Some left immediately, while others stayed to become bandits, recruiting several passing refugees to join them as outlaws;

Meanwhile, Yu Yang County was besieged by the Xiongnu Army last year, and due to the prolonged assault without success, the Xiongnu Army sent raiding parties to gather grain, heavily affecting the villages in Yu Yang County.

This was one of the reasons for the rebellions among the people of Yu Yang County. Last year’s pains hadn’t faded, and this year they had to pay so much tax, further crushing the surviving population.

However, the situation in Sui Ping County wasn’t much better; the Xiongnu Army’s raids extended to Sui Ping County, where the main population resided in the east.

That area is essentially flatland, the most fertile part of the county.

County Magistrate Gao wept, "Last year, our county alone had five wealthy families wiped out, let alone the plundered commoners and peasants, yet the higher-ups lack empathy, demanding such high taxes this year. The people of the county have exhausted all their savings and have no means of survival now. I implore the county deputy to show mercy!"

He wept bitterly, moving Zhao Hanzhang to sorrow, her smile fading as she asked, "How many people are in the county now? How much grain is in the warehouse? How much tax does each household have to pay this year?"

County Magistrate Gao answered each question in detail.

Seeing he answered quite thoroughly, Zhao Hanzhang knew he wasn’t fabricating, and with a slight frown, she said, "I understand. With autumn harvest approaching, you must organize the people well for a good harvest."

County Magistrate Gao tearfully replied, "Although the autumn harvest is a month away, I fear many people in the county will not endure until then."

Within seven days, a person can starve to death; some are already going hungry, with nothing to eat, how can they hold out until then?

After hesitating for a moment, County Magistrate Gao added, "Some people in the county have already started eating the green seedlings."

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression changed, "Eating them now will ruin the autumn harvest, won’t it?"

County Magistrate Gao despondently said, "We have to survive somehow."

After a moment of silence, Zhao Hanzhang said, "I understand."

She turned to County Magistrate Guan of Pingyu County, "County Magistrate Guan, please speak about the situation in Pingyu County."

...

This conversation lasted from noon until evening. Zhao Hanzhang went through the situations of the other seven counties and issued instructions for their work, which were to reassure the county’s people and prepare well for the autumn harvest.

After seeing the County Magistrates off, Zhao Hanzhang stood at the county government’s entrance, silently looking at the pitch-black streets of the county town.

Fu Tinghan stood by her side and asked, "Does it feel dark?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "When I used to touch history with my hands, I only thought people of this era were pitiable, but actually being here, I found they are beyond the term pitiable."

She sighed deeply, "It’s like being in freezing darkness, seeing no light at all."

Fu Tinghan said, "If even we cannot see light, does this era still have a need for efforts? Hanzhang, you are being pessimistic."

With a shiver, Zhao Hanzhang returned to her senses, glanced sideways at him, and said with a wry smile, "I’m sorry, I’ve heard too much today. I didn’t expect the situations in the other counties of Ru Nan County to be this bad. Ru Nan County is outside the battlefield; how much worse is it in the battlefield and the conflict center of Luoyang?"

Fu Tinghan felt the same pain in his heart. Though he bore no sense of belonging to this era, every life here was vivid and real. Staring gently yet firmly at Zhao Hanzhang, he said, "We just need to do our best."