CHAPTER 309: CHAPTER 303: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO COUNTIES

Early the next morning, news of Chang Ning’s promotion to County Magistrate of Xiping County spread throughout Xiping. Zhao Hanzhang used her County Governor’s Seal, not only issuing Chang Ning a letter of appointment but also writing an announcement, which she posted directly on the announcement board outside the county government.

She wrote the announcement herself, explaining the reasons for Chang Ning’s promotion and expressing her desire for talent.

Now, as the Xiongnu move south, Luoyang is besieged, and Yu State is also plunged into conflict. Half of the year is already gone, and the authorities have not conducted any assessments, so needed talents in various places must be resolved individually.

Zhao Hanzhang stated that various talents are urgently needed in Ru Nan County, and capable individuals like County Magistrate Chang should not be buried.

Thus, she hoped that talented and virtuous individuals who saw this announcement would recommend themselves to her. Then she would present them with a series of questions, and as long as they could answer her questions and pass the interview, she would wholeheartedly put them to use, regardless of their identity or family background.

The announcement was posted, and yet-to-depart county magistrates and elites were shocked that even someone like Chang Ning, a former aide under County Magistrate Chai who hadn’t been assessed, could suddenly stand on equal footing with them?

No, as Ru Nan County’s governance was moved to Xiping by Zhao Hanzhang, Xiping County instantly became the main county, and its status was even higher than theirs.

They all looked at County Magistrate Chai, their gazes complex.

County Magistrate Chai was also taken aback, then felt that Chang Ning was simply too lucky. Zhao Hanzhang just handed over the position of County Magistrate of Xiping?

While the county city and its surroundings were agitated by this announcement, Zhao Hanzhang rode out with her people and said to County Magistrate Gao, who was awaiting her at the city gate, "County Magistrate Gao, let’s go."

County Magistrate Gao ran forward excitedly, looking up at the horseback Zhao Hanzhang, "Is the County Governor truly going to our Sui Ping County?"

Zhao Hanzhang responded affirmatively, asking, "What, County Magistrate Gao, are you reluctant to leave?"

"No, no, it’s time to leave, it’s time to leave, I’ll follow right away."

The other county magistrates who were also departing promptly stepped to the side, watching County Magistrate Gao mount his horse and rush to Zhao Hanzhang’s side.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded to the county magistrates, advising them, "Please return to your counties quickly to calm the citizens and prepare for the autumn harvest."

The county magistrates bowed in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang kicked her horse’s side and led the way.

Fu Tinghan followed, as did Qiu Wu and County Magistrate Gao, with the attendants swiftly keeping up.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang bring twenty riders out on such a trip, the county magistrates exchanged glances, each with different thoughts.

Twenty riders may not seem like much, but this was just a regular outing. Even for a Prefectural Governor, managing to bring twenty riders was difficult; usually, it would be just a few mounts with a pile of attendants running behind.

The previous County Governor passed away, and Zhao Hanzhang shifted the governance to Xiping, bringing along two officials from the Governor Mansion, leaving the others in Yu Yang.

Yet, she could take so many horses on an ordinary outing, which showed she had many horses under her command.

Horses were the most vital in this era, even more critical than people.

People could be recruited at any corner as long as food was provided, but horses were different.

Who could call for a horse on the streets?

By now, the county magistrates had a preliminary understanding of Zhao Hanzhang’s military strength and prowess.

No one dared to disobey a top superior with troops and horses.

The county magistrates looked at each other, silently got into their cars, and left.

Zhao Hanzhang led her group hastily toward Sui Ping. Upon entering Sui Ping County, she felt the differences.

She slowed her horse, and Fu Tinghan and others also followed suit.

Zhao Hanzhang let the horse move forward slowly, observing the fields on both sides. Green soybeans appeared sporadically among the wild grass, the rice in the fields grew averagely, and what mattered most was some rice fields were sporadically harvested.

This was a critical time for weeding and fertilization, but few people were seen in the fields.

Just moments ago in Xiping County, there were many people working in the fields along the roadside.

Upon seeing someone in the field not far away, Zhao Hanzhang turned her horse towards them, with County Magistrate Gao quickly following.

Before their horses reached the field, the person in the field heard the commotion, glanced up, saw so many people on horses approaching, their expression changed, and they turned to flee...

But how could one outrun a horse, especially when the pace was slow? After running just a dozen steps, they stumbled into the field, covered in mud.

Zhao Hanzhang dismounted and didn’t mind the field water, quickly jumping down to help, "Old man, are you alright?"

She grabbed the person’s arm to pull them up, only to realize the previously sluggish and staggering skinny figure was not an old man, but a young person.

Keen to correct herself, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Brother, are you injured?"

The person stared uncertainly at Zhao Hanzhang, their arm slightly trembling in her grip. Their gaze shifted over Zhao Hanzhang to her attendants, turning paler, "Who, who are you?"

Fu Tinghan also dismounted, seeing the person still down in the field, Zhao Hanzhang looking unable to pull them up, he frowned slightly, stepped into the field, waded through the water, and helped hoist them up, "Are you alright?"

Zhao Hanzhang shook her head slightly at him and smiled at the young person, "We’re just passing through, hoping to ask the way to Sui Ping County city from you."

County Magistrate Gao wanted to say he knew the way, but before he could, Qiu Wu stopped him.

The excitement in County Magistrate Gao’s heart cooled down, gradually realizing Zhao Hanzhang intended to investigate local conditions.

He said nothing, standing obediently by the field.

Learning they were merely asking for directions, the young person quietly exhaled, closely examining Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan, especially Hanzhang, since she was a woman, his vigilance waned slightly. Standing properly, he pointed to the main road they had come from, "Just follow that road straight ahead, if walking, turn left by the evening, then keep going straight, and you’ll reach it."

County Magistrate Gao: ...deceptive, there are clearly several turns before reaching there, how could turning just once be enough?

Helping the person to the ridge alongside the field, Zhao Hanzhang noticed he was drenched and smiling nodded, "Thank you, brother, you’re soaked, go change your clothes quickly."

The young person didn’t care, merely squeezed out the water from his clothes and continued wearing them, "We’re not particular about that."

He watched Zhao Hanzhang and Fu Tinghan expressionlessly, waiting for them to leave.

Yet Zhao Hanzhang didn’t leave. Instead, she curiously looked at the direction he came from, smilingly asked, "Brother, what’s your name? Was that field just now yours? I noticed the crops look decent."

The young person frowned towards them, vaguely wary, as Zhao Hanzhang signaled to Ting He behind her, who promptly brought a small bundle forward.

She retrieved a baked flatbread from the bundle, extending it to the young person, "You seem unwell, your stomach keeps growling, are you hungry? Would you like a pie?"

The young person’s eyes locked on the pie in Zhao Hanzhang’s hand, unable to tear away.