CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 332: DISPATCH TROOPS

Both men are younger than Zhao Ming, but they have some reputation, and most importantly, their families are still quite large and influential at this time; in the world of aristocrats, age is not the primary concern.

Wang Nai laughed heartily and said, "We came out in a rush, and there’s still some time before the fifteenth of next month. Meanwhile, we have to trouble Brother Zini; we didn’t bring much silver coin."

Zhao Ming smiled slightly and said, "You can stay as long as you like, not only until the fifteenth of next month but even until today next year if you wish. It is a great honor for the Zhao Family to have two guests as distinguished as yourselves."

Wang Nai and Xie Shi smiled and accepted, even though they weren’t familiar with Zhao Ming, but had been amicable for quite some time, so after a few exchanges, they got along well. Wang Nai directly asked, "There’s a rumor outside that the actual control of Ru Nan County is in Brother Zini’s hands. Is that true or not?"

Zhao Ming: ...

He swallowed the harsh words that he was about to say and sternly denied, "No, it’s not so."

Both men, unsure whether to believe him or not, gazed intently at him for a moment and then nodded, "So it’s Zhao Hanzhang; your Zhao Family really is full of talents. A lady, in less than two years, went from being an orphan to a county governor."

Zhao Ming lowered his eyes in silence; as long as one has the courage, anyone can do it, even bigger, and faster.

In such chaotic times, as long as one can provide money and food, and raise an arm in call, many will follow. With people, the court, even just for appeasement, can grant titles and appoint officials.

The main thing is whether anyone has the courage?

Such talented individuals occasionally emerge among commoners because they have nothing to lose and thus can take risks.

In contrast, aristocratic families have many concerns.

Zhao Hanzhang...

At this moment, Zhao Ming is no longer guessing what she thinks; he knows she truly has great courage.

Wang Nai expressed his wish, "I’d really like to meet her; could Brother Zini introduce us?"

Zhao Ming didn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang had just refused them, thought for a while, then nodded and agreed, "I’ll ask her."

Wang Nai raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Xie Shi, not directly agreeing, it seems Zhao Hanzhang is very independent, truly not under Zhao Ming’s and the Zhao Family’s control.

If Zhao Ming vouches for them, Wang Nai and Xie Shi don’t feel it’d be difficult to meet Zhao Hanzhang, nor does Zhao Ming think so; he still has that level of respect.

Zhao Hanzhang did not make things difficult for Zhao Ming; as soon as Zhao Ming mentioned it, she readily agreed, but ultimately they did not meet.

Because before Zhao Ming could leave the county government, five riders came yelling into the county town, shouting urgent military news as they galloped from the city gates to the county government entrance.

Zhao Hanzhang, who was seeing Zhao Ming off, narrowed her eyes and waited on the steps.

The man on the horse jumped down, swept his gaze, bypassed Zhao Ming, and rushed directly towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Qiu Wu saw this, stepped forward with his hand resting on his sheath in a defensive posture. He ascended two steps without kneeling but showed great respect to Zhao Hanzhang, giving a formal bow, "Zhao County Governor, the Inspector He orders, Yu State is in crisis, each county must send reinforcements."

Zhao Hanzhang had a feeling that this would happen, and calmly asked, "Is the Xiongnu Army attacking Yu State?"

Yu Sheng was stunned for a moment before replying, "Yes, the Xiongnu Army is pressing the border, Chen County is in danger, Yu State is in crisis!"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "What about Prince East Sea and the court’s army? Governor Gou’s army? And Luoyang’s reinforcements?"

Good, each question pinpointed the crucial issues.

Yu Sheng finally understood why Inspector He ultimately chose Zhao Hanzhang.

He glanced at Zhao Ming standing beside him, lowered his eyes and said, "Zhao County Governor, Inspector He has a confidential letter for you."

Zhao Hanzhang turned and looked at Zhao Ming, seeing him standing calmly, then nodded at Yu Sheng and said, "Please, messenger."

Zhao Hanzhang joked with Zhao Ming, "Uncle Ming, Ting Han is in the back courtyard, I’ll have someone prepare good tea for you and him."

Zhao Ming expressed disdain, "I don’t like the tea from your house, send a jar of wine instead."

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t refuse but, apart from wine, she still sent a pot of tea; Fu Tinghan wouldn’t drink during work.

After Zhao Ming went to the courtyard, Zhao Hanzhang strode to see the messenger.

Yu Sheng was close to Inspector He, and before Zhao Hanzhang became county governor, Ji Yuan had already collected information on him; he rarely left Inspector He’s side.

He’s a bit like how Ji Yuan used to be with Zhao Changyu.

So she’s quite curious, what kind of secret letter would Inspector He give her?

Or more precisely, what conditions does he offer to attract her to provide aid?

In this world, princes don’t listen to emperors, local inspectors don’t heed the court, and counties naturally imitate such behavior; anyone capable of independence need not obey inspectors.

Zhao Hanzhang clearly belongs to this type; she believes Inspector He knows this too, so to get her to dispatch troops, mere orders aren’t sufficient.

Once inside the study, Yu Sheng immediately took out a box from his chest, "This is a token of sincerity from the governor."

Zhao Hanzhang took it, opened it, and saw the seal inside the box, raised her eyebrows and asked, "What does the inspector mean by this?"

Yu Sheng replied seriously, "Zhao County Governor, Ru Nan County belongs to Yu State, you and the governor share both glory and loss. If the Xiongnu army truly breaks through Chen County and moves south, Ru Nan County would also be hard to preserve independently. Please, Zhao County Governor, send reinforcements."

He said, "The governor is not in good health these days, the old injuries have flared due to continuous exertion. He is already... Before his departure, the governor has been arranging his affairs, and throughout Yu State, after much deliberation, he still felt Zhao County Governor was the most suited to succeed him."

Zhao Hanzhang squinted her eyes but didn’t lose herself in the prospect, instead, she stated, "The messenger hasn’t answered the three questions I posed at the county government entrance."

Yu Sheng paused, sighed, and said, "Prince East Sea is avoiding battle. Once the Xiongnu army retreated from Luoyang, he fortified Luoyang and refused to come out."

"Gou Xi, seeing Prince East Sea preserving his forces, is also lethargic in battle. Thus, the frontline situation is dire, and various reinforcements, upon witnessing this, have retreated. Presently, the inspector alone struggles to maintain the front at Chen County," Yu Sheng pleaded tearfully with Zhao Hanzhang, "Please, Zhao County Governor, send reinforcements to aid the governor!"

Zhao Hanzhang’s expression was solemn as she nodded, "Alright!"

The messenger was delighted and quickly asked, "When will the reinforcements set out?"

"I need time to mobilize troops, but given the urgency at the front, I won’t delay," Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’ll split the army into two parts, and the first can set out tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow we can have the second party ready, we can meet en route."

Yu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, quickly saying, "Zhao County Governor’s great righteousness, Inspector shall never forget your kindness."

As long as he remembers his promise.

Zhao Hanzhang turned to go make arrangements, Yu Sheng thought for a moment and finally said, "Zhao County Governor, not only am I here to report, but Inspector He’s family also came, though they’ve fallen behind."

Zhao Hanzhang was surprised, "They came for?"

Yu Sheng sighed, "Inspector He specially instructed me to bring them, to show Zhao County Governor his sincerity. He asks Zhao County Governor to take care of the He Family members."

Sent as hostages?

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, feeling something was off.